Smiley is one of the top future of work, company culture & workplace belonging keynote speakers in the world for CPG and Retail leaders.
CPG & Retail Keynotes
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“Your presentation was truly inspiring and provided valuable insights into how we can create a sense of community and belonging in the face of change and uncertainty. We’ve received great feedback from attendees and leaders that your focus on psychological safety, your energy and passion, your intention to weave in K-C themes and feedback from our employees as well as the practical tips you shared really resonated with people. Your talk has left a great impression on our teams, and I am grateful that you were able to come speak to Kimberly-Clark.
- LaQuenta Jacobs, Global Vice President of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity, Kimberly-Clark
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“Great presentation and examples.”
- IT Support Manager, The Home Depot -
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“We invited Smiley to be the keynote speaker at our inaugural Peak Week, a multi-day event dedicated to meaningful connection, collaboration, empathy, belonging and more. Smiley was a perfect fit for the theme of Peak Week: The Power of Human Connection, bringing together our leaders from around the globe at our NYC headquarters. Smiley provided WeightWatchers leaders with actionable tips and specific ways they can build belonging, starting today. As a result, our team felt more connected and empowered to create belonging on their teams.”
- Tiffany Stevenson, Chief People Officer, WeightWatchers -
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“Absolutely amazing!!!”
- HR team, TJX Canada
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“I loved how you tied your knowledge to Altria as well as bringing in employee’s points of view. I think you have been our BEST speaker yet.”
- Sales Leader, Altria -
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“Smiley was engaged by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits - West Region, HR leadership team. The focus was on navigating inter-generational differences in the workplace as our talent landscape is shifting with incredible pace and intensity. The response was overwhelmingly positive and the team acquired practical and tactical recommendations for immediate implementation. We look forward to a continued relationship and remain drawn to Smiley’s ability to connect with a diverse audience through his expertise and genuine approachability.”
- Suzi Potts, Director of Talent Acquisition/Diversity & Inclusion, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits -
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“Smiley was a phenomenal speaker on Creating a Culture of Belonging at our ADM Global Week of Understanding. He took the time to customize and highlight stories of ADM employees across the company and around the world and made it about us.”
- Jeannette Robles, Global Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, ADM (Archer Daniels Midland)
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Future of Work Keynote Speaker for CPG and Retail Leaders, Specializing in Workplace Culture, Team Connection & Belonging
Belonging is the Future of CPG and Retail
The CPG and Retail industry in 2025 is facing several key challenges including rising operational costs and supply chain disruptions, increased wages, and retail consolidation amidst shifting consumer behaviors. CPG and Retailers are driven by a commitment to attract and retain top talent despite ongoing labor shortages, while adapting to digital transformation and E-commerce growth. Human connection is essential to innovate personalized, experienced-based shopping experiences for our consumers. AI and automation transforming how we work and how we shop, yet a focus on people-first leadership remains essential. Flexibility, curiosity, empathy, coaching, and emotional intelligence skills are paramount to engage the multigenerational workforce, navigate complex cultural environments regarding sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and prioritize employee well-being and mental health in the age of distraction and overwhelm.
CPG & Retail leaders have a critical role in the Age of AI, Automation, and Overwhelm: to harness the power of human connection to drive profitable growth and business innovation. With consumers having more choice than ever in what they buy and where (and how) they shop, we must treat culture like a product too. Connection is the most valuable currency at work and in our products and stores. Belonging isn’t just HR’s job. Belonging is every leader’s job. Belonging is everyone’s job.
In a nonstop, disengaged, overwhelmed workplace; the value of meaningful human connection increases exponentially and business is about building belonging for your people, your company, and your consumers. High-levels of employee belonging create a 56% increase in job performance, lead to a 50% drop in turnover risk, and can save a company $52 million a year.
Smiley’s practical keynotes provide an actionable toolkit for CPG & Retail leaders to drive positive cultural transformation, enhance the employee experience, attract and retain Gen Z talent and talent across generations, innovate in-person retail experiences, increase consumer engagement and brand loyalty, engage high-performing teams, and create a workplace culture of belonging for our people, teams, and the consumers and communities we serve all around the world.
Keynote Topics for CPG & Retail Industry.
How CPG and Retail Leaders Can Build Trust, Drive Consumer Loyalty, Innovate the Retail Experienc and Foster Belonging in a World of Digital Disruption
Creating a Purpose-Driven Culture and Community in the Era of AI, Overwhelm, and Digital Disruption
How to Attract, Retain, and Engage Talent Across Generations to Innovate and Thrive in a Rapidly Evolving Market
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Building Resilient, High-Performing Teams to Embrace Change, Transform Culture, Improve Well-Being, and Adapt to Consumer Trends in a Rapidly Evolving Market
Building a Culture of Care to Support Employee Well-Being and Mental Health, Reduce Burnout, Foster Connection, and Increase Performance in the of Era of Overwhelm
“One of the Top Human Resources Keynote Speakers.”
“One of the Top 12 Speakers who will inspire you.”
8 Reasons to Book Smiley to Speak
Smiley’s practical keynote talks are action-based and designed to increase workplace connection and build better relationships starting today.
All smiles, humble, kind, and drama-free.
Smiley delivers a memorable performance.
Seasoned Future of Work thought leader, trusted by the world’s leading CPG & Retail leaders, teams, and events.
Resonates across generations with youthful expertise, positive energy, and practical tips.
Globally recognized expert on friendship, workplace culture & belonging, human connection & inclusion.
Champion for human connection and building high-value relationships in the Age of AI.
Smiley goes above and beyond.
Speaking Videos
What is Belonging?
Belonging is Everyone's Job
The Myth About Workplace Belonging
From Culture Fit to Culture Transformation
A Culture Where People Can Make the Ask
Find Believers
Managing Gen-Z and Generational Differences
Engaging the Next Generation of Talent
Team Psychological Safety at Work
Belonging and Human Connection in the Future of Work: Event Recap
Build a Workplace Culture of Belonging: Event Recap
Empowering CPG and Retail Leaders to Thrive
Next Steps to Book Smiley as your CPG & Retail Industry Keynote Speaker
Reach Out
Complete the Speaker Request Form to share your event details and confirm Smiley’s availability.
Prep
We’ll schedule a pre-event call so you can share your event’s goals and how Smiley can best customize his presentation to meet your audience’s unique needs and priorities. If needed, we’ll also schedule a prep call two weeks before the event to go over logistics and A/V, and make sure everyone is ready to go.
Customize
Smiley will schedule several additional calls with leaders, clients, key stakeholders, or employees, so he can build their personal stories and wisdom into his presentation, to make it resonate perfectly with your audience.
In addition to delivering an outstanding and highly actionable motivational keynote presentation, Smiley will show up for your people. Whenever possible, he’ll stay for client dinners, attend post-event cocktail receptions, moderate Q&As or discussion groups, sign books, do video interviews or podcasts, and make cross-promotional social media posts.
Show Up
After his presentation, Smiley will share his slides and create a custom 1-pager with key takeaways, article links, recommended books, and follow-on resources for audiences to engage with after his talk. Smiley will review audience feedback, and is happy to discuss planning a 6-month follow-up discussion group or interactive workshop, so your team can keep fostering belonging at work, long after Smiley’s keynote.
