A Closer Look at the Top Keynote Speakers Shaping the Future of Our Industry
Every year, the National Speakers Association inducts up to five individuals into its prestigious Speaker Hall of Fame, honoring those who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the speaking profession, and gives away the highest service award in our industry, the Cavett Award, to one individual who has had the greatest impact on the association and the industry. These so-called “CPAEs” aren’t just any presenters. These are the voices shaping industries, lifting audiences, and inspiring leaders worldwide. The ones clients return to. The ones audiences remember. The ones who change people, not just PowerPoint decks.
Class of 2025 (from left to right):
Clint Pulver, CSP CPAE (clintpulver.com), Joe Mull, CSP CPAE (joemull.com), Sylvie di Giusto, CSP CPAE (sylviedigiusto.com), Brian Walter (extrememeetings.com), CPAE, Allison Massari, CSP CPAE (allisonmassari.com), Vernice Armour “Flygirl”, CSP CPAE (www.vernicearmour.com)
And in 2025, I had the great honor of standing beside four of them as part of this year’s CPAE Class. Let me introduce you to the people who make “top keynote speakers” more than just a title. These are colleagues. Icons. Humans whose work has shaped this profession and will continue to shape it for generations. They are some of my greatest friends, some of the most impressive speakers I know, and people with whom I’m deeply honored to share not only a stage, but a lifelong memory.
Key Takeaways
- The CPAE Award honors speakers who demonstrate long-term excellence and impact across their careers.
- The 2025 class represents a powerful blend of leadership, innovation, empathy, and storytelling.
- These top keynote speakers help organizations transform through insight, inspiration, and real-world relevance.
- Being inducted into the Hall of Fame isn’t the end of the journey—it’s a deeper call to serve.
Meet Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour, CSP CPAE
Vernice’s energy on stage is like a firework: bright, powerful, and impossible to ignore. She shows us what it looks like to break barriers with courage and joy, reminding every audience that leadership doesn’t wait for permission.
America’s first Black female combat pilot, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, is not just breaking barriers; she’s blasting through them. Her keynote message is a rallying cry for bold leadership and fearless action.
FlyGirl teaches audiences how to “own it”, to stop waiting for permission and start leading with purpose. Whether she’s speaking to Fortune 100 companies or government agencies, her energy is electric, her stories unforgettable, and her message clear: gutsy leadership is the future.
She’s also a fierce advocate for diversity, inclusion, and representation. Not as a trend, but as a necessity. Her unique background in military strategy and corporate leadership makes her one of the top keynote speakers on resilience, courage, and real-time decision-making.
Vernice helps organizations build teams that don’t just meet expectations but redefine them. If you want your audience to walk out empowered, unified, and ready to act, FlyGirl is your go-to.
Learn more: vernicearmour.com
Meet Allison Massari, CPAE
Allison brings such grace and vulnerability to her work that you can’t help but be moved. Watching her is a masterclass in resilience and compassion, and a reminder of the quiet strength that heals and inspires.
Allison Massari is the very definition of resilience and grace. After surviving two near-death experiences, she has dedicated her life to helping others heal, rise, and thrive. Her storytelling is breathtaking. Her presence? Transformative.
With a focus on empathy, compassion, and emotional resilience, Allison’s keynotes are often described as life-changing. She’s especially beloved in healthcare, where her message about the power of kindness, connection, and presence resonates deeply. But across all industries, she reminds audiences of one universal truth: the human spirit is a force.
Beyond the stage, Allison is also an accomplished visual artist whose creativity infuses her message with even more depth. Her work bridges art and advocacy, inviting organizations to explore the intersection of healing, performance, and human connection.
If you’re searching for top keynote speakers who can touch both the heart and the mind, Allison Massari belongs at the top of that list.
Learn more: allisonmassari.com
Meet Joe Mull, CSP CPAE
Joe’s depth of knowledge and research is remarkable, but what stands out even more is his heart for the modern workforce. His commitment to helping leaders truly understand and engage their people makes his work invaluable.
Joe Mull knows the modern workforce like few others do. As a leadership expert and creator of the “Employalty” framework, Joe teaches how to ignite commitment, cultivate loyalty, and build cultures where people want to work.
With sharp insights and a relatable style, he helps organizations navigate one of today’s biggest business challenges: attracting and retaining top talent. Whether he’s speaking to executives, managers, or HR leaders, Joe delivers practical strategies and fresh thinking on leadership and engagement.
His research-backed approach is grounded in real-world workplace data and frontline experience, making his message both trustworthy and transformative. From burnout to belonging, Joe offers a roadmap for leaders ready to meet the moment with empathy and action.
Top keynote speakers don’t just inspire, they equip. Joe Mull does both, and he does it masterfully.
Learn more: joemull.com
Meet Clint Pulver, CSP CPAE
Clint has the kind of energy that pulls you to the edge of your seat. You can’t stay still when he’s on stage. He’s a rockstar, yes, but one whose rhythm carries meaning, and whose message resonates well beyond the performance.
Clint Pulver is the Emmy-winning speaker who went undercover to learn what employees really think and built a movement around it. Known as the “Undercover Millennial,” Clint delivers heartfelt and high-impact keynotes that help leaders connect across generations.
His message? People stay where they feel seen, heard, and valued. Clint teaches how to lead with empathy, mentor over manage, and build workplaces that people love. And yes, he drums. (Trust me: the rhythm stays with you.)
His work goes beyond generational insights; it’s a cultural reset. Clint brings a unique ability to blend storytelling with strategy, making him one of the top keynote speakers on retention, engagement, and organizational loyalty.
If you want a keynote speaker who can shake up your culture, shift perspectives, and leave everyone talking, Clint delivers every time.
Learn more: clintpulver.com
Meet Sylvie di Giusto, CSP CPAE
My journey has been one of pushing boundaries, experimenting with new ways to connect, and believing in what audiences deserve. To now be recognized in the Hall of Fame is humbling, and I’m simply grateful for the chance to stand among such extraordinary peers.
Austrian by birth, American by choice, and global in mindset, Sylvie di Giusto (yours, truly) helps organizations harness the power of perception. Her immersive keynotes blend storytelling, behavioral science, and cutting-edge 3D technology to deliver unforgettable audience experiences.
Her signature keynote “The Power of Choice” transforms audiences by turning everyday decisions into extraordinary leadership or sales tools. A pioneer in immersive learning, Sylvie merges science and storytelling into an experience that sticks and sparks transformation long after the applause.
With a focus on leadership presence, emotional intelligence, and intentional decision-making, she helps professionals shape the way they’re perceived in that crucial first impression and beyond. As a Hall of Fame speaker, Sylvie is honored to stand alongside these top keynote speakers and to represent the future of speaking: high-tech, high-touch, and always in service of the audience.
Learn more, right here: sylviedigiusto.com
Meet Brian Walter, CSP CPAE
Brian has taught me more about creativity and stagecraft than I can count, but what I value most is what he’s taught me about service. His leadership, generosity, and originality remind me that excellence is both an art and a responsibility.
While already a CPAE Hall of Fame speaker, Brian Walter received the highest individual honor at NSA’s 2025 Influence conference: the Cavett Award. This award is named after NSA’s founder, Cavett Robert, and is bestowed upon the member who best exemplifies the spirit of generosity, professionalism, and service.
Brian is known for his wildly inventive keynotes, blending business content with entertainment in a way that captivates even the most skeptical audiences. As the founder of Extreme Meetings, he helps organizations make their events memorable, meaningful, and fun, all while delivering impactful content. A master of customization and humor, Brian proves that the best keynote speakers don’t just talk to an audience, they create something with them.
Brian’s influence runs deep—he’s also one of NSA’s most beloved mentors, giving generously to emerging speakers while continuously raising the creative bar. Whether you need comedy, clarity, or a content-packed showstopper, Brian brings it all with unmatched precision and personality.
Learn more: extrememeetings.com
The Responsibility of Standing Beside the Top Keynote Speakers
When you look at the Class of 2025, you see excellence in all its forms: courage, compassion, creativity, and connection. These aren’t just names on a roster. They are the best in our profession—the top keynote speakers you can trust to serve your audience, elevate your message, and raise the standard for what a keynote can be.
They are mentors, innovators, and tireless contributors to this craft. Their work doesn’t just resonate, it ripples. It influences how organizations grow, how professionals lead, and how audiences feel long after the curtain closes.
And as someone who now shares this title, I can tell you: it’s not about the spotlight. It’s about the responsibility. The legacy. And the honor of walking this journey alongside them. It’s a privilege I don’t take lightly, and a memory I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
As a CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame inductee, I know a keynote doesn’t start with the first word spoken, nor does it end with the last round of applause. It begins with intention and lingers as lasting change. My approach combines cutting-edge stagecraft, emotional intelligence, and immersive storytelling to spark ideas, shift mindsets, and inspire audiences to act with purpose. Each keynote is crafted with meticulous care, not simply to share information, but to create a transformative experience. Because speaking isn’t about the spotlight on me—it’s about the lasting impact carried forward by every person in the room.
Curious how this comes to life on stage? Take a look at my keynotes here.
