Speaking & Keynotes
Engaging speakers who inspire, educate, and develop your leaders and employees. We draw on the latest research in organizational psychology and business, translate it into practical, memorable insight, and tailor every engagement to your goals, audience, and format.
Formats to fit your event.
- 01
Keynote presentations
For large audiences and high-profile industry or association events, an opening keynote to set the tone, or a closing keynote that sends people out motivated and ready to act.
- 02
Interactive workshops
Plus off-site and retreat facilitations for smaller groups of leaders or professionals, where participants leave with practical tools and strategies they can put to work right away.
- 03
Virtual and hybrid options
For today's distributed teams, engaging online audiences with interactive tools like live polling and word clouds throughout the session.
Why organizations choose us to speak.
The right speaker and the right preparation are what make a session land, and carry beyond the event. When you book us, you get:
- Experienced professionals that are seasoned experts in organizational psychology and leadership development who understand workplace culture and team dynamics.
- An evidence-based approach, where every talk is grounded in proven research and combined with real case studies, stories, and lived experiences from our own practice.
- Customization to your audience, including pre-event consultations to understand your goals and challenges, so the content speaks directly to the room.
- Interactive, work-related and practical options, hands-on elements that give participants skills they can apply the moment they leave.
- Measurable outcomes and sessions aimed at results you can track, from stronger employee engagement to improved retention.
From first call to lasting impact.
Every engagement is shaped around your event. In general, it moves through four stages:
- 1
Understand your event
We meet with you to learn your goals, audience, and format, a lunch and learn, conference, off-site, executive retreat, seminar, or panel, and to discuss the fit of a speaker's experience and topic areas.
- 2
Curate and customize
We tailor the content to your people and industry, drawing on current research and real examples, so the session is relevant and speaks directly to the audience.
- 3
Deliver the session
The speaker leads the keynote, workshop, or panel, in person, virtual, or hybrid, with interactive elements that keep the audience involved throughout.
- 4
Carry it forward
The best sessions spark conversations that last well after the event. We build in takeaways and practical tools so the ideas keep working inside your organization.
Topics and areas of expertise.
Each talk is rooted in evidence-based strategy and focused on real-world application. Common areas include:
- Leadership and team building, engaging and retaining Generation Z, leading remote and hybrid teams, building collaboration, trust, and a culture of inclusion, and facilitating feedback and difficult conversations.
- Workplace wellness and mental health, managing stress and preventing burnout, enhancing work-life balance, and creating a psychologically safe workplace.
- Career development and planning, navigating career conversations that build trust, and engaging employees across generations.
- Employee engagement and motivation, aligning career goals with organizational needs and strengthening succession planning.
- Resilience and change, evidence-based tools for navigating uncertainty and sustaining wellbeing through transition.
Through storytelling, audience interaction, and practical insight, our speaking engagements are designed to go beyond the event, supporting the development of individuals and organizations alike.
Frequently asked questions.
When looking for a keynote speaker, it's essential to find someone who can set the tone for your entire program, engage the listeners, and present a memorable speech. Look for a speaker with strong public speaking skills, a proven track record, authenticity, a humorous touch, and the ability to connect with the specific needs of your audience. Fit is incredibly important, and we always recommend an initial conversation with one or more of our speakers to determine who will work best for your needs.
Keynote speakers improve leadership and workplace culture by introducing research-based insights and practical strategies that inspire new ways of thinking about leadership, teamwork, and employee wellbeing. A strong keynote presentation can spark meaningful conversations that last long after the event, helping organizations to reinforce key messages and priorities.
An opening keynote speaker sets the tone for the entire event. They are responsible for energizing the audience, establishing the event's theme, and creating anticipation for what's to come. We find that a strong opening speech significantly influences the event's overall success. Tell us about your event and we'll help you find the right fit.
Event and meeting planners and conference coordinators typically look for credible speakers who align with the event's goals. They assess the speaker's past performances and check their ability to present engaging and relevant keynotes. At Birchwood, we go a step further by taking the time to work with you and understand your specific event, context, and desired outcomes before recommending the right speaker and topic. Get in touch to explore how our speakers could support your event.
A canned speech is a generic presentation that can be delivered to any audience without modification, while a customized keynote is tailored specifically to an event's theme and audience needs. The best keynote speakers work closely with organizers to tailor their message and truly speak to the hearts of those attending. Our team always assesses these needs and creates tailored and customized content so that the session is relatable and meets your goals.
Where we work
We speak and facilitate at events throughout North America, as well as virtually.
Looking for a deeper, hands-on session for a smaller group? Explore Training and Workshop Facilitation
Make your next event one people remember.
Whether you're an event planner, an organization, or an association, we're here to educate and inspire your people. Contact us to request a quote or talk through your options for a customized engagement.