Top 25 Psychological Safety at Work Speakers
- By Aaron Peterson
- Feb 16, 2026
- Amy Edmonson
- Vanessa Van Edwards
- Megan Reitz
- Shawn Achor
- Riaz Meghji
- John Foley
- Bridge the Gap: Jennifer Edwards and Katie McCleary
- Erica Dhawan
- Henna Pryor
- Smiley Poswolsky
- Chester Elton
- Colette Carlson
- Brandon Williams
- David Burkus
- Shola Kaye
- Danny Goldberg
- Urs Koenig
- Chris Bashinelli
- Dr. Miriam Kirmayer
- Stephen Shedletzky
- Chris Rollins
- Kristen Hadeed
- Celeste Headlee
- Jennifer Brown
- Shannon Talbot
Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School, Amy C. Edmondson, has been recognized in the biannual Thinkers50 global ranking of management thinkers for the past 15 years. She has studied psychological safety, teaming, and organizational learning, making her an expert in her field. Her work has been published in top journals such as Science Quarterly, Academy of Management Journal, and Harvard Business Review. With an impressive lineup of books she’s authored and a track record of interesting and actionable keynotes, she consistently shares her expertise with others.
Vanessa Van Edwards spends her time helping business leaders to meet their goals by understanding human behavior. She’s a behavioral researcher who works with government entities, nonprofits, top brands, and other organizations to improve their communication. Her interest in human behavior came after she realized she was the “awkward kid,” and she wanted to know what made certain people different from her. She then began to understand the science of communication and how it can be used in both professional and personal settings. Her keynotes are filled with knowledge, action, and wit that keep her audiences engaged and coming back for more.
Megan Reitz explored the concept of “spaciousness” and what it meant for employees in the workplace. She found that having mental and physical space in the workplace can lead to improvements among the workforce, such as increased productivity, creativity, and higher employee satisfaction. She pushes the idea that it’s okay to pause and take a break; you don’t always have to be busy. Her knowledge and beliefs have been showcased in her keynotes, where she shares her findings and continues to inspire her audiences to pause.
Author of The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Achor studied how to connect potential and happiness as he visited 50 countries for research purposes. Now, he has built a career working with Fortune 100 companies, including NASA and the NFL. His TEDx Talk has over 25 million views, and he continues to share his research and findings through his keynotes, Big Potential, and The Happiness Advantage. With humor, storytelling, facts, and actionable insights, his keynotes are filled with expertise that intrigues the audience.
Human connection expert Riaz Meghji has a lineup of impressive work that’s been featured in publications including Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, and Financial Post. He’s a thought leader, author, and broadcaster who has spent almost two decades on television as a host. Now, after a career change, he is on a mission to explore authentic human connection and how it can transform personal lives and businesses.
John Foley, one of the top 10 most in-demand keynote speakers, is known for his work with organizations to help them reach their highest potential, meet goals, and foster teamwork within their companies. His client list includes top names like Hilton, BMW, Google, the NFL, and Microsoft, to name just a few. His keynote presentations combine energy, storytelling, gratitude, and uniqueness, leaving audiences inspired.
Dynamic duo Jennifer Edwards and Katie McCleary have collaborated on their passion to create teams, leaders, and organizations that are successful and foster teamwork. They have helped many organizations and teams to change the way they converse, collaborate, and think in a much more effective way. They gained popularity through a TED Talk that garnered over one million views in less than four months. Now, they continue to speak to audiences with props, storytelling, and activities that immerse the audience in their practice.
Erica Dhawan, an internationally recognized authority, speaker, and advisor, is a well-known expert on teamwork, innovation, and collaboration. She’s been named one of the top 50 management thinkers by Thinkers50, and she has been rated number one on the Top Women Keynote Speakers list. Her work is consistently featured on top media publications such as Coca-Cola, FedEx, and Walmart. Her mission, which she portrays in her work and all of her keynotes, is to share strategies that will foster teamwork, build trust, and engagement.
Henna Pryor is an expert in performance mindset, high-impact communication, and interpersonal dynamics. She has been invited to speak at TEDx twice and continues to give keynotes where she focuses on sharing her expertise. As the founder of Pryority Group, she has learned that people’s success lies in learning to strengthen their mental and social muscles. With client lists including Johnson & Johnson and Workday, she’s a well-sought-after expert in her industry.
Adam Poswolsky, also known as Smiley, is a renowned keynote speaker who focuses on workplace belonging. He’s a bestselling author of four books translated into multiple languages, where he shares industry-shaping insights and tools that help organizations attract and retain top talent. His client list includes top organizations such as Apple, Google, and Mayo Clinic. Smiley’s work has been appreciated and showcased across multiple outlets, such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company. He continues to give keynotes, where organizations and talent leaders attend to get a sense of his knowledge and expertise in finding talent.
When it comes to workplace culture, leadership, and employee engagement, Chester Elton is a leading expert. He’s worked with a variety of organizations to create workplaces that run on innovation and employee satisfaction. Chester has an impressive track record, including being listed among the world’s top 50 coaches and receiving the Thinkers 50 Coaching Award. Organizations are continuing to book Chester for keynotes to get a piece of his knowledge and expertise.
Hall of Fame keynote speaker Colette Carlson is known for her transformative approach to creating workplaces that foster successful business results. She’s given hundreds of keynotes across five continents, combining energy, interaction, and customization. As a Certified Speaking Professional, she is knowledgeable in her field and uses her expertise to guide her keynotes. As a popular speaker, she continues to be sought after by organizations, individuals, and leaders seeking guidance to transform their workplaces.
Brandon Williams has a mission to help leaders transform their teams into successful, reliable organizations. He uses a tool straight from US Air Force Fighter Pilots to help leaders lead, organize, and operate in uncertain environments. Drawing on methods from special ops and fighter squadrons provides a unique set of tools and actionable steps for leaders. Brandon has built his speaking business from the ground up, becoming an accomplished keynote speaker.
David Burkus is one of the world's leading business thinkers, and his ideas and thought processes are the reason for his popularity. He focuses on helping companies change the way they lead and build teams, and collaborate to create a balanced and successful environment. His knowledge has been published in multiple venues, including the five books he’s authored and top publications such as the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Harvard Business Review. He continues to work with companies such as Fidelity, Adobe, and NASA.
Shola Kaye is known for creating a people-first culture across all her work by leveraging empathy, communication, and leadership to drive results. Her keynotes incorporate storytelling, actionable insights, and case studies that bring an immersive, interactive, and informative feel to her speeches. Shola’s personal struggles and upbringing have played a crucial role in her experience in her line of work. It’s allowed her to use her own experiences and stories to drive results, inspire, and relate to companies. Her client list includes top organizations such as Google, IBM, and Target. She’s become a driving force in her industry, and she continues to be booked for keynotes by industry leaders.
Workplace culture expert Danny Goldberg is on a mission to help organizations address challenges such as disengagement, burnout, and turnover. These challenges are faced by almost every industry organization, which leaves Danny with a lot of work to do. His career started at 24 when he built a multimillion-dollar business, which led him to study what makes a great team and how to build one. Today, he uses this research and knowledge to help organizations across the country overcome challenges and build reliable, successful teams.
Urs Koenig, a former UN peacekeeper and NATO peacekeeping commander, is a world-leading expert who has helped dozens of organizations achieve success. With over 30 years of experience, he founded the Radical Humility Leadership Institute, which focuses on leadership in corporations. He’s inspired organizations including Amazon, NATO, Starbucks, and Microsoft. He’s shared his knowledge and expertise in a variety of ways, including keynote speaking, where leaders and people from all over the world get his insights firsthand.
Chris Bashinelli, a National Geographic Explorer, has a unique history that started when he lived with nomads in Mongolia. His passion for mental wellness, happiness, and mindfulness has led him to help organizations inspire employees, build connections, and boost sales. Chris’ keynotes often combine storytelling, interactive elements, and content that’s customized and exclusive to the audience he’s speaking to. He continues to be a sought-after speaker who harnesses a unique past and impressive knowledge.
Human connection expert Dr. Miriam Kirmayer is a clinical psychologist who has conducted over a decade of research on the science of friendship. Her work focuses mainly on connection in both our personal and professional lives, which she’s continued to showcase in her keynotes. Her client list includes The Aspen Institute, Canadian Women in Medicine, and The Government of Canada. Companies worldwide have seen a boost in sales, engagement, and well-being within their organizations following her research, insights, and advice.
Shed, or Stephen Shedletzky, a sought-after keynote speaker and coach, is known for helping organizational leaders solve problems and inspire a workplace of belonging. Focusing on leadership, he has worked with a variety of companies and led keynotes, workshops, and leadership development programs. Stephen has made an impact on the leaders he’s worked with, and he continues to be booked for keynotes and workshops to share his expertise and knowledge in leadership.
Chris Rollins impressively became a top HR executive by the age of 30, which skyrocketed his career in leadership. His journey inspired The Ripple Effect leadership, his personal framework that encourages leaders to build connections and drive action in their organizations. His keynotes feature emotional, storytelling, and informational aspects that keep people engaged and connected during his events. Chris has been trusted by top organizations like IKEA, Oracle, and Raymond James, among others.
Kristen Hadeed started her career as a leader at 19, when she founded her first business, Student Maid. Her experience with this company shaped the way she viewed leadership, which led to today, where she helps leaders, teams, and organizations to be authentic leaders. Her keynotes are filled with insights on how to build trust, foster belonging, and create engaging environments while being a respected and actionable leader.
With one of the 10 most-watched TED Talks ever, Celeste Headlee is an impactful journalist and radio host with a full career behind her. She has featured her work in a variety of areas, including writing books, giving keynotes, public broadcasting, and podcasting. She is known for working with organizations that reflect her beliefs, including the National Center for Race Amity and the Conferences for Women. With her impressive experience and career opportunities, she’s shaping the future of women in business.
Inclusivity in the workplace is a common issue that should be recognized and addressed, according to Jennifer Brown. As an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and author, she has expressed her passion for building inclusive workplaces that foster environments where everyone can feel respected, seen, and welcomed. She has built a career, whether she helps organizations develop inclusivity plans that have already been implemented by top companies worldwide, such as IBM, Indeed, and Google. With her expertise at hand, she’s shared her knowledge through writing with four best-selling books that have made the top charts and impressive sales. She continues to showcase her experience through keynotes, where she uses storytelling and case studies to inspire her audiences.
Human Connection Expert Shannon Talbot is passionate about helping leaders build a healthier, happier, and more engaged workforce. She is seen as a dynamic leader who achieves results and drives transformation in the workplace, which she’s been able to do in Canada, Latin America, and the United States. Shannon believes that one of the secrets to success is to have a workplace that fosters connection, trust, and well-being. Organization leaders continue to fill rooms for her keynotes, where they will gain firsthand, actionable insights into her leadership experience and knowledge.
