12 Powerful Female Keynote Speakers

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Looking for a way to jolt your team? Check out our list of our standout female keynote speakers. While each comes from diverse backgrounds and industries, they share one thing: inspiring others. Each brings unique life experiences, insights, stories, and practical strategies to inspire your staff and spark new ideas. Whether you’re planning a conference or a team building event, these speakers will inspire the room to motivate everyone to push boundaries and achieve more than anyone thought possible. So, without further ado, here is our list of 12 powerful female speakers in 2024- women represent the real meaning of turning challenges into triumphs.

Danica Patrick

“Take those chances, and you can achieve greatness, whereas if you go conservative, you’ll never know.”

Danica Patrick is a trailblazer who broke records and shattered glass ceilings in a male-dominated sport as the most successful woman in American open-wheel racing history. Danica’s career started in go-karting at age 10, and she later excelled in IndyCar and NASCAR, where she became the first woman to lead a lap at the Daytona International Speedway. Her crowning achievement came in 2008 when she won the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first woman to clinch a victory in an IndyCar Series race. Since stepping away from full-time racing after the 2017 season, she’s become a sought-after female keynote speaker.

    • Speaking Topics: Danica Patrick inspires audiences with her dynamic presentations on inspiration, motivation, sports, teambuilding, and women in business. Her rich experiences fuel discussions that resonate with everyone, from aspiring young athletes to seasoned business professionals.
Aly Raisman  

“We get so caught up in winning all the time, but it’s also even more important to be a good person.” 

Aly Raisman has made her mark as a two-time Olympian and a passionate advocate for wellness and women’s rights. Raisman captained both the 2012 “Fierce Five” and 2016 “Final Five” U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics teams, earning six Olympic medals and becoming America’s third-most decorated gymnast. But what she’s done post her athletic career has been arguably more impactful as a prominent advocate for mental health, self-care, and combating sexual abuse.

    • Speaking Topics: Aly Raisman covers everything from staying fit and healthy to the critical importance of mental well-being. She shares her keys to staying motivated and achieving goals and tackles big issues like social change and women’s empowerment with a warm and engaging style. 
    • Watch Aly in Action: Aly tells her inspiring story on the TODAY Show and shares how she continues to “believe in magic” despite her challenges.  
  • Aly on LinkedIn: N/A

 

Tara Furiani

“There’s room for us all to win, share our knowledge with the world, and support each other.”

With a rich background in HR, corporate culture, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Tara Furiani is a highly-respected facilitator at Shapiro Negotiations Institute (SNI). She honed her expertise at Loyola Marymount and Arizona State University, earning accolades that have landed her methods in The Wall Street Journal. Not just a thinker but a doer, she’s taken her insights to NASA’s DEI board and her venture, “Not the HR Lady,” where she tirelessly works to transform everyday workplaces into centers of creativity, health, and productivity.

    • Speaking Topics: Whether discussing business, leadership, or the nuances of virtual communication, Tara brings a wealth of knowledge. She creates environments where diversity thrives and aligns HR strategies to meet business goals. She focuses on everything from team building to leading cutting-edge DEI tech projects.
Molly Bloom

“The human spirit is so resilient, and failure teaches you so much.”

Molly Bloom’s transformation from a top-ranked competitive skier to a renowned motivational speaker is a story fit for the big screen—and it actually made it there. Once ranked third in North America for women’s moguls, Molly’s Olympic aspirations were cut short by a severe injury. Moving to Los Angeles in 2004, she unexpectedly found herself organizing high-stakes poker games for celebrities and business titans. Her adventures became the basis for her 2014 memoir, “Molly’s Game,” which Aaron Sorkin turned into a critically acclaimed film.

    • Speaking Topics: Molly Bloom shares powerful lessons on resilience, risk-taking, and personal reinvention from her experiences running an underground poker empire. Her talks inspire listeners to reshape their own futures.
    • Watch Molly in Action: Catch a glimpse of Molly in action during her address at MPW Next Gen by Fortune Magazine.  
Monica Livingston

“The thing I always tell people is…don’t be afraid. Take that jump, take that leap. The best time to chase your dreams is TODAY!”

Monica Livingston is a top facilitator at SNI and a popular keynote speaker. With her unique blend of experiences as a retired professional athlete and successful business owner, she also excels as a trainer and coach. Monica captivates audiences with her award-winning humor and relatability, engaging with everyone from corporate giants like FedEx to major sports leagues, including the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Beyond the stage, she lives in Washington, DC, and is the VP of Diversity for the DC Divas Women’s Professional Tackle Football Team.

Amy Purdy  

“Instead of looking at our challenges and limitations as something negative or bad, we can begin to look at them as blessings.”

Amy Purdy’s life embodies determination and creativity as an accomplished actress and model, a Paralympic medalist, and a trailblazer in adaptive sports. At 19, a severe bacterial meningitis infection led to the amputation of both her legs below the knee. Undeterred, she co-founded Adaptive Action Sports and clinched medals at both the 2014 and 2018 Paralympics. Since retiring in 2022, Amy continues to inspire as a motivational speaker and author.

    • Speaking Topics: Amy Purdy speaks on various topics, from business and diversity to health, innovation, and sports motivation. Her diverse subjects reflect her varied career and personal experiences, resonating with audiences across multiple domains.
    • Watch Amy in Action: Watch Amy’s powerful message in her TEDx talk, “Living beyond limits,” where she shares her inspiring story of resilience and innovation in the face of life-altering challenges.  
  • Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-purdy-3055a343/ 
Sara Blakely 

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.”

Sara Blakely turned $5,000 into Spanx, a brand that revolutionized the intimate apparel industry and cemented her as a pioneer of innovation and empowerment. Recognized on Time magazine’s 2012 “Time 100” list and ranked as the 93rd most powerful woman by Forbes in 2014, Sara’s business acumen led her to retain an executive role even after Spanx’s $1.2 billion valuation by Blackstone in 2021. Beyond business, she’s a committed philanthropist; her foundation supports women’s education and entrepreneurship, and she joined the “Giving Pledge” to donate half her wealth to charity.

    • Speaking Topics: Sara Blakely speaks on topics ranging from Business, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership to Personal Growth, Women in Leadership, and more. Her speeches draw on her experiences in fashion, fitness, health, and corporate responsibility to nurture innovation and empowerment.
    • Watch Sara in Action: Catch Sara’s engaging presence and insightful speeches on YouTube, including her keynote at the 2012 NAPW National Networking Conference and her powerful address at Variety’s Power of Women event. 
Amy Cuddy  

“Trust is the conduit of influence; it’s the medium through which ideas travel.”  

Amy Cuddy is a prominent American social psychologist known for her research on “power posing” and the stereotype content model. She has taught at Rutgers University, Kellogg School of Management, and Harvard Business School and contributed to Harvard’s executive education programs.

    • Speaking Topics: Amy Cuddy engages audiences on various topics, including presence, performance under stress, power dynamics, prejudice, nonverbal behavior, trustworthiness, strength, and the psychology of social bravery and bullying.
    • Watch Amy in Action: Amy Cuddy’s viral TED Talk, “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are,” has amassed over 70 million views and explores how physical posture can influence confidence and success.  
  • Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-cuddy-3654034/ 
Annie Duke  

“In most of our decisions, we are not betting against another person. Rather, we are betting against all the future versions of ourselves that we are not choosing.”

Annie Duke, a World Series of Poker bracelet winner in 2004 and once the top female earner in WSOP history, now applies her cognitive psychology expertise to writing and speaking about improving decision-making under uncertainty. Annie is also a dedicated philanthropist and co-founded the nonprofit Ante Up for Africa.

  • Speaking Topics: Annie Duke offers profound insights into decision fitness, emotional control, feedback evaluation, Prospect Theory, and negotiation tactics. Her sessions aim to refine decision-making skills, enhance critical thinking, and help individuals and organizations recognize and mitigate cognitive biases.
Molly Fletcher  

“When we own the story we tell ourselves, when we have the courage to change the story we tell ourselves, we can do some amazing things.”

Molly Fletcher is a former sports agent famously called the “female Jerry Maguire” by CNN and ESPN. After graduating from Michigan State University, she built a remarkable career in sports representation, working with stars such as Tom Izzo, Doc Rivers, John Smoltz, Erin Andrews, and Joe Theismann. Later on, she founded the Molly Fletcher Company in Atlanta. Drawing from her extensive experience, Molly has authored several books on negotiation and performance and has become a highly sought-after motivational speaker and entrepreneur.

    • Speaking Topics: Molly excels in delivering keynotes on unleashing potential, overcoming fear, developing a champion mindset, leadership, negotiation, sales, business development, and empowering women in business.  
    • Watch Molly in Action: Check out Molly’s TEDx talk, “Secrets of a Champion Mindset.” Over a million viewers have tuned into it for insights on achieving peak performance and embracing a winning attitude. 
  • Molly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollyfletcher1/ 
Amy Jo Martin 

“Humans connect with humans, not logos, so we must humanize to monetize.” 

Amy Jo Martin is a pioneering author, speaker, entrepreneur, and investor known for her best-selling book “Renegades Write the Rules.” She founded Renegade Global and the Renegade Accelerator, building on her early career in advertising and as director of digital media for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, where she led social media initiatives. Amy launched Digital Royalty in 2009, aiding celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal in shaping their social media presence. With over 1.2 million Twitter followers, she now shares her expertise in social media, personal branding, and innovation with audiences worldwide.

    • Speaking Topics: Amy Jo Martin covers many topics, including AI, Business Growth, Communication, Innovation, Leadership, Marketing, Branding, Technology, Venture Capital, and Women in Business. She aims to inspire and educate audiences on the power of social media, personal and business innovation, and personal branding.
    • Watch Amy in Action: For a glimpse of Amy Jo Martin’s dynamic speaking style, check out her keynote speaker reel from 2024 or her impactful TEDx talk, “Innovate Your Life,” at TEDxRainier.
  • Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyjomartin/ 
Mel Robbins 

“Start before you’re ready. Don’t prepare, begin.”

Mel Robbins’ story overflows with inspiring twists and turns. Growing up in Kansas City and North Muskegon, Michigan, she graduated from Dartmouth, earned a J.D. from Boston College Law School, and became a criminal defense attorney. However, her true transformation came when she entered public speaking. Mel’s viral TEDx talks, best-selling books, and relatable, no-nonsense advice have helped millions overcome procrastination and find their courage.

  • Speaking Topics: Mel Robbins’ engaging and impactful presentations cover topics such as strategies for breakthrough performance in life and work, tapping into natural leadership abilities, and insights from her best-selling works, “The 5 Second Rule” and “The High 5 Habit.” 
Final Words About 2024’s Top Female Keynote Speakers

We’re all human at the end of the day. We face challenges, overcome obstacles, and strive to be better versions of ourselves. That’s what the 2024 top female keynote speakers embody. They’re not just experts in their fields – they’re real people with stories of triumph over adversity. When you bring one of these incredible women to your next event, you’re not just getting a speaker; you’re getting an opportunity to connect with an authentic voice that will resonate with your team on a deep, human level.

That’s where we at SNI come in. We understand the power of a truly impactful speaker, so we’ve curated a roster of top-notch female keynotes who don’t just talk but have walked the walk. Whether you need someone to fire up your sales team, provide negotiation strategies that work, or put on an event to inspire your people to push past their limits, SNI has the perfect speaker for you. 

Don’t settle for a cookie-cutter presentation – invest in an experience that will leave a lasting impression. Reach out to SNI today and let us help you unlock the potential of your next event.

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