Top 22 Female Leadership Speakers Taking 2024 by Storm

Mel Robbins

CEO, Lawyer, CNN correspondent, reality TV host, Mel Robbins has done it all. She is one of the most-booked keynote speakers in the world. As the co-founder and CEO of her own digital media consulting firm, Robbins partners with Fortune 500 brands to optimize their digital strategies. 

Her career as a leadership speaker kicked off with the viral success of her TEDx talk. Stop Saying You’re Fine: Discover a More Powerful You aptly represents her leadership experience and expertise. She provides a perspective on leadership that only a self-made entrepreneur can.

Hire Mel Robbins.

Vernice Armour

Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour has shattered barriers as America’s first Black female combat pilot, serving two tours in Iraq before transitioning to a successful career in the private sector.

Today, as a sought-after keynote speaker, she delivers powerful messages on leadership, overcoming adversity, and the importance of a gutsy mindset. FlyGirl’s dynamic presentations are filled with compelling stories and strategies that inspire audiences to make bold moves and embrace their potential.

Hire Vernice Armour.

Sarah Robb O’Hagan

One of the “Most Powerful Women in Sports,” according to Forbes, Sarah Robb O’Hagan is a prolific leadership speaker. She backs her speeches with real-world examples from her monumental transformations of businesses through executive leadership. 

O’Hagan served as the global president of Gatorade, leading their organization through a dramatic market repositioning. Then, she did the same as global president of Equinox, reinventing their customer offerings through a technological transformation of their operations.

Hire Sarah Robb O’Hagan.

Laura Gassner Otting

Laura Gassner Otting is a catalyst, executive coach, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who inspires individuals to push beyond doubts and indecision, encouraging them to think bigger and embrace greater challenges. Her dynamic career began with a bold move: dropping out of law school to work on a presidential campaign, which led to her role as a Presidential Appointee in Bill Clinton’s White House where she was instrumental in shaping AmeriCorps.

Following her tenure in public service, Laura became the youngest Vice President at a nationally respected search firm. Dissatisfied with the conventional definitions of success, she left to establish her own company, which quickly became one of the fastest-growing firms in the U.S. She later sold this firm to its leadership team in 2015.

Laura has since become a prominent thought leader in the field of career and executive development, regularly appearing on national television programs like Good Morning America and the TODAY Show.

Hire Laura Gassner Otting.

Dr. Gil Baram

Dr. Gil Baram is an esteemed cybersecurity strategy and policy expert. She is renowned for her expertise in shaping strategy and designing policy through rigorous research and analysis. With over 15 years of experience in leading innovative research, lecturing, and consulting senior business leaders and government officials, Dr. Baram is a sought-after keynote speaker in the field.

As a thought leader, Dr. Baram studies cyber trends and dedicates her research to understanding current global threats. Her ability to shape strategy through research and analysis has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor to organizations seeking to navigate the complex world of cybersecurity.

Hire Dr. Gil Baram.

Rachel Tipograph

Rachel Tipograph is the founder and CEO of MikMak, an innovative enterprise e-commerce marketing platform that helps brands optimize their online sales. She has been recognized globally for her pioneering contributions to business and marketing, earning spots on prestigious lists such as Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Who Are Changing the World, Marie Claire’s 50 Most Influential Women in America, and Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business.

Hire Rachel Tipograph.

Jean Oelwang

In today’s world, success is often attributed to one’s experience and technical knowledge. However, Jean Oelwang, the President and founding CEO of Virgin Unite, believes that the key to success lies in forming strong partnerships. With over 15 years of experience working with some of the world’s greatest partnerships, Jean has observed how they cultivate meaningful connections in both their professional and personal lives.

Hire Jean Oelwang.

Swan Sit

Swan Sit is a celebrated digital marketing strategist and former executive at global powerhouses such as Nike, Revlon, and Estée Lauder.

During her tenure as Vice President at Nike, she led the Global Digital Marketing team during the Emmy-winning “Dream Crazy” campaign and managed a $2 billion North American e-commerce business. At Revlon and Elizabeth Arden, she spearheaded digital initiatives that significantly enhanced their online presence. Today, she is world-renowned as a top female leadership speaker.

Hire Swan Sit.

Dr. Yvonne Cagle

Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Yvonne Cagle is one of six African-American female NASA astronauts and has led an accomplished career as a physician and professor. Her contributions to NASA’s initiatives in global mapping, sustainable energies, green initiatives, and disaster preparedness have been invaluable. As a keynote speaker, she inspires audiences with her experiences as a United States NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Airforce Colonel.

Hire Dr. Yvonne Cagle.

Carey Lohrenz

As the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy, Carey Lohrenz is no stranger to high-pressure situations where inconsistent execution can lead to catastrophic results. Her experiences operating in one of the world’s most challenging environments – an aircraft carrier – have equipped her with the fundamentals of winning under pressure, reducing errors, and overcoming obstacles. 

Today, Carey is a highly sought-after business consultant and leadership speaker, known for her ability to connect with audiences and share her knowledge and experience in leading high-performing, diverse teams.

Hire Carey Lohrenz.

Keren Elazari

Keren Elazari is a name that resonates with cybersecurity enthusiasts and tech enthusiasts alike. She is an international security analyst, founder of Israel’s largest security community event, author, and TED talk speaker. Keren has served as a cyber security officer in the Israeli Defense Force intelligence arm and is currently a senior researcher at the Tel Aviv University Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center. Her expertise in cybersecurity has earned her recognition from top media outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, and Forbes. In fact, Forbes named her one of the top 50 most influential women in Israel.

Hire Keren Elazari.

Danni Brooke

Danni Brooke is a name that is synonymous with intelligence and cybersecurity. As the most deployed female undercover operative of the British police, she has made a name for herself in traditionally male-dominated fields. Her mission is to inspire and drive women towards these fields, and she has been successful in doing so. 

Apart from her work as an undercover operative, Danni Brooke is also a professional cybersecurity consultant, author, and television personality. She is an internationally renowned subject matter expert in intelligence and cybersecurity, and her expertise has been sought after by many organizations around the world. 

Hire Danni Brooke.

Leslie Maxie

Leslie Maxie, a former US Olympian and international keynote speaker, is a natural-born entrepreneur. Maxie has traveled the world, sharing her “Olympic mindset” with audiences, teaching them how to adapt to the highest levels of business competition. This same mindset allowed her to excel in the hypercompetitive world of sports journalism at ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBC.

As a top female leadership speaker, Leslie Maxie covers topics ranging from motivation to DE&I. Her speeches include “Kicking Ass and Taking on Ageism,” and “Ever Meta Woman.” These speeches can guide leading organizations through transformational culture shifts.

Hire Leslie Maxie.

Jessica Yellin

Jessica Yellin, former Chief White House Correspondent for CNN, is a highly sought-after keynote speaker on the topics of Women in Leadership, Disruption in News Media, and Digital Media. Yellin is the founder of News Not Noise, a news publication that aims to combat the sensationalism of news by modern media outlets. Her dedication to providing information rather than panic has earned her Peabody, Gracie, and Emmy awards for her work with CNN, ABC, and MSNBC.

Hire Jessica Yellin. 

Sandy Abrams

Self-made CEO, author, and Breathe to Succeed workshop leader Sandy Abrams is a business magnate turned holistic wellness expert. Her unique approach to business and wellness has been endorsed and practiced by executives at Google, SAP, Sage Software, and the US Air Force. Abrams is a self-taught entrepreneur who turned her idea into a multi-million dollar business. Currently, she is a female leadership speaker who leads C.E.’Om Breath & Mindset experiences for leaders, employees/teams, and women’s groups.

Hire Sandy Abrams.

Dr. Keren Tsuk

Dr. Keren Tsuk is a renowned leadership expert, organizational consultant, wellness retreat leader, lecturer, and keynote speaker with over 20 years of experience in advising organizations through change and growth. She earned her Ph.D. in Leadership in the 21st Century from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Then, Dr. Keren Tsuk developed a ground-breaking holistic approach to addressing organizational challenges and tensions through mindfulness.

Hire Dr. Keren Tsuk.

Tara Schuster

Tara Schuster is a name that has been making waves in the health and wellness industry. A former television executive turned keynote speaker, Tara has authored two best-selling books, Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies and the forthcoming Glow in the F*cking Dark. Her career in television saw her serve as VP of talent and development at Comedy Central, where she was responsible for critically acclaimed shows like Key & Peele. Then, Schuster began to transition away from her career as an executive.

Tara Schuster went on to have a successful writing career after her time in television. In fact, her writings on self-care and mental health have been praised by Cosmopolitan, Real Simple, Publishers Weekly, and numerous other publications. Schuster is now a leading female leadership speaker, delivering speeches on workplace confidence, wellness, and journaling workshops.

Hire Tara Schuster.

Barbara Corcoran

Barbara Corcoran is a name that is synonymous with success. As the founder of The Corcoran Group and a Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank, Barbara has proven time and time again why she is the top-booked female leadership speaker. Her journey began with a loan of just $1000, but through hard work and determination, she built a real estate empire that she eventually sold for $66 million. Since her rise to fame, Corcoran has become one of the top-booked female leadership speakers of all time.

Hire Barbara Corcoran. 

Pauline Brown

Former Chairman of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton North America, Pauline Brown, is a renowned corporate leadership speaker. What’s more, she is the author of the critically acclaimed book Aesthetic Intelligence. With over 30 years of experience in providing regional leadership for over 70 luxury brands in fashion, watches, jewelry, and cosmetics, including Estée Lauder, Bain, and The Carlyle Group, Brown is a sought-after speaker for Fortune 500 companies. As a female leadership speaker, she directs teams in building loyalty and long-term planning. 

Hire Pauline Brown.

Jade McCarthy

Jade McCarthy is a name that resonates with sports enthusiasts across the United States. As an ESPN alum, she has covered some of the biggest sporting events in the country. In fact, her expertise in sports analysis and broadcasting has earned her an Emmy award. However, Jade’s knowledge and inspiration go far beyond sports. She is a host, broadcaster, storyteller, media consultant, keynote speaker, wife, and mother.

Hire Jade McCarthy.

Tamika Catchings

As an Olympic gold medalist, WNBA championship winner, and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Tamika Catchings has left an indelible mark on the sport. Her 15-year tenure with the Indiana Fever was nothing short of extraordinary, and her contributions to the game have been celebrated on a global scale.

But Tamika Catchings is more than just a basketball player. She is also a top female leadershp speaker, inspiring audiences with her story of perseverance and determination. Her message of overcoming obstacles and achieving success resonates with people from all walks of life.

Hire Tamika Catchings.

Tully Bevilaqua

Former professional basketball player Tully Bevilaqua is a WNBA Champion of the Indiana Fever and Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award winner. Her comeback with the Indiana Fever was nothing short of historic. Furthermore, her leadership on and off the court has made her a role model for aspiring athletes everywhere. Beginning in 2023, she became the assistant coach for the Phoenix Mercury, continuing to lead a successful motivational speaking career. 

Hire Tully Bevilaqua.