In the fast-paced world of events and conferences, the right speaker can transform an ordinary gathering into an unforgettable experience. Event planners know that hiring top-tier speakers isn’t just about filling a slot on the agenda—it’s about engaging audiences, sparking inspiration, and driving meaningful impact. As we head into 2025, a new class of elite voices is redefining what it means to take the stage. These speakers combine expertise with authenticity and storytelling, aligning perfectly with Talent Concierge® Artists Agency’s mission to redefine speaker hiring by showcasing elite voices who inspire, engage, and drive real impact. Below, we highlight five must-watch speakers for 2025—each a standout in their field—who promise to elevate your events to new heights.
Tricia Brouk – Elevating Voices Through Storytelling and Performance
Background & Expertise:
Tricia Brouk is an award-winning director, producer, author, and renowned speaking coach with over three decades of experience in theatrical performance. She has mentored thousands of speakers and designed platforms for thought leaders around the globe, helping her clients deliver talks everywhere from the United Nations to the World Economic Forum. As the founder of The Big Talk Academy, and former executive producer of TEDxLincolnSquare and Speakers Who Dare, Tricia has proven herself a powerhouse in shaping powerful communicators. Her background in theater and film (including directing and producing) gives her a unique edge on stage—she not only speaks with commanding presence but also teaches others the art of engaging storytelling and authentic connection.
Unique Value Proposition:
When Tricia takes the stage, audiences are treated to more than a speech; they experience a masterclass in authentic storytelling and influence. She brings a director’s eye to her speaking, weaving narratives that captivate and inspire. Her approach emphasizes vulnerability and human connection—much like how she coaches her clients to share personal stories that resonate. Tricia’s talks often illuminate how finding and using your voice can drive change, whether in business leadership or personal growth. For event planners, Tricia offers the best of both worlds: profound expertise in communication and an electric stage presence honed from years of performance. Attendees come away not only motivated but equipped with insights on how storytelling and authenticity can amplify their own impact.
Why She’s a Must-Watch in 2025:
As we move into 2025, organizations crave speakers who can help audiences cut through noise and connect on a deeper level. Tricia Brouk embodies this need. Her focus on authenticity and lasting legacy speaks directly to contemporary audiences who seek purpose and meaning. Moreover, Tricia is at the forefront of a movement to elevate underrepresented voices and redefine how speakers are developed and booked. Her recent partnership between The Big Talk® and TCAA is “about elevating voices that matter” and ensuring speakers are “not just heard but remembered.” In 2025, expect Tricia’s influence to grow as she continues to champion storytelling as a catalyst for change. For any event planner aiming to inspire their audience to find their voice and lead with authenticity, Tricia Brouk is an invaluable speaker who will leave a lasting impression.
John Foley – Inspiring Fearless Success and High-Performance Teams
Background & Expertise:
John “Gucci” Foley brings jaw-dropping credentials and stories from the sky to every stage he graces. He is a former lead solo pilot of the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels demonstration team – an elite role in which he routinely performed high-speed, high-precision maneuvers just inches apart from fellow pilots. Foley is also a bestselling author (notably of Fearless Success) and is dubbed “The Guru of Gratitude” for his trademark message of thankfulness and teamwork. After a decorated aviation career—including doing actual flying scenes for the iconic film Top Gun—John transitioned into a keynote speaker who translates the culture of excellence and trust from the cockpit into lessons for business and life. Over the past decade, he has been recognized as one of the world’s top 10 most in-demand speakers, sharing his high-performance insights with Fortune 500 companies, sports teams, and organizations worldwide.
Unique Value Proposition:
The energy John Foley brings to an event is nothing short of electrifying. He has an infectious “Glad To Be Here®” attitude that infuses his entire presentation, emphasizing gratitude as a driver of performance. John’s talks are often accompanied by awe-inspiring footage of Blue Angels aerobatics, giving audiences a visceral taste of what extreme teamwork and trust look like in action. But beyond the thrills, Foley delivers actionable strategies on leadership, teamwork, and trust. He recounts how precision, practice, and a debrief culture of accountability enabled his team to achieve seemingly impossible feats – and how these same principles can elevate corporate teams to world-class performance. Event attendees will hear unforgettable stories (imagine the adrenaline of hurtling toward another jet at 500 mph) and learn about building a “culture of excellence” where every team member operates with Blue Angel-level commitment. John’s unique blend of military precision and heartfelt positivity leaves audiences fired up to pursue their own “fearless success.”
Why He’s a Must-Watch in 2025:
In a world emerging from uncertainty, John Foley’s message of fearless success and unity is particularly timely. Companies in 2025 are focused on building resilient, cohesive teams that can navigate change and pressure. Foley’s emphasis on a high-performance mindset and gratitude-driven leadership offers a roadmap for organizations to improve morale and results. As one of the top motivational speakers globally, John consistently earns rave reviews for transforming the way teams think about collaboration and excellence. He shows that by adopting the right mindset (“performing with a purpose larger than self,” as he often says) and by instilling trust, any team can achieve extraordinary outcomes. For event planners seeking a speaker who will not only wow the crowd with incredible experiences but also deliver practical frameworks for teamwork and leadership, John Foley is a sure bet. His ability to galvanize audiences into a “Glad to Be Here” spirit and push them to break limitations makes him one of 2025’s most impactful speakers to watch.
Jeffrey Sanow – From the CIA to the Stage: Leadership Under Pressure
Background & Expertise:
Jeffrey Sanow is not your typical leadership speaker—he’s a 35-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency who brings real-world lessons from the highest-stakes environments on the planet. As a former Senior Intelligence Officer in the CIA’s National Clandestine Service, Sanow directed critical operations across South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. He has led security efforts for U.S. embassies in challenging regions and managed large security enterprises abroad. Post-CIA, Jeff has become a global security expert and strategic leadership advisor, integrating his deep knowledge of intelligence with corporate leadership training. Uniquely, he also weaves in timeless principles (including insights from biblical values) into his philosophy, offering a perspective that is both powerful and grounded. His diverse background—from farm life in Ohio to the front lines of international espionage—has shaped him into a speaker with an extraordinary outlook on risk, resilience, and decision-making under pressure.
Unique Value Proposition:
Jeffrey Sanow delivers an experience that is equal parts thrilling, enlightening, and practical. He captivates audiences with true stories from his CIA days—navigating dangers, outsmarting threats, and making split-second decisions when failure was not an option. These aren’t Hollywood fantasies but real operations that tested leadership at the highest level. What makes Jeff’s presentations especially valuable for events is his ability to distill these experiences into actionable leadership lessons for any industry. He explains how the same mindset that guided him through volatile international crises can help business leaders make better decisions in boardrooms and navigate uncertainty with confidence. Audiences learn about building trust within teams (when lives may literally be on the line), strategic thinking amidst chaos, and ethical leadership guided by strong principles. Sanow’s speaking style is described as engaging and commanding – he leverages his rich storytelling to keep listeners on the edge of their seats, then drives home takeaways on resilience, adaptability, and strategic planning. For event planners, Jeff offers a truly unique draw: who better to inspire your team to tackle challenges than someone who has thrived in the ultimate high-pressure cooker of global intelligence?
Why He’s a Must-Watch in 2025:
In an era where businesses face rapidly evolving threats and uncertainties—cybersecurity, global instability, competitive disruption—Jeffrey Sanow’s insights are incredibly relevant. 2025’s leaders must be agile and prepared for the unexpected, and Jeff embodies that mindset. His mantra of “Failure is not an option” translates into a rallying call for teams to bolster their risk management and decision-making skills. Moreover, with increased emphasis on security and global awareness in corporate strategy, Sanow provides a perspective that few others can. He inspires a heightened level of vigilance and creativity in problem-solving, encouraging organizations to think like intelligence operatives when confronting challenges. Attendees will walk away with a renewed sense of purpose and resilience, just as Jeff promises. As a speaker represented by TCAA’s elite roster, Jeffrey Sanow stands out as a must-watch talent who will push audiences to operate at their peak and lead boldly, no matter what headwinds come their way.
Emily Williams – Empowering Ambitious Professionals to Dream Big
Background & Expertise:
Emily Williams is a dynamic force in the motivational speaking circuit—a powerhouse entrepreneur, success coach, and bestselling author who built a multi-million-dollar brand by the age of 30. As the founder of the “I Heart My Life” movement, Emily has helped thousands of women and men transform their lives and careers. Her journey is one many can relate to: she started with a traditional career path and faced her share of rejections and doubts, but boldly pivoted to pursue her true passion. In just 18 months, she went from struggling to creating a seven-figure business, a story she recounts to inspire others to overcome their own obstacles. Hailing from Ohio and raised by entrepreneurial family members, Emily combines Midwestern sincerity with big-city boldness. She is also the author of I Heart My Life, a book that shares her strategies for personal and professional success. With credentials that include coaching high-achieving professionals around the world, Emily has become an internationally recognized success mentor who embodies the belief that anything is possible with the right mindset.
Unique Value Proposition:
When Emily Williams steps on stage, she brings a palpable energy and relatability that immediately connects with audiences. Her expertise lies in mindset shifts, goal achievement, and personal growth strategies, especially tailored for ambitious professionals looking to break through to the next level. Emily’s talks are a vibrant mix of personal anecdotes (she openly shares how she turned fear and self-doubt into fuel for success) and concrete tools that listeners can apply in their own lives. She might challenge an audience to reimagine their definition of success or guide them through exercises to identify and eliminate “money mindset” blocks that hold them back. A hallmark of Emily’s presentations is her focus on living life by design: she urges people to make decisions from a place of desire and vision rather than fear. This approach is not just motivational fluff—she backs it up with practical frameworks drawn from her coaching programs. Event attendees consistently praise Emily for her authenticity and high-impact insights. She has a knack for making every person in the room feel seen and empowered, as if she’s speaking directly to them. For event planners, Emily offers a speaker who can electrify a crowd and also deliver meaningful takeaways on leadership, confidence, and building a purpose-driven career.
Why She’s a Must-Watch in 2025:
As organizations place greater emphasis on well-being, diversity, and empowering talent from within, Emily Williams’ message resonates more than ever. Companies in 2025 want their employees to think like entrepreneurs—innovative, resilient, and passionate—and Emily provides the inspiration and roadmap to do exactly that. She embodies the mission of inspiring action and transformation, making her a perfect fit for forward-thinking corporate cultures. Moreover, Emily has a special appeal to women in business and young leaders, demographics that are increasingly crucial at events and conferences. She speaks the language of the new generation of professionals who seek fulfillment and bold action in their work lives. Emily’s recent partnership with TCAA signals her rising star status; her ability to connect and deliver high-impact insights makes her an invaluable addition to any lineup. Whether it’s a sales kickoff, a leadership summit, or a women’s leadership panel, Emily Williams is a must-watch speaker for 2025 who will challenge your audience to dream bigger, act fearlessly, and create the results that once seemed out of reach.
Carol Enneking – Leading with Balance, Purpose, and Resilience
Background & Expertise:
Carol Enneking is a transformational leadership expert who has built her career on helping professionals redefine success on their own terms. With extensive experience as a corporate executive—including serving as Vice President of Talent Management and Diversity for a $6B global company—Carol understands the pressures of the corporate world inside out. She is the creator of The Rebalancing Act™ framework and author of the bestselling book The Rebalancing Act: Wisdom from Working Women for Success that Matters, which distills lessons from her journey juggling a high-powered career with personal fulfillment. Over the years, Carol has advised 100+ organizations—from Fortune 500 giants to startups—on leadership development, workplace dynamics, and building cultures of inclusion. Now, as a keynote speaker and coach, she’s renowned for igniting transformation and fostering resilience in both individuals and teams. Carol’s no-nonsense style, combined with sharp wit and warmth, makes her both a credible authority and an approachable mentor on stage.
Unique Value Proposition:
Carol Enneking offers audiences a refreshing blend of hard-earned corporate savvy and heartfelt inspiration. Her specialty is addressing the topics many leaders struggle with: work-life balance, preventing burnout, and leading authentically. Carol doesn’t just talk theory—she provides real strategies, drawn from her own experience climbing the corporate ladder and her research with successful women across industries. For example, in her signature talk “The Balancing Act: Juggling Life Without Dropping Your Sanity,” she shares techniques to identify what truly matters in your life and career, and let go of the rest, so you can excel without sacrificing well-being. In another, “Confidence, Charisma, & C-Suite Credibility,” she teaches how to develop executive presence while staying true to oneself. Audiences appreciate that Carol is highly engaging and interactive—she often involves the crowd with thought-provoking questions or exercises, ensuring the content hits home. And because she’s led large teams herself, Carol’s advice is extremely practical: listeners walk away with tools and action plans, whether it’s how to prioritize their day or how to mentor the next generation. Her unique value to events lies in her ability to drive real personal growth in attendees. She doesn’t just pump people up; she changes how they think about their careers and life balance, which in turn can boost productivity, morale, and retention back at the office.
Why She’s a Must-Watch in 2025:
The year 2025 finds many professionals recalibrating their approach to work and life. The pandemic years have reshaped priorities—burnout is a key concern, employees crave more meaning, and companies are striving to create supportive cultures. Carol Enneking is the perfect speaker to address these themes head-on. She has been described as a leader who equips others to “show up powerfully in every role they play.” Her focus on resilience and adaptation prepares audiences to thrive amid change (a constant in today’s world). Carol’s message of “success that matters”—not just chasing titles or numbers, but achieving goals that align with one’s values—deeply resonates in this climate. Moreover, Carol’s ability to speak to issues of diversity and women in leadership makes her incredibly relevant as organizations work to empower a more diverse workforce. TCAA’s CEO praised Carol for aligning with their mission of representing influencers who create lasting impact. Indeed, Carol’s keynotes do more than entertain; they catalyze lasting change in how people lead and live. For event planners, having Carol Enneking on your stage means providing your audience with an uplifting, enlightening experience—one that will leave them motivated to implement positive changes in their teams and personal lives. She is undoubtedly a speaker to watch (and book) in 2025 for any event that aims to inspire real, meaningful impact.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Events with High-Impact Speakers
As this lineup of speakers illustrates, 2025 is poised to be an exciting year for event programming. Audiences are no longer satisfied with generic talks; they crave experiences that challenge, inspire, and transform. Tricia Brouk, John Foley, Jeffrey Sanow, Emily Williams, and Carol Enneking each bring something extraordinary to the table—be it masterful storytelling, high-octane inspiration, deep-dive leadership lessons, empowerment coaching, or work-life mastery. These elite voices epitomize what it means to engage and deliver real impact. They demonstrate the power of bringing authentic, passionate expertise to the stage, exactly what forward-thinking organizations need to galvanize their teams.
Investing in a top-tier speaker is an investment in the success of your event and the growth of your people. A great keynote or workshop can spark new ideas, shift perspectives, and even kickstart lasting change within an organization. That’s why partnering with the right speakers bureau is key. Talent Concierge® Artists Agency (TCAA) is redefining how business leaders hire speakers by connecting planners with world-class talent who don’t just speak—they create unforgettable experiences and inspire action. All five speakers featured above are part of TCAA’s exclusive roster, which means they are vetted, polished, and ready to deliver million-dollar results for your event.
If you’re an event planner or executive looking to make a bold impact in 2025, consider booking one of these exceptional speakers through TCAA.co. Each of them is a trailblazer in their own right and aligns with TCAA’s mission of elevating events with elite voices and fresh perspectives. Don’t settle for the ordinary when you can offer your audience the extraordinary. By securing a high-impact speaker like Tricia, John, Jeff, Emily, or Carol, you’re not just planning an event—you’re crafting an experience that attendees will remember long after, with lessons they’ll carry into their work and lives. Elevate your next event with these speakers to watch, and watch the inspiration and results unfold.
