Smiley is one of the top future of work, company culture & workplace belonging keynote speakers in the world for HR, Culture, and People leaders.
HR & Company Culture Keynotes
↓ INDUSTRY CLIENTS ↓
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“Smiley is entertaining, high energy, engaging, motivational, thought-provoking, behavior changing and an expert on workplace issues. His presentation was delivered with humor and authenticity. Smiley spoke at two HR Leadership events and had stellar reviews.”
- Gina Ayllon, CAE, Executive Director Northern California, SHRM
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“Smiley was the keynote speaker for Circa’s Diversity Symposium on Building Belonging in the Workplace. It was a fabulous event. We loved Smiley’s authenticity, evidenced-based data, vulnerability and energy.”
- Cathy Hill, Vice President Marketing & Product Management, Circa
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“Smiley’s keynote received rave reviews from 200 HR leaders and Chief People Officers at our HR Leadership Forum. His presentation on Belonging in a Hybrid Workforce offered so many practical tools for all of us who are trying to reconnect and re-engage our people in the era of hybrid work. We are thrilled we invited him to keynote at HRLF.”
- Bonnie Bystrek, SPHR, Chief People Officer, Virtual, Inc., HR Executive Development Committee, HRLF -
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“Smiley was wonderful to work with during all 6 global sessions he did for EO's virtual Future of Work Lab. He shared cutting-edge data, insights, and actionable tips on navigating the multigenerational workforce, hybrid work, AI's impact on employees, and how to build a culture of belonging in challenging times. Smiley also dedicated additional time to interviewing multiple EO members, integrating their insights on work culture into the content to tailor it for our audience. Best of all, many of our members have already begun implementing Smiley's ideas and strategies at their companies. We would love to work with him again in the future.”
- Jess Owens, Learning Manager, Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) -
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“The presentation was phenomenal and inspiring for me, and I can’t wait to implement some of the learning with my team. Smiley is aptly named and has the heart and passion and wisdom to make the smiling even better. Very grateful for this.”
- Director of Programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America -
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“Our Culture First community loved talking about Smiley's optimistic vision for how to build more friendship and human connection in the workplace and beyond.”
- Jessie Jacob, Senior Community Engagement Manager, Culture Amp -
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“Amazing! So positive and engaging.”
- Jill Musser, Senior Director of Benefits, Penn State University
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“So timely and exactly what I needed to remind myself that my superpower is vulnerability and connection.”
- Team Lead, Workers Compensation Board Alberta
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Future of Work Keynote Speaker for HR, Culture, and People Leaders, Specializing in Workplace Culture, Team Connection & Belonging
The Future of HR is Care.
The HR industry in 2026 is driven by a commitment to attract and retain top talent, with an ongoing labor shortage and increased competition for skilled talent, amidst rapid technological change and disruption. AI is transforming HR functions, from recruitment to performance management, yet a focus on people-first leadership remains essential. Flexibility, curiosity, empathy, coaching, and emotional intelligence skills are paramount to engage the multigenerational workforce, navigate complex cultural environments regarding diversity and inclusion, and prioritize employee well-being and mental health in the age of distraction and overwhelm.
HR and Culture leaders have a critical role in the Age of AI and Overwhelm: to harness the power of human connection to drive profitable growth and business innovation. With so many coworkers and colleagues not seeing each other regularly in a hybrid workplace, culture is the most valuable currency at work. Belonging isn’t just HR’s job. Belonging is every leader’s job. Belonging is everyone’s job.
50% of workers are burned out. 70% don’t have enough time to learn AI skills that might help them do their job more efficiently. The future of HR is care, wellbeing, and helping our people thrive through uncertainty.
In a nonstop, disengaged, overwhelmed workplace; the value of meaningful human connection increases exponentially and business is about building belonging for your people, your organization, and your community. High-levels of employee belonging create a 56% increase in job performance, lead to a 50% drop in turnover risk, and can save a company $52 million a year.
Smiley’s practical keynotes provide an actionable toolkit for HR, Culture, and People leaders to drive positive cultural transformation, enhance the employee experience, attract and retain Gen Z talent and talent across generations, increase employee connection and engagement, engage high-performing teams, and create a workplace culture of belonging for our people, and the clients, customers, and communities we serve.
Speaking Reels
2026 Keynote Preview
2026 Speaker Reel
Smiley’s Keynote Outcomes:
Learn 5 ways to increase human connection at work
Foster higher levels of psychological safety on your team
Deepen trust + build high-value relationships
Navigate uncertainty, drive massive business growth in the age of AI
Lead through change + build culture transformation
Keynote Topics for HR & Culture Industry.
How People Leaders Can Drive Employee Engagement, Build Belonging, and Transform Organizational Culture in the Age of Hybrid, AI, and Overwhelm
Creating Cultures of Employee Connection in an Era of Hybrid, Generational Shifts, AI, and Overwhelm
How to Attract, Retain, and Engage Talent Across Generations and Thrive in a Competitive Talent Market
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Building Resilient, High-Performing Culture Teams to Embrace Change, Transform Culture, and Drive Employee Well-Being in an Ever-Evolving Workplace
Building a Culture of Care to Improve Employee Well-Being, Reduce Burnout, Deepen Connection, and Increase Performance in the of Era of Overwhelm
Client Value Cycle
Pre-Keynote
Exploratory call to align on client vision and event goals
Deep dive pre-event call
Smiley customizes his presentation to meet your audience’s unique needs and priorities; interviews 3-4 leaders, team members, clients or partners to customize for your event
Customize through connection
Smiley delivers a high-energy, inspiring, interactive and practical keynote
Smiley models connection+ belonging in how he shows up, whenever possible, he’ll stay for client dinners, attend post-event cocktail receptions, moderate Q&As or breakout discussions, sign books, do video interviews or podcasts, and make cross-promotional social media posts.
Post-Keynote
All attendees receive Smiley’s hand-designed practical resources and guides:
Custom Slides
1-pager with key takeaways
Belonging Toolkit (70 pages)
Connect at Work Guide (30 pages)
Optional book bulk buy discount
Thank you video from Smiley
Access to 6 short videos to keep doing the work and implement Smiley’s culture of connection tips
30-days later 20-minute After Care Debrief Call with Smiley to discuss post-event progress and explore future collaboration options (including ongoing masterclass and Virtual Q&A/ Focus Group Series)
Keynote
Deliver exceptional keynote experience that models connection
After care resources to implement tools and take action post-event
Speaking Video Clips
The Power of Making the Ask
Being Human in the Age of AI
Human Connection in the Age of AI
Audience Customization Example
Create a Sense of Belonging
Communicate Across Generations
Flexibility at Work
Team Psychological Safety at Work
Culture of Care
Employee Engagement
From Hustle to Human Connection
Culture Transformation
From Hustle to Human Connection
The Myth About Workplace Belonging
Hybrid is How We Connect
Empowering HR, Culture, and People Leaders to Thrive Through Uncertainty
“One of the Top Human Resources Keynote Speakers.”
“One of the Top 12 Speakers who will inspire you.”
