Smiley is one of the top future of work, company culture & workplace connection keynote speakers in the world for CPG and Retail leaders.
CPG & Retail Keynotes
↓ INDUSTRY CLIENTS ↓
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“Great presentation and examples.”
- IT Support Manager, The Home Depot -
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“Your presentation was truly inspiring and provided valuable insights into how we can create a sense of community and belonging in the face of change and uncertainty. We’ve received great feedback from attendees and leaders that your focus on psychological safety, your energy and passion, your intention to weave in K-C themes and feedback from our employees as well as the practical tips you shared really resonated with people. Your talk has left a great impression on our teams, and I am grateful that you were able to come speak to Kimberly-Clark.
- LaQuenta Jacobs, Global Vice President of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity, Kimberly-Clark
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“Absolutely amazing!!!”
- HR team, TJX Canada
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“We invited Smiley to be the keynote speaker at our inaugural Peak Week, a multi-day event dedicated to meaningful connection, collaboration, empathy, belonging and more. Smiley was a perfect fit for the theme of Peak Week: The Power of Human Connection, bringing together our leaders from around the globe at our NYC headquarters. Smiley provided WeightWatchers leaders with actionable tips and specific ways they can build belonging, starting today. As a result, our team felt more connected and empowered to create belonging on their teams.”
- Tiffany Stevenson, Chief People Officer, WeightWatchers -
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“I loved how you tied your knowledge to Altria as well as bringing in employee’s points of view. I think you have been our BEST speaker yet.”
- Sales Leader, Altria -
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“Smiley was engaged by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits - West Region, HR leadership team. The focus was on navigating inter-generational differences in the workplace as our talent landscape is shifting with incredible pace and intensity. The response was overwhelmingly positive and the team acquired practical and tactical recommendations for immediate implementation. We look forward to a continued relationship and remain drawn to Smiley’s ability to connect with a diverse audience through his expertise and genuine approachability.”
- Suzi Potts, Director of Talent Acquisition/Diversity & Inclusion, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits -
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“Smiley was a phenomenal speaker on Creating a Culture of Belonging at our ADM Global Week of Understanding. He took the time to customize and highlight stories of ADM employees across the company and around the world and made it about us.”
- Jeannette Robles, Global Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, ADM (Archer Daniels Midland)
↑ INDUSTRY TESTIMONIALS ↑
Future of Work Keynote Speaker for CPG and Retail Leaders, Specializing in Workplace Culture, Teamwork, Collaboration, Connection & Belonging
The Future of CPG & Retail is Human Connection.
The CPG and Retail industry in 2026 is facing several key challenges including rising operational costs and supply chain disruptions, increased wages, and retail consolidation amidst shifting consumer behaviors. CPG and Retailers are driven by a commitment to attract and retain top talent despite ongoing labor shortages, while adapting to digital transformation and E-commerce growth. Human connection is essential to innovate personalized, experienced-based shopping experiences for our consumers. AI and automation transforming how we work and how we shop, 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 sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and prioritize employee well-being and mental health in the age of distraction and overwhelm.
CPG & Retail leaders have a critical role in the Age of AI, Automation, and Overwhelm: to harness the power of human connection to drive profitable growth and business innovation. With consumers having more choice than ever in what they buy and where (and how) they shop, we must treat culture like a product too. Connection is the most valuable currency at work and in our products and stores. Belonging isn’t just HR’s job. Belonging is every leader’s job. Belonging is everyone’s job.
In an AI-driven workplace, human connection is our moat, relationships are our true competitive advantage.
In a nonstop, disengaged, overwhelmed workplace; with wall-to-wall Zoom meetings, 24/7 Teams messages, AI agents, and the rapid adoption of GenAI & ChatGPT; the value of meaningful human connection increases exponentially and business is about building belonging for your people, your company, and your consumers. 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 CPG & Retail leaders to drive positive cultural transformation, enhance the employee experience, attract and retain Gen Z talent and talent across generations, innovate in-person retail experiences, increase consumer engagement and brand loyalty, engage high-performing teams, and create a workplace culture of belonging for our people, teams, and the consumers and communities we serve all around the world.
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 CPG & Retail Industry.
How CPG and Retail Leaders Can Build Trust, Drive Consumer Loyalty, Innovate the Retail Experienc and Foster Belonging in a World of Digital Disruption
Creating a Purpose-Driven Culture and Community in the Era of AI, Overwhelm, and Digital Disruption
How to Attract, Retain, and Engage Talent Across Generations to Innovate and Thrive in a Rapidly Evolving Market
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Building Resilient, High-Performing Teams to Embrace Change, Transform Culture, Improve Well-Being, and Adapt to Consumer Trends in a Rapidly Evolving Market
Building a Culture of Care to Build Better Relationships, Drive Customer Loyalty, Support Employee Well-Being, Reduce Burnout, 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 CPG and Retail Leaders to Thrive Through Uncertainty
“One of the Top Human Resources Keynote Speakers.”
“One of the Top 12 Speakers who will inspire you.”
