Inspirational Speakers & Survivors

At The Harry Walker Agency, our group of inspirational speakers and survivors have the ability to motivate and relate to your audience in powerful ways. Our speakers address a variety of difficult topics, and we are humbled to be able to represent cancer survivor speakers, speakers with disabilities, speakers who have battled addiction, and many others who are willing to give insights on how to overcome and process trauma.

If you're looking for an inspirational speaker with a particular life experience, please enter the key terms in the search bar above. If you still require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us! We'd love to help.

We can help you find the perfect speaker for your event. Get in touch with us to get started!

CALL TO INQUIRE

HWA Exclusive

Sully Sullenberger

  • Miracle on the Hudson' Captain; Fmr. UN Aviation Ambassador; #1 NYT Bestselling Author: 'Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters'
HWA Exclusive

Richard Phillips

  • Hero of the High Seas & Real Life Inspiration for the Movie 'Captain Phillips'
HWA Exclusive

Itzhak Perlman

  • 16x Grammy Award-Winning Violinist; Recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom
HWA Exclusive

Tyler Perry

  • Famed Actor, Producer, Writer, and Director; Entrepreneur and Founder of Tyler Perry Studios, Two-Time New York Times Bestselling Author, and Philanthropist
HWA Exclusive

Lin-Manuel Miranda

  • Award-Winning Composer, Lyricist, & Performer; Pulitzer Prize Winner for 'Hamilton'
HWA Exclusive

Dr. Mae Jemison

  • First African American Woman in Space; Founder: The Jemison Group & BioSentient Corp; Stem Equity Advocate
HWA Exclusive

Gloria Steinem

  • Iconic Visionary of the Women's Movement; Co-Founder, National Women’s Political Caucus; Co-Founder, Ms. Magazine
HWA Exclusive

Dick Cheney

  • Former U.S. Vice President, Secretary of Defense, and White House Chief of Staff; Renowned Statesman and Bestselling Author
HWA Exclusive

Stacey Abrams

  • Political and Nonprofit Leader, NYT Bestselling Author, & Serial Entrepreneur
HWA Exclusive

Lisa Ling

  • Emmy Award-Winning CBS Contributor; Executive Producer & Host, CNN's 'This is Life with Lisa Ling' & Max's 'Take Out'
HWA Exclusive

Charles Blow

  • NYT Op-Ed Columnist & MSNBC Analyst; NYT Bestselling Author: 'Fire Shut Up in My Bones' & 'The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto'
HWA Exclusive

Vanessa Bayer

  • Emmy-Nominated Comedian and Actor on 'SNL', Children's Book Author, and Cancer Survivor and Award-Winning Advocate
HWA Exclusive

Marcus Samuelsson

  • James Beard Award-Winning Chef and Restaurateur, Host of 'No Passport Required', Entrepreneur, and NYT Bestselling Author
HWA Exclusive

Erin Brockovich

  • Iconic Environmental Activist & Consumer Advocate
HWA Exclusive

Andrew Young

  • Civil Rights Activist, Former Ambassador to the UN, Congressman, Mayor of Atlanta, and Author of 'An Easy Burden'
HWA Exclusive

Jennifer Palmieri

  • Former White House Communications Director and Strategist, NYT Bestselling Author, and Political Commentator
HWA Exclusive

Margaret Trudeau

  • Former First Lady of Canada & Proponent of Living a Vibrant, Joyful Life as We Age
HWA Exclusive

Natan Sharansky

  • Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Prominent Human Rights Advocate, and Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
HWA Exclusive

Laura Blumenfeld

  • Prize-Winning Middle East Correspondent, NYT Bestselling Author, and Former Policy Advisor
HWA Exclusive

Dylan Alcott

  • Paralympian, Disability Advocate, Philanthropist, & Former Australian of the Year
HWA Exclusive

Dusty Baker

  • MLB Legend & Future Hall of Famer; Cancer Survivor; Founder, Baker Family Wines; Popularized the High Five
HWA Exclusive

Deshauna Barber

  • Fmr. Miss USA; Fmr. Captain in the Army Reserve; Fmr. President of Service Women's Action Network; Author: 'Pretty Ugly Lessons'
HWA Exclusive

Gabrielle Bernstein

  • Spiritual Teacher; Podcast Host, 'Dear Gabby'; 6x #1 NYT Bestselling Author: 'Self Help', 'The Universe Has Your Back', & More
HWA Exclusive

Selma Blair

  • Acclaimed Actress: 'Legally Blonde,' 'Cruel Intentions,' & 'Hellboy,' Disability Advocate
HWA Exclusive

James Blake

  • Legendary Tennis Player, New York Times Bestselling Author, and Philanthropist
HWA Exclusive

Vic Blends

  • World's Most Famous Barber with 20M Followers, Entrepreneur, and Founder of Vic Blends Academy
HWA Exclusive

Nate Boyer

  • Former Active-Duty Green Beret and NFL Player, Host of 'Indivisible', Philanthropist, Humanitarian, and Advocate for Veterans' Issues
HWA Exclusive

Mara Brock Akil

  • Trailblazing Screenwriter and TV Producer of 'Girlfriends, 'The Game', & More
HWA Exclusive

Chase Bryant

  • Country Singer-Songwriter; Mental Health Advocate
HWA Exclusive

Cheryl Burke

  • Professional Dancer and Two-Time Winner of 'Dancing with the Stars', Podcaster, Entrepreneur, and Advocate
HWA Exclusive

Charlie Davies

  • Former Olympian and Famed Soccer Star, Sports Analyst, and Philanthropist
HWA Exclusive

Glennon Doyle

  • Activist; NYT Bestselling Author: 'Untamed' & more; Podcast Host; 'We Can Do Hard Things'
HWA Exclusive

Chris Draft

  • Fmr. NFL Linebacker; Philanthropist: The Chris Draft Family Foundation; Lung Cancer Awareness Advocate
HWA Exclusive

Sara Evans

  • Multi-Platinum Country Recording Artist, TV Personality, and Author
HWA Exclusive

Allyson Felix

  • Olympic Gold Medalist in Track & Field; Founder of Lifestyle Brand Saysh; Leader in Workplace Equity for Moms
HWA Exclusive

Antwone Fisher

  • Award-Winning Screenwriter, Director, and Producer; New York Times Bestselling Author of 'Finding Fish', and Child Rights Advocate
HWA Exclusive

Missy Franklin

  • Four-Time World Record Holder and Five-Time Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer
HWA Exclusive

Ezra Frech

  • Gold Medal Winning (2024) Paralympic Track & Field Athlete; Co-Founder of Nonprofit Angel City Sports
HWA Exclusive

Brian Grazer

  • Academy, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy Award-Winning Producer; Co-Founder and Chairman of Imagine Entertainment, New York Times Bestselling Author
HWA Exclusive

Jen Hale

  • Multiple Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, and Associated Press Award Winner for Sports and News Coverage, and Survivor of Cardiomyopathy
HWA Exclusive

Jarrett Harper

  • Criminal Justice and Foster Care Reform Advocate, and Inspiring Voice for Forgiveness and Hope
HWA Exclusive

Kasie Hunt

  • Anchor & Chief National Affairs Analyst, CNN; Survivor of a Brain Tumor
HWA Exclusive

Landyn Hutchinson

  • Lifestyle Influencer, Blogger, and Creator of Living With Landyn
HWA Exclusive

Matt Iseman

  • Emmy-Winning TV Host & Comedian; Physician; Cancer & Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient
HWA Exclusive

Richie Jackson

  • Award-Winning Broadway, Television, and Film Producer, Author, Columnist, and LGBTQ Activist
HWA Exclusive

Lucy Kalanithi

  • Physician; Patient Advocate; Presenter of #1 NYT Bestseller 'When Breath Becomes Air'
HWA Exclusive

Phil Keoghan

  • Multi Emmy Award-Winning Host and Co-Executive Producer of 'The Amazing Race', Creator and Host of 'Tough As Nails', and Author
HWA Exclusive

David Kessler

  • Foremost Expert on Grief &Healing, #1 NYT Bestselling Author, & Founder of Grief.com
HWA Exclusive

Amanda Knox

  • Exoneree & Criminal Justice Reform Advocate; Host of 'Labrynths' Podcast; NYT Bestselling Author of 'Waiting to Be Heard' & 'Free'
HWA Exclusive

Chris Licht

  • Former CEO & Chairman for CNN; Veteran EP of Critically Acclaimed News Shows; Author: 'What I Learned When I Almost Died'
HWA Exclusive

Laura Ling

  • Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, Producer, and Author
HWA Exclusive

Stacy London

  • Style Expert, Former Host of 'What Not to Wear', NYT Bestselling Author, and CEO of State Of Menopause
HWA Exclusive

Rob Lowe

  • Hollywood Actor, Producer,& Director; NYT Bestselling Author, 'Stories I Only Tell My Friends' & 'Love Life,' Stories on Cancer, Resilience & Sobriety
HWA Exclusive

Marika Lyszczyk

  • First-Ever Female Catcher in Men's College Baseball and MLB Creator Class of 2022
HWA Exclusive

Brandon Marshall

  • 13 Year NFL Veteran, Founder and CEO of House of Athlete, Host of the I AM Athlete Podcast, and Mental Health Advocate
HWA Exclusive

Tracy McGrady

  • Legendary NBA Player and Hall of Famer; 7x NBA All Star
HWA Exclusive

Mark Nepo

  • Philosopher; Lymphoma Survivor; NYT Bestselling Author: 'The Book of Awakening' & More
HWA Exclusive

Michael Nutter

  • Former Mayor of Philadelphia, Senior Fellow with Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Urban Policy Innovation Advocate
HWA Exclusive

Elizabeth Nyamayaro

  • Fmr. UN Sr. Advisor on Gender Equality; Founder: HeForShe Movement; Author: 'I Am a Girl From Africa'
HWA Exclusive

Pitbull

  • Grammy Award-Winning Artist, Education Advocate, and Entrepreneur
HWA Exclusive

Catherine Price

  • Expert on Mental Health, Technology, & the Science of Happiness; Author of 'How to Break Up with Your Phone'
HWA Exclusive

Desiree Rogers

  • CEO & Co-Owner: Black Opal Beauty; Fmr. White House Social Secretary
HWA Exclusive

Dan Runcie

  • Digital Media Expert and Founder of 'Trapital' - the business of hip-hop
HWA Exclusive

Martin Short

  • Celebrated Comedian, Actor, and Writer
HWA Exclusive

Nolan Smith

  • Assistant Coach, University of Memphis; Fmr. Associate Head Coach, Duke University Men's Basketball; Member of the Teamworks Basketball Leadership Committee; Cancer Patient Advocate
HWA Exclusive

Abby Wambach

  • World Champion Soccer Player; NYT Bestselling Author of 'Wolfpack' on Teamwork/Leadership
HWA Exclusive

Andrew Zimmern

  • Chef, Food Writer, & Food Equity Activist; Host of Travel Channel's 'Bizarre Foods'

J.R. Martinez

  • Wounded U.S. Army Veteran Motivational Speaker, and New York Times Best-Selling Author of Full of Heart

Erin Andrews

  • Sports Broadcaster for FOX, Entrepreneur, and Former Co-Host and Contestant on 'Dancing with the Stars'

Nataly Kogan

  • Happiness Expert, Venture Capitalist & Successful Tech Entrepreneur; Author of Happier Now

Robyn Benincasa

  • New York Times Bestselling Author of How Winning Works; Adventure Racing World Champion; Top Leadership and Teamwork Motivational Speaker

Christine Clifford

  • Industry Leading Salesperson

Angela Davis

  • Legendary Human Rights Activist

Yossi Ghinsberg

  • Adventurer & Survivor of the Amazon Forest, Bestselling Author, and Advocate for Environmental and Humanitarian Issues

Jane Goodall

  • World-Renowned Conservationist

Martin Luther King, III

  • Civil Rights Activist & Global Humanitarian

Mel Robbins

  • NYT Bestselling Author, Podcaster, Tech CEO, Syndicated Radio Host, and America's Life Coach

Elizabeth Smart

  • Abduction Survivor & NYT Bestselling Author

Natalie Stavas

  • Inspirational Boston Marathon Hero, Renowned International Humanitarian

Ethan Zohn

  • Co-founder Grassroot Soccer

Jeff Evans

  • Adventure Guide and Corporate Speaker

Bruce Feiler

  • Foremost American voice on family, faith, and survival

John Foley

  • Keynote Speaker to over 1500 Organizations Worldwide

Nicole Malachowski

  • First Woman Thunderbird Pilot, Combat Veteran, Fighter Squadron Commander, White House Fellow & Adviser, and Indomitable Spirit

Mark Schulman

  • First Call Drummer for World-Class Rock and Pop Artists, Cancer Survivor, Motivational Speaker

Rocky Bleier

  • Vietnam War Veteran and 4-Time NFL Super Bowl Champion

Laurie Dhue

  • Certified Recovery Specialist

Ranulph Fiennes

  • “World’s Greatest Living Explorer” - Guinness Book of Records

Vinh Giang

  • Personal Development Speaker with a Magical Twist

Neil Pasricha

  • Positive Mindset Expert and Author of Five #1 International Best Sellers

David Paterson

  • New York's 55th Governor

Tonya Reiman

  • Body Language Expert, Author of The Power of Body Language & The YES Factor

Shawn Achor

  • Leading expert on the connection between happiness and success, Bestselling Author of The Happiness Advantage & TED Speaker

Zahra Al-Harazi

  • Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Purpose-Driven Leadership Expert

Stacy Allison

  • First American Woman to climb Mount Everest

Vernice Armour

  • America's First African-American Female Combat Pilot; Former Marine & Cop; Author 'Zero To Breakthrough'

Michele Rigby Assad

  • Former CIA Counterintelligence Specialist

Paul Assaiante

  • Winningest Coach in College Sports History

Mariana Atencio

  • Peabody Award-Winning Journalist, Bestselling Author, Entrepreneur, Inspiring Storyteller, and Host/Moderator

Robert Ballard

  • Renowned Deep-Sea Ocean Explorer and Scientist

Tal Ben-Shahar

  • Positive Psychology Authority and NYT Bestselling Author

Molly Birkholm

  • Globally Recognized leader in Stress Management, Resilience Training, and Trauma Treatment

Amy Bloom

  • New York Times Bestselling Author, Creative Writing Professor, and Psychotherapist

Molly Bloom

  • Inspirational Keynote Speaker

Sam Bloom

  • Inspiration Behind Netflix Hit Movie 'Penguin Bloom'; Bestselling Author and Two-Time World Para Surfing Champion

Maha Bodhi, M.A.

  • Inspirational Speaker; Transformational Yoga and Meditation Instructor; CEO & Founder Women in Leadership Space

Wendy Booker

  • Mountain Climber, Marathoner and Adventurer with Multiple Sclerosis

Gary Bradt

  • Psychologist

Bryan Terrell Clark

  • Famed Actor, Singer, and Songwriter

Dan Cnossen

  • U.S. Navy SEAL

Roger Crawford

  • Former Tennis Pro

Kat Cressida

  • Cancer Survivor, Disney Voice Talent, Motivational & TEDx UCLA Speaker

Matt Doherty

  • Executive Coach, Author, and Media Personality, 2022 Vistage Worldwide Rookie of the Year, National Coach of the Year at UNC (2001), National Champion at UNC with Michael Jordan (1982)

Brian Eisch

  • Wounded Army Veteran Chronicled in Netflix Documentary 'Father Soldier Son'

Mike Eruzione

  • Captain of the Historic 1980 United States Olympic Hockey Team

Chris Evert

  • Tennis Icon, Commentator, and Philanthropist

Izzy Ezagui

  • Author; Inspirational Speaker; Veteran

Brandon Farbstein

  • Keynote Speaker, Author & Activist, Global Advocate for Diversity and People with Disabilities

Brenda Feigen

  • Iconic Women's Rights Lawyer, Film Producer, Co-Founder Ms. Magazine

Brandon P. Fleming

  • Renowned Author, Entrepreneur, and International Speaker

Molly Fletcher

  • CEO, Keynote Speaker, Author

Justin Forsett

  • Retired NFL Pro Bowl Running Back; Ranked 65 in NFL's Top 100 of 2015

Ashley Fox

  • Award-Winning Sports Journalist, Storyteller & Trailblazer

Jon Gordon

  • Best-Selling Author, Motivational Speaker

Jeff Haden

  • Leading Speaker on Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Personal Development

Sara Hall

  • Professional American Distance Runner

Scott Hamilton

  • Olympic Skating Icon

Jason Hewlett

  • Leadership Expert

Hollye Jacobs

  • Inspirational Speaker on Health

Willie Jolley

  • World Renowned Motivational Speaker

Valorie Kondos Field

  • Renowned Former Head Coach for UCLA Women's Gymnastics Team and Author

Chris Lemons

  • The Diver Who Survived 30 Minutes Without Oxygen; Commercial Diver Specializing in Deep Sea Saturation; Subject of Netflix Documentary 'Last Breath'

Isaac Lidsky

  • Transformative CEO, Leadership Expert, Tech Startup and Government Advisor

Joan Lunden

  • Award-Winning Journalist; Former Host Good Morning America

Chella Man

  • Model, Artist & Activist

Dr. Luana Marques

  • Global Speaker, Executive Coach, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, and Author

Allison Massari

  • Artist, Resilience Expert, Burn Survivor, Entrepreneur, Inspirational Storyteller

Michael Massimino

  • Former NASA Astronaut, First to Tweet from Space

Matt Mayberry

  • Peak Performance Specialist and Former NFL Linebacker

Katara McCarty

  • Fierce Advocate for Women's Empowerment

Souad Mekhennet

  • Renowned Reporter on Radical Islamic Movements

Erin Merryn

  • Survivor and Sexual Abuse Activist

Jacob Morgan

  • Leading Authority on the Future of Work, Employee Experience, & Leadership

Dan Mulhern

  • Co-Founder LeadingX2

Aimee Mullins

  • Groundbreaking Olympic Athlete

Liz Murray

  • Bestselling Author and Motivational Speaker Who Went From Homeless to Harvard

Ed Mylett

  • Entrepreneur; Author: '#Max Out Your Life' & 'The Power of One More'; Podcast Host: 'The Ed Mylett Show'

Dr. David Nico

  • Transformational Health Expert

John O'Leary

  • Award-Winning Motivational Speaker, Burn Survivor & Author of On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life

Eric O'Neill

  • Former FBI Operative & Cyber-Security Expert

Marissa Orr

  • Leadership and Diversity Speaker with a Revolutionary and Researched Perspective on Women in the Workplace

Dr. Sian Proctor

  • Astronaut - First Woman Commercial Spaceship Pilot, Space Poet - First Artist Selected to be Astronaut, U.S. Department of State Science Envoy for Space - Space Policy and Leadership, College Professor - STEM Workforce Development Specialist

Clint Pulver

  • Employee Engagement and Retention Expert

Laura Putnam

  • Speaker, Author, Innovator.

Giuliana Rancic

  • TV Personality and Entertainment Journalist, Entrepreneur, New York Times Bestselling Author of 'Going Off Script', and Breast Cancer Survivor and Advocate

Giuliana and Bill Rancic

  • Entrepreneurs, Restaurateurs & New York Times Bestselling Authors

Mike Rayburn

  • Hall of Fame Speaker

Chris Riddell

  • Award-Winning, Industry Recognized, Human Futurist

Tara Schuster

  • Bestselling Author and Former Vice President of Talent and Development for Comedy Central

Araceli Segarra

  • Everest IMAX 1996 climber & tragedy rescuer

Bakari Sellers

  • CNN Political Analyst & Former Representative from South Carolina

Emma Seppala

  • Happiness and Success Scientist and Expert

Aminatou Sow

  • Co-host, Call Your Girlfriend Podcast

Janet Stovall

  • Diversity & Inclusion Pragmatist, TED Speaker, and Fortune 500 Speechwriter

Nobuki Sugihara

  • Son of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who spared thousands of Jews from the Holocaust

Jill Bolte Taylor

  • Brain Scientist and Inspirational Speaker

Joe Theismann

  • World Champion Quarterback

Dan Thurmon

  • Workplace Performance Expert

Ronan Tynan

  • Irish Tenor, Paralympic Champion, and M.D.

Doug Ulman

  • President & Chief Executive Officer, LIVESTRONG

Loung Ung

  • Cambodian Genocide Survivor

Michael Uslan

  • Originator & Executive Producer of all Batman Movies

Michael Veltri

  • Business Transformation Expert, Experienced Leader & Author

Peter Vidmar

  • Performance Expert

Shannon Watts

  • Founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Damon West

  • Criminal Justice Professor, 3x Bestselling Author of 'The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change'

Aaron Wolf

  • Award-Winning Actor & Director

Brandon Wolf

  • Gun Safety and LGBTQ Civil Rights Activist, Press Secretary for Equality Florida, and Author

Bob Woodruff

  • Renowned ABC News Anchor and Correspondent; Co-Founder Bob Woodruff Foundation; Best-Selling Author of 'In an Instant'

Garrison Wynn

  • Influence Expert

Kelly Yang

  • #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of children’s and adult literature, Winner of the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature, Social Entrepreneur & Educator

Sandy Yawn

  • Superyacht Captain and Series Lead on Bravo's Below Deck Mediterranean