The Excellence Awards are proud to announce the recipients of the Speaker of the Year Awards 2026, honoring outstanding speakers who are redefining influence, thought leadership, and transformation across industries and global audiences.

These awards celebrate speakers who move beyond presentation — and create meaningful shifts in mindset, strategy, leadership, and action through clarity, presence, and purpose.

Redefining Speaking Excellence in the AI Era

In an increasingly AI-driven and digitally accelerated world, live communication has become more powerful — not less.

The Speaker of the Year Awards 2026 recognize professionals who combine authentic presence with strategic insight, storytelling mastery, leadership intelligence, and responsible AI integration to create measurable impact.

Today’s most influential speakers are not defined by stage size alone, but by their ability to translate complexity into clarity, inspire action, and foster conscious leadership in a rapidly evolving world.

“Exceptional speakers do not simply inform — they transform. In the AI era, human presence and strategic clarity matter more than ever.” – Dr Yasemin Yazan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Excellence Awards

Speaker of the Year Awards 2026

Celebrating the Winners

The following speakers have been selected for their exceptional contribution, measurable impact, and commitment to excellence within their respective areas of expertise:

• Amelia Burke-Garcia – Smart Tech & Health

• Andrea Orsag – Sustainability Strategy

• Anne McDowell – Change Management

• Annie Meehan – Motivation & Mental Health

• Ayla Annac – Health Innovation

• Barclay Anderson – Leadership Development

• Bill Cole – Peak Performance

• Brad Montgomery – Encouragement

• César Fernández de la Reguera Mitre – Leadership & Change Management

• Charlie Walker – Motivational Mindset

• Chris Fitzpatrick – Student & Young Professional Leadership

• Christine Robinson – Resource Management

• Colette Carlson – Leadership Communication

• Deborah Levine – Culture & Diversity

• Dr Asha Patel – Mental Health

• Floyd Spence – Team Performance

• Gaelle Berruel – Visibility & Confidence

• George Maloukis – Security Leadership

• Gina Buckney – Workplace Performance

• Greg Grand – B2B Sales

• Haley Moss – Neurodiversity & Inclusion

• Harmony Major – Web Strategy

• Helena Ferrari – Risk Management

• J Israel Greene – DEI Strategy

• Jamie Mackenzie – Storytelling

• Jasmina Muller – Channel & Cloud Strategy

• Jean-Louis Fargier – Sound Healing

• Jeff Smith – KPI & Business Management

• Jenni Field – Internal Communication & Leadership

• Jimmy Clare – Resilience

• John Prakash Jha – Cybersecurity Leadership

• Joyel Crawford – Motivational Leadership Development

• Kate Bishop – Self-Confidence & Productivity

• Kate Gondouin – Wellbeing

• Khalilah Bruzual – Overcoming Life Challenges

• Lindsay Errico – Women Leadership

• Marcy Pusey – Trauma Recovery

• Mark Kennedy – Growth Mindset

• Michael Hingson – Overcoming Adversity

• Mimi Nicklin – Emotional Intelligence

• Monique Helstrom – Strategic Recruiting

• Muthoni Waigwa – Digital Content

• Nikki Alderson – Leadership Development

• Obi James – Inclusive Leadership

• Paul Hopfensperger – Goal Setting

• Paul Smith – Board Decision-Making

• R. J. Kelly – Wealth Preservation

• Ron Tite – Brand Strategy

• Rupa Patil – International Business

• Ruth Pearce – Ethics & Mental Health

• Ruyaida Moosa – Taxation

• Ryan Minton – Business Guest Experience

• Sam Munslow – Mental Health in Construction

• Shane Lukas – Business Growth

• Shivangi Gupta – Communication & Conflict Management

• Tania Ellis – Sustainable Business

• Tiffanee Cook – Resilience & Mindset

• Tiffany Markman – Communication Skills

• Timo Topp – Mental Health

• Valerie Jeffords – Change Management

• Wendy Sellers – HR Leadership

Each awardee was nominated and selected through a merit-based evaluation conducted by the Excellence Awards Nominations Team, based on leadership quality, originality of content, ethical standards, audience impact, and professional credibility.

Global Visibility & Lasting Recognition

All Speaker of the Year Award recipients 2026 will be:

• Featured in the official Excellence Awards Magazine

• Included in the Hall of Fame A–Z Listing, the permanent global digital archive celebrating excellence and leadership

“Recognition amplifies voice. And voice, when used responsibly, shapes culture.” – Mona Tenjo, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Excellence Awards

Speaking as a Catalyst for Global Impact

Across continents and cultures, award-winning speakers are influencing executive leadership, entrepreneurship, education, innovation, and organizational transformation.

Their work demonstrates that speaking excellence is not defined by performance alone — but by integrity, clarity, and long-term impact.

“The most powerful speakers are those who combine depth of expertise with human connection and ethical responsibility.” – Almaz Andezion, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Excellence Awards

In a world shaped by rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence, exceptional speakers are those who embrace innovation without losing authenticity — ensuring that technology enhances communication rather than replacing it.

About the Excellence Awards

The Excellence Awards, hosted by Dr Yasemin Yazan LLC, recognise professionals and organisations across the world whose work exemplifies excellence, innovation, and impact. With a global reach and local relevance, each awards round focuses on specific regions and industries.

To learn more about the awards and view past recipients, visit: www.excellenceawards.global

Media Contact
Company Name: Dr Yasemin Yazan LLC
Contact Person: Dr Yasemin Yazan
Email: Send Email
City: St Petersburg
State: Florida
Country: United States
Website: www.excellenceawards.global