Free Speakers Chicago is a pro bono speakers bureau. Every speaker on this page presents at no cost, with no fees, no honorarium and no mileage. Browse the full roster below, or jump to a category, and request a guest speaker for your next meeting, workshop or community event.
CFO, Bear & Kenmore LLC
Barrett Willich has extensive experience working with companies on strategic initiatives, capital raising, implementing day-to-day processes, and overseeing general operations. He has a unique mix of investing in companies and running companies, allowing him to navigate investors' needs with management's needs. Prior to Bear & Kenmore, Barrett was Vice President of Investments at a family
Co-founders, BridgeWork LLC
BridgeWork is the brainchild of Anthony Bolden and Charles Cammack, whose combined passion and extensive experience in nonprofit and educational leadership form the cornerstone of our mission and operations. With over 20 years of collective experience, they bring a unique blend of insight and dedication to fostering emerging talent. Anthony Bolden, co-founder, brings a wealth
Managing Partner, The Alliance Strategic Group
J. Michial Schickedanz is the founder of Strategic Intercept International, where he works with executive teams and department leaders to close the gap between stated values and actual decisions, and long term strategy. His work treats culture as an execution system, not a values exercise, giving leaders a structural way to see why teams stall
Director of Outreach, Citizens Utility Board (CUB)
Ivonne joined the Citizens Utility Board in 2012. As Outreach Director, she leads the team that educates Illinois consumers on various utility issues, establishes relationships with community organizations and serves both English- and Spanish-speaking constituents. Her favorite part about working for CUB is being able to make a difference in the lives of consumers and
Social Media Strategist, Time2Mrkt, Inc.
Dee Reinhardt loves social media. It feeds the right side of her brain and helps her creative juices flow. She helps small business understand the how and why of marketing with social media. She can help you design build or remodel your marketing to incorporate social media into your overall plan. Dee is a certified
President, NaviAsia Advisors
Bill Liu helps U.S. companies enter the Chinese market. Most recently, he has also been assisting Asian companies to enter the U.S. market. Connecting companies and people globally is the focus of Bill’s career. Bill founded NaviAsia Advisors, where he is a consultant and Principal, which derived from NaviAsia Group, cofounded by Bill in 2001.
CEO, Roland, Ruth & Mitchell
Matt Kinnich has over 30 years of sales and general management experience, most recently as CEO of a private equity-backed education company. Matt’s Education Sector experience includes: Higher Education, Professional Education, Credentialing, Corporate Training and PreK thru 8th grade. He is passionate about education as a lever to change the trajectory of individuals, organizations and
President, The Prizant Group, Ltd.
Married with three grown-up boys (Elliot-28, Ethan-25, Ben-21), a lovely wife, Juli and two mischievous Labs (Dexter/Blanche). I run my own pension consulting company (The Prizant Group,Ltd.). My interests are politics, Zen, fitness, history, and the Indy 500.
Retired Professor of History and Law, College of William and Mary
Mark McGarvie, J.D., Ph.D., is an American historian who writes, teaches, and shares history so as to respect the integrity of the historical actors who made our history. Accordingly, he believes that the goal of studying history is understanding, not judgment. Too many scholars today condemn the past and those who lived through it without
President & Premier Home Stager, Staging Redesign Group Inc.
GraceAnn Simoni is a credentialed RESA-Pro® with the Real Estate Staging Association®, a Corporate Associate of the Mainstreet Realtors Association® and Illinois State President of the Real Estate Staging Association. She has been Staging and Redesign homes in Chicagoland since 2001. In 2005, GraceAnn founded the Staging Redesign Institute Certified Training Program, offering professional training
Founder and CEO, Witter Enterprise Solutions, LLC
Jennifer Witter is a finance executive, consultant, and founder of Witter Enterprise Solutions LLC. With extensive experience in accounting and financial leadership, she helps organizations strengthen financial operations and strategic decision-making. Jennifer is also pursuing certification in artificial intelligence to help businesses understand how emerging technologies can enhance financial analysis, operational efficiency, and leadership strategy.
Breast Cancer Talks, Hope Cometh
Dr. Funmi Apantaku-Onayemi’s focus on populations’ studies - community engagement and participatory cancer research in the minority populations has spanned three decades. She was the Midwest Regional Director of the National Cancer Institute’s National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer. During her tenure, she formed 15 coalitions in 12 Midwestern states. Many of these coalitions were
Mindset & Lifestyle Coach, Claudia Braun Holistic Lifestyle Coaching
Mindset & Lifestyle coach for professional women exhausted from over giving, obligation and guilt, creating a life based on more on who they think they should be instead of who they desire to be. Work with women to bring them back to fulfillment and inner peace, so they can flourish. Coaching women for 13 years,
USAF Veteran, former Sports Agent,Natural Bodybuilding Competitor, Stroke Survivor, Author
Brady Johnson is an Air Force Veteran; spending thirteen years in USAF/ANG serving his country. During a tour overseas, he survived a terrorist bombing in Saudi Arabia and was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal. A medal that honored his achievements in restoring order, problem solving and achieving outstanding results.While serving his country, he opened
Former Steven Spielberg Project Interviewers, Personal History Interviews
Dan Gelfond is a former "Steven Spielberg project" interviewer. His company Personal History Interviews records the life stories of parents and grandparents across the U.S. to preserve their legacies for future generations. Dan is also the owner of Keepsake Family Tree Video a full service video production company. Dan will share stories of interviews he's
CEO, Scott Hansen Consulting
Scott is a high performance coach, sought after speaker, podcast host, and a recent Best Selling Author. Along with working with Fortune 500 companies; he’s trained and coached entrepreneurs and executives on how to live a life of purpose and significance. Scott’s the creator of Ultimate Success System, a high performance coaching program teaching Entrepreneurs
Cyber Security Analyst, CCS Technology Group
Cybersecurity is a continual journey, and Chris's dedication to staying ahead of evolving threats makes him an invaluable asset for your attendees. Chris Higgins has a knack for making it both fun and informative. He breaks down complex cybersecurity topics into relatable terms, ensuring that everyone can understand and take away actionable steps to protect
Lawyer / Partner, Kreiter, Byck and Associates, LLC
Paul M. Byck is Managing Partner of Kreiter, Byck and Associates, LLC. Paul has lectured attorneys throughout the country on the importance of communicating with clients. He is a lecturer for the National Academy of Continuing Legal Education. Paul earned his law degree from DePaul University Law School in 1990 and in the same year
Founder, Sonder Private Wealth Management
With over 30 years of experience, Sonder Wealth provides high-quality, holistic, and unbiased fee-only financial planning and investment management services to families, business owners, and non-profit organizations. In concert with your other advisors, Sonder Wealth can address the entire spectrum of challenging financial issues you may be facing today. From growing to preserving wealth, funding
Child Care Benefits Expert / Working Mother / Television Personality, MomSub
Diane Moca is CEO of MomSub, which reduces the cost, hassle and stress of finding, arranging and managing child care. MomSub improves productivity, retention and recruitment for business by bringing child care benefits to the workplace through its premium corporate program. MomSub matches a working parent to a specific provider who offers child care when,
Synergy Science
I have been in the health field for the past 40 years.The last 8 years have been focused on educating people about Hydrogen enriched "life changing water". My client list is made up of people from all walks of life and all income levels. I work with professional and weekend athletes. Most however are people
Business Intelligence Analyst
Jiaqi Chen is a Business Intelligence Analyst specializing in fraud detection and compliance at a leading technology company, where she develops and optimizes large-scale data solutions. With expertise spanning machine learning, business intelligence, and risk analytics, she leads critical initiatives in sanction screening, identity verification, and transaction monitoring. As a thought leader in fraud prevention,
Founder, Dollars and Sense
Lea Ann founded Dollars and Sense to make it possible for donors to make their dreams come true by partnering with both for-profit and nonprofit organizations to improve education, advance healthcare, inspire creativity and seek solutions to both little and big problems. She is becoming very active in networks exploring social enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Consultant, Gabby Rosely LLC
Gabby Rosely is an ex-college swimmer turned Communication Consultant who helps organizations bridge communication gaps to improve trust, collaboration, and performance across generations. As a Gen Z leader who managed Boomers through Gen Z at just 21, Gabby learned firsthand how generational miscommunication can derail even the most talented teams. After initially struggling to connect
Terry Poppleton has lived in Glen Ellyn, IL for 53 years. He taught history for 33 years at Hadley Junior High School. He has had a lifelong interest in Native Americans. Since his retirement, he and his wife, Sharon, have made many trips to the southwest. It was on these trips that Terry became interested
Climate Advocate, Citizens Climate Education
An award winning retired High School Science Teacher. B.S. in Biology and Physical Science from Michigan State University. M.S. in Physical Science Ed. from Eastern Illinois University. Employee of the year Addison Trail High School 2013. Finalist for Illinois Teacher of the Year 1998. Recognized for 20+ years volunteer work with Illinois Science Olympiad. Coach
Productivity Coach, Tammy Cook Coaching
Tammy is a lively speaker who keeps audiences entertained... while providing some very effective tips in the process! Tammy helps creative business owners manage their time and attention, in order to overcome procrastination and get more done than ever before (with less effort and stress). Tammy’s quirky humor and valuable expertise combine seamlessly to provide
Founder and Managing Partner, Pragmatium Consulting Group
Haris Ahmed is the Founder and CEO of Pragmatium Consulting Group Inc., a management consulting firm that works with leaders of organizations on change and leadership. He has about 20 years of experience as an organizational change expert and executive coach. He has advised many companies through significant transformations. Haris is also an experienced facilitator
Retirement Planning Attorney, Abednego Wealth Management
Laurie works to educate individuals that are in or nearing retirement on ways to protect and maximize their retirement accounts and other assets; minimize taxes and avoid IRS penalties associated with retirement accounts; and prepare estate planning documents. Abednego Wealth Management, Inc. was created out of pure necessity to the ever increasing retirement needs of
Financial Advisor, Veritrust Wealth Management
Katie Morris is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional and co-founder of Veritrust Wealth Management. An 11-year industry veteran, Katie graduated with honors from Illinois Wesleyan University, earning a B.A. in Economics. Katie works extensively with busy professionals and their families throughout the Chicago area. As a working mother of three young children, Katie takes great
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