Free Speakers Chicago is a pro bono speakers bureau. Every presentation on this page is free to book, with no fees, no honorarium and no mileage. Browse the topics below and request a guest speaker for your next meeting, workshop or community event.
Interviews do not have to feel overwhelming. This hands-on session gives you a practical system to prepare for any interview and show up feeling calmer, clearer, and more in control. The session also introduces free AI tools like ChatGPT for ongoing interview practice. No tech experience needed. Whether you are changing careers, preparing for a promotion, or navigating an unexpected
In this powerful keynote, Jason explores the reality of mental illness including, anxiety, depression and suicide while offering practical strategies for managing mental health. Deeply personal, honest and insightful, Jason shares his story of overcoming years of childhood trauma that led to decades of struggles with depression, anxiety and eventually teetering on the edge of suicide. Equal parts personal and
Learn how to establish a system whereby your organization can systematically improve its funding via the estate plans of potential donors. Most nonprofits receive periodic and inconsistent donations via this revenue stream, but I will explain how to utilize planned giving programs to improve fundraising across the board, not only via bequests. A small investment of time and resources on
Are you a small business owner or professional that struggles with networking? Are you tired of attending networking events, and walking away empty handed? Are you starting to think that networking events are a complete waste of your time? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this presentation is for you! In this presentation, Master Certified Coach
Every leader has an impact on those being led. Dr. Van Meter discusses the IMPACT journey every leader takes to lead strongly in the world today. In his laid back midwestern style, Dr. Van Meter will share the stages of the that journey and what challenges have to be overcome to reach the next level.
*COVID-19 Update* I have conducted several online webinars and Zoom-based conferences for small groups and would be happy to do so for your organization as well. Most people know that they should have a will, but why? When should you have your first will drafted? What is the difference between a will and a trust? How do I make sure
You don't have the team you thought you did? Neither did I for many years until I finally discovered the secret to forming the team I always dreamed of. I'll tell you what you need to do for you to get your dream team too.
Are you not getting the financial insights you feel you need to run your business efficiently? It could be because you are working with a bookkeeper, controller, or accountant, and not a CFO. A CFO looks at the business implications of financial decisions and makes recommendations on how to become more profitable. Bookkeepers, controllers, and accountants help keep the accounting
In this busy complicated world with so much going on it’s easy to feel pulled by guilt and obligation and find there’s no time to take care of you. When you're the go to person it's easy to secretly resent others not being there for you. Even though you've pride in being able to do it all, it starts to
Brady speaks to people about persevering through their trials and tribulations through his own personal story. Encouraging individuals to not limit themselves and to instill hope and will to all he speaks to. At thirty-one, Brady had a massive stroke that left him paralyzed on the right side of his body. However, he was able to regain mobility on his
Many who suffer work related injuries have no idea what their rights are. Even worse, because of their vulnerability, they rely on the assistance of insurance adjusters - the very people whose job it is to deny or limit their benefits. There are many risks with this approach that could be detrimental to the injured party's claim. The lecture will
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations operate, make decisions, and compete. This presentation provides business leaders and executives with a practical understanding of AI. What it is, how it works, and where it is already creating value in business functions such as finance, operations, marketing, and strategy. Participants will learn how AI can enhance data analysis, improve forecasting, increase
Dr. Funmi Apantaku Onayemi inspires women to overcome the fear of breast cancer based on her three decades of leadership in the field as a researcher, community networks’ operative and survivor. She demystifies the beliefs and misconceptions that have fueled paralyzing fear about the disease – paralyzing fear that has caused alarming rates of avoidable deaths. She shares encouraging news
In this dynamic and engaging presentation, we will take a deep dive into the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. Join us as we review the current threat landscape, educate you on common cyber attacks, explore the motivations behind these hacking endeavors, and, most importantly, equip you with practical strategies to protect yourself and your business from the lurking bad actors. With
In his book, Questions That Matter, Roger Breisch writes, “Putting aside deceitful questions—whose cadence and tone imply an answer—all questions matter. Sentences that end with the ubiquitous squiggle atop a period open the future to new possibilities. Sentences ending with just a period condemn the future to limitation and constraint. Answers have a way of ending discovery and learning; captivating
Entrepreneurs and business owners who are looking to GET THE EDGE in their business. You will walk away looking at yourself and business in an entirely new light. High Performance Coach, Scott Hansen, shares key strategies to help any business owner get to the next level in their business. In this riveting 60 minute presentation, Scott will leave you with
In a time when workplace connection is at an all-time low and culture-building feels more buzzword than blueprint, Leilani offers something different: a keynote that makes people feel—and think. Her signature talk, Building Collective Success: Empathy. Storytelling. & Change, challenges audiences to rethink the way we define leadership, performance, and culture. Through personal narrative, pop culture references, humor, and hard
Cherise Nicole speaks from a chapter in her book, "You Can Soar" on Vision! Vision is the faculty or state of being able to see. Cherise encourages participants to get a vision for their future. Without vision you can't see where you're going. When you receive a vision and idea, or a dream, it's BIGGER than you! It's for the
We live in a world now where the responsibility for a lifetime of financial well-being rests solely in our own hands. The increasing complexity of the financial choices and decisions we face have exposed a dismal reality: most folks do not have an adequate understanding of the financial principals, behaviors and attitudes that will foster financial well-being. In this interactive
Professor McGarvie describes the development of pragmatism in the early 19th century as a critique of the individualistic and rights-oriented ideology of the Enlightenment. Pragmatism served as the basis for the first progressive movement, which was ultimately repudiated in the ascension of the Coolidge, Harding, and Hoover Republicans in the 1920s. How are today's progressives repeating the political errors of
Most leadership teams treat culture as something to articulate rather than something to build. This session breaks down why that distinction matters and what changes when an organization starts treating culture as infrastructure for decision-making instead of a poster on the wall. Attendees leave with a practical framework for locating where their teams actually stall, whether that is unclear priorities,
Break free of the old leadership model and become a visionary servant leader. Inspire your team to perform at a level they never dreamed possible with the ultimate KPI (key performance indicator).
What if the conditions for success revolve around the tree of employee engagement, but engagement that isn’t about perks or productivity but about authentic investment? In this interactive session, we walk through the BridgeWork Framework to explore how people-centered workplaces are built when employees feel seen, supported, and connected to purpose. Participants will reflect on what they carry into the
Learn about your energy choices and ways to save money on your utility bills. During this presentation we will go over: Understanding your utility bills, Your energy choices, Energy efficiency programs that can help consumers save energy and money, and Solar options.
Former Spielberg project interviewers recount their stories from 4 years of conducting interviews with Holocaust Survivor's around the world. 17 years of interviewing parents and Grandparents after the project was over are also detailed. Funny, moving and inspirational stories from these experiences are presented. Video clips are also shown along with tips on how to gather a life story.
Are you ready for change? Are you a leader embarking on change within your organization? Whether change is planned or unplanned, more than likely you and your team need to step outside your comfort zone and do something different. However, leaving your comfort zone is frightening and fear can stifle growth, halt progress, and negatively impact behavior making you feel
LinkedIn is THE professional social networking tool. Are you using it to your advantage? This session talks about the top 5 things you should do with your personal profile to help drive your business forward. As a bonus, we can discuss 3 tips to employ to make your business profile top notch. All in all, each of the tips help
This presentation is for individuals, teams and/or organizations that want to explore careers with a social impact. The presentation is a combination of Matt’s social impact journey and an interactive workshop for participants. Participants will engage in the following: • 1-2 things you hope to get out of today’s presentation • Matt’s social impact career journey • What are you
I am a recovering runner—not in the athletic sense, but in the race of life. For years, I ran toward success, love, and new opportunities while also running from my past, my fears, and even myself. I chased achievements in real estate, trucking, Insurance, and supply chain distribution, but true fulfillment only came when I stopped running and embraced my
In today’s world, the most sought out organizational leaders are part manager and part HR professional. Join veteran leader Nicole Caley in this session to learn skills necessary to elevate you into a true leader, instead of simply a manager. We will discuss how to identify your leadership style and how to develop the interpersonal skills needed to take charge.
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