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.
Leadership today is not failing because of a lack of talent or intelligence—it’s being strained by chronic pressure, fear-driven thinking, and disconnection from what makes us human. In environments that reward speed, certainty, and constant performance, leaders often lose access to their most powerful resource: a grounded, positive mindset that creates clarity, perspective, and empathy. This session reframes positive mindset
For years, warnings about democratic erosion could feel abstract. Under Donald Trump, authoritarian tactics — attacks on institutions, personal rule through decree, aggressive tariff wars, and now the extreme deployment of military force — have become concrete. That concreteness is frightening many citizens, elites, and institutions into action, both in the US and in Europe. Come learn how this is
Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is a wholistic approach to restoring healthy soil as nature intended. RA principles and practices are required to stop the loss of our topsoil and restore nature's balance between greenhouse gas emissions and CO2 draw down from our atmosphere. RA not only restores this balance, but can also reverse climate change and global warming through carbon sequestration
Research shows everyone daily sabotages themselves. Uncover the saboteurs stopping YOU from experiencing: well being and peace of mind. This presentation will help you see what's actually going on, and guide you to make small changes, to live in greater ease. Awareness is power, and if it's hidden you're daily being undermined from your true well-being. Your current ways of
As a practitioner with a Six Sigma Green Belt, I am seeing demand for Six Sigma principles being used in the Finance industry. Six Sigma is typically viewed as a tool only used for Supply Chain, Logistics or Operations. Finance organizations are using Six Sigma principles such as Value Stream Mapping and Kaizen Events to bring standardization and efficiencies to
In this high energy presentation, High Performance Coach, Scott Hansen, shares the importance of "21st Century Leadership Rules" that you must know. If you don't adapt these, your business might get left behind In 21st Century Leadership, you and your organization will walk away with the following: - Learn the importance of becoming a better leader - The (3) Income
Mediation allows families to explore mutually acceptable solutions to difficult problems with parents and elderly relatives. It encourages creative problem solving within the private family setting rather than relying upon the legal system to resolve these issues.
With over 20 years of invaluable experience in the business industry, Andre has solidified himself as a renowned speaker, author, educator, and business consultant. His wealth of knowledge and expertise shines through in every aspect of his work, whether he is captivating audiences with his powerful speeches, enlightening readers with his insightful books, shaping young minds as an educator, or
Learn from Tom about the scientific consensus on climate change, as well as fossil fuel pollution, climate warming problems, and other challenges. Tom will also discuss the pillars of needed change and market approaches and business solutions for change. Also covered is: • The role of business in the convergence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) forces. • The value
You feel stuck, uninspired, unmotivated, & you're asking yourself - what do I do now? Maybe you're working a job you don't care about, maybe your relationship feels unfulfilled, maybe you're craving a new hobby... the point is, something is missing and you feel it - every single day. In this keynote / workshop, I break down the actionable steps
In Chicago I have raced sailboats for a lifetime. I have won many races in many different boats. I have also crewed on many boats. Recently I have been tactician on offshore boats and continue to win with my Rhodes 19 sailboat.
Essentials of Estate Planning covers the estate planning process from beginning to end. We will look closely at the need to plan, the most common planning techniques and the documents used in the planning process. The class will explain the difference between a will and a trust and will give attendees an understanding of: • Probate • Wills vs. Trusts
Is it possible to build a reliable investment portfolio in today's market environment? This talk discusses what a reliable portfolio is, and how one might change their thought process when it comes to saving and investing.
When it comes to increasing business, 20% is skill set, while 80% is mindset. After this presentation, you will walk away with a ton of new confidence and a new way of thinking about you, and your business. Scott covers topics such as: - The most important thing you can do before 8am - The "iceberg" effect on Entrepreneurs -
Creativity is powerful — but talent alone does not build wealth. In this dynamic and practical session, I break down how to transform skills, passion, and artistic ability into sustainable income streams. This presentation explores the shift from thinking like a creator to operating like a CEO. I share real-world strategies on branding, positioning, monetization models, audience building, and execution.
Most plants have binders full of processes, charts, and operating systems yet daily execution still varies wildly. The problem isn’t the process; it’s the behavior gap between what leaders expect and what teams actually do. In this session, John explains why even the best systems fall apart without the right leadership habits behind them. Audiences learn how clarity, confirmation, and
Are you a real estate agent that has been struggling with your sales since the real estate boom has ended? Are you wondering how you can turn your business around and have just as much, if not more success during a market downturn? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Master Certified Business Coach Tom Kelly will teach
The presentation will focus on strategies to target colleges for merit-based financial aid. Armed with this understanding and knowledge of the college aid process, a college education may become more affordable.
Every organization pays a hidden tax when its stated priorities and its actual behavior do not match. This session identifies what that tax looks like in practice: duplicated work, decision paralysis, and leadership teams that agree in the room and diverge the moment they leave it. Using real patterns from executive coaching and organizational alignment work, this talk gives HR
Tom Perrucci is a seasoned health insurance specialist dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of Medicare with absolute confidence. As a 38-year resident of the Northwest Suburbs, a business owner, and a fellow senior, Tom brings a rare and valuable consumer perspective to the table. He and his wife, Jackie, have personal experience navigating various Medicare plans themselves, allowing
In 2016, China surpassed US and become the country with the most billionaires in the world. Beijing overtook NYC as the city with the most billionaires (819) in the world. China's wealth created great opportunities for the world. Will the trend continue as China eventually replace US as the largest economy in the world? This presentation will guide you through
Global Supply Chains have always had their intricacies, and with international trade and the global economy in flux it is vital to understand the complexities of trade relations. What's the status of the trade war? Will it end soon - and if not, what should we expect in the future ...and most importantly, what should U.S. companies be doing today
The number one desire of people as we age is to remain in our own homes. Yet many of us are one mobility impairment away from not even being able to enter or exit our homes. This challenge for society will continue to grow as Baby Boomers age. Most needs are short-term yet most commercial answers require permanent changes to
Pillars Community Health is available to make presentations regarding childhood grief. Our Buddy's Place is a childhood bereavement program serves the western and southwestern suburbs of Chicago.
Hiring managers spend 6 to 10 seconds scanning your resume. That is all the time you have to make an impression. This session covers what a modern resume looks like, what has changed in the current marketplace, and how to position your accomplishments around measurable results instead of task descriptions. You will also learn how to use AI to pull
In this 90-minute interactive experience, Leilani guides participants through the process of writing and sharing their personal stories. The result? Deeper trust, increased empathy, and real connection between colleagues who usually only talk in metrics. Ideal for leadership retreats, ERG activations, or culture-building experiences, this workshop makes space for brave reflection and meaningful dialogue—and leaves teams more human than they
Every plant wants reliability, but few achieve it in a way that lasts. Tools and systems help, but they don’t hold up without leadership discipline behind them. This talk explores how reliability is built, not through big initiatives, but through small, consistent behaviors that shape daily work. John shares how to create stability even when production demands spike, how to
Decades before the formal diagnosis of Depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Roger came to understand that something in his life was "different" from what he viewed as "normal" in others. Although he carried on daily living as best possible, unexplained sadness tied in with repeating habits and emotional breakdowns brought him to seek professional assistance. He now offers an interactive
Dr. Shirzad Chamine’s groundbreaking research introduces the concept of “Saboteurs”—internal voices that once helped us navigate real and perceived threats in childhood. While these mental patterns originally served as protection, they often persist into adulthood, operating as unseen forces that shape how we think, feel, and respond. Over time, these Saboteurs become embedded in our neural pathways, creating automatic reactions
Are you concerned about our warming planet want to do your part to create a sustainable future? Is it possible to have a thriving economy today and protect our planet? According to Hannah Ritchie, a data scientist, it is! Now, let's learn how we, as individuals, can make this happen. Using Project Drawdown's "Explore" we will follow the science in
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