History is made by those who lead boldly. Bring keynote speakers who have made history from NASA leaders to world record breakers to your next event and inspire your audience with real stories of breakthrough leadership, resilience, and innovation. 

Gregory Robinson: From humble beginnings in segregated southern Virginia, Gregory Robinson rose to lead NASA’s $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope program. He turned a dramatically delayed and over budget effort into one of humanity’s greatest scientific achievements, earning a spot on Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2022.

Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour: America’s first African American female combat pilot, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour is a high energy speaker and author of Zero to Breakthrough. Drawing from her roles as a combat pilot, police officer, and Pentagon liaison, she teaches courageous, inclusive leadership through her signature seven step model.

Eric O’Neill: A former FBI counterintelligence operative, Eric O’Neill’s work led to the capture of one of America’s most damaging spies—an operation that inspired the film Breach. Now an expert in cybersecurity and intelligence, he delivers gripping, real world insights about espionage, digital threats, and integrity.

Silvia Vasquez-Lavado: Silvia is the first openly gay woman to summit the Seven Summits. As a Peruvian American explorer, author (In the Shadow of the Mountain), technologist, and Fulbright scholar, she created Courageous Girls—a nonprofit empowering abuse survivors through nature and education.

Marc Randolph: Co-founder and first CEO of Netflix, Marc Randolph changed how the world experiences media. A seasoned entrepreneur and founder of multiple startups, he also hosts the podcast That Will Never Work and speaks on cultivating innovation, resilience, and transformative ideas.

Alex Honnold: Alex Honnold, hailed for his ropeless ascent of El Capitan in Free Solo, redefined human determination. He is also an environmental advocate and founder of the Honnold Foundation. His keynotes explore fear mastery, risk evaluation, and preparing for the seemingly impossible.

Albert Lin: Albert Yu-Min-Lin, a National Geographic Explorer, technologist, and inventor, overcame personal tragedy and physical adversity to lead groundbreaking explorations. He combines storytelling, innovation, and perseverance to inspire audiences to rethink what’s achievable.

Amelia Rose Earhart: Amelia became the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single-engine plane and is president of the Fly With Amelia Foundation, which awards scholarships to aspiring women aviators. Her Flight Plan metaphor—featured in keynotes like Learning to Love the Turbulence—encourages listeners to become “pilots in command” of their lives.

Nicole Malachowski: Nicole Malachowski, the first female Thunderbird pilot, is also a combat veteran, White House Fellow, and advocate for those battling tick borne illnesses. Her speeches underscore themes of service, bravery, resilience, and transformational leadership.

Diana Nyad: At age 64, Diana Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage, after four failed attempts over 35 years. Her record-breaking 110-mile swim captured global attention and became a testament to perseverance, mental strength, and the power of never giving up. A world-class athlete, author, and speaker, Diana delivers unforgettable keynotes on courage, resilience, and chasing dreams at any age.

Ready to inspire your audience with someone who’s made history?

Book a keynote speaker who has broken records, led revolutions, or changed the world. Contact us today at info@bigspeak.com to bring a history-making voice to your next event.