The global shift towards remote work and digital events has opened exciting opportunities to engage audiences worldwide. Booking a standout keynote speaker is one of the most powerful ways to energise, educate and inspire virtual attendees. Whether hosting a corporate summit, virtual conference or employee engagement session, choosing the right voice can elevate your event to unforgettable heights.
This guide introduces the top virtual keynote speakers in various categories – from leadership and motivation to technology and diversity. We also share practical tips for running a successful virtual session and explain how to book the perfect virtual public speaker for hire for your next online event.
12 Best Virtual Keynote Speakers for Online Events
Whether you are hosting a corporate conference, team-building session or industry webinar, the right speaker can transform your virtual event. Below is a list of the top virtual keynote speakers, each bringing unique insights across leadership, business, technology and diversity. These speakers are known for their ability to connect with online audiences and deliver as impactful and engaging presentations as an offline event that resonates long after the event ends.
Leadership & Motivation Speakers
1. Robin Sharma
Robin Sharma is one of the world’s top virtual motivational speakers and bestselling authors, with over 25 million books sold in 96+ countries. Known for titles like The 5 AM Club, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and The Everyday Hero Manifesto, he inspires global audiences with his “Lead Without a Title” philosophy. Sharma has spoken alongside icons like Richard Branson and Bill Clinton and worked with organisations such as NASA, Microsoft and Starbucks. Some of his notable speeches and podcasts include the following:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taQjefpxroE
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5HpFNbNCSg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2551jNHXEs
2. Elle Macpherson
Elle Macpherson is a globally recognised supermodel and entrepreneur from Australia, celebrated for her outstanding 40-year career spanning modelling, television, film and business. With over 1,000 magazine covers, including a record-breaking six Sports Illustrated covers, she is the personification of beauty, success and influence. Beyond modelling, Elle is a top business leader known for her innovative brand-building and licensing strategies.
As the founder of WelleCo, a leading plant-based Australian wellness brand that has become a global name, Elle passionately follows the philosophy that wellness is the new beauty. Her journey has made her one of the best virtual motivational speakers, inspiring audiences on branding, business and wellbeing. She is widely regarded among the top motivational and famous public speakers, sharing insights on success, women’s empowerment and health. A genuinely great motivational speaker, Elle captivates audiences and is featured on the top lists of online motivational speakers worldwide.
3. Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls is one of the world’s top motivational speakers, renowned for his extraordinary survival stories and resilience. A former 21 SAS soldier, he climbed Mount Everest just months after breaking his back in a parachuting accident. As host of Man vs. Wild, Running Wild and You vs. Wild, he guides celebrities and leaders through life-changing adventures. Bear has authored over 20 bestselling books, including Mud, Sweat and Tears. He is a global brand ambassador for Luminox and Land Rover and the first Chief Ambassador of the Scouts. His talks inspire courage, perseverance and thriving against all odds.
Business, Finance & Entrepreneurship Speakers – Simon, Jochen, Emma Lewisham
4. Simon Squibb
Simon, a top virtual keynote speaker and entrepreneur, has spent 30 years building businesses—10 in the UK and 20 in Hong Kong. Homeless at 15, he started his first company and sold his last one ‘Fluid’ to PwC. Over the past 15 years, he has invested in 70+ startups. Now, he leads HelpBnk, the world’s first Help2Earn platform, empowering people to start and scale businesses for free while rewarding those who help. With 3M followers and 1B views, Simon inspires through his street interviews and #GiveWithoutTake motto, urging daily acts of kindness to create lasting change. Learn more about his philosophy from his inspiring TEDxBrighton talk.
5. Jochen Zeitz
Jochen Zeitz is one of the best business speakers in the world, renowned for his leadership in sustainability and corporate transformation. As CEO and Chairman of a globally recognised corporation, he previously led PUMA for 18 years, turning it from near-bankruptcy into a top-3 sporting goods brand. Zeitz co-founded The B Team with Sir Richard Branson, promoting ethical business practices and bringing forth the Environmental Profit & Loss (E P&L) model, redefining corporate sustainability.
Zeitz shares insights on responsible capitalism, social impact and environmental leadership. His accolades include ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ and Germany’s Federal Cross of Merit. He founded Zeitz MOCAA, a contemporary African art museum and developed award-winning conservation projects. Named among the top business speakers, he continues to inspire businesses worldwide. Recognised by Conde Nast and awarded the 2023 David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award, Zeitz is among today’s best virtual public speakers for hire.
6. Emma Lewisham
Emma Lewisham is a New Zealand entrepreneur and women’s advocate, recognised for her outstanding work in sustainable beauty. Backed academically with a B.com (Hons.) from Otago University and a final year at ESADE in Barcelona, she brings a flavour of global experience to her work. After eight years in senior executive roles at a multinational tech company, she launched Emma Lewisham Skincare in 2019. The skincare brand has become a global leader, working on a circular, carbon-positive beauty model.
Emma has been active in women’s advocacy for over a decade through Zonta International and Global Women, promoting equality and leadership. She also serves on the board of the Second Nature Charitable Trust, supporting youth education initiatives. Recognised with the Best Emerging Business Award at the 2021 Westpac Auckland Business Awards, Emma was also a keynote speaker at Vogue Codes Australia 2023. Her journey reflects deep commitment and dedication to excellence, sustainability, women’s rights and empowering others through purposeful action.
Technology & AI Speakers – Cassie, Tilly, Sam Jones
7. Sam Jones
Sam Jones is a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Gener8, a browser that empowers users to control and monetise their data. After a viral Dragon’s Den pitch, he secured celebrity investment and raised £8.5 million, with a £30 million company valuation. Named “Disruptor of the Year,” Forbes has recognised him as a rising tech star. A former Global Brand Manager at Red Bull, Sam is now one of the top virtual motivational speakers, delivering dynamic talks at global tech and business events.
8. Cassie Kozyrkov
Cassie is Google’s former Chief Decision Scientist and a renowned AI advisor, working with senior leaders at places like Lenovo, NASA and Gucci. She is currently the CEO of Data Scientific and has founded the Decision Intelligence field. Over half a million tech professionals follow Cassie. She is also a renowned virtual public speaker for hire and writer.
In nearly 10 years at Google, Cassie has personally trained over 20,000 Googlers in data-driven decision-making and AI and has implemented decision intelligence best practices in over 500 projects. Before that, she served in Google’s Office of the CTO as Chief Data Scientist. The rest of her 20 years of experience was split between data science, consulting, lecturing and academia. She has been honoured as a LinkedIn Top Voice for 5 years and as a #1 Artificial Intelligence writer on Medium for 7 years.
9. Tilly Lockey
Tilly Lockey, a UK-based bionic arm ambassador and artist, is one of the youngest AI expert virtual event speakers. She was recently featured at AI Everything Global 2025 with GITEX GLOBAL. After losing both hands as a baby, she partnered with Open Bionics at age nine to co-develop the AI-powered Hero Arm – lightweight, customisable and responsive to muscle signals. Lockey champions AI’s transformative role in healthcare and prosthetics, merging technology with empowerment to make bionic limbs more functional, accessible and reflective of individual identity.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Speakers: Shivvy, Simon and Cher
10. Shivvy Jervis
Shivvy Jervis is one of Europe’s top virtual keynote speakers, known for making complex innovations like Generative AI, the Metaverse and future tech accessible and relevant. Named a Champion of Change and one of Britain’s Women of the Year, she has spoken on over 600 stages globally. With a background in journalism, Shivvy explores AI, neuroscience and future skills, earning recognition from TED Talks and the World Economic Forum. A viral TikTok creator and sought-after AI ethics speaker, she champions “tech-for-good,” responsible innovation and human-centric progress, helping individuals and businesses navigate the digital future with her inspiring virtual keynote speeches.
11. Simon Frederick
Simon Frederick is an award-winning photographer, filmmaker and broadcaster whose work explores identity, culture and representation through compelling visual storytelling. Known for his acclaimed documentaries, books and exhibitions, Simon inspires audiences to think differently about diversity, inclusion and the power of authentic human stories.
As an experienced virtual keynote speaker, Simon delivers engaging online presentations that combine powerful imagery with thought-provoking insights on leadership, belonging and cultural understanding. His interactive and visually rich presentations translate exceptionally well to virtual audiences, making him a sought-after speaker for organisations looking to foster more inclusive workplaces and inspire meaningful conversations across global teams.
12. Cher
Cher is an iconic singer, actress and humanitarian whose career spans over six decades. Rising to fame in the 1960s with Sonny Bono, Cher carved out an extraordinary solo path with global hits like Believe, albums like Cher and Heart of Stone, an Academy Award-winning role in Moonstruck and a record-breaking 192 shows between 2008 and 2011 as part of her show entitled Cher.
Beyond her musical and film success, Cher is renowned for her activism. She passionately discusses animal welfare, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. She uses her magnanimous Twitter presence to instigate change, cementing her place among top LGBT motivational speakers. Her impact stretches across pop culture, politics and humanitarian campaigns, making her a compelling keynote choice for organisations seeking speakers who stand firm for progressive change in human rights.
Tips for a Successful Virtual Keynote Session
Delivering a memorable online keynote is more than just the speaker. Here are key tips to maximise impact:
- Test Tech Early: Ensure you and the speaker are familiar with the platform and tools.
- Use Interactive Features: Polls, Q&A or live chats boost engagement.
- Create a Pre-Event Hype: Promote the speaker’s background, topic and impact on social media and emails.
- Time it Right: Don’t let sessions drag – 30 to 45 minutes is the sweet spot. Longer than that can lead to a fall in engagement, followed by Q&A.
- Record the Session: Offer replays for attendees who missed it or want to revisit.
How to Book a Virtual Keynote Speaker
Booking a virtual public speaker for hire is now easier than ever. Here’s how to go about it:
- Define Your Goals: Are you seeking to inspire, educate or entertain? First, define your event objectives.
- Choose the Right Category: Narrow down by topic – leadership, tech, DEI, etc.
- Research Availability: Contact their agency or use a speaking bureau like Kruger Cowne Speakers Bureau.
- Discuss Customisation: Ask how the speaker can tailor content for your audience and goals.
- Manage the logistics: Clarify the platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Hopin, etc.). Speaker fees vary widely – see FAQ below for guidance.
Final Thoughts: Bringing Virtual Impact to Your Audience
Choosing from the top virtual keynote speakers ensures your event delivers lasting value – sparking innovation, encouraging resilience or promoting inclusion. While in-person events may be popular, digital stages have opened up new, dynamic ways to reach global audiences.
FAQs
What platforms are commonly used for virtual keynote speeches?
Popular platforms include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Hopin, Webex and ON24.
How far in advance should I book a virtual keynote speaker?
Ideally, 3 to 6 months ahead. High-demand keynote speakers may require even longer lead times.
What’s the average cost of a virtual keynote speaker?
The keynote speaker fees are a significant cost of booking a high-profile AI speaker. When considering virtual public speakers for hire, several key factors influence the fees, including expertise and reputation, event type and audience demographics.
Can virtual speakers participate in live Q&A or interactive sessions?
Absolutely. Many virtual event speakers now offer live Q&A, polls, breakout discussions or interactive segments as part of their presentation package.
