Keynote Speakers

After spending twelve years at Harvard University, Shawn Achor became one of the world’s leading researchers on the connection between a positive brain and success. He has traveled to more than 50 countries studying how beliefs predict performance, resilience, and well-being.

Shawn is a NYTimes bestselling author of multiple books, including The Happiness Advantage, which has sold more than one million copies worldwide.

His research has been featured on the cover of Harvard Business Review, his TED Talk is among the most viewed of all time, and his PBS program has reached millions of viewers. In the field, Shawn has worked with one-third of the Fortune 100, as well as the NFL, NASA, and six battalions of U.S. Marines at Camp Pendleton. He has been interviewed twice by Oprah Winfrey at her home and is one of only two external speakers ever invited to address the President’s staff at Camp David.

Of all his work, Shawn is most proud of his impact in low-income schools and being a father to his two young children.

Nathan Diller covers cruises for USA TODAY's travel team. He writes a mix of daily news stories and features, from first looks at new ships to cruise line guides and industry trend pieces. In addition to trips at sea, he writes about other news including government regulations and geopolitical developments impacting travel, and destinations on land. Prior to joining USA TODAY in 2022, Nathan covered a variety of other topics including entertainment, food and human interest stories. His work has also appeared in The Washington Post, Washingtonian magazine, Vulture and elsewhere. He is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School.

Shelley Brown is an award-winning international keynote speaker and emcee who believes the best events live on long after the final session ends.

Throughout her career, from welcoming guests as a Les Clefs d'Or concierge to building relationships through complex technology sales and now taking the stage as an international keynote speaker and emcee, one value has remained constant: creating experiences where people feel welcome, connected, and part of something special.

Known for her signature gowns, sparkle, genuine curiosity, and blend of heart, humor, and hospitality, Shelley has a gift for making strangers feel like friends. Whether she's meeting someone on an airplane, chatting with a fellow dog owner at the park, or welcoming attendees to a conference, she creates the kind of energy and connection that people remember for years to come.