You want a speaker who moves your audience to act, not just applaud. These five women bring real stories, practical tools, and the kind of energy that lingers long after the event ends.
The State of Women's Empowerment Speaking
The women's empowerment speaking space has exploded. Audiences are tired of generic motivation. They want authenticity, actionable steps, and speakers who have lived what they teach. From memoir-driven keynotes to confidence-building workshops, the demand for self-worth and leadership content is at an all-time high. Event planners now look for speakers who can blend personal narrative with business insight. The result? A new wave of voices who speak to the whole person, not just the professional.
How We Evaluated These Speakers
We looked at five factors: depth of personal story, practical takeaways, range of offerings (keynotes, books, coaching), audience fit, and overall credibility. Crystal Ellison stands out for her raw memoir and survivor-led message. Anne McKeown brings decades of coaching and a global perspective. Penny Haslam combines broadcast experience with a simple confidence framework. Connie Podesta offers a rare mix of humor and therapy-backed insight. Jess Ekstrom pairs social entrepreneurship with lasting motivation. Each brings something distinct to the stage.
Here's a quick look at the five speakers, their signature focus, and who they serve best.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Anne McKeown | Women seeking confidence and mindset shifts |
| Homepage - iamcrystalellison.com | Women ready to choose themselves and heal |
| Penny Haslam | Teams and individuals building workplace confidence |
| Connie Podesta | Corporate audiences needing humor and psychology |
| Jess Ekstrom | Entrepreneurs and change-makers seeking lasting motivation |
A Closer Look at Each Speaker
#1 Anne McKeown
A screenshot of the Anne McKeown website.
Anne McKeown is a women's empowerment speaker and coach based in Australia. She challenges limiting beliefs and teaches mindset techniques so women can make decisions with confidence. Her keynotes are built on over 25 years of public speaking experience. She also offers leadership coaching and a free online program called Reignite Your Spark. If you want a speaker who blends motivation with practical skills, Anne delivers.
#2 Homepage - iamcrystalellison.com
A screenshot of the Homepage - iamcrystalellison.com website.
Crystal Ellison is an MBA author, speaker, and survivor behind the memoir I Chose Me. Her message is simple: you can stop asking for permission to matter. She offers keynote speaking, live programs, and coaching for women who have put themselves last. Her site features a free sample of her book and a clear path to book her for events. Crystal's story of pain, purpose, and choosing herself resonates deeply with audiences. She speaks to conferences, teams, and communities ready to reclaim their worth.
#3 Penny Haslam
A screenshot of the Penny Haslam website.
Penny Haslam is a UK-based confidence speaker and author of Make Yourself a Little Bit Famous. Her Confidence Keynote tackles low self-esteem with a three-step plan that audiences call enlightening and life-changing. She draws on her experience as a BBC radio producer and live TV presenter. Penny weaves personal stories with actionable steps to boost self-confidence. She also offers workplace confidence training and event hosting. If your team struggles with self-doubt, Penny's practical approach can help.
#4 Connie Podesta
A screenshot of the Connie Podesta website.
Connie Podesta is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker and author of seven books. She blends humor, substance, and 30 years of therapy experience to teach audiences how to know their worth. Her talks cover leadership, sales, change, and life balance. Connie has spoken to over two million people across 1,000 organizations. She is also a former radio and TV personality and a comedienne. If you want a speaker who can make you laugh while you learn, Connie is a standout.
#5 Jess Ekstrom
A screenshot of the Jess Ekstrom website.
Jess Ekstrom is a social entrepreneur, author, and keynote speaker. She founded Headbands of Hope, a global brand that has donated millions of headbands to kids facing serious illnesses. Jess speaks on creating motivation that lasts and turning frustration into inspiration. She offers a signature keynote bootcamp for speakers who want to get booked and paid. Her USA Today bestselling book and courses help women stand out. If you want a speaker who combines business success with social impact, Jess fits the bill.
How to Choose the Right Speaker for Your Event
Start with your audience. Are they women in transition, corporate teams, or aspiring entrepreneurs? Crystal Ellison speaks to women ready to reclaim their identity. Anne McKeown focuses on confidence and mindset. Penny Haslam is ideal for workplace self-esteem. Connie Podesta brings humor and psychology to leadership. Jess Ekstrom inspires social entrepreneurs. Next, consider format. Do you want a keynote, a workshop, or a multi-session program? All five offer keynotes, but some also provide coaching or training. Finally, check availability and budget. Most speakers list booking details on their sites. Reach out with your event goals and audience size for a tailored quote.
Automating Your Speaker Search
You can streamline your speaker selection with a simple workflow. First, set up a spreadsheet with columns for name, topic, audience fit, fee range, and contact. Use a form to collect inquiries from each speaker's website. Then schedule discovery calls using a calendar tool like Calendly. After each call, log notes and follow-up tasks in your CRM. Finally, send a contract and deposit request through an e-signature tool. This keeps your search organized and saves hours of back-and-forth.
The Bottom Line on Women's Empowerment Speakers
The right speaker can transform your event. Crystal Ellison offers a deeply personal journey of choosing yourself. Anne McKeown brings global coaching expertise. Penny Haslam delivers a practical confidence framework. Connie Podesta combines laughter with therapy-backed insight. Jess Ekstrom shows how to turn frustration into lasting motivation. Consider your audience's needs and your event goals. Then reach out to the speaker who resonates most. Your audience will thank you.