About Us
Transforming the speaker bureau experience through technology and expertise
Redefining Speaker Selection and Development
Exceed Speaker Bureau was founded in 2025 with a bold vision: to connect world-class expertise with organizations seeking transformative insights and inspiration.
After years of working with conventional speaker bureaus, our founders recognized a critical gap in the industry. While there was no shortage of talented speakers, the process of matching them with the right events remained largely subjective and inefficient.
Our solution was to develop a technology-driven approach that combines AI-powered speaker assessment with human expertise. By creating objective metrics for evaluating speaking performance and developing a sophisticated recommendation engine, we've made the process of finding the perfect speaker more reliable and efficient than ever before.
Today, Exceed Speaker Bureau stands at the intersection of technology and human potential, helping event organizers discover exceptional speakers while providing speakers with the tools and training they need to truly excel.
Meet Professor Michael Gates
An internationally recognized expert on cross-cultural communication, leadership, and global negotiation
Leadership That Transcends Borders
With a rich academic background and a career spanning over three decades, Professor Gates brings deep insights into how culture impacts leadership, communication, and business success.
As a senior lecturer at BI Norwegian Business School and a Fellow of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, he has coached and trained senior leaders across more than 40 countries, working with top-tier clients such as Nokia, Rolls-Royce, Roche, the UN, and the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Under his leadership, Exceed Speaker Bureau curates a network of thought leaders, professors, and industry experts who deliver impactful keynotes, masterclasses, and executive sessions globally. Our mission is to offer organizations access to the best minds of our time—professionals who can engage, challenge, and inspire change.
Professor Gates is also the leading expert on the work of cultural theorist Richard D. Lewis and serves as Vice Chairman of Richard Lewis Communications. His legacy of bringing clarity and empathy to multicultural settings sets the tone for the values we uphold at Exceed Speaker Bureau.
Our Guiding Principles
We're driven by a commitment to excellence and innovation in the speaking industry
Our Mission
To elevate events through exceptional speakers, while providing speakers with the tools and opportunities to maximize their impact.
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Connect organizations with speakers who will truly resonate with their audience
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Develop speaking talent through objective assessment and targeted coaching
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Create measurable impact through data-driven speaker selection
Our Vision
To transform the speaking industry through technology, making exceptional public speaking more accessible, measurable, and impactful.
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Create the most advanced speaker assessment and matching platform in the industry
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Discover and develop diverse speaking talent from around the world
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Set new standards for excellence in the speaking industry
What Sets Us Apart
Our unique approach combines technological innovation with human expertise
Technology-Driven Approach
Our proprietary AI systems analyze over 30 aspects of speaking performance, from vocal variety to audience engagement, providing objective data to guide speaker selection and development.
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Interactive recommendation engine
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AI-based speaker assessment
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Data-driven performance metrics
Closed Platform Advantage
Unlike open directories, our closed platform requires business verification, ensuring quality interactions and legitimate inquiries. This selective approach benefits both clients and speakers.
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Verified business access
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Quality over quantity approach
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Secure communication channels
Speaker Development Program
We don't just connect clients with speakers—we actively develop speaking talent. Our comprehensive program transforms subject matter experts into compelling presenters.
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Expert faculty coaching
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Performance analysis & feedback
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Content development support
The Faces Behind Exceed
Our diverse team brings together expertise in technology, public speaking, and event management
Sarah Reynolds
Founder & CEO
Former TEDx speaker coach and technology executive with a passion for transforming the speaking industry through innovation.
Michael Chen
Chief Technology Officer
AI specialist and software architect who leads the development of our speaker assessment and recommendation technologies.
Aisha Patel
Speaker Program Director
Former theater director who oversees our speaker development program and performance coaching initiatives.
The Principles That Guide Us
At Exceed Speaker Bureau, our core values inform everything we do, from how we develop our technology to how we treat our clients and speakers.
Excellence
We hold ourselves and our speakers to the highest standards of quality and performance.
Innovation
We continuously explore new technologies and approaches to improve the speaking industry.
Integrity
We operate with honesty, transparency, and ethical standards in all our relationships.
Inclusivity
We champion diverse voices and perspectives in the speaking community.
Adaptability
We embrace change and help our clients and speakers navigate evolving landscapes.
Impact
We measure our success by the meaningful difference our speakers make for audiences.
Join Our Growing Team
We're always looking for talented individuals who are passionate about public speaking, technology, and innovation.