We are proud to announce 6 of our Exclusive Speakers have joined the ranks of the Global Gurus in 2023. Ranging across categories and industries, these keynote speakers have been honored for their thought leadership and the innovative steps they’re taking to drive their industry forward. 

In the past, we have celebrated a handful of our Exclusive Speakers named Global Guru in their respective fields, and now we add two new names to the growing list of awarded speakers: Sterling Hawkins for his work in organizational culture and Pamela Barnum for her contributions to the field of body language.  

This internationally recognized title is awarded based on a formulaic science determining how impactful each speaker has been on their industry. A panel of judges, along with the public, vote for the best candidates by assessing the originality of their ideas, the impact and practicality of these ideas, presentation style, and the number of publications and writings. They also weigh in on what they refer to as the “guru factor” — a willingness to serve others and a unique style that makes people want to learn from them. 

The Global Guru award is a prized distinction we hold in the highest regard. Without further ado, we’d like to celebrate our Exclusive Speakers who were awarded this year’s Global Guru award in their respective categories. 

Sterling Hawkins, #15 Organizational Culture

Sterling Hawkins’ story is like being on one big rollercoaster ride…and then realizing you’re actually on a spaceship that’s only going up. From a multi-billion dollar startup to utter collapse and coming back to launch, invest in, and grow over 50 companies, Hawkins has learned from experience how to build lasting and sustainable organizations. 

Today, Hawkins serves as CEO and founder of the Sterling Hawkins Group, a research, training, and development company focused on human and organizational growth. His ideas have been featured in publications like Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, The New York Times, and Forbes. 

His background and determination inspired his personal mantra No Matter What and the premise behind his work today. As he speaks to organizations and helps create foundations for growth, he spreads the word of accountability and the good old-fashioned principle of doing what you say you’ll do. Bring Sterling Hawkins to your next event to help instill a sense of accountability into your culture. 

Pamela Barnum, #29 Body Language

As a trust strategist and body language expert, Pamela Barnum used her skills for a career as an undercover police officer and federal prosecuting attorney. You may recognize her name from her viral TedTalk “What Drug Dealers Taught Me About Trust,” in which she dives into her time working as an undercover cop and posing as a drug dealer. 

From there, Barnum went on to use her unique skillset to navigate the courtroom as well as the boardroom. Not only was she a federal prosecuting attorney, but she also used her knowledge of body language to dominate as a corporate negotiator. 

From the criminal justice system (and all the wild stories that come with it) to the corporate ladder, the expertise Barnum is sharing will give you and your team a leg up on the competition. 

Brian Moran, #1 Management 

Another familiar name on the Global Guru’s list is Brian Moran. We welcome him back with the #1 ranking for Management professionals in 2023. Not only was Brian Moran ranked #1 for Global Guru’s Management Award, but his workshop, 12 Week Year, was also ranked #1 by Global Guru.

Brian is the CEO and Founder of Strategic Breakthroughs and the co-author of the New York Times bestseller The 12 Week Year. He is known for coaching organizations to the most efficient performance level and helping them accomplish more in 12 weeks than most people do in 12 months. His experience ranges from management and executive positions in global conglomerates to starting his own successful businesses. 

With his vast experience, he has consulted for dozens of world-class companies including Coldwell Banker, Mass Mutual, Medtronic, New York Life, and Tiffany & Co. By identifying the critical factors of high-performers, Moran is able to elevate anyone and everyone to help them show up as their best every day. 

Matt Dixon, #7 Sales

Matt has appeared on Global Guru’s World’s Top Sales Professionals before, and it’s no surprise he made the list again in 2023. Matt is the Chief Product and Research Leader at the Austin-based A.I. venture, Tethr, as well as the bestselling author of The Challenger Sale, The Effortless Experience, and The Challenger Customer. He has conducted dozens of original qualitative and quantitative research studies that lead to his innovative thought leadership around customer service and sales. 

He is most famous for his ideas laid out in The Challenger Sale, with Business Insider calling the book “the most important advance in selling for many years” and “the beginning of a wave that will take over a lot of selling organizations in the next decade.” 

As a Global Guru, Dixon can offer your team insights into his industry-leading ideas about selling in the new business environment of 2023. 

Sam Silverstein, #9 Organizational Culture

Named one of the World’s Top Organizational Culture Professionals by Global Guru for the second time, Sam Silverstein focuses on helping organizations create positive changes within their company culture by bringing accountability to the workplace. His work has actually garnered him other awards as well. He has been inducted into the CPAE Speakers Hall of Fame and is a Past-President of the National Speakers Association.

He is the bestselling author of 11 books, including Pivot!, The Accountability Circle, I Am Accountable, and No Matter What. He also founded the Accountability Movement™, an organization focused on building powerful communities filled with like-minded people who know and live their values and honor their commitments.

Global Gurus says Silverstein's ideas are “transforming organizational culture,” and his keynote speaking has helped create success within all areas of the companies he advises. His Accountability Advantage Workshop for organizational culture was ranked #2 by Global Guru. Bring Sam to your next event to build a company culture that supports growth throughout the organization. 

Louie Gravance, #27 Customer Experience

We are especially excited to announce Louie Gravance’s return to the Global Guru’s World’s Top 30 Customer Service Professionals list. Gravance is the man who can make any organization the “Happiest Workplace on Earth.” And after creating the formulaic curriculum for Disney, he better be. His insights into impactful customer service have been molded from his long career of over 25 years working with the Walt Disney Company. As a former Disney Institute Professor, he has transformed their pillars into his own techniques that he shares with organizations worldwide. 

While Gravance’s speaking is full of Disney magic and charm, his takeaways are concrete and hard-hitting. He’ll provide your team with actionable steps for creating awe-inspiring customer service moments.

Gravance has been credited with “literally changing the consciousness of business in America” through his service campaigns and initiatives that have included Bank of America’s “The Bank of America Spirit” campaign—deemed the most successful customer service training initiative in the company’s history. Be the Disney of your industry by bringing Louie Gravance to your next event and reshaping your customer service experience. 

We celebrate and honor these impressive keynote speakers who are joining the ranks of Global Guru. Their insights and contributions to their field are something that has helped guide industries and push the boundaries. Learn from the best; learn from a Global Guru.