Courtney Stanley

Courtney Stanley blew us away with her engaging, interactive, and completely on-point keynote! From our first initial chat, where she gathered my event wish list, I knew this was going to be something special and that the students at Southern Illinois University were in for a treat. Courtney is a seasoned professional and a total joy to work with. She knew how to reach our students and quickly became a student favorite as she led students, staff, and faculty on a truly delightful and supercharged keynote that left everyone wanting more. The life lessons and takeaways Courtney gave students will remain with them as they move into their careers and transition into young professionals. She captured the hearts and minds of our students, and in the process, she inspired them to excel!

Courtney's presentation was a captivating and interactive experience that left a profound impact on me, providing valuable insights into self-discovery through meaningful word association activities. Her ability to engage the audience was truly remarkable. I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned from her and would highly recommend her as a speaker for any event seeking to provide valuable insights and inspiration to its audience.

If you’ve ever had the privilege of hearing Courtney Stanley speak, you know she doesn’t just deliver a keynote — she delivers a moment. Her messages around confidence and connection are deep, empowering, and rooted in authenticity — the kind that makes you pause, reflect, and actually act differently. Courtney has a rare ability to make every audience member feel seen, while challenging them to lean into bolder conversations and braver choices. Courtney ignites connection and champions others in a way that is truly unique. Whether she’s on stage or leading a room, Courtney’s presence opens up space for honest stories, real emotions, and the kind of conversations that stick with you long after the mic drops. If you’re looking for a speaker who can move hearts and minds — and leave your people buzzing in the best way — Courtney’s it.

I had the pleasure of witnessing Courtney Stanley deliver ADMEI’s keynote presentation at its 2025 annual conference, and I can confidently say she left a lasting impact on our attendees. Her ability to connect with the audience, deliver actionable insights, and spark meaningful conversations was truly impressive. “The opening GS on Day 1 was EXACTLY what we needed to discuss as an industry,” said one of the attendees. Courtney brings a unique blend of expertise, authenticity, and energy that resonated deeply with everyone in the room. And, on top of that, she is true professional and easy to work with. I can highly recommend Courtney Stanley to any organization looking for a thought provoking, engaging keynoter.

If you ever have the opportunity to work with Courtney Stanley, take it. She is a powerhouse of leadership, strategy, and encouragement, and I can confidently say that her teachings have been a game-changer for my business and my confidence.

Courtney is authentic, genuine, and makes an astounding effort to connect with her audience. She offered valuable lessons and conducted incredible thought-provoking exercises. The exercises got everyone involved and motivated into taking a deeper look within themselves as leaders and as people. I would highly recommend Courtney if you are looking to have an incredible keynote speaker and presenter who will truly leave an indelible positive mark on the audience.

Courtney Stanley is a powerful, thoughtful and incredibly engaging keynote speaker - I highly recommend working with her! She received rave reviews from the attendees of our conference and she brought incredible energy to the morning keynote session. From my first interaction with her through the day of the live event, she was an absolute delight to partner with. I look forward to working with her again in the future.

Courtney is the quintessential changemaker. A champion for all, she is fearlessly leading the way to a brighter, better future by sheer will and example. Operating on a belief that everyone has an ability to shine in their own right, she pursues what she believes in with passion and drive. I was fortunate to first hear Courtney speak at MPI’s WEC 2019 and was so impressed by her ‘it’ factor that I wanted to learn from her and absorb her wisdom. Since then I have been fortunate to have her as my coach, and I can’t say enough about her quality of coaching and who she is as a global citizen and champion of women. She’s supportive, enthusiastic and believes whole-heartedly in what she does and what she stands for. A powerhouse of strategic and creative ideas, she has mastered the perfect balance between support and guidance while allowing for individual growth and exploration of ideas. In recent years we have seen massive progress in the voice given to women in the workforce, and it’s due to people like Courtney leading the way. I fully endorse and recommend Courtney as a coach and am grateful for the contributions she continues to make in forging a better path into the future for all of us.

Courtney approaches everything she does with determination, strength, and personality. As a speaker, she grinds every day to ensure she is always at the forefront with her content. She isn’t afraid to upgrade the conversation to breakdown some difficult topics to challenge the status quo, influence change in culture and empower attendees to look within themselves to level up their leadership and inspire others around them. Audiences can’t help but leave inspired.

Courtney and I worked together to produce a live studio audience taping of her 'Dare to Interrupt' podcast during at the Jimmy Kimmel Comedy Club. Courtney impressed me from the very first planning conversation - she was polished and eloquently laid out her well-mapped expectations for what she envisioned for this relevant, engaging conversation featuring heavy-hitting, well-respected female leaders. As development progressed, Courtney was involved every step of the way and once onsite led an authentic, inclusive conversation that participants thoroughly enjoyed!

We had the pleasure of having Courtney speak to on "Essentials of Empathy" and WOW was it impactful! She recounted real life relatable experiences with powerful outcomes. She pushed us to get to our most vulnerable self and gave us takeaways that translate not only in the workplace but to our personal everyday lives. I would highly recommend hiring Courtney. You will not regret it!

Courtney is one of the industry’s best! We had the pleasure of having her moderate our panel for women in leadership at Cvent Connect and our live broadcast of Cvent Connect TV - she was incredible! Courtney is confident, authentic, poised, and came very well prepared. She skillfully guided our panel of seasoned executive women in a conversation that delivered 5-star ratings! Her passion for the topic of diversity in the boardroom was evident and as such she was not afraid to shift the conversation and challenge the speakers, all the while balancing what the audience wanted to hear about with expertise the individual panelists were qualified to provide. It was such a pleasure to work with Courtney and I am looking forward to partnering with her in the near future to continue the conversation on empowering women to get a seat at the boardroom table in the event and hospitality industry. I highly recommend Courtney for any events – you will be delighted with the results!

Courtney was authentic, knowledgable and spot on! She was vulnerable with us and shared her story; that vulnerability paved a way for me to feel free from so many impediments. Fantastic speaker, gifted coach!

I was so moved by Courtney's message and yearned to hear a speaker address the professional and emotional challenges of the pandemic. She got a standing ovation. It was earned, and her message hit close to home. I wish others could hear Courtney speak because the message is healing and thought-provoking.

I cannot say enough about Courtney Stanley; as a host, emcee and keynote speaker, she is just spectacular. She recently spoke at our conference as a keynote and panellist, hosted our awards gala, and knocked it out of the park in all three. What I think makes Courtney such a great speaker and host is that she immediately creates a spark with her audience, instantly connects and her charisma leaps off the stage. We had a crazy lead-up to the event, with lots of changes, starts, and stops; her patience and professionalism with every edit were first class. If you have a chance to work with Courtney or hire her for your event, don't think twice, she's a rockstar!

I have to say that Courtney Stanley is one of the best speakers I have had the privilege to attend. Her energy and message focus is definitely captivating. Personal branding, self motivation and having the right people in your corner are subjects she is an expert in.

Courtney Stanley's presentation on failure, authenticity, and confidence was a game-changer! Hearing her story of professional and personal growth is inspiring as a student just beginning my career. Courtney has a natural ability to make every attendee feel seen and heard. One of the most engaging and interesting virtual events I have attended.

I just returned from an invigorating and inspiring annual work conference where Courtney was one of the guest speakers. It was my favorite session of the day. Courtney challenged me to do a deep dive into who I am, how I operate, and gave me the tools to really sell myself! I look forward to implementing what I learned and doing the work to be the best I can be! A heartfelt thank you!

From start to finish, Courtney was a delight to work with. In the planning phase, she was responsive to email and deliverables - making our job of coordinating the event that much easier. Her content is fresh and exciting, not to mention engaging. Our attendees loved her content and she really warmed up the room. I highly recommend Courtney!

I wholeheartedly recommend Courtney Stanley after witnessing an outstanding performance as a speaker at Meeting Planners International-Michigan Event for future speaking engagements. From the moment Courtney took the stage, she exuded a remarkable level of confidence and enthusiasm, instantly capturing the attention of everyone if the room. Her engaging presence, coupled with her well-articulated delivery, held the audience's interest throughout the entire session. What truly set Courtney apart was her ability to simplify complex concepts, making the subject matter accessible to all attendees, regardless of their background or expertise. Courtney's passion for the topic was palpable, and she effortlessly conveyed her knowledge and expertise with genuine excitement. The positive feedback we received from the attendees after the event speaks volumes about Courtney had on the audience.

I loved Courtney’s presentation on "The Awakened Leader: Building Trust through Empathy, Vulnerability & Servant Leadership" which I recently experienced at GMID. The presentation addressed many of the issues that we all struggle with but tend to endure silently. It builds on the notion that to lead and inspire with impact, we have to be willing to not only embrace our imperfections but also connect with others from a place of vulnerability. Courtney's insights are not just thought-provoking – they're game-changing. By emphasizing the power of embracing vulnerability and fostering empathy, she offers a roadmap for transformative leadership. I can't stress enough how crucial these conversations are in our industry, and Courtney's courage in addressing them head-on inspires a ripple effect of bravery among her audience. What sets Courtney's presentation apart is its practicality. Rather than just delivering theory, she engaged the audience in an exercise that demonstrated the power of vulnerability. Through her guidance, we're encouraged to step outside our comfort zones and forge genuine connections that transcend surface-level interactions. In an age where global connectivity paradoxically breeds disconnection, Courtney's work offers hope for us all. She reminds us that true fulfillment lies not in external achievements, but in the depth of our connections – both with others and with ourselves.

If you're looking for a dynamic and professional speaker, look no further! Courtney's ability to connect with our audience, deliver insightful content, and inspire our attendees was truly remarkable. She was easy and delightful to work with and we enjoyed having her as our keynote speaker.

I had the pleasure of working with Courtney when she spoke to our Women's ERG during Women in Construction Week. She hosted a webinar titled "The Outspoken Advantage: Own Your Voice & Elevate Your Impact," and to say she exceeded our expectations would be an understatement! Despite the virtual format, Courtney effortlessly connected with our audience of over 60 women—our highest attendance for a virtual event to date. Her delivery was authentic, engaging, and empowering, making the session not just informative but truly transformative. She created a space where attendees felt seen, heard, and inspired to own their voices with confidence. If you're looking for a speaker who brings expertise, energy, and genuine connection to the table, I can’t recommend Courtney enough. She left a lasting impact on our group, and I sincerely hope we have the opportunity to work with her again in the future!

While Courtney's keynote presentation, "Outspoken: Owning Your Mic Drop Moment," was provided to an audience of small firms within the architecture industry, she delivers a powerful message with real life examples that resonate and apply to all aspects of life. In a world inundated with distractions, noise, and often times intimidation, understanding why you may not speak up and empowering yourself to build the confidence you need to own and deliver your story is critical for your mental health, happiness and success. Courtney is confident and her delivery is engaging—I highly recommend her presentation for your next event.