Mike Veny is a globally recognized mental health speaker and Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist® who has made it his mission to transform stigma into strength through rhythm and story. Known for his electrifying drumming keynotes and raw, real talk, Mike helps workers thrive and organizations create emotionally healthy cultures. His work bridges inclusive excellence, mental health, and professional development—and is known for producing measurable change. He has been booked by NAMI, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, and hundreds more.
Mike is also the CEO of Lovely Refinement, a women's mental health and wellness brand, which owns the Training Refinery, a continuing education powerhouse. In all of his professional efforts, Mike is fiercely committed to empowering employees to discover the gift of emotional wellness and resilience so that they can accelerate personal and professional growth and avoid damaging burnout. He is also the host of a podcast called “Coffee With Mike: Mental Wellness & Belonging for Leaders” and the author of several books, including the best-selling book “Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero.” His expertise and life experience have been featured on ABC, NBC, and CBS News.
Mike has built a successful career as a mental health speaker by delivering emotionally resonant wellness programs rooted in lived experience. He bridges generational gaps with inclusive storytelling and rhythm, and his CEU-accredited programs deliver measurable change. Mike is also known for overcoming generational gaps with attention-grabbing storytelling and rhythm and for creating safe spaces to address complex topics with authenticity and humor.
His wellness solutions empower his audiences to take actionable steps to change their lives and work environments. He’s delivered presentations to Fortune 500 companies, healthcare providers, and educators, including Microsoft, CVS Health, T-Mobile, Heineken, Salesforce, Keurig Dr. Pepper, and The Wounded Warrior Project. He has also received Acquisition International Magazine’s Global Excellence Award in 2025 and Corporate LiveWire’s 2022, 2023, & 2024 Innovation & Excellence Awards for his work as a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist®. He also won NAMI New York State’s 2023 Leader of Mental Health Awareness Award. As a PM360 ELITE Award Winner, he was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the healthcare industry for his work with patient advocacy.
Determined to overcome a lifetime of severe mental health challenges, Mike’s career began as a professional drummer and evolved into becoming a change maker in the workplace wellness industry. As a child, Mike was expelled from several schools, attempted suicide, and spent time in psychiatric hospitals for extended periods. Now he uses those experiences to power unforgettable wellness solutions that fuse lived experience with rhythm and artistry.
Mike Veny is a globally recognized mental health speaker and Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist® who has made it his mission to transform stigma into strength through rhythm and story. Known for his electrifying drumming keynotes and raw, real talk, Mike helps workers thrive and organizations create emotionally healthy cultures. His work bridges inclusive excellence, mental health, and professional development—and is known for producing measurable change. He has been booked by NAMI, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, and hundreds more.
Mike is also the CEO of Lovely Refinement, a women's mental health and wellness brand, which owns the Training Refinery, a continuing education powerhouse. In all of his professional efforts, Mike is fiercely committed to empowering employees to discover the gift of emotional wellness and resilience so that they can accelerate personal and professional growth and avoid damaging burnout. He is also the host of a podcast called “Coffee With Mike: Mental Wellness & Belonging for Leaders” and the author of several books, including the best-selling book “Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero.” His expertise and life experience have been featured on ABC, NBC, and CBS News.
Mike has built a successful career as a mental health speaker by delivering emotionally resonant wellness programs rooted in lived experience. He bridges generational gaps with inclusive storytelling and rhythm, and his CEU-accredited programs deliver measurable change. Mike is also known for overcoming generational gaps with attention-grabbing storytelling and rhythm and for creating safe spaces to address complex topics with authenticity and humor.
His wellness solutions empower his audiences to take actionable steps to change their lives and work environments. He’s delivered presentations to Fortune 500 companies, healthcare providers, and educators, including Microsoft, CVS Health, T-Mobile, Heineken, Salesforce, Keurig Dr. Pepper, and The Wounded Warrior Project. He has also received Acquisition International Magazine’s Global Excellence Award in 2025 and Corporate LiveWire’s 2022, 2023, & 2024 Innovation & Excellence Awards for his work as a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist®. He also won NAMI New York State’s 2023 Leader of Mental Health Awareness Award. As a PM360 ELITE Award Winner, he was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the healthcare industry for his work with patient advocacy.
Determined to overcome a lifetime of severe mental health challenges, Mike’s career began as a professional drummer and evolved into becoming a change maker in the workplace wellness industry. As a child, Mike was expelled from several schools, attempted suicide, and spent time in psychiatric hospitals for extended periods. Now he uses those experiences to power unforgettable wellness solutions that fuse lived experience with rhythm and artistry.
Thriving Through Uncertainty: Tools and Strategies for Today's Challenges
Mike’s high energy, practical strategies, and real-world wisdom teach audience members not just to survive but truly thrive today – in spite of the rapid change and constant pressure that they face. With his dynamic style and relatable stories, he equips the audience with the tools to navigate stress, build resilience, and turn uncertainty into an opportunity for growth and strength. This isn’t just a talk—it’s a roadmap to reclaiming emotional wellness and stepping boldly into the future...
Transforming Stigma® Into Strength
Mike once faced mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges, but was able to turn those challenges into strengths, and now he specializes in helping others do the same. In this high-energy session that features rhythm and truth, attendees discover how to break free from the limitations of labels, silence, and shame, and instead start harnessing them as fuel for growth, connection, and resilience. This keynote shows attendees that what once felt like a barrier can actually be used for...
How To Find Inner Peace In Times Of Uncertainty
This entertaining keynote, which features drumming, movement, and lots of truth, delivers calming yet powerful strategies that attendees can use to rise above today’s chaos, change, and uncertainty. Attendees learn to quiet their mind, ground their spirit, and tap into a deep sense of balance—even when life feels out of control. Packed with practical tools and empowering insights, this keynote reveals how to transform stress into clarity and how to replace feeling overwhelmed with calm...
Fill Your Cup: Emotional Wellness For Exhausted Educators
Teaching is one of the most rewarding callings—but also one of the most draining, and that’s why this training is a “must-attend” for all educators. The session has been carefully designed to help attendees recharge, refocus, and reclaim their energy so they can show up fully for themselves and their students going forward. Through practical strategies, uplifting insights, and a much-needed dose of inspiration, audience members will learn how to manage stress, set healthy boundaries, and...
Thriving Through Change: Building Resilience and Preventing Burnout with Self-Care
Mike’s high energy, practical strategies, and real-world wisdom teach audience members not just to survive but truly thrive today – in spite of the rapid change and constant pressure that they face. With his dynamic style and relatable stories, he equips the audience with the tools to navigate stress, build resilience, and turn uncertainty into an opportunity for growth and strength. This isn’t just a talk—it’s a roadmap to reclaiming emotional wellness and stepping boldly into the future...
Unleash Your Groove® Drumming Workshop: Belonging and Team Building
Get ready to feel the beat, break down barriers, and build powerful connections. This electrifying, hands-on experience uses the universal language of rhythm to bring people together, spark creativity, and ignite a true sense of togetherness. No drumming skills are required. Attendees just need to bring their energy and an open mind so that they can discover how making music side by side creates trust, teamwork, and belonging like nothing else can. By the end, audience members won’t just...
8 recommend Mike
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NAMI New York State
On-Site
M.S., Development and Event Coordinator, NAMI New York State
Verified @gmail.comMike’s presentations are truly high-energy, inspiring and dynamic, which combine for a one of a kind experience. Conference attendees were totally enamored. Mike received the highest marks of all the panelists in conference surveys. I highly encourage you to incorporate Mike at your upcoming event. I have no doubt that he will deliver a memorable presentation that your attendees will be raving about.
Canadian Mental Health Association - Halton Region Branch
On-Site
M.H., Cheif Operations Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association - Halton Region Branch
We hosted a drum circle, which Mike led as part of team building event for our staff during Mental Health Awareness Week. The staff provided excellent positive feedback on Mike and his abilities to engage, motivate and facilitate a great and fun time for all participants.
Marsh McLennan
On-Site
A.G., Sales and Operations Coordinator, Marsh McLennan
Verified @marshmma.comMike was absolutely amazing at our event! There are not words enough to describe how energized and engaged my crew was and I am so grateful to him for sharing his wonderful outlook with our team.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
On-Site
C.H.F., Director Of Western Region, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Mike served as a kickoff keynoter for the entire conference and, as such, did a great job of getting our group of more than 500 participants energized, focused and inspired! After more than 10 years of coordinating conference speakers and keynoters, Mike was refreshingly easy to work with and flexible enough to structure his program to deliver exactly what we needed. I would recommend Mike as a keynoter to a wide variety of groups and situations. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
Salesforce
On-Site
S.U., Marketing Director, Salesforce
Mike's virtual presentation went AMAZING! We had all positive feedback from internal employees. Feedback from the audience included 'This is such a great talk and the answers are really honest and helpful. Thank you.' and 'Excellent session! Feeling grateful and inspired!' Shortly after Mike's session, employees had an open discussion about their own mental health experiences. It was great. We hope to bring Mike back in the future!
Microsoft
Virtual
H.E., Vice President, Microsoft
Thank you for coming to speak with us! Within the Military ERG we have spoken about mental well-being, but have approached it in almost a reversed, slightly clinical way. During and after your talk people have reached out to help get involved and drive mental well-being not only in the US, but in our international chapters. We knew having you speak would be meaningful to those that participated, we just had no idea that the impact would be this large.
Region 10 Education Service Center
On-Site
K.B., Assistant Director - Leadership Professional Development, Region 10 Education Service Center
Verified @region10.orgThank you so much for your inspirational presentation yesterday! You made a real impact on the lives of so many educators. Additionally, I would love to have you return next year to present for our summit.
Horseheads Central School District
On-Site
T.O., Director of Curriculum & Professional Learning, Horseheads Central School District
Verified @horseheadsdistrict.comMike did a great job at presenting to our staff! In fact, our exit ticket indicated that he was the best speaker that we have brought to our district. We are definitely looking to bring him back if willing to speak to our students/parents. I would really like to continue our work together!
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