Women Keynote Speaker
When Shama Hyder pitched her first business plan to 18 firms, every single one told her social media was a fad. She built the company anyway, starting with $1,500 in her savings account, scaling Zen Media into a multimillion-dollar B2B consultancy serving Fortune 500 brands, and successfully exiting.
That instinct for spotting opportunities others dismiss, and acting on them before the window closes, is what she now brings to stages around the world. Named one of the "Top 100 Entrepreneurs in North America" by the White House and United Nations, Shama has delivered 500+ keynotes across 26 countries to organizations including NASA, Microsoft, Chase, Disney, Toyota, and Marriott. She's a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute, a 4x LinkedIn Top Voice with over 2 million in reach, and the bestselling author of The Zen of Social Media Marketing.
Shama doesn't deliver feel-good motivation that fades by the time your audience reaches the parking lot. She gives women (and everyone in the room) practical frameworks they can use Monday morning to grow their business, lead through uncertainty, and turn what's happening right now into their next competitive advantage.
◆ A Founder Who Built It Herself
Shama didn't inherit a company or join one at the top. She started with $1,500, no investors, and an industry that didn't exist yet. She built Zen Media from nothing, scaled it, and exited. Your audience hears from someone who has lived the challenges they're navigating.
◆ Recognized at the Highest Levels
Named one of the "Top 100 Entrepreneurs in North America" by the White House and United Nations. Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute. Inc. columnist. 4x LinkedIn Top Voice. Shama's credibility speaks for itself.
◆ 500+ Keynotes in 26 Countries
From Microsoft and NASA to Toyota and Marriott, Shama has delivered for some of the most demanding audiences in the world. She's been rated the top speaker at events for Inc., Prudential, PIMA, and more.
◆ Practical, Not Performative
Shama is known for keynotes that move audiences from talk to action. She gives your attendees real frameworks, decision tools, and action steps, not platitudes about leaning in. Your audience leaves knowing exactly what to do next.
Topics
Shama delivers three keynotes, each tailored to your audience and event theme. Whether your conference focuses on leadership, innovation, AI, career growth, or business strategy, Shama works with your team to make sure the content resonates with the women in your room.
AI in Action: Practical Tools You Can Use Monday Morning for Real ROI
For audiences ready to stop dabbling with AI and start using it to gain a real advantage
8 out of 10 executives who have placed an AI bet still haven't crossed the finish line to real ROI. This keynote changes that. Shama introduces the 3-P Model (People, Process, Personalization) and shows your audience exactly where AI creates measurable results: elevating team performance, eliminating the manual work that eats into their day, and personalizing customer experiences at a scale that was impossible two years ago.
She also walks through the AI Evolution (Assistant to Partner to Operator) and shows what it looks like when AI moves from a tool you use occasionally to a system that works alongside you every day. Your audience leaves with a clear framework for their first 90-day applied AI test and the confidence to lead AI adoption in their organization.
This keynote is based on Shama's Applied AI Business Playbook and is especially powerful for audiences who want to be the ones driving AI strategy in their companies, not waiting for someone else to figure it out.
Learn More About This Keynote →The Strategy of Now: How to Spot Hidden Growth Opportunities
For audiences navigating uncertainty and ready to turn it into their next move
Markets are moving faster than planning cycles. Customer expectations are shifting faster than processes. The companies winning right now aren't experiencing less uncertainty. They've learned how to transform it into focused action.
Shama introduces her See, Interpret, Act framework and shows your audience how to recognize the signals that reveal where opportunities are forming before anyone else sees them, assess which opportunities are right for their specific situation, and act while the window is still open. She also addresses the three patterns that keep smart, capable leaders stuck even when the opportunity is right in front of them.
This keynote is especially relevant for women in leadership who are navigating fast-moving environments, building teams, or making strategic bets. Your audience walks away with a 72-hour action challenge and the mindset shift from "let's schedule a meeting to discuss this" to "what can we test today?"
Learn More About This Keynote →Winning Customer Loyalty: Creating Customers for Life
For audiences who want to build relationships that drive lasting growth
The brands capturing market share right now have figured out how to deliver experiences competitors can't match. This keynote shows your audience how to personalize every interaction so customers feel seen and understood, use process improvements and AI to free up time for the relationship-building work that actually drives growth, and develop the influence skills that turn satisfied customers into active advocates.
This keynote is a strong fit for women in sales, marketing, customer success, and leadership roles who want to move beyond transactional approaches and build the kind of loyalty that becomes a growth engine.
Learn More About This Keynote →Add-On
Half-day or full-day, in-person, max 20 participants
Your attendees bring their laptops and their actual workflow. They leave with fully built, personalized AI systems integrated into how they actually work: email triage, research agents, content workflows, and voice-powered tools, all customized to their specific role.
Based on Shama's sold-out Rewired workshop series, this is the perfect add-on for conferences that want to give attendees a hands-on implementation experience alongside the keynote.
Ask About the Workshop Package"Shama Hyder spoke at our 2024 Women in Industry Conference on the topic of AI. Her session was engaging, interactive and had lots of tangible takeaways for our attendees. She is wonderful to work with and rated very highly on our post-event survey. If you are looking for a speaker who will make AI learning fun and approachable, book Shama today!"
AnnaMarie Kendall, Marketing and Communication Manager, MHEDA
"For our team members, the past two years have been a challenge for building our brand and gaining exposure. Shama spoke from an authentic place that really resonated with our team members. Her delivery, message, and tips were highly praised across our organization through the executive level."
Amy Lashlee, Toyota North America
"She has this rare ability to make you feel both energized and clear-headed at the same time. Like she's giving you permission to stop reacting and start leading strategically. If you want a speaker who will genuinely shift how your audience thinks, not just inspire them for an hour, book Shama."
Wesley Williams, CMO, GoHighLevel
"We heard nothing but fantastic things from attendees about your keynote. It was a perfect way to close out the content on such a high note! Shama was THE BEST Closing Speaker."
Ann Dieleman, PIMA Executive Director
Technology and Innovation
Microsoft, Adobe, HubSpot, Verizon, AT&T, Siemens, NASA, SXSW
Financial Services
Chase, Mastercard, Prudential, TransAmerica, TIAA
Retail and Consumer
Toyota, Lowe's, Movado, SpartanNash
Leadership and Enterprise
YPO, Vistage, Disney, Marriott, Bloomberg
Education
Yale University, University of Texas at Austin, Purdue University
Associations
American Marketing Association, Direct Selling Association, Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), Texas Women's Conference
"Named one of the Top 100 Entrepreneurs in North America by the White House and United Nations."
Does Shama speak specifically about women in business or women's leadership?
Shama's keynotes are built around practical business frameworks (AI, growth strategy, customer loyalty) that are valuable for any audience. That said, her personal story as a woman who built a company from scratch, navigated an industry that didn't take her seriously at first, and scaled to a successful exit resonates deeply with women's audiences. She tailors the examples, case studies, and framing to match the goals of your event, whether that's a women's conference, a leadership summit, a women in tech event, or a mixed-audience gathering where strong female representation on stage matters.
Which keynote works best for a women's conference?
It depends on your theme and audience. For conferences focused on technology and innovation, "AI in Action: Practical Tools You Can Use Monday Morning for Real ROI" is the strongest fit. For events about leadership, career growth, and navigating uncertainty, "The Strategy of Now" resonates most. For audiences in sales, marketing, or customer-facing roles, "Winning Customer Loyalty" is the right choice. Shama's team can help you decide.
Can the keynote be customized for our event?
Yes, always. Shama's team works with you ahead of time to understand your audience, your event theme, and what you want attendees to walk away with. Every keynote is tailored to fit.
What makes Shama different from other women keynote speakers?
Shama isn't a motivational speaker. She's a founder, operator, and certified AI trainer who brings battle-tested frameworks from building and exiting her own company. Your audience gets practical, implementable strategies from someone who has done the work, not just studied it. She's also delivered 500+ keynotes across 26 countries, so she knows how to make complex ideas land with any audience.
How long is the keynote?
Keynotes are available in 25, 45, and 60-minute formats. Half-day workshops are also available. Shama is also available as an emcee or moderator for multi-day events.
How do I book Shama for our women's conference or event?
Reach out through the booking form on this page or contact Shama's team directly. They'll walk you through availability, customization, and how to choose the right keynote for your audience.
Available in 25, 45, and 60-minute formats. Also available as emcee or moderator for multi-day events. Currently booking 2026 and 2027.
Check AvailabilityWatch Shama