Allison Shapira

Keynote Speaker

Bestselling Author; Harvard Kennedy School Adjunct Lecturer; Founder and CEO, Global Public Speaking; Leadership Communication Speaker; Former Opera Singer

An opera singer turned entrepreneur, and one of the world's foremost leadership communication experts, Allison Shapira inspires others to speak with confidence and authenticity.

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Allison Shapira'S SPEAKING FEE Under $25,000

As a leader, your voice matters. Your ability to enter a room with presence and speak in a way that commands attention helps you build trust with clients and colleagues and directly influences your leadership trajectory.

In an age of artificial intelligence, constant disruption, and rapid change, authentic communication is no longer a “soft skill” — it’s a business imperative. When used strategically, AI can help leaders clarify their message, scale trust, and lead with greater presence, empathy, and impact.

Whether you’re speaking to your team, your board, or your clients, it’s your voice which is your most valuable leadership asset.

Allison Shapira helps leaders tap into that power. An adjunct lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School, former opera singer, and Founder/CEO of Global Public Speaking, Shapira has spent over 20 years working with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits around the world. She equips leaders with the tools to communicate authentically, confidently, and effectively — in person, online, or in partnership with AI.

Featured Videos

Allison Shapira

Allison Shapira Speaking Reel

Allison Shapira

Allison Shapira on Using Communication to Mobilize Others Around A Shared Vision

Allison Shapira

Allison Shapira on Why She Stopped Singing Opera

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Allison Shapira on How AI Can Help You Be More Authentic

Allison Shapira

Allison Shapira on Leading with Your Voice

Allison Shapira

Allison Shapira on a Key Ingredient to Speaking with Authenticity

Allison Shapira’s Speech Topics

Lead With Your Voice: Developing Inspired and Purpose-Driven Leaders

Throughout history, leaders have used their voices to inspire audiences and mobilize action. Words can be used to command, comfort, and ignite. As one of the world’s foremost experts on communication and leadership, Allison Shapira teaches audiences how to lead with their voice in order to build trust with clients, colleagues, and other critical stakeholders. Drawing upon her expertise as the founder of a successful public speaking company, her work with senior global executives, her unique background as a former opera singer, and her graduate course at Harvard University, Allison weaves together a powerful approach to using your voice. She shares her innovative ACE Model of leadership communication, providing tangible takeaways that transform the way professionals communicate every day in order to have a powerful and positive impact on others. Allison reminds the audience that, at its very essence, communication is about exercising leadership with your voice: connecting with your passion, building your skills, and finding the confidence and courage to speak up.

Key Takeaways
- AUTHENTICITY – By tapping into your sense of purpose, you find language that is both authentic and persuasive. You realize that your right to speak doesn’t come from anyone else — it comes from within.
- CLARITY – In a world of constant distraction, audiences crave brevity. Learn how to speak clearly and concisely amidst uncertainty.
- ENERGY – Your voice can affect the energy of the entire room. Learn how to consistently harness your best energy to speak with power and presence.
AI for the Authentic Leader: How AI Can Help You Lead with Confidence, Clarity, and Influence

Artificial intelligence is already changing how we communicate. Can it actually make us more authentic and more creative than ever before?

In this eye-opening presentation, Allison Shapira draws from her own research and experiences to share how personalized AI tools can help us tap into our creativity, stories, and values, so we can supercharge our authenticity.

She’ll discuss the benefits and risks of AI — and show audiences how they can use it in ethical, effective, and powerful ways to make us better as humans.

Key Takeaways
- A clear understanding of how to use AI ethically in their daily communication practices
- Practical techniques for leveraging AI to enhance their personal authenticity and creativity
- Strategies for building confidence in their communication style by embracing AI as a thought partner

What other organizations say about Allison Shapira

Our session was the perfect balance of what we needed, when we needed it. You embodied this balance of interactivity and practical content, made us laugh, got us out of our comfort zone – in a comfortable way. It wasn?t just about executive presence; it was about how you present yourself and connect with people every day: both everyday communication, team communication. That?s so important in this hybrid world we?re living in.
Health Care

What other organizations say about Allison Shapira

I had the honor of hosting a great learning session for our EY teams on strategies for speaking with impact with the inspiring Allison Shapira. Allison took us through the principles of authenticity, clarity and energy and how embracing these simple but powerful fundamentals can set us up for communications success. I think that we all acknowledge that being able to communicate effectively is incredibly important, but do we spend enough time polishing our individual skills? Even if you?re a ?natural? you can always improve. Thank you Allison for sharing your insights, tip and techniques and indeed your energy. And of course the opera!
Accounting

What other organizations say about Allison Shapira

Allison Shapira has been a key faculty member in our Executive Education program on Strategic Leadership, and she has been absolutely phenomenal. The participants in our programs come from all walks of life and all regions of the world, and Allison?s ability to authentically and deeply connect with everyone is truly remarkable. Her course evaluations are always stellar, and she is described as ?insightful, warm, brilliant, engaging, dynamic and inspiring?. We couldn?t me more pleased with her involvement in this important leadership development program at Harvard and will be delighted to continue having Allison back.
Universities & Colleges

What other organizations say about Allison Shapira

I have gotten a ton of fantastic feedback from our conference participants. With humor and skill, they were gently pushed outside their comfort zone. Everyone appreciated the exercises and the chance to practice in a very safe and fun way. We all are better, more confident speakers as a result of your session.
Financial Services

What other organizations say about Allison Shapira

Allison’s brilliant workshop gave the (RED) team many of the tips and tools needed to become engaging public speakers. In just a couple of hours, Allison had us all on our feet confidently practicing newly acquired skills, providing feedback with is constructive and totally actionable…Allison, my team is talking about your presentation nonstop – you made an incredible difference. If they are better pitchers, you have payed a big part in saving many lives. Thank you again.
Non-Profit

What other organizations say about Allison Shapira

You knocked it out of the park! This was a discerning audience, and you engaged them with your storytelling, examples, relatability, and professionalism. They were raving about it, which doesn’t happen often! I appreciate the prep calls we had: you tailored the session really well to meet our expectations. I look forward to working with you again soon!
Consumer Products

Featured News

Harvard Business Review
When You Can Tell Someone Isn’t Listening to You
Harvard Business Review
Nervous About Public Speaking? Here’s How to Use Notes Like a Pro.

Works by Allison Shapira

Allison Shapira
Speak with Impact VIRTUALLY: A companion guide
Allison Shapira
Speak with Impact: How to Command the Room and Influence Others

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Allison Shapira Topics & Types

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