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Speaker, feminist journalist & author

Marianne Schnall

Transform leadership cultures with Marianne Schnall, speaker, feminist journalist and author. Marianne works with organizations to advance women's leadership and social activism, delivering award-winning insights as a UN Women Champion of Change and International Women's Media Foundation honoree.

Trusted by Dartmouth College, UN Women, International Women's Media Foundation

Marianne Schnall
Marianne Schnall

Marianne Schnall

New York City, United States

Typical fee range

$6k–10k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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New York City, United States

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$6k–10k

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Marianne Schnall's biography

At a glance

  • Author of What Will It Take to Make A Woman President?
  • Founder of Feminist.com, a leading women's website and nonprofit organization
  • Interviews and writings on women's leadership and empowerment
Marianne Schnall is a journalist, author, and interviewer whose work has appeared in CNN.com, Refinery29, Thrive Global, Huffington Post, TIME.com, O, The Oprah Magazine, AOL Build, Marie Claire, Glamour, Women's Media Center, and many other media outlets. She is a regular contributor to ForbesWomen. Her wide-ranging interviews with global leaders span fields as diverse as entertainment, politics, business, spirituality, and environmental and social activism and include Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Melinda Gates, President Jimmy Carter, Jane Goodall, Wangari Maathai, Nancy Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Arianna Huffington, Anita Hill, Jane Fonda, Stacey Abrams, Amy Poehler, and hundreds of others. Marianne founded Feminist.com, an online community that fosters awareness, education, and activism for people worldwide. She is also the founder of What Will It Take, a media platform bringing together existing stakeholders and champions of women’s leadership across industries and issues on a single platform to foster collaboration and coordination. Marianne is the author of What Will It Take to Make a Woman President? Conversations About Women, Leadership & Power (recommended by Beyoncé), which features interviews with politicians, public officials, thought leaders, artists, and activists addressing the changing paradigms and issues around women, politics, and power. Her latest books, published by Simon & Schuster, include Leading the Way: Inspiring Words for Women on How to Live and Lead with Courage, Confidence, and Authenticity, and Dare to Be You: Inspirational Advice for Girls on Finding Your Voice, Leading Fearlessly, and Making a Difference. She was also a contributor to Robin Morgan’s anthology, Sisterhood is Forever: The Women’s Anthology for a New Millennium. Marianne is the host of the podcast ShiftMakers, which highlights exclusive insights from luminaries and movement makers as they share wisdom on how to be authentic changemakers today. She has spoken at universities and conferences across the country, organized and moderated numerous events, salons, and panels, and appeared as a media source on outlets including CNN, BBC News, and NPR. She is also a contributor for WAMC’s nationally syndicated show, “51%.” Marianne graduated from Cornell University with a BA in English and the Women’s Media Center’s Progressive Women's Voices media and leadership training program. She is the recipient of the UN Women's Champion of Change Award and was ranked as one of the top global “Real Leaders 100” by Real Leaders Magazine. She is also an awardee of the International Women’s Media Foundation's Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists. Through her writings, interviews, and websites, Marianne strives to raise awareness and inspire activism about important issues and causes.

Topics, sessions and talks

Women And Men As Allies
Marianne Schnall discusses the importance of collaboration between women and men in achieving gender equality, emphasizing allyship and shared responsibility in her talk "Women And Men as Allies."
Pass It On: The Next Generation
Marianne Schnall's talk, "Pass It On: The Next Generation," emphasizes the importance of empowering and inspiring the younger generation to continue the work of social and environmental activism.
What Will It Take To Get More Women In Leadership/What Makes A Woman Leader
Marianne Schnall discusses the barriers to women's leadership and shares insights on empowering women to ascend to leadership roles, emphasizing the need for societal and systemic change.

Why we recommend booking Marianne

Marianne brings a wealth of experience from her extensive career as a writer and interviewer, offering unique insights into leadership, empowerment, and social change. Her engaging storytelling and in-depth conversations with influential figures will inspire your team to think critically and act boldly. Booking Marianne as a speaker will elevate your event and empower your audience to find their own voice and make a meaningful impact.

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Trusted by Dartmouth College, UN Women, International Women's Media Foundation

Testimonials

Marianne Schnall's visit to Dartmouth organized around the recent release of What Will It Take To Make A Woman President?: Conversations about Women, Leadership and Power had the dual benefit of providing the Dartmouth community with a chance to think about and discuss issues related to gender inequality - an issue greatly scrutinized at Dartmouth - and to find solutions with the input of leading female voices, as interviewed by Marianne Schnall. To engage on this topic with Marianne Schnall and to hear what barriers women face in their professional pursuits - and how to work around them - have only strengthened our community's sense of purpose and direction in taking action and pursuing greater opportunities.

Bridget Golub

Dartmouth College

Skidmore Women in Business is a new student organization at Skidmore College. The organization recently had the honor of hosting Marianne Schnall as its first speaker. For our event, she specifically tailored her speech around not only our organization's mission, but also around the personal interests of our organization's leaders and its members, making her lecture incredibly intimate and impactful. Her willingness to share her experiences and passions with us - both personally and from behind the podium - helped to enrich our community's conversation about women and leadership.

Lyssa Jackson

Co-President & Founder, Skidmore Women in Business

The idea of starting the Feminist Society at NYU began at a previous reading by Marianne Schnall, so it was only fitting to host a reading for her release of What Will It Take To Make a Woman President: Conversations about Women, Leadership, and Power. Coincidentally, Marianne was able to make the event blossom into an actual conversation about women, leadership, and power. Our intimate conversation crossed generations and races and inspired a call to action for leadership networks and mentorship that I hope to continue.

Margaret Smiley

NYU

Featured Projects

Marianne Schnall - Leading The Way: Inspiring Words For Women On How To Live And Lead With Courage, Confidence, And Authenticity book cover
Marianne Schnall - What Will It Take To Make A Woman President?: Conversations About Women, Leadership, And Power book cover
Marianne Schnall - ShiftMakers podcast cover

frequently asked questions

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I need a last-minute speaker. Can PepTalk help?

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Speaker fees vary by profile, format, and location. In the UK and Europe, virtual keynotes typically start around GBP 2,000, with top in-person speakers reaching GBP 25,000+; in the US, fees run from about USD 5,000 to USD 100,000+. Share your budget at getapeptalk.com and we'll shortlist to fit.

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Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What logistics should I prepare before my speakers arrive?

Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

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Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

What information do I need to provide when booking a comedian?

When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

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Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.

How do I brief an insights speaker on my organisation's strategic context?

Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.

Can event entertainers customise their act for my company or industry?

Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.