Marilyn Sherman's biography
- Hall of Fame business keynote speaker for Fortune 500 companies
- Author of four motivational books, including Whose Comfort Zone Are You In?
- Inspires audiences to embrace change, elevate performance, and lead with purpose
Marilyn Sherman has spent her career inspiring people to get out of their comfort zones and take their seat in the “Front-Row” of life and leadership. As founder of UpFront Presentations and a member of the National Speakers Association's Hall of Fame (CPAE), a distinction held by fewer than 200 speakers worldwide, Marilyn has delivered keynotes for Fortune 500 companies and international universities across the globe. She is the author of four books, including Why Settle for the Balcony? and Whose Comfort Zone Are You In? Marilyn's work draws on years of experience helping teams and individuals close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Her workshops on confident communication give participants concrete strategies for reducing conflict at work and her Front-Row Friday video series reaches professionals looking for weekly moments of inspiration. Audiences who attend Marilyn's sessions leave with a clearer understanding of what is keeping them in their comfort zone and why, practical communication techniques that reduce friction in team settings, and a framework for pursuing goals with greater intention and follow-through. Book Marilyn Sherman when the brief calls for genuine mindset shifts and behavior change.
Marilyn's showreel and videos
Topics, sessions and talks
Front-Row Success: How Top Performers Never Settle For Balcony Seats
Most people know they are capable of more, yet they stay in the back row. Marilyn Sherman's signature keynote dismantles the habits, fears, and distractions that keep professionals playing small. Drawing on her S.E.A.T. of Success framework, she walks audiences through how top performers manage vision, energy, mindset, and setbacks differently. Equal parts practical and motivating, this session leaves people with a clear plan for closing the gap between where they are and where they want to be.
Communicating For Results: From Conflict To Cooperation
Workplace tension is rising, yet most people will do almost anything to avoid a difficult conversation. Marilyn Sherman shows audiences exactly what to say, when to say it, and how to say it so that hard conversations lead to resolution rather than resentment. This session gives teams a repeatable approach to conflict that reduces friction, rebuilds trust, and keeps performance on track.
Managing Change For Optimal Results
Change is constant, but the way people respond to it varies enormously. Marilyn Sherman introduces audiences to three mindsets that emerge whenever organisations face disruption — victim, vacationer, and volunteer — and makes it immediately obvious which one is holding teams back. Through sharp, recognisable examples, she shows managers and employees alike how to shift their own default response and bring others along with them, building the kind of adaptable culture that makes change a competitive advantage rather than a source of stress.
Why we recommend booking Marilyn
Marilyn's National Speakers Association Hall of Fame distinction and four published books speak directly to her expertise in workplace communication and goal execution. Her workshops provide concrete conflict reduction techniques that teams can implement immediately. Marilyn's sessions are highly valued by organizations looking to create measurable behavior change around communication friction and comfort zone expansion.
Thank you Marilyn for your time, energy, and most importantly, sharing what you love with us! Some comments: “I really came away thinking about my work differently, I want to be as effective as I can be. The keynote speaker and the personal accountability to be a better, more highly effective leader was excellent!’ Thank you again Marilyn for inspiring others to be better than they were yesterday!
Melinda Altamirano
Regional Director, Starbucks
The entire conference was an enormous success, but many people commented specially on how outstanding, motivational, and thought-provoking your presentation was. We believe all who saw you were deeply inspired and benefited greatly from your expertise and guidance!
Phyllis A. James
President and CEO, Foundation For Women's Leadership & Empowerment
On behalf of Boston Market Corporation and our national catering sales team, I want to thank you for your outstanding motivational program "Whose Comfort Zone Are You In?" Your program was the highlight of our national sales meeting. Our team enjoyed your sense of humor and I heard many great comments: She was great…inspiring…that was awesome….and certainly motivating! I also appreciate how easy it was to work with you and your organization! Thank you for your professionalism; we were extremely pleased with your services. I would highly recommend you and your programs to anyone I know that is looking for a motivational speaker!
Director, Catering Sales Operations, Boston Market Corporation
Director, Catering Sales Operations, Boston Market Corporation
