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Innovation expert & top 50 thinker

Whitney Johnson

Transform workplace innovation with Whitney Johnson, speaker and disruptive innovation expert. Whitney works with organizations to accelerate growth, develop talent, and build resilience, recognized among the top 50 global business thinkers by Thinkers50.

Trusted by JA Worldwide

Whitney Johnson, Speaker | Disruption Expert, CEO
Whitney Johnson

Whitney Johnson

Richmond, United States

Typical fee range

$26k–50k

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

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Richmond, United States

Starting from

$26k–50k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Whitney Johnson's biography

At a glance

  • Award-winning Marketing Strategist
  • Renowned Speaker at International Conferences
  • Author of Bestselling Book on Digital Marketing Strategy
Whitney Johnson is a leading authority on disruptive innovation and personal disruption, recognized as one of the top 50 business thinkers globally by Thinkers50. As the CEO of Disruption Advisors, she leverages her expertise to help organizations and individuals harness the power of disruption for growth. Whitney's insights are grounded in her experience as a co-founder of the Disruptive Innovation Fund with Harvard's Clayton Christensen and her tenure as a top-ranked Wall Street equity analyst. Her acclaimed books, including "Disrupt Yourself" and "Build an 'A' Team," provide actionable frameworks for personal and professional transformation. Whitney's engaging talks inspire teams to embrace change, fostering innovation and resilience in today's dynamic business landscape. Book Whitney Johnson to empower your organization with the tools to thrive amid disruption.

Whitney's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Smart Growth – The Key To Growing Your Company
In her keynote, Whitney Johnson emphasizes that the key to your company's growth lies in the learning and development of your people. However, jobs often stifle this innate desire to learn, leaving employees feeling bored and stagnant. Whitney introduces the S Curve of Learning™, a model for smart growth, and addresses why starting growth can be challenging, how to maintain momentum, and why people outgrow roles quickly. Attendees will learn to understand the growth process, identify where each person is on their S Curve, and support them effectively. Grow yourself to grow your people, and ultimately, your company.

Why we recommend booking Whitney

Whitney offers your team insights from a top-tier marketing strategist and bestselling author. Her proven track record with giants like Kraft Heinz ensures actionable strategies, fostering innovation and driving success. Elevate your team's potential and achieve your goals with Whitney's transformative expertise.

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Trusted by JA Worldwide

Testimonials

The audience was blown away. They loved Whitney's genuineness, which shined through every word. They took to heart Whitney's reflections and observations. An absolute homerun.

Martin Lindstrom

NY Times

Thank you, Whitney! And thank you for agreeing to speak at JA's Global Leadership Conference and being such a good friend to the organization. Your weekly email updates are quoted by JA staff more often than you might believe!

JA Worldwide

I just wanted to thank you for a clear, practical and well-delivered presentation during Brand Minds earlier this June in Bucharest. You were a great surprise to me, given I haven't interacted before with your content, and it was my favourite moment from the event because I could immediately use them in my team. Thanks again and I'm looking forward to following your activity.

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Featured Projects

Whitney Johnson - Build An A-Team: Play To Their Strengths And Lead Them Up The Learning Curve book cover
Whitney Johnson - Dare, Dream, Do book cover
Whitney Johnson - Disrupt Yourself Podcast With Whitney Johnson podcast cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Whitney Johnson for my next event?
Email whitney.johnson@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Whitney's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.

Whitney Johnson structures her keynote around the S Curve of Learning™, a proprietary model she uses to map individual employee growth stages, guiding audiences through a diagnostic process to identify where each team member sits on the curve and what actions leaders can take at each stage.

What is Whitney Johnson's speaking style like?
Whitney Johnson structures her keynote around the S Curve of Learning™, a proprietary model she uses to map individual employee growth stages, guiding audiences through a diagnostic process to identify where each team member sits on the curve and what actions leaders can take at each stage.

Whitney Johnson structures her keynote around the S Curve of Learning™, a proprietary model she uses to map individual employee growth stages, guiding audiences through a diagnostic process to identify where each team member sits on the curve and what actions leaders can take at each stage.

What topics does Whitney Johnson specialise in?
Whitney Johnson speaks on personal disruption, the S Curve of Learning, and organisational growth through people development. She is ranked among the top 50 business thinkers globally by Thinkers50 and co-founded the Disruptive Innovation Fund alongside Harvard's Clayton Christensen.

Whitney Johnson speaks on personal disruption, the S Curve of Learning, and organisational growth through people development. She is ranked among the top 50 business thinkers globally by Thinkers50 and co-founded the Disruptive Innovation Fund alongside Harvard's Clayton Christensen.

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

Yes. PepTalk regularly handles last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, host, or comedian quickly, often within days. Availability narrows as the date nears, so get in touch as early as you can. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.

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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.

Can I book a speaker who isn't listed on the PepTalk website?

Yes. If a speaker isn't listed, tell PepTalk their name and the team will approach them for you. The network extends well beyond the public roster, and PepTalk regularly books speakers who don't appear on the site. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with the name.

How quickly will I get a speaker shortlist?

You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.

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Most bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker and are set out clearly in the contract before you confirm, so there are no surprises. PepTalk's team supports you through any change. Contact hello@getapeptalk.com as soon as plans shift.

Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

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.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a speaker booking?

Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

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.

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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.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.

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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.

Can I book a speaker for a virtual or hybrid event?

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?

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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.