Statistically, Josh Shipp should be dead, in jail, or homeless.

Instead, his life is proof of the power of one caring adult. Growing up in foster care, Josh overcame the odds and built a career dedicated to making an impact.

He was named to Inc. Magazine’s list of successful entrepreneurs and attended Harvard University as a postgraduate student. After years as a renowned speaker and bestselling author, Josh shifted his focus to helping other speakers and authors expand their impact as a speaking agent and business strategist.

• Inc. Magazine Profile
• TEDx Talk: The Power Of One Caring Adult
• Founder of Top Youth Speakers Bureau
• Strategic Partner at FOLIO Literary Management

Clint Pardoe has spent his career helping speakers craft and deliver powerful messages that make an impact.

With over a decade of experience teaching public speaking at the university level, Clint later completed postgraduate work in Leadership Coaching and began speaking at colleges and corporations while coaching high-earning entrepreneurs. In 2012, Clint went through YSU himself—and soon after, left the classroom to become YSU’s Lead Coach.

Today, Clint combines his deep expertise in communication and business strategy to help speakers build thriving speaking careers that support students and the adults who serve them. He continues to speak at colleges across the country, helping students tap into their full potential.

Brian Williams has spent his career inspiring K-5 students to be kind.

As the founder of Think Kindness, Brian has delivered over 1,000 school assemblies, empowering elementary students to take meaningful action in their schools and communities. His high-energy presentations use storytelling and interactive activities to engage.

Like many speakers, Brian started with a passion for impact but had to learn the business side of speaking—how to position his message, book gigs consistently, and turn one event into many.

• Founder of Think Kindness – 1.5 Million Documented Acts of Kindness
• 1,000+ Assemblies Delivered to K-5 Students
• 4th-Degree Black Belt & Licensed Private Pilot

Duncan Kirkwood has dedicated his career to empowering Grade 6-12 students with psychological resilience.

As an Army veteran and renowned speaker, Duncan has inspired tens of thousands of students across the country with his high-energy, no-excuses approach to overcoming adversity.

Like many speakers, Duncan knew he had a message that could change lives—but turning that message into a thriving speaking career took strategy, persistence, and a willingness to learn the business side of speaking.

• Author of Rerouting: Resilience Tools & Tactics
• Nationally Recognized Expert in Student Resilience & Leadership
• Veteran & Former Officer in the Army National Guard

Chase Mielke has dedicated his career to helping educators thrive—both in their classrooms and in their careers. His research-based strategies on teacher well-being, burnout prevention, and student engagement have been featured at national education conferences and in his bestselling book, The Burnout Cure: Learning to Love Teaching Again.

Chase started speaking while still teaching full-time, but like many educators, he struggled to turn it into a sustainable career. Learning how to position his expertise, book gigs consistently, and get rebooked changed everything. Now, he helps other educators do the same.

• Bestselling Author of The Burnout Cure
• Michigan Teacher of the Year Nominee
• Spoken at 250+ Education Events