Led by a powerhouse team of successful youth and education speakers who do this work every day, YSU provides the strategies, tools, and support to help you build a speaking business that makes an impact—whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow.
Josh Shipp
Founder
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.
Clint Pardoe
Lead Coach
Clint Pardoe has spent his career helping speakers craft powerful messages that resonate with audiences. With a background as a university speech communication professor and business coach, he has worked with high-earning entrepreneurs, keynote speakers, and college students to refine their delivery and impact.
For over a decade, Clint taught public speaking at the university level, later combining his expertise with coaching to help professionals sharpen their communication. He is the author of The 4 Secrets to College Life Success and has spoken at local, regional, and national college events, helping students navigate academic, personal, and professional success.
Brian Williams
Instructor, Grade K-5 Niche
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.
Duncan Kirkwood, 1LT, MPA
Instructor, Grade 6-12 Niche
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.
Dr. Julia Garcia
Instructor, College & University Niche
Chase Mielke, M.Ed
Instructor, Educator & Staff Niche
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.