Speakers who provide effective, actionable industry insight
Matthew Gayer
Matthew GayerClaim to Fame: I had dinner with Michael J. Fox once, which was pretty great. For my day-to-day and regular speaking though, I have presented to over 30,000 nonprofit and community participants in the last 9 years. From training workshops to the value of community, I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from so many great audiences and participants in so many communities and settings.
Proudest Moment: In 2020, during Covid, I quadrupled the number of participants in our training and collaboration offerings. Over 8,000 nonprofit participants from around the country participated, compared to 2,000 local participants the year before. Translating the content for a virtual setting, becoming hyper-focused on actionable takeaways for the audience and meeting folks where they were at in terms of energy and focus are all things from that year that I am proud of. Specifically, I remember speaking at a meeting of local executive directors and a participant offered they felt less alone as a result of the session. In all times, but especially that time, that was one of the biggest differences I could have helped to make in that moment.
Enduring Message: Community is possible, but it requires action. Community takes work, focus, facilitation and a willingness to collaborate. It does not happen by accident. When I think about the variety of things I speak on, from practical nonprofit management tools to bigger pictures ideas of civic engagement, the running thread through them is that we cannot do this work alone, community requires community. We have to be intentional in building that. I try to apply that ethos to my speaking sessions as well, ensuring opportunity for connection in the audience and an application of the content to the reality the audience is going back to.
Matt May
premierteambuilding.com/speaker
Claim to Fame: After several years producing and facilitating team building programs for a variety of companies, I recognized that there was an alternate way to provide engaging, interactive experiences. As a result, I created Premier Team Building & Interactive Experiences, delivering programs nationwide and abroad. As the company’s president, I am responsible for the design and development of its experiences, overseeing the production and facilitation of these programs, customer support and staff training.
Proudest Moment: While I have had many proud moments in my career, my proudest moment in life was the Christmas gift I gave my 82-year-old mother last year. I flew us to Los Angeles to attended three tapings of Jeopardy, which we watch whenever we are together. I handled and paid for everything (except two meals that she insisted upon paying). It was a really special one-of-a-kind trip for us both and gave me great pride to be able to do that for her.
Enduring Message: Team building doesn’t have to be scary. My hope is that attendees will have laughed, been energized, been engaged and networked without realizing it. Team building is not a bad word and there is no need for fear or anxiety. First and foremost, team building can, and should be fun!
Devon Montgomery Pasha
Claim to Fame: I design experiences that move people. My work lives at the intersection of strategy, event design and live delivery, partnering with organizations long before anyone steps on stage. I do this with my signature SPARK Method (Storytelling, Presence, Activation, Resonance and Kinetics). It’s how I transform passive audiences into active participants and ordinary agendas into unforgettable experiences. My philosophy is simple: If your event can be replaced by content, it will be. I believe the future belongs to experiences that SPARK connection, inspire action and leave people thinking differently long after the event ends.
Proudest Moment: I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition throughout my career, including being named to the Eventex Top 100 in the industry and as a Smart Women Rising Star. Those honors mean the world to me, not because of the titles themselves, but because they came from an industry and community I care deeply about. What I’m proudest of, though, are the conversations that happen long after the applause. Hearing from someone who found the confidence to speak on a bigger stage, pursue a leadership role, redesign an event or simply believe they belonged in the room because of something we experienced together is the greatest reward. Awards celebrate a moment. Watching ideas ripple outward through people, organizations and our industry is something far more meaningful. Knowing I’ve helped elevate the role of strategic emceeing and intentional experience design is the achievement I’m most proud of.
Enduring Message: I hope people remember how they felt. Not because of me, but because of what we created together. I hope they remember walking into a room and feeling like they belonged. Like their perspective mattered. Like they weren’t just another attendee sitting in another chair. I’ve always believed the best events aren’t about stages or speakers. They’re about people. They’re about creating moments where strangers can connect, ideas become action and communities become stronger because they shared an experience together. If there’s one thing I hope people carry with them, it’s this: belonging doesn’t happen by chance and connection doesn’t happen by accident. Both are created through intentional choices, thoughtful design, and genuine care for the people in the room. That’s where the real magic happens.
Angela Smith
Claim to Fame: Building high-performing teams is both my greatest responsibility and my proudest work. From mentoring interns to helping senior leaders step fully into their potential, I focus on unlocking what makes people exceptional—and giving them the clarity and confidence to use it. I teach a few simple truths: build your personal board of directors (a peer, a legend, a coach and a sponsor), invest deeply in others because no one wins alone, stay relentlessly curious and never lose your hunger to grow. Because when people feel seen, supported and challenged, they don’t just perform. They rise.
Proudest Moment: My proudest moment isn’t a single achievement, it’s a pattern that continues to unfold. It’s in the moments where I get to show up, invest in others, learn from mistakes and stay open to feedback, even when it’s hard. It’s watching people I’ve had the privilege to work with step into bigger roles, take risks and achieve things they once questioned were possible. That’s what I call healthy pride. Not the kind that’s loud or performative—but the kind that’s grounded and earned. The kind where you feel good about your growth, your team, and the work you’ve done—without needing to prove it to anyone.
Being named a 2025 Smart Women in Meetings honoree and now a 2026 Hall of Famer is incredibly meaningful. But what matters most is the journey that got me here and the people I get to build alongside every day.
Enduring Message: What you build matters, but how you build it matters more. I believe the best work, the strongest cultures and the most meaningful impact all come from how we show up for people. The way we lead, the way we listen, the way we push each other to be better. You don’t build great teams by having all the answers. You build them by creating an environment where people feel seen, challenged, and trusted to rise. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about creating space for others to find theirs. And at the end of the day, success isn’t just what you accomplish. It’s who you helped grow along the way.
If people remember anything about me, I hope it’s that I pushed them to be better, believed in them before they believed in themselves and built something worth being part of, together.
