The Most Recognized
Keynote Speakers
in 2025
Keynote Speaker & Business Coach Corporate Consultant & Mentor
Marques
Ogden A Journey of Resilience, Reinvention, and Lasting Impact
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Marques Ogden A Journey of Resilience, Reinvention, and Lasting Impact
NTS. P R O F I L E
20 Ron Thomas
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16 Dustin Jones
Edit’s
Insight
Voices That Resonate Beyond the Stage
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here's something magnetic about a voice that fills a room not just with words, but with truth. The kind of voice that doesn't just speak, it stays with you. This issue of Business Lens Media celebrates such voices, those who spark conversations that turn into movements, ideas that turn into change, and moments that redefine success itself. As editors, our goal has always been to bring you stories that feel both relatable and remarkable, a blend of real-world grit and boardroom brilliance. And every edition reminds us that the essence of great leadership lies not in perfection, but in persistence, presence, and purpose. Welcome to The Most Recognized Keynote Speakers in 2025, an edition that amplifies the voices shaping the future of business storytelling. From motivational powerhouses to insightful strategists, this lineup proves that influence isn't measured by volume, but by value. Each speaker featured here carries a message worth remembering, crafted through experience, delivered with authenticity, and sustained by action.
Our cover story this month features Marques Ogden, a name synonymous with resilience and reinvention. Once an NFL athlete who built (and lost) a multimillion-dollar empire, Marques turned his fall into fuel. Today, he's a celebrated keynote speaker and corporate mentor, known for simplifying the path to success through The Success Cycle. As the host of the globally top 1% ranked podcast, Get Authentic with Marques Ogden, he curates stories that echo with raw honesty and timeless lessons. His journey reminds us that true success begins the moment you decide to rebuild stronger and wiser. So, as you turn these pages, may you find insights that challenge, stories that move, and words that stay. Because sometimes, all it takes is one voice to change how we listen, lead, and live.
Marques Ogden Keynote Speaker & Business Coach Corporate Consultant & Mentor
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Cover Story
Marques
Ogden A Journey of Resilience, Reinvention, and Lasting Impact
Mentorship is not about dictating answers; it is about guiding leaders to embrace change with courage and authenticity.
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he speaking and consulting is a space where authenticity, resilience, and real-world experience define true influence. Audiences no longer seek only polished speeches or success stories; they seek guidance rooted in lived experience, lessons learned the hard way, and strategies that can be applied to their own challenges. In such a profession, only a few leaders stand out for their ability to transform personal trials into universal insights that inspire and empower. Marques Ogden is one such leader, a figure who has not just navigated change but used it as a catalyst to help others do the same. Ogden's journey has been filled with triumphs and trials, and he has repeatedly demonstrated that success is not about never falling. It is about choosing authenticity, resilience, and purpose every time one rises. From his early days as an NFL athlete to the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, including bankruptcy and starting over, he has turned every challenge into a lesson. Through The Success Cycle, the B.I.S.O.N. framework, and a steadfast commitment to authenticity, Ogden continues to help leaders, organizations, and professionals unlock their potential. His approach proves that success is not measured by the stage or the spotlight, but by the lives one impacts along the way. Explore how Marques Ogden turns setbacks into stepping stones and discover how every challenge can set the stage for your next breakthrough. Life After the Game: Searching for Identity
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Marques Ogden, keynote speaker, business coach, and corporate mentor, did not arrive at the stage by chance. His journey from NFL athlete to business owner, then through failure, and finally to respected thought leader is both humbling and instructive. It is a story of reinvention rooted in resilience, discipline, and the courage to share truth without a filter. When Ogden walked away from professional football, he faced the same uncertainty that shadows many athletes: Who am I without the game? Football had defined him not only as a career but as an identity. When the crowd noise faded and the locker room doors closed, silence filled the space where purpose used to live. Seeking a new path, he built a construction company, achieving early success. But poor decisions, misplaced trust, and flawed leadership soon dragged the company into bankruptcy and collapse. From a celebrated athlete and business owner, he fell to scrubbing toilets as a janitor for $8.25 an hour. From Bankruptcy to Breakthrough: Turning Setbacks into a Calling That low point became a defining lesson. It showed him that his real power lay not in hiding his failures, but in owning them. He realized people didn't need another highlight reel; they needed someone who could stand on stage and say, I fell, and this is how I rose again. This discovery ignited his career as a speaker and coach, not for fame or spotlight, but to transform his story into fuel that could empower others to see setbacks as catalysts for growth.
The Success Cycle: Ambition, Drive, and Hard Work in Action At the core of his message is The Success Cycle, a philosophy anchored in three pillars: ambition, drive, and hard work. Ambition brings clarity of vision; without it, energy scatters into distractions. As Ogden puts it, “If you don't know where you're going, don't be surprised if you never arrive.” Drive represents discipline, not fleeting motivation. It is the commitment to daily habits, the ability to press forward when inspiration runs dry. Hard work, the final pillar, is about pushing beyond convenience, showing up when it's uncomfortable, persisting even when results are slow, and proving that effort itself builds momentum. Through personal stories, from writing his first book to transitioning from janitor to national keynote speaker, he demonstrates how this cycle works in practice. What makes it powerful is its universality: executives, athletes, and professionals alike can apply it to achieve sustainable growth. Authenticity as the Cornerstone of Influence Authenticity is the thread that runs through everything Ogden does. On stage, he does not sugarcoat his journey; he talks openly about bankruptcy, foreclosure, and humiliation. He shares the raw details of losing millions and cleaning toilets, because he knows audiences don't connect with perfection, but with honesty.
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In coaching, this same authenticity builds trust. By being transparent about his strengths and shortcomings, he creates space for clients to be equally vulnerable, which leads to real progress. His podcast, Get Authentic with Marques Ogden, follows the same principle. Guests are encouraged to share genuine struggles, lessons, and breakthroughs, not polished press releases. Listeners remember the conversations because authenticity resonates more deeply than achievement ever could.
Mentorship is not about dictating answers; it is about guiding leaders to embrace change with courage and authenticity.
Mentoring Leaders Through Innovation, Diversity, and Change As a mentor, Ogden focuses on helping leaders navigate today's rapidly changing workplace. He challenges them to view innovation as an opportunity rather than a disruption. He urges leaders to remain curious, to create environments where new ideas are rewarded, and to shape change rather than resist it. On diversity, he emphasizes that it is not simply a corporate metric but a mindset that unlocks creativity and competitive advantage. And with five generations now coexisting in the workplace, he encourages leaders to build bridges across age groups, honoring experience while empowering youthful energy. In his view, “Mentorship is not about dictating answers; it is about guiding leaders to embrace change with courage and authenticity.” Resilience Forged in Fire: The Birth of the B.I.S.O.N. Framework The hardships that marked Ogden's journey also forged his core philosophy. Bankruptcy, foreclosure,
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depression, and humiliation tested his will to continue. Yet from those ashes, he built the B.I.S.O.N. framework: Boldness, Integrity, Self-awareness, Ownership, and Never Quit. Boldness meant daring to start over from nothing. Integrity meant choosing honesty as the foundation for a comeback. Self-awareness required him to confront his blind spots. Ownership demanded responsibility for his failures so he could claim his future. And Never Quit became the key to rebuilding a life of meaning. Today, this framework is shared with leaders worldwide as a model for resilience, not just bouncing back, but bouncing forward stronger. In a speaking and consulting industry defined by constant change, Ogden stays ahead through continuous learning, active listening, adaptability, and authenticity. He invests in education, attends seminars, engages with thought leaders, and learns from clients. He listens closely to discover challenges before they go mainstream, shaping content that feels both relevant and ahead of the curve. He embraces shifts such as virtual conferences and interactive formats, seeing them as extensions of his mission rather than distractions. But above all, he remains grounded in timeless principles of resilience, integrity, and hard work, knowing that trends fade but truth endures. Staying Ahead in a Rapidly Evolving Industry Several milestones have shaped his professional journey. Publishing The Success Cycle provided a roadmap for countless readers and validated the universality of his philosophy.
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Growing the Get Authentic podcast into a platform that attracts athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs reinforced the belief that authenticity drives connection. Collaborating with Fortune 500 companies such as Home Depot, JPMorgan Chase, and UBS marked another turning point, proving that his message transcends industries and resonates in boardrooms as much as locker rooms. For Ogden, “Recognition is not measured by prestige but by impact and success is defined by lives transformed, not trophies collected.” Balancing Success with Family, Health, and Fulfillment Balancing global speaking engagements, consulting roles, and personal commitments requires intention. Ogden prioritizes his health, family, and mindset, recognizing that neglecting these foundations undermines professional performance. Structure, supported by his team, ensures he shows up fully prepared. Yet he also practices discernment, saying no to opportunities that compromise his well-being or family priorities. To him, “Balance is not about doing everything, it is about choosing what matters most and pursuing it sustainably.”
hundreds more, spreading transformation far beyond his direct influence. Advice for Emerging Leaders: Leading Authentically, Living Boldly To emerging leaders, his advice is both simple and profound. Lead with authenticity; people follow the real you, not the mask. Embrace resilience; every fall is a chance to rise stronger. Commit to consistency; success is built on small, repeated actions. Stay curious; the best leaders are lifelong students. Serve others; true influence comes from making an impact, not from image. And above all, embody the B.I.S.O.N. framework: be Bold, act with Integrity, practice Self-awareness, take Ownership, and Never Quit. For Ogden, these values are more than advice; they are the foundation of leadership that lasts. Marques Ogden's story is proof that setbacks need not define a legacy. What defines a leader is the decision to rise, to lead authentically, and to turn personal trials into pathways for others to follow.
Future Goals: Expanding Reach, Mentorship, and Global Impact Looking ahead, Ogden's vision is focused on expansion and impact. He aims to extend his reach globally, leveraging digital platforms, online courses, and partnerships to make leadership insights more accessible. He seeks to elevate Get Authentic into one of the world's leading podcasts on leadership and authenticity. He is also committed to developing mentorship programs for underserved communities, offering tools and guidance to emerging leaders who might not otherwise have access to them. Ultimately, his goal is to create a ripple effect. One leader inspired becomes a catalyst for
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Dustin Jones
Redefining Leadership Through the Human Connection
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n today's evolving workplace, culture has become the heartbeat of successful organizations. Behind every thriving team lies a leader who values not only systems but the people who give them purpose. Dustin Jones, Owner and CEO of EncompassHR, LLC, embodies this belief. A seasoned international speaker, corporate trainer, and author, she approaches Human Resources as a relationshipdriven discipline, redefining leadership through empathy and authenticity. For Dustin, leadership begins with listening. Her approach combines diplomacy and emotional intelligence, helping organizations align strategy with sincerity and structure with soul. “Culture isn't a program; it's a promise,” she says. By focusing on connection over compliance, Dustin ensures that every HR strategy elevates both operational excellence and emotional intelligence. At EncompassHR, alignment starts with clarity. “People can't connect with what they don't understand,” Dustin emphasizes. She fosters meaningful dialogue that
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transforms performance into purpose and teams into communities. Her L.E.A.D. Framework—Lead with Diplomacy, Establish Connection, Align with Purpose, Deliver with Integrity—serves as a guide for leaders to inspire trust and authenticity. Mentorship, to Dustin, is rooted in vulnerability. “When leaders admit they don't have all the answers, they create space for others to grow.” Through cross-generational mentorship, she encourages shared learning, confidence, and compassion—traits she believes define the next generation of leaders.
globally, championing humane leadership across industries. Dustin envisions a future where HR serves as both a business driver and a guardian of human dignity. Her advice to aspiring HR leaders is simple yet profound: “Lead with purpose. Build relationships before you need them. Communicate with courage and compassion. Remember, clarity isn't cruelty, and empathy isn't weakness.” For Dustin Jones, leadership isn't about power—it's about purpose. It's where humanity meets strategy, and that's where the true future of leadership begins.
Dustin's philosophy also redefines HR compliance as protection, not restriction. By explaining the “why” behind every decision, she turns resistance into understanding and compliance into collaboration. Her leadership journey—from Chief Human Resources Officer at the Dallas Country Club to authoring *The Power of Diplomacy: Leadership That Inspires*—reflects her commitment to leading with integrity and empathy. Balance, she believes, is essential to sustainable leadership. By setting boundaries and practicing self-reflection, Dustin reminds others that “diplomacy begins with self-respect.” Looking ahead, EncompassHR is expanding
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Ron Thomas Managing Director, Strategy Focused Group Global HR Strategist | Leadership Educator
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on Thomas is an internationally recognized strategist, HR thought leader, and educator shaping the future of work across continents. He currently serves as the Managing Director of Strategy Focused Group, a global consultancy headquartered in Dubai with offices in New York and Singapore. In this role, Ron partners with CEOs and executive teams to align workforce strategies with business transformation. In July 2025, Ron was named one of the Top 10 Inspiring HR Leaders to Watch by CIO Arab Media, solidifying his influence as a leading voice in organizational and leadership excellence.
Tahnoon Al Nahyan, recognizing global leaders shaping the future with innovation and purpose. He was also appointed as a Jury Member for the 17th Annual HRM Summit, Awards & Expo 2025—the MENA region's most respected platform celebrating excellence and innovation in Human Resources. Ron serves as an Executive Faculty member at the Global Human Resources Leadership Institute at Howard University's School of Business. He is an Adjunct Professor for the EMBA programs at Howard University and the American University in Dubai. His academic contributions are equipping the next generation of strategic HR leaders.
In August 2025, Ron was nominated for the prestigious GiA Middle East Global Image Awards, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Salama
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Ron has held senior leadership roles, including: •
CHRO of Al Raha Group, Riyadh
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VP of HR, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, New York
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CEO, Great Place to Work-MENA
He has provided counsel to institutions including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dubai Tourism, and Singapore's Civil Service. His accolades include: •
Top 5 HR Thinkers in the Middle East – CIPD
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Global HR Excellence Award for Outstanding Leadership
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Asia's 50 Most Talented Global HR Leaders
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Global 200 Inspirational Leaders Award
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Power 200: The Biggest Voices in Leadership
A prolific writer, Ron contributes regularly to ERE.net, HR.com, Economic Times HR World, HCI.org, and
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leading HR publications across the globe. His thought leadership has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, CEO.com, and Workforce. He currently serves on several prestigious advisory boards, including: •
The Stirling Centre for Strategic Learning and Innovation (University of Stirling Innovation Park), Scotland
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Harvard Business Review Advisory Council
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McKinsey Quarterly Executive Panel
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Future Innovation Summit (Dubai)
Ron is the architect behind the Symphonic C-Suite leadership development experience and a frequent keynote speaker at global summits, masterclasses, and leadership forums. With a deep belief in purposeful leadership and workforce innovation, Ron continues to empower leaders and institutions to build bold futures and agile workforces—regionally and globally.
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