A division of Stern Strategy Group®, Stern Speakers connect you with the top authorities and social change agents at the forefront of today’s most pressing issues and tomorrow’s trends.
We are strategic partners intimately familiar with our speakers’ work and those they want to influence. In helping our clients manage and propel their careers, we connect you with leading experts who can help you achieve your goals.
Strategy requires disruption.
From advising individuals on their career paths to representing book authors to consulting for large corporations, Danny helps clients find and project the distinct voice needed to build thought leadership and disrupt industries. With deep roots in the lecture business, he has collaborated with leading visionaries and change agents shaping the future of business and welfare of the world. As managing director, Danny leads the firm’s work with speakers and authorities, and provides high-level strategy and counsel. Of all his accomplishments, he is most proud of his two daughters, Joanna and Julia, though he is quick not to take credit for their accomplishments. He is constantly amazed by how they’ve grown through determination and risk-taking – two attributes he values.
Relationships are your most important asset.
Mel’s career is built on strong relationships – those he’s forged and those he helps manage for his clients. With more than 35 years of experience, he manages key client relationships and corporate programs for Stern Strategy Group’s speaking and advisory services. He also provides strategic counsel to corporations through Maywood Advisors, where he is founder and principal. Mel co-founded and led Monitor Talent – a full-service agency representing authors, speakers and advisory experts on business, science and public policy – before it merged with Stern in 2013. Mel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Yale University School of Management, where he currently sits on the advisory board of Yale Center for Customer Insights.
Passion is a secret to success.
It’s what drives Ania to do the best possible job for her clients every day. She doesn’t see her work as transactions, but as relationships and connections. As Vice President, Ania focuses on client relations, business development and agency operations. She is also adept at building collaborative relations amongst client organizations, competitor agencies and speakers across the public, private, non-profit and academic sectors. Ania leverages more than eight years of related expertise, including having launched and managed a boutique speakers’ bureau in Spain. Tri-lingual, she loves traveling around the world and translates her global experiences to her work.
Synergies are invaluable.
Kristen’s role spans the entire agency, giving her a unique opportunity to collaborate with multiple teams and clients on business and legal affairs. As in-house counsel, she provides legal advice regarding commercial contracts, marketing, intellectual property, and more. She also drafts and negotiates contracts, including advisory, publishing, talent, confidentiality and new clients. Beyond legal issues, Kristen is intimately involved in client relations, and leverages synergies between their expertise and our agency’s connections with leading global organizations, corporations, publishing houses and the like.
Learning is constant.
A former educator, Whitney is intimately familiar with the ever-changing education landscape. She specializes in connecting our education experts with audiences who are helping shift the global conversation about how and where learning happens. Whitney also translates her business experience to our full roster of speaker clients, providing strategic direction for marketing and sales efforts, website content and social media. Originally from El Paso, Texas, she holds a Bachelor of Science from New Mexico State University, an MBA from the University of the District of Columbia and an AAS from Parsons School of Design.
Innovation distinguishes leaders from followers.
A licensed attorney, Dan enjoys making deals and pairing customers with the perfect speaker to fit their needs. As an account executive, Dan partners with customers to think outside the box to increase the effectiveness of planned events and maximize value for all parties involved. He has a background in the baseball industry where he worked as a salary arbitration specialist determining player values based on relevant statistics. Dan graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and earned a J.D. from Pace Law School in White Plains, NY. An avid globetrotter, Dan enjoys traveling and immersing himself in new cultures and cuisines.
Deeper conversations, deeper connections.
Paige has over a decade of experience in the lecture business prior to joining Stern. With a background in a wide variety of industries including colleges and universities, healthcare, technology and finance, she has seen firsthand the lasting impact that connecting the right audience with the right speaker can create. Stimulating deeper conversations on today’s ever-evolving platforms and topics is and has been the highlight of her work in this industry. Change is rapid and staying on the cusp of new trends and topics is a driver in her work. She earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Virginia Wesleyan University, and in her spare time, enjoys any variety of live music and time at the beach.
Take information, make it knowledge.
Ryan has been representing talent in entertainment, the performing arts and lecture industries for more than 20 years across many different managing roles in New York and Los Angeles. He is a student of music and has a great appreciation for performance, regardless of the medium. Ryan is driven to help develop a talented person’s craft, and playing an important active role in the marketing and engagement of their performances, to best deliver their message to the world. While he’s often found traveling around the globe with his wife and two girls, Ryan is also a published photographer and is most at home by the ocean.
Everyone has an interesting life story. It’s all in the listening.
Marianne is an enthusiastic driver of messages and stories. As a marketing content writer, editor, proofreader and social media specialist, she communicates the unique expertise of the thought leaders Stern represents so organizations looking to engage them can fully understand their value. Earlier in her career, Marianne developed her ability to attract interest in products, services, people, companies and causes while working in public relations. She has helped companies in a variety of sectors engage audiences and, as a writer, she comfortably moves from one topic or voice to another. Outside of work, Marianne gravitates toward live music, comedy, nature trails and road trips to historic towns and she shamelessly admits to being a radio & podcast junkie.
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
Katie brings over 25 years of executive level support experience to the table and takes pride in our commitment to clients. Katie combines a meticulous focus on the details of supporting Stern’s team, clients and customers alike with a “big picture” appreciation of the vital ways our speakers are impacting their industries and the world. Katie holds a degree in business administration and is a certified administrative professional through Rutgers University. During her leisure time, you’ll find her taking photos and catching sunsets with her family.
If people don’t realize it’s being done, then it’s being done right.
With more than 20 years of experience, Debby has a proven track record of senior-level executive support. She has a strong ability to streamline processes, maximize efficiency and foster professional relationships within organizations. Debby’s philosophy centers on what role she can play in helping others find solutions. Her vast experience, along with an in-depth knowledge of IT and software, position her to assist in all facets of service offered to both our team and our clients. In her leisure time, you may find Debby creating a culinary masterpiece or playing with her two cats.
Progress takes place outside the comfort zone.
With more than 10 years of experience in the administrative, finance and customer service industries, Jill has a proven track record of executive level support, client service, and training. Jill’s attention to detail and excellent time management skills means every task is completed efficiently and to the highest possible standard. She is committed to excellence in communication and organization when tracking contracts from beginning to end. Jill earned a bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University and enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends down the shore.
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