Byron V. Garrett Keynote Speaker

TIME Visionary | Five-Time Nonprofit Chief Executive | Governance and AI Strategy Leader | Award-Winning Media Producer

Byron V. Garrett's Biography

Byron V. Garrett is Chief Executive Officer of Genesys Works, a national workforce development organization with annual revenues exceeding $50 million. A five-time nonprofit chief executive, he has led organizations spanning education, workforce development, philanthropy, and youth services, overseeing enterprises with combined budgets approaching $100 million and stakeholder networks that include Fortune 500 companies, foundations, government agencies, and millions of members and supporters.

Garrett previously served as Chief Revenue Officer of United Way Worldwide, supporting a network operating in more than 30 countries and territories, and as Chief Executive Officer of both the National PTA and the National Job Corps Association. He was lead strategist for NBC News’ Education Nation initiative and spent five years at Microsoft leading educational leadership and public policy initiatives.

Named to the inaugural 2026 TIME Visionaries list and a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council, Garrett completed executive education at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government focused on artificial intelligence, innovation, and governance.

Earlier in his career, Garrett oversaw and supported twelve Arizona state boards and commissions and advised the administrations of President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama, and Governor Janet Napolitano on youth development and workforce strategies.

An award-winning media producer, bestselling author, and speaker, Garrett created and executive produced the United Way Benefit for Hurricane Relief, raising more than $11 million, and served as Cultural Producer for One Love, the Bob Marley biopic. He currently serves on the advisory boards of University Startups and CircleIn and brings expertise in governance, AI strategy, human capital, education technology, media and entertainment, executive communications, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement.

Featured 2026 TIME Visionary Presentation

Unlocking GREATNESS™

Maximizing Human Potential in People, Teams, and Communities

"The world's greatest untapped resource is human potential."

Recognized as a 2026 TIME Visionary for advancing economic mobility and expanding opportunity for young people, Byron V. Garrett has dedicated his career to helping individuals, organizations, and communities discover what is possible and build pathways to prosperity.

As CEO of Genesys Works, a five-time nonprofit CEO, former educator, entrepreneur, and nationally recognized advocate for economic mobility, Byron believes greatness exists within every person. The challenge is not whether greatness exists, but whether people have the opportunity, support, and encouragement to uncover it.

In this inspiring and practical keynote, Byron introduces the Human Potential Framework™ and the GREAT Framework™, a roadmap for helping people identify their gifts, expand their aspirations, develop future-ready capabilities, cultivate meaningful relationships, and transform lives, organizations, and communities.

Participants Will Learn How To

Recognize and cultivate untapped talent
Build cultures where people feel seen, valued, and empowered
Expand aspirations through exposure, mentorship, and opportunity
Develop the capabilities needed to thrive amid rapid change
Transform individual potential into organizational and societal impact

Ideal Audiences

Corporate Leadership Teams
Associations
Foundations
Workforce Development Organizations
Educators
Nonprofit Executives
Emerging Leaders

Preparing for a World That Doesn't Exist Yet™

Leading and Learning in an Age of AI, Disruption, and Infinite Possibility

Many of today's students will work in jobs that have not yet been created, use technologies that do not yet exist, and solve challenges we cannot yet imagine.

Yet too many organizations continue preparing people for a world that is rapidly disappearing.

Artificial intelligence, automation, demographic shifts, and accelerating innovation are fundamentally reshaping how we live, work, and learn.

This keynote equips leaders, educators, and organizations with a practical framework for preparing people for careers, opportunities, and challenges that have yet to emerge.

Participants Will Learn How To

Understand the human-centered skills most critical for future success
Leverage AI as a force multiplier for creativity and ingenuity
Foster adaptability, resilience, curiosity, and lifelong learning
Reimagine education and workforce preparation
Build organizations capable of thriving amid continuous disruption

Ideal Audiences

Business Leaders
Technology Conferences
Innovation Summits
School Districts
Higher Education Institutions
Human Resource Professionals
Workforce Boards

Investing in the Adults Who Shape the Future™

A Human-Centered Approach to Staff Development in Education

Great schools are built by great people.

At a time when educators face unprecedented demands, schools must intentionally cultivate the adults responsible for shaping the next generation.

Drawing upon his experiences as a former principal, education leader, and CEO of Genesys Works, Byron provides practical strategies to strengthen morale, increase engagement, build trust, and develop leadership capacity across school systems.

Participants leave energized and equipped with tools to create environments where adults flourish and students thrive.

Participants Will Learn How To

Reignite passion and purpose
Increase trust and collaboration
Strengthen workplace culture
Develop leadership at every level
Foster innovation while maintaining a relentless focus on students

Ideal Audiences

School Districts
Independent Schools
Charter Networks
State Education Associations
Teachers
Principals
Higher Education Institutions

Happy Frenzy™

Reclaiming Joy, Purpose, and Possibility in a World That Never Slows Down

"Achievement may fill a résumé. Joy fills a life."

Inspired by his forthcoming book and lifestyle movement, Happy Frenzy™, Byron invites audiences to rethink success, rediscover gratitude, and intentionally cultivate lives filled with meaning, energy, and possibility.

Through stories, reflection, humor, and practical exercises, participants learn how to pursue ambitious goals without sacrificing well-being and how to live with greater intention, resilience, and joy.

Participants Will Learn How To