Keynote Speaker on Change, Resilience & Radical Adaptability

Choose Your Ending™

Change isn’t the problem. It’s what we refuse to end.

Most keynotes focus on what to start. But in today’s world—where leaders are burned out, teams are overwhelmed, and organizations are stuck in survival—starting more isn’t the answer. Ending is.

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You weren’t meant to live in reaction mode.

But most leaders and teams are stuck in survival—exhausted by change, unsure of what to do next, and overwhelmed by the pace of it all.

That’s why I created the Choose Your Ending™ keynote.

It helps leaders and teams break free by mastering the one skill most people overlook:

The ability to end well.

With over 20 years of experience guiding organizations through disruption, reinvention, and rapid growth, I bring more than motivation. I deliver a transformational mindset shift—backed by story, neuroscience, and practical tools your audience will actually use.

Whether you’re facing change fatigue, a growth plateau, or a full-scale transformation, this session sparks lasting momentum—one Brave Choice at a time.

“Thank you so much for an awesome job presenting at our Symposium. As the opening speaker you set the tone for the rest of the day and all I can say is WOW!”
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Corcentric
Vice President of Events Services
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Trusted by leading organizations around the globe including

Home Improvement Industry Keynote Speaking Client
Annual Convention Keynote Speaking Client
Government Services Keynote Speaking Client
Employee Conference Keynote Speaking Client
Corporate Keynote Speaking Client
Employee Development Keynote Speaking Client
Credit Union Keynote Speaking Client
Association Keynote Speaking Client
Financial Industry Keynote Speaking Client
Trucking Association Keynote Speaking Client

Why this message matters— right now.

84% of leaders admit their organizations are unprepared for future disruptions. (World Economic Forum)

Yet only 16% invest in adaptability training. (McKinsey)

That gap isn’t just a risk. It’s a blind spot.

When leaders don’t have the tools to adapt:

  • Teams stay reactive instead of proactive
  • People burn out instead of rising up
  • Growth stalls because endings are avoided

That’s why Choose Your Ending™ is more than a keynote.

It’s a wake-up call—and a starting point for real transformation.

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*World Economic Forum
**McKinsey

Grateful for the trust of organizations including

Corporate Keynote Client
Healthcare Resilience Workshop Client
Mindfulness Workshop Client
Employee Motivational Keynote Client
Employee Motivation Workshop Client
Franchisee Motivational Speaker Client
Mortgage Industry Keynote Speaking Client
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What makes Shawn different?

This is not just another change management talk.

Most keynotes on change focus on what to start.

  • Start new habits.
  • Start new goals.
  • Start new initiatives.

But in today’s world—where leaders are burned out, teams are overwhelmed, and organizations are stuck trying to grow with yesterday’s models—starting more isn’t the answer.

Ending is.

Because the truth is:

Most change fails not because of what we fail to start—but because of what we refuse to end.

That’s the blind spot.

And that’s where Shawn comes in.

With his signature keynote Choose Your Ending™, Shawn flips the script on adaptability.

He teaches leaders and teams how to stop clinging to strategies, roles, systems, and stories that no longer serve—and how to make one powerful decision that unlocks everything that’s next.

This isn’t about hype. It’s about honesty.

It’s not about pushing harder. It’s about letting go—with intention.

Whether your audience is navigating a merger, hitting a plateau, undergoing reorg, or simply sensing that what got them here won’t get them there—Shawn brings the clarity, courage, and permission to say:

“This ends now.”

And from that moment forward, real change begins.

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What Clients Are Saying About Shawn

Shawn’s keynote was a hit and a great way to kick off our event! His message resonated and I was impressed by how much time he spent getting to know his audience ahead of time. A genuine and powerful speaker.
Annual Convention Keynote Speaking Client
Toastmasters InternationalMarketing and Communications Director
Your discussion set the perfect tone... I heard nothing but positive feedback from your session. You have a real gift for connecting with people, relating in a very authentic way.
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Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher EducationDeputy Chancellor
Shawn is the consummate storyteller philosopher. He brings his life lessons together in a way that makes them so relatable to his audience. While he entertains, you learn from his experiences. I could have spent the whole day listening to him.
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Howard BeharPresident, Starbucks Coffee, Retired​

SHAWN’S SIGNATURE KEYNOTE ON Leadership, Change & RADICAL ADAPTABILITY

Choose Your Ending™

5 C’s to Unleash the Power
of Radical Adaptability

The highest-performing leaders and teams don’t just react to change— they create it by choosing what to end.

In this unforgettable keynote, Shawn Ellis helps your audience stop spinning their wheels and start making brave, intentional decisions about what to let go of—so they can move forward with clarity, courage, and confidence.

Through his 5 C’s Framework—Calm, Clarity, Courage, Confidence, and Community—Shawn equips leaders to shift from survival to reinvention, one Brave Choice at a time.

Path to Radical Adaptability with Shawn Ellis

Tools Delivered in the Keynote:

Shawn doesn’t just speak—he equips your audience with simple, powerful tools they can apply immediately:

  • The Brave Choice Worksheet – A practical decision-making tool to spark action
  • The 5 C’s of Radical Adaptability – A proven framework for navigating change
  • The Adaptability Archetypes – A self-awareness model to unlock personal growth
  • The Path of Elevation – A 4-tier journey to lasting change and conscious leadership

These tools are introduced during the keynote and can be deepened through follow-up experiences.

Perfect for Audiences Who Are:

  • Facing change fatigue or transition
  • Scaling, restructuring, or reinventing
  • Craving more clarity, purpose, or momentum

Audience Outcomes:

  • Break out of the Comfort Loop and reclaim momentum
  • Identify what’s holding them back—and end it
  • Lead through uncertainty using the 5 C’s of Radical Adaptability
  • Walk away energized and empowered to take bold action

Format:

  • 45–75 minute keynote (in-person or virtual)
  • Optional follow-up workshop or team activation available
Let’s Talk About Your Event

Why Event Planners Book Shawn Ellis

  • Unique message: Change doesn’t start with adding more—it starts with choosing what to end
  • Actionable tools: The Brave Choice Worksheet, 5 C’s Framework, Four Adaptability Archetypes
  • Deep customization: Every keynote is tailored to your audience’s context
  • High energy + heartfelt delivery that connects with every level of the organization
  • 20+ years of experience with Fortune 500s, healthcare, finance, associations, and more

KEYNOTE Follow-Up: Bring the Message to Life

Choose Your Ending™

ACTIVATION Workshop

Deepen the experience. Anchor the mindset. Activate the shift.

Celebrate Your Ending with Workshop Leader Shawn Ellis

This follow-up session takes the Choose Your Ending™ keynote and makes it personal. Using Shawn’s “Brave Choice” worksheet, reflection tools, and interactive storytelling, participants identify what they’re ready to end—and what’s possible on the other side.

By the end of the session, your team will walk away with:

  • A specific Brave Choice they’re ready to make
  • A clear action plan to follow through
  • A renewed sense of energy and commitment

Format:

  • 30–90 minute interactive workshop
  • In-person or virtual
  • Up to 500 attendees
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Recent Keynote Highlights

5 Videos

How It Works—A Simple 3-Step Process

Book the Keynote

“Choose Your Ending” is the perfect opening or closing keynote at your next event.

Spark the Shift

Empower and equip your team to recognize what’s holding them back... and END it.

Adapt & Thrive

Watch with joy as your attendees walk out inspired to lead with clarity, courage, and confidence.

Mastering the Moments Book by Shawn Ellis

THE BOOK THAT INSPIRED THE KEYNOTE

Mastering the Moments

The perfect gift for every event attendee, Shawn’s personal journey is the foundation behind Choose Your Ending™.

In it, he shares how navigating endings—bankruptcy, divorce, business transitions—led to unexpected growth, resilience, and peace.

“...a heartfelt authentic battle cry to embrace change and live fully present in each moment. a clear outline to overcome any self-imposed limiting mindset and master the moments of your destiny.”

erik wahl
globally renonwned artist, TED speaker, bestselling author
Read Shawn’s Book

Let’s Make Your Event Unforgettable!

Whether it’s a leadership retreat, company-wide conference, or team summit—Shawn Ellis delivers more than a keynote. He delivers an experience your audience won’t forget—and a message they’ll carry forward.

Let’s Start the Conversation
Resilience Keynote Speaker Shawn Ellis

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!

Shawn speaks at conferences, corporate events, retreats, and more for leaders, teams, and organizations across industries.

Shawn’s keynotes focus on resilience, adaptability, and thriving in change, all with the objective of equipping people and organizations to become the best versions of themselves.

Shawn offers a variety of packages with the goal of being able to accommodate your event budget. Specific fees will be discussed during your inquiry, once we have a better understanding of what you’re looking for.

Yes! Shawn can lead interactive workshops to deepen the impact of his message and engage your audience further.

Absolutely! Shawn has a home studio setup where he can create a dynamic experience for virtual attendees—i.e., not “just another Zoom session.”

Okay, so we don’t have the answer for that one. If you’re looking for some extra support on the journey, though, we’d be remiss not to plug Shawn’s book or course. 😉

I’m a business owner, motivational keynote speaker, and resilience strategist passionate about helping individuals and organizations rise up and thrive in the face of uncertainty. Through my philosophy of Mastering the Moments, I equip leaders and teams with the tools to embrace change, cultivate resilience, and create their best life—and their best work—one moment at a time.

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