Client Testimonials Keynote Speaker Devon Harris

What Organizations Say About Devon Harris

Devon Harris is a motivational keynote speaker trusted by Fortune 100 companies, global associations, and high-performance teams across six continents. The testimonials below represent organizations that engaged Devon when leadership behavior, accountability, and performance needed to sharpen — especially in environments where outcomes truly matter.

Industries & Contexts Devon Has Served

Over two decades, Devon has worked with organizations across:

Financial Services & Banking

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

Technology
& Software

Manufacturing & Industrial

Professional Associations & Nonprofits

Government & Public Sector

Engagements include executive offsites, sales kickoffs, leadership development programs, annual conferences, and private strategy sessions.

Financial Services & Banking

Helping financial leaders build resilient, high-performing teams in high-pressure, results-driven environments.

“Devon’s presentation resonated deeply with our team. His ability to connect his Olympic journey to real-world challenges made his message on perseverance, resilience, and teamwork both relatable and motivating. What stood out most was how thoughtfully he incorporated our company values into his story. Employees left energized and inspired. Devon left a lasting impression.”

~ Bank of Tennessee

“His energy, humor, and powerful storytelling left us feeling motivated and ready to push forward, no matter the obstacles. We couldn’t have asked for a more engaging and uplifting speaker to start our year!”

~ United Benefits

“Devon was an absolute joy to work with. His keynote was engaging, genuine, funny, and thought-provoking — and his ‘Keep on Pushing’ message left every guest encouraged and inspired. What set him apart was his genuine effort to understand our audience beforehand and tailor his message accordingly. We loved every moment.”

~ NFP

You are one AMAZING individual. Your story of personal achievement and accomplishment sets you miles apart from any other so-called ‘inspirational’ speaker because you truly lived the experience and, through your presentation, we travel that road with you. Working with you was a breeze — your grasp of our company, our culture and our business, and the ease with which you worked with the production group and emcee, all resulted in accolades not just for you, but for me as well. You are generous in spirit and in heart and the time you gave us off-stage was immeasurable. Just about every attendee has a ‘Devon’ story — you managed to leave them begging for more.

~ Citi Commercial Business Group

Devon Harris was exactly what my company needed to kick off our Olympic themed event. His story was captivating and inspiring and held the interest of our three hundred employees. Devon was very gracious after his keynote and spent a lot of time signing autographs and talking with our employees one-on-one and in small groups. They were impressed how friendly and fun he was — and Devon seemed as happy to be with us as we were with him.

~ Parish National Bank

Devon Harris had everyone on their feet. Our entire workforce gained from his experiences and insights. I received nothing but praise for booking Devon — from our company president to the folks in the mailroom. We look forward to working with him again.

~ New Jersey Skylands Insurance

“It was obvious to all that you had done your homework on us and took the time to understand our team’s goals and priorities. Your message resonated with all on both personal and professional levels. We are looking for our group to up its game in terms of teamwork and execution and you provided the springboard that focused our conversations and energized the group.”

~ Arch Capital Group

“Perfect, would be the word used to describe the message you delivered as our Keynote Speaker You delivered an inspired message to a very sophisticated group from some of the largest employee benefit organizations in the U.S. 5 Stars and high recommendations for anyone that may be considering you for a speaker event.”

~ Swiss Re

“The audience was hanging on to every word he said. Everyone was so inspired and challenged by Devon’s story. When he finished his speech Devon remained at the podium and answered questions for another 30 minutes. By this time it was 11pm, but that didn’t deter the crowd from standing in line to get their pictures taken with him. In looking over our participant surveys, Devon’s presentation was consistently rated as the highlight of our meeting.”

~ American Express

“Devon Harris was really fantastic today at our recognition event. Not only did he engage the crowd and keep them laughing, Devon also wove in a few key messages that we mentioned in our prep call. Good speakers come and inspire – GREAT speakers understand the objective of the meeting and personalize their message to fit. The extra work Devon put in customizing his presentation really reinforced the goals of the meeting and went a long way in making sure our guests could relate it to their own lives. After his presentation, Devon stayed for photos and was a real pleasure to meet and work with. I highly recommend him!”

~ Gartner

“Your presentation far exceeded our expectations. Your delivery style and clear message took hold of our audience and held their undivided attention. It was clear too, that you took the planning conference call very seriously and modified your message to touch all the salient points that I noted as being important for the conference. It was also amazing to see how almost everyone lined up for optional pictures with you after the event.-a clear indication of what a strong connection you made with the audience. Many of the conference participants made it a point to tell me that they thought your presentation was out- standing.”

~ BKD

Devon Harris is truly a dreamer in the best meaning of the term! His story is a wonderful combination of humor, whit, and inspiration. We have had many motivational speakers through the years, and I have never seen anybody incorporate information about our company and our goals into their story better than Devon. I personally listened to Devon’s story five separate times, and it inspired me every time. Our employees loved his message, and I am convinced they too will “Keep on Pushing.”

~ UFG

Why Financial Services & Banking Teams Book Devon Harris

In the world of finance, pressure is constant and expectations are high. Devon Harris delivers a keynote that helps teams stay focused, resilient, and confident when the stakes are at their highest. His message connects directly to performance, leadership, and accountability, giving professionals a mindset they can rely on in fast-moving and results-driven environments.

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

Empowering healthcare professionals to stay resilient, compassionate, and driven—no matter the challenges they face.

“Engaging. Approachable. Motivational. Devon Harris captivated the room as he shared his journey to Olympic stardom and translated his success into practical application. Devon’s sense of humor, knowledge of our audience, and his willingness to share personal struggles deeply resonated. He was our kick-off keynote and the excitement of his message made a lasting impression on our week.”

~ Roche Diagnostics

“When looking for a motivational speaker for our first virtual company meeting I have to say I was feeling slightly nervous about how a motivational speaker would work virtually – would we get the same presence, excitement and inspiration that we get from speakers when we meet in person? With Devon Harris I have to say the answer is YES! Devon is a fantastic speaker – his talk was motivating, engaging and humorous and most of all it was memorable. His story is truly inspirational and the life lessons pulled through from his experience have stayed with us beyond the presentation. In fact he is often quoted by employees in other meetings since we heard him speak in January! The feedback from those that heard his presentation was amazing and I would absolutely recommend him to speak at any company engagement.”

~ Jazz Pharmaceuticals

“Mr Harris was very open to working with our team to get to know his audience and ensure that his speech would deliver can effective, tailored message. He was very engaged, asked good questions about our attendees and the meeting objectives, and most importantly was open to our input. The evening before, he spent time getting to know our attendees and during his speech incorporated several aspects of the evening’s event and “tone” into his presentation. It was very powerful, and we were impressed with his ability to assimilate the general vibe of the meeting into his talk. His speech was flawless. He was well prepared, perfectly executed his talk, engaged and inspired the audience and had us laughing.”

~ Janssen Research & Development, Inc

“The story of the Jamaican Bobsled Team is well known around the world, and provides a great platform, for common understanding around the importance of team. What made the presentation so special, though, was your personal energy and inspiring delivery. Your willingness to take time to understand our business context and the goals of the meeting, and to tailor the speech to meet our needs, was sincerely appreciated and really led to the excellent outcome. You left us energized and ready to “Keep on Pushing’” THANK YOU! “

~ West Pharmaceutical Services

“Devon is fantastic! Our nurses LOVED him. He really took the time to know our audience of oncology nurses and spoke directly to them. Just a few notes from our nurses: 1. Devon was a very enthusiastic and charismatic speaker but still very down to earth. 2. A good motivational speaker who embodies “the work to achieve your dreams” concept. I enjoyed the presentation. 3. A very down to earth presentation illustrating that there are always options to success in things one never thought possible. 4. Devon is a dynamic and inspiring speaker, reminding me not to be complacent and continue to work tirelessly for the welfare of my patients. Devon, we have been energized to lead with a purpose and how to truly be a positive influence to ourselves as well as others. Thank you for being so easy and fun to work with! Your passion and inspiration has definitely helped us to keep on pushing!It was also amazing to see how almost everyone lined up for optional pictures with you after the event.-a clear indication of what a strong connection you made with the audience. Many of the conference participants made it a point to tell me that they thought your presentation was out- standing.”

~ ONS Education Oncology Nursing Society

“We truly enjoyed having Devon as the speaker for our event. His warmth and passion really engaged the audience members. Most importantly, he was able to tie his expertise (athletics and sportsmanship) to what’s important to our audience. His “take-away” message was inspiring and made everyone feel good. As a bonus, he was very generous with his time after the event and stayed to autograph DVDs and spend time chatting with people.”

~ Association of Medical Publications

“I want to personally thank you for your polished and incredibly motivating presentation at our annual meeting. People were mesmerized by your stories and your flawless delivery. I was totally captivated by your ability to deliver a message that was so vivid I felt like I was living your life. The way that you wove our organization’s mission and challenges into your presentation was uncanny and the large crowd that gathered for your autograp was an indication of the impact you had on our audience.”

~ Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics

“Your presentation style, your thoughtful comments, and your inspirational story all were very meaningful and much appreciated by our membership. We especially were impressed by the obvious homework you did about our organization and the problems that we currently face as you mentioned them during your talk. We also thank you for your willingness to be accessible to our members after lunch as you signed autographs and talked with so many people who wanted to meet you. It was also amazing to see how almost everyone lined up for optional pictures with you after the event.-a clear indication of what a strong connection you made with the audience. Many of the conference participants made it a point to tell me that they thought your presentation was out- standing.”

~ Association of Professors of Gynecology Nursing Society

“I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for speaking at our National Sales Meeting in Montreal. As you know, the theme of the meeting was “Breakthrough” so that we could focus the team on overcoming obstacles in the marketplace and delivering world-class results. Your story and message was ideal for the challenges that we were facing. You helped us to see that there is “always a way to win….and we must find it!!!” We are winning now…but are always challenging ourselves to raise the bar and anticipate additional obstacles. Thanks for all you have done to help us continue to strive for a commitment to excellence.”

~ Eyetech

Why Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Teams Book Devon Harris

Healthcare professionals carry an incredible responsibility every day. Devon brings a message that helps teams stay strong, energized, and connected to their purpose even during the most demanding moments. His approach supports resilience, teamwork, and a renewed sense of motivation that carries beyond the event and into daily patient care.

Technology & Software

Inspiring innovation, adaptability, and performance in fast-moving, high-growth tech environments.

“Your presentation was exciting, motivating, captivating and your delivery was flawless. It set the stage for the rest of the day; enabling an open environment to discuss, to plan and to strategize together as one team. It was also commendable that you researched our conference and customized your story to fit within our theme of “Take Back Control.” “

~ IBM Information on Demand

Devon’s program was one of the highest rated presentations from this year’s conference. Devon has an incredible story to tell and our attendees really enjoyed it. He was a pleasure to work with and spent a great deal of time after the event speaking to our customers and signing autographs. I would highly recommend him to speak before any crowd!

~ Rational Software Products IBM Software Group

“The team was in the middle of rocky transition and frankly, the moral was down across all 7 of our Digital Sales teams. Devon brought a lot of positive energy with amazing stories that the whole team could relate with. We came out of the keynote speech with a ton of positive energy, and sense of pride that WE ARE THE TEAM to take Adobe to new highs. We ended the quarter hitting 119% during a historically slow Q3. I can say, the keynote speech contributed to 15+% in production and millions of dollars in pipeline production for the quarter and getting us above and beyond our goals.”

~ Adobe

“Devon Harris was the most well-prepared keynote speaker I have ever had the pleasure of working with for a user conference. He truly took the time to understand what our business and event were about, and he included many relevant details from our prep call into his highly engaging talk. His keynote was the perfect ending to our busy conference, and he kept everyone laughing. In addition, our customers rated his keynote as excellent across the board in our post-event survey. Thank you, Devon!”

~ Crownpeak

“We were fortunate enough to have Devon join one our team meetings to both inspire and reflect on past success and running hard at the future. Devon brings perspective from an incredible personal journey to reaching heights of performance many aspire to but few can attain. He brings an energy that leaves us feeling anything is possible with resiliency and determination. We can’t wait to have Devon back to spend time with us again! “

~ PayPal

“Devon Harris delivered an outstanding keynote that left our entire staff inspired and motivated. His journey from humble beginnings to Olympic success was captivating, and his ability to weave in our company values made it deeply personal for every employee. Beyond the stage, Devon was approachable, humble, and genuinely excited to connect with our team one-on-one. The feedback was unanimous — inspirational. We’d highly recommend him to any organization looking to motivate and energize their people.“

~ Litmus

Mr. Harris delivered an exceptional speech to our group of approximately 200 employees — both motivational and inspirational in nature. While his background is that of an athlete on the world stage, his speech transcended athletics and spoke to the broader issues of hard work and perseverance that make all things possible. The challenges of his early life gave great credibility to his messages. The feedback from attendees was highly positive.

~ SpectraLink Corporation

“Devon Harris was a motivational dynamo! He researched our company and incorporated some of our acronyms and business practices into his keynote address. We found the story of his life moving and uplifting. His humor kept us laughing throughout his speech. Thanks Devon!”

~ GCI Communications Corp.

“The meeting ended yesterday and we had such a great, successful week because of many excellent sessions we had and Devon’s speech was certainly one of the highlights of the meeting!! People really liked the messages he conveyed in his speech and were able to relate to them at both professional & personal levels, and that was really what we were looking to get out of the guest speech for this conference, so he was the perfect match for it!”

~ Orbitz Worldwide

“We were so impressed with Devon’s ability to motivate our staff and incorporate our company goals within his inspiring presentation that we booked him to return the following year. Devon’s a gold medal winner in our books!”

~ Tel America

Why Technology & Software Companies Book Devon Harris

Technology teams operate in environments where change is constant and expectations keep rising. Devon helps professionals embrace challenges, stay adaptable, and maintain high performance under pressure. His keynote connects with teams who are building, scaling, and innovating, giving them the mindset to keep pushing forward and deliver results.

Manufacturing & Industrial

Driving focus, accountability, and teamwork in industries where precision, consistency, and execution matter most.

“Your presentation will not be easily forgotten! You can be sure that our admiration for what you have done helped us achieve the goals Syngenta had for our program. I believe that your testimony and the valuable insight that you shared will make many human beings PASSIONATE about ACHIEVING, not only for Syngenta but for many other companies as well.”

~ Syngenta Andean & Caribbean

“We have had guest speakers in the past, but none have delivered a message of such significance as yours. It was simple and pure but at the same time profound and extremely moving. Your words motivated and inspired all of us to focus on our dreams and that giving up should never be an option. I personally have your five key principals (Dream, Motivation, Discipline, Faith and Perseverance) embedded in my mind and on my heart. They are applicable in any area of life. You are an example of someone who has taken your role in life seriously and uses it to help others along the way.”

~ Textron, Inc.

“Thank you for the incredibly passionate and inspirational speech you delivered at our annual meeting. You had our attention from the start and we thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the insightful lessons you drew from your Olympic bobsled experiences. Your presentation was so well received by our managers that virtually all of them asked that you come back to speak to our lower level managers and staff. You were beyond question a big hit!”

~ Schenker Logiscs

“Devon was easily one of the best speakers for the program year 2017-2018. He shared not only about his experience making Olympic history, but also what it takes to keep pushing forward. The audience was both engaged and pleased with his message. He had a great balance being meaningful messaging and laughter. We highly recommend Devon for your next work event or group presentation.”

~ Emerson

“Devon Harris exceeded our expectations in every way. He met with us beforehand to tailor his message for our audience — and it showed. His ‘Keep on Pushing’ framework and the 5 P’s resonated deeply, especially hearing how he applied them on his own Olympic journey. Engaging from start to finish, Devon sparked unsolicited compliments from participants long after the event — the true mark of a memorable experience. Every one of us walked away with something we could apply immediately in our everyday work. He was a big part of making our conference a success.”

~ Sobeys Inc.

“You are a talented speaker with tremendous wit and truly energized our community during the Grand Opening Ceremonies for the new building to be used by Boys and Girls Club of East Texas. You spoke candidly about your life experiences, motivating everyone to exceed their expectations and be all they can be. It was indeed a day to remember in Longview, Texas.”

~ Martin Midstream Partners

Thank you for taking the time to understand our business and for integrating our culture and meeting theme so seamlessly into your presentation. Our theme was “Playing to Win” and my entire team left inspired and ready to win. Your story, message, and passionate delivery will be remembered as one of the highlights of our meeting — and it was the perfect close. I hope our paths cross again soon and until that time, “keep on pushing!”

~ American Golf Corporation

“Devon Harris captivated an audience of over 1000 people at our Users Conference in Nashville, TN. His humorous, energetic delivery, combined with an incredible story of perseverance and determination, left our attendees feeling motivated and inspired. It was a great way to close out our conference.”

~ PDI

Why Manufacturing & Industrial Organizations Book Devon Harris

In manufacturing and industrial settings, success comes down to discipline, teamwork, and consistent execution. Devon’s message reinforces personal responsibility and focus, helping teams stay sharp and committed to doing their best work every day. His story resonates with people who understand hard work and the importance of showing up ready to perform.

Professional Associations & Nonprofits

Energizing mission-driven organizations to lead with purpose, impact, and unwavering commitment.

“Devon did a great job speaking to our group. He was a joy to work with, personable, had the right kind of energy and delivery of his speech was right on. The group loved him!”

~ National Association of College and University Food Service

“He exceeded all expectations I had for the evening. Not only did he do an excellent job with his presentation, but he also fit in with our people like an old friend. His ability to compare his story with a pattern for conducting our lives was outstanding. I had reservations about the question and answer period after the presentation but they were unfounded. Twenty minutes after his presentation the house was still full and people continued to ask questions .”

~ National Propane Gas Association

“As HR professionals, we have to be resilient and persist in our roles, no matter how difficult the task or situation. Your insights and humor really helped us know how to “keep on pushing” for our organizations, and provided some real-life examples that inspired and motivated us to achieve our goals, in life and work. You were a great start for our conference, and we also appreciated your attendance at our team dinner that night.”

~ Garden State Council SHRM

“

As the speaker coordinator for our group, there were two things that were very impressive to me in working with Devon:

Devon took great care to prepare for his presentation. He attended an industry session to gain more insight into the group.

2. Devon didn’t just show up to speak, he was an active participant in several of our events. He even attended our offsite special event. The attendees loved getting to spend extra time with him and getting to know him on a more personal level.”

~ IACC

“Devon’s inspirational story of personal triumph and testament on the values of leadership were a perfect fit for our organization. His professionalism, positive attitude and friendliness served us well.”

~ Oregon Trail Council Boys Scouts of America

“Devon Harris spoke to our church prior to our participation in a medical/dental mission trip in rural south Jamaica. His personal story, combined with his energetic and engaging speaking style, greatly increased the focus and personal ownership of the work. I would recommend Devon as a speaker for any group in your church or congregation.”

~ Woodcrest Chapel

“Throughout the process from the initial contact until the speech was delivered, Mr Harris was very professional, forthcoming, cooperative and easy to work with. He arrived on time and was well prepared and showed a genuine interest in our company.”

~ Hope-Beckham, Inc

Why Associations & Nonprofits Book Devon Harris

Organizations driven by purpose need a message that keeps people connected to why their work matters. Devon inspires audiences to stay committed, take ownership, and continue pushing forward even when the work feels challenging. His keynote helps teams reconnect with their mission and strengthen the impact they make in their communities.

Government & Public Sector

Inspiring public service professionals to lead with resilience, integrity, and a renewed sense of purpose.

“Exceptional! That is the first word that comes to mind after you exceeded our high expectations. Your sincere words of hope, encouragement, and humor in the midst of personal anguish were heartfelt and will provide a lasting memory for the Court Employees. In my almost twenty years at the Court, I can honestly say that you received the first standing ovation that was given speaker.”

~ US Bankruptcy Court

“Devon, you are a true professional. Working with you was a genuine delight. From the first day that we booked you to the completion of the program, you were on board every step of the way ensuring that the program you delivered met our needs. On the day of SELF, you impressed the audience with your knowledge of leadership and teamwork as well as your knowledge of NJ TRANSIT. Not only did your message resonate with our audience, but your practical advice was useful immediately. The program received many accolades, including comments such as, “awesome speaker,” “excellent presentation, loved it,” and “outstanding.” We cannot thank you enough for an engaging presentation, one that our employees will remember for a long time to come.”

~ NJ Transit

Devon was entertaining and motivational. He customized his presentation to meet the needs and vision of our school district. He has inspired us to “Keep on Pushing!”

~ Jackson County School District

“On behalf of the Alabama Community College System of Alabama, I would like to express our appreciation for your very informative and entertaining presentation. Your presentation was excellent and we received such positive feedback. We look forward to welcoming you back to speak in the future.”

~ Jefferson State College

~ Garden State Council SHRM

Why Government & Public Sector Organizations Book Devon Harris

Public sector teams face unique challenges that require resilience, leadership, and a strong sense of duty. Devon delivers a message that reinforces commitment, strengthens mindset, and inspires individuals to take pride in the work they do. His keynote helps teams stay motivated and focused on serving others with excellence.

Why Organizations Choose Devon Harris as Their Motivational Keynote Speaker

Across industries and audience types, organizations choose Devon Harris for:

A Note on Client Confidentiality

Many engagements involve confidential leadership conversations and strategy sessions.
Client names are shared selectively and with permission. References are available upon request for qualified events.

Is Devon Harris the Right Fit for Your Organization?

Devon is especially effective for organizations that: