FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT MY KEYNOTES
Q: What topics does Shawn speak on?
My keynotes are built around one central idea: we are in the middle of the most significant shift in how work, leadership, and organisations function in a generation and most companies are not moving fast enough. My core topic areas are: Agentic AI and its strategic impact on business models, workforce design, and competitive advantage; leadership and culture in an AI-transformed world; disruptive innovation and how organisations can move from reactive to bold; the future of work and workforce transformation; and upskilling people and teams for an agentic world. My specific keynote titles include: The Bold Ones: How to Innovate and Disrupt Ourselves; Strategy is Energy; Innovation in a World of AI; Fearless Government; Leadership in an Agentic AI World; Culture in an AI World; and Upskilling Our People with Agentic AI. Every keynote is designed for business audiences not developers or technologists and translates complex shifts into clear, actionable strategy for executives and their teams.
Q: What is Agentic AI and why does it matter for organisations?
Agentic AI refers to AI systems that don't just respond to prompts, they autonomously plan, decide, and execute tasks on behalf of humans. This is a fundamental shift from the generative AI wave of 2023–2024. Where generative AI helped people write and create faster, Agentic AI acts independently: it books meetings, runs analyses, manages workflows, and makes decisions without waiting for human input at every step. For organisations, this isn't a technology upgrade, it's a structural change to how work gets done, how teams are organised, and what human roles are actually for. My keynotes help leadership teams understand what this shift means for their business model, their workforce, and their competitive position before their competitors figure it out first.
Q: What is Shawn's keynote on Leadership in an Agentic AI World?
This keynote is built for senior leaders and executives navigating the reality that AI is no longer just a tool their teams use; it is increasingly a system that makes decisions, takes actions, and shapes outcomes. The keynote addresses three questions leaders are getting wrong: what decisions still need humans, how do you build accountability when AI is acting on your behalf, and what does bold leadership actually look like when the pace of change is being driven by machines. Drawing on two decades of innovation strategy work with Fortune 500 leadership, this session gives executives a concrete framework for leading with clarity in an agentic world, not just surviving it.
Q: What is Shawn's keynote on Culture in an AI World?
Culture is the most underestimated variable in AI adoption. Most organisations focus on tools, platforms, and training programmes and then wonder why AI initiatives stall or get quietly abandoned by the teams they were built for. This keynote examines why culture either accelerates or kills AI transformation, and what leaders can do about it. It covers the mindset shifts required at every level of the organisation, how to build psychological safety around experimentation and failure, and how to create a culture where people are genuinely excited to work alongside AI rather than threatened by it. This session is particularly effective for HR leaders, CHROs, and executive teams driving organisation-wide AI adoption.
Q: What is Shawn's keynote on Upskilling Our People with Agentic AI?
This keynote addresses one of the most urgent workforce challenges organisations face right now: how do you actually prepare your people, not just your technologists, to work effectively with autonomous AI systems? The session moves beyond generic digital literacy messaging and gets specific about what skills matter, which roles are most exposed, and how organisations can build upskilling programmes that keep pace with AI that is itself evolving. It draws on real examples from organisations that have done this well and those that have got it badly wrong. The takeaway is a practical framework for workforce readiness that leaders can act on immediately, not a roadmap for five years from now.
Q: What makes Shawn different from other innovation or AI keynote speakers?
Most speakers talking about Agentic AI right now are coming from a technology or research background. My background is business strategy. I spent 12 years at Deloitte Consulting as Senior Manager, Strategy & Innovation, working directly with Fortune 500 leadership on disruption and innovation planning. That means I speak to leaders about what Agentic AI means for their decisions, their organisations, and their people, not how the technology works under the hood. I was ahead of the generative AI conversation before it became mainstream, and I am ahead of the agentic conversation now. I am the first innovation expert with a streaming special on Apple TV and Prime Video (released August 2023), and the author of the bestselling book The Bold Ones, ranked #5 on McKinsey & Company's Top Books on Decision Making. Forbes named me "The Best Virtual Keynote Speaker I've Ever Seen."
Q: What is Shawn's keynote style like?
High-energy, visual, and production-forward. My presentations are built around concrete real-world examples, counterintuitive insights, and a direct, fast-paced delivery. My virtual keynotes are filmed with an award-winning film crew in theatrical settings, making them genuinely cinematic rather than standard screen-share presentations. Audiences consistently describe my sessions as immediately applicable, not abstract theory. I have 33,000+ followers on LinkedIn, 6,000+ subscribers on YouTube, and millions of views across TikTok and Instagram built through the same direct, compelling communication style I bring to the stage.
Q: Who has Shawn spoken for?
I have delivered keynotes for Fortune 500 companies, major associations, and government organisations globally across two decades. Past clients include Johnson & Johnson, Walmart, Dell, PwC, Morgan Stanley, Pfizer, Bosch, Lincoln, Intuit, Christie's, and EssilorLuxottica, among many others. I was named one of Edify's Top 40 Under 40 and have advised organisations across financial services, healthcare, retail, technology, manufacturing, and the public sector.
Q: What is Shawn's current work beyond keynote speaking?
In addition to keynotes, I am a General Partner at Queen & Rook (since January 2018), where I advise organisations on disruptive trends and innovation strategy. I am also a Partner at Moonstone AI (since March 2026), an AI systems company building tools designed to streamline organisational decision-making. These roles keep me at the practical frontlines of AI and innovation which feeds directly into the relevance and specificity of what I bring to the stage.
Q: Has Shawn written a book on innovation?
Yes. The Bold Ones (McGraw-Hill, 2022) is my bestselling book, a practical and inspirational playbook that shows leaders how to use innovation and disruption to become truly indispensable. It was ranked #5 on McKinsey & Company's Top Books on Decision Making and celebrated by business leaders including Michele Romanow (Clearco/Dragons' Den) and Dan Schawbel (NYT bestselling author). The Bold Ones is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible.
Q: Does Shawn have a streaming special?
Yes. I made history as the first innovation expert with a streaming special — The Bold Ones — available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video (released August 2023). The special explores what it means to be bold and dynamic in a culture defined by disruption, technology, and uncertainty.
FORMAT AND LOGISTICS
Q: Does Shawn do both in-person and virtual keynotes?
Yes. I am available for in-person keynotes globally and am equally experienced with virtual formats. My virtual keynotes are produced with a professional film crew and are designed to be as visually engaging as an in-person event not a standard video call with slides. Forbes called me "The Best Virtual Keynote Speaker I've Ever Seen," specifically recognising the production quality and audience engagement of my virtual sessions.
Q: How long are Shawn's keynotes?
Standard keynotes run 45 to 60 minutes. Shorter formats (20–30 minutes) and extended workshop or breakout sessions are available depending on your event format and goals. I also participate in panel discussions and fireside chats. My team will work with you to select the format that best fits your agenda.
Q: Can Shawn customize the keynote for our industry or audience?
Yes and this is standard, not an add-on. Every keynote is customized to the audience, industry context, and event theme. My team conducts a pre-event briefing call with event organisers to understand your organisation, your audience's specific challenges, and the outcomes you want from the session. My experience spans financial services, healthcare, government, retail, manufacturing, technology, and professional services so customisation is grounded in genuine sector knowledge, not surface-level name-dropping.
Q: What industries does Shawn work with?
I have keynote experience across a wide range of sectors including financial services, healthcare, government and public sector, retail and consumer goods, manufacturing, technology, professional services, and associations. My frameworks are built to be universally applicable, but my examples and case studies are tailored per audience. My Fearless Government keynote, for example, is specifically designed for public sector organisations navigating modernisation and AI adoption. My Agentic AI keynotes have been particularly in demand from financial services, healthcare, and large enterprise organisations facing workforce transformation decisions.
Q: Is Shawn's content focused on Canada or is it relevant globally?
My keynotes are built for global audiences. While I am based in Canada and have deep experience in Canadian markets including 12 years advising public and private sector organisations at Deloitte Canada the frameworks, examples, and insights I share are drawn from organisations across North America, Europe, and beyond. I speak regularly for US-based Fortune 500 companies, international associations, and global leadership teams.
Q: Can Shawn deliver a keynote outside North America?
Yes. I speak globally. International bookings are accommodated with appropriate lead time for travel logistics. My team will coordinate all international arrangements upon booking confirmation.
Q: Can Shawn do a panel discussion or fireside chat instead of a full keynote?
Yes. In addition to full keynotes, I participate in moderated fireside chats, panel discussions, and executive roundtables. These formats are particularly effective for smaller, senior-level audiences where dialogue and interaction are priorities.
Q: Can Shawn speak at events outside of traditional corporate conferences?
Yes. In addition to corporate conferences and leadership summits, I speak at university and academic events, government and public sector convenings, industry association events, and media or podcast formats. If the audience is curious about where innovation, AI, and bold thinking intersect with their world, the format is usually a good fit. Reach out to discuss.
BOOKING PROCESS
Q: How far in advance should I book Shawn?
Top keynote speakers at my level are typically booked 3 to 12 months in advance, especially for prime conference dates such as Q1 annual kickoffs, spring leadership summits, and fall conferences. For major events, reaching out 6 to 9 months ahead is recommended to confirm availability. That said, my team accommodates urgent requests when the schedule allows — contact us directly to check availability.
Q: How do I start the booking process?
Reach out directly by phone at 1-800-333-4453 or by email at shawnkanungo@shawnkanungo.com. My team will respond promptly with availability confirmation, a full speaker kit, and next steps for contracts and logistics.
Q: Does Shawn work with speaker bureaus?
Yes. I am represented through select speaker bureaus and can also be booked directly. Direct bookings allow for closer collaboration on customisation and logistics, and often provide more flexibility. If you are working through a bureau, my team is experienced at coordinating the process efficiently.
Q: What does it cost to book Shawn?
My speaking fees vary based on event format (in-person vs. virtual), location, travel requirements, and level of customisation. For specific fee information, please contact my team directly at shawnkanungo@shawnkanungo.com or call 1-800-333-4453. Bulk book purchases for event attendees can also be arranged — ask about this when you reach out.
CONTENT AND PREPARATION
Q: Will Shawn's content be tailored to our event theme?
Yes. My team conducts a pre-event briefing call with event organisers to align on the event theme, audience profile, key industry challenges, and desired takeaways. The content is specifically built around your context not repurposed from a standard deck. This preparation process is part of every engagement, not a premium add-on.
Q: Does Shawn take questions from the audience?
Yes. Q&A sessions can be incorporated into the keynote format depending on your event schedule and audience preference. I am equally effective in open Q&A as I am in structured presentation. My experience with diverse corporate and association audiences means I handle unexpected questions with confidence and depth.
Q: What AV and technical requirements does Shawn need?
My team will share a full technical rider upon booking confirmation. For in-person keynotes, requirements typically include standard stage AV and a clicker. For virtual keynotes, my production team handles the filming and broadcast setup from our end. My team is experienced at coordinating with event AV crews and will ensure a seamless technical experience.
Q: Is Shawn's book available for event attendees?
Yes. The Bold Ones can be made available for bulk purchase for event attendees — a popular addition for leadership conferences and annual meetings. Contact my team directly for bulk book pricing, logistics, and whether signed copies can be arranged for your event.
Q: Can Shawn create content or partner with our brand beyond the keynote?
Yes. Through my Partnerships offering, I collaborate with organisations on content creation beyond the keynote stage. Past partnerships include branded documentary series and video content for companies including Walmart, SAP Concur, and Canada's Ocean Supercluster. If you're interested in a content collaboration, media partnership, or sponsored series, contact my team to discuss options.