hire-susan-sly-ai-speaker

Leading Female Keynote Speaker on AI and Entrepreneurship

Susan Sly is an award winning thought leader in artificial intelligence and top keynote speaker with decades of experience inspiring audiences of up to 20,000 people at a time, sharing the stage with some of the most well-known inspirational speakers of our era, including Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield, Gary Vee, Mel Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki, and more.

Susan is known for engaging the audience with workshop-style participation and no-nonsense wisdom. Susan has also done many speaking events in the technology sector in talks sponsored by Intel, NVIDIA, HPE, Lenovo, and MIT.

In addition to decades of experience in entrepreneurship, what makes Susan credible is that she has built teams that have generated over $2 billion in sales in three separate verticals. In 2024, Susan was listed by RT Insights as one of the top women in the world in real-time AI.

Susan is the Founder and CEO of The Pause Technologies – an award winning AI health platform , and former Co-CEO and Co-Founder of an award winning AI-driven retail and healthcare computer vision company where at the time, she, along with her Co-CEO, oversaw the largest deployment of AI deployment at scale in retail.

Among Susan’s personal accomplishments, she is a top ten Ironman Triathlon finisher, has competed in the Boston Marathon 6 times, spent many years traveling to Cambodia helping to rescue girls from trafficking and is also a mother of four.

Susan’s Signature Talks Include:

Built to Rise: How to Overcome Anything and Lead a Life of Impact

Who This is For:

General leadership, associations, women’s leadership, HR summits, health & wellness events, education, entrepreneurs.

Why This is Perfect for Your Organization or Event:

From MS diagnosis to homelessness, surviving the Boston Marathon Bombing to competing as a pro in the Ironman Triathlon with a fractured pelvis and still coming in top ten — Susan doesn’t just talk resilience. She is resilience. And she’s here to hand the blueprint to others.

Talk Summary (45 Minutes) Price – $5,000 USD*:

This powerful keynote is a raw and real journey through extraordinary trials — and the tools it takes to not only survive but rise stronger. Susan weaves personal storytelling with tactical wisdom to help anyone break through fear, reclaim purpose, and step into their calling. Perfect for corporate teams, personal growth conferences, or audiences who need a jolt of truth and inspiration from someone who has overcome adversity and learned how to thrive.

Five Core Tools for Overcoming Any Circumstance:

  1. Harness the Hard: Reframing adversity as your greatest asset.

  2. Activate Your Inner GPS: Anchoring decisions to internal core values and aligning to your purpose.

  3. The Power of Micro-Wins: How small daily victories rebuild belief.

  4. Resilience Is a Muscle: Practices to strengthen emotional and spiritual grit.

  5. Legacy Over Labels: Letting go of identity in pain and reclaiming your calling.

Beyond the Hype: Real-World AI and the Human Edge

Who This is For:

Enterprise leaders, business associations, non-technical innovation teams, C-suite decision-makers.

Why This is Perfect for Your Organization or Event:

While others talk about what AI might do, Susan Sly has already deployed it at scale. As one of the only female founders to co-lead the largest known retail deployment of computer vision AI, Susan bridges the gap between innovation and execution.

Core Talk Summary (60 Minutes Plus Q and A) Price $7,500 USD*:

This keynote demystifies AI, separating hype from grounded application. Susan reveals what it really takes to align stakeholders, deploy AI in live environments, and navigate complex leadership dynamics — all while staying true to ethical responsibility and human connection. Drawing on her experiences scaling artificial intelligence in the real world, building multi-vertical businesses, and leading The Pause Technologies, she translates AI into something human, strategic, and actionable.

Key Takeaways:

  1. How to go from pilot to full-scale AI deployment — without burning cash or losing momentum.

  2. Navigating resistance: aligning technical, executive, and frontline stakeholders.

  3. Ethics and empathy in AI: leading with values in a rapidly accelerating tech world.

  4. Cutting through the GenAI and Agentic AI noise — where is the real ROI now?

  5. Building tech teams that reflect tomorrow’s workforce: diverse, inclusive, and resilient.

*Travel and accommodation are not included in the speaking fee and are kindly arranged by the host organization. We’re grateful for your partnership and look forward to creating a meaningful experience for your audience.

Susan's Recent Event Appearances!

“

Susan Sly is an empowering and authentic speaker at the bleeding edge of AI.

Marian EdwardsGlobal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, HPE Services, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
“

I had the honor and privilege to collaborate with Susan on a CoreNet virtual event to educate Corporate End Users in commercial real estate on the Metaverse. Susan is not only a true expert in her field but also an amazing speaker. Her soft yet determined approach enabled our audience to ask many questions about the future of the Metaverse and its implications in both our professional and personal lives. She brought much insight and valuable discussions during our sessions together that ultimately led to a more holistic and collaborative mindset. Her vast amount of knowledge and expertise was impressive to witness. Thank you Susan.

Brigitte BeltranAssociate Director Client Solutions
“

Wow that was fantastic!

I wanted to thank you so much for working with our sales team from across the country last week. You were impressive, engaging and made an outstanding impact on our team.

Your interview was energetic, funny, down to earth, extremely informative and hit home with the team. Your story is inspiring and the help you offer is priceless. The team has been commenting to me every day since about changes they are working on and actions they are taking to improve their business and their live as a direct result of your efforts.

On a personal level I am working through your resources to grow as a person and strive to get better every day. Something my company and my partner will benefit from.

Thank you again so much, we all appreciate it and would love to have you back again.

If anyone is ever looking for a reference, please send them to me as I would give you a very strong endorsement.

Thanks again,

Chris SmithFirst Access Funding Corp.
“

Susan Sly is an absolute powerhouse of a speaker who commands a stage and a room with ease. She is an expert in her field of AI and has many lived experiences that are extremely relevant and powerful for audiences to hear. Her gravitas and authenticity shine through…I can’t recommend her enough. Any event or room will be elevated by her presence.

Carolyn HenryVP, CMO of Americas Regional Marketing at Intel Corporation
“

I’m writing to offer my highest recommendation for Susan Sly as a keynote speaker. As the founder of The Pause, Susan has been a featured speaker at several of our high-profile AI events over the past five years, including the CES AI House, NeuroTech Summit, and AGENTIC (formerly VOICE & AI). She consistently delivers compelling, insightful, and engaging presentations that leave a lasting impact on our executive-driven audiences.
Susan is not only an exceptional orator, but she also brings a rare and valuable blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and human-centered insights to the technology industry. Her ability to connect with audiences—ranging from top executives to industry innovators—is unmatched.
If you're looking for a speaker who can captivate, inspire, and deliver meaningful, actionable insights, Susan Sly is an outstanding choice. Hiring Susan will be one of the best decisions you make for your event—you will not be disappointed.

Pete EricksonFounder & CEO, Modev
“

Susan Sly is a powerhouse in AI, seamlessly bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world applications. Her deep knowledge and keen insights enable her to see beyond the hype, identifying practical ways AI can drive business success and solve complex challenges. More than just an expert, Susan is a true connector—bringing together people, ideas, and innovation to create tangible results. She leads with integrity, grounded in strong business ethics and values, ensuring that AI is used responsibly and for the greater good. Her energy is infectious, her vision is bold, and her ability to make things happen is unmatched. If you’re looking for a leader who can demystify AI and turn it into real impact, Susan Sly is the one to watch.

Cory DavisonFounder, CEO 4Xperience
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Actively engages with every individual member in the audience, remembering and referencing people’s stories. She’s authentic and extremely knowledgeable in all she speaks to, showing her heart and passion to help the world around her.”

Rachel HaydenAssociate Project Manager at ASU
Virtual speaking up to 45 minutes
Live Speaking Event in Continental US
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Women in Technology Leadership

Susan is deeply dedicated to supporting increased inclusivity in the tech industry and has presented on various topics related to this incredibly relevant issue. Her speaking engagements have included presentations to leading technology companies and events specifically focusing on supporting women in technology.

As a pioneer in the AI and technological fields, Susan Sly takes pride in sharing her experience and knowledge with fellow women – and showing them that, now more than ever, they can become leaders in these burgeoning industries.

Empowering Women Tech Students Rise

To inspire women to pursue positions of leadership in technology, Susan recognizes the importance of empowering female students to embark on studies in STEM. Most STEM-related majors are severely lacking in their number of female students, but Susan hopes her efforts can contribute to a much-needed shift.

She aims to play a role in closing the gender gap in STEM education through the education and information she provides as an event speaker.

Build Your Leadership Muscle

Susan firmly believes that leadership is a muscle that requires constant exercise, and stretching yourself is the only way to increase your strength truly. In her presentations on leadership experience, she provides an in-depth perspective on the practical steps you can take to become a better, more effective leader with the confidence you need to succeed.

Whether you are an experienced leader or only beginning to foster your skills, Susan’s speaking engagements provide an outstanding opportunity to hone real-life strategies in an interactive environment.