Keynotes, workshops, and panels that make rooms rethink how they hire, train, and adopt AI.
Three plays to get the people around you executing by Monday without buying a single new tool.
Best for: entrepreneurial conferences, business owner events, real estate summits, community-driven audiences.
Why most AI adoptions stall and what to fix on the human side before you touch the tech.
Best for: HR conferences, talent summits, workforce transformation events, corporate leadership.
Y2K, 2008, COVID, AI. The pattern every disruption follows and why the same type of person makes it through every time. Credentials didn’t predict it. Capacity did.
Best for: leadership conferences, future-of-work events, executive retreats.
“Stop training people. Start activating them.”
April Elias spent 20 years placing talent across four major market disruptions. 2,000+ hires. Six countries. She watched who made it through each one and who didn't. Credentials didn't predict it. Capacity did.
Now she runs AI readiness consulting for companies that bought the tools but can't get their people to use them. She co-founded an AI verification startup and built an 8-person real estate investing team from zero experience. First flip: $170K profit.
She speaks about what happens when you stop training people and start activating them.
Keynote Speaker, SquadUp Summit 2026
3,000+ attendees
AI/Tech Category Lead, Owners Club
Pace Morby
Semesters Instructor
4 Pace Morby communities
20+ years talent acquisition
2,000+ hires, 6 countries
Co-founder, AI verification startup
Stealth, patents filed
Built 8-person RE investing team
Zero experience, $170K first flip
“April doesn’t give motivational speeches. She gives people three things they can do Monday.”
“I didn’t teach them AI. I asked them where they were stuck.”
Customized keynote
20-45 minutes, tailored to your audience and industry
Optional half-day workshop
AI Readiness for Teams, hands-on implementation
Pre-event promotional content
Social assets, bios, and clips for your marketing
Post-event audience resource
AI Readiness Quiz and free community access for attendees
Professional and prepared
Low maintenance. Shows up ready. Makes your job easier.
Main stage talk, customized to your audience
Morning keynote, afternoon implementation
Webinar or virtual event format
Chapter events and peer group sessions
Travel and accommodations separate for events outside the Mid-Atlantic region.
“Most people start with tech. I start with people.”
“You’re hiring for jobs that won’t exist in 18 months.”
“Credentials didn’t predict who made it. Capacity did.”
“People don’t move for your why. They move for theirs.”
“Stop training people. Start activating them.”
“I didn’t teach them AI. I asked them where they were stuck.”
“AI is fast and wrong. Humans are slow and right. Together, they’re dangerous.”
If I spoke at your event, I'd love to hear what landed.