Henry Hays
Keynote Speaker: Disruption Strategist; AI Advisor; Co-Founder at DisruptREADY™
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Henry Hays Biography
Henry Hays is one of the most sought-after voices in disruptive innovation and applied AI. As co-founder of DisruptREADY™, he helps companies like BASF, Shell, Entergy, major hospitals, credit unions, research groups, and high-growth businesses navigate the most chaotic technological shift since the dawn of the internet.
Hays’s approach is raw, practical, and operator-first. A former pharmaceutical executive turned founder, he shows leaders exactly what the next 36 months will look like, why traditional playbooks are collapsing, and how to turn disruption into a strategic advantage. No theory. No hype. Just clarity that drives action.
Executives love his mix of high-energy storytelling, bold predictions, and zero-fluff business insight. He fuses disruption strategy with real examples from the AI systems his team builds every day—giving audiences the confidence to move now, not someday. Henry speaks at global industry conferences, corporate leadership retreats, universities, and professional associations. His signature Anti-Keynote™ turns the audience into co-pilots using choose-your-path interaction, live polling, and real-time decision making.
When Hays takes the stage—people wake up and business-as-usual stops being an option
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Henry Hays and other top speakers and celebrities.
Henry Hays Speaking Topics
Why companies fall behind — and how to build a culture that adapts instead of reacts.
Disruption isn’t always loud — sometimes it shows up slowly and silently.
This keynote exposes the hidden forces that blindside organizations: slow decision cycles, outdated assumptions, internal bias, and cultural stagnation. Henry Hays reveals how disruptors think, move, and build advantage while legacy players drift into false confidence.
THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS
Participants learn:
- The three blind spots that quietly undermine every mature organization.
- How to evaluate your real competitive risk without internal bias or wishful thinking.
- The operating systems modern companies use to innovate faster and avoid disruption.
BEST SUITED FOR — INDUSTRIES:
- Legacy industries under pressure to modernize
- Financial institutions
- Energy & utilities
- Manufacturing
- Construction & engineering
- Market research & consulting firms
- Healthcare administration
- Logistics, supply chain, transportation
BEST SUITED FOR — ROLES:
- Executive leadership teams
- Operations, Strategy, and Transformation leaders
- Risk, Compliance & Regulatory leaders
- CEOs of privately held companies
- Family business & multigenerational leadership teams
- Corporate boards & advisory councils
An audience-driven ‘choose-your-own-experience’ keynote that refuses to behave
The Anti-Keynote™ is Henry Hays’s signature, audience-driven experience that blows up the traditional keynote format. No scripts. No monotony. No passive listening. Instead, this is a high-energy, choose-your-path session where the audience — not the speaker — controls the direction, the intensity, and the stories. Participants vote in real time, pick which topics get spotlighted, choose the opening tone—safe, bold, or full chaos—and steer the session from beginning to end. Every decision shifts what Henry delivers next: the vignette, the level of depth, the storyline, the intensity. No two Anti-Keynotes™ are ever the same.
Quick voting. Fast pivots. Micro-stories instead of monologues. Constant momentum. It feels more like a live performance than a keynote—built for audiences who want something unforgettable, interactive, and impossible to ignore.
Designed for conferences wanting engagement, not endurance, The Anti-Keynote™ drives energy through the roof while delivering practical insights on disruption, AI, and the future of work.
PARTICIPANTS LEARN TO:
- Make faster strategic decisions by experiencing disruption in real time and watching how choices shape outcomes.
- Challenge outdated thinking on the spot as Henry deconstructs assumptions the audience selects.
- Turn unpredictability into advantage—seeing firsthand how rapid pivots, scenario shifts, and moment-driven choices reveal stronger plays inside disruption.
GREAT FOR: senior leaders, managers, cross-functional teams, all-hands events
- For meeting planners tired of predictable, passive keynotes
- For any industry facing disruption, change, or transformation
- Any organization launching AI initiatives, innovation, or strategy initiatives
- Anyone wanting high engagement + high entertainment + high energy
- Planners and Leaders who want high energy in opening or closing session
The truth about AI — what’s real, what matters, and what leaders must do now
AI is no longer experimental — it’s operational. Henry Hays pulls back the curtain on what AI is doing inside companies today. He shows where AI is generating margin, speed, and competitive advantage without hype, jargon, or technical overwhelm.
Attendees walk away with clarity, confidence, and a realistic, actionable path to adopt AI inside their teams and workflows.
THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS
Participants learn:
- The next 12 months of AI — the real, practical evolution leaders must prepare for
- Where AI delivers measurable ROI today (speed, cost reduction, new revenue creation)
- The exact steps teams should take to integrate AI responsibly, safely, and strategically
BEST SUITED FOR — INDUSTRIES:
- Healthcare, pharma, and clinical systems
- Manufacturing + industrial automation
- Construction, architecture, engineering
- Banking, credit unions, insurance
- Retail + customer experience operations
- Energy, petrochemical, and utilities
- Higher education + workforce development
BEST SUITED FOR — ROLES:
- C-Suite & SVPs
- Directors of Innovation, Operations & Technology
- HR & Learning leaders modernizing workforce capability
- Product, IT, and data leaders
- Leaders responsible for cost control and efficiency
- Executive education + leadership development programs
Henry Hays Videos
How do I book Henry Hays to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Henry Hays for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Henry Hays, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Henry Hays or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Henry Hays for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Henry Hays, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Henry Hays, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Henry Hays speak about?
Henry Hays is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Disruptive Thinking, Thought Leadership, Innovation, Future of Work, Futurism, Technology, Leadership, Sales, Inspirational, Customer Experience, Business Growth and E-Commerce.
Where does Henry Hays travel from?
Henry Hays generally travels from Baton Rouge, LA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Henry Hays?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Henry Hays for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Henry Hays for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Henry Hays or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Henry Hays is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Artificial Intelligence, Disruptive Thinking and Thought Leadership. The estimated speaking fee range to book Henry Hays for live events is $10,000 - $20,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Henry Hays generally travels from Baton Rouge, LA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Josh Linkner, R "Ray" Wang and Mike Walsh. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Henry Hays for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Henry Hays Speaking Topics
-
DISRUPT OR BE DISRUPTED
Why companies fall behind — and how to build a culture that adapts instead of reacts.
Disruption isn’t always loud — sometimes it shows up slowly and silently.
This keynote exposes the hidden forces that blindside organizations: slow decision cycles, outdated assumptions, internal bias, and cultural stagnation. Henry Hays reveals how disruptors think, move, and build advantage while legacy players drift into false confidence.
THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS
Participants learn:
- The three blind spots that quietly undermine every mature organization.
- How to evaluate your real competitive risk without internal bias or wishful thinking.
- The operating systems modern companies use to innovate faster and avoid disruption.
BEST SUITED FOR — INDUSTRIES:
- Legacy industries under pressure to modernize
- Financial institutions
- Energy & utilities
- Manufacturing
- Construction & engineering
- Market research & consulting firms
- Healthcare administration
- Logistics, supply chain, transportation
BEST SUITED FOR — ROLES:
- Executive leadership teams
- Operations, Strategy, and Transformation leaders
- Risk, Compliance & Regulatory leaders
- CEOs of privately held companies
- Family business & multigenerational leadership teams
- Corporate boards & advisory councils
-
THE ANTI-KEYNOTE™
An audience-driven ‘choose-your-own-experience’ keynote that refuses to behave
The Anti-Keynote™ is Henry Hays’s signature, audience-driven experience that blows up the traditional keynote format. No scripts. No monotony. No passive listening. Instead, this is a high-energy, choose-your-path session where the audience — not the speaker — controls the direction, the intensity, and the stories. Participants vote in real time, pick which topics get spotlighted, choose the opening tone—safe, bold, or full chaos—and steer the session from beginning to end. Every decision shifts what Henry delivers next: the vignette, the level of depth, the storyline, the intensity. No two Anti-Keynotes™ are ever the same.
Quick voting. Fast pivots. Micro-stories instead of monologues. Constant momentum. It feels more like a live performance than a keynote—built for audiences who want something unforgettable, interactive, and impossible to ignore.
Designed for conferences wanting engagement, not endurance, The Anti-Keynote™ drives energy through the roof while delivering practical insights on disruption, AI, and the future of work.
PARTICIPANTS LEARN TO:
- Make faster strategic decisions by experiencing disruption in real time and watching how choices shape outcomes.
- Challenge outdated thinking on the spot as Henry deconstructs assumptions the audience selects.
- Turn unpredictability into advantage—seeing firsthand how rapid pivots, scenario shifts, and moment-driven choices reveal stronger plays inside disruption.
GREAT FOR: senior leaders, managers, cross-functional teams, all-hands events
- For meeting planners tired of predictable, passive keynotes
- For any industry facing disruption, change, or transformation
- Any organization launching AI initiatives, innovation, or strategy initiatives
- Anyone wanting high engagement + high entertainment + high energy
- Planners and Leaders who want high energy in opening or closing session
-
THE RISE OF AI
The truth about AI — what’s real, what matters, and what leaders must do now
AI is no longer experimental — it’s operational. Henry Hays pulls back the curtain on what AI is doing inside companies today. He shows where AI is generating margin, speed, and competitive advantage without hype, jargon, or technical overwhelm.
Attendees walk away with clarity, confidence, and a realistic, actionable path to adopt AI inside their teams and workflows.
THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS
Participants learn:
- The next 12 months of AI — the real, practical evolution leaders must prepare for
- Where AI delivers measurable ROI today (speed, cost reduction, new revenue creation)
- The exact steps teams should take to integrate AI responsibly, safely, and strategically
BEST SUITED FOR — INDUSTRIES:
- Healthcare, pharma, and clinical systems
- Manufacturing + industrial automation
- Construction, architecture, engineering
- Banking, credit unions, insurance
- Retail + customer experience operations
- Energy, petrochemical, and utilities
- Higher education + workforce development
BEST SUITED FOR — ROLES:
- C-Suite & SVPs
- Directors of Innovation, Operations & Technology
- HR & Learning leaders modernizing workforce capability
- Product, IT, and data leaders
- Leaders responsible for cost control and efficiency
- Executive education + leadership development programs
VIDEO
Henry Hays Videos
NEWS
Henry Hays News
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Henry Hays: AI will disrupt your industry, so stay ahead of the curve
AI isn’t just for tech giants like Google and Microsoft. It’s here in Baton Rouge, and it’s probably going to disrupt your industry whether you’re ready for it or not.
FAQS
-
How do I book Henry Hays to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Henry Hays for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Henry Hays, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Henry Hays or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Henry Hays for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Henry Hays, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Henry Hays, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Henry Hays speak about?
Henry Hays is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Disruptive Thinking, Thought Leadership, Innovation, Future of Work, Futurism, Technology, Leadership, Sales, Inspirational, Customer Experience, Business Growth and E-Commerce. -
Where does Henry Hays travel from?
Henry Hays generally travels from Baton Rouge, LA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Henry Hays?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Henry Hays for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Henry Hays for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Henry Hays or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
BOOK HENRY HAYS
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