Trusted Speakers. No Finder’s Fees.
The San Diego Speaker Source is a carefully selected alliance of keynote speakers, trainers, and entertainers who deliver outstanding presentations across a wide range of topics. Each speaker is vetted for their expertise, professionalism, and presentation quality. Most have past or current affiliation with the prestigious National Speakers Association.
Unlike traditional speaker bureaus, we take no commission or referral fee from the speaker, the planner, or the client — ever. You are encouraged to contact speakers directly, visit their websites, discuss their speaking fees, and make booking decisions that fit your needs. No intermediaries, no pressure.
While our featured speakers are based in the San Diego area, most are happy to travel throughout Southern California and beyond for speaking engagements as well.
6 Brilliant Reasons to Book Speakers Through SDSS
Top 3 Reasons to Use Our Speakers Anywhere in the World:
Hot Topics – Customized and Interactive
From keynotes to breakout sessions, our speakers tailor content to your audience.
Experienced, Qualified... and No Divas!
Every speaker is vetted for professionalism, skill, and a great attitude.
Engaging Material – From Informative to Big Fun!
Whether you need a thought leader or a dynamic entertainer, we’ve got you covered.
3 Extra Brilliant Reasons to Use Us in Southern California:
No Missed Flights – We’re Already Here!
Local speakers mean more reliability and less risk.
No Travel Expenses!
Keep your budget focused on value, not airfare.
Available for Last-Minute Needs
Need a quality speaker in a pinch? We’re right around the corner.
Meet Our Speakers
Our keynoters speak on a wide range of topics — from business to personal development, productivity to performance, motivation to humor. Whether your event is in San Diego, Orange County, or anywhere else in the world, these trusted professionals are ready to help your audience grow, connect, and take action.
Milo Shapiro
“Speak Like A Pro”
“Improv Teaches Business”
His first program teaches polished, powerful speaking.
His second, on risk and change, gets the whole audience playing improv games in their seats!
Colette Carlson
“The Human Edge”
Human Behavior Expert empowering leaders and teams to elevate their Human Edge—strategies to ignite trust, fuel resilience, and drive unparalleled performance!
Sarita Maybin
“Work Together Better”
TEDx speaker, former university dean and author who turns tough talks into constructive conversations with relevant strategies, real stories, and a relatable style.
Carolyn Gross
“Meet the Chaos Ninja!”
Learn to rise above the chaos and find tranquility in turbulent times. Be dazzled by her journey of strategies, woven with stories that energize, empower & educate.
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Kathi Burns
“Organized & Energized”
Organizer, Stylist, Author providing real-world, actionable solutions to elevate professional presence, eliminate overwhelm, streamline workflows, manage time and boost productivity.
Jennifer Sedlock
“Leading With Purpose”
Inspirational Speaker, Myers Briggs Type Indicator Expert, and Faith-based retreat speaker who inspires you to clarify your Purpose, Perspective, and Plans. Start moving forward today!
Angel Tucker
“Maximizing Human Potential Using DISC”
Empower your people to have positive interactions, impact, and influence with others by implementing the highly effective DISC Personality Model.
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C. J. Gilbert
“Make your Website WORK for You!”
Your Website is the ONLY thing you can fully own and control online. Use it as your #1 business tool to attract more customers, make more sales and serve your clients better, faster and easier!
Who We Are
San Diego Speaker Source was created by a pair of speaking professionals who believe in making powerful connections — not profiting from them. Meet the team behind the vision:
Milo Shapiro & C. J. Gilbert
Milo Shapiro has been a conference speaker since 2002 and speaking coach since 2004. He was the communications officer for the San Diego chapter of National Speakers Association for many years. He draws from previous experience to bring fun, informative, eye-opening presentations that will get your folks laughing and talking to each other more for the rest of the conference. It was his vision to create the San Diego Speaker Source such that he could match event planners to speakers he knew and respected in the San Diego area.
C. J. Gilbert is a speaker, author and website designer (including this one). His superpower is being able to speak “geek” and “normal human” and translate between the two. In addition to building websites, he teaches small business owners how to use their websites as their number one business tool so they can make more money and serve their clients better, faster and easier! CJ empowers entrepreneurs, speakers, coaches and authors to spread their unique message and gifts, and therefore collectively help millions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to pay to use this service?
Nope. We never charge fees — not to the client, not to the speaker, not to the planner.
Q: How does San Diego Speaker Source (SDSS) stay in business if you’re not charging anyone?
San Diego Speaker Source is not a business. It’s merely a cooperative effort. SDSS was started by two of the speakers on the list, Milo and C.J. Each has his own business doing speaking and related business services. By including only established, professional speakers on this site − speakers that the pair know they can genuinely recommend − it is their hope that the SDSS will become a trusted resource to you and, perhaps, you’ll return to or refer folks to our speaker list for future conferences, which helps us all.
Q: Can I contact speakers directly?
Yes! We encourage it. You’ll find each speaker’s contact information listed above on the “Meet Our Speakers” page. All we ask is that, if you contact a speaker directly, you mention to them that you learned of them through SDSS.
Q: What kinds of speakers are included?
We feature speakers on business, communication, motivation, team building, wellness, and more. Most members have had long relationships with the NSA (National Speakers Association). Our membership includes past presidents and board members of NSA’s San Diego chapter.
Q: Do your speakers all live in San Diego?
Almost all of our speakers are based in San Diego County. The only exception is Carolyn Gross, who recently moved to nearby Palm Springs, but much of her work is still in San Diego, so we’re happy to keep her in our speaker family.
Q: Do your speakers only work in San Diego?
Most of our speakers are happy to travel for events nationwide, but all of them love when an event is close to home, especially in San Diego. Almost as good are short drive cities, including Anaheim, Dana Point, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Riverside, and other cities in Orange County, Riverside County, Imperial County, and San Bernardino County.
Q: Can your speakers work virtually?
Most members are happy to discuss doing programs remotely on platforms like Zoom.
Q: Do your speakers have agency-friendly sites (ones without contact info) so I can safely show my clients their pages?
SDSS points you toward speaker’s primary website with contact info, but some of our speakers definitely do offer a second site for this purpose. If this matters to you, definitely ask them! With each passing year, though, we find that event planners are gradually letting go of this once-important need. As one event planner told us, “My clients can find any speaker in seconds nowadays, if they really want to. It’s more about the value I bring in making recommendations and bringing everything together.”
Q: I’m a San Diego based speaker! Can I be included on your site?
If we know you, of course you can reach out to be considered, but we do not take applications to be a member from people we don’t know; we are a close network of speakers who know and respect each other’s work.
Q: What if I want help choosing a speaker?
Great! Feel free to contact us directly if you’d like help narrowing down your options.
Brett Vasquez
Event Coordinator
Brett Vasquez
Event Coordinator
Need Help or Have Questions?
If you’d like assistance selecting the right speaker or have general questions before reaching out, you’re welcome to contact Milo Shapiro, our designated point person. Please include your full name, phone number, email address, and city you live in in any message.
