Recognizing the World's Most Influential Speakers:
Legends of the
Speaking Profession
Legends Don’t Whisper.
They Serve, Speak, and Shift the World.
The Legends of the Speaking Profession is a Hall of Honor— a prestigious recognition celebrating the world’s most impactful, expert keynote speakers. These award-winning speakers have inspired millions, shaped global conversations, and delivered unforgettable experiences on the world’s biggest stages and in organizational boardrooms for decades.
Each year, at the Veteran Speakers Retreat (a group of top world-class speakers who have been at the top of their game for 25 years or more), a select 3 to 5 elite speakers are inducted into this exclusive circle of LEGENDS.
PEGINE, inducted in 2025, now stands among the top keynote speakers in the speaking industry—leaders who consistently deliver programs that create measurable transformation in businesses, associations, and government agencies.
Introducing the 2025 Legends of the
Speaking Profession
PEGINE was honored alongside some of the most respected names in the business at the 2025 Legends Banquet:
- PEGINE – introduced by Barbara Glanz
- Mark LeBlanc – introduced by John Blumberg
- Ruby Newell – Legner introduced by LeAnn Thieman
- John Molidor – introduced by Lenora Billings Harris & Barry Banther
- Glenna Salsbury – honored posthumously by Naomi Rhode & Elizabeth Jeffries Tweed
Hosted by Eileen McDargh, the evening featured emotional video tributes, standing ovations, and unforgettable speeches. As each Legend accepted their plaque, the room was reminded of the extraordinary impact a powerful voice can have.
Why Legends Matter
The Legends of the Speaking Profession Award isn’t just a lifetime achievement honor. It’s a statement: these speakers have changed lives, built legacies, and elevated organizations with their words.
Legends are:
Top motivational speakers for business and leadership conferences
Booked for organizational and leadership consulting
Renowned women speakers who break barriers and inspire action
Hall of Fame Speakers, Certified Speaking Professionals (CSP)
Sought-after keynote speakers for Fortune 500 companies, associations, government, and military
Trusted by speaker bureaus, meeting planners, and executives worldwide
Meet PEGINE!
2025
Legend of the Speaking Profession
If One Name Is Good Enough for Oprah, Beyoncé, and Cher…
It’s Good Enough for PEGINE.
—and that one name says it all.
From the Bronx to the boardroom,
PEGINE, MSW, CSP, CVP,
has electrified over one million
people across five continents.
Her message?
Be Powerful.
Be You.
Communicate Your VALUE ™
Her energy? Unstoppable.
Her results? Legendary.
PEGINE is known for helping companies and leaders:
Build confident, powerful teams
Elevate team culture and leadership with bold strategies.
Fire up performance, morale, and leadership capacity
Create measurable impact from the stage to the C-suite
If you’re planning a leadership retreat, corporate conference, women's summit, or executive strategy session and want a speaker who delivers ROI with ruckus energy, PEGINE is your answer.
Request availability now for PEGINE and other Legends.
Don’t just book a speaker. Book a Legend.
Who Hires Legends of the Speaking Profession?
Event planners, associations, and executives searching for:
Keynote speakers for major conferences
Top women speakers for corporate events
Inspirational speakers for C-suite retreats
Measurable impact from the stage to the C-suite
Award-winning speakers with a global footprint
Keynote speakers for Fortune 500 firms that inspire women
Leadership speakers who energize and empower teams
Speakers for associations, military, and government audiences
If that’s you—you’re in the right place.
Legends of the
Speaking Professional –
Hall of Fame Directory
Beginning in 2000, “Legends of the Platform” awards have been presented annually at the Veteran Speakers Retreat to honor a select and carefully vetted group of veteran speakers. Over 128 top keynote speakers who have earned the Legend title. These speakers have shaped our industry, trained global leaders, and inspired transformation worldwide.
The current 138 Legends Award recipients as of 2025, include:
2024
John Blumberg
Bill Cates
Mary Kelly
David Alan Yoho
Will Rogers (posthumous)
2023
Barry Banther
Jane Jenkins Herlong
Sam Silverstein
Alan Zimmerman
Ralph Hood (posthumous)
2022
Jimmy Cabrera
Roxanne Emmerich
Jerry Teplitz
Phil van Hooser
Thom Winninger (posthumous)
2019
Terry Brock
Marjorie Brody
Roger Crawford
Marilynn Semonick
Earline Vining
Warren Evans (posthumous)
2018
Joe Bonura
Bob Burg
Mary Jane Mapes
LeAnn Thieman
Art Berg (posthumous)
Bob Danzig (posthumous)
2017
Elizabeth Jeffries
Jim Ziegler (decesed)
Stephen Tweed
Joachim de Posada (posthumous)
2016
Karyn Buxman
Dave Gorden
Charles Petty
George Walther
Keith Harrell (posthumous)
2015
Janelle Barlow
Diana Booher
Jolene Brown
Janis Jasin (deceased)
Bryan Townsend (posthumous)
2014
Lenora Billings-Harris
Chris Clarke-Epstein (deceased)
Bert Decker
Lola Gillebaard (deceased)
Jim Hennig (deceased)
Dru Scott
Meryl Cundiff (posthumous)
2013
Patricia Ball (deceased)
Joe Calloway
T. Scott Gross
John Hersey (deceased)
Chris Hegarty (posthumous)
Dr. Charlie Jarvis (posthumous)
2012
Leslie Charles
Joe Larson (deceased)
Joe Pine (deceased)
Bob Hooey
Roger Herman (posthumous)
Dick Semaan (posthumous)
2011
Dan Burrus
Jerry Coffee (deceased)
Eileen McDargh
Howard Putnam
Art Linkletter (posthumous)
Jim Rohn (posthumous)
2010
Larry Baker
Gil Eagles
Barbara Glanz
Jim Rhode
Manny Steil
Bill Brooks (posthumous)
Ray Pelletier (posthumous)
2009
Tony Alessandra
Michael Aun
Charlie Plumb
Zig Ziglar (deceased)
Joe Charbonneau (deceased)
Mort Utley (posthumous)
2008
Jim Cathcart
Danny Cox (deceased)
Ed Foreman (deceased)
Mike McKinley (deceased)
Joe Batten (posthumous)
Ken McFarland (posthumous)
2007
Gayle Carson (deceased)
Lou Heckler
Terry Paulson
Somers White
Al Walker
Larry Moles (posthumous)
Earl Nightingale (posthumous)
2006
Emory Austin
John Jay Daly (deceased)
Ed Scannell
Joel Weldon
Norman Vincent Peale (posthumous)
2005
Robert Mayer Evans (deceased)
Florence Littauer (deceased)
Don Thoren
Ralph Archbold (deceased)
Larry Wilson (deceased)
Bob Murphey (posthumous)
2004
Art Gliner (deceased)
Mike Frank
Herb Jordan (deceased)
Jeanne Robertson (deceased)
Hope Mihalap (deceased)
Robert H. Henry (posthumous)
2003
Bill Johnson (deceased)
Naomi Rhode
Pat Vivo (deceased)
Cavet Robert (posthumous)
2002
Bob Orben (deceased)
Norm Rebin
Rosita Perez (deceased)
Jim Newman (posthumous)
Bill Woodruff (posthumous)
2001
Dave Yoho
Nick Carter (deceased)
Jim Tunney (deceased)
George Morrisey (deceased)
Bill McGrane (posthumous)
2000
Ty Boyd (deceased)
Herb True (deceased)
Bill Gove (deceased)
Art Holst (deceased)
Suzy Sutton (deceased)
Alan Cimberg (deceased)
Charlie “Tremendous” Jones (deceased)
Ira Hayes (posthumous)
Ready to Book a Legend?
Let’s make your next event unforgettable.
Book PEGINE—the bold, brilliant voice who lights up the room, gets standing ovations, and delivers results long after the applause fades.
