Work with Me

As a founder of multiple projects and platforms, including national summits and conferences, I know what it’s like to hire and work with speakers. I also know how words can move the human spirit. I can give a good halftime speech!

Hire me to speak and here’s what you can expect:

  • I’ll reply promptly to your emails and telephone calls.
  • I’ll listen and make sure we are on the same page.
  • I’ll show up.
  • I’ll be on time.
  • No Diva Shit. Period. My people raised me right (except for the cussing).
  • I’ll use thought-provoking stories, activities and games to engage you and your audience in complex material.
  • I’ll stick around and find ways to collaborate with attendees.
  • I’ll follow up after the event for feedback.

Regular speaking topics and workshops

Although I write about gardening, football, manual labor and more, the majority of my work sits at the intersection of social entrepreneurship and education.

Frequently-requested talks & workshops

  • “How to Become a Better Change-Maker”
  • “How to Build Massive On-line Social Good Movements (for $50 or less)”
  • “Rewild School”
  • “Sidekick Manifesto: In the Story of Poverty’s End, We can only be Sidekicks”
  • “Handshakes 101”
  • “Get Sh*t Done Diagnostic”
  • “The Do-Gooder Industrial Complex”
  • “The 40 Year Old Do-Gooder Adolescent”
  • “Game of Loans: Financial Lives of the Poor Simulation”

What people are saying

Shawn Humphrey’s presentation, both in class and to the larger Elon community, was easily the most impactful experience of the semester. While I had heard similar messages before, through my own personal work and through readings such as Toxic Charity, Shawn’s vulnerability and authenticity allowed me to truly learn from his mistakes and experiences. Other sources typically emphasized the things they were doing right in the service realm, and instead chasised the behavior of others. Such representations of reality are inherently skewed. However, Shawn’s authenticity was extremely helpful and beneficial, as I was able to engage and evaluate his message and perspective knowing he was not attempting to frame himself as some service messiah.” – Elon University Student

Here’s another:

“Shawn presented during the first-ever Kiva U Summit. He was rated among the highest of the 47 speakers at the event and was considered ‘inspiring,’ ‘innovative’ and ‘enlightening’ by Summit attendees.” – Jessica Hansen (KIVA)

And another:

“Shawn was engaging, naturally weaving his personal entrepreneurial narrative into his professional pursuits, and provided some honest and keen insights into the challenges – and rewards – of being a social entrepreneur.” – Melissa Paulson (Notre Dame’s Irish Impact Social Entrepreneurship Conference)

And, if those don’t do it for you, this one will:

“Shawn is a double threat – he knows his topic area better than anyone and he is fun and engaging to listen to. He is always at the top of my list when I’m looking for someone to speak or lead a conversation.”  – Dan Morrison 

The Next Step

Email me at shumphre@umw.edu and I will get back with you right away.

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