Merit Kahn, CSP
Smart. Funny. Real. Merit Kahn blends Emotional Intelligence, business strategy, and humor to help people sell smarter and lead stronger in a tech-driven world.
Price range
- $10,000 - $16,000
Expert
- Business Growth
- Employee Retention / Hiring
- Empowerment
- Female Speakers
- Goal Setting
- Humor
- Inspirational
- Leadership
- Sales
- Spouse Programs
- Success
Experience
- Advertising
- Media
- Sales
Career
- 26 Years
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About
Merit Kahn, CSP, is a trailblazer at the intersection of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), equipping leaders and sales teams to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Certified in EI since 2008 and holding the elite Certified Speaking Professional designation, awarded to fewer than 12% of professional speakers, Merit brings 25+ years of experience in leadership development, sales strategy, and business growth.
Merit’s mantra, “The first step to a closed deal is always an open mind,” underscores her philosophy of aligning the efficiency of AI with the connection-driven power of EI. Her programs highlight the “Magic in the Middle,” where “AI computes, but EI connects,” showing leaders and sales professionals how to leverage AI to predict trends while using EI to build trust and meaningful relationships.
With universal messages like “AI makes you efficient, but EI makes you effective,” Merit challenges audiences to rethink their approach to leadership and innovation, delivering actionable strategies for thriving in an AI-driven world without losing the human touch. Attendees leave her keynotes with practical skills, fresh perspectives, and plenty of laughs.
Beyond business, Merit’s creative spark shines as a playwright and comedian in her one-woman show Optimistic Personality Disorder. Merit proves that serious business can- and should- be seriously entertaining. If you’re seeking a speaker who can unlock potential, inspire action, and infuse humor into your event, Merit Kahn is the expert you need.
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Video Clips
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Topics
THE HYBRID HUMAN: Thriving at the Intersection of Tech and Touch
Best For: Sales, Leadership, and Innovation Conferences
AI might predict trends, but only humans can predict trust- and that’s where your real power lies. In this energizing and entertaining keynote, Merit Kahn challenges audiences to reimagine what it means to thrive in an AI-powered world. Through engaging stories, humor, and real-world examples, she demonstrates how to harness both technology and humanity to create meaningful connections, drive innovation, and turn challenges into opportunities. You’ll leave inspired, motivated, and ready to find the “Magic in the Middle…” the sweet spot where tech and touch combine to spark performance, productivity, and progress.
AI OPENS DOORS, HUMANS CLOSE DEALS: Winning Sales Strategies for a High-Tech World
Best For: Sales Kickoffs, Franchise Meetings, Corporate Events
AI tools can analyze data, predict trends, and streamline tasks- but they can’t build relationships or close the deal. That’s where you come in. In this high-energy session, Merit Kahn helps sales teams balance the efficiency of AI with the Emotional Intelligence that builds trust and loyalty. Attendees discover actionable strategies to prospect smarter, personalize outreach, and close faster while staying focused on what matters most- human connection. It’s about selling smarter, leading with authenticity, and building relationships that outlast any algorithm.
THE BOT STOPS HERE: Leading with Humanity in an Automated Age
Best For: Leaders, Executives, Managers, Association Events
AI crunches numbers, but great leaders build connection- and today’s leadership demands both. In this insightful and entertaining keynote, Merit Kahn shows leaders how to navigate the delicate balance between automation and authenticity. Through humor, relatable stories, and actionable tools, she helps leaders foster collaboration, build trust, and inspire their teams in a tech-driven world. Attendees walk away with practical takeaways for integrating AI into their strategy while leading with empathy, vision, and heart.
BRAINS, BOTS & BALANCE: Finding Humanity in a High-Tech World
Best For: Cross-functional Teams, Professional Development, EI Training
AI might be smart, but Emotional Intelligence makes it wise. In this highly interactive and entertaining session, Merit Kahn unpacks how to thrive in a world where AI handles the tasks- but EI handles the tough talks. Participants will explore how Emotional Intelligence drives communication, trust, and performance in ways technology can’t replicate. Whether you’re leading a team, managing clients, or adapting to change, this program helps you find balance between being tech-savvy and people-smart, because humans are still very much wanted.
REWRITE YOUR PAST, REWIRE YOUR FUTURE: Life Lessons from a One-Woman Comedy Show
Best For: Women’s Conferences, Wellness Events, Personal Growth Programs
Ever think, “My future would be brighter if it weren’t for my past?” In this heartfelt and hilarious keynote performance, Merit Kahn, playwright, producer, and star of Optimistic Personality Disorder, invites audiences to reframe their life stories with humor and heart. Through her empowering journey, she helps participants uncover resilience, courage, and perspective in the rollercoaster of life. You’ll laugh, reflect, and leave inspired to rewrite your past, so it better serves your present and future.
Audience Takeaways:
- Practical resilience strategies for everyday life
- Five universal life lessons that reframe challenges as opportunities
- The energizing power of humor in transformation
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Testimonials
2 people have recommended this speaker
“Merit's knowledge of the subject matter, speaking skills and overall presence held the interest of our team. She shared relevant stories throughout the interactive presentation, engaging our team with questions and soliciting feedback often. I would recommend Merit for a speaking engagement. Her thorough preparation and enthusiastic style maximize her effectiveness with her audience and her follow up helps reinforce her message.”
“Just want to thank you and Merit for assistance and participating with Mosaic. We have very favorable feedback for Merit, I think it was very beneficial and rare for a speaker to come and spend the day with the meeting and hear the internal speakers and make the connection during their speech to tie and connect the business points. This was highly appreciated by myself and my VP. Merit did a nice job of preparation with Mosaic leaders in advance and weaved those conversations into her speech. Additionally all business points that Merit met with myself and leadership were raised in her speech and tied to her myths. We think she performed well engaging the room and keep everyone connected. We acknowledged its difficult after lunch to hold an audience especially for 90 mins and she was able to do this.”