Shannon Milliman,

Inaugural Poet Laureate of

Florence, Alabama

Where creativity, courage, communication and connection come together.

 

Storyteller | Keynote Speaker | Poet | Interactive Educator

CPTD • SHRM‑SCP • TEDx Speaker

 

I help organizations rediscover the human side of performance.

As the first‑ever Poet Laureate of Florence, Alabama, a TEDx speaker, and a nationally recognized storyteller, I bring a rare blend of artistry, leadership insight, and interactive education to the stage. My keynotes don’t just inspire—they activate. They invite people to participate, reflect, laugh, and think differently about how they communicate, collaborate, and lead.

My work lives at the intersection of creativity and performance. Drawing from poetry, improvisation, lived experience, and decades of training and facilitation, I help teams unlock fresh thinking, strengthen trust, and navigate change with greater agility and humanity.

Creativity isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership skill.
Storytelling isn’t soft—it’s strategic.
And connection isn’t optional—it’s how work gets done.

Through dynamic, interactive keynote experiences, I transform conference rooms into spaces where:

  • Communication becomes courageous
  • Ideas move quickly and freely
  • Laughter coexists with insight
  • People feel seen, energized, and capable

Organizations hire me when they want more than a motivational talk. They want an experience that shifts perspective, changes behavior, and lingers long after the applause.

Why clients choose me

  • Inaugural Poet Laureate with a public humanities leadership role
  • TEDx speaker with national performance experience
  • Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)
  • SHRM‑SCP with deep organizational fluency
  • A storyteller who blends poetry, improv, and education
  • A speaker equally at home with executives, frontline teams, and creative leaders

Popular keynote themes

Creativity at work
Courageous communication
Leading through uncertainty
Rehumanizing the workplace
Story as a tool for influence and change
Belonging, connection, and shared purpose

If you’re looking for a keynote that is smart, surprising, and deeply human—
one that engages both hearts and minds—you’ve found it.

 

Contact Me
My Programs
ATD-CPTP
NSA

Clientele & Appearances

Kroger
City of Portland
ACT-W
Triangle Productions
ATD
Mortified

View More →

Watch Shannon in action

  • Not So Supernova
  • A One-Woman Play
  • Talent Development
  • Storytelling
  • Emcee Services
  • Keynote Entertainment
  • A Roller Coaster Of Cosmic Emotions And Inspiration Making Peace And Finding Humor In Life’s Unmet Expectations

Virtual Courses

Say Yes

Not So Supernova →

Legacy Stories

Legacy Stories →

Testimonials

“Fantastic. Physically you had excellent use of stage, body movement, and props. Artistically, your use of tone and storytelling was right on! And your message was vulnerable, brave, raw, relatable. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it.”

Kendra Pink
Strategist

“I am the VP/Program Chair for WEO (Women Entrepreneurs Organization) and I oversee inviting and vetting our monthly keynote speakers. We look for talented speakers to educate or inspire our membership and we like to mix things up month over month.

I discovered Shannon on social media way back in March and, when I saw her performances were endorsed by a business colleague, I reached out to her. I felt that her content and delivery with the improv aspect would be great fun! Shannon accepted and then graciously customized her routine for our group (and the times – with COVID) and through her dynamic story-telling and vulnerability indeed inspired and empowered us through her performance. We loved having her and highly recommend her!”

Susan Malo
Digital Marketing Consultant at RevLocal

“I am the president of WEO (Women Entrepreneurs Organization). Shannon recently spoke at our September meeting. This was our first “hybrid” meeting where the presentation was both in-person and virtual. Shannon was dynamic and fun and inspiring. She touched both audiences in a heartfelt way. I highly recommend Shannon for your next event or meeting.”

Roni Sasaki
Owner of EnviroMet

“It was a delightful experience watching Shannon Milliman perform her completely fresh and original “Not so Supernova” play. Her presence and energy completely pulls you in and her personal, unfiltered satirical slice of an experienced remarkable life brings smiles, laughter and surprise at her raw honesty. She is gifted and a natural. Not a puffed up actress. Not to be missed.

You will be completely surprised and lifted up a big notch in appreciation for the good and beautiful things in life.”

Scott Nokleby
Marketing Executive

“Shannon’s an honest and passionate actress who uses her full body to convey an entire range of unnameable yet relatable emotions. She was composed, graceful and accessible.

For now, Not So Supernova was a one-night-only performance. I’m thankful I was on the invite list and there to share such an organic exchange of art, admiration and inspiration. Congratulations, Shannon!”

Janna Lopez
President Magazine Makeover

“Shannon is fearless in revealing her innermost thoughts and feelings about some of the events in her life. Her sense of humor invites others to see the world from her unique point of view and to think differently about their own life lessons learned. She is a wonderful story teller!”

Colleen Bourassa
NuSkin

Latest Blog 

4 Ways to chasse career development in COVID-19 crisis

4 Ways to chasse career development in COVID-19 crisis

Dec 15, 2020

Whether the deterrent is COVID-19, recession, professional or personal, when the uncertain becomes certain – discombobulation can intensify without agility. With agility, the resilient talent development professional can choreograph a new dance and find reflective...

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This place gives me hope for America

This place gives me hope for America

Dec 15, 2020

I performed Not So Supernova this week in Pittsburgh, PA. And the experience was poignant on many unexpected levels. I was in Pittsburgh for an annual conference for Grounded Solutions Network where I contribute as an Ambassador, advocating for affordable home...

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If it is good enough for Audrey Hepburn…

If it is good enough for Audrey Hepburn…

Dec 15, 2020

I believe women possess powerful ideas. I also believe that by learning to master the delivery of these ideas, their messages can finally make the kind of impact they’ve always been capable of. Seize them! Seize the moments, the breathes, the opportunities and believe...

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