Pep Rosenfeld
Pep Rosenfeld blends humor, leadership insights and storytelling to energize teams.
Why you should book Pep Rosenfeld for your next event
- His interactive humor keynotes strengthen leadership, teamwork and communication through practical, memorable activities.
- He tailors every keynote with customized material researched specifically for your company or event.
- A trusted host for global events, bringing sharp interviews, humor and energy to any stage.
Non-binding request for Pep Rosenfeld
Humor-driven keynote speaker, Emmy-nominated writer and sought-after event host.
Pep Rosenfeld is a keynote speaker, comedian, author and high-level event host who transforms leadership, communication and teamwork through humor. With more than three decades of experience and a career that spans writing, performing and interviewing global thought leaders, he delivers keynotes that are energetic, tailored and deeply engaging. His sessions invite participants to learn by doing, creating an environment where insight and laughter go hand in hand.
Who is Pep Rosenfeld?
Pep Rosenfeld is one of the most prominent voices on the power of humor in leadership and teamwork. As the author of Work Laugh Balance: Why and How Humor Will Make You and Your Team More Successful, he shows audiences how laughter can unlock engagement, clarity and resilience at work. His background is unique: he is a keynote speaker, communication trainer, comedian and Emmy-nominated writer whose work blends performance expertise with practical workplace insight.
He co-founded Boom Chicago, the celebrated comedy institution that became the launchpad for several of America’s most influential comedians and creators. Seth Meyers, Jordan Peele, Amber Ruffin, Kay Cannon and the creative force behind Ted Lasso Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt and Joe Kelly all developed their craft within Boom Chicago’s environment. Pep’s decades guiding, performing with and coaching rising talent heavily inform his approach to leadership, storytelling and collaboration.
Book Pep Rosenfeld for your event
When you book Pep, you get more than a polished talk. He dives into your organization, gathering details and nuances that allow him to craft tailored material for your audience. This customization strengthens the impact of his message and creates the sense that the keynote belonged exclusively to your event.
Pep designs sessions where the audience becomes active participants. Drawing on improvisation, he uses small-group exercises that reinforce key themes such as mental flexibility, active listening and engaged communication. These interactions spark laughter while helping people internalize useful skills that transfer directly into daily work. As Franklin’s line reminds us tell, show, involve Pep builds experiences where involvement drives the learning.
Impact, style and what audiences can expect
Pep’s presence on stage is energetic, playful and grounded in practical insight. His keynotes combine sharp storytelling, humor and relatable lessons shaped by more than 30 years of experience on professional stages and inside organizations. Participants walk away feeling inspired, more confident in their communication and equipped with techniques that strengthen collaboration.
He is equally known for his work as a host. Pep regularly fronts major conferences such as TEDx, The Next Web, Brand Minds and The Nordic Business Forum, where he famously made Barack Obama laugh. His interviews with Simon Sinek, Brené Brown and Malcolm Gladwell receive exceptional feedback and often rank among event highlights. At many conferences he hosts, Pep earns audience scores that surpass those of the speakers themselves a testament to his timing, curiosity and ability to create connection.
A trusted partner for high-level organizations
Global companies rely on Pep when an event demands clarity, energy and a host who can guide a room with ease. He has led and hosted high-stakes business gatherings for organizations including Johnson & Johnson, Ahold, KPMG, ING, IBM, Software AG, Netflix, Google, Adyen and Novartis. Whether interviewing leaders, moderating discussions or keeping a room energized through long sessions, he brings humor that elevates the entire experience.
Recognition, experience and his perspective on humor
Pep’s understanding of humor in professional settings is deepened by his diverse career. Beyond the stage and the conference hall, he was nominated for an Emmy for his writing on Saturday Night Live, one of television’s most enduring institutions. This blend of corporate, creative and comedic experience shapes his belief that humor is a powerful professional tool.
Adam Grant wrote of his book Work Laugh Balance: “This book won’t make your boring boss funny. But it will make you laugh and help you bring more humor into your job. Pep Rosenfeld is one of the funniest people in business, and any workplace can benefit from his levity.”
This blend of expertise and playfulness sets Pep apart. He brings the rigor of a communication trainer, the instinct of a performer and the strategic lens of someone who has worked closely with leaders and creators across industries. Audiences leave his keynotes with more than a moment of laughter—they gain skills that strengthen teamwork, storytelling and leadership long after the event ends.
Keynotes
Keynote by Pep Rosenfeld:
Work Laugh Balance
Storytelling Every meeting or pitch is a story. Pep first takes you through the basic structure of the story, how to create in the way that focuses on your listener's needs - and how your deck should support that story.
Then he'll look at how to deliver that talk grab the listeners attention and keep it. How to use emotion and energy level to win people over. And how a dash of humor will help your messages land and stick. These skills can easily be adapted to digital presentations as well.
Keynote by Pep Rosenfeld:
Work Laugh Balance
Teamwork & Collaboration At the heart of humor is Boom Chicago's philosophy: "Yes-And." It is key both on stage and with partners to create programs.
In this keynote, Pep will explain the power Yes-And' and how to make use of it in the office. The team will work on collaborating together more effectively and successfully. And they'll see that "loving every idea for a minute" is a way not just to stretch their minds to new possibilities - but to make teammates know they are heard, respected and included.
Keynote by Pep Rosenfeld:
Work Laugh Balance
Work is Funny! (or at least it should be) Leaders that use humor are more inspirational, and their teams are more effective. Laughing is great for your team's well-being as well as their productivity. Plus it helps them actually want to be in the office.
With a mix of science, stories and interaction, Pep shows you how to actually be funnier at work - and to help create a culture where humor (and happiness) can flourish. And he'll share the best ways to ensure your team feels safe and appreciated while you do.
Keynote by Pep Rosenfeld:
How to Beat AI
Lead Like a Human. In this keynote, Pep shares leadership lessons - and jokes - from twenty years of hosting business events. As a fly on the wall when new strategies or ways of working are presented, Pep has seen that the way to inspire people is by doing what AI can't: leaning into the things that make us human.
Acknowledging the problems the team faces and dealing with them in an honest - and even funny - way. Showing up for the team and being one of them. Being willing to show your emotions - and being tuned in to the emotional state of your team. Don't be an AI "leader," someone who puts on a leadership show by feigning strength, denying vulnerability, and always having shallow good news.
