Testimonials
It was a pleasure to have you attend and speak at the Virtuoso Symposium in Dubai. Your personal reputation was amplified globally this week due to the quality of your presentation. Your delivery was excellent and resonated deeply with our attendees, many of whom are senior leaders of significant businesses.
As you know, I’m a huge fan of how you make culture easy to understand, measure and improve, and The Empowered Program is a key asset for us at Virtuoso.
I can wholeheartedly recommend you as a speaker. I will also continue to extol the virtues of Empowered to all the leaders I know who appreciate the importance of culture!
Matthew Upchurch, Chairman & CEO, Virtuoso
It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Stefan Wissenbach as a guest speaker during our Red Carnation Hotels Staff Appreciation Party Conference Week. Stefan’s energy, insight, and authenticity left a lasting impression on our team. His ability to connect with people at every level of the organisation, while delivering powerful messages about purpose, engagement, and empowerment, was fantastic.
Stefan’s sessions were not only thought-provoking but also deeply aligned with our values at RCH. He challenged us to think differently, encouraged meaningful reflection on our culture, and left us with practical tools to enhance both our personal and professional lives. The feedback from our team has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing his talk as a highlight of the week.
We are grateful for Stefan’s contribution and would wholeheartedly recommend him to any organisation looking to inspire and energise their people, as well as revisit and enhance their company and workplace culture.
Jonathan Raggett, Chief Executive Officer, Red Carnation Hotels
As a conference planner who has worked with many speakers over the years, I can honestly say that Stefan brought not only deep expertise and thoughtful insight, but also a level of energy and connection that truly resonated with our audience.
Both times he has spoken to our conference attendees, the response has been highly positive, with many noting how inspired and informed they felt after the session. Beyond the presentation itself, Stefan made a lasting impression by taking time to connect with attendees one-on-one, making everyone feel seen and valued. I would certainly recommend him to any organization seeking a top-tier speaker.
Beth Denny, Senior Account Executive, Firstpoint
Stefan delivered an inspiring and deeply insightful session on the principles of culture and how culture can be the biggest asset that any hotel/company can have nowadays to achieve real success. His passion for redefining hospitality as a people-first profession, backed by data and a very personal drive borne from personal tragedy, left a lasting impact on all of us. A true catalyst for change.
Charlie Sheil, Group General Manager, Windward Management
I recently had the privilege of inviting Stefan Wissenbach as one of our keynote speakers for the 2025 Southern Innkeepers Association event at The Salamander Resort and Spa in Middleburg. This annual event is made up of over 80 highly established leaders in the hotel industry, focused exclusively on the Southeast. This is now the second time in five years that we have asked Stefan to speak at our engagement. His expertise in the critical function of culture within an organization resonates throughout his highly engaging and informative presentations. As the 2024-2025 President of SIA, I could not think of anyone I would rather invite to speak on culture and the critical importance it plays in both employee morale and guest experience. I would highly recommend Stefan as a speaker for any organization looking to strengthen the relationship with their team, improve business performance by lowering staff turnover, and garner loyalty and lifelong memories from their clients and guests.
David Mars, Managing Director, The Umstead Hotel and Spa
Stefan from Empowered has been an incredible source of support, guidance, and insight over the past year. His deep expertise in employee satisfaction, combined with his genuine passion for the field, makes him an invaluable sounding board.
Stefan has a remarkable ability to simplify what can often feel overwhelming, thanks to his structured and digestible approach. One of the most powerful takeaways from working with him has been the Power of Three - a game-changing strategy that has truly unlocked new potential in my role. The concept is simple yet highly effective: identify three key focus areas, drive targeted efforts toward them for three months, communicate these priorities in three distinct ways, and then reassess after three months.
Every conversation with Stefan is both insightful and empowering, leaving me with fresh perspectives and actionable strategies. His guidance has had a profound impact on my approach, and I couldn’t be more grateful for his expertise and support.
Rachel Dillon, Learning, Culture and Engagement Manager – Irish Brand Homes, Diageo