Mike Ganino

Mike Ganino is a culture and storytelling expert, keynote speaker, and creative director with a career at the intersection of performance, communication, and organizational leadership. Ganino's experience as an executive in the hospitality and technology industries, combined with his background as an improv actor, informs his approach to helping clients and audiences develop stories that influence organizational culture, drive results, and increase sales. His executive roles at companies such as Protein Bar, ChowNow, Lettuce Entertain You, and Potbelly Sandwich Shop are complemented by training at institutions including Second City, Upright Citizens Brigade, and Improv Olympics.

Ganino is the author of "Company Culture for Dummies," a guide published by Wiley that provides practical strategies for building organizational culture. The book outlines four core elements leaders should consider in business decision-making, offering real-world examples and actionable approaches to foster performance and brand recognition. Ganino has been recognized as a Top 30 Culture Speaker by Global Guru and as a Top 10 Public Speaking Coach by Yahoo Finance, as well as California's Best Speaking and Communication Coach by Corporate Vision Magazine.

As a speaking coach and creative director, Ganino has collaborated with executives at Caesars Entertainment, Disney, Adobe, and Netflix, and has contributed to TEDx talks with significant viewership. He has worked with researchers from Harvard, MIT, and the World Economic Forum to enhance their storytelling capabilities. Ganino's coaching has supported clients in raising over $200 million for startups and delivering presentations designed to inspire action. He served as executive producer of TEDx Cambridge and is a faculty member at Heroic Public Speaking, where he works with authors, experts, and professional speakers to refine their communication and storytelling skills.

Central to Ganino's methodology is the Mike Drop Method, which draws on his experience as a sommelier, improv performer, and corporate trainer. This approach, featuring the Five Stage Languages and Rapid Prototyping Protocol, provides a framework for developing authentic and impactful stage presence. Ganino has trained more than 5,000 speakers, including bestselling authors, TED speakers, and Fortune 500 executives. His personal experiences have shaped his understanding of how language, physicality, behavior, and tone affect audience perception and message delivery.

Ganino is also the author of "Make a Scene: Storytelling, Stage Presence, and the Art of Being Unforgettable in Every Spotlight." The independently published book reached number one in multiple categories and offers guidance on commanding attention and inspiring action in various settings, from keynotes to podcasts to board meetings. Ganino's work has been featured in Forbes and Inc. He continues to direct speakers, coach executives, and contribute to bestselling books, viral TEDx talks, and keynote presentations that impact audiences globally.