Rene Godefroy

René Godefroy is a Haitian-born keynote speaker and workplace culture strategist on a mission to help leaders and teams build resilient, people-first workplaces grounded in appreciation, belonging, and belief.

Arriving in the U.S. as a refugee with five dollars and no English, Godefroy overcame extraordinary adversity - janitorial jobs, sleeping in cars—to become a trusted voice for Fortune 500 companies seeking to transform how their people lead, connect, and thrive.

He draws from his early life in a remote Haitian village, where resilience wasn’t a concept—it was a necessity. That lived wisdom powers Godefroy's message today: a practical, uplifting approach to navigating change and elevating workplace culture from the inside out.

Through unforgettable storytelling, high-impact audience engagement, and tools leaders can use immediately, Godefroy helps organizations increase engagement, boost morale, and lead with clarity and compassion, especially during times of uncertainty.

He is best known for his “Village Hero” philosophy, which reframes leadership as a daily opportunity to uplift others and build belonging through simple, intentional acts. His keynotes are both soul-stirring and strategic, grounded in humanity, delivered with humor, and designed for action.

Whether speaking to front-line teams or C-suite executives, Godefroy equips audiences with the mindset and methods to inspire loyalty, foster resilience, and lead with purpose, leaving them energized, empowered, and ready to build cultures where people thrive.