Speaking & Events
The best presentations aren't lectures. They are conversations.
Whether I am on stage in front of 500 people or leading a workshop for 15, my goal is always the same: to leave the audience with more energy and insight than they walked in with.
Over the last few years alone, I’ve had the honor of speaking at numerous conferences and events, including the American Marketing Association Higher Education Symposium, the annual OCPRA conference, CUPRAP, the annual Carnegie Conference, the American Dental Education Association board (ADEA) meeting, and the Independent College Bookstore Association (ICBA) annual conference.
As a lifelong storyteller, I bring a mix of optimism, realism, and practical strategy to the stage. I don't do dense walls of text or academic jargon. I do real stories, hard truths, and actionable insights that help leaders navigate the future of education.
Signature Topics
I customize every engagement to the audience, but these are the themes I am currently exploring.
The Science of Story. Why do some messages stick while others fade? We dive into the neuroscience of narrative to understand how human beings make decisions. This isn't just about "telling stories"—it's about using empathy and structure to move audiences to action.
Do Websites Even Matter in 2026? The digital landscape is shifting under our feet. With the rise of AI-generated answers and zero-click search, the traditional "front door" of the university is changing. We move past the alarmist headlines to discuss the practical evolution of the web. I explore how your site must shift from a general information repository to a high-value "verification engine" that builds trust when it matters most.
Brand is a Behavior, Not a Logo. In a crowded market, your visual identity is just the tip of the iceberg. I unpack how true institutional branding is built from the inside out—through culture, student experience, and the daily promises your team keeps (or breaks).
Leading Creatives in a Data-Driven World. Managing creative teams requires a special kind of bilingual leadership. Drawing on my experience leading combined teams of 65+ writers and designers, I talk about how to protect the creative spark while delivering on hard business metrics.
Radical Empathy: Designing for Humans, Not Users. We often talk about "users" or "traffic," but we are designing for people full of anxiety, hope, and irrationality. Drawing on deep journey mapping experience, I show why empathy isn't just a soft skill—it is a strategic competitive advantage. We move beyond simple usability testing to discuss how to design digital experiences that respect the emotional reality of your audience.
The Future of Connection. Higher education is at an inflection point. We discuss the shifting demographics, the rise of AI, and why "human connection" will be the premium currency of the next decade.
Event Formats
Keynote Presentations: High-energy openers or closers that set the tone for your event.
Workshops: Half-day or full-day interactive sessions on storytelling, journey mapping, or creative training.
Mini-Engagements: Customized projects to foster greater creative collaboration within a team and across teams.
Panels, Webinars, & Podcasts: I am always happy to join the conversation as a guest or moderator.
Speaker Kit
(For Organizers)
Need a bio or headshot for your program? Please feel free to use the following assets:
Short Bio (100 Words) Voltaire Santos Miran is the Executive Vice President of Brand and Web Strategy at Carnegie. For over 30 years, he has served as a strategist, storyteller, and catalyst for mission-driven organizations. A co-founder of the digital agency mStoner, Voltaire spent two decades helping colleges and universities navigate the digital revolution before joining Carnegie in 2022. He is known for his ability to translate complex institutional goals into human-centered narratives. A "philosopher who happens to be a marketer," Voltaire brings a mix of optimism and realism to every challenge.
Downloads