Yan Markson
Speaker and Mindhacker

Yan Markson is a world-class mentalist, speaker, and perception strategist who explores the powerful intersection of mindset, storytelling, and human behaviour. His keynotes are designed to both entertain and shift perspectives, sparking new ways of thinking and leaving audiences energized with unforgettable experiences.
With a unique career that bridges live performance and corporate leadership, Markson has spent over a decade captivating audiences across North America at major conferences, Fortune 500 events, and galas — as well as on TEDx and national television in three countries, including the hit Las Vegas TV show, Penn & Teller: Fool Us.
Before stepping into the spotlight full-time, Markson served as the Head of Marketing and Communications at an award-winning AI software company, building on his academic background in marketing management from Toronto Metropolitan University. Today, he sits on the company’s advisory board, bringing a rare blend of creative thinking and business strategy to the stage.
At the core of Markson’s work is a belief that perception shapes reality — and by changing the stories we tell ourselves and others, we can transform the way we lead, communicate, and grow. Through his signature keynote series “The Power of Perception,” Markson demonstrates how influence, leadership, and personal transformation all stem from shifting perspectives. His sessions feature witty humour and intelligent entertainment, grounded in real-world application.
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Speaking Topics
The Power of Perception: Influence and Persuasion
Influence, persuasion, and effective communication are critical skills that determine whether your ideas thrive or die. People often get lost in features, facts, figures, and their own perspective, but when we ignore the human being in front of us, our message disappears into the noise.
Yan Markson blends a touch of live mentalism with strategic communication to illustrate the psychology behind the decision-making process in a fun, interactive, and easy-to-understand way.
In this dynamic keynote, audiences will discover how cognitive bias dilutes their message, how misconceptions create barriers in communication, and how a lack of empathy reduces connection. They’ll also learn how to frame their message to increase perceived value, build trust, and amplify their influence, while identifying the “magic sparks” that engage people on an emotional and deeply human level.
Expect a uniquely memorable experience with practical strategies and actionable takeaways you can start using today.
Perfect for: Business development professionals, sales and marketing, entrepreneurs, consultants, customer service teams, PR, negotiators, presenters, and communicators.
The Power of Perception: Own Your Story
When you’re operating in a flow state, it isn’t luck or coincidence. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Yan Markson offers a fresh, engaging take on how a growth mindset and self-reinvention can help you spot opportunities, innovate, and thrive in a fast-paced world. Discover how changing your state of mind fundamentally changes your “zone of possibilities.”
Backed by behavioural psychology and cognitive science, this interactive keynote shows the real, measurable impact of perception and state of mind on success. Markson leverages live and interactive mentalism and storytelling to illustrate the power of perception and inspires the audience to set intentions, create smart goals, reframe challenges, and take ownership over their story.
This keynote inspires audiences to “change their normal to change their life.” It’s packed with tangible and actionable takeaways, while Markson’s unique style of fun, interactive presentation and intelligent humour ensures they’ll stick. Once you experience this, you’ll never see yourself the same again.
Perfect for: All professionals, teams, and organizations ready for growth and change.
The Power of Perception: Lead with Impact
Most leaders aren’t trained to lead — they’re promoted for expertise, only to find themselves increasingly managing people, which often feels like a necessary evil.
In this dynamic session, Yan Markson helps leaders shift their perspective and embrace a human-centered approach that leads their teams to next-level performance. He will debunk myths and reveal how empathy, autonomy, recognition, and strategic communication creates the psychological safety that drives productivity, innovation, and meaningful results.
With live mentalism woven in to spark curiosity and emotional engagement, Markson breaks down the science of motivation, willpower, communication, and behavioural change in a way that sticks.
After over a decade of marketing leadership, and thousands of stages as a mentalist and speaker, Markson knows that if your message isn’t landing, the problem isn’t your audience. There are no unmotivated teams, only uninspiring leaders. Discover why investing in human intelligence and the people around you is where the real value and competitive edge are found in a world obsessed with AI and digital transformation.
Perfect for: Leaders, managers, executives, HR and people operations, educators, entrepreneurs, growing teams, coaches, and parents.
Q&A for Yan Markson
How can I check Yan Markson’s availability or request a quote?
To check Yan Markson’s availability or receive a customized quote for your event, please contact ProSpeakers directly. Our team will assist you in confirming his schedule, discussing your event’s needs, and providing pricing tailored to your audience, location, and format.
How much does it cost to book Yan Markson for a keynote?
Please contact us for an accurate quote based on your event’s format, location, and specific requirements.
What factors influence Yan Markson’s speaking fee?
Yan’s fee varies depending on factors such as session length and complexity, travel requirements, degree of customization, audience profile, and whether he is involved in additional programming like panels or workshops. We’ll collaborate with you to design a package that meets your objectives and budget.
Are travel expenses included in Yan Markson’s speaking fee?
No, travel expenses are billed separately. Yan typically travels from his base location, and travel costs generally include airfare, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, and per diem, depending on the event location.
What does a standard keynote presentation from Yan Markson look like?
Yan’s keynotes usually last about 45 minutes, with an optional 15-minute audience Q&A. His presentations focus on leadership development, strategic thinking, innovation, and cultivating a growth mindset to help organizations navigate change and thrive.
Is Yan Markson available for workshops or panel discussions?
Yes. In addition to keynotes, Yan often leads workshops and participates in panel discussions and executive roundtables, offering actionable insights and interactive learning experiences.
Can Yan Markson tailor his presentation to suit our audience?
Absolutely. Yan collaborates closely with event organizers to ensure his content aligns with your audience’s needs, industry context, and event goals, maximizing relevance and impact.
Which topics does Yan Markson typically speak on at events?
Yan speaks on leadership, innovation, strategic thinking, change management, and building resilient organizations. His approach combines practical frameworks with inspiring stories to engage and empower audiences.
What are some of Yan Markson’s notable past speaking engagements?
Yan has presented at leadership conferences, corporate events, and industry forums for a variety of organizations across sectors. He is known for delivering insightful, forward-thinking presentations that resonate with diverse audiences.
How far in advance should we book Yan Markson for an event?
We recommend contacting us three to six months prior to your event to ensure availability and allow adequate time for customization and logistics.
How do we book Yan Markson for your next event?
To book Yan Markson for your next event please contact Heather at ProSpeakers.com:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 416‑420‑4525.
"I have had the pleasure of watching Yan Markson evolve from being a talented mentalist to becoming a dynamic professional speaker. Over the years, he has grown into a thought leader on creativity, mindset, and leadership, seamlessly blending his unique background in entertainment with powerful insights that captivate any audience. Yan’s ability to engage a room is exceptional; he doesn’t just speak to an audience, he connects, inspires, and leaves a lasting impression.
The fact that Yan was invited back to speak at a subsequent event at Ornge speaks volumes about his impact and effectiveness. I would highly recommend him for any speaking opportunity where engaging, memorable content is needed." - Ornge
"Yan, thanks so much for speaking at our National Sales Meeting. This is the first time we have had a guest speaker with your skillset and let me tell you, it was a hit! Your mix of topics around sales and perception were well received. I know our team valued the laughs as well as the concepts they can take with them for everyday life. Thanks again!" - IFM
"Back in February our company held an in-person conference for our Sales teams. This was the first time in three years so we carefully curated the agenda with the right content and presenters. Yan was the undisputed winner when it came to leading various sessions. He energized the room, made his presentation interesting and relevant, and we couldn’t get enough. So much so that we have invited him to come back this summer and work with our teams again. If you are looking for a brilliant keynote, look no further and hire Yan!" - HomeEquity Bank
"Yan was a speaker at our HR Day at the City of Hamilton, a once-a-year event for our 90 Human Resources professionals coming together for a day of learning, connecting, and engaging. Yan did a phenomenal job. He was engaging, funny, and thought provoking. His ability to combine humour, mentalism, and tangible learning that can be applied to the workplace, was invaluable. Attendees felt this year’s event was the best one we have had in decades!" - City of Hamilton

