Mark Perna

Generational Expert & Bestselling Author

Mark Perna

Generational Expert & Bestselling Author

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Biography

Mark Perna is the founder and CEO of TFS Results, a full-service strategic consulting firm at the forefront of the national paradigm shift in education and workforce development. As an international generational expert, Mark has devoted his career to empowering educators and employers to unleash the tremendous potential of today’s young people.

Mark founded the Education with Purpose & Employment with Passion movement to help communities connect the pipelines between education, business, and economic development. Mark serves on the Advisory Council for the Coalition for Career Development and is a member of the International Economic Development Council, both in Washington, DC. His work has helped countless parents, educators, employers, and national organizations across North America to engage with the younger generations more effectively.

Mark today delivers over 80 in-person and virtual keynote speeches annually at national and statewide events, where he frequently brings audiences to their feet. He’s also spoken at Harvard University by special invitation. At TFS Results, Mark’s team of talented professionals share his vision of helping organizations of all sizes experience significant gains in recruitment, engagement, retention, and performance.

Mark is a weekly contributor at Forbes.com, where his work reaches an audience of over 4 million. He interviews frequently on radio shows, television, and podcasts, and his library of episodes on The Perna Syndicate podcast reaches listeners in more than 70 countries. His multi-award-winning bestseller, Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations, was written to help educators, employers, and parents understand and motivate the millennial and Z generations.

Speaker Videos

Acclaimed Speaker MARK C. PERNA on the Power of Gen Z [Sizzle Reel]

Keynoter, Game-Changer & Gen Z Expert MARK C. PERNA [Impact Reel]

Mark C. Perna: AR Department of Commerce Sizzle Reel

Be Comfortable Being Uncomfortable [Mark C. Perna's Competitive Advantage Track]

Mark C. Perna, Generational Keynote Speaker and Gen Z/Millennial Expert | 2023 Sizzle Reel

How to Communicate with Gen Z, Step 1: Connect | Mark C. Perna

3 Things Young People Need in a Changing World | Mark C. Perna

See Fewer Videos

Speech Topics

Unleashing Passion, Purpose & Performance in Younger Generations

Join dynamic performance expert Mark C. Perna as he unveils the groundbreaking innovations for working with today’s younger generations. Educators, employers, parents, and community leaders will benefit from these proven strategies to bridge the generational divide, engage and retain young people, and equip them with a powerful competitive advantage.

Purposeful education is the heartbeat of this inspiring call to action. Students who experience education with purpose can then pursue passion-driven employment at all levels of learning and experience. Though they’re often painted in a negative light, they have incredible potential to change the world. We just have to unleash it. As the skills gap widens, we must tap into the vast creativity, intelligence, and potential of the next generation.

A father to two successful young people, Mark delivers key insights on how they think, what makes them tick, and how they make decisions. Mark will show you how to connect, engage, and answer why to inspire their greatest effort. With clear action steps you can implement immediately both in your home and professional life, Mark’s message will help you move young people from static purpose to active purpose so they can achieve at a higher level. Countless parents, educators, and employers have used Mark’s strategies to maximize their interactions and outcomes with today’s younger generations.

Discover how you can hear the branch creak and implement the Light at the End of the Tunnel strategy to attract, engage, and empower the best young talent today. With highly practical generational insights, innovative best practices, and signature inspiration, Mark’s nationally acclaimed methods will open your eyes to the amazing promise of the younger generations. Recharge your passion for making a difference and start motivating young people like never before!

Mastering the Mega Trends to Shape Our Future

The world is changing at the speed of light, creating a vital opportunity for companies and communities to make a positive impact on the future. Your organization can become the catalyst for young people to build a personal competitive advantage—which then becomes YOUR competitive advantage as an organization. In this gripping keynote, acclaimed generational and workforce visionary Mark C. Perna will show you how!

Use Mark’s proven strategies to:

Lead the way in building stronger workforce pipelines
Expand your community’s economic viability
Foster the long-term success of each student, employer, and community
Create consensus through a powerful community rally point
And much more!

Leaders in education, industry, and the community will walk away with highly practical tools to help young people, stakeholders, and the community build a powerful competitive advantage. Don’t miss this exciting keynote to supersize everything you’re already doing—and make a positive impact in our fast-changing future!

Unleashing Gen Z Potential in the Smart Machine Age

Within 20 years, an estimated 47% of today’s careers will cease to exist. This sobering reality can become our greatest advantage—if we fearlessly prepare for it now. Join generational and workforce thought leader Mark C. Perna to lead your organization and community beyond surviving to thriving in the Smart Machine Age!

In this engaging keynote developed around current events and mega trends, Mark will take you on a dynamic leadership journey. You’ll gain the real-world, actionable strategies to adapt to a fast-shifting landscape and efficiently connect the pipelines between education, employment, and economic development.

Mark’s competitive advantage narrative will:

Motivate the younger generations to reach their full potential
Make your organization the catalyst for economic vitality
Expand your impact in the community
And much more!

Leaders in education, industry, and the community will discover what young people think, what makes them tick, and how they make decisions. Don’t miss this exciting keynote on unleashing everything your Gen Z children, students, and coworkers can accomplish—in the Smart Machine Age and beyond!

Testimonials

“Mark nailed it. The conversations post-Perna have been positive, excited and engaged about the next generation of workforce. Instead of pointing fingers in frustration, employers and educators in Ponca City have been coming up with ways to inspire and connect with future workforce. This is the start of a new way of working together in our community towards the common goal of economic growth—and it all came from 2 hours with Mark Perna. 100% unanimous feedback: fabulous message, presentation and action steps for future growth. Bravo!”

- Director at Ponca City Development Authority

“Words can’t express the universal impact Mark Perna had on our entire community. He inspired literally everyone–from middle and high school students to our K-12 staff, community stakeholders, and state representative to expand, and in some instances change, our thinking about education, careers, and what we can accomplish together. I’ve never witnessed such a collective mind shift. For the first time, every stakeholder is aligned on common ground and excited to move toward a stronger future!”

- Superintendent at Ephrata School District

“We had the pleasure of welcoming Mark Perna as our keynote speaker at a county-wide, four-school district Professional Development workshop for teachers. The day prior Mark spoke at a parents’ night event and also to the entire staff at the local community college. Mark lit a fire of inspiration that we are taking full advantage of to catapult local student career exploration efforts. I have often referred to Mark as the “evangelist of education”—he is a dynamic, passionate, compelling speaker and trainer. Do not hesitate to book him—do it now! He will make you look brilliant.”

- Greater Burlington Partnership President and CEO

“Your presentation is the BEST I’VE EVER HEARD and this is my 40th year in education!”

- High School Principal/County CTE Supervisor

“You brought me to tears. These were the MOST MOTIVATING WORDS I’VE EVER HEARD! Life changing!”

- Director of Business Retention & Expansion at Ponca City Development

"As a Gen Z young professional myself, I didn’t necessarily have an “ah-ha” moment but I DID FEEL EXTREMELY SEEN AND HEARD and connected to throughout the session. It was extremely encouraging to watch those around me have those ah-ha moments.”

- Marketing & Communications Specialist, Tech Parks Arizona

“Mark Perna delivered an incredible message that brought our education and employment systems together in a way I’ve never seen before. We all have a vital role to play in the economic viability of our community—and now, we feel equipped to play it. With Mark’s ongoing involvement, we’re already taking the next steps to transform the way our community thinks about education and careers. Thank you, Mark!”

- Market President at Stuttgart Cadence Bank and CEO of Stuttgart Unlimited

“For 2 fantastic hours, Mark Perna riveted our audience of business owners, corporations, community leaders, economic development, and educators. His message of truly connecting our pipelines was substantive, funny, and full of actionable strategies that people are still talking about. The keynote ended in an enthusiastic standing ovation, but the impact Mark made isn’t over. What an incredible experience!”

- President & CEO at Mesa Chamber of Commerce and President of Mesa Industry & Defense Council

“Mark led our opening plenary with an incredibly impactful message that set the tone for the rest of our conference. His insights into the 'Why Generation' really resonated with our audience of economic developers, spurring productive and ongoing discussions. We need to foster economic opportunity in our communities and drive top talent to regions of all sizes—and Mark's strategies were laser-focused on those outcomes. The energy, excitement and passion Mark brought have changed the conversation.”

- President & CEO at International Economic Development Council

“MARK PERNA IS DYNAMITE! His message was transformative and impactful for our wide range of attendees, including CEOs, educators, nonprofit leaders, HR directors, and more who raved about Mark’s presentation. He has helped us reach across boundaries and engage the entire community to truly start shifting our paradigm. Mark’s energy and progressive ideas are exactly what we need to meet the challenges of modern economic development.”

- Director, Economic Development & Tourism at Talbot County, MD

“Mark Perna fired up our entire district, including classified staff, with a powerful message of human connection and generational insight. The feedback on his presentation has been 100% positive, with every staff member walking away inspired both personally and professionally. Mark delivers highly engaging professional development with actionable strategies that everyone can start implementing right away. We highly recommend Mark for any organization that needs to re-inspire all staff with a vision for real change!”

- Superintendent at Moses Lake School District

“Mark Perna unflinchingly delivered the powerful truths we needed to hear in this pivotal moment. It was a wake-up call for everyone in attendance—from educators and employers to economic developers and community leaders. Now it’s time to wake up our community to everything our youth can accomplish when we empower their journey. This is just the beginning of our ongoing paradigm shift!”

- Vice Chancellor at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas

“Mark Perna’s keynote was game changing for our community! In my work with businesses, employers, community leaders, and educators across Gage County, I constantly hear the same things: We need more skilled people, how can we educate and train the next generation, and what will keep our youth here? Mark’s presentation hit all these nails on the head and gave the change-makers in our community the tools and motivation to take the next step toward achieving our goals. We are inspired!”

- Executive Director at Gage Area Growth Enterprise (NGage)

“Mark Perna brought our audience to their feet with his energetic, engaging, and inspiring message! His insights will help us move forward effectively in a changing world. Mark knows how to bring the heat and challenge every participant to forge a genuine human connection with the young people we serve. Our audience left with valuable tools they can start using immediately to improve their day-to-day interactions and outcomes, and the feedback has been amazing. Thanks, Mark!”

- Senior Policy Director at Arkansas Community Colleges