Speakers

Solo • Duo • Live • Virtual

UP Staff Development
with The UP Guys

Promote wellness, mental health, growth, and more, with corporate, keynote, and motivational speakers… The UP Guys.

Nels Ross and Richie Derwald are acclaimed "edutainers" who work solo, duo, and with others to uplift and empower people.

In their evidence-based FUNdamentals programs, FUN supports "da mental"…

"It’s like TED Talks meets America’s Got Talent!"

⋯ Featured Program ⋯

FUNdamentals for a Bright Future
With The UP Guys

The UP Guys share how FUN supports "da mental,” including wellness, mental health, and growth, for individuals and organizations. Their model reflects proven for-profit, non-profit, and other training, such as the Improvise » Adapt » Overcome » Win model. It is evidence-based edutainment on core foundations and mindsets, described as "TED Talks meets America’s Got Talent!”

Foundations – Values, Relationships, Purpose, Creative Outlets

Mindsets – Positive, Present, Purposeful, Playful

About The UP Guys

Nels Ross and Richie Derwald are The UP Guys – a complement to "normal" corporate, keynote, and motivational speakers. They have uplifted people for 20+ years – Nels as an educator, comedian, and juggler; Richie as a singer, impersonator, and "The Mental Health NUT;" and both as co-founders of UP Team LLC and the Rotary-inspired nonprofit UPLFFT.

*Background, objectives, and other details available upon request.

Ask about a focus on: 

Wellness • Mental Health • Growth • Creativity • Productivity • Team Building • Teamwork • Leadership • Unity in Diversity • Managing Stress & Change

The UP Guys are a complement to "normal" corporate, keynote, and motivational speakers – a refreshing kick off, close, or energizer for events.

"nothing short of extraordinary"

United States Air Force

"standing ovation"

National Center for Education Research & Technology

"highlight of the conference!"

Michigan Society of Professional Engineers

"powerful!!!"

Holiday Valley Resorts

⋯ Fun Facts ⋯

About The UP Guys

Nels Ross, MEd PHD VA GF

Richie Derwald, The Mental Health NUT

⋯ References ⋯

1,000+ Colleges & Schools • 3M Company • Akzo Nobel • Albright-Knox Art Gallery • Allegheny College • American Heart Association • ArcelorMittal • Artpark • Association of California School Administrators • Benderson Development • BorgWarner • Buffalo Bisons • Buffalo Sabres • Buffalo State College • Calspan • Canisius College • Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership • Chautauqua Institution • Cornell University • Corning Inc. • Corning Museum of Glass • Creative Problem Solving Institute • Daemen College • Dresser-Rand • Fisher-Price • Gold Wing Road Riders Association • H&R Block • Harley-Davidson • Holiday Valley Resorts • HSBC Bank • Independent Health • Ingram Micro • M&T Bank • Mack Trucks • Mental Health Association • Moog • Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute • National Center for Education Research & Technology • National Comedy Center • National Hockey League • Niagara Power Project • Niagara University • NYS Payroll Conference Association • Ortho Clinical Diagnostics • Peek ’n Peak Resort • Philips Healthcare • Praxair • Rich Products • Rochester Institute of Technology • Roswell Park Cancer Institute • Ryerson • Shea’s Performing Arts Center • Society of Professional Engineers • Strong National Museum of Play • Subway • Uniland Development • United States Air Force • University at Buffalo • Via Rail Canada • Volvo • Yada Yada Yada

*References from solo and team productions.

⋯ Reviews ⋯

"Amazing. I can't say enough… The personnel in our office are not easy to thrill, but they can't stop talking about this. The quick wit, unexpected humor, positive motivation, real life stories... nothing short of extraordinary."

Lt. Col. Stephen Lance
United States Air Force

"Thank you for speaking at our conference in St. Petersburg. We thoroughly enjoyed your presentation on building net mirth, and the discussions and standing ovation proved it was very well received."

Anita Johnson
National Center for Education Research & Technology

"From the standing ovation, it’s clear that the evening entertainment was a sensation. And everyone rated the humor seminar as EXCELLENT. For many attendees, you were the highlight of the conference!"

Conference Committee
Michigan Society of Professional Engineers

"I’ve been a department head and attended the orientation sessions for 20+ years. Your presentation was EXCELLENT. It captivated everyone, young and old, and left an impression that will be remembered. Powerful!!!

Geri Hart
Holiday Valley Resorts

"Fantastic presentation! It was a really good experience for this group because they are very stressed… You had everybody up and involved… Marvelous!"

Robert Martinez
Association of California School Administrators

"I laughed until I cried. Seriously. You put people at ease and shared some very valuable ideas and tools… We truly appreciated the perspective, enthusiasm, and unique knowledge shared with us."

Susan Kirk
SofTrek Corporation

"I’ve never received such positive feedback on a seminar! It was fun and very inspiring. You know how to inspire employees to enjoy work and life."

Kathie Mann
Cognigen Corporation

"Thank you again for presenting at our event last week. People are still talking about it, practicing their juggling, and saying that it was the best kick off ever!"

Laryn Bishop
Solano County Office of Education, Fairfield, CA

"Our retreat was designed to help employees deal with stress and change. Your presentation fit perfectly. The audience walked away with a smile and concrete examples of how to use humor effectively."

Mike Sullivan
Chautauqua Institution

"Excellent! Our staff and volunteers were equipped with ideas and resources for improving the experience of patients and others. And they experienced first hand that laughter really is good medicine!"

Karen Synor
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
*Reviews from solo and team productions.