Melissa Agnes — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Author of "Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World," named one of Forbes' top ten business books of 2018 and taught at Harvard.
Founder and CEO of Crisis Ready Institute since 2020, offering the Crisis Ready® Certification.
Serves on the Board of Directors for ZeroNow since 2021, dedicated to achieving zero acts of violence in schools.
Delivered over a hundred keynotes worldwide, including at the Pentagon on visionary leadership and for NATO on counterterrorism narratives.
Panel member for ISO 22361, helping shape international crisis management standards.
Recognized as a Top 40 Thought Leader in Security & Life Safety (2025) and among the 100 Women to KNOW in America (2025).

Biography

Melissa Agnes is the Founder and CEO of Crisis Ready Institute, an organization dedicated to transforming professionals into Certified Visionary Leaders. Recognized as a Top 40 Thought Leader in Security & Life Safety (2025) and among the 100 Women to KNOW in America (2025), she has guided governments, Fortune 500 companies, and global institutions through critical situations.