Shark.

One word. One of a kind.

On Saturday, September 13, 2025, our friend and colleague, and beloved host of the Speakernomics podcast, passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind his wife, Michelle, and their 14-year-old son, Christian.

Kenneth “Shark” Kinney represented the very soul of the National Speakers Association. His presence was quiet power and steady momentum. He swam beside us, lifted us up, and gave us the mic—always saving the spotlight for others.

Shark’s wisdom and wit inspired us to ride bigger waves. His “two-minute-turned-into-an-hour” conversations were legendary—filled with questions so insightful they cut to the core of our businesses and our lives, making us better in the process.

We are deeply grateful to his beloved family for sharing him with us. Now, it is our turn to support them.

Through the Friends of Shark Fund, we invite you to honor his memory by helping Michelle and Christian navigate the depths of this loss and prepare for future costs — college tuition, life’s next chapters, and the dreams he would have wanted for them.

Your gift goes directly to the family he adored. Every donation is an act of gratitude for what Shark gave us: his generosity, his laughter, his wisdom, and his friendship.

As the proverb says:

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,

but one who has insight draws them out.”

Shark drew out the best in all of us. And his hilarious, spot-on NSA theme song will continue to echo in our hearts, reminding us of his influence—forever.

Please join us in giving back. Though we can never match what Shark gave to us, together we can surround his family with the love and support they deserve.