American author Annie Dillard once wrote, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” For many of us, the bulk of our days are spent at work. The average person will spend one-third of their lives, or roughly 90,000 hours at work. With this much time in our lives devoted to the workplace, it is vital that individuals feel purpose and connection at work. However, this is not always the case.

According to a 2024 Gallup poll, employee engagement in the United States fell to its lowest level in a decade, with just 31% of employees describing themselves as “engaged.” Gallup measured 12 engagement elements, with three showing the most significant declines: clarity of expectations, feeling that someone at work cares, and feeling that someone at work encourages their development. So how can we reverse this trend and find energy and engagement in our workdays? How can we make the most of the third of our lives spent at work?

Enter Christine Cashen, CSP, CPAE, a powerhouse keynote speaker with more than 20 years of experience. She is a certified speaking professional, a certified virtual presenter, an author of two books, a member of the National Speakers Association, and one of a select group of individuals to be inducted into the Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE) Speaker Hall of Fame.

“When people feel like their work doesn’t matter, when their efforts go unnoticed, or when they’re overwhelmed without support, disengagement creeps in,” Cashen explained. “To combat this, we need to focus on building a culture of trust and belonging. Leaders should communicate the why behind the work, celebrate wins (big or small), and prioritize well-being. Encouraging flexibility, fostering a sense of community, and providing opportunities for growth are all essential. And let’s not underestimate the power of humor and positivity—they can create a workplace where people want to show up and bring their best.”

Cashen spoke today during the Closing General Session at the 43rd Annual Payroll Congress. Her presentation, “Game On: Power Up with Energy, Attitude, and Innovative Ideas!,” shared the concept of recharging your approach to work and life by focusing on three key elements: energy, attitude, and actionable ideas.

“I dive into ways to bring fun and positivity to the workplace, reduce stress, and create a culture where people feel energized and engaged,” Cashen said.

The keynote was designed with plenty of audience interaction in mind. As Cashen explained: “When you’re laughing and learning, the message sticks. I wanted payroll professionals to leave saying, ‘I can use this today to feel better and do better.”

In her keynote, Cashen reminded payroll professionals of their value and equipped them with actionable tools to stay energized, reduce stress, and create positive workplace connections.

“Payroll professionals are the unsung heroes of the workplace—they’re the heartbeat that keeps organizations running smoothly. I wanted them to be inspired them to see the incredible impact they have, not just on the bottom line, but on people’s lives,” she said. “I want them to feel recharged, appreciated, and ready to approach their roles with renewed confidence and creativity.”

 

Healing Humor

You’ll often see Cashen described as “hilarious” or “witty,” and humor is certainly a powerful tool in both her personal and professional life.

“Humor and positivity are powerful because they shift perspective and lighten even the heaviest situations. They create connections, foster resilience, and turn challenges into manageable moments,” she said.

In 2020, Cashen experienced one of the toughest years of her life when she was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer. Receiving treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic meant that she was often isolated and everyone around her had to wear a mask.

“To make it bearable, I named my tumor Fred,” Cashen said. “I named it this so I could come into treatment and cheer, ‘Who’s ready to beat up Fred?!’”

She also handed out masks with clown noses glued on, and she also gave playful nicknames to her nurses who were there during her treatment.

“Those moments of humor weren’t just for me—they lifted the spirits of the people around me, too,” Cashen explained. “Now, I’m five years cancer-free (knock on wood!), and every time I go in for checkups, the staff still remembers the fun we created. Humor isn’t just a distraction; it’s healing.”

 

Path to Professional Public Speaking

Cashen has worked in several different areas, from a radio personality to a college admissions officer to a corporate trainer. A common thread that weaves through her work in each of these different fields is a love of presenting.

“Whether I was on the air, standing in front of a classroom, or leading a training session, I always jumped at the chance to engage an audience. I realized that was my favorite part of the job, so I decided to make it my whole job,” Cashen said.

Throughout her decades long career as a professional public speaker, Cashen has spoken to audiences in almost any type of field you can think of—from dairy farms to schools to restaurant chains—even Cartoon Network! One of the things she loves the most about being a speaker is the opportunity to step into so many different worlds and delve into the experiences that connect us all, despite our differences.

“I love uncovering those universal truths that make the audience go, ‘That’s me!’” Cashen explained. “There’s something magical about connecting with people through shared experiences and giving them actionable ideas to make life easier. And if I was able to make them laugh along the way? That’s the icing on the cake. It’s about creating moments that inspire, entertain, and stick with them long after the event.”

Before each of her presentations, Cashen researches her audience to truly get to know them and determine who they are, what they care about, and what challenges they face. Once on stage, Cashen connects by paying close attention to the audience’s reactions and adjusting her energy as needed to keep the experience engaging.

“I use storytelling, humor, and a conversational tone to let the audience feel like we’re in it together. My goal is for them to feel seen, understood, and leave with something they can act on right away” Cashen said.

 

Dynamic Duo

One of Cashen’s greatest friendships, both personally and professionally, may be a familiar face to PayrollOrg members. Tami Evans was the Closing General Session keynote speaker at the 2023 Payroll Congress in Denver and has become like a sister to Cashen. The pair first crossed paths when they attended the same university and then reconnected years later. Cashen quickly recognized Evans’ passion for presentations and saw her potential for a career in public speaking.

“Plenty of people dream of getting into this field, but I knew Tami would be incredible at it. So, I introduced her to the National Speakers Association, mentored her, and the rest is history,” Cashen said.

Cashen and Evans have since emceed many events together and spent countless hours brainstorming and, all too often, “cracking each other up with ridiculous stories.”

“Tami’s energy is infectious, and I know we push and inspire each other to keep raising the bar in our work. My life is richer, and a whole lot more fun, because she’s in it,” Cashen said.

 

Cashen’s Greatest ‘Hits’

Although Cashen has had an impressive public speaking career and has much to be proud of, including her induction into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, she considers her greatest achievements to be more personal. These include the milestones of 25 years of marriage, raising two Eagle Scouts (one of them being her daughter!), and, of course, being a cancer survivor.

When asked about what she considers to be on her list of “greatest hits,” Cashen recounts a story in which she ran into President George W. Bush—a literal hit! Cashen was at an event in Dallas, introducing a video for the former U.S. President.

“After coming off stage, I accidentally collided with him, and we both tumbled down the stairs,” she recalled. “Secret Service jumped into action, and it’s safe to say no one will forget that moment.”

Stephanie Keith, Payroll Processor for Heaven Hill Brands, thought Cashen's presentation was both thoughtful and hilarious.

“I loved Christine’s presentation. The reminder to not take life so seriously, to smile more, and that we can make an impact on others was a great point," said Keith.

Caren Bennett is the Editorial Specialist of the Editorial Division for PayrollOrg. Holly V. Kapherr is a freelance writer based in Orlando, Florida.