Exclusive Keynote and Motivational Speakers from Speakers Bureau at The Harry Walker Agency

LANCE ARMSTRONG

Lance Armstrong became a household name by showing his determination, perseverance and strength. In 1996, ranked the number one cyclist in the world, Lance Armstrong faced the stunning news that he had cancer–and his life would never be the same. With a 50-50 chance for recovery, he began aggressive treatment, and was gradually able to return to training and competition. To this day, Armstrong says that cancer turned out to be “the best thing that every happened to me.” He survived and he went on to become the first professional cyclist to win the Tour de France seven times, proving that any obstacle can be overcome with heart and dedication. He has further inspired countless others through his story and his cancer support foundation, LIVESTRONG.

RICHARD B. CHENEY

For over 40 years, Dick Cheney has served at the highest levels of the US Government and private sector. As White House Chief of Staff in the aftermath of Watergate and America’s withdrawal from Vietnam, Wyoming’s Congressman and a member of the House Republican leadership during the Reagan years, Secretary of Defense as the Cold War ended and America defeated Iraq in Desert Storm, CEO of Halliburton, and Vice President of the United States on 9/11 at the dawn of the Global War on Terror, Cheney has participated in many of the events that have shaped our nation for over four decades. Few Americans alive today can match the breadth and depth of his experience and service. As a statesman, policymaker, businessman, and politician who never lost an election in which his name was on the ballot--Cheney’s insight, experiences and knowledge are unparalleled.

VICTORIA REGGIE KENNEDY

Described by The New York Times as the late Senator Edward Kennedy's “closest confidante in politics and life,” Victoria Reggie Kennedy shared her husband’s passion and dream of passing the long-elusive health care reform legislation. That dream was realized on Sunday, March 21, 2010 with the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a landmark moment that turned her husband’s dream into reality. “As Ted Kennedy said, across the decades, in the best and in the most discouraging hours, health care was the cause of his life,” said Vicki. “Tonight that cause becomes more than a dream, it becomes America’s commitment…Ted knew we would get here, and all of us who loved him and shared his hopes for America are deeply grateful.” Mrs. Kennedy worked tirelessly with White House and congressional leadership to lobby for this historic health care bill. She told members of Congress “You know no piece of legislation is perfect. But it's so important to make the progress, get the ball rolling. Teddy always talked about not letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.”

LIZ CHENEY

Liz Cheney’s experiences in the government, private sector and American politics over the last 20 years have given her a unique insight into a wide range of critical issues facing the United States today. Since January 2009, she has been a leading voice in the debates about the future of American foreign and national security policy. During the Bush Administration, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East, where she established and managed programs to empower women and bring economic, political and educational reform to the Arab World. An attorney who has practiced in the private sector and in the World Bank Group, she is currently collaborating with her father, Dick Cheney, on his memoirs and frequently appears on FOX, CNN, MSNBC, and ABC. A lifetime in politics, an expertise in Middle East policy, a range of experiences inside and outside the private sector, and her role in the critical debates taking place today make her a fascinating and inspiring speaker.

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF

Pervez Musharraf is no stranger to controversy. He has faced challenges with high stakes for the world at large. As the former President of Pakistan, he held "the world's most dangerous job," according to TIME Magazine. President Musharraf offers an unparalleled view into the center of a region where the eyes of the world remain focused. His fascinating and compelling insights into Pakistan and its role in today's global challenges -- from the economy to trade to energy -- are not to be missed.

BARBARA WALTERS

In 1976, Barbara Walters left her position as the first female co-host of the Today Show and joined ABC News as the first woman to co-host their network news program. Since then, she has established a rich legacy, especially through her numerous and timely interviews which appear regularly on the weekly newsmagazine 20/20 and on The Barbara Walters Specials. She has interviewed every President and First Lady since Richard Nixon, as well as a wide range of statesmen and celebrities. Ms. Walters is also co-owner, co-executive producer and co-host of The View, the original forum where real women discuss relevant, everyday issues and share their daily, no-holds-barred opinions and lively, colorful conversations. Ms. Walters is a New York Times best-selling author for her very personal and revealing memoir Audition, released in 2008. She also hosts a weekly radio program (Barbara, Live!) on Sirius Radio.

HOWARD DEAN

Howard Dean's service as the Democratic National Committee Chair is the most recent chapter in a life dedicated to shaping the future of the Democratic Party. "Dean gave the party a mission and a focus," says Paul Tewes, a top Obama strategist who ran day-to-day operations at the DNC during the general election. "That's a big deal when you're out of power." DNC member Donna Brazile calls Dean "one of the unsung heroes of this moment."

MICHAEL CHERTOFF

Secretary Michael Chertoff came to the job of 2nd Secretary of Homeland Security with a background heavy with experience in fighting terrorism, having served as the head of the Justice Department's criminal division in the months after 9/11. As Assistant Attorney General, he helped trace the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the al-Qaeda network, and worked to increase information sharing within the FBI and with state and local officials. In 2003, after Mr. Chertoff had proved instrumental in winning approval of the Patriot Act and other anti-terrorism measures, President Bush called him "a key leader in the war on terror," and turned to Mr. Chertoff in early 2005 to head the Department of Homeland Security. Overseeing the federal behemoth, operating 22 agencies and 180,000 employees and facing the daunting task of managing the risk of numerous threats to America’s security, Secretary Chertoff implemented programs and capabilities that did not exist prior to September 11, to better equip the U.S. to deal with the threats of the 21st century across land, sea, and air.

NICHOLAS CHRISTAKIS

Nicholas A. Christakis, MD, PhD, MPH, is an internationally recognized authority on how social networks affect our behavior and well-being, and co-author of the bestselling book, Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives, which describes the profound influence social networks have on who we are, what we do and how we feel. One of less than ten people in the U.S. trained as both a sociologist (Ph.D.) and a physician (MD), he specializes in health and social networks and other social factors affecting health, health care and longevity. Dr. Christakis was recently listed on Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers list and his work has appeared on the front pages of The New York Times, The Washington Post, the LA Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, and other major media, repeatedly in the past three years.

JAMES FOWLER

A new kind of political scientist, Dr. James Fowler melds the social with the biological, pushing the boundaries of his field to discover, for example, that smoking, obesity, and happiness spread within social networks, and that genes affect voting behavior. Harvard PhD and professor at the University of California, San Diego, Dr. Fowler is the co-author of the bestselling book, Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives, which reveals the dynamics of social networks and presents compelling evidence for our profound influence on one another's tastes, health, wealth, happiness, beliefs, even weight, as he explains how social networks shape our lives. His research has been covered in more than 2,000 media outlets worldwide, including CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News, Good Morning America, Today, PBS Newshour, and The Colbert Report.

CAPTAIN RICHARD PHILLIPS

An Amazing Leader...A Highly Intriguing Story...A Presentation of Remarkable Impact
For five days in April 2009, the world was glued to their TV screens as Captain Richard Phillips became the center of an extraordinary international drama when he was captured by Somali pirates who hijacked his ship. A hero of the high seas, his harrowing and heroic efforts to survive an ordeal that riveted the world were only matched in valor by his decisive actions to save his crew and the ship they sailed. Captain Phillips not only shares his compelling story, but as a "floating CEO" in charge of the day-to-day operations of a multi-million dollar ship and the crew he managed, he also draws lessons from those dramatic events that can help your audience and your organization survive and thrive, even in these times when hope and support seem to be in short supply.

ROXANA SABERI

A political prisoner caught in the middle of a dramatic political struggle between Iran and the U.S., Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi captured the attention of the world when reports surfaced of her imprisonment in Iran. Abducted by four men early one morning in January 2009 and placed in solitary confinement, Ms. Saberi, who was working as a freelance journalist in Tehran, contributing to NPR and the BBC among others, was falsely accused of spying for the United States. Ms. Saberi, a former Miss North Dakota, who led an all-American life before moving to Iran was sentenced to eight years in prison. Her battle for freedom would last 100 days before an appeals court released her following an international uproar. In the midst of reaching out to Iran to start a dialogue after decades of political deadlock, the Obama administration harshly criticized Iran over her imprisonment and there was speculation that Iranian President Ahmadinejad intervened on her behalf as a diplomatic overture.

BEN SHERWOOD

Who bounces back in tough times and who doesn’t? With riveting true stories, cutting-edge scientific research, and his own adventures inside some of the world’s most elite survival schools, Ben Sherwood reveals how to beat the odds and overcome almost every imaginable hardship. He is the author of the instant New York Times bestseller, The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life. An award-winning journalist and the former executive producer of Good Morning America, Sherwood's message is both informative and inspiring. Everyone is surviving something right now, he says. And everyone possesses at least some of the strengths necessary to overcome adversity. Do you have what it takes? Sherwood will help you discover the answer.

KURT ANDERSEN

Beginning as an agenda-setting TIME cover story, Kurt Andersen's newest book RESET: How This Crisis Can Restore Our Values and Renew America arrives on bookshelves on July 28th. “It’s the end of the world as we’ve known it,” Andersen writes in RESET, “but it isn’t the end of the world.” In this smart and refreshingly hopeful new book, Andersen–a brilliant analyst and synthesizer of historical and cultural trends, bestselling novelist, veteran of the New York literati, and host of public radio’s Studio 360–shows us why the current economic crisis is actually a moment of great opportunity to get ourselves and our nation back on track. Andersen explains how we’ve done it before and why we are about to do it again–and better than ever.

DANIEL GILBERT

Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert says our beliefs about what will make us happy are often wrong - a premise he supports with intriguing research and explains in his brilliant and funny book, Stumbling on Happiness, which Time magazine called “ Fascinating.” The Washington Post raved, "Gilbert is a professor by trade, but he's every bit as funny as Larry David." Stumbling on Happiness is not a self-help manual, but a deep and delightful explanation of what psychologists, neuroscientists and behavioral economists have discovered about why people are so poor at predicting the sources of their own satisfaction. Gilbert’s research on how we mispredict what will make us happy has dramatic implications for business strategy, sales and marketing, and understanding customers.

SHEENA IYENGAR

Dr. Sheena Iyengar asks the difficult questions about how and why we choose: Is the desire for choice innate or bound by culture? Why do we sometimes choose against our best interests? How much control do we really have over what we choose? Dr. Iyengar's award-winning research reveals that the answers are surprising and profound. In our world of shifting political and cultural forces, technological revolution, and interconnected commerce, our decisions have far-reaching consequences.Throughout her career, her research has not only appeared in many respected academic journals but is also regularly cited in the media, including periodicals such as Fortune and Time magazines, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal, on National Public Radio, and in popular books including Blink by Malcolm Gladwell and The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz. It is her passion for this subject matter that led Dr. Iyengar down the extraordinary path of writing her book, The Art of Choosing.

DOV SEIDMAN

In our fast changing, hyperconnected and hypertransparent world, HOW can businesses stand out and thrive? Dov Seidman crystallizes how we need to think and act to win by uncovering the values-driven 'Hows" of 21st century success. His acclaimed book, HOW: Why HOW We Do Anything Means Everything ... in Business (and in Life), is a radically different and compelling approach to competing in business today. Dov will show your team why outbehaving competitors has become critical to outperforming them. It is no longer what we do that sets us apart from others, but HOW we do what we do that matters.

PETER SHEAHAN

Peter Sheahan has established a globally recognized brand as a leading expert in workforce trends and generational change. In the space of three years he has built a multi-million dollar consulting practice attracting clients such as Newscorp, Google, Coca-Cola, L'Oreal and Ernst & Young. His success is driven by his ability to identify areas of untapped potential within organizations, develop the unique thought processes and skills required to convert that potential into performance, then engage with key individuals at all levels to make it a reality. Peter's clients describe his entertaining presentations as "thought provoking", "insightful" and "inspiring."

LYNNE CHENEY

Called “the really indispensable Cheney” by columnist George Will, Lynne Cheney enlivens audiences and lights up TV screens while arguing for the need to teach America’s story fully and fairly. As chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities and second lady, she brought this message to audiences across the country. With a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Mrs. Cheney also speaks forcefully on the importance of nurturing a diversity of viewpoints on college campuses, as well as in the mainstream media. Through speeches and appearances on radio and television - including a stint as co-host on Crossfire Sunday - she has established her identity as an incisive commentator on culture and politics.

BERNIE GOLDBERG

Bernard Goldberg, the television news reporter and author of Bias, a New York Times #1 bestseller, is widely seen as one of the most original writers and thinkers in broadcast journalism. He has covered stories all over the world for CBS News and has won 10 Emmy awards for excellence in journalism. He won six of his Emmys at CBS, and four more at HBO, where he now reports for the widely acclaimed broadcast Real Sports. Bernie has written op-ed pieces that appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, about a wide range of subjects, including baseball, manners, and journalism. He is also a news and media analyst for Fox News where he comments regularly on the state of the press and television news as well as on politics and culture for the network’s top rated program, The O’Reilly Factor.

JUDITH JAMISON

Judith Jamison - American dancer, Choreographer and Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - is a legendary icon in the world of the performing arts. Ms. Jamison, who as a dancer with the troupe, from 1965 to 1980, became the most stellar of modern dance's female performers, was appointed Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in December 1989 at the request of her mentor, Alvin Ailey, who personally chose her to succeed him before his untimely death. In her two decades at the helm of one of the most respected dance companies in America, Ms. Jamison has successfully kept the Alvin Ailey brand alive. In 2009, Ms. Jamison was listed in the TIME 100: The World’s Most Influential People, and honored at "The BET Honors," an event that recognizes the lives and achievements of leading African-American luminaries.

PETER GROS

In his popular live presentations, Peter Gros will share his exciting animal world, travel experiences and timeless tales. He highlights his many adventures with a mix of video clips and bloopers while introducing friendly exotic animals to audience members, and telling inspirational stories dealing with issues of conservation, travel, and wildlife filming. Peter's fascinating stories have been thrilling and educating audiences across the country for years. Showcasing his dynamic stage presence, humor, and his undeniably infectious love for animals, Peter's presentation can be customized to meet your next event or meeting.

INGRID BETANCOURT

Ingrid Betancourt is a global symbol of freedom and human resistance in the face of the toughest of adversities. Her fight for democracy, freedom and peace has been a shining example of dignity and bravery for the entire world. Guerillas belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) kidnapped Ms. Betancourt as she campaigned for the Colombian presidency on February 23, 2002. She was held captive for six years in Colombia’s vast rain forest, a jungle so dense that the ground is completely invisible from the air. On July 2, 2008, she was liberated with 14 other hostages in a daring rescue staged by the Colombian army. Ms. Betancourt has received multiple international awards, including the French National Order of the Legion of Honor and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

MOHAMED ELBARADEI

In his last month as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei found himself at the explosive crux of the world’s nuclear politics, leading negotiations between the Obama administration and Tehran in an effort to break the stalemate over Iran's nuclear program. He had been intimately involved with this crisis in the previous six years as the IAEA worked to verify the nature of the Iranian program. Dr. ElBaradei speaks about global security, the peaceful use of nuclear energy, nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament, other subjects that draw upon his experience as an international statesman.

ZALMAY KHALILZAD

Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad has been praised for his inclusive tactics, convivial style, and result oriented approach. His record in the most turbulent areas of U.S. foreign policy has earned him broad respect throughout the world. Serving as the 26th United States Ambassador to the United Nations, he dealt with extraordinary global issues during one of the most challenging periods in our history, including the recent Russia-Georgia conflict and the Mumbai terror attacks. He is the highest-ranking Muslim in U.S. Government in United States history. Ambassador Khalilzad’s first-hand knowledge and experience as a statesman in these important hotspots at this crucial juncture in time give him unparalleled insights into the global issues of security, terror, extremism, state building, peace negotiation, and energy.

ELLIOTT ABRAMS

An expert on U.S. foreign policy around the globe and a top White House adviser on Middle Eastern issues, Elliott Abrams has served in major foreign policy positions for two Republican U.S. Presidents, George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. During President Bush's first term in office, he served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Democracy, Human Rights and International Operations. In 2002, he was appointed to the post of Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director on the National Security Council for Near East and North African Affairs. At the start of President Bush's second term, Mr. Abrams was promoted to be his Deputy National Security Advisor for Global Democracy Strategy, in charge both of promoting President Bush's strategy of advancing democracy abroad and of U.S. policy in the Middle East.

BOB NEWHART

Bob Newhart has been entertaining the English-speaking world for a half-century, including a current line up of concert dates that would exhaust someone half his age, and the comedy legend is about to celebrate his 50th anniversary in show business. Recently, Mr. Newhart marked another career milestone, the 35th anniversary of The Bob Newhart Show, the iconic TV sitcom that surely made him a household name and set the tone for a generation of TV shows. Mr. Newhart fills his dance card with sold out concerts across the country, which feature his classic stand up comedy act, and various TV and film projects. Most recently, Bob starred in TNT’s The Librarian: The Curse of The Judas Chalice, along with Noah Wyle and Jane Curtin.

The Harry Walker Agency is an exclusive speakers bureau and lecture agency representing the world's foremost in motivational speakers, keynote speakers, inspirational speakers, business speakers, celebrity speakers, commencement speakers and professional speakers for conventions, conferences, corporate events and special events of all types.

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