HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

Hillary Rodham Clinton served as the 67th Secretary of State of the United States from January 21, 2009 – February 1, 2013. Secretary Clinton served as Secretary of State after nearly four decades in public service as an advocate, attorney, First Lady, and Senator.

TIMOTHY GEITHNER

As the 75th secretary of the treasury, Timothy F. Geithner played a central role in formulating U.S. domestic and international economic policy during President Obama's first term. He was a principal architect of the president's strategy to avert economic collapse and to reform the financial system, while also tackling a broad set of international economic challenges. He was a key participant in dozens of historic decisions and has been a top adviser to President Obama. He served in this position from January 26, 2009 through January 25, 2013.

EHUD BARAK

Ehud Barak has earned a reputation as a highly respected global statesman. The former Israeli Prime Minister and most recent Minister of Defense "became Israel’s most decorated soldier and held the nation’s trifecta of top positions" through a career that has lasted five decades, according to the New York Times. Barak was the first foreign leader to meet with the new U.S. Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, at the Pentagon. Leon Panetta, the previous U.S. defense secretary, recently bestowed Mr. Barak with the United States Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award. He praised Barak for his dedication to public service: "Through his distinguished military career, and the political career that followed, few people have such far-reaching and positive impacts on Israeli security and prosperity and, I have to say, on the U.S.-Israeli relationship."

FELIPE CALDERON

Felipe Calderón is the 56th President of Mexico. Establishing economic reform as a top priority of his administration, Calderon implemented policies that catapulted Mexico into a powerful player in the global economy. As presidential candidate, Felipe Calderón drew up a plan of government based on the concept of Sustainable Human Development, organized into five sections: Rule of law and public security, a competitive, job-creating economy, equal opportunities, sustainable development and effective democracy and responsible foreign policy. He was named “Leader of the Year” by the Latin Business Chronicle in 2007, as well as honored by LATIN TRADE with the BRAVO Business Award. TIME magazine has also designated him as one of their top 100 influential people in the world.

GEORGE PAPANDREOU

As Prime Minister of Greece from October 2009 to November 2011, George Papandreou has been at the forefront of the global financial crisis. Named as one of Foreign Policy magazine’s “Top 100 Global Thinkers” in 2010 for “making the best of Greece’s worst year," he speaks with authority on the state of the Eurozone today and the future of the European Union. In these tumultuous times, few are better placed than Prime Minister Papandreou not only to provide insights into the fiscal crisis, but also to look forward - to where we are going.

JOE LIEBERMAN

A thoughtful legislator. A principled man. An effective leader. This is the reputation that Joe Lieberman has earned himself after four terms as the representative of Connecticut in the United States Senate. Perhaps best known as the Democratic candidate for Vice President in 2000, Senator Lieberman has established himself as a national leader—one who works across party lines to find common ground, a person who speaks his conscience and who gets things done for the good of all people in America.

OLYMPIA SNOWE

Olympia Snowe’s dedicated work for over three decades has garnered her nationwide recognition as a leading policymaker in Washington. Forbes magazine has named her among the world's most powerful women. TIME magazine declared her "The Caretaker" for her effectiveness at tackling national issues while staying true to her Maine constituents and has named her among the country's top senators. The Washington Post summed up Senator Snowe's powerful legacy as a politician "with several historic distinctions to her name: She is the first woman in U.S. history to serve in both chambers of a state legislature and both chambers of Congress. She was the first Greek American woman to serve in Congress, the youngest Republican woman elected to the House and the first Republican woman to serve on the Senate Finance Committee."

KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON

The first—and only—woman elected to represent Texas in the United States Senate, Kay Bailey Hutchison has been a passionate and commanding force in American politics. One of only six female senators when she was elected in a special election in 1993, Hutchison forged a path for other women to make their mark in the political world. By the time she retired, she was the Senate’s highest-ranking Republican female and had been the fourth-highest ranking Republican senator.

JIM MESSINA

As the campaign manager for President Obama's 2012 reelection campaign, Jim Messina revolutionized the way that political campaigns reach voters, transforming how politics, technology and innovation influence each other. Messina spearheaded what Politico described as the "most technology-heavy campaign in history," charting an unprecendeted strategy to earn President Obama a second term in the White House.  Abandoning stale marketing techniques, Messina used every mode of communication to create the ultimate model of demand generation outreach. Messina’s vision revolutionized how ideas are created, branded and sold, and his experience is invaluable to any business seeking to become the innovator of its industry.

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL

Few individuals ever become iconic enough to be known by one name–Shaq. A revered cultural icon, Shaquille O’Neal is best known for an NBA career spanning nearly two decades and earning him the sport’s highest honors. The four-time NBA Champion, 15-time NBA All Star and three-time NBA Finals MVP has been named the fourth most influential athlete by Forbes magazine, in addition to being the highest ranked NBA athlete on Nielsen’s State of the Media: Year in Sports 2010 and Business Week’s Power Sports 100. Over the last two decades, the 15-time NBA All Star has established a nearly unrivaled personal brand. In this interactive presentation and discussion, Shaq shares his personal insights into building and expanding not just a memorable brand—but an iconic one.

JAY WALKER

Jay Walker is a technology pioneer who turns new ideas into BIG opportunities. One of America's best-known business inventors and entrepreneurs, he has founded multiple successful startup companies that today serve more than 75 million customers. Whether it’s changing the way consumers buy groceries and airline tickets (priceline.com) or changing the way old line companies approach their businesses, Walker and his team have invented over 600 proprietary business systems that solve problems in industries ranging from travel to defense to retail to restaurants to vending to publishing to gaming and entertainment. TIME twice named him one of the "50 Most Influential Business Leaders in the Digital Age," and he holds more than 200 patents.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, III

As the oldest son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King III has seized the torch lit by his parents and is continuing their quest for equality and justice for all people. Whether speaking to an audience in Mozambique or Mississippi, Israel or Indiana, his vision of the future has touched thousands. Motivating audiences around the world with his insightful message of hope and responsibility for nearly twenty years, Mr. King's dedication to creating and implementing strategic nonviolent action to rid the world of social, political, and economic injustice has propelled him to the forefront as one of the nation's most ardent advocates for the poor, the oppressed, and the disillusioned. Sample speech topics include: "Leadership in the Face of Adversity: Strategies for Taking a Stand and Making it Count" and "Continuing the Legacy: The Civil Rights Struggles of the 21st Century."

JOE PLUMERI

Perseverance. Good old-fashioned hard work. And the refusal to quit. These are the qualities that have defined Joe Plumeri's work--and his life. An exemplary leader, Joe Plumeri is Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer of Willis Group Holdings, an international insurance broker. His unique vision transformed Willis Group, a company nearly bankrupt when he first began, into an unrivaled success story. Plumeri is a legend within financial services circles, driven by his 30-year career at Citigroup and his 12 year tenure in the insurance industry, where he was recently named among the “Top 25 Living Legends.”

MARGARET CUOMO

In her new book, A World Without Cancer, board-certified radiologist Margaret Cuomo, M.D. sets forth a bold new approach which reveals how profit, politics, and personal ambition have hindered progress in cancer research and prevention. Having experienced the loss of many friends and family members to the disease, Dr. Cuomo issues a call to action that will empower all stakeholders—the pharmaceutical industry, the government, physicians, and all concerned Americans—to transform the way we view and fight cancer. Dr . Cuomo’s presentation provides a provocative and surprising look into the ways that profit, personalities, and politics obstruct real progress in the war on cancer. Intent on inspiring significant strides in creating a cancer-free world, Dr. Cuomo gives audiences valuable insight into the “cancer industry” and what changes must occur in order to help find a cure.

RICK SANTORUM

A passionate champion of America’s founding principles, Senator Rick Santorum's impressive presidential campaign positioned him as a leading voice of the Republican Party. Senator Santorum began his presidential campaign as a dark-horse candidate, but with a victory in the Iowa caucuses, he became a center-stage challenger who went on to win another ten states, over 3 million votes, and claim the mantle of conservative alternative to the frontrunner. He received a wonderful review from the Traffic Club of Pittsburgh: “I want to congratulate and thank you for your truly outstanding presentation. The audience of approximately 1,200 was extremely attentive and moved by your remarks. In my more than 15 years of arranging for 'celebrity' speakers at the Traffic Club dinners, I do not recall any of our speakers receiving the standing ovation which you received at the conclusion of your remarks.”

SPOTLIGHT ON RAVE REVIEWS...

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger addressed 1,100 attendees at the 6th annual Zero Emission Conference in Oslo, sharing insights from his experience in leading the state of California toward one of the cleanest energy economies. He received a fabulous feedback: "Arnold was amazing! A dream to work with. Extremely professional all the way. I can’t say enough how pleased and impressed everybody involved with him is. The speech was powerful, energetic, empowering and inspirational. We give him full score..!" At the Vienna Energy Forum, Mr. Schwarzenegger emphasized the strong need for economic development of renewable energies and the key role of local action to initiate these dynamic changes. View video...

LAWRENCE H. SUMMERS

Highly sought after for his insights into the global economy, former Secretary of the Treasury and world renowned economist Larry Summers recently engaged top leaders at American Express and CEOs of the world's leading luxury retailers; he was invited back to Commonfund for his second keynote to 700 attendees; and he spoke at the 2012 Pension Real Estate Association Spring Conference on "The Global Economic Ramifications of the Upcoming U.S. Presidential Election" before an audience of 600. Dr. Summers is an unparalleled voice on economic issues: "Larry’s speech was extremely well received. He is a master speaker!" (Chinese Finance Association); "Your depth of knowledge and keen insight helped made this by far the most profound debate in the series." (Regent University).

BILL DALEY

Presidential Advisor and Global Business Leader Bill Daley is an authority on job creation, economic growth, global competitiveness and international trade. Among his achievements as Chief of Staff in the Obama Administration, Mr. Daley was instrumental in developing the American Jobs Act, brokered an agreement to reduce the deficit by over $2 trillion, and played a central role in passing historic trade agreements. Mr. Daley’s breadth of experience is invaluable to organizations seeking real world advice on navigating an evolving economy. President Obama praised Bill Daley's service: "Bill has been an outstanding Chief of Staff...no one in my administration has had to make more important decisions more quickly than Bill...I plan to continue to seek Bill's advice and counsel on a whole range of issues in the months and years to come."

ROBERT GIBBS

President Obama's 2012 Campaign Advisor and former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs engaged 1,200 attendees for the Renewable Fuels Association recently, as well as presenting at the American Cleaning Institute's Annual Meeting & Industry Convention. Here is just a sample of the rave reviews we continue to receive for Gibbs: "Robert was fantastic!" (Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center); "Your presentation brought new insights and valuable information to the audience." (Citigroup Latin America); "The event went incredibly well, and we enjoyed having Mr. Gibbs as a guest." (American University). A top advisor to President Obama for nearly a decade, Robert Gibbs offers audiences robust insights into policy issues impacting some of the most critical debates of the day including the economy, healthcare reform, and energy issues.

JOHN LIPSKY

John Lipsky, former Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and leading international finance expert, spoke to 1,500 attendees at the 2nd annual South-South Economic Summit sponsored by Thisday Newspapers in Nigeria, as well as delivering the opening keynote at the Global Water Intelligence Annual Global Water Conference in Rome. He earned a rave review for his recent keynote presentation to Fort Washington Investment Advisors: "John Lipsky recently spoke at our annual investment forum, where we host over 200 clients and prospects to discuss real issues affecting the global economy and financial markets. John is unique in that he can speak to current global economic issues as an investor, policy-maker and economist. For any investment or professional services firm engaged in the global markets, his insights are well worth the investment."

PHILIPP HILDEBRAND

Not only is Philipp Hildebrand "a thinker and strategist," according to the Financial Times, "many economists and policymakers argue that his bold moves and non-bureaucratic mindset are just what is needed amid the economic turmoil." Philipp Hildebrand most recently served as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, where he was a strong advocate of the bank’s policy of capping the franc against the euro. During the financial crisis, Mr. Hildebrand played a prominent international role as a member of the Financial Stability Board (FSB) and as the Swiss Governor of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In November 2011, he was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Financial Stability Board. Mark Carney, Chairman of the FSB, praised Mr. Hildebrand as "instrumental in helping to manage the response to the global financial crisis and in developing major reforms to strengthen the resiliency and stability of the international financial system."

PETER R. ORSZAG

Former Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (2009-2010), Peter Orszag recently captivated 1,600 global healthcare leaders at the 9th Annual World Healthcare Congress. Audiences are enthralled by his insights: "His intelligence, candor and relevance were all commended. He received high marks from a well informed and very intelligent audience." (Sterling Partners); "We had more than 2,000 people attending, a great program with top level speakers, and everything went like clockwork!! Peter Orszag's session was well received and much appreciated." (IESE Business School, University of Navarra). A leader who has been on the front lines of the nation’s recent economic battles, Orszag is a Bloomberg columnist. Click here to read his most recent columns.

KEVIN WARSH

Former member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors Kevin Warsh delivered an engaging keynote at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Center for Business and Public Policy Lecture last month: "Kevin was outstanding! As I knew he would, he delivered interesting and insightful comments with energy and enthusiasm. A great event for us!" He also provided robust and insightful commentary at the Vining Sparks 2012 Bank Summit for over 300 community bank CEOs, CFOs, and portfolio managers. Fortune Magazine named Kevin Warsh to their "40 under 40," a list of business's hottest young rising stars. His authoritative and credible presentations on both domestic and international economic issues are helping audiences and corporations understand how U.S. and foreign monetary policy impacts large and small businesses, as well as individuals.

RICHARD M. DALEY

According to TIME Magazine, Mayor Richard M. Daley "is widely viewed as the nation’s top urban executive." After his presentation at Baldwin-Wallace College to a captivated audience of 1,000, Mayor Daley received a rave review: "The evening with Mayor Daley was excellent in all respects. He really was in his element and left the audience with a legacy of inspiration, passion, and solid ideas for the future." Not only in demand for domestic audience, Mayor Daley recently participated in an event celebrating an ongoing city-wide initiative to boost tourism in Bucharest, Romania. Perfect 10 Productions was thrilled: "Our event was a great success and the results exceeded our expectations. Mayor Daley's attendance and remarks were a great contribution, and we were very grateful for his time and insights!" Mayor Daley was asked to speak about how the city can build on generating more visitors in the same way he brought more tourism to Chicago.

CAROL BROWNER

Having served as President Barack Obama’s top energy and environmental adviser, Carol Browner addressed an audience of 1,500 at the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan's Annual Lecture Series recently and received a rave review: "Carol Browner was wonderful. She was very generous in sharing herself with us; was enthusiastically engaged; and made a most favorable impression upon our audience." An authority on the changes that are coming in U.S. and world energy consumption, Browner recently spoke at Commonfund, analyzing the regulatory and economic pressures that are driving changes in consumption and use, and how this will play a key role in Election 2012 and the future of the country.

NAIF AL-MUTAWA

Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa is a Kuwaiti clinical psychologist and creator of THE 99, the first group of comic superheroes born of an Islamic archetype, teaching the values of
tolerance and diversity.  At The Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship, President Obama singled out Dr. Al-Mutawa for his contributions to improving the dialogue between Muslim societies and the United States. The Harvard Business School had high praise for his keynote: “Perhaps the highlight of the day was Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa's mid-day keynote address. Addressing a packed Spangler Auditorium, Mutawa discussed his journey as an entrepreneur and the concept behind his work. His presentation was filled with puns and witty jokes, frequently causing the audience to break into laughter.”

DESIREE ROGERS

CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, Inc., Desiree Rogers has earned a reputation as one of America’s most successful businesswomen. She was the keynote speaker at the Birmingham Business Alliance's 25th Annual African American Business Council Luncheon, where she addressed how businesses struggling to recover from the economic downturn must be willing to re-invent themselves: "The world around us is changing so quickly. The ability to change with the times is the key to success." Credited with helping to revitalize Johnson's magazine empire since taking the helm in 2010, Ms. Rogers is widely known for her ability to identify and motivate talent to challenge existing assumptions to create new pathways for success. The African Community Newspaper reported that she was a "hit" at their event: "As was expected, Desiree was a hit. Very gracious and accommodating to the guests, who were happy to be in the same room with her."

JOHN KAO

Master Innovator John Kao, dubbed "Mr. Creativity" by The Economist, has made a career out of helping organizations go from "getting" the importance of innovation to "getting innovation done." He recently flew to Asia to address the 2012 Institute for Large Scale Innovation Summit sponsored by Cisco. Kao was recently invited back to speak at the Opening General Session of ASAE's Great Ideas Conference. Additionally, Kao led a two-day Executive Leadership Program on Innovation, modeled after the program he taught at Harvard Business School: "Some of the people I talked with thought it was one of the best programs that they had ever attended." Successful events where Kao has spoken recently include the World Economic Forum at Davos, IBM, Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, Danone Latin America, Chubb Corporation and the Institute for International Research, to name a few.

SHEENA IYENGAR

Author of the bestselling book The Art of Choosing, world-renowned expert on the subject of choice and professor at Columbia University, Dr. Sheena Iyengar was recently named among the world's best business school professors. Read more... She recently engaged 1000 professionals of the real estate industry at the 2012 Crew Network Convention, as well as over 350 senior level brand marketers at Brand ManageCamp 2012. Have you seen Dr. Iyengar's TEDSalon talk? Her presentation to a packed house at a TEDxEast event (View video) was so successful that she was invited back to speak at TEDGlobal. Her talk earned thunderous applause and high praise from TED: "We're so excited to share this talk! It's mind-blowing." (View video). Dr. Iyengar has engaged audiences around the world for a wide range of organizations, including investment banks, management consulting firms, international corporations, technology companies and non profit groups.

LIZ CHENEY

Fox News contributor Liz Cheney is a highly sought-after political commentator whose 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. The New York Times covered her presentation at the Smart Girls Summit and wrote: "By speech’s end, the crowd was standing, and the former vice president’s daughter was being mobbed for photos and hounded to run for office." Ms. Cheney and her father Vice President Cheney recently received fantastic feedback for their insightful presentations at the Desert Town Hall Series: "We had a great event with the Cheneys last night, and our audience enjoyed the conversational format. All in all it was a great way to start our 20th season!"

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. After her presentation at the Simmons College School of Management's 32nd Annual Conference - one of the nation's premier conferences for women - the sponsor reported: "She was an absolute dream to work with. She was warm and friendly and her speech was great." Ms. Jamison spoke to an audience of 2,300 business and professional women on this year's theme, "Passion and Profession." 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.

NICHOLAS CHRISTAKIS

Dr. Nicholas Christakis is a professor at Harvard University and Harvard Medical School who has done groundbreaking research on social networks, and is the co-author of the bestseller, Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives. His startling findings present intriguing concepts that organizations can utilize to build a stronger business model. After a recent presentation for Sysco, the group reported: "Nicholas Christakis presented visionary ideas on how social networking can be utilized strategically to maximize business opportunities on many levels." Named one of the 100 most influential people in the world last year by Time Magazine, Dr. Christakis was also 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. View his TED TALK!

JAMES FOWLER

A new kind of social scientist and an expert on the power of social networks, Dr. James H. Fowler is an internationally recognized scholar who helps organizations recognize the power of social networks. Co-author of the bestseller, Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives, Fowler recently gave a presentation to the Institute for International Research and the group reported: "James Fowler was fantastic! We look forward to having him at future events."He is the winner of the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship (2010), 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, The Colbert Report, and appeared on the front pages of The New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today, as well as being featured in Harvard Business Review's Breakthrough Business Ideas of the Year. View a video of Dr. Fowler's PopTech talk!

JANE PAULEY

As one of broadcasting's most respected journalists for more than 30 years, Jane Pauley's career spans morning, daytime, and primetime television making her one of the most recognizable personalities in America. Author of the poignant, Skywriting: A Life Out of the Blue, Pauley is a highly regarded advocate for mental health, children’s health, and education issues. Her participation at two events for HOPE Services recently was considered "outstanding." The client reported: "Her remarks were funny, poignant, well-paced, but best yet – well received by our guests. I would not hesitate to recommend her to another nonprofit. She really worked hard to understand our cause and fit her remarks to the occasion." In addition, Ms. Pauley was "amazingly gracious with all of our guests" at both the evening VIP Event for sponsors and major donors, and the 'Rise and Shine' Benefit Breakfast, their largest annual fundraising event.

STEVE STOUTE

When Fortune 500 companies need to reenergize or reinvent a lagging brand, they call visionary pop culture branding expert Steve Stoute, who has made a career out of identifying and activating a new generation of consumers to create extremely successful marketing campaigns. Considered "A McKinsey of Pop Culture," Stoute’s reputation has been praised by both Forbes Magazine and Bloomberg Businessweek, and his insights garner high praise from event planners: "It was such an incredible honor to welcome you to our Media & Entertainment Forum last night! Your remarks on the panel were fascinating and thought provoking and contributed greatly to the evening's impact." (Council of Urban Professionals). Watch Steve Stoute's insightful, captivating, and energetic speech to a crowd over five thousand strong on the topic of staying relevant as a business. Click Here...