John Ashcroft
Attorney General of the United States, 2001-2005; United States Senator, 1995-2001; Governor of Missouri, 1985-1993
As Attorney General during one of the most turbulent times in American history, John Ashcroft is a uniquely positioned expert on leadership, and other issues currently facing the nation.
Karen Hughes
Counselor to President George W. Bush, 2001-2002; Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, 2005-2007; Global Vice Chair of Burson-Marsteller
Karen Hughes is a senior strategist helping business leaders strengthen their corporate/CEO reputations, achieve business goals through effective communications and shape positive public and stakeholder perceptions. She has also been described as "the most powerful woman ever to serve in the White House" (Dallas Morning News) and "the most powerful public diplomacy czar in decades" (The Boston Globe). As Under Secretary of State, she traveled to more than 50 countries, meeting world leaders and reaching out to international audiences.
ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT: Karen Hughes Remembers the 9/11 Terror Attacks
Michael Gerson
Assistant to President George W. Bush for Policy & Strategic Planning, 2005-2006; Assistant to the President for Speechwriting and Policy Advisor, 2002-2005; Washington Post Op-Ed Columnist; Former Senior Fellow, U.S. Council on Foreign Relations
Michael Gerson has been called one of President Bush’s most trusted advisors, the most influential presidential speechwriter in almost a half-century and the conscience of the White House. As a senior administration official who has participated in some of the most important events of recent history, he brings a broad perspective, and strong and informed views, to the political and policy debates of the day.
Della Reese
World Famous Singer, Actress, and Television Star; Spokeswoman for the American Diabetes Association; Ordained Minister
Della Reese is a name synonymous with entertainment par excellence. Known for her unique singing style and her starring roles on some of the most successful television programs of the last thirty years, Ms. Reese always delivers an engaging and inspirational message. In 2002, she announced that she suffers from Type-2 Diabetes. Today, Ms. Reese acts as spokeswoman for the American Diabetes Association, traveling the United States to raise awareness about the disease.
Martin Sheen
Award-Winning Actor; Social Activist & Humanitarian; Front Line Special Envoy (An International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders)
Endeared to audiences nation-wide for his seven-year run as President Bartlet on NBC’s award-winning series The West Wing, Martin Sheen uses his dynamic presence and celebrity status to lend an inspired voice to political and humanitarian causes around the globe.
Karl Rove
Former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush; Author, Courage and Consequence
; Fox News Contributor; Wall Street Journal Columnist; Iconic Political Strategist
With over two decades of experience in the political arena, Karl Rove is an iconic political strategist, whose provocative and robust knowledge of the major political issues of the day have made him one of the most sought-after political pundits of our time.
Sponsors hosting Karl Rove's lectures have reported that he is "provocative, lively and thoughtful" (Nomura) with crowds being "very responsive, often erupting in applause" (Wabash College). Karl Rove has been described by respected author and columnist Michael Barone in US News & World Report as “unique...no Presidential appointee has ever had such a strong influence on politics and policy, and none is likely to do so again anytime soon.” A key member of the President’s inner circle, he has been called a master strategist whose “game has always been long term,” says columnist David Broder, “and he plays it with an intensity and attention to detail that few can match.” He was ranked #1 on both the Telegraph.co.uk’s List of the “50 Most Influential Political Pundits in America” and New York Magazine's “Most Popular Political Pundit Index.” As a Fox News contributor, Karl provides a “genuine feel of inside knowledge,” says David Zurawik, a television critic for The Baltimore Sun.
Andrew Young
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, 1977-1979; United States Congressman, 1973-1977; Mayor of Atlanta, 1982-1990; Co-Founding Principal and Chairman, GoodWorks International
Ambassador, Congressman, Mayor, humanitarian, ordained minister, international businessman, and sports enthusiast, Andrew Young has been serving and shaping our country for almost 50 years.
Cokie Roberts
Political Analyst for ABC News; NPR Senior News Analyst; Former Co-Anchor, This Week with Sam Donaldson & Cokie Roberts
Long-time ABC Congressional Correspondent and leading political pundit, Cokie Roberts is one of the most esteemed and brilliant broadcast journalists of our time.
OVATION SPOTLIGHT! Cokie spoke to approximately 800 attendees at the 2010 Yakima Town Hall Speakers Series, and the group reported that "She was absolutely fabulous!" Cokie presented a riveting insider's view of Washington and also followed her presentation with a luncheon Q&A for approximately 250 attendees. Her insider perspective also received the following praise from another event: "Cokie Roberts packed Smith Auditorium and was an unqualified hit.I would recommend her to any organization looking for a speaker who brings both insight and humor to an 'Inside Washington, D.C.' conversation. We enjoyed her immensely." (Willamette University)
The God Squad
Award-Winning Authors; Network-signed Clergymen
The God Squad, have two of America's best known and best loved clergymen. Their many lectures around the country draw huge crowds due to their deep friendship, their absolutely unique blend of humor and pathos, and their simple message that at this stage of our cultural and religious history: we know enough about how we are different and not enough about how we are the same. The authenticity and power of this message of interfaith harmony comes in great measure from the fact that they are not media figures, but working clergymen.
Bobby Bowden
One of the Winningest Football Coaches in America
Bobby Bowden is the nation's second "winningest" active head coach and the only coach ever to lead nine consecutive teams to ten or more wins per season. His program is the only one in college football history to finish among the Associated Press's top four in nine consecutive seasons, win 11 straight bowl games, and play in 14 bowl games in a row without a loss. His team won the national championship in 1993 and 1999. Bowden was named National Coach of the Year in 1979 and 1980, ACC Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1997, and Home Depot National Coach of the Year in 1996 and 1999.
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CLICK HERE to read Foreign Policy's wide-ranging interview with Dennis Ross covering Syria, Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process, and more.
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