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GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC ISSUES

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Lawrence Summers

Director, White House National Economic Council, 2009-2010 ; Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, 2009-2010 ; Member, President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board ; Charles W. Eliot University Professor, Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government ; President, Harvard University, 2001-2006 ; Secretary of the Treasury, 1999-2001 ; Chief Economist of the World Bank, 1991-1993

Larry Summers is the preeminent voice on all economic issues on both the domestic and global fronts. He served in the Obama Administration As Director of the White House National Economic Council and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, he was Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, and Chief Economist of the World Bank. His tenure as Secretary coincided with the longest period of sustained economic growth in U.S. history, and has made him an expert on domestic economics and a leading authority on international finance. During his tenure in the Obama Administration, Larry Summers emerged as a key economic decision-maker and continues to be called upon as the number one resource for the most pressing economic debates of the day.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT:  Charlie Rose InterviewLarry Summers at the World Economic ForumCNBC Interview;  Interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria

John Lipsky

First Deputy Managing Director, IMF 2006-2011 ; Co-Director, Aspen Institute’s Program on the Global Economy ; Director, National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Advisory Board Member, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) ; Former Vice Chairman, JPMorgan Investment Bank; Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies

John Lipsky’s service at the International Monetary Fund coincided with the onset of the greatest economic and financial challenges faced yet by the rapidly globalizing world. Having served as the IMF’s First Deputy Managing Director between 2006-2011, as well as Acting Managing Director from May-July 2011, Lipsky helped lead the IMF’s efforts to halt the global downturn, to reestablish economic and financial stability, and to restart growth through unprecedented international policy cooperation in the face of historic market upheavals and systemic disruption.

Over the course of his distinguished career in both the private and public sectors, he has earned the credentials that give him the respect of leaders from both sectors around the world. Lipsky offers a unique insight into how economic policy is being negotiated and implemented today, reflecting the unique challenges and the global realities of shifting relative power in both economic and political arenas.

Kevin Warsh

Member of the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System (2006-2011); Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and Executive Secretary of the National Economic Council (2002 to 2006)

As a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Kevin Warsh was the Fed’s Chief Liaison to Asian and American Financial Markets, and played a significant role in stabilizing the economy during the financial crisis. Fortune Magazine named Kevin Warsh to their "40 under 40," a list of business's hottest young rising stars. Today, Warsh is speaking around the world to audiences about the global impact of regulation and monetary policies. 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. 

 

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: Kevin Warsh recently spoke for a "Top 10" U.S. financial institution and the SVP commented: "Kevin was terrific. The board and senior executives truly appreciated the nuanced information he was able to provide from his first-hand experience at the Fed."

Robert Gibbs

Longtime Adviser to President Barack Obama ; President Obama's Campaign Adviser, Present; White House Press Secretary, 2009-2011 ; Communications Director for Obama's 2008 Presidential Campaign and 2004 Senate Campaign

If your audience wants the inside view on what’s happening now in Washington and needs to prepare for what’s to come with regard to politics and the economy, there is no better source than Robert Gibbs.

For two years, Gibbs spent every day in the Oval Office at President Obama’s side. Each afternoon, he spoke to the press and the American people about every aspect of the Administration’s policies, from the economy, to healthcare, to foreign policy, and all issues that crossed the President’s desk.

Robert Gibbs continues to play an integral role in the political arena as the Adviser to President Obama’s 2012 Reelection Campaign. President Obama has said, “Robert, on the podium, has been extraordinary. Off the podium, he has been one of my closest advisers. He is going to continue to have my ear for as long as I’m in this job.” (The New York Times)

ARTICLE SPOTLIGHTClick Here to read a stellar review posted in the GW Hatchet highlighting Robert Gibbs' event hosted by George Washington University.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: Click Here to watch Robert Gibbs address Election 2012 issues on MSNBC's Morning Joe.

Peter R. Orszag

Member of President Obama’s Cabinet and Director, Office of Management and Budget, 2009-2010; Director, Congressional Budget Office, 2007-2008; Vice Chairman of Institutional Clients Group at Citigroup, Inc.

Peter R. Orszag has been at the center of some of Washington's most consequential and contentious issues: He was head of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for two years while George W. Bush was President before joining the incoming Obama administration. When President Obama named Dr. Orszag to head the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), both Republicans and Democrats praised the choice because of his proven work as CBO head. Dr. Orszag was one of Obama's top lieutenants on two of the president's signature legislative efforts: the stimulus bill and the healthcare overhaul. During the process, Dr. Orszag played full-court press, fighting internal battles over the shape of the plan, emerging as a key media spokesperson, and proving himself an adept congressional negotiator.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT:  Peter Orszag Addresses the Economic Recovery & Future (Council on Foreign Relations); A Conversation with Peter Orszag at the Aspen Ideas Festival 

Steve Forbes

Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media

Steve Forbes is chairman, CEO, and editor in chief at Forbes Media and an internationally respected authority in the worlds of economics, finance, and corporate leadership. With the economy at the forefront of conversation on a global level, Forbes offers long-standing insights that capitalism, free markets, and a flat tax are essential to a healthy economy. This is a message Forbes has been delivering as editor of one of the world’s most successful business magazines for decades, and he continues to be one of the most sought-after speakers on this and other economic issues leading the economic debates around the world.

EVENT SPOTLIGHTSteve Forbes received "two standing ovations" from 700+ executives from corporations throughout the Rocky Mountain region at their 2011 Rocky Mountain Corporate Growth Conference. His gracious and approachable manner also made the event "a huge success!"

Laura Tyson

Member of President Obama's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness (Present); Member of Secretary Hillary Clinton’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board (Present); Member of President Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board (Feb. 2009 - Feb. 2011); National Economic Advisor to President Clinton, 1995-1996 ; First Female Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, 1993-1995 ; First Female Dean, London Business School, 2002-2006; S.K. and Angela Chan Professor of Global Management, Haas School of Business, Present

Former Chairwoman of the President's Council of Economic Advisers, a dean at two top-ranked business schools and a board member of three multinational companies, Dr. Tyson continues to be a key voice in the most dynamic and critical debates around the U.S. and global economy, as well as job creation. Dr. Tyson articulates domestic and global economic issues and the real world challenges and opportunities facing businesses today. Her extraordinary breadth of knowledge to forecast economic trends for specific industry sectors, as well as offer prospects for world trade and international markets, has made her a much sought-after speaker on these issues.

Richard M. Daley

Chairman of JP Morgan/Brookings Institution Global Cities Initiative ; Director, The Coca Cola Company ; Mayor of Chicago, 1989-2011 ; “Widely Viewed as the Nation’s Top Urban Executive” - TIME

As one of the world’s most celebrated mayors, Richard M. Daley has found ways to spread his message of global commerce though urban innovation since leaving his Chicago post. Recently named senior advisor to JP Morgan Chase and chairman of the Global Cities Initiative, a joint project of the Brookings Institution and JP Morgan Chase, Daley brings his tactical experience to audiences around the world. He consistently delivers newsworthy and topical presentations to the world's leading institutions, giving them highly informed perspectives to succeed in today’s economy.

According to TIME Magazine, Mayor Richard M. Daley “is widely viewed as the nation’s top urban executive.” As a city CEO, he earned a reputation - both in Chicago and across the U.S. – for acting proactively and implementing forward looking policies, many of which are emulated around the world. His innovative, community-based programs have tackled many of the fundamental challenges facing America today - strengthening the economy by focusing on jobs and businesses of the future, including green technology and clean energy; bringing new businesses and jobs to the community; and creating education initiatives that provide better job and skill training for a workforce that is ready to work in the new economy emerging from the nation's recession. At the same time, he made it an ongoing priority during his tenure to control government spending, and hold the government to higher standards of accountability and transparency, in order to better serve Chicago's taxpayers. One of the hallmarks of his leadership was pulling the people of Chicago together to "focus on what unites us," challenging the city to work together and put aside politics to focus on shared solutions to Chicago's problems.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: WHEATON COLLEGE: Mayor Daley reflects on his tenure, as well as his passion for public service. /// ASIA SOCIETY: Mayor Daley addresses education and the importance of multi-lingual and multi-cultural education in today's global cities.

 

Patrick Kennedy

U.S. Representative for Rhode Island, 1995-2011; Dedicated Advocate for Healthcare Reform and Neuroscience Research; Board of Trustees, East Providence Psychiatric Hospital for Children

Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy served 16 years in the United States House of Representatives, representing Rhode Island’s first congressional district. He distinguished himself as a leader in Congress on issues of health care, science, veterans, technology, civil rights, and mental health. A founding member of the 21st Century Health Care Caucus, the Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus, and the Down Syndrome Caucus, Congressman Kennedy has been a tireless advocate for access to healthcare and advancements in medical research.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: Congressman Kennedy, nephew of John F. Kennedy and son of Edward Kennedy talks to CNN's John King about his family's legacy.

ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT: Read The Boston Globe Article, "Patrick Kennedy's New Cause: The Brain"

Arnold Schwarzenegger

California’s 38th Governor ; Cultural Icon ; Environmental Crusader

The world knows Arnold Schwarzenegger as a famous bodybuilder and a Hollywood action hero, but he is also a successful businessman, generous philanthropist and California's 38th Governor. During his tenure as CEO and Governor of the eighth largest economy in the world, Gov.Schwarzenegger fought to protect California's economy by taking on the special interest groups, from both sides of the aisle, with a David vs. Goliath approach. It was a battle of the old economy versus the new, as he worked to reform California's fiscal policies, create a better business environment, reduce burdens on employment, boost exports and stimulate job growth.

ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT: Read Gov. Schwarzenegger's Wall Street Journal article, "The Clean Air Act Keeps Us Healthy."

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: Watch a video clip of Gov. Schwarzenegger's recent, inspirational presentation at the University of Buffalo, which includes a compelling behind-the-scenes look at his meet and greet sessions, as well as footage from his iconic roles in politics and entertainment. WATCH VIDEO

Fred Thompson

United States Senator from Tennessee, 1994-2002

Fred Thompson is one of the most respected and visible figures speaking out on the important challenges facing America today. Senator Thompson’s uniquely American life has been marked not only by recognizing opportunity when it arose, but by answering the call to public service and leadership. His dedication to law and passion for the founding principles that laid America’s foundation led him to serve for eight years as a Senator from Tennessee and to his 2008 presidential campaign.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT! CLICK HERE to watch an engaging point counterpoint between Fred Thompson and Howard Dean, which took place one day after the 2010 Midterm Elections.

Phil Angelides

Current President, Riverview Capital Investments ; Chairman, Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission ; Democratic Nominee, Governor of California 2006 ; California State Treasurer, 1999-2007; Chairman, Apollo Alliance Advisory Board

Phil Angelides is a nationally recognized authority on financial reform and corporate responsibility. Leading the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission created by the Obama administration in 2009, Angelides’ proven expertise and lauded reputation is revered among corporations worldwide . Today Angelides gives insight on a myriad of innovative solutions to create jobs and drive economic progress.

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.

William Frist, M.D.

18th Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, 2003-2007; U.S. Senator from Tennessee, 1995-2007; Heart-Lung Transplant Surgeon; Leading Voice on the Healthcare Debate; Board Member, Clinton Bush Haiti Fund; Co-chair, Partnership for a Healthier America; Founder, Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE)

Uniquely qualified to discuss the challenges and solutions in healthcare policy, Senator Frist is consistently recognized among the most influential leaders in American healthcare. Both a nationally recognized heart and lung transplant surgeon and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist has been at the forefront of many debates and government initiatives that have shaped a myriad of policies over the years. He brings and experienced voice to the current political, and health related issues of the day, with a keen focus on domestic health reform and global health policy.

ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT: "America's Greatness and 'Real' Healthcare Reform"

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: "Former Senator Bill Frist on East Africa famine" featured on BBC News

Roland Fryer

Robert M. Beren Professor of Economics, Harvard University; Economist Magazine: "One of the Top Young Economists in the World"; FORTUNE Magazine: "40 under 40 Most Influential People in Business" ; Collaborator on the Bestselling Book Freakonomics ; Affiliate, National Bureau of Economic Research

A collaborator on the Bestselling Book Freakonomics, Roland Fryer has received praise from an array of sponsors – from Universities and Lecture Series to Insurance and Financial groups – for his engaging perspective on an array of economic issues facing our society. Specifically, he focuses macro-solutions by influencing and changing individual behavior. Professor Roland Fryer has briskly established himself as an important player in the field of economics. Not only was Fryer named a "Rising Star" by Fortune magazine and featured in Esquire’s "Genius Issue," but his own work has been profiled in The New York Times, Washington Post, the Economist and the Boston Globe.

He rigorously and innovatively tests theoretical solutions to social problems on a scale previously unseen. As faculty director of Harvard’s Education Laboratory, and with large-scale funding from such partners as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Mr. Fryer tests what will influence change for an entire system or class of problems - such as school performance.

William Donaldson

Member of President Obama's Economic Advisory Panel ; 27th Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission; Former Chairman and CEO, New York Stock Exchange; Former, U.S. Undersecretary of State

As one of the members of President Obama's high-profile Economic Recovery Advisory Board, and with his experience as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is perhaps the most important rule-making authority for U.S. financial markets, William Donaldson is one of the most sought-after speakers regarding the current state of the economy and prospects for the road to recovery.

Howard Dean

CNBC Contributor; Founder, Democracy for America; Chairman, Democratic National Committee, 2005-2009; Architect of the “50-State Strategy”; 2004 Candidate for the Democratic Nomination for President; Governor of Vermont, 1991-2003

Howard Dean is a revolutionary political strategist, whose game-changing implementation of a new era of politics - based on grassroots support and cutting edge internet technology -fundamentally altered the way campaigns are run in America. His tenure as the Governor of Vermont and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, provided him with both an insider's view and a reformer's commitment for visionary change, that has made him a sought-after voice on some of the most debated political issues of our day.

His 12 years as Governor and his Chairmanship of the National Governor's Association have given him a vast knowledge of domestic issues. His skillful stewardship of the party as Democratic National Committee chair began in 2005 and continued through the inauguration of President Barack Obama. As Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Governor Dean made the Democratic Party competitive in every race, in every district, in every state and territory, while integrating national and state party operations and standing up for Democrats' core values. 

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT! CLICK HERE to watch an engaging point counterpoint between Howard Dean and Fred Thompson, which took place one day after the 2010 Midterm Elections.

Joe Lockhart

White House Press Secretary, 1998-2000; Political Analyst and Commentator; Vice President of Global Communications, Facebook

Joe Lockhart talks candidly and humorously about the players on the Washington scene and the issues facing industry and individuals today. Mr. Lockhart also offers insight into how real solutions exist outside the beltway. A consummate strategist adept at educating audiences about current political issues and how to manage those issues to their best advantage.

Susan Dentzer

Editor-in-Chief, Health Affairs; Analyst on Health, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

A noted journalist, Susan Dentzer brings expert analysis to the state of healthcare today, as well as her extensive experience reporting on every public and private healthcare trend in recent memory to present to audiences a complete and concise picture of where we’ve been, where we are headed and the potential economic and policy implications of the current proposals being considered.

Bob Graham

Co-chair of the President's Oil Spill Commission; Member, Congressional Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission; Chair, Weapons of Mass Destruction Policy Center; Member, CIA External Advisory Board; Three-Time U.S. Senator; 2004 Presidential Candidate; Two-Time Governor of Florida

Senator Bob Graham is the former two–term governor of Florida and served for 18 years in the United States Senate. This is combined with 12 years in the Florida legislature for a total of 38 years of public service. As Governor and Senator, Bob Graham was a centrist, committed to bringing his colleagues together behind programs that served the broadest public interest. He was recognized by the people of Florida when he received an 83% approval ranking as he concluded eight years as Governor. Senator Graham retired from public service in January 2005, following his Presidential campaign in 2004. He is recognized for his leadership on issues ranging from healthcare, environmental preservation and education, to his ten years of service on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He continues his government service as President Obama’s choice to co-chair the Bi-Partisan Commission on the Mexican Oil Spill.

Charlene Barshefsky

Former U.S. Trade Representative 1996-2001; Board Member, America China Foundation; Board of Directors of the American Express Company; The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.; Intel Corporation; Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.; and the Council on Foreign Relations

Known globally as the architect and negotiator of China’s WTO agreement, Ambassador Barshefsky is one of the world’s experts on China. With two decades of experience, she offers highly expert, in-depth knowledge about conducting business with this coming superpower. Ambassador Barshefsky also draws on the skills she used to spearhead hundreds of trade and investment agreements, as well as her unique understanding of international economic policy, and foreign and U.S. government policies,  to enlighten audiences with her wide breadth of global knowledge.

Mario Cuomo

52nd Governor of New York State

Known as an intellectual, passionate, and challenging voice for democracy, social responsibility, and diversity, Governor Mario Cuomo reminds us of our collective American legacy.

Alfonse D'Amato

Chairman, Senate Committee of Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, 1995-1999; United States Senator, 1981-1999

A legendary defender of the Middle Class and fighter of bureaucracy, Alfonse D'Amato questions our bi-partisan society and how Washington will maintain thoughtful representation of the people.

Stephen Dubner

Bestselling Author, FREAKONOMICS and SUPERFREAKONOMICS; FREAKONOMICS Spent Over 2 Years on The New York Times Bestseller List, With More Than 4 Million Copies Sold Worldwide; Host of FREAKONOMICS RADIO; Co-star, FREAKONOMICS Documentary ; The Popular FREAKONOMICS Blog is Hosted Exclusively on The New York Times Website

An award-winning author, journalist, and radio and TV personality, Stephen J. Dubner is the co-author of the international bestselling business books FREAKONOMICS and SUPERFREAKONOMICS. Originally published in the U.S. in 2005, FREAKONOMICS instantly became a cultural phenomenon. Hailed by critics and readers alike, it went on to spend more than two years on The New York Times bestseller list, having sold more than 4 million copies around the world, in more than 35 languages. Dubner and his co-author, the University of Chicago economist Steven Levitt, have appeared widely on television and maintain the popular FREAKONOMICS blog, which can be found on The New York Times website. Mr. Dubner is also host of FREAKONOMICS RADIO, which includes radio, podcast, web, and live event programming imbued with the bestselling book’s iconoclastic approach to everyday economics – an approach that has found new ways to catch terrorists (hint: they don’t buy life insurance), and found the answers to questions such as, “Which is more dangerous: a gun or a swimming pool?” The audio content is available on-demand at www.freakonomicsradio.com, and on iTunes.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: View video clips from the feature-length documentary of Freakonomics. Variety calls the film "a revelatory trip into complex, innovative ideas and altered perspectives."  

NEWS SPOTLIGHT: Freakonomics.com makes Time Magazine's Top 25 List of "Best Financial Blogs!" Read more...

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.

R. Glenn Hubbard

Adviser, Mitt Romney's Economic Policy Team; Dean, Columbia Business School; Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisors under President George W. Bush, 2001-2003

An economic advisor to Presidents, a well-respected Dean and Professor, R. Glenn Hubbard has been the architect of policies that affect millions. He is currently one of the leading economic advisers on Mitt Romney’s Economic Policy Team who will help Romney formulate pro-growth policies to turn  the economy around and create jobs.

His groundbreaking research in the areas of tax policy, monetary economics, international finance and corporate finance has earned him international acclaim as a leader in economic theory and application.  A prolific writer, he rises at 4 a.m. to pen research papers and op–eds that regularly appear in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. He’s a frequent guest on such programs as NPR's Marketplace and PBS's Nightly Business Report.

Stuart Altman

Leading Expert in Healthcare Policy & Economics; Sol C. Chaikin Professor of National Health Policy, Brandeis University; Founder, Council on Health Care Economics & Policy

As one of the nation's leading experts in healthcare policy and economics, Stuart Altman has confronted some of the most critical problems existing in federal health policy. The Sol C. Chaikin Professor of National Health Policy at The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Dr. Altman is an economist whose research interests are primarily in the areas of federal health policy. His work spans decades and covers most of the policy issues that have and continue to impact all areas of nursing and healthcare delivery, as well as point to the future of healthcare delivery in the new millennium.

Kenneth Apfel

Sid Richardson Chair in Public Affairs, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas; Commission of Social Security Administration (1997-2001)

As Social Security comes to the forefront of the national agenda, former Commissioner of Social Security Kenneth Apfel is a leading voice in an increasingly heated debate surrounding the Bush administration’s proposals to privatize the system. Apfel is one of the foremost experts on the complexities of the Social Security system. He has testified before the U.S. Congress, appeared on numerous national television news programs, authored two op-eds, and been quoted in dozens of newspapers. In Apfel’s opinion, Social Security faces long-term challenges but is not in crisis. He disagrees with the Bush administration’s proposals to shift the benefit structure toward individual investment in the stock market, which he says would jeopardize the program’s stability.

Barry Asmus

Senior Economist of the National Center for Policy Analysis

An unapologetic advocate of free enterprise and privatization, Barry Asmus is recognized as a revolutionary thinker who delivers his ideas in an energy-filled entertaining presentation. He doesn’t just talk policy – he makes it happen. A Senior Economist for the National Center for Policy Analysis, Asmus has directly influenced how world leaders approach social security, health care, monetary and fiscal policy and other equally complex issues. With presentations customized to reflect your particular economic policy needs, Asmus helps audiences understand major policy issues – without all the jargon.

John Deutch

MIT Professor; Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency; Former Undersecretary, U.S. Department of Energy; Board of Directors, Cheniere Energy

Former Undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Energy, John Deutch is world renowned in studies on energy and the environment. Mr. Deutch has published over 140 technical publications in physical chemistry, as well as numerous publications on technology, energy, international security, and public policy issues. In his speeches Dr. Deutch brings his academic training and government experience to cover topics as diverse as world security, technology and energy.

Pete du Pont

Chairman of the Board - National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA); Director - Richards, Layton & Finger; Columnist, www.opinionjournal.com; Former US Congressman, Governor and Republican Candidate for President

Columnist George Will said about du Pont, "du Pont has the highest substance-to-blather ratio among candidates, even on subjects as sensitive as agriculture policy and Social Security." Newsweek observed that, "What is consistent and refreshing in his positions is that they confront big, difficult choices and offer clear, unhedged answers."

Martin Feldstein

Chairman, Council of Economic Advisors, 1982-1984; George F. Baker Professor of Economics, Harvard University; President Emeritus, The National Bureau of Economic Research

One of the most brilliant economists at work today, Martin Feldstein understands the impact and influence of government’s role in monetary policy – from the inside out. President Reagan's chief economic adviser Martin Feldstein helps audiences understand what lies in wait for the world’s economic future.

Niall Ferguson

Internationally Acclaimed Author; TIME Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World"

Named by TIME Magazine as one of the '100 Most Influential People in the World,' Niall Ferguson is a public intellectual whose work impacts industry, finance, government, and academia. Controversial, expansive, and eloquent, Mr. Ferguson has been called “the most talented British historian of his generation.

Benjamin Friedman

Professor of Political Economy, Harvard University; Former Chairman, Department of Economics at Harvard University; Renowned Economic Author

Benjamin Friedman has written extensively on economic policy, and in particular on the role of the financial markets in shaping how monetary and fiscal policies affect overall economic activity. He is the author and/or editor of eleven books aimed primarily at economists and economic policymakers, as well as the author of more than one hundred articles on monetary economics, macroeconomics, and monetary and fiscal policy, published in numerous journals. He is also a frequent contributor to publications reaching a broader audience, including especially The New York Review of Books

James Galbraith

Lloyd M. Bentsen Jr. Chair in Government/Business Relations and Professor of Government; Economist

Noted economist James Galbraith is a frequent commentator on economic and political issues in the media. He regularly writes a column for the Texas Observer and TheStreet.com, as well authoring op-ed pieces for The New York Times and Washington Post.

Alan Keyes

3-Time Republican Presidential Candidate

Alan Keyes' powerful conservative message resonates for Americans from all walks of life and every geographic region, who share his vision of a morally based government founded on the principles embodied in our nation's Declaration of Independence.

Edward Koch

105th Mayor of New York City

As a former leader of one of the world's greatest cities, Ed Koch brings a fresh perspective on the politics, interests, cultures, and concerns that shape the lives of American citizens.

Morton Kondracke

Executive Editor, Roll Call; Author, Saving Milly: Love, Politics and Parkinson’s Disease

As a Washington journalist since the early '60s, Mort Kondracke’s observations and amusing anecdotes possess the weight of his considerable experience. In his speeches, he'll tell you what's going on in Washington and what changes the next elections might bring.

Laurence Kotlikoff

Professor of Economics, Boston University; Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Research; President, Economic Security Planning, Inc.

Professor Kotlikoff speaks to hundreds of U.S. and foreign businesses and government groups about economic and policy issues, both domestic and foreign. His talks cover a very wide range of micro and macro topics.

Charles Krauthammer

Pulitzer Prize Winner for Distinguished Commentary; Washington Post columnist; Fox News contributor

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Commentary and named by the Financial Times the most influential commentator in America, Charles Krauthammer breathes new life into tired debates, offering clear and compelling arguments that everyone else overlooks.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT Charles Krauthammer weighs in on Libya in this Fox News interview. Watch video.

Lawrence Kudlow

Host of CNBC’s Kudlow & Company; Host of WABC radio’s The Larry Kudlow Show; Founder and CEO of Kudlow and Company, LLC

Lawrence Kudlow is a familiar face in Washington and on Wall Street -- a renowned free market, supply-side economist armed with knowledge, vision, and integrity acquired over a storied career spanning three decades. He is consistently ranked one of the nation’s premier and most accurate economic forecasters according to The Wall Street Journal’s semiannual forecasting survey.

Arthur Laffer

Economic advisor to the Reagan Administration; Popularized the “Laffer Curve”

Arthur Laffer is a supply side economist who became influential during the Reagan administration as a member of Reagan's Economic Policy Advisory Board (1981-1989). Laffer is the author and co-author of many books and newspaper articles, including Supply Side Economics: Financial Decision-Making for the 80s.

Walter Mondale

Vice President of the United States; U.S. Ambassador to Japan; U.S. Senator; Attorney General for the State of Minnesota.; 1984 presidential candidate for the Democratic Party; Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

U.S. Senator, Vice President of the United States, Presidential Candidate and Ambassador to Japan, Walter Mondale has commanded a seat on the world’s center state since 1964 when he assumed Hubert H. Humphrey’s senate seat.

Ian Morrison

Author; Consultant ; President Emeritus, Institute For The Future

With his eye firmly focused on the horizon, futurist Ian Morrison looks at where we’re going and how to plan for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Using the present to discover implications for the future, Ian Morrison helps audiences plan for long-term success by identifying the driving forces shaping their destiny. Drawing on cutting-edge research and practical experience as a consultant in the field, Morrison helps audiences recognize the unexpected opportunities that transform an organization, an industry or a life.

Roy Neel

Chief of Staff to Congressman, Senator, and Vice President Al Gore ; Deputy Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton ; Campaign Manager for Howard Dean's 2004 Presidential Campaign ; Adjunct Professor of Political Science at Vanderbilt University

For three decades Roy Neel has been at the center of some of history's most extraordinary events, and helped deal with some of the country's most challenging crises. He served as Chief of Staff to Congressman, Senator, and Vice President Al Gore, as well as Deputy Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton. Roy directed the unprecedented, extraordinary Presidential transition for Gore in 2000, through the historic Florida recount. He was campaign manager for Howard Dean's remarkable run for the White House in 2004. Neel currently serves as Chief of Staff for Al Gore's highly visible global warming activities and helped found the Climate Project, Gore's program to train thousands of climate change messengers throughout the world. Roy brings memorable stories and startling predictions about our nation's political and economic future in an uncertain world. He's thoughtful and insightful, with a critical eye toward the powerful and the process.

Percival Patterson

Former Prime Minister of Jamaica

As the longest serving Prime Minister in Jamaica, Percival Patterson presided over the unprecedented modernization and transformation of the economic, social and political landscape of the country.

Minxin Pei

Senior Associate and Director, China Program, Carnegie Endowment; Expert in China, Taiwan, East Asia and Democracy

The rise of China as a great power is one of the most important developments in the twenty-first century. But despite dramatic economic progress, China’s prospects remain uncertain. Minxin Pei examines the sustainability of the Chinese Communist Party’s reform strategy—pursuing pro-market economic policies under one-party rule. Combining powerful insights with empirical research, Minxin Pei offers a provocative assessment of China’s future as a great power.

Jeremy Rifkin

Economist ; Principal Advisor to the European Union on Economic Development, Energy Security and Climate Change Policy ; President, Foundation on Economic Trends; Bestselling Author, The End of Work and The Age of Access; Fellow, Wharton School’s Executive Education Program

Jeremy Rifkin and his ideas are not without controversy. The author of seventeen books on the impact of scientific and technological changes on the economy, the workforce, society and the environment, Mr. Rifkin advocates a new type of economic thinking. He is a proponent of sustainable development, quality of life and the nurturing of community. His books have been translated into more than thirty languages and are used in hundreds of universities, corporations and government agencies around the world. Mr. Rifkin is one of the highest rated speakers on the international lecture circuit on the topics of globalization, sustainability and shifting to a new energy era and low-carbon economy. CNN-International is airing a documentary on his Third Industrial Revolution vision for their program Principal Voices.  Click here to view the trailer.

Helmut Schmidt

Former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany; European Economy Expert

Chancellor Schmidt reflects on the geopolitical order as a derivative of international economic conditions. His insights into the EMU and recent economic crises around the world help corporations and governments secure their investments for the decades ahead.

William Shipman

Expert, Social Security and Retirement; Chairman of Carriage Oaks Partners LLC

Perhaps the most trusted voice on Social Security and retirement finance reform both in the United States and many other regions of the world, William Shipman enlightens audiences on a potential crisis of international proportions that is going largely unnoticed. The rapid increase of the elderly population, combined with support systems that are unprepared to handle this unprecedented shift, have put our living standards, international strategic relationships and our very way of life in jeopardy.

Jeremy Siegel

Russell E. Palmer Professor of Finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; Author, The Future for Investors: Why the Tried and True Triumph over the Bold and New

Dubbed the “Wizard of Wharton,” Forbes named Jeremy Siegel “Best Business School Guru.” He’s an academic with optimism who presents a framework for understanding world markets and offers strategies for protecting and enhancing long-term capital.

Allen Sinai

President and Chief Global Economist, Decision Economics, Inc.

Time magazine said, "Anyone who thinks that economists practice a dismal science has never been treated to the vivid commentaries of Allen Sinai." Dr. Sinai is frequently called on by economic leaders and the media to provide commentary on economic issues.

Joseph Stiglitz

Recipient of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economics; Chief Economist and Senior Vice-President, The World Bank, 1997-2000; Chairman, U.S. Council of Economic Advisors, 1995-1996; Professor, Columbia University and Chair of Columbia University's Committee on Global Thought; Author of the New York Times Bestseller, Globalization and Its Discontents

Stiglitz helped create a new branch of economics, "The Economics of Information," exploring the consequences of information asymmetries and pioneering such pivotal concepts as adverse selection and moral hazard, which have now become standard tools not only of theorists, but of policy analysts. He has made major contributions to macro-economics and monetary theory, to development economics and trade theory, to public and corporate finance, to the theories of industrial organization and rural organization, and to the theories of welfare economics and of income and wealth distribution. In the 1980s, he helped revive interest in the economics of R&D. His work has helped explain the circumstances in which markets do not work well, and how selective government intervention can improve their performance.

Donald Straszheim

Founder and Principal, Straszheim Global Advisors; Vice Chairman, Milken Institute; Former Chief Economist, Merrill Lynch

Combining an expertise in global economics with an emphasis on China, Donald Straszheim is one of the world’s foremost economists. Widely quoted in the major business and financial media, has been a regular analyst on CNBC, CNN and FOX and a frequent network guest. His perspectives on global economies, business conditions and financial markets are highly sought after by governments and corporations worldwide.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

Former Lt. Governor, Maryland; Education and Health Care Advocate; Humanitarian and Public Servant

A life long advocate for women, children and the underserved, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend’s career has focused on creating public and private partnerships to solve some of the most intractable problems facing America today.

Brian Wesbury

Chief Economist, First Trust Advisors L.P.; “#1 U.S. Economic Forecaster” – Wall Street Journal

Brian Wesbury is Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors L.P., a financial services firm based in Wheaton, Illinois. The Wall Street Journal ranked Mr. Wesbury the nation’s #1 U.S. economic forecaster in 2001, USA Today ranked him as one of the nation’s top 10 forecasters in 2004 and Speakers Platform named him a Top 5 Keynote Speaker in 2011.

Muhammad Yunus

2006 Nobel Prize Winner; Founder, Grameen Bank; Member of Board of Directors of UN Foundation

What if you could harness the power of the free market to solve the problems of poverty, hunger, and inequality? To some, it sounds impossible. But Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus is doing exactly that. As founder of Grameen Bank, Yunus pioneered microcredit, the innovative banking program that provides the poor — mainly women — with small loans they use to launch businesses and lift their families out of poverty. Muhammad Yunus’s vision is the total eradication of poverty from the world. "Grameen," he says, "is a message of hope, a program for putting homelessness and destitution in a museum so that one day our children will visit it and ask how we could have allowed such a terrible thing to go on for so long." This work is a fundamental rethink on the economic relationship between the rich and the poor, their rights and their obligations. The World Bank recently acknowledged that "this business approach to the alleviation of poverty has allowed millions of individuals to work their way out of poverty with dignity." Credit is the last hope left to those faced with absolute poverty. That is why Muhammad Yunus believes that the right to credit should be recognized as a fundamental human right. It is this struggle and the unique and extraordinary methods he invented to combat human despair that Muhammad Yunus recounts here with humility and conviction. It is also the view of a man familiar with both Eastern and Western cultures — on the failures and potential for good of industrial countries. It is an appeal for action: we must concentrate on promoting the will to survive and the courage to build in the first and most essential element of the economic cycle — Man.

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