Iconic campaign strategist Karl Rove is one of the most sought-after political pundits of our time, widely respected for his robust knowledge of major political issues. Rove served as Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush overseeing the Offices of Political Affairs, Public Liaison, Intergovernmental Relations, Strategic Initiatives and as Deputy Chief, the White House Policy process. Before the White House, he ran Rove + Co., a public affairs firm that consulted on over 75 GOP campaigns for Senator, Governor, Congress, and statewide office. Rove writes a weekly op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, appears frequently on Fox News, and is the author of the New York Times bestseller Courage and Consequence and The Triumph of William McKinley. Conservative editor and columnist Fred Barnes called him “the greatest political mind of his and probably of any generation.”

From major international conferences and association meetings to college campuses and corporate events, Rove's shrewd analysis resonates with audiences. Diverse organizations including the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Sinai Health System, Cigna, Yahoo!, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, and more have sought out Rove as a speaker. Sponsors hosting Rove have reported his remarks "were extremely insightful and very helpful to our industry leaders"(Edison Electric Institute) and "provocative, lively and thoughtful" (Nomura) with audiences" often erupting in applause" (Wabash College) and for presentations praised as "one of the highest-rated" (The TriZetto Group). 

Seven-time Emmy-winning journalist Ann Curry is a cornerstone of U.S. news and journalism. Her reporting is raw, bold, and deeply personal, fueled by human connections. She has appeared before the camera on some of America’s largest networks, including NBC News, PBS, TNT, and more. Her TED talks have been viewed around the world. Curry brings the same deep meaning, message, and sharp intellect to her speaking events as she does her iconic interviews.

Curry is recognized not only as a journalist but also as a humanitarian. Her work has garnered honors such as the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Global Citizenship, the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Medal of Valor, the NAACP's Excellence in Reporting Award, the Centre for Responsible Leadership's Truth in Media Award, the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Award, and more. Hosts such as Colgate University, the Holocaust Memorial Center, the National Court Reporters Association and more have been captivated by her memorable stories.

Radio host and writer Kurt Andersen is a brilliant analyst and synthesizer of historical and cultural trends. He hosted the Peabody Award-winning public radio show and podcast Studio 360 and co-produced the podcast Nixon at War. He is the author of New York Times bestsellers Evil Geniuses, and Fantasyland, as well as four novels. Andersen co-created the streaming series COMMAND Z, and has previously written for TV, film, and stage. He’s a regular contributor to the New York Times and The Atlantic, as well as a former New Yorker columnist, TIME critic and columnist, and New York editor-in-chief.

Andersen provides audiences with a fascinating examination of America’s culture that brilliantly displays how we’ve gotten to where we are today, and where we are going. He has spoken to Sotheby’s, Boston College, The New Museum, the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, and many more.

Award-winning author, writer, and cartoonist Liza Donnelly uses her creativity to draw (literally) connections between global events, feminism, and what’s funny. An innovator of digital visual journalism, Liza has live-drawn events including the Oscars, the Olympics, presidential debates, and White House Press Conferences. By disrupting how we make sense of everything from global politics to pop culture to gender equity, from history to the present, Liza invites audiences to shift their perspective, think differently, and innovate better.

Liza is known for her viral TED Talk “Drawing on humor for change,” which has been translated into 40 languages. She has written 18 books for adults and children, and is a contributor to The New York Times, Washington Post, Forbes, Medium, CNN, and CBS News. Liza’s most recent book, Very Funny Ladies: The New Yorker’s Women Cartoonists, is being developed into a documentary about women cartoonists globally. She teaches a virtual class with the 92Y on the history of the famous and beloved cartoons in The New Yorker and writes a wildly popular Substack newsletter “Seeing Things,” with an ever-growing readership. Liza’s unique and interactive programs enhance events, empower teams, and inspire innovation.

Nineteen-time Emmy-winner John Stossel is a highly respected journalist who has earned a reputation for asking hard-hitting questions—and offering the tough truth. Hailed by The Dallas Morning News as "the most consistently thought-provoking TV reporter of our time,"  he is the host of Stossel on Fox where he highlights 'current consumer issues with a Libertarian point of view.' He is best known for being the former co-anchor of 20/20. Stossel began his career as a business-bashing consumer reporter calling for government regulation. But when he saw regulation fail, he began reporting on the wonderful things that free markets create: prosperity, innovation, choice, and freedom.

U.S. foreign policy expert and highly awarded columnist Bret Stephens is renowned for his “incisive columns on American foreign policy and domestic politics, often enlivened by a contrarian twist.” Bret is an op-ed columnist for the New York Times after a long career with The Wall Street Journal, where he served as deputy editorial page editor and wrote the “Global View” foreign affairs column – for which he was awarded the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary. He is the author of America in Retreat: The New Isolationism and Coming Global Disorder and is currently working on a book about the future of the free world. Audiences value Bret’s timely insights and “breath of fresh air” delivery, and he has been in-demand with groups including the American Technion Society, the Chief Executives Organization, the Jewish Federations of Northeastern New York and Chicago, Community Advocates, Inc., and many more.

In addition to his work at The Times, Bret serves as Editor-in-Chief of Sapir – a Jewish quarterly published by the Maimonides Fund which offers ideas for a thriving Jewish future. Previously, he was Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post. Bret is the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions, including three honorary doctorates and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. In 2022, the government of Russia banned him for life from visiting that country. He sits on numerous academic advisory boards and was a co-Founder of the Renew Democracy Initiative – an organization dedicated to advancing democratic principles throughout the world. Bret consistently receives rave reviews for speaking engagements, such as: “Bret was TERRIFIC last night. We had a large crowd, his talk was superb, and he was a pleasure to deal with. It couldn't have gone more smoothly. You have a lot of happy customers in LA.” (Community Advocates, Inc.)

As the Executive Vice President of Forbes, Moira Forbes has played a key role in the company's transformation into a digital-first global media company and a preeminent destination for today's business leaders. She’s been at the forefront of driving innovation and shaping the future of the brand, and she also represents the fourth generation of the Forbes family. Through her dedicated column, live events, and video series, Moira spotlights the world's most dynamic leaders and is a prominent advocate for gender equality. Moira’s work has fostered a culture of innovation at the global publication, shaping the future of media and business.

Notably, Moira has been instrumental in shaping Forbes’ editorial focus on the many paths to becoming a successful leader as a prominent advocate for gender equality in the corporate world. She is the Founder, President, and Publisher of ForbesWomen, now the world’s largest media platform dedicated to women in business and leadership. Moira also oversees Forbes’ annual list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, the definitive ranking of female influence on the global stage, in addition to the annual Power Women’s Summit which she launched in 2013. Moira has shared her insights on leadership at prestigious industry gatherings, including the World Economic Forum, Cannes Lion, SXSW Conference, Massachusetts Conference for Women, and EY Entrepreneur of Year. She is also a regular media and television commentator on the state of women's leadership worldwide.

Former executive editor and a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, L. Jon Wertheim is one of the most accomplished sports journalists in America. He's also the New York Times bestselling author of Scorecasting: The Hidden Influences Behind How Sports Are Played and Games Are Won, which uses economic principles to explain sports, and This Is Your Brain on Sports: The Science of Underdogs, the Value of Rivalry, and What We Can Learn from the T-Shirt Cannon, which, through the prism of behavioral economics, neuroscience, and psychology, reveals the hidden influences and surprising cues that inspire and derail us—on the field and in the stands—and by extension, in corporate board rooms, office settings, and our daily lives. 

In his compelling and engaging presentations, Wertheim offers innovative ideas that focus on a fusion of sports anecdotes and business trends to provide pioneering lessons for the business world. A seasoned sports broadcaster, Mr. Wertheim is also available to host or emcee events.

Steve Roberts has been a journalist for almost 50 years, covering some of the major events of his time, from the antiwar movement and student revolts of the 60s and 70s to President Reagan's historic trip to Moscow in 1988 and twelve presidential election campaigns. 

A well-known commentator on many Washington-based TV shows, Roberts also appears regularly as a political analyst on the ABC radio network. 

Joe Lockhart is widely recognized as one of the top communications and public affairs professionals in the world, and offers strategic communications counsel to CEOs, C-suite executives, and Washington's most powerful leaders.  He knows how to handle a crisis and regain control of a narrative, honed through decades of experience in public affairs, corporate communications, administration, and political campaigns. Lockhart is perhaps best known for his service as White House Press Secretary under President Bill Clinton from 1998 to 2000. He has also worked for the National Football League (NFL) as executive vice president, overseeing communications, government affairs, social responsibility and philanthropy, and for Facebook as vice president of global communications. Lockhart's current role is to advise corporations and organizations on their communications strategies and vulnerabilities. He was vice chairman for public affairs at Edelman; he was also previously the founding partner and managing director of the Glover Park Group, and was executive vice president at Bozell Sawyer Miller. 

An award-winning journalist, he is also a frequent contributor to CNN and reflects on the week's news with Katie Barlow as they co-host the Words Matter podcast. 

David Horovitz is the founding editor of The Times of Israel, the Jerusalem-based current affairs website that launched in February 2012.  The Times of Israel, which provides independent coverage of Israel, the region and the Jewish world, is the fastest-growing news site in the Jewish world, and now also publishes in French, Arabic and Persian.

Horovitz was previously editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post (2004-2011). Before that, he was editor and publisher of the award-winning news magazine The Jerusalem Report.

He has written from Israel for newspapers around the world, including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Irish Times and (London) Independent, and is a frequent interviewee on CNN, the BBC, Sky, Fox News, NPR and other TV and radio stations.

Horovitz lectures widely in Israel, the United States and Europe on Israeli current affairs, regularly giving the introductory briefing on Israel to Congressional delegations brought to Israel under the aegis of AIPAC.

Award-winning author Daniel Gordis is a revered scholar and commentator on matters pertaining to Israel. Gordis is the author of twelve books, including Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn – which received the 2016 National Jewish Book Award as “Book of the Year.” Of his book We Stand Divided, Ambassador Michael Oren wrote, “Impassioned, brilliant, and riveting… the essential book for understanding American Jewish-Israel relations.” Gordis’ newest book, Impossible Takes Longer: 75 Years After Its Creation, Has Israel Fulfilled its Founders’ Dreams? is due out in April of 2023. In his writing as he does in his talks, Gordis offers a balanced perspective and a deft and multifaceted assessment of Israel. Leonard Fein has written that Gordis is “perhaps the single most popular speaker on Israel to American Jewish audiences.”

Alan Dershowitz has called Gordis “one of Israel’s most thoughtful observers,” and his writing has appeared in The New York Times, The New Republic, New York Times Magazine, Azure, Commentary, and Foreign Affairs, while his books have received numerous awards. Gordis is a sought-after speaker who consistently receives rave reviews for his speaking engagements, such as: "Dr. Gordis was over the top fabulous. Warm, friendly, and brilliant. Roundtable, cocktail receptions, and program… he nailed every tier of our event. Articulate, knowledgeable and passionate. You could hear a pin drop during his keynote address. Our audience was completely engaged." (Tampa Jewish Federation)

Michael Barone is a renowned political historian who is at the forefront of American political coverage, and one who explores and analyzes political issues with an unmatched passion and clarity.

Experience counts in serious times. For four decades at Fortune, Geoff Colvin has covered the economic, political, technological, and competitive forces disrupting business and how top leaders and companies adapt and transform to win in spite of them. The big takeaway, Geoff says, is that winning companies and leaders summon the courage to act – they stop protecting the past and start inventing the future – and they confront this reality faster than the competition. As business leaders face their biggest challenge ever, Geoff Colvin is the voice of experience who shines a light – revealing a clearer path for an uncertain future.

His columns and cover stories for Fortune have earned him millions of loyal fans. Many of them also hear him dispense critical business insights on the CBS Radio Network, where he reaches seven million listeners each week. Geoff’s bestselling books include The Upside of the Downturn, Talent is Overrated, and Humans are Underrated. A keynote speaker with compelling content, Geoff Colvin is also a brilliant panel moderator and interviewer.

As Fortune‘s senior editor-at-large, Geoff Colvin is now in his fourth decade at Fortune. He is one of business journalism’s sharpest and most respected commentators on leadership, management, globalization, government regulation, corporate governance, competition, the economy, the infotech revolution, human performance, and related issues.

Bob Costas has won 29 Emmy awards – more than any sports broadcaster. His versatility has been recognized with awards and nominations in the categories of hosting, play-by-play, writing, journalism, interviewing, news, and entertainment. He is the only person ever to have won Emmy’s in news, sports, and entertainment. His news Emmy was awarded for his 2011 interview with Jerry Sandusky, the central figure in the Penn State scandal. His entertainment Emmy came in 1993 for his acclaimed late-night program Later with Bob Costas.

Bob’s peers have named him the “National Sportscaster of the Year” a record eight times, and in 2012, he was elected to the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame. Also in 2012, Bob was selected for the Walter Cronkite Award for distinction in journalism. He and Al Michaels are the only sports broadcasters to be so honored.

In the summer of 2018, Bob was inducted into the broadcasters’ wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He joins broadcasting luminaries such as: Vin Scully, Red Barber, Mel Allen, Jack Buck, Ernie Harwell, and Dick Enberg. The award, named after former Baseball Commissioner, Ford C Frick, honors those who have demonstrated “excellence in baseball broadcasting.”

From the Baseball Game of the Week in the 1980s, through his hosting of the Olympics, the late-night interview program Later…with Bob Costas, his programs on HBO, and more, Bob has been a prominent part of the coverage of every major sport over the past three decades. His thoughtful commentaries on a variety of issues have established him as one of his generation’s most distinctive voices.

The 2016 Rio, Brazil Summer Olympic Games were Bob’s 12th and final for NBC. Additionally, he hosted seven Super Bowls, and was part of the coverage as either play-by play announcer, or host of seven World Series, and ten NBA Finals. Bob was also a prominent part of NBC’s presentations of other major events, including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes, as well as the U. S. Open Golf Championship.

Beyond NBC, Bob’s work with HBO, and Major League Baseball Network have drawn widespread praise. In 2000 Bob’s book, Fair Ball, a Fan’s Case for Baseball, spent several weeks on the New York Times best seller list. His collaborations with Joe Garner on a series of coffee table books and audio sports histories have also been best sellers.

Following the 2016 NFL season, Bob announced that he would no longer be hosting NBC’s Sunday Night Football coverage, and would also conclude his quarter century run as host of NBC’s Olympic coverage.

At the same time Bob increased his presence at MLBN, where he has been able to return to his first love, baseball – contributing interviews, commentaries, and play-by-play for the network. More recently Bob has been part of TBS’s coverage of baseballs regular season and playoffs as both a play-by-play broadcaster and host.

In 2020, Bob joined CNN as an on-air contributor offering commentary and perspective on a wide range of sports related issues. In 2021 and 2022 Bob’s returned to HBO with Back on the Record with Bob Costas garnered several Emmy nominations.

Bob is a native of Queens, New York and grew up on Long Island. He attended Syracuse University in New York, where he majored in communications. He began his professional career at WSYR-TV and radio in 1973 while studying at Syracuse before joining KMOX radio in St. Louis in 1974.

Susan Dentzer is one of the nation's most respected health and health policy thought leaders and a frequent speaker and commentator on television and radio, including PBS and NPR, and an author of commentaries and analyses in print publications such as Modern Healthcare, NEJM Catalyst, and the Annals of Internal Medicine. She was also the editor and lead author of the book Health Care Without Walls: A Roadmap for Reinventing U.S. Health Care. She brings sharp analysis to the state of healthcare today, economic and budgetary issues, as well as the future of social security and Medicare.  

Susan Dentzer is Senior Policy Fellow for the Robert J. Margolis Center for Health Policy at Duke University. Based in Washington, DC, where the center’s research team is located, she focuses on aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic response; health system transformation, such as through telehealth; biopharmaceutical policy; health coverage expansion, and other key health policy issues.

From 2016 to 2019, Dentzer was President and Chief Executive Officer of NEHI, the Network for Excellence in Health Innovation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization then composed of more than 80 stakeholder organizations from across all key sectors of health and health care. From 2013 to 2016, she was senior policy adviser to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation’s largest philanthropy focused on health and health care in the United States, and before that, was the editor-in-chief of the policy journal Health Affairs. From 1998 to 2008, she was the on-air Health Correspondent for the PBS NewsHour. Dentzer wrote and hosted the 2015 PBS documentary, Reinventing American Healthcare, focusing on the innovations pioneered by the Geisinger Health System and spread to health systems across the nation.

Ruth Andrew Ellenson is a writer and journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, People, Forward, Ha'aretz, and many other publications. She received the National Jewish Book Award for ​the national bestseller ​The Modern Jewish Girl's Guide to Guilt​ (Penguin Random House), which was selected by Hadassah as a featured book club selection. The daughter of a rabbi and a Daughter of the American Revolution, Ellenson was born in Jerusalem and raised in New York and Los Angeles. She received her MFA from Columbia University.​​ Ellenson's recent editorial collaborations include Why Be Jewish?​ A Testament​ ​(Twelve) written with the late philanthropist Edgar M. Bronfman.​ Ellenson​​ is a star speaker who has traveled internationally to address the complexities and joys of Jewish identity for women of all ages, and her book has become a favorite ​choice among​ reading groups for the intense and spirited discussions it provokes.

Katty Kay is an award-winning journalist whose instinctively global perspective on American politics and global affairs comes from having lived and worked in the Middle East, South Africa, Japan, Europe, and the U.S. throughout her career.

Now Washington-based, Katty has been with the BBC for nearly 30 years as a reporter and lead anchor, reporting on six U.S. presidential elections, Washington politics, financial crashes, world trouble spots, sex scandals, global affairs, and much more. She is currently U.S. special correspondent for BBC Studios – where she hosts TV documentaries from both the U.S. and Europe, presents her own podcast series, and writes a weekly column. Katty is a regular contributor and substitute host of Morning Joe on MSNBC and also writes on the art and science of self-assurance in women and girls. She is co-author, with Claire Shipman, of four New York Times’ bestselling books: Womenomics, The Confidence Code, The Confidence Code for Girls, and Living the Confidence Code. Their new book The Power Code explores the nature of women's power — in the workplace, in politics, and at home — explaining how a new model, one designed by and for women, will not only make it possible for women to become their most powerful selves but will benefit everyone.

Katty is an engaging keynote speaker on a wide range of topics as well as a brilliant moderator, interviewer, and event host.

As the national political correspondent for NPR, Mara Liasson’s voice is unmistakable and her words memorable. Her reports can be heard regularly on NPR's award-winning newsmagazines All Things Considered and Morning Edition.

Liasson provides key coverage of the candidates and issues in both presidential and congressional races. During her tenure she has covered seven presidential elections — in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. Prior to her current assignment, Liasson was NPR's White House correspondent for all eight years of the Clinton administration. She has won the White House Correspondents' Association's Merriman Smith Award for daily news coverage in 1994, 1995, and again in 1997. From 1989-1992 Liasson was NPR's congressional correspondent.

Moisés Naím is an internationally-syndicated columnist and best-selling author of influential books including the recently-published The End of Power, a startling examination of how power is changing across all sectors of society, and Illicit, a detailed expose on modern criminal networks.  In 2011, he launched Efecto Naím, an innovative weekly television program highlighting surprising world trends with visually-striking videos, graphics and interviews with world leaders which is widely watched in Latin America today.  Dr. Naím gained international recognition with the successful re-launch of the prominent journal Foreign Policy and, over his fourteen years (1996-2010) as editor, turned the magazine into a modern, award-winning publication on global politics and economics.

Martha Raddatz was named Senior Foreign Affairs correspondent for ABC News in November 2008, after serving as chief White House correspondent during the last term of President George W. Bush's administration. She has received Peabody and Emmy awards for her coverage of presidential campaigns and the Sept. 11 attacks. In 2006, Ms. Raddatz broke the story on the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq. She is the author of the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller, The Long Road Home: A Story of War and Family.

Using the perfect blend of analysis and humor, Michael Smerconish delivers an engaging, thought-provoking, and balanced dialogue on today's political arena and the long-term implications of the polarization in politics.

Michael A. Smerconish is the host of "The Michael Smerconish Program" on SiriusXM Channel 124, the host of CNN’s Smerconish on Saturday mornings, newspaper columnist and author. He has often been recognized for his radio work. Talkers magazine has consistently named him one of America’s most important talk show hosts.

He is the author of seven books, two of them New York Times’ bestsellers. His published books are: Flying Blind: How Political Correctness Continues to Compromise Airline Safety Post 9/11; Muzzled: From T-Ball to Terrorism, True Stories that Should Be Fiction (a Times bestseller); Murdered By Mumia: A Life Sentence of Loss, Pain and Injustice (a Times bestseller which he co-authored with Maureen Faulkner); Morning Drive: Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Talking; Instinct: The Man Who Stopped the 20th Hijacker; and TALK! (his first novel). Smerconish's book Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right: American Life in Columns garnered critical acclaim, and all author proceeds are donated to the Children's Crisis Treatment Center.

For almost three decades Dr. Nancy Snyderman has combined careers as a head and neck cancer surgeon, network television correspondent, and advisor to Fortune 500 corporations and is one of the most trusted voices in medical communication. As an award winning medical journalist, she has garnered several of the industry’s most distinguished honors including Emmy’s, DuPont, Edward R. Murrow, and Gracie awards. Dr. Snyderman has reported on wide-ranging topics affecting all strata of society and has traveled the world extensively, reporting from many of the world’s most troubled areas. She is routinely called upon to explain some of the most complicated scientific breakthroughs to the public via television, radio, and print.

Bob Woodward gained international attention when he and Carl Bernstein uncovered the Watergate scandal in 1973. Since then, he’s worked to shine a light on the inner-workings of secret government. Woodward’s factual, non-partisan revelations to readers and speech audiences provide a view of Washington they’ll never get elsewhere. Woodward has written about the last ten U.S. presidents and chronicled how the power of the presidency has evolved. He is author of 23 bestselling books – 17 went to #1 – more than any contemporary nonfiction writer.

In his speeches, Woodward looks at the expanding powers of the presidency and the important lessons that can be learned from the presidents he’s covered. He can also assess the role of the media and how well it is (or isn’t) doing its job. Audiences will be awe-struck by insights from this living journalistic legend. Currently associate editor for The Washington Post where he’s worked since 1971, Bob Woodward has won nearly every American journalism award including two Pulitzers.

A highly visible and acclaimed news journalist, Anderson Cooper is never lacking in provocative, strong opinions, always asking the questions that the public wants answered. A charming, insightful speaker, Mr. Cooper offers his insiders perspective of the news today.

Mickey Edwards has observed the political world from every angle: as a member of Congress for 16 years, a senior member of his party’s congressional leadership, a high-ranking member of the appropriations and budget committees. As a teacher: at Harvard, where he taught for eleven years and won one of the school’s top teaching awards, and then at Princeton. As a journalist – a newspaper reporter and editor in Oklahoma City, weekly political columnist for the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times, weekly political commentator on NPR’s “All Things Considered." As a former Vice President of the Aspen Institute where he ran a political leadership program.  And as an author with articles in publications ranging from The Atlantic to The Public Interest and his latest book, The Parties Versus the People, published by Yale University Press, praised in the press, and a critical part of political reform campaigns across America. 

Bill Taylor shows business leaders a path to go from now to next in a world filled with nonstop disruption. As a young entrepreneur, Bill co-founded Fast Company, the bold business magazine that redefined the genre and chronicled the tech-fueled revolution that transformed business and work. Highlighting free-thinking leaders and companies that are upending their organizations and industries is Bill’s passion – and he had a front-row seat. After selling the magazine, Bill has continued to inspire a generation of executives and company-builders to think differently about leadership, change, culture, and the new world of work. He’s written three bestselling books filled with examples of new ways to innovate and succeed: Simply Brilliant: How Great Organizations Do Ordinary Things in Extraordinary Ways, Practically Radical, and Mavericks at Work. Bill also writes regularly for the Harvard Business Review. In a business environment where ordinary is not an option, Bill Taylor is a natural storyteller who inspires people to avoid the experience trap and not allow what they know to limit what they can imagine about the future.

Donna Brazile is one of the best known, most influential African-American women in modern American political life. She was named one of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Washington, D.C.,” by Washingtonian Magazine and one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in America” by Essence Magazine. Ms. Brazile is a Senior Advisor at Purple Strategies, New York Times bestselling author, Chair of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, and sought-after Emmy- and Peabody-award-winning media contributor to such outlets as ABC News, USA Today and TheGrio.

She became the first African American woman to serve as the manager of a major party presidential campaign, running the campaign of former Vice President Al Gore.  She previously served as interim Chair of the Democratic National Committee and of the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute.  She is a current member of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee. 

She is author of the 2004 best-selling memoir Cooking with Grease: Stirring the Pots in American Politics and the 2017 New York Times Bestseller Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-Ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump In The White House. 

She serves as an adjunct professor in the Women and Gender Studies Department at Georgetown University and served as the King Endowed Chair in Public Policy at Howard University and as a fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School. She has lectured at nearly 250 colleges and universities on diversity, equity and inclusion; women in leadership; and restoring civility in American politics.

Jennifer Granholm is an American lawyer, educator, author and politician who served most recently as the 16^th United States Secretary of Energy, and previously as the two-term governor of Michigan. As governor, she spearheaded Michigan’s economic recovery after the Great Recession by diversifying the state’s economy to focus on clean energy and revitalizing the auto industry to build electric vehicles. 

As Secretary of Energy (2021-2025), Granholm restructured the U.S. Department of Energy to focus on research and development of advanced clean energy solutions and, importantly, deployment of zero-carbon technologies. She oversaw $200 billion of U.S. DOE investments into companies and projects to accelerate the clean energy transition. During her tenure as Secretary, thanks to the policies and laws that she helped to shape, the country saw record deployment of clean energy — adding the equivalent of 30 Hoover Dams of zero-carbon energy to the nation’s electricity grid in 2024, more than twice as much solar power deployed as ever before. Due to incentives to manufacture in America, businesses announced almost 1,000 factories were coming or expanding in the U.S. to build clean energy products -- solar panels, EVs, batteries, small nuclear reactors, clean hydrogen, geothermal and more. Thanks to DOE’s work, the nation’s transmission grid is seeing an 11X expansion of new transmission miles.

During her tenure as Secretary, DOE with its 110,000 employees was ranked among the Top 10 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government. Secretary Granholm was named in 2024 to the "TIME 100 Most Influential People" list, and Forbes’ list of "Top Climate Leaders."

Secretary Granholm taught law and public policy at UC Berkeley from 2011-2020, specializing in clean energy and public leadership. A former Attorney General of Michigan (1998-2002) and an honors graduate of Harvard Law School (1987), she is the author of A Governor's Story: The Fight for Jobs and America’s Economic Future, has penned scores of articles and opinion pieces on clean energy, and continues to play a leading role in shaping America’s energy future. Heralded for her forward-looking insight, Granholm brings a balanced and nuanced perspective sorely needed in today's divisive times. 

“We need more people like Chris in the world,” says Dr. Jane Goodall.

National Geographic Explorer and global storyteller Chris Bashinelli draws on eye-opening experiences in over 40 countries to help organizations boost sales, reignite employee inspiration, and build cultures rooted in genuine human connection.

Through unforgettable stories of adventure, dynamic audience engagement, and exclusive footage from his international TV series, Bash empowers teams to unlock the potential of their greatest asset—their people.

With unparalleled authenticity, humility, and a deep curiosity for the human experience, Bash creates a transformative connection with audiences—setting a new standard in the speaking world.

The first ever female head of The New York Times editorial board and op-ed columnist, Gail Collins is a noted women’s historian and author of When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present.

Laurie Dhue is a Certified Recovery Specialist providing resources and support for individuals and families dealing with the disease of addiction. 

Prior to her work in the recovery field, Dhue enjoyed a distinguished career as an award-winning national news anchor who hosted shows on all three major cable news networks: CNN, MSNBC and Fox News Channel. She most recently served as lead news anchor for The Blaze TV. Her 25 years in news has included interviews with numerous world leaders, politicians, entertainers and prominent newsmakers as well as extensive reporting from the Middle East during the War on Terror.

Dhue has had the distinct honor or speaking at the White House in 2014 and 2017 on behalf of ONDCP. She was also a featured speaker at the inaugural UNITE to Face Addiction national rally in Washington, DC in 2015. Dhue appeared in the award-winning 2013 documentary “The Anonymous People” and the 2017 documentary “Reversing the Stigma”, produced in conjunction with OASAS (New York State’s Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse).

One of the nation’s leading recovery advocates, Dhue is in long-term recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction. She has worked closely with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) and the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD). Dhue has spoken on behalf of many national recovery organizations including the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the Caron Foundation. She travels coast-to-coast giving speeches, emceeing events and moderating panel discussions, as well as offering commentary in national and international media.

Columnist, New York Times bestselling author, and political commentator Charles Blow fearlessly tackles today’s most pressing issues with depth, nuance, and tremendous insight. Now an Op-Ed columnist at The New York Times, Mr. Blow previously served as the paper’s Graphics Director, leading The Times to significant awards. He has also worked as the Art Director of National Geographic Magazine and for The Detroit News. Blow is the New York Times bestselling author of Fire Shut Up in My Bones, which won a Lambda Literary Award, the Sperber Prize, and appeared on numerous “best of” lists. A memoir, the book was called “searing and unforgettable” by People Magazine and was adapted into a critically-acclaimed opera with a groundbreaking run at The Metropolitan Opera – the first performance of an opera there by a Black composer. His second book, The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto, draws on both his personal experience and observations of society to call for an end to systemic racism. He is also a contributor to the Encyclopedia Brittanica. Blow is a prolific and insightful commentator on politics, public opinion, and social justice, often challenging those in power with clarity and candor.

Heralded for his forward-thinking coverage of American politics and society, as well as his skill in graphic design to create powerful narratives with compelling visuals, Mr. Blow is also an in-demand speaker and gifted moderator. He is a consultant for the MacArthur Foundation and Press Forward, a half-billion-dollar philanthropic effort to help maintain and restore local news. Mr. Blow hosts “Ideas at Ford with Charles Blow,” a lecture series at the Ford Foundation, and he is a consultant for the MacArthur Foundation and Press Forward, a half-billion-dollar philanthropic effort to help maintain and restore local news. He has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, SalonTV, CBS News, and regularly as an analyst on MSNBC, and has been featured in The Washington Post, The Ringer, Oprah Daily, and more about his highly acclaimed work. An advocate for social justice and racial equity, Mr. Blow speaks about income inequality, xenophobia, and mental health, generating impactful conversations that resonate with audiences of all kinds.

Lara Spencer is an Emmy-winning anchor and reporter for Good Morning America, and has been a journalist with ABC news since 2000. She is also the creator, host and Executive Producer of HGTV’s Emmy® Award-winning “Flea Market Flip” as well as “Everything But the House."

Spencer has written two New York Times Bestselling books: I Brake for Yard Sales, and Flea Market Fabulous. In addition to her career, Spencer is the mother of two children and very active at her Alma Mater Penn State University where she was an All-American platform diver.  She is also a dedicated advocate for pet adoption and has 3 rescue dogs of her own. 

John Rich is an American dream chaser. Armed with confidence, ambition and determination, John Rich is a multi-platinum hit generator, lifestyle-brand entrepreneur, and host of The Pursuit! with John Rich on Fox Business Network. John speaks with authority on entrepreneurism, the music industry, politics, current events, and the importance of family and God.

Whether through a raucous party anthem or a sober reflection on hard times in the heartland, Rich’s ability to capture the American zeitgeist in song has made him one of the most successful and prolific entertainers in the music business today. John is a 3 time consecutive ASCAP Songwriter of the Year winner and has penned over 2,000 songs in his career. In 2011, Rich impressed Donald Trump and American TV audiences with his business acumen and leadership skills, winning NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice and raising $1.5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Rich is the founder of a national lifestyle brand called "Redneck Riviera" which celebrates 'Work hard, play hard' Americans. The brand boasts a successful national whiskey, Redneck Riviera Whiskey, a beef jerky line and a full-blown honky-tonk on the famed Lower Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee, with several more set to open across the US. The Redneck Riviera brand supports Folds of Honor and has now funded over 100 college scholarships for kids who have lost a parent in combat.

In addition to hosting his own show, Rich makes regular appearances on such top-rated shows such as the Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox News Channel’s The Five, Hannity, Fox and Friends and many more.

Veteran journalist, Peabody Award finalist, and bestselling author Brooke Baldwin has covered some of the biggest breaking stories in the U.S. and around the world, and is a champion for women’s empowerment. Brooke hosted her own live daily news show CNN Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin for more than a decade, and was renowned for her versatility, authenticity, and humanity at the news desk. During her time at CNN, the widely respected journalist had the privilege of meeting Presidents and interviewing former first ladies, members of Congress, scientists, teachers, nurses, astronauts, actors, activists, rock stars, and ordinary Americans in extraordinary circumstances from surviving mass shootings to hurricanes to COVID-19. Brooke is the author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book Huddle: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power, redefining the ‘huddle’ to explore how women lean on one another to provide support, empowerment, inspiration, and the strength to enact meaningful change. In addition to the book being a WSJ bestseller, Huddle is also included in Amazon’s Top Ten Books in Biz & Leadership.

Brooke is a highly sought-after speaker and a gifted moderator for events with groups Women in the World, 92^nd Street Y, Buick x TOGETHXR, Commonwealth Club of California, Acronis #CyberFit Summit, among many others. She and her writing have been featured in The Atlantic, Fast Company, Self, Fortune, and she is currently traveling the country hosting “huddles” in partnership with media and commerce company Togethxr, along with corporate sponsor Buick, to elevate women’s voices, particularly around sports. From her experience reporting on the most important issues of today with a front row seat to history, to her work amplifying and advocating for women around the world, Brooke makes a lasting impact on audiences of all kinds with her unique insights on current events, transformational workplace strategies, and authentic motivation.

Esteemed broadcast journalist, sports anchor, and television personality Cari Champion has advanced the sports media industry for women today. For nearly a decade, she served as anchor and host at ESPN – her roles included co-hosting SportCenter’s Coast to Coast, hosting SportsNation, and moderating ESPN’s popular debate talk show, First Take. Champion’s influence resonates across mediums, and she is the host of the podcast Naked with Cari Champion, showcasing her authentic interview style that brings refreshing and nuanced conversations to the forefront from thought-leaders and culture-shifters within the entertainment industry. Champion recently hosted CNN's New Year's celebration and she can be seen frequently as a regular contributor to the network. She currently hosts TNT’s The Arena, creating a thought-provoking forum for provocative topics from the most popular voices in sports. She hosts the eponymous Cari Champion Show, which aired on Amazon. She served as co-anchor of NBC’s primetime studio show, Tokyo Tonight on NBC’s Peacock Channel during the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, as well as co-host of NBC’s reality competition series The Titan Games. Champion made history with her move to Vice TV, working alongside Jemele Hill as the first Black women to host a late-night cable show, Cari & Jemele: Stick to Sports. Champion shares her unparalleled insights about creating her own path to working at the top of her field, the intersections of race, ethnicity, and gender in sports and media, and how to cultivate leadership, teamwork, and perseverance at work and in life.

Champion has been profiled in Sports Illustrated, Vogue, Bustle, The Grio, Essence, and more, and she was honored by Essence at its inaugural Black Women in Sports event. She was selected to host the prestigious 2021 SI (Sports Illustrated) Awards. She is the Founder of Brown Girls Dream, a powerful mentorship network supporting high potential women of color, inspired by the mentorship she received early in her career. She also writes a bulletin for META, ‘I Said What I Said’, debunking harmful stereotypes and unpacking provocative stories. Champion is a gifted keynote speaker and moderator, getting to the heart and soul of today’s biggest issues, and making a lasting impact on audiences of all kinds.

Legendary editor, journalist, CEO, and New York Times bestselling author Tina Brown is an expert on leading through extreme disruption. Brown transformed Vanity Fair, increasing sales from 200K to 1.2M, reinvented The New Yorker, and pioneered online journalism as the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Beast. Now CEO of Tina Brown Live Media, she was the visionary Founder of Women in the World Summits and served as the CEO from 2010-2020. An engaging and talented speaker and moderator, Brown offers lessons on reinvention, shifting business models and market conventions, and taking risks.

Brown is the author of New York Times #1 bestselling biography The Diana Chronicles as well as The Vanity Fair Diaries: 1983-1992, which was named as one of the best books of 2017 by TIME, The Economist, Vogue, and more. Her new book The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor – the Truth and the Turmoil highlights Brown’s expertly observed insights into the world of the royal family. A leader in one of the most disrupted industries in our time, Brown was featured in CNBC’s documentary The Brave Ones, championing her leadership and legacy. Whether she’s sharing stories of triumphant turnarounds or offering concrete tools and inspiration for embracing risks, Brown is an engaging and powerful speaker who makes an impact with both individuals and organizations.

Journalist and author Mary Childs is a co-host for NPR’s award-winning Planet Money podcast known for balancing in-depth analysis of the most pressing financial topics with tenacious clarity, and offering accessible insights and takeaways for individuals and organizations. Previously, Childs worked as a senior reporter for Barron’s magazine, where she covered the alternatives industry, the bond market, and capitalism; a correspondent for the Financial Times; and a contributor to Bloomberg News. Her forthcoming book The Bond King: How One Man Made a Market, Built an Empire, and Lost it All was listed as one of LitHub’s most anticipated of the year. She's reported deeply about the pioneering of new asset classes, proposals to solve inequality, and diversity in the finance industry.

Named a 2015 Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Honoree, Childs’s award-winning work has been chosen as The New Yorker’s “Best Business Reporting” and highlighted on The Daily Show. Childs has appeared as a commentator for Bloomberg TV, Fox Business, Yahoo TV, and Nikkei TV, as well as consulting for HBO on a finance-related program. Her writing has appeared in Quartz, The New York Times, and New York Magazine.

White House Correspondent and political analyst Laura Barrón-López is an expert on current U.S. politics. She is the White House Correspondent for the PBS NewsHour, where she covers the Biden administration for the nightly news broadcast. She is also a political analyst on CNN. Her expertise in U.S. government affairs reflects over a decade of covering breaking news in politics. Previously, Barrón-López was a White House reporter for POLITICO, where she covered the national Presidential election. She has led the Washington Examiner’s coverage of the Democratic Party, coverage of Congress for HuffPost, and coverage of environmental policy for The Hill. Barrón-López’s sharp analysis, compelling storytelling, and engaging presentation style captivate audiences globally.

Barrón-López is an expert on the hottest political issues on voters’ minds today. Her voice has been sought by UVA’s Miller Center, the Texas Tribune Festival, the Atlantic Festival, the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference, and more. Pairing personal stories from her time as a reporter with her in-depth knowledge of current events, Barrón-López leaves audiences feeling inspired and informed.

Peabody and two-time Emmy-winning correspondent, producer, and author Antonia Hylton reports at the intersection of politics, civil rights, and immigration. She is currently a correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC. From 2016 to 2020, Antonia was a Correspondent and Producer for Vice Media and HBO’s nightly news and documentary show, Vice News Tonight. Since 2019, she has served as an annual judge for the American Mosaic Journalism Prize. She is the co-host of the hit podcasts Southlake and Grapevine, and author of the book Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum. Hylton reports on the hardest-hitting stories of today, shaping the conversations beyond the headlines with her sharp critical analysis.

Hylton is one of the most respected journalists of her generation, winning a Peabody, two Emmy Awards, two Gracie Awards, a NAMIC Vision Award, and two Front Page Awards for special reporting and breaking news. She was named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30 - Media.” Beyond the professional sphere, she has conquered a rare form of colon cancer and is an outspoken advocate for preventative care and screenings. Hylton’s will to change the world and dedication to storytelling are consistent across her award-winning journalism, public health advocacy, and live engagements.

Award-winning journalist and critically acclaimed author Elaine Weiss is a trusted expert on women’s history and political activism, voting rights, and civic engagement. With warmth, humor, and inspiring clarity, Weiss connects with any group, making historical events relevant to today’s most controversial issues. Weiss is the author of The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote (Viking/Penguin), hailed as a “riveting, nail-biting political thriller” with powerful parallels to today’s political environment. An insightful and entertaining work of narrative history, The Woman’s Hour was a GoodReads Readers’ Choice Award winner, was short-listed for the 2019 Chautauqua Prize, and received the American Bar Association’s highest honor, the 2019 Silver Gavel Award. It has also been adapted for young readers and used in schools and libraries nationwide. Her latest book, Spell Freedom, is already gathering critical acclaim.

Weiss is a frequent media commentator, appearing on CBS Sunday Morning, PBS, NPR’s All Things Considered, and C-Span, and many public radio stations. She has also been featured as an expert analyst in several major documentaries, and has published op-eds and essays in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, and other publications, offering a historical perspective on timely topics. Weiss also served as a historical advisor to the NYC Public Theater’s production of the historical musical SUFFS.

In presentations that are enlightening, empowering, and eye-opening, Weiss inspires audiences with conversations about what it takes to make social and political change, the power of civic engagement, and the origins of the ongoing struggle over women’s rights and voting rights.

Rave reviews include “Elaine did an amazing job of bringing the history to life and connecting it with our organization today” (Women's League of Voters) and “In this crazy world we live in, we need more people like [Elaine] inspiring others to be good people!” (The Tennessee Municipal League)

Celebrated journalist, bestselling author, and revered political analyst Tiffany D. Cross delivers every time in motivational, insightful, and thought-provoking events. She is the current co-host of iHeart Media’s Native Land Pod, which debuted in 2024 on Apple as the number one downloaded podcast in America across all categories. Cross also hosts ACross Generations, a broadcast show and podcast with Will Packer Productions and iHeart Media, where she focuses on a variety of topics from a multigenerational perspective. Cross previously hosted The Cross Connection on MSNBC, averaging 4.6M viewers a month. She is a longtime cultural commentator, having previously served as the D.C. Bureau Chief for BET Networks, an Associate Producer for CNN, and freelancer. She is also the founder of The Beat DC, a platform that provides critical analysis of national politics, policy, business, and media, highlighting their impact on and relationship with communities of color. An influential voice in the discourse of the moment, Cross is in-demand with groups including the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., the Society of Social Work Research, TriNet, Howard University, and more.

A 2020 fellow of Harvard University Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics, Cross has spent more than 20 years navigating politics, media, labor, communities of color, and the private sector. She is the bestselling author of Say It Louder: Black Voters, White Narratives, and Saving Our Democracy, which Kirkus Reviews hailed as “a compelling exploration of how Black voters have the power to shape the country's future.” Cross regularly receives stellar feedback for her events, such as: ”Tiffany was superb. A joy to work with, engaging and fully invested in making the event a stand-out” (Robert Toigo Foundation Annual Gala) and ”The event was absolutely wonderful and well received! Tiffany Cross was outstanding and prolific.” (Society for Social Work Research)

Author, Emmy-winning journalist, and Latinx advocate Paola Ramos is sought after for her informative, relatable, and engaging programs. Ramos uses multi-media platforms – in both English and Spanish – to uplift the voices of marginalized communities, break down stereotypes, and mobilize people toward civic engagement. She was the former Deputy Director of Hispanic Media for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential Campaign, a political appointee during the Obama Administration, and also served in President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. Ramos is a host for VICE News, as well as a contributor for MSNBC and Telemundo News. An in-demand voice for making sense of the latest headlines as well as meaningful shifts in culture and politics, Ramos has been an impactful speaker for groups such as Comcast, Planned Parenthood, UTA, Athena Health, Syracuse University, Orrick, and more.

Ramos is the author of Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity and Defectors, assiduously reported explorations of the political and ideological experiences of Latinx Americans. Ramos and her work have been featured in Forbes, Washington Post, The Cut, Hola!, among many others. Ramos is a Hauser Leader in the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School, where she received her Masters in Public Policy, and recently joined her alma mater Barnard College’s Board of Trustees. With every speaking engagement, Ramos receives rave reviews, such as: “We had an incredible fireside chat with Paola Ramos. She was informative, relatable, and engaging. Our audience learned about different Latinx communities and shared their own experiences during the event.” (Athena Health)

Emmy Award-winning science correspondent, host, and podcaster Alie Ward is an expert in curiosity, engaging audiences across mediums with her explorations in science, inventions, and food. Alie won a Daytime Emmy Award for her work as a correspondent for CBS’s The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation with Mo Rocca, hosts Did I Mention Invention? on the CW, and appears on Netflix’s Brainchild and 100 Humans, and the Science Channel’s How to Build Everything. She is a Consulting Producer for the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions on their Netflix shows Ada Twist, Scientist and Waffles & Mochi, making STEM and cooking fun and accessible for young audiences. Alie is best-known for her podcast Ologies, a comedic science podcast that consistently ranks among the top five science podcasts, captivating audiences and making us think outside the box.

Alie is a culinary host, appearing on the Cooking Channel’s Food: Fact or Fiction and Unique Sweets. She also created the Cooking Channel series Tripping Out with Alie and Georgia. Alie was a staff writer and editor for the Los Angeles Times, an on-air contributor for KTLA, and is a co-founder of the science communication collective Nerd Brigade. In 2022, Ologies won Best Science Podcast at the iHeart Awards, and continues to top "best of" lists in numerous publications. With her fascinating background and witty point of view, Alie inspires audiences to find and follow their passion, try something new, and let curiosity reign.

Author, cultural critic, New Yorker staff writer, and writer-at-large at The New York Times Magazine Jay Caspian Kang writes and speaks about race, identity, economics, the history of immigration, and more. He was a founding editor at Grantland and an Emmy-nominated correspondent on VICE at HBO. Kang is the author of The Loneliest Americans, which was named one of the best books of the year by NPR, Mother Jones, and TIME, which called it “provocative and sweeping.” It was also named an Editor’s Choice book by The New York Times Book Review, which raved that Kang’s “exploration of class and identity among Asian Americans will be talked about for years to come.”

Kang’s writing has been featured in numerous publications and outlets including This American Life, The New Yorker, and The Nation, among others. He is a co-host of the beloved eclectic podcast Time to Say Goodbye, which Slate called one of the Best Chat Podcasts of 2022. A substantive speaker and insightful moderator, Kang speaks on topics as varied as city planning, the history of immigration in the U.S., education policy and Affirmative Action, and more for hosts including the Korean American Spine Surgical Society, the Collegiate School, and Ohio State University.

Three years ago, Raymond Braun had never run more than three miles and was struggling with debilitating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. In February 2023, Raymond set two World Records by completing 7 Olympic Distance triathlons on all 7 continents in 7 consecutive days. This endeavor was part of his mental health recovery program and aimed to destigmatize conversations about therapy and grief, while honoring his late friend, Maya Amoils, a mental health advocate.

As an award-winning multimedia journalist, producer, and advocate, Raymond now facilitates open conversations on the connection between mental and physical health through documentary storytelling, public speaking, endurance events, and peer-to-peer counseling. He has spoken at prestigious events ranging from the White House to the Forbes CMO Summit, and been featured in numerous media outlets including the New York Times, CNN, and many more.

Raymond struggled with OCD-related challenges throughout his life, masking them behind professional achievements and accolades. He graduated as valedictorian for both his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Stanford University. He went on to hold leadership positions at YouTube and Bumble, founded a creative consultancy with prestigious clients like CHANEL and Google, and achieved recognition as a GLAAD Award-winning documentary host.

Raymond ultimately found solace and transformation through endurance sports and exposure therapy. He now focuses on mental health awareness, inclusivity in fitness, and sharing inspiring stories of mental and physical transformation to empower others. Raymond's ultimate mission is to prove that individuals possess far greater potential than their self-limiting thoughts, stereotypes, and societal pressures suggest.

Emmy Award-winning journalist Jemele Hill is known for bringing a unique perspective to her analysis of sports and social issues. Hill’s 20-plus year journalism career has included stops at the biggest sports media network and several reputable newspapers. She is currently a contributing writer for The Atlantic, after rising to prominence through ESPN, where she provided undeniably fresh takes on sports content as a host of SportsCenter, First Take, Around the Horn, The Sports Reporters, and Outside the Lines. Her independent commentary took off with a weekly, late-night show on Vice Network called Cari & Jemele: Won’t Stick to Sports, co-hosted with Hill’s longtime friend, former ESPN anchor Cari Champion. As fans flocked to her personal brand, Hill’s podcast career launched with the two-time Webby award-winning podcast Jemele Hill is Unbothered, featuring in-depth, thought-provoking conversation with some of the biggest newsmakers across entertainment, culture, music, and politics. Previous guests include Vice President Kamala Harris, Ice Cube, Spike Lee, Chelsea Clinton, Stephen Colbert, Issa Rae, and more A-listers. Her memoir, UPHILL, one of Oprah Daily’s Best Nonfiction Books, reveals her tumultuous childhood, complicated family dynamics, and her life-saving journey into journalism. Hill explores topical and controversial issues with humorous, candid commentary.

Hill’s career emphasizes the power of dialogue and conversation in bridging divides, fostering understanding, and driving positive change within society. Hill founded a podcast network, Unbothered, and co-founded Lodge Freeway Media to empower other women of color in sports media production. She is a highly lauded journalist, honored with two NAACP Awards and the National Association of Black Journalists’ Journalist of the Year Award. Hill has been invited to speak at Harvard University, Stanford University, Google, and many more.

MSNBC's Morning Joe co-host, New York Times Bestselling author, and former U.S. Congressman Joe Scarborough ignites audiences with his no-holds barred political commentary and far-reaching insight. Drawing on his experience as an influential player in Republican politics – and now one of the most in-demand commentators – Scarborough speaks candidly about the important issues facing Americans every day. In August of 2023, Morning Joe was the most watched morning show on all of cable. A Washington Post and New York Times bestselling author, Joe’s books and his keynotes offer an incisive perspective on the trends in Republican politics, what that means for business, and the values that resonate with audiences.

As popular on stage as he is on TV, Joe brings the same energy to his events as a speaker. He is a member of the Cable News Hall of Fame and has been named to the prestigious "TIME 100" list. With his signature off-the-cuff commentary, he offers a dynamic and fast-paced perspective on the current political and media landscape and cuts through the headlines of the day to get to what really matters to your audience.

Peabody and Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist Amna Nawaz currently serves as co-anchor & co-managing editor of PBS NewsHour. Her diligent reporting and skillful moderation have shaped coverage of some of the most important events in recent history. Amna’s portfolio is broad, delving into politics, foreign affairs, education, climate change, culture, and sports to great acclaim, with her NBC News Special ‘Inside the Obama Whitehouse’ earning her an Emmy Award. From her distinguished position as NBC’s Islamabad Bureau Chief & Correspondent to her Peabody Award-winning work, Amna’s signature thoughtful and thorough analysis establish her as one of the foremost voices in journalism today.

Leading notable panels such as the Aspen Ideas Festival and the RespectAbility #ADA30 Summit 2020, Amna’s insightful moderation elevates conversations. In a ground-breaking moment, she co-moderated a 2019 Democratic Primary Debate, becoming the first Asian American and first Muslim American to do so. Amna has interviewed international newsmakers, influential voices in the arts, and travelled from border towns to Appalachia covering vital issues and enriching national and international dialogue.

Amna’s work has appeared on ABC News, Nightline, NBC News, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, Dateline NBC, MSNBC, and MSNBC.com. Nawaz was a Fall 2021 Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service and she is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Asian American Journalists Association, the South Asian Journalists Association, and the Inter-American Dialogue. Amna consistently receives rave reviews for her speaking engagements, such as: “Amna was outstanding! Gracious, delightful, simply perfect. The tone of her speech hit the spot. Everyone loved it.” (Greenwich Academy)

Seasoned political strategist, former CNN political commentator, and author Symone Sanders Townsend is a gifted communicator with a passion for problem solving, social justice, and in-depth analysis of today’s most important issues. Sanders Townsend previously served as the national press secretary for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, the youngest person to ever hold that title. She served as a senior advisor for President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign and was appointed as a senior member of the Biden-Harris administration, and will now bring her nuanced and critical insight to MSNBC as the host of SYMONE, as well as serving as an anchor and hosting a show on The Choice, MSNBC’s digital streaming arm. In her book No, You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America, Sanders Townsend shares her take-no-prisoners approach to life, politics, and career success, advocating for a new generation to be powerful in their own right. A rousing call to leadership, Congresswoman Maxine Waters raved, “Symone’s honest and profound reflection on standing up and speaking out is sure to inspire young people across the country to become the change agents the world needs.”

Sanders Townsend is a highly sought-after commentator and speaker, from her TED Talk Stop asking permission!, to an invigorating conversation at SXSW, Politico’s 2019 Women Rule Summit, the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity, and many more. She served as the National Chair of the Coalition of Juvenile Justice Emerging Leaders Committee, a member of the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice, and in her role as principal of the 360 Group, Sanders Townsend worked on leading-edge solutions to tough political and social problems. Sanders Townsend shares her expertise in communication and political strategy, in-depth analysis of key political issues, and the challenges and possibilities for radical change with authenticity, humor, and insight.

MSNBC's White House correspondent and Playbook author Eugene Daniels draws on his vast experience in the political sphere to offer vital insights and moderate timely conversations. Since joining Politico in 2018, Daniels has covered the midterms, the Democratic presidential primary, and the general election through print, video, journalism, and podcasts. During the country’s reckoning with race in 2020, Daniels moderated Politico's “Confronting Inequality” Town Hall series that examined how inequities in policing, housing, healthcare, education, and employment permeate and plague the United States.

Daniels is a Senior Contributor for MSNBC’s Morning Joe and a frequent guest on PBS’ Washington Week. He has been featured in Forbes and The Advocate, among many others. Prior to Politico, Daniels covered elections and national politics as a political reporter at Newsy, after starting his career in local television in Colorado Springs. As an engaging moderator and compelling keynote speaker, Daniels shares his unparalleled perspective on culture and diversity, what’s to come in U.S. politics and policy, and how the media and voters are making sense of the headlines.

CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins is a journalist who covers the most important domestic and global news stories. On her primetime program, The Source with Kaitlan Collins, she has interviewed major global figures like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ukranian President Volodymr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Trump Employee 5, Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, Bill Barr, Mitt Romney, Bernie Sanders, former Attorney General William Barr, GOP presidential candidates, and more. Previously, Collins was the co-anchor and chief correspondent of CNN This Morning. Prior to the launch of the morning show, she served as CNN's Chief White House Correspondent based in Washington, D.C. Collins is lauded as a balanced and incisive voice in political conversations.

In recognition of her journalistic work, Collins has been included in Mediaite's annual list of the “Most Influential People in News Media.” She was named to Crain's NewsPro's “12 to Watch in TV News,” as well as one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30: Media.” In 2023, she was named to Variety’s “New Power of New York” list and The Hill’s “Changemakers” list. Also in 2023, she received an Emmy Award for her part in CNN's coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Collins provides perspectives on U.S. government, politics, and foreign affairs in addition to lending her on-air interviewing experience to hosting and moderation.

Many-time bestselling author, columnist, and commentator John Avlon has been called “a trusted, grounded, and welcome voice” emphasizing bipartisanship and real solutions. He currently hosts a solutions journalism podcast on The Bulwark called How to Fix It and serves as the Chairman of Citizens Union, New York’s oldest good government group. Avlon was a Senior Political Analyst and Anchor at CNN, known for his “Reality Check” segments across the network. He is an award-winning columnist and the author of Independent Nation, Wingnuts, Washington’s Farewell, and Lincoln & the Fight for Peace, which was praised by The New York Times as “a Lincoln for our polarized times…powerful and affecting” and named one of the best books of the year by Vanity Fair and Foreign Affairs. He was the editor-in-chief and managing director of The Daily Beast (2013-8) and served as chief speechwriter for the Mayor of New York. Avlon’s essay, “The Resilient City” was selected to conclude Empire City: New York through the Centuries and won acclaim as “the single best essay written in the wake of 9/11.”

Avlon has appeared multiple times on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Real Time with Bill Maher, The Daily Show, PBS, and C-Span. He has spoken at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, the National Constitution Center, and other civic organizations around the nation. Avlon is also a co-founder of No Labels – a group of Democrats, Republicans and Independents dedicated to the politics of problem-solving and making government work again. Highly regarded for his shrewd analysis of the headlines of the day, offering historic perspective on the current political climate of the U.S., and the role of journalism in politics, Avlon offers reasoned discourse that focuses on real solutions.

CNBC correspondent and author Julia Boorstin delivers insightful analysis with a focus on the intersection of media and technology. Boorstin serves as CNBC’s Senior Media & Tech Correspondent, playing a central role on the network’s bicoastal tech-focused program TechCheck. Before joining CNBC as an on-air reporter in 2006, she served as a reporter for Fortune magazine, and was an intern for Vice President Gore’s domestic policy office. Boorstin released her debut book When Women Lead: What They Achieve, Why They Succeed, and How We Can Learn from Them in October 2022, which features lessons from the leadership approaches of women running the world’s most innovative and successful companies.

Boorstin has contributed to CNN and CNN Headline News, among others. She is the creator of the CNBC “Disruptor 50,” an annual list she curates highlighting private companies transforming the economy and challenging companies in established industries. She also helped launch the network’s ‘Closing the Gap’ initiative, which covers people and companies closing gender and diversity gaps. In her writing, reporting, and speaking, Boorstin is a sought-after expert exploring groundbreaking leadership and business innovations that resonate across industries.

Renowned journalist Julia Ioffe is a leading authority on Russian-U.S. relations, showing us precisely what is at stake. Ioffe is a Founding Partner and the Washington correspondent for Puck, a new media company covering power, money, and ego. She previously served as Senior Editor for The New Republic, was a staff writer at The Atlantic covering politics and world affairs, and a correspondent for GQ Magazine. As a highly sought-after keynote speaker, Ioffe conveys Russian-American relations from both sides with clarity and insight. In her talks, as in her Atlantic cover story “What Putin Really Wants," Ioffe provides colorful, character-rich discussions of Russia’s socio-political structure, its tempestuous historical relationship with America, and how Russia will effect U.S. politics – and policy – moving forward.

Ioffe’s work has been featured in Politico, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, Slate, Puck, and many more. Born in Moscow, Ioffe’s family moved to the U.S. when she was seven years old. She studied Soviet history at Princeton with Stephen Kotkin, and later won a Fulbright Scholarship to return to Russia, where she worked as the Moscow correspondent for The New Yorker as well as Foreign Policy. Ioffe’s area of expertise, built on years of in-depth reporting in Russia for publications that include The New Republic, acknowledges Russia’s threat against American democracy, while placing emphasis on the way the media, right and left, can both over- and-underestimate Russia’s strategic coherence and capabilities. Ioffe’s talks provide a clear-eyed view of the situation, showing us that Russia is a non-partisan issue that every American, whether Democrat or Republican, must think hard about, regardless of political affiliation.

Award-winning political analyst, New York Times bestselling author, and MSNBC national correspondent Joy-Ann Reid was the longtime host of MSNBC’s beloved The ReidOut. Reid made history with her namesake show as the first Black woman to host a primetime cable news program. Prior to The ReidOut, she hosted the hit weekend morning news show AM Joy. Reid is the author of Fracture: Barack Obama, the Clintons, and the Racial Divide, We Are the Change We Seek: The Speeches of Barack Obama, which she co-edited, and the New York Times bestseller The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story. She also hosts two podcasts Reid This, Reid That, with Emmy-winning journalist Jacque Reid, and a books podcast What to Reid. MSNBC’s new special, The Culture Is, features Reid as co-host, moderator, and executive producer for the first episode, The Culture Is: Black Women. A sought-after keynote speaker, Reid is celebrated for her no-nonsense commentary and insights, taking audiences beyond the headlines in impactful engagements.

Reid has been featured in Washington Post, Forbes, The New York Times, Vogue, Black Enterprise, Fast Company, Ms., among many others, and her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Miami Herald, New York Magazine, and The Daily Beast. She was a 2025 NAACP Image Award winner for her #1 New York Times bestseller Medgar & Myrlie. a 2022 NAACP Image Award winner for The ReidOut, 2003 Knight Center for Advanced Journalism fellow, and has received awards from the Women’s Media Center, the National Action Network, the National Association of Black Journalists, and been nominated for an Emmy, a GLAAD Media Award, and two prior NAACP Image Awards. Reid has taught at Syracuse University and is a Hearst Visiting Professor at Howard University, teaching a course on the impact of race and gender on political coverage. Drawing on her decades-long experience in politics and passion for addressing the intersections of race, justice, and culture, Reid offers in-demand analysis on today’s most important issues.

The co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, founder of Know Your Value, and New York Times bestselling author Mika Brzezinski is a celebrated, go-to voice on current events, world affairs, and women's empowerment. A former anchor of CBS Evening News Weekend Edition and CBS News correspondent who frequently contributed to CBS Sunday Morning and 60 Minutes, Brzezinski has covered some of the most pivotal moments of the 21st century, from the September 11 attacks to multiple presidential elections. Brzezinski is also the author of seven bestselling books that serve as essential and inspiring guidebooks for empowering women, offering encouragement and practical advice on claiming and communicating their worth. As a speaker, Brzezinski brings a powerhouse combination of journalistic integrity, leadership insights, and empowering advocacy to your event.

Brzezinski offers empowering insights into women's equality and work-life balance as well as a dynamic perspective on the current political and media landscape, which she has shared with hosts including Harvard University, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and the Lake Nona Institute.

Former Chairman and CEO of CNN, author, and veteran executive producer Chris Licht is a titan of the television landscape. Licht joined CNN after serving in senior, transformational positions at CBS, CBS News, and MSNBC. Licht previously served as Executive Vice President of Special Programming at CBS and Executive Producer and Showrunner for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – the most-watched show in late night television. Licht was also an Executive Producer on Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out the News on Paramount+. Prior to that, he served as Executive Producer of CBS’ critically acclaimed morning news program, CBS This Morning, which became the network’s most successful morning newscast in more than two decades. was the co-creator and original executive producer of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and was at the helm as the show garnered critical acclaim for its interviews with newsmakers and perspective on the top news stories. Drawing on his depth of experience, Licht shares key insights about building resilient teams, change management, and leading transformative large-scale organizations by leaning into innovation and empathy.

Licht has received numerous honors for his work. During his tenure as executive producer, CBS This Morning earned a prestigious Peabody Award, two News and Documentary Emmys, and one Daytime Emmy. Also, the broadcast and Licht were honored with an Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Award as part of CBS News’ division-wide coverage of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Licht’s first book, What I Learned When I Almost Died, tells the story of what happened after a near-deadly brain hemorrhage left Chris in a hospital bed over eight long days to think about how his life had almost been cut short. With warmth and candor, Licht shares the lessons he learned overcoming adversity, surviving a health crisis, and creating more balance in his life in motivational talks.

American television host, comedian, writer, and producer Jimmy Kimmel is best known as an iconic late-night host. As the host and executive producer of ABC’s longest-running late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel has hosted some of the biggest events and moments in pop culture. Kimmel began working in radio during high school, then pivoted to on-screen hosting. Previously, Kimmel hosted and produced several comedy series, including Comedy Central’s The Man Show and Win Ben Stein’s Money, for which he won an Emmy award for Best Game Show Host. Kimmel has hosted three Primetime Emmy Awards and four Academy Awards. Through his work as a moderator and host, Kimmel has undeniably become a household name.

Kimmel has been named one of Time’s “The World’s 100 Most Influential People” for his work in the media and entertainment industry. He teamed up with four other superstar comedians to create the chart-topping Strike Force Five to support television writers nationally. Known for his clean, honest humor, Kimmel can make any audience laugh.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/post-next/interactive/2025/#kim-ghattasAward-winning journalist, author, and strategic advisor on geopolitics Kim Ghattas is an esteemed analyst with more than twenty years of experience covering the Middle East, international affairs, and U.S. foreign policy. Growing up in Lebanon during the civil war, Ghattas decided to become a journalist to make sense of the world and explain it to others. A renowned expert on the region, she covered the Middle East for the BBC and Financial Times, and was part of the Emmy Award-winning BBC team that covered the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Ghattas helped establish a news bureau in her home city of Beirut for the BBC in 2006 and ran news operations, in addition to leading her family business through Lebanon’s recent economic crisis, giving her a unique understanding of the intersections of business, crisis management, and global affairs. The former State Department correspondent is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Secretary: A Journey with Hillary Clinton from Beirut to the Heart of Power and Black Wave – a New York Times “Top 100 Notable Book” of 2020 – which has become a reference for universities and diplomats on the Saudi-Iran rivalry. Building on her first-hand knowledge of the Arab world and unique access to key players and decision makers in the region as well as the U.S., Ghattas provides incisive takeaways on international affairs, helping audiences connect the dots between global events and their impacts.

Ghattas is a contributing writer for The Atlantic, a contributing editor at the Financial Times, and a regular commentator on CNN, NPR, among others, and is a Distinguished Carnegie Inaugural Fellow, Columbia University. Ghattas was selected to Washington Post's 2025 list of "Next 50 Thought Leaders" for her groundbreaking work. She serves on the board of Trustees of the American University of Beirut, and chairs the board of directors of the organization of Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism. Ghattas is leading voice on Middle Eastern affairs, her expertise on risk and opportunities in regional and geopolitical trends is sought after by policy makers and institutions in the region and in the U.S., and as an in-demand speaker she offers impactful keynotes to audiences of all kinds.

Powerhouse journalist Joanne Lipman has transformed newsrooms across the country – and now she’s turned her keen eye to transforming work and life in the post-pandemic era. In her blockbuster new book, Next!: The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work (March 2023), she offers a deeply reported, delightfully readable look at how to change your life, your workplace, or your career -– and how to inspire innovation in others. It follows her No. 1 bestseller That’s What She Said, about achieving gender equity at work and at home, inspiring men as well as women to join together to promote diversity, innovation and excellence.

One of the nation’s most prominent journalists, Lipman is the former editor-in-chief of USA Today and the USA TODAY Network, Conde Nast Portfolio, and The Wall Street Journal Weekend Journal, leading those organizations to six Pulitzer Prizes. Dubbed “innovator in chief” by The New York Times and “star editor” by CNN, Lipman began her career at The Wall Street Journal, where she rose to become the highest-ranking woman in the paper’s history. Lipman has been in-demand with groups such as Motorola, Google, Aetna, Chevron, NBC Universal, among many others.

Lipman is sought after for her insights, appearing on ABC, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, and CBS, and is an on-air contributor at CNBC. Her work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, TIME, Fortune, and Harvard Business Review. She teaches a popular Yale University course on Media & Democracy, focused on issues including polarization and combatting misinformation. A lively and entertaining speaker, Lipman offers action-oriented insights and critical analysis into issues ranging from workplace culture, to personal and business growth and transformation, to fostering diverse and equitable organizations, and more.

Award-winning science journalist, STEM advocate, and seven-time New York Times bestselling author Mary Roach is known for her books Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife, Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War, and Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. An insatiably curious researcher, Roach is an award-winning journalist whose new book Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law was an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and received countless accolades. Her TED Talk, 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Orgasm, made TED’s list of “The 10 Most-Watched Talks.” Roach is an expert on cultivating a risk-taking mindset, following your instincts, and transforming the way we think about the world around us.

Roach is a prolific popular science writer, and her work has been featured in National Geographic, Wired, Vogue, GQ, The New York Times Magazine, and more, and she has served as Guest Editor for Best American Science and Nature Writing. She has appeared on The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, NPR’s Fresh Air, among others. Roach was a finalist for the Royal Society’s Winton Prize, and the winner of the American Engineering Societies’ journalism award. Called “America’s funniest science writer” by the Washington Post, Roach offers fascinating (and hilarious) keynotes and conversations that engage audiences of all kinds.

Sociopolitical comedian, Emmy- and Peabody-winning producer, and New York Times bestselling author W. Kamau Bell is a revered cultural commentator, using hilarity and profound insight to illuminate today’s biggest issues – and where we can go from here. He is the host and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning CNN docuseries United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell, in which he explores communities across America to understand the unique challenges they face. Kamau is known for his Netflix stand-up comedy special Private School Negro, his one-man show The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour, and his FX & FXX comedy series Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. His first book, The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6' 4", African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian, is a humorous, well-informed take on the world today from “the most promising new talent in political comedy in many years” (The New York Times). Kamau is the co-author of the New York Times bestseller Do the Work!: An Anti-Racist Activity Book, with Kate Schatz. In sought-after talks, Kamau leverages humor as a tool for transformative conversations.

Kamau serves on the advisory boards of Right To Be (formerly Hollaback!), Donors Choose, and is an ACLU Artist Ambassador. He’s been nominated for multiple NAACP Image Awards, a GLAAD award, and has been featured on Conde Nast’s “Daring 25” list. He has hosted three critically acclaimed podcasts: Kamau Right Now!, Politically Re-Active, and Denzel Washington is The Greatest Actor of All Time Period. Kamau is the director of the critically acclaimed documentary Cultureshock: Chris Rock’s Bring the Pain, and is the director and producer of the four-time Emmy-nominated docuseries We Need to Talk About Cosby. Kamau tackles some of the nation's most longstanding complex issues in accessible and empowering talks for audiences of all kinds.

Linsey Davis is an award-winning journalist, ABC News Live "Prime with Linsey Davis" and ABC World News Tonight Radio correspondent, and bestselling author whose timely and balanced reporting have earned her many honors including two Emmy Awards, a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, and multiple Gracie Awards. Davis is renowned for her tough but fair moderating skills in the arena of political debate, as well as insightful interviews with major influential figures, including Hillary Clinton, Mike Pence, and Dr. Anthony Fauci. She is a sought-after moderator, having led the first roundtable discussion with Black female mayors of Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Baton Rouge, and Tacoma, as well as a series of interviews with the spouses of presidential candidates in a series called Running Mates. In addition to her wave-making reporting, Davis is the author of six books, including The New York Times bestsellers Girls of the World and The Smallest Spot of a Dot, and the titles How High Is Heaven, Stay This Way Forever, The World Is Awake, and One Big Heart. As a speaker and moderator, Davis’ voice is in-demand on a dynamic array of subjects and audiences are energized by her presence.

Award-winning CNN Anchor and Chief Investigative Correspondent, Pamela Brown inspires audiences to advocate for themselves and stay the course when someone tries to shake them off. Brown began her career at ABC7/WJLA-TV and NewsChannel8 in Washington D.C., where she became a Sunday evening anchor and an Emmy®-nominated special projects reporter covering several national and international stories. Known for her journalistic tenacity, Brown now anchors CNN Newsroom. Brown previously served as the network's Justice and Supreme Court correspondent covering law enforcement, as well as issues related to the Department of Justice and the U.S. Supreme Court. 

As a speaker, Brown is a stellar moderator and provides her personal experiences with working motherhood, Alzheimer’s, and the many groundbreaking stories she has aired. Brown has delighted hosts including J.P. Morgan, The Aspen Institute, Salesforce, and more.

Sunny Hostin is a five-time Emmy Award-winning legal journalist, two-time New York Times bestselling author, and co-host of The View. She is a sought-after keynote speaker who earns rave reviews for her events. Hostin’s debut novel Summer on the Bluffs, first in her "Summer" trilogy, skyrocketed to #11 on the New York Times Bestseller List and is being adapted as the first major project for Sunny Hostin Productions alongside Octavia Spencer's Orit Entertainment. She recently released the second book in her acclaimed ‘Summer’ series, Summer on Sag Harbor, an instant New York Times bestseller. In the fall of 2020, Hostin released her memoir, I Am These Truths: A Memoir of Identity, Justice, and Living Between Worlds, with HarperOne. 

Hostin has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes Woman, Essence, The CUT, Latina, and Ebony, amongst others. A sought-after public speaker, she has spoken at and moderated panels for the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, Corporate Counsel Women of Color, the National Bar Association, and more. Hostin served as a witness at the Federal Judiciary’s Congressional Hearing for the Public’s Right of Access to the Courts, and was she was part of the groundbreaking ABC primetime newscast, “Soul of a Nation,” the first broadcast network newsmagazine aiming to put Black life in America front and center. An inescapable voice from the top echelons of news and entertainment, Sunny continues to use her platform to advocate for and give a voice to the marginalized.

Emmy Award-nominated sports journalist Taylor Rooks is an acclaimed interviewer whose probing questions give rise to some of today’s most pressing discussions beyond the game. Rooks is the Host and Executive Producer of Take It There With Taylor Rooks, her interview show for Bleacher Report, among other duties for Turner Sports. In the fall, she will be the Primary Host of Amazon Prime Video's NBA coverage. Previously, she worked as a host, reporter, and correspondent for the Big Ten Network and as a sideline reporter for CBS Sports Network. Rooks has recently been tapped to join Amazon's Thursday Night Football as a Feature Reporter. She is known for asking daring questions that lead to revelatory conversations with some of sports’ biggest stars.

Praised in a profile by the New York Times: “Taylor Rooks gets the interviews that go viral.” She shares meaningful insights about succeeding in her industry by focusing on making connections and honoring the humanity of the players, as well as understanding the larger context behind the game. With her incomparable coverage of the NBA season during the pandemic, Rooks was tapped as featured writer for GQ’s “Men of the Year” issue. She offers unparalleled analysis based on her expertise in media as a keynote speaker, host, or interviewer to amplify meaningful events for audiences.

Respected political correspondent and chief national affairs analyst Kasie Hunt has covered campaigns, Congress, and Washington for almost two decades, including three presidential campaigns. Kasie currently serves as a CNN anchor and the network’s chief national affairs analyst, after more than eight years at NBC where she anchored Way Too Early with Kasie Hunt, Kasie DC on MSNBC, and served as the Capitol Hill Correspondent. Kasie is widely respected for her hard-hitting exchanges with major players in Washington D.C., earning a reputation for adding fresh angles to the political news cycle. She is also a brain tumor survivor. Just 36 years old when she was diagnosed and underwent brain surgery, she brings a unique perspective on resilience in an unstable world. Kasie in in-demand with a wide range of audiences from students to advertising executives to major philanthropic groups, including events with the BUILD Series, SXSW, Politicon, and the George Washington Elliott School of International Affairs.

Hunt started her career in journalism as a print reporter, covering health policy for National Journal, including the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the 2012 presidential campaign of former Gov. Mitt Romney for the Associated Press, and the 2010 midterm elections for Politico. She has appeared regularly some of the nation’s most influential programs, including NBC’s Meet the Press, MSNBC’s Morning Joe, CNN’s Inside Politics, and PBS’s Washington Week. In 2018, Kasie led the NBC News investigative team that was awarded the Joan Shorenstein Barone Award for its reporting on sexual harassment allegations on Capitol Hill. In sought-after events, she offers rare behind-the-scenes insights into the inner workings of presidential campaigns and Congress, as well as the cutthroat world of TV news.

Emmy Award-winning journalist and trailblazing sportscaster MJ Acosta-Ruiz is an acclaimed sportscaster and anchor on SportsCenter, ESPN's flagship show. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, she is also the Monday Night Football sideline reporter for ESPN Deportes. She has covered sports, entertainment, and breaking news for over a decade following her tenure as a Miami Dolphins cheerleader. Acosta-Ruiz joined NFL Network in 2018 from NBC and Telemundo in San Diego where she covered the Chargers, Padres and international soccer for three seasons in both English & Spanish language broadcasts as the lead sports anchor. Prior to joining NBC and Telemundo, Acosta-Ruiz spent three years as a reporter for WPLG, the ABC affiliate in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, covering sports, entertainment and breaking news. In her reporting, moderating, and as a keynote speaker, Acosta-Ruiz shares her insights on overcoming obstacles, embracing your authentic self as part of the path to success, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities to create a more just world.

In addition to her work as an award-winning journalist, Acosta-Ruiz works as an advocate for women’s empowerment and representation and equity for marginalized communities. She works closely with women’s empowerment groups such as A Seat at the Table and is on the Board of Health in the Hood, a non-profit helping to close the gap of food inequity/insecurity in South Florida. Acosta-Ruiz is a sought-after speaker, sharing her inspirational journey and takeaways about strategizing for success, embracing what makes you different, and breaking barriers in her empowering talks. 

Wendell Potter is best known as America’s leading advocate for healthcare reform. The former health insurance industry executive pivoted to investigative reporting when he chose to blow the whistle on the industry's business practices as a Congressional expert witness in his New York Times bestseller, Deadly Spin. His following books, Obamacare and Nation on the Take, blend insurance industry insider knowledge with fervent dedication to transforming healthcare. His courageous exposure of profit-driven decisions that often compromised patient well-being became a turning point, marking Potter as an individual committed to transparency, ethics, and a fundamental reevaluation of the healthcare landscape.

Potter’s influential views are frequently cited in The New York Times and Washington Post, and onscreen on CNN, NPR, and MSNBC among other media outlets. In his substack newsletter, HEALTHCARE Un-covered, Potter examines and reports on breaking news within the U.S. healthcare system and insurance industry, and its impact on patient care. Potter’s level of understanding of American health insurance companies, one of the largest and most important industries in the world, is unique in its level of inside insight into how insurers play their game. Potter has spoken on healthcare to organizations including the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University, Physicians for a National Health Program, Business Health Care Group, as well as innumerable physician, attorney, policy maker, employer, and other professional groups eager for insight on issues of concern.

Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski are morning television’s hottest political duo and the co-hosts of MSNBC's Morning Joe, one of the most popular and influential shows on politics because of who watches it – namely, every member of the Washington political ecosystem, from journalists and legislators to staffers and consultants.

An entertaining pair, they are as popular on stage as they are on TV. Tailoring their remarks to every audience, they can speak about the current political environment, current events, the current media landscape, and leadership and business news.

Journalist, author, podcaster, and cultural figure Jenna Wortham is a thought leader at the intersection of tech, culture, and identity, offering engaging and incisive analysis to spellbound audiences across mediums. They co-edited the critically acclaimed visual anthology Black Futures, and is currently a staff writer for the New York Times Magazine, whom editor Jack Silverstein called “one of the most savvy and intelligent voices anywhere covering digital business and culture.” Jenna is also the co-host of the highly popular New York Times podcast Still Processing, which won a Webby Award and has appeared on year-end ‘Best of’ lists for The Atlantic, The Huffington Post, and Indiewire.

Jenna’s writing has appeared in Vogue, WIRED, The Economic Times, and more, and they have received numerous honors, including the prestigious MacDowell Fellowship. Jenna is uniquely positioned to speak to the challenges and possibilities of globalization of culture via the internet, and how we can continue to build our collective future in ever-changing digital spaces.

Award-winning journalist, editor, and author Phillip Picardi is known for his role in revolutionizing Teen Vogue, Allure, and Out Magazines. Under Picardi’s leadership, the digital audience of Teen Vogue grew from just 2M unique visitors per month to over 12M, making the Condé Nast title the fastest-growing women's magazine in America for two years running. He was then appointed by Anna Wintour to oversee the digital operations of Allure, where he concepted “The End of Anti-Aging,” an industry call to action for brands to eradicate the shame and stigma around getting older. Dubbed “the prince of Condé Nast” by The New York Times, Picardi went on to launch a community-driven platform for LGBTQ+ youth called them. From building empowered and diverse teams to generating disruptive and out-of-the-box ideas, Picardi’s speaking engagements offer an abundance of insights.

Picardi went on to rebrand and relaunch Out Magazine, the largest and most influential publication for the queer and trans community. An expert in building empowered teams, he assembled and led the most diverse staff in the brand’s history. During Picardi’s career, he has been a sought-after consultant for clients like Levi's, Ralph Lauren, Lego, Burberry, and Nike. He is also the recipient of multiple awards, including Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People, the Forbes 30 Under 30, the AdWeek Hot List, a GLAAD Award, and more. Picardi recently graduated from Harvard Divinity School, where he was one of eleven students selected for the inaugural Masters of Religion and Public Life program. His studies inspired a podcast about religion and spirituality from Crooked Media called Unholier Than Thou, and his Substack newsletter Religiously Blonde. He is currently working on his forthcoming memoir based on his thesis, “Is Jesus Kinda Hot?” In motivational events, Picardi shares his expertise that resonates with corporate leaders as well as college audiences, and moderates powerful conversations with cultural luminaries.

Afua Hirsch is an award-winning writer, broadcaster and former barrister known for her work on culture, social justice, identity and anti-racism. She is the founder of Born in Me, a TV and film production company which creates scripted and non-scripted television documentaries, dramas, and podcasts, with a focus on compelling storytelling that has authenticity and purpose. Afua is the presenter of the BBC series African Rising and Enslaved, the 6-part series about the transatlantic slave trade with Samuel L Jackson, as well as a podcast series for Audible. She was creative chair of the 2022 Edinburgh TV Festival, the most prestigious TV event in the UK. She currently hosts the podcast series LEGACY for Wondery. In sought-after keynote speeches and moderated conversations, Hirsch delves into how communities and organizations can explore identity and find belonging.

A journalist for more than twenty years, Afua began writing for the Voice Newspaper – Britain’s oldest black newspaper – as a teenager in the mid 1990’s. Since then she has been a senior Guardian correspondent, Sky News editor, and regularly writes for publications including the New York Times, Time Magazine, American and British Vogue, where she is a contributing editor. In 2019, she became the Wallis Annenberg Chair of Journalism at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she teachers graduate students on international reporting. Afua’s bestselling book Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging is the winner of the Royal Society of Literature Jerwood Prize. Her other books include Equal to Everything, about the UK Supreme Court, and Empire: Look Again. Her fourth book Decolonising My Body was published in 2023. Afua holds a degree from Oxford University, and honorary doctorates from London’s South Bank University and The University of Oxford Brookes. She has been voted one of the ten most influential black people in the UK and the 100 most influential people of African descent in the world. Hirsch regularly receives rave reviews, such as: “It all went fantastically well! Afua was really inspiring and generous with her time, we have received lots of excellent feedback on her keynote speech.” (Transport for London)

www.afuahirsch.com

Political analyst, Senior National Correspondent for CBS, and New York Times bestselling author John Dickerson is a veteran journalist and trusted voice to interpret current events. He is the host of CBS Evening News and CBS Primetime with John Dickerson. Previously, Dickerson was a correspondent for 60 Minutes, co-anchored CBS This Morning, anchored Face The Nation, and served as Chief Washington Correspondent for CBS News. He is currently the Chief Political Analyst for CBS News, a Senior National Correspondent, and a CBS Sunday Morning contributor. Dickerson started his career at TIME, covering economics, Congress, and the presidency, worked as Slate’s chief political correspondent, and is a contributing writer to The Atlantic. An expert and thoughtful interviewer, he co-hosts Slate’s Political Gabfest podcast and hosts the Whistlestop podcast. Dickerson is the author of On Her Trail, about his mother’s trailblazing work as CBS News’ first female correspondent, as well as the New York Times bestsellers Whistlestop: My Favorite Stories from Presidential Campaign History and The Hardest Job in the World: The American Presidency. Dickerson is an in-demand speaker for his insider insights about politics, the role of journalism in an increasingly partisan culture, and finding meaning through adversity.

Dickerson has moderated presidential debates, covered the last seven presidential campaigns, and delves into the skills needed to be a successful leader. He is the recipient of the Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency and the David Broder Award for political reporting. Dickerson is highly sought after for keynotes and moderated Q&A sessions, covering a range of topics from Washington’s inner workings to practical takeaways for cultivating the attributes of impactful leadership.

Emmy Award-winning journalist, documentarian, and author Laura Ling has dedicated her intrepid career to reporting from dozens of countries on the most critical issues facing the world today. As Head of Programming for Hearst Television’s Streaming Video Services, Ling oversees content development and strategy for Hearst’s new OTT platform Very Local. While Director of Development for Discovery Digital Networks, Ling produced and created original web series that received hundreds of millions of views. A consummate host and moderator, Ling helms the web series Going Off the Grid, Rituals with Laura Ling, the mini-documentary series The Power of Kindness, and her podcast Everyday Bravery, eloquently blending her principles of gratitude and perseverance. In 2009 while reporting on the trafficking of women, Ling was arrested and held captive in North Korea. She recounts her experience in a memoir written with her sister Lisa, Somewhere Inside: One Sister’s Captivity in North Korea and the Other’s Fight to Bring Her Home. Ling captivates audiences with anecdotes from her storied career and powerful lessons learned with a global perspective.

Ling has received many accolades for her work, including an Emmy Award and the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for her work as a correspondent for SoCal Connected and a Gracie Award. Under her leadership as Vice President of the journalism department, Current TV’s Vanguard received the prestigious Alfred I. DuPont Award and several Emmy nominations. Her work has appeared on ABC's Nightline, NBC, and PBS, and she has written editorials for the Los Angeles Times and CNN.com.

CEO of the Daily Beast and New York Times bestselling author Ben Sherwood offers game-changing insights on bold leadership in times of disruption. Most recently, he was the founder and CEO of MOJO, a venture-backed tech and media platform, which quickly won the Webby Award for best sports app on the internet, was named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company and recognized as one of the best employers in sports by Front Office Sports. In April 2024, IAC chairman Barry Diller announced a strategic partnership with Sherwood, naming him publisher and CEO of The Daily Beast, the digital news platform, and a significant shareholder in the company. Previously, Sherwood was co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of the Disney ABC Television Group. There, he oversaw the company’s global television business with 12,000 employees, $12.5B in revenue and 25,000 hours of original programming per year. Before that, Sherwood served as president of ABC News, leading the organization to #1 in the ratings, every major award in broadcast journalism, record profitability, and groundbreaking strategic partnerships with Univision and Yahoo! A compelling keynote speaker, Sherwood regularly receives rave reviews such as: “Ben's message is deep, highly relevant, and of great intrinsic value. He hit the ball deep into the seats.” (The Masters Forum)

Sought after for his masterful storytelling, Sherwood shares the secrets to unleashing creativity and innovation, and leading through disruption. Sherman has also exec produced Good Morning America, senior produced NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, and wrote a few bestselling books, including Charlie St. Cloud (which was made into a Universal feature film), The Man Who Ate the 747 (in development as a Warner Brothers Discovery feature film), and The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life, a New York Times nonfiction bestseller. Consistently ranked in The Hollywood Reporter’s annual list of “Most Powerful People in Entertainment,” Sherwood provides unparalleled insight into leadership, storytelling, and business.

CNN Senior Political Correspondent Abby Phillip anchors CNN’s NewsNight with Abby Phillip and Inside Politics Sunday. She joined the network in to cover the Trump Administration and served as White House Correspondent before transitioning to the campaign trail. In January 2020, she moderated CNN's Democratic Presidential Debate in Iowa. She also anchored special coverage of Election Night in America surrounding the 2020 election and hosted the CNN Special Report: Kamala Harris: Making History about the Vice President's barrier-breaking career. Prior to CNN, Phillip worked at The Washington Post as a national political reporter and ABC News as a digital reporter for politics. She also covered the Obama White House for POLITICO as well as campaign finance and lobbying. She was nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy for her powerful hour-long documentary on Black maternal health: Homebirth: Saving Black Moms. She was part of CNN's Emmy Award-winning coverage of the Israel-Hamas War and for her contributions to The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper. With her engaging presence and incisive commentary, Phillip illuminates key issues and sparks meaningful dialogue on the forces shaping our democracy.

Phillip has been honored with the National Urban League’s Women of Power Award, named to the TIME “100 Next” list, and named to the Ebony "Power 100" List. She serves on the board of the News Literary Project and is committed to advancing democracy at every opportunity. Phillip has spoken to Kean University, the National Press Foundation, the University of Rhode Island, and many more.

Award-winning investigative journalist, producer, and documentarian Sahar Zand is highly regarded for her work on some of today’s most pressing topics: the Iran Nuclear Deal, mental health in Afghanistan, the refugee crisis, climate change, and many more. Zand has worked for the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Vice News, and numerous other international media outlets, and her report “The Moroccan warrior women beating men at their own games” was chosen as one of the best reports by BBC reports in 2016. Her documentary Britain’s Virginity Clinics for ITV Exposure was nominated for many awards including the Royal Television Society Programme Awards, Amnesty Media, the BAFTAs, and a True Honour Award from the Iranian and Kurdish Women Rights Organisation, where she will also serve as their patron. Zand’s creative and disruptive style of journalism has earned her high praise within the industry, and she is a highly sought-after speaker on the nuances of major global issues of conflict and human rights.

Zand was born in Iran, fled the country to avoid political persecution, and overcame adversity once she found asylum in the U.K., which has given her an insight into marginalized communities that enables her to report from a unique perspective rarely seen in mainstream media. She has been personally affected by poverty, racism, and identity issues, and is a passionate advocate for raising awareness and championing the most marginalized. Zand is a prolific storyteller, and her immersive and impact-driven work connect with a global audience. Her insights about the role of journalism in the rising disinformation epidemic, her personal experience overcoming adversity, and finding strength and resilience are impactful for audiences of all kinds.

Sam Anderson is an award-winning journalist, cultural critic, and author of the highly acclaimed book Boom Town: The Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City, Its Chaotic Founding, Its Apocalyptic Weather, Its Purloined Basketball Team, and the Dream of Becoming a World-Class Metropolis. He is a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, where he has written portraits of athletes, artists, and odd places all over the world, including Mount Rushmore and a Charles Dickens theme park. Anderson’s debut book Boom Town was heralded as one of the best books for the year by NPR, the Chicago Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Economist, and more. In a note to the staff of New York Magazine, then-editor Adam Moss described Anderson as “a fearless and committed writer and thinker.” NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton has called him “a visionary artist who sees what others can’t… our guide to a better tomorrow.” Anderson engages audiences with cultural commentary and insights about creativity.

His work has appeared in The Paris Review, New York Magazine, Christian Science Monitor, Slate, The Oxford American, and has also been included in numerous “Best American Writing” anthologies. Anderson has been a finalist for the National Magazine Award three times – including in 2017, when his article David’s Ankles won the National Magazine Award for Essays and Criticism.

Award-winning journalist, media executive, and author Isha Sesay has been covering global events and major breaking news for over a decade, with a focus on stories of social injustice and their impact on women and girls. Sesay is the CEO of OkayMedia, a media company dedicated to Black culture and uplifting Black voices, and serves on the board of directors. Previously, the celebrated journalist spent more than a decade with CNN International as an anchor and correspondent. Sesay led the CNN team that covered the kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian girls from their school in Chibok in 2014. CNN’s in-depth reporting was recognized with a Peabody Award, and Sesay received a Gracie Award for her coverage. Her painstakingly detailed account, Beneath the Tamarind Tree: A Story of Courage, Family, and the Lost Schoolgirls of Boko Haram, is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Whether offering insights about the intersections of race and gender in the media, global events, or her significant advocacy work, Sesay’s perspective makes an impact with audiences of all kinds.

Sesay is the Founder and President of W.E. (Women Everywhere) Can Lead, a non-profit organization working in her native country of Sierra Leone to nurture and empower teen girls to become Africa’s next generation of dynamic female leaders. She serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN’s reproductive health and rights agency. As the host of the podcast The Accidental Activist, Sesay moderates riveting conversations with cultural icons who are united by their motivation to make a difference in the world. In addition, she has moderated and hosted events with groups such as the Gates Foundation, Coca Cola, The Obama White House, The World Bank, MasterCard Foundation, Women Deliver, and Brilliant Minds. She has been sought-after for talks with groups like Untitled Future, The Brookings Institution, the Global Citizen Festival, among many others.

Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Hasan Piker is an American journalist, producer, activist, and ridiculously entertaining political commentator. His honesty, personality, and deep understanding of the subjects he covers makes him one of the leading political voices for millennials and Gen Z. He is known for his unique perspective on American politics, sharp analysis of trending news and culture, and ubiquitous Twitter feed.  

Piker’s childhood in an increasingly authoritarian Turkey influences his desire to question authority and argue against an unjust status quo. He began his career as a journalist for The Young Turks, a progressive political news and opinion show, and has proven himself to be a leading figure in the American Left, supporting the 2016 and 2020 Presidential campaigns of Senator Bernie Sanders and working with organizations such as Muslims for Progressive Values, March for Our Lives, and Black Lives Matter. 

An early adopter of the popular gaming and streaming site Twitch, Piker live streams daily to an average audience of over 20,000, making him the #1 most popular “Just Chatting” channel. This insanely high viewership also makes him one of the most watched channels across the entire platform. To put Piker’s unique standing in American politics and grasp on the zeitgeist in perspective, in the run up to the 2020 general election he was able to leverage his platform to collaborate with Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar for a ‘Get Out the Vote’ initiative, playing the multi-player game ‘Among Us’ on Twitch to an audience of over 700,000 viewers. It was exactly the type of political, yet accessible and entertaining spectacle that has come to represent Piker’s brand.  

Norman Pearlstine has led some of America’s most prestigious news organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Time Inc., Bloomberg, and, most recently, the Los Angeles Times.

During a career that has spanned more than five decades, working in the U.S., Asia, and Europe, Pearlstine has championed technology and innovation in response to the waves of disruption that have roiled the media industry.

One of America's most respected and experienced journalists, Pearlstine understands today's geopolitical and economic issues and the media in covering them.  

A TIME staff writer and columnist for nearly two decades, Joel Stein provides insights on today's political climate and cultural moment, and the ways in which we can get disparate-- and often disagreeing-- groups to come together. He's also been a columnist for Men’s Health, Entertainment Weekly, and the Los Angeles Times. Stein is the author of Man Made: A Stupid Quest for Masculinity and In Defense of Elitism: Why I'm Better Than You and You're Better Than Someone Who Didn't Buy This Book. A former lecturer at Princeton, Stein’s presentations are informative yet lighthearted explorations of America’s culture wars. 

Sought-out to speak and moderate everywhere from Ted to Google to college campuses nationwide, Stein customizes his remarks for every audience, infusing them with his sense-of-humor and unique ability to bring unexpected-- and fascinating-- details to light. His past hosts include Politicon, LA Live Talks, and more.

Award-winning journalist, sportscaster, and entrepreneur Jen Hale has won multiple Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, and Associated Press Awards for both her sports and new coverage. Currently in her eleventh season as a reporter for the FOX NFL season, Hale is also a frequent contributor on Fox & Friends Weekend, FOX Sports, and fills in as host of Skip and Shannon: Undisputed on FS1. After surviving cardiomyopathy, a genetic condition that often requires a heart transplant, she has gone on to serve as a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, appearing on numerous national programs to share her personal experience and raise awareness for cardiovascular health. The AHA awarded her with the Heart Ball Award in recognition for her efforts, and she shares her journey through diagnosis and recovery in powerful and inspiring talks that impact audiences of all kinds.

Hale is also the Founder and CEO of All Access Sideline Pass, an organization that focuses on educating and empowering young women in the New Orleans community through outreach, scholarships, and other community programming. She sits on the Board of Directors for LSU’s L Club, the French Quarter’s commercial economic engine The French Market, and owns Hale Historic Properties. She has received many accolades for her work, including the Alumni Achievement Award from The Fund for American Studies, being named New Orleans Magazine’s “Top Female Achiever” and to Gambit Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” list. Hale was the first woman to receive the Bob Roesler Award from the New Orleans Touchdown Club.

Investigative journalist Andrew Kaczynski is the Senior Editor and a founding member of CNN’s Kfile – the leading investigation team for the social, mobile generation. Widely praised as a “scoop team,” Kfile is known for breaking news by scouring the internet through research, fact-checking, and investigative reporting. Kaczynski joined CNN from BuzzFeed, where he started as a political reporter in 2011. He quickly built a reputation for unearthing newsworthy archival videos, many of which later went viral. Notable scoops include the revelation of President Donald Trump’s expressed support of the Iraq War in 2002 and evidence that Kentucky Senator Rand Paul plagiarized speeches. Kaczynski and Kfile have exposed some of the most controversial statements, deceptions, and hypocrisies from politicians – both in office and on the campaign trail – and their reporting of government officials has led to ten resignations or withdrawals of nomination. Kaczynski has been sought after for events with groups like the Albanian Institute Panel, SXSW, the C-Span Conference, and more.

Kaczynski's unique reporting tactics have earned him widespread recognition. He was named to Forbes Magazine's "30 Under 30: Media" list for 2017, and his use of social media earned him many awards, including The Daily Beast's 2013 "Beast Best" award for his Twitter Feed and New York Magazine's 13th most influential Tweeter in New York City in 2014. After the loss of his baby daughter to brain cancer, Kaczynski founded the Team Beans Infant Brain Tumor Fund at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, which has raised over $2.7M for infant brain tumor research. He is an advocate for awareness and education around ATRT brain tumors and other health adversities affecting young children and their families.

Curt Menefee is a well-established and respected sports anchor and reporter. During the NFL season, he serves as co-host of FOX NFL Sunday  along with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson and Michael Strahan. The program has been the #1 pregame show for 21 consecutive years – with Menefee on board for 10 seasons. Menefee also provides prefight coverage during UFC main events, and hosts the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League final pregame show. In 2015, he will be part of the PGA U.S. Open commentary team.

Menefee’s career includes sideline-reporting for FOX Sports, calling plays in the game booth for NFL and NFL Europe League, broadcasting sporting events from Madison Square Garden with WNYW-TV, and working as the sports director and weeknight sports anchor for KTVT-TV in Dallas. He also hosted a daily two-hour show on The Ticket  sports radio in Dallas, anchored sports for WTLV-TV (NBC) in Jacksonville, hosted a live two-hour daily sportscast on Sports News Network, and served as sports anchor and reporter at WISC-TV (CBS) in Madison, Wisconsin and WOI-TV (ABC) in Des Moines, Iowa.

In 1996, Menefee received The Associated Press Award for ‘Best Sports Reporter in New York.’ And in 1993, 1994 and 1995, he won four Katie Awards (the Texas equivalent of an Emmy) – two were for ‘Best Sportscast’ and the other two were for ‘Best Sports Special.’

He co-hosts A&E Network’s Canine Competition Series America’s Top Dog, which showcases working dogs, K9s, and underdogs, facing off on huge obstacle courses to test their speed, agility, and more. He is also hosting the new series An Animal Saved My Life,  which shows heroic acts made by animals, with stories from people who have been saved by these heroes.

Menefee earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies, with minors in History and Physical Education, from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He currently serves on the school’s Board of Trustees, and dedicates as much time as possible to community work.

Pamela Druckerman is an American journalist and author of the international bestseller Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting (known in the U.K. as French Children Don’t Throw Food). It’s an unconventional parenting guide that mixes anthropology, journalism, and memoir, with dashes of history and humor. The book has been (or is being) translated into 21 languages.

Pamela is also a Contributing Opinion Writer for the International New York Times. Her op-eds and articles have appeared in the Washington Post, The Guardian, the Financial Times, New York Magazine, Marie Claire, Vanity Fair France, and elsewhere. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, The TODAY Show, National Public Radio, BBC Women’s Hour, and Oprah.com, among many other news outlets. From 1997 to 2002 she was a staff reporter at The Wall Street Journal, based in Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and New York.

Pamela speaks regularly to audiences in Europe and the United States. She holds a B.A. in philosophy from Colgate University, a Master of International Affairs from Columbia Univeristy, and has trained in improvisational comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade. She lives in Paris.

Dean Obeidallah is a lawyer turned writer, national radio host, award-winning comedian and activist countering bigotry and misconceptions about Muslims and race in America. Obeidallah uses comedy, personal anecdotes, and myth-busting to share his experience of growing up as a ‘white person’, with all the benefits of white privilege, until 9/11 – when he lost his privilege and became an activist against Islamophobia. He is the co-creator of the annual New York Arab American Comedy Festival, as well as Stand Up for Peace, an event that brings Jews and Muslims together to laugh. Obeidallah also co-directed and co-produced the comedy documentary The Muslims are Coming! to combat anti-Muslim bigotry. He hosts the national radio program ‘The Dean Obeidallah Show’ for SiriusXM, and is a weekly contributor to MSNBC.com, CNN.com, and The Daily Beast, as well as the host of Salon.com’s Salon Talks, an interview show highlighting his unique perspective on politics and pop culture.

Obeidallah has appeared on MSNBC’s The Reid Out, as well as other MSNBC programs, ABC’s Good Morning America and The View, and numerous programs on CNN. His funny and informative standup has been featured on Comedy Central’s Axis of Evil, Comics Unleashed, and The Nightly Show. Obeidallah is both funny and informative, revealing our biases by being the living manifestation of the concept that in America, “race is a social construct.

Bestselling author, journalist, and broadcaster Simon Winchester has worked as a foreign correspondent for most of his career and lectures widely at universities, geological and historical societies, and libraries. His new book Knowing What We Know: The Transmission of Knowledge: From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Magic looks at how humans acquire, retain, and pass on information and data, and how technology continues to change our lives and our minds.

The author of 30 books, Winchester specializes in eccentric, obsessive geniuses. In The Perfectionists: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World, Winchester traces the development of technology from the Industrial Age to the Digital Age to explore the single component crucial to advancement—precision—in a superb history that is both an homage and a warning for our future. The New York Times bestseller The Man Who Loved China, is the remarkable story of Joseph Needham, the eccentric and adventurous scientist who fell in love with China and whose own work there unveils the epic story of that magisterial country.

Simon Winchester's many books include Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World, Pacific, The Men Who United the States, and Atlantic, as well as the New York Times bestsellers The Professor and the Madman, an account of the men behind the Oxford English Dictionary, A Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906, and The Map that Changed the World, about the nineteenth century geologist William Smith. Winchester has also penned books for young adults, The Alice Behind Wonderland and When the Earth Shakes. He is praised for his skills as a masterful and riveting storyteller both on the page and in lectures.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Helene Cooper is a Pentagon correspondent with The New York Times and a New York Times bestselling author. Working previously at the Wall Street Journal, Cooper was the foreign correspondent, reporter, and editor in the London, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta bureaus. For The New York Times, she covered the White House and was the diplomatic correspondent, reporting from 86 countries. Her autobiography, The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood, is a New York Times bestseller and National Book Critics Circle finalist. Cooper also wrote Madame President: The Extraordinary Journey of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, bringing her unparalleled journalistic skills to this biography of the leader of the women’s movement in Liberia. Cooper’s high-level analysis of today’s most important issues, thoughtful insights, and unwavering pursuit of the truth makes for indelible conversations that will have an enduring impact.

Cooper has received numerous accolades for her work, including the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, an Overseas Press Club Award for International Reporting, and a George Polk Award for Health Reporting for her coverage of the Ebola crisis, as well as the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award for International Journalism. She has appeared on Meet the Press, Washington Week, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Morning Joe, and This Week, and her stories appear in The New York Times.

Former record label co-founder and change agent Mike Muse is a pop culture and political expert who uses his platform to create social change. An industrial engineer turned media entrepreneur and tech entrepreneur, he is a co-Founder of LawChamps - advocates for access to justice, social, and legal reform. Mike is host of SiriusXM’s award-winning show, The Mike Muse Show, co-host of Sway in the Morning, and was recently named ABC News Contributor for ABC News Live and the Good Morning America family. Mike has given two TED Talks, and is in demand for his dynamic, funny, and insightful talks about policy as lifestyle and leveraging AI for social good.

Mike served as a member of President Barack Obama’s National Finance Committee and was appointed to serve in the United States Small Business Administration as My Brother’s Keeper Millennial Entrepreneurial Champion, as well as the U.S. SBA's Federal Commission for the Council of Underserved Communities as the Millennials in Business Representative. His passion is tech – the future of AI and algorithmic inclusion – and he is one of Google’s NextGen Tech Policy Fellows. In addition to speaking tours with Meta and Chevrolet, Mike has given numerous keynotes for Disney, Google, Verizon, Harvard Law School, and more.

Journalist, political advisor, and author Iuliia Mendel rose to international prominence when she served as the press secretary and spokesperson for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mendel worked previously for ICTV, Espresso TV, 112 Ukraine, and Inter, and served as a Communications Consultant for the World Bank. She produced the documentary Shell-Shocked: Ukraine’s Trauma, the first documentary focused on post-traumatic stress disorder. Mendel’s first book, The Fight of Our Lives: My Time with Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s Battle for Democracy, and What It Means for the World, received immediate critical acclaim and has been acquired for development into a limited TV series. In her writing as well as in her speaking engagements, Mendel brings incisive analysis, insider context, and an unparalleled point of view to the most vital issues facing the world today.

Mendel is a regular op-ed columnist for The Washington Post, and her work has appeared in Politico Europe, The New York Times, the Atlantic Council, VICE, Spiegel Online, and Forbes. She became the first Ukrainian journalist to win the prestigious World Press Institute fellowship, and was named to Focus magazine’s “100 Most Influential Women in Ukraine” and Novoe Vremya magazine’s “100 Most Successful Women in Ukraine.” Sought after for her frank and moving insights, Mendel’s commentary about the war in Ukraine – as well as the international impacts of this crisis – offer a deep background on the interconnected issues playing out on the world stage.

NPR White House correspondent Tamara Keith is the co-host of the NPR Politics podcast – the top political news podcast in America. Keith joined NPR in 2009 as a Business Reporter on topics spanning the business world, from policy debates to technology trends. Serving as the White House correspondent for NPR since 2014, she chronicled the final years of the Obama administration, covered Hillary Clinton’s failed bid for president, and documented the Trump administration. Keith is a sought-after speaker for events with groups including the National Association of State Retirement Administrators, Stable Value Investment Association, Johns Hopkins University, and many others.

Keith serves on the board of the White House Correspondents' Association and is the association's president through the middle of 2023. Her mission for the year of her presidency is to demystify the White House beat for the public, in an effort to help restore trust in the press, an essential pillar of American democracy. She also serves on advisory boards for the University of California Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement and the UC Berkeley J-School. Keith consistently receives glowing reviews for her events, such as: “It was honestly one of our best events (probably our best). She received a standing ovation and I’ve received non-stop kudos to and for her. Fantastic.” (Drury University)

Political commentator, bestselling author, and gay rights activist Margaret Hoover is the host of PBS’ Firing Line with Margaret Hoover – a smart, civil, and engaging contest of ideas. Firing Line is a public affairs, multi-platform program that engages in long-form interviews and a rigorous exchange of ideas with the guiding principle that civil discourse is a civic responsibility. A CNN contributor, Ms. Hoover has served in The White House under President George W. Bush, in the Department of Homeland Security, on Capitol Hill and on two presidential campaigns. A gifted analyst and moderator, Ms. Hoover connects with a broad audience to amplify bipartisan solutions to the pressing challenges facing American businesses and individuals.

Ms. Hoover is the bestselling author of American Individualism: How a New Generation of Conservatives Can Save the Republican Party, and her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News, The Daily Beast, CNN.com, and FoxNews.com. She is the President of American Unity Fund – a political organization focused on achieving full freedom and equality for LGBT Americans. Ms. Hoover serves on the boards of Stanford University's Hoover Institution, the Hoover Presidential Foundation, the Belgian American Educational Foundation, The Markle Foundation, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. A persuasive and impassioned speaker, Ms. Hoover brings a unique perspective to topics including individualism, the future of politics, and more.

Lawrence O'Donnell is an Emmy-winning producer and the host of MSNBC's The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell. Bringing his extraordinary background in politics, entertainment and news to the nightly program, O'Donnell provides the last word on the important issues and most compelling stories of the day. 

A sought-after speaker for his straight talking political commentary, O'Donnell has an uncanny ability to go beyond the headlines to provide audiences with prescient analysis.

Prior to his time as a political analyst, O'Donnell served as an executive producer for the acclaimed series The West Wing, a senior advisor on Capitol Hill, and a political columnist and writer.

Political strategist, activist, and tech founder Brian Derrick is transforming civic engagement with his message: “Stop doomscrolling. Start doing something.” Derrick has built a large online following with his digestible breakdowns of news and politics, including policy, election cycles and voting rights, equality, and more. He is the Founder and CEO of Oath – a civic tech platform supported by Higher Ground Labs. Oath has raised millions of dollars for and engaged hundreds of thousands of people in state and local elections. Derrick is in-demand with groups including Generator Collective, Eleanor’s Legacy, The Next 50, Columbia Law School, and more.

A seasoned political consultant, Derrick has consulted on campaigns from city council to president – most notably for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marti Gould Cummings (NYC City Council). Derrick is also a leader in the nonprofit sector. In development roles at Lambda Legal, the country's oldest LGBT civil rights organization, he launched new programs for the next generation of philanthropists. His activism has had lasting impact at organizations including Pelotonia, Equitas Health, and others. Leveraging his experience speaking to individuals and corporations, Derrick offers substantial insight on today’s most pressing issues.

Emmy and Peabody Award-winning comedian, writer, political satirist, and New York Times bestselling author Stephen Colbert offers unparalleled and often hilarious commentary on politics, culture, and the biggest issues of today. After appearing as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, Colbert went on to co-create and host the political satire The Colbert Report, which received two Peabody Awards, five Emmy Awards, and thirty-seven total Emmy nominations. He currently executive produces, writes, and hosts CBS’s Emmy-nominated The Late Show. Colbert is the author of five books including New York Times bestsellers I Am America (And So Can You!) and America Again: Rebecoming the Greatness We Never Weren’t, which also won a Grammy Award for “Best Spoken Word Album.” He has acted in and voiced characters for numerous projects for TV, film, and stage, and hosted the Kennedy Center Honors and the Primetime Emmy Awards. Known for his legendary characters, expansive interests, and deep insights about the state of the world, Colbert is a memorable and impactful guest for audiences of all kinds.

Accomplished sports broadcaster, host, and emcee Tom Abbott brings a polished and engaging energy to his work as a sought-after host and emcee. During his time at the GOLF Channel, Abbott has worked on numerous major championships and Solheim Cup broadcasts, and has contributed to NBC Sports Group’s Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup tournament coverage. He was part of the NBC Sports Broadcast team for both the Rio and Tokyo Summer Olympics and reported on Biathlon for NBC Sports at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Abbott is an accomplished speaker and host for groups including Chevron, Evian, AIG, MGM Resorts, Dow Chemical, and The Rolex LPGA Awards – which he has hosted for the past decade.

Abbott is the youngest person in U.S. television history to broadcast The Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, Walker Cup and Presidents Cup – completing this quartet in his early-thirties. He has reported on some of the game’s most memorable moments, including the 2009 Open at Turnberry when Tom Watson made a historic run at the Claret Jug, and from Copenhagen on the vote to restore golf as an Olympic sport. Previously, he contributed to several of the network’s original production projects, most notably the original series, Big Break, where he served as host for 11 seasons.

Abbot consistently receives rave reviews, such as: "Tom is the consummate professional – intelligent and engaging, the ultimate combination. His preparation takes place behind the scenes but is extensive and results in flawless execution when he has a microphone in hand. His delivery and engagement with audiences allows his personality to shine through and create what feels like individual connections with audience members." (Chevron)

Founder and CEO of Jubilee Media Jason Y. Lee is a leader on the business side of the creator economy, with a focus on empathy and making a positive impact on the world. After graduating from The Wharton School at UPenn, Jason worked as a consultant at Bain & Company. He also previously worked on the 2007 Obama Campaign and for the Clinton Health Access Initiative in Zambia. But Jason stepped away from his successful consulting career to follow his purpose, founding Jubilee Media first as a non-profit, then transitioning to a digital media startup. Jubilee Media creates experiences to promote understanding and create human connection. Known for the viral series Middle Ground, Spectrum, and Odd One Out, Jubilee has developed an audience of more than 7.5M subscribers and garnered more than 3B views.

As the world becomes more divided and media more divisive than ever, Jubilee swims against the current – bridging people together to create empathy, discourse, and love. Jason is a proud Korean-American, and recently received the Digital Influencer Award at Character Media’s Unforgettable Gala. He shared his incredible career journey in a TEDx Talk, and has been sought-after for events with groups including Spotify Space, Boston College, Wharton Asia Exchange, Bain Alumni Speaker series, and more.

Sportscaster and television host Kay Adams has built up her enormous fan following by sharing her journey, her work ethic, and her authenticity. In the football world, Kay is known for previously hosting NBC Sports Network’s Fantasy Football Live and DirecTV’s Fantasy Zone. Most recently, she hosted the NFL Network’s Emmy-nominated daily show Good Morning Football, solidifying herself as a trusted voice and fan-favorite TV personality. Kay currently hosts Up & Adams, her popular morning show on FanDuel TV, YouTube, & MAX Sports. Powered by Kay’s authenticity and endless curiosity, the show features guests from across sports and entertainment. In sought after events, Kay connects with audiences in moderated conversations and as a consummate host for fundraisers and events of all kinds.

Kay has made an impact hosting live events like Netflix’s first ever live sporting event, The Netflix Cup, Nickelodeon's Superstar Slime Showdown, TruTV's Impractical Jokers Live Special, the red carpet at the NFL Honors Ceremony, and more. Beyond sports, Kay hosted People (the TV show!), a daily program based on the prestigious magazine, as well as a mobile version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire for SONY. Kay shares insights about staying motivated, strategizing for personal growth, and following your passions for success in any industry.

Katherine Eban is an award-winning investigative journalist, best-selling author, Vanity Fair special correspondent and Andrew Carnegie fellow. Her articles on pharmaceutical counterfeiting, gun trafficking, coercive interrogations by the CIA and COVID-19’s origins, have won international attention and numerous awards. Her Vanity Fair article “Rorschach and Awe,” which first identified the architects of the CIA’s torture methods used on 9/11 detainees, inspired the 2019 film “The Report.” Her first book, Dangerous Doses: a True Story of Cops, Counterfeiters and the Contamination of America’s Drug Supply, was named one of the Best Books of 2005 by Kirkus Reviews and was a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick. Her second book, Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom, is a New York Times bestseller and one of the New York Times’ “100 Notable Books.” It won numerous awards, including: the National Association of Science Writers science in society book award; the Overseas Press Club of America’s Cornelius Ryan award for best non-fiction book on international affairs; Investigative Reporters & Editors best book; and the American Society of Journalists and Authors general non-fiction book award. Eban’s presentations not only inform but also inspire action and change, making her an invaluable voice in contemporary investigative journalism and public health advocacy.

With her compelling storytelling and meticulous research, Eban engages audiences by shedding light on critical issues affecting global health and safety. She has captivated hosts including IPEC-Americas, Chief Executives Organization, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, who said, “We had a great talk with Katherine, and we greatly appreciated her unique perspective and energy. I appreciate everything your agency did to help and look forward to working with you again.”

Dan Abrams is the CEO and Founder of Abrams Media, Chief Legal Affairs Anchor for ABC News, and the host of top-rated cable series “Live PD“ on A&E Network. He was previously the co-anchor of ABC's Nightline, host of “The Abrams Report” and the acclaimed “Verdict with Dan Abrams” on MSNBC, as well as the long time Chief Legal Correspondent for NBC News. Dan also served as General Manager of MSNBC, where he presided over a period of unprecedented growth, with ratings and profits each increasing well over 50% during his tenure. During that time Dan was a member of the NBC Universal President’s Council.

One of the most recognized and respected sports broadcasters in the industry, Erin Andrews is part of FOX Sports A Team, reporting for FOX NFL Sunday.

Andrews recently added “creator” to her long list of titles with the launch of her new women's NFL apparel line, WEAR by Erin Andrews. The fashionable, comfortable and subtle line, designed for women to wear anywhere and everywhere, has quickly garnered notable attention - becoming the #1 NFL women’s-only brand since it launched. She is the recipient of the coveted Pat Summerall Award, which celebrates her outstanding work as a sportscaster and contributions to the community, and made history as the first woman to receive this award. Last year, Andrews was honored with a Gracie Award. Andrews co-hosts a podcast with Charissa Thompson called Calm Down with Erin and Charissa for iHeartRadio. The podcast consists of unfiltered conversations between two girlfriends about life, gossip, sports and pretty much every random topic that needs to be dissected.

While at the top of her career with no limits in sight, Andrews was shocked when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer following a routine annual checkup. Not wanting the diagnosis to interfere with the career she had fought so hard for, Andrews quietly planned doctors’ visits around her work schedule in order to keep her diagnosis private and kept moving full speed ahead during treatment, only sharing her story publicly after she received word she was cancer free.

In empowering, insightful conversations, Andrews discusses her storied career and what it took to get to the top of her game, the challenges and triumphs of working in a male-dominated industry, and spreading awareness about cervical cancer prevention. 

Reena Ninan is a television journalist and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Good Trouble Productions, a media company focused on amplifying causes through producing, distributing, and hosting engaging content. Ninan created and hosts two top-rated podcasts, Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting and HERO: The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women.

She has served as a foreign correspondent in the Middle East—reporting from Baghdad to Beirut to Jerusalem—as well as a White House Correspondent for ABC News. She also anchored the CBS Weekend news in New York. Reena is most passionate about foreign affairs, female entrepreneurship, economic inclusion, mental health/wellness, and creating thriving communities. Ninan is a gifted speaker as well as an expert moderator – having moderated conversations for the Council on Foreign Relations, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Centerview Partners, PhRMA, Foreign Policy, and many more.

Republican strategist, analyst, and TV personality Ana Navarro is a vital voice in political media today. The Miami New Times named her a “Republican power-consultant,” and the Tampa Bay Times called her “a sought-after voice in Republican politics and an adviser for any presidential hopeful.” Navarro is respected on both sides of the aisle for her straight shooting and candor.

Navarro first served as ambassador to the United Nation’s Human Rights Commission, a special advisor to the government of Nicaragua, and one of the primary advocates for NACARA (Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act). Navarro then transitioned to the private sector. She has also played a role in several federal and state races in Florida. She served as the national Hispanic co-chair for Governor Jon Huntsman’s campaign and the national co-chair of John McCain’s Hispanic Advisory Council. She served on Governor Jeb Bush’s transition team and was his first director of immigration policy.

Navarro frequently appears in the media, sought after by Meet the Press, Bill Maher’s Real Time, Anderson Cooper 360, and more. She is a co-host of ABC’s The View. From both her media work and political insider perspective, Navarro is in touch with the political issues of today. In presentations, Navarro discusses the latest hot button issues in politics, giving audiences a roadmap for where the country is headed.

Jonathan Lemire is a co-host of MSNBC's flagship program Morning Joe, a contributing writer at The Atlantic, and a longtime White House and national politics reporter. His first book, THE BIG LIE: Election Chaos, Political Opportunism, and the State of American Politics after 2020, was released in July 2022 and was an instant New York Times bestseller.

Prior to his Morning Joe hosting role, Lemire helmed the network's Way Too Early show for three years while also serving as White House Bureau Chief for Politico. Before joining Politico, Jonathan was a White House reporter for The Associated Press where he covered two presidential administrations, first Donald Trump and then Joe Biden. He broke scores of news stories and wrote authoritative analysis pieces while covering the day-to-day workings of both presidencies, as well as the nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the insurrection of January 6th, 2021 and the collapse of Biden’s 2024 re-election bid. He interviewed President Trump in the Oval Office, traveled with the presidents to the Middle East, Asia and Europe and received attention for his news conference questions to Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin at their July 2018 Helsinki summit.

Lemire has been a daily presence on Morning Joe since 2017 as well as a frequent guest on MSNBC programs like Deadline White House with Nicolle Wallace, The 11^th Hour with Brian Williams and Andrea Mitchell Reports, and he contributed to the network's coverage of the 2020 and 2024 elections. He previously covered New York City and State politics. Before joining the AP in 2013, he spent more than a decade at the New York Daily News, covering the 2012 presidential election, City Hall and the September 11th terrorist attacks. 

Van Jones’ honest and poignant social commentary has made him one of the most compelling and powerful public voices in America.  A U.S. media personality, New York Times bestselling author, social entrepreneur, and world-class change maker, his reach transcends age, race, geography and political ideology.

A CNN political contributor, Jones is the host of The Van Jones Show, in which he offers his unique take on the future political landscape, and The Redemption Project, which is focused on criminal justice reform. A go-to voice of reason, heralded for his bipartisan, solutions-oriented approach, Jones burst into the American consciousness during the 2016 presidential campaign with an unscripted, truth-telling style and an already established history of bridge-building across party lines.

A longtime progressive activist with deep roots in the conservative South, he has made it his mission to challenge voters and viewers to stand in one another’s shoes and disagree constructively. He pushes people on both the left and the right to be better with experience working with the last four consecutive presidents to sign legislation on issues like prison reform, the green jobs act, and opioid recovery, Jones is a true Washington insider. He is also the author of three New York Times bestselling books, Beyond the Messy Truth, Rebuild the Dream, and The Green Collar Economy, and the host of the Webby Award-nominated podcast Uncommon Ground, where he is on a journey to find unifying solutions to our country’s biggest problems. A dynamic speaker sought-out to speak at financial institutions and college campuses alike, he offers unvarnished and future-looking analysis on politics, policy, climate change, and being a change-maker in a complicated world. 

Tara Palmeri is a deeply sourced political columnist who uncovers the machinations at the highest levels of power in Washington. Her quick wit and unvarnished reporting offer a deeper level of understanding of the intrigues of the permanent political class, going beyond the headlines to the egos and ambitions driving it all.

Laura Brown was the Editor in Chief of InStyle, one of the world’s most successful fashion media brands, where she was responsible for InStyle’s voice, content, strategy and brand extensions, until February 2022. Helming a brand that reaches more than 30 million women, Brown oversaw the print magazine, digital across all platforms, and 13 international editions. In addition, she lead development of the ‘ InStyle Badass Women’ platform and live events such as the annual InStyle Awards and the Golden Globes party.

Heralded for ushering in a new generation of Editor-in-Chief, Laura's philosophy of “Everybody’s In,” helped her reach and appeal to a wide range of audience. Her invaluable contributions to the media and fashion industries have garnered extensive coverage and recognition – with profiles in The New York Times, The Business of Fashion, New York Magazine, Fast Company and Digiday, among many others.

Lauded for her fun, informative, and relatable speaking style, Laura captivates audiences with conversations about her storied career, the intersection of fashion and politics, and following your path in an organic way.

Keltie Knight is an Emmy Award winning television personality and Entertainment Tonight host. She has co-anchored CBS’s broadcasting of national events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Grammy Awards Red Carpet.

Knight was able to combine her entertainment and entrepreneurial expertise into a podcast she co-created and co-hosts, The LadyGang. Since its inception in 2015, the popular podcast has boasted almost 100 million downloads, making it one of the most popular podcasts for women in the world. The show has been nominated for a Webby award, a People’s Choice award and in 2016 was named 'Podcast of the Year'. LadyGang has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, People magazine and on Entertainment Weekly’s coveted "must list.”

The LadyGang's first book Act Like a Lady became a New York Times instant bestseller, a USA Today bestseller, an Amazon best pick of the month, and a Toronto Star bestseller in Canada. Knight recently collaborated on their first fashion collection nationwide with Express, and in 2018 E! aired 16 episodes of the TV version of the podcast with Knight serving as star and executive producer.

What began as a movement to help women feel less alone, by offering content that was unapologetic, unfiltered, and very real, has grown in the millions and become a powerhouse media brand that has also partnered with major brands including Disney, Netflix, Anheuser-Busch, Vogue, and Chanel.

Knight is frequently seen contributing on The Talk, CNN, HLN, and and as a moderator for Vanity Fair. With best dressed mentions in Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Us Weekly, People Stylewatch and The New York Times, it’s no surprise Project Runway invited her to be a guest presenter.

As passionate as she is about media, she is just as dedicated to service. Knight has a long history in philanthropy, working with groups like the Humane Society and the Beagle Freedom Project. She helped raise over $300,000 for the National MS Society as a part of the team, BeatMS, and nearly 1 million dollars throughout her years hosting the Circle of Hope/ Dancers Against Cancer Charity Gala.

Known for her quick wit and fearless personality, she’s interviewed the biggest stars in the world including Oprah, Meryl Streep, Taylor Swift, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Jennifer Lawrence. Harry Styles kissed her twice. Pharrell Williams deemed her “…a spirited journalist and a star.” 

Navigating change and uncertainty in life is hard. It’s even harder when you’re not confident about who you are. Coming to America from Venezuela as a young girl, Mariana Atencio felt self-conscious about being different. She recounted her struggles to fit in and adapt to her new life in a TED talk that captured the hearts of tens of millions. Mariana’s message: What makes you different is what makes you special – unleash your potential by embracing your authenticity.

Mariana took that lesson into her journalism career as a national news anchor and network reporter. A born storyteller, Mariana worked to build bridges and understanding – reporting with her unique perspective from all over the globe, earning accolades and a prestigious Peabody Award along the way. Mariana’s bestselling book, Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real, inspires people to leverage their personal and professional authenticity to supercharge their relationships, careers, workplace cultures, and happiness. Mariana continues to pursue stories that capture her curiosity as head of her own media production company. She also elevates the impact of events through her powerful keynotes and skillful moderating, and hosting. 

Journalist, comedian, author, and libertarian commentator Kat Timpf is a firm believer in the power of conversations to bridge gaps, political or otherwise. Timpf is a contributor to FOX News and the co-host of Gutfeld!, the highest-ranked late night program. She is also a prolific writer – she was a columnist for National Review and has worked at Campus Reform, The Washington Times, Barstool Sports, Total Traffic Network, and Boston Market. Kat’s first book, You Can't Joke About That: Why Everything Is Funny, Nothing Is Sacred, and We're All in This Together is the #1 Best Seller on Amazon in Political Humor.

Timpf stands out in a sea of pundits because of her strong libertarian perspective and use of comedy and satire to get her no-nonsense points across. Through her reporting and sought-after speaking engagements, Kat connects with audiences across the country and the world. She has performed standup comedy at clubs throughout the country, including Gotham Comedy Club in New York and The Improv in Los Angeles.

Multiple award-winning national and international CNN senior correspondent Sara Sidner is renowned for exposing injustices and uncovering truth in the most extreme environments. In 2016, Sidner took on a beat which focused on social, racial, and political conflict across the U.S. and in 2020, she helped lead CNN’s coverage in Minneapolis, Minnesota after the police killing of George Floyd. She has shaped the national dialogue with her work covering the first known coronavirus outbreak, the Charlottesville White Nationalist Rally as well as the trial of the Neo-Nazi who killed anti-racism protestor Heather Heyer, and the protests in Ferguson, Missouri following the police murder of the unarmed Black teenager Michael Brown. Previously, Sidner worked for CNN as an international correspondent based in India, then Jerusalem, and later Abu Dhabi. She hosts The Big Picture for CNN+, an in-depth look at the most important and interesting story of the day. Sidner has received rave reviews as a keynote speaker and moderator from groups such as the Alliance of Women Philanthropists, NAACP, the 92^nd Street Y, the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism, and many others.

Sidner has received numerous honors including a regional Emmy, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and multiple Gracie Awards from the Women in Media Foundation. She has reported from over twenty countries around the world, from the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks to the fall of Tripoli. She was part of the team that won a Peabody Award for CNN’s coverage of the Arab Spring, and shared the Achievement of the Year Award from SKY Women in Film & Television in the U.K. for her work. As an insightful moderator, inspiring keynote speaker, and renowned investigative journalist, Sidner offers her compelling and candid perspective as a journalist, woman, and citizen on the most intense and important news stories of our time.

Lesley Stahl is one of America's most honored and experienced broadcast journalists and offers a historical look at politics from a career that has spanned over fifty years. Her rich career has been marked by political scoops, surprising features and award-winning foreign reporting, a body of work that won her the RTDNA's 2015 Paul White award for lifetime achievement. She has been a 60 Minutes correspondent since March 1991 and began her 30th season in 2020. She is the author of the best-selling book Becoming Grandma.

Partha Nandi M.D., F.A.C.P is the creator and host of the nationally and internationally syndicated medical lifestyle television show, Ask Dr. Nandi, reaching 110 million homes daily. He is the bestselling author of Ask Dr. Nandi: 5 Steps to Becoming Your Own #HealthHero for Longevity, Well-Being, and a Joyful Life, and a practicing gastroenterologist. Dr. Nandi’s work on building and elevating organizational health has been recognized and embraced by corporate leaders around the world. Dr. Nandi is the Chief Health Editor at WXYZ ABC Detroit, a practicing physician and a renowned international speaker, his appearances include TedX, college commencements, numerous charity functions and premier medical meetings such as Digestive Disease Week. Dr. Nandi has partnered with the Ministry of Health in Jamaica and India, and collaborated with The World Health Organization.

Dr. Nandi delivers passionate and inspiring talks to diverse audiences. He continues to travel to international conferences and symposia, meeting with global health leaders on his quest to improve health care quality, access, and advocacy; to empower the world in his mission, “To Be Your Own Health Hero.”

An award-winning television journalist, New York Times bestselling author, sought-after motivational and keynote speaker, successful entrepreneur, and one of America’s most recognized and trusted television personalities, Joan Lunden is one of the most visible women in the country.  In her refreshingly straightforward style, she shares the candid advice that has motivated her throughout her career, inspiring audiences to take charge of their health, their happiness, and their success.  s a moderator, Lunden is a seasoned veteran and is known for making panelists feel comfortable with her warmth and her natural way of guiding a discussion. Lunden has an unparalleled ability to bring her own insight to a panel discussion, while skillfully navigating the personalities of many experts on one stage.

Catherine V. Herridge is an Emmy Award‐winning veteran investigative correspondent who covers national security and intelligence. 

A strong advocate for the First Amendment and press freedom, in February 2024, Herridge was held in civil contempt by a US federal court for refusing to disclose her confidential sources for a series of national security stories in 2017.

As a senior investigative correspondent for CBS News from 2019-2024, Herridge’s reporting was a catalyst for legislative change affecting more than a million American veterans and civilians. The Investigative Unit’s Emmy‐nominated series “Decades of Exposure” is credited by activists and lawmakers with the passing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act in August 2022.  Part of the burn pit legislation known as the PACT ACT, the law is considered one of the largest expansions of VA healthcare and benefits for American veterans.

In 2021, Herridge and the CBS News Investigative Unit won the Society of Environmental Journalists’ top prize, the Kevin Carmody Award for Outstanding Investigative Reporting, for a year-long probe that exposed serious health hazards at the K-2 military base in Uzbekistan that supported Special Operations missions into Afghanistan after 9/11. In response to Herridge’s reporting, an Executive Order recognized K2 veterans and mandated a comprehensive Defense Department study on the health consequences.

Herridge has reported  from Afghanistan, Iraq, Qatar, Israel, Northern Ireland, Russia and the former Yugoslavia. Prior to joining CBS News, Herridge was the chief intelligence correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC), and a TV and radio correspondent for ABC News in London.  In 2019, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society awarded Herridge with its annual Tex McCrary Award for excellence in journalism.  

Chris Whipple is a fascinating and compelling speaker, a gifted storyteller who peels back the curtain to show how power is really wielded in Washington. In solo presentations, and conversations he moderates with former White House chiefs of staff, Whipple treats audiences to a bipartisan master class on how government really works.

Former senior justice department leader and federal prosecutor Elliot Williams is currently a legal analyst on CNN. His signature reasoned and intelligent analysis have established him as a go-to voice for legal and political analysis today. An expert in advocacy before Congress, he is a Principal in the Government Affairs and Policy Counsel practice group at The Raben Group, a national public affairs firm based in Washington. With a candid, thoughtful, and humorous approach, Elliot draws on his 15 years of working in all three branches of government and offers his audiences a front-row seat to navigating the legal, political, and cultural headlines of the day.

As a regular guest host on SiriusXM’s nonpartisan political talk radio network, Elliot has guided senators, governors, cabinet officials, and other newsmakers through enlightening discussions of law, politics, immigration, foreign policy, the arts, sports, and a broad range of topics. His commentary has appeared on NPR and in The Washington Post, The L.A. Times, USA Today, CNN.com, Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, HuffPost, The Hill, NBC News' THINK, and Axios. Elliot was a Spring 2022 Fellow at the Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service. He has been in-demand with groups including the American Constitution Society, MER Conference, The Doe Fund, the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition, and more.

Award-winning food and lifestyle tastemaker Dana Cowin is an innovator in media, food, and entrepreneurship. Her work spans advising creatives, founders and non-profits as well as creating editorial through podcasts, social, video, zines and books. For 21 years, she served as Editor in Chief of Food & Wine magazine and transformed the magazine into a must-read lifestyle publication and digital outlet. An influencer in the food world, she is a sought-after speaker on topics from trendspotting to lifestyle and motivation, leadership, and branding. And of course, good food! Cowin was the keynote speaker for the Bacardi Spirit Forward first national tour, a frequent judge on Top Chef and Beat Bobby Flay, presenter at TedXManhattan on food waste, interviewed experts at SXSW and Fast Company Innovation Festival, among many others.

Through her brand consulting work, Cowin advises growing companies on storytelling, food, PR, and marketing, lending her expertise to businesses such as Dig Food Group (where she was Chief Brand Advisor), to Neiman Marcus, to the Trust for Governors Island. She is an investor and advisor to startups in the culinary space, has a longstanding commitment to supporting opportunities for economic growth through culinary training. Cowin serves on the boards of Food Education Fund, Hot Bread Kitchen, and the Food Council of City Harvest. Cowin is host of Speaking Broadly, a podcast that features visionary women at the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and food. Inspired by their singular experiences, Cowin selected more than a dozen women to write their own stories in the first Speaking Broadly zine, published spring 2022, and developed the Giving Broadly project - a gift guide highlighting incredible products from women-owned brands.

Social media virtuoso, media innovator, and successful entrepreneur Eric Kuhn has brought some of the world’s largest and most prestigious organizations into the new age while working at UTA, CNN, the NBA, and CBS News. Most notably, he was a Co-Founder and CMO for Layer3TV, a next generation cable provider spearheading a new era of home entertainment. Kuhn subsequently joined United Talent Agency and was dubbed “Hollywood’s first social media agent,” harnessing the power of social media for top industry talent. He is a renowned bridge-builder between Silicon Valley and Hollywood, advising emerging technology companies and Fortune 500 corporations on how to harness content, technology, and social media to accelerate business.

In sought-after and engaging keynotes speeches, Kuhn shares fresh ideas and actionable data that inspire listeners to re-think the way they understand and utilize innovation and technology. He provides real, practical takeaways — in the form of raw industry data, anecdotes, and actionable strategies — that organizations and leaders can readily apply to their own entrepreneurial goals. Kuhn has keynoted and moderated numerous industry conferences and events around the world and regularly speaks with companies and private equity funds to help them better understand technology and innovation.

Renowned anchor Bob Woodruff joined ABC News in 1996 and has covered major stories throughout the country and around the world for the network. He succeeded Peter Jennings as anchor of ABC World News Tonight in December 2005. On January 29, 2006, while reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces, Woodruff was seriously injured by a roadside bomb that struck his vehicle near Taji, Iraq.

In February 2007, just 13 months after being wounded, Woodruff returned to ABC News with his first on-air report, “To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports.” The hour-long, prime-time documentary chronicled his traumatic brain injury (TBI), his painstaking recovery and the plight of thousands of service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with similar injuries.

Since returning to the air, Woodruff has reported from around the globe. He has traveled to North Korea eight times, investigating the growing nuclear threats in the hands of Kim Jong Il and then his son Kim Jong Un. Since 2015, Woodruff has been ABC’s primary correspondent throughout Asia, especially China, reporting on topics ranging from the controversial treatment of Muslims in the Xinjiang province to the United States’ presence in the South China Sea. In 2008, ABC News aired his critically acclaimed documentary “China Inside Out,” which examined how China’s global rise impacts what’s being called the “Chinese Century.” On the streets of Manila, he has seen the rising violence and murders following President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug policies. He traveled to Japan in the wake of the devastating natural disasters to report on the stabilization of nuclear reactors in the country.

Woodruff and his wife, Lee, co-wrote a bestselling memoir, In an Instant, chronicling his injuries in Iraq and how their family persevered through a time of intense trauma and uncertainty. The Woodruff family established the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) to raise money to assist injured service members, veterans and their families.

Susan Del Percio is a well-known political strategist and crisis communications consultant.  She is a political analyst for NBC & MSNBC and a contributor for NBC News THINK and Know Your Value.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the political, government, nonprofit and private sector arenas, she is a trusted advisor, helping leaders develop and execute focused strategic communications and winning crisis management campaigns.

Her unique insights on government procedure, regulatory environments and public policy is highly sought after, especially now, with public affairs, policy and media so thoroughly intertwined.

Appointed as a Special Advisor to Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2014, she initiated and implemented communication strategies, and advised and developed policy initiatives. Susan also served as Deputy Commissioner in the Giuliani Administration (1995-2001) prior to founding her firm in 2001.

Bill Gertz is an internationally recognized national security journalist, currently National Security Correspondent for The Washington Times.

He is the author of eight books, four of which were New York Times bestsellers. His most recent book is Deceiving the Sky: Inside Communist China's Drive for Global Supremacy, is a sobering look at the threat posed by China. His 2016 book, iWar: War and Peace in the Information Age highlights 21st Century threats posed by information warfare and cyber attacks. Bill wrote Betrayal: How the Clinton Administration Undermined American Security, (Regnery, May 1999) that was on the New York Times bestseller list for several weeks. His second book, The China Threat: How the People's Republic Targets America, (Regnery) was released in November 2000, followed by Breakdown: How America's Intelligence Failures Led to September 11, in August 2002 that was a national bestseller.

Bill wrote Treachery: How America's Friends And Foes Are Secretly Arming Our Enemies, in 2005, a candid look at the growing problem of arms proliferation. The book was a national bestseller. In 2006, his fifth book was published. Enemies: How America's Foes Steal Our Vital Secrets -- And How We Let It Happen, was a bestseller and is a critical look at recent spy cases and counterintelligence failures. It also calls for using aggressive counterintelligence techniques to stop Islamist extremists in the global war on terrorism.

The Failure Factory: How Unelected Bureaucrats; Liberal Democrats and Big Government Republicans Are Undermining America's Security and Leading Us to War, was published in September 2008. It is a critical look at the problem of an out-of-control government bureaucracy.

For more than 20 years, Bill has written a weekly Washington Times column called Inside the Ring, a chronicle about the ups and downs of the U.S. national security bureaucracy.

He also has written articles for The Wall Street Journal, Commentary magazine, National Review, and other publications. Bill also has been a media fellow at the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace at Stanford University, California.

A former Fox News Channel contributor, Bill has appeared on numerous television and radio programs. His radio appearances have included interviews on The Rush Limbaugh Show and The Mark Levin Show. In addition to regular appearances on Fox, he has been a guest on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, CNN, MSNBC, Tucker Carlson Tonight, The Sean Hannity Show, Lou Dobbs Tonight, One America News, Newsmax TV, and others.

Bill has an international reputation. Vyachaslav Trubnikov, head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, once called him a "tool of the CIA" after he wrote an article exposing Russian intelligence operations in the Balkans. In the United States, a senior CIA official once threatened to have a cruise missile fired at his desk at The Washington Times after he wrote a column critical of the CIA's analysis of China.

China's government also has criticized Bill for his news reports exposing China's weapons and missile sales to rogues states, accusing him of "spreading lies about China." The state-run Xinhua news agency in 2006 identified Bill as the No. 1 "anti-China expert" in the world. Bill insists he is very much pro-China -- pro-Chinese people and opposed to the authoritarian system. During the 1990s, U.S. State Department official Nicholas Burns, frustrated by Bill's prolific news reporting on internal information about U.S. national security and foreign affairs, only half-joking once compared him to Moamar Gadafi and Saddam Hussein.

Former CIA Director R. James Woolsey said of Gertz: “When I was DCI [Director of Central Intelligence] Bill used to drive me crazy because I couldn’t figure out where the leaks were coming from. Now that I’ve been outside for two years, I read him religiously to find out what’s going on.” Former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson once told Bill: "We talk about your stories at Cabinet meetings.” Defense Secretary William S. Cohen remarked to a Chinese general in charge of military intelligence that Bill "has access to more intelligence information than anyone I know." Senior CIA officials, too, have criticized him during closed hearings before Congress regarding his news reporting based on extraordinary access to inside information.

Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld once told him: "You are drilling holes in the Pentagon and sucking out information."

Among his major newspaper exclusives are reports revealing how China conducted the first flight test of a revolutionary hypersonic strike vehicle that is now close to deployment; frequent confrontations between U.S. warships and Chinese naval vessels in the South China Sea; and a U.S. intelligence report warning that malicious software developed in Belarus had compromised Obamacare computer networks.

Other exclusives have included reports on China's deployment of a new long-range missile, the DF-41; how the Obama administration ignored a major Russian treaty violation by developing intermediate-range missiles banned under the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty and how secrets related to the U.S. F-35 jet fighter were stolen through Chinese cyber espionage and incorporated into China's new J-20 stealth fighters.

Bill also was the first to report on Russia's secret development of a new high-speed, long-range nuclear-armed drone submarine.

Bill has been a guest lecturer at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.; the Central Intelligence Agency; the National Defense University at Fort McNair, Washington, DC; the Brookings Institution, Washington, DC and Hillsdale College. He has participated in the National Security Studies Program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

He studied English literature at Washington College in Chestertown, Md., and journalism at George Washington University, Washington, DC. In March 2014, Bill was awarded the Reed Irvine Award for Investigative Journalism by Accuracy in Media. In September 1999, Bill was awarded the Western Journalism Center award for investigative journalism. The United States Business and Industrial Council awarded him the "Defender of the National Interest Award" in June 1998, and in 1997 he was recognized by The Washington Times for excellence in achievement.

Legendary, two-time Emmy Award-winning sports analyst and commentator Bill Raftery has covered basketball on television and radio for CBS and ESPN for over three decades. Raftery’s colorful commentary has brought new life to The NCAA Tournament and Final Four, the Big East Championship, the Big Ten Championship, and the New Jersey Nets telecasts, among many other premier events, and he's beloved for his signature catchphrases such as, “with a kiss,” “onions!” and “a little nickel-dimer.” An inductee into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, he is known to combine keen analysis and opinion with unsurpassed enthusiasm for the game.

Raftery also served as head basketball coach at Seton Hall University, where he is credited with revitalizing the program and leading the Pirates to seven straight winning series.

In commentary that is equal parts empowering, informative, and humorous, Raftery shares lessons on teamwork, resilience, success, leadership. and building character from the world of sports for audiences of every industry.

Writer, cultural critic, and entrepreneur Aminatou Sow is renowned as co-host of the hit podcast Call Your Girlfriend, which tackles the intricacies of feminism, pop culture and the latest in politics.

A member of the Sundance Institute Director's Advisory Group, and previous head of Social Impact Marketing at Google, Aminatou has been named one of Forbes "30 Under 30 in Tech." She is also the co-founder of Tech LadyMafia, an organization created to increase the visibility of women working in and around Technology. Her book, a TIME's 100 Must-Read Book of 2020, Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close (June 2020), makes the bold and compelling argument that a close friendship is the most influential and important relationship a human life can contain—helping you improve as a person and in your relationships with others.

A passionate public speaker, Aminatou has been sought-out for events like SXSW, Chicago Ideas Week, and the Sydney Writers Festival. She convenes and facilitates conversations about the most important cultural issues of our time, and has interviewed everyone from Hillary Clinton to Roxane Gay, Kirsten Gillibrand, Ali Raisman, and so many more impressive women. At engagements, Aminatou shares candid insights into female ambition, money and power.

Lionel Barber was the editor of the Financial Times from 2005-2020, during which time he helped transform the FT from a newspaper publisher into a multi-channel global news organization. 

During his editorship the FT won many international awards for its journalism, including three ‘Newspaper of the Year’ awards in Britain, an unprecedented achievement. During his 14-year tenure, paying readership more than doubled to 1.1m, driven by a digital revolution in the newsroom founded on trustworthy quality journalism. 

Barber has co-written several books, including a history of Reuters news agency, The Price of Truth, and has lectured widely on US foreign policy, economics, finance, new media and the future of capitalism. As editor, he interviewed many of the world’s leaders in business and politics, including: US Presidents Donald Trump and Obama, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President of Hassan Rouhani of Iran and Chinese premiers Wen Jiabao and Li Keqiang 

Throughout his career Barber appeared regularly on radio and television and moderated or spoken at prestigious conferences such as Allen & Co’s Sun Valley, Google Camp, Davos, and the Aspen Ideas Festival. 

Barber began his career in journalism in 1978 as a reporter for The Scotsman when he was awarded the young journalist of the year in Britain. He then moved to The Sunday Times as a business correspondent and joined the FT in 1985 as a business reporter. During his FT career, he has also served as Washington correspondent, Brussels bureau chief, news editor, European editor, and US managing editor.

Barber has received numerous prestigious awards including the Laurence Stern Fellowship at the Washington Post (1985), a Woodrow Wilson Foundation fellowship (1991), a visiting scholarship at the University of California at Berkeley (1992) and a visiting fellowship at the Robert Schuman Center at the European University Institute in Florence (1996). In 2009, Barber was awarded the St George Society medal of honor for his commendable contribution to journalism in the transatlantic community. And in 2016, he was made a Chevalier in the French Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur for his journalism. 

In 2011, he was appointed to the Board of Trustees at The Tate and serves as a trustee on the board of the Carnegie Corporation of New York. He graduated in 1978 from St Edmund Hall, Oxford University, with a joint honours degree in German and modern history and speaks fluent French and German.

Pete Souza is a bestselling author, speaker and freelance photographer based in Madison, Wisconsin. He is also Professor Emeritus of Visual Communication at Ohio University. Souza was the Chief Official White House Photographer for President Barack Obama and the Director of the White House photo office for all eight years. He was also an Official White House Photographer for President Ronald Reagan, from 1983 until Jan. 20, 1989. In 2021, Souza was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame.

His book, Obama: An Intimate Portrait, was published by Little, Brown & Company in 2017, and debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It is one of the best-selling photography books of all time. His 2018 book, Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents, also debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Shade is a portrait in Presidential contrasts, telling the tale of the Obama and Trump administrations through a series of visual juxtapositions.

Souza's most recent photography book, The West Wing and Beyond: What I Saw Inside the Presidency, was published in September 2022. This book takes you inside the presidential bubble with photographs and stories of consequential moments and traditions with the people who define our nation’s highest office—from the senior White House staff to the Oval Office valets. It delivers new insights into the role of the Secret Service, the seriousness of decisive meetings in the West Wing, and even some fun moments aboard Air Force One.

Based on his best-selling books, Souza became the subject of documentary film in November 2020, The Way I See It.  Directed by Dawn Porter–and produced by Porter, Laura Dern, Evan Hayes and Jayme Lemons–the film takes an unprecedented look behind the scenes of two of the most iconic Presidents in history, Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan, as seen through Souza's eyes and camera. As Official White House Photographer for both these Presidents, Souza was an eyewitness to the unique and tremendous responsibilities of being the most powerful man in the world. The film also reveals how Souza transformed from a respected White House photographer and photojournalist to a searing commentator on the importance of having someone with empathy and dignity in the office of the Presidency. The film was nominated for an Emmy, premiering on MSNBC and became the highest rated non-news, non-live program ever. Souza also won the Critic's Choice Award for Most Compelling Living Subject of a documentary.

Souad Mekhennet is an award-winning journalist and book author who defies simple characterization. Her significant contributions to public discourse and global understanding are uniquely forged through a combination of her professional acumen and pathbreaking determination as a German woman of Moroccan and Turkish parentage. Souad’s immense cultural fluency sheds light on the evils of our time, but also support justice. Her dangerous encounters read like scenes from an action thriller, but also portray unparalleled humanity. Whether in the remote tribal regions of Pakistan, attending global gatherings in Dubai or Switzerland, on the streets of European capitals, or visiting mosques and synagogues across the United States, Souad’s reporting consistently challenges assumptions and breaks down barriers between people.

Based in Washington and Frankfurt, Souad Mekhennet is a national security Staff writer for The Washington Post where she was part of the reporting team recognized as Pulitzer Prize finalists in 2019. Souad first reported for The Post in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, delving into the background of the Hamburg cell and writing on the threat al-Qaeda posed in Europe, North Africa and the Gulf. She was part of The Post’s coverage of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. In 2004, she began a long interlude at The New York Times where she produced some of the most defining insights into the Bush administration’s war on terrorism, most notably the CIA’s botched rendition of Khalid el-Masri, a German citizen. Souad returned to The Post in 2014 and helped unmask the identity of terrorist Jihadi John. Known for closely monitoring activity within terror networks, she has many times been the first to break news and publish front page stories, such as reporting the death of Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the leader of the group behind the 2015 Paris attacks, 15 hours before government confirmation and other media.

In her deeply reported memoir, I Was Told to Come Alone: My Journey Behind the Lines of Jihad, Souad recounts how she went to jihadi strongholds to interview the leaders of and the converts to terrorist organizations like al Qaeda and the Islamic State. A product and champion of liberal democracy who is culturally and linguistically at home across the Arab world, Mekhennet is fair-minded and fearless as she seeks to find out who these people are and what motivates them. The book provides offers unique access and insight across countries.

Ashley Fox is one of the NFL’s most well respected journalists and a trailblazer in the ego-infused world of sports media. During her 24-year career, including 7 years as a lead NFL reporter and analyst for ESPN, Inc., The Worldwide Leader in Sports, Ashley covered the United States’ most popular sport for the largest sports media network in the world.

By being fair, honest and accountable, with unwavering professionalism and boundless optimism, Ashley earned the trust of professional athletes, coaches, owners, team executives and league commissioners. She understands the power of relationships and the steps necessary to build and maintain them. She has mastered the lost art of listening and knows that the best questions mine the most insightful answers.

Since 1993, Ashley Fox has reported from the world’s largest sporting events- the Summer Olympics, Wimbledon, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, the Final Four, the World Series, the Stanley Cup Finals, and the PGA Championship. Ashley’s written work has been featured on ESPN.com, TheUndefeated.com, ESPNW.com and in ESPN The Magazine, Sports Illustrated and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

A world-class communicator, Ashley shares with her global audience her inspiring story of determination, perseverance, balancing personal and professional integrity, believing in the impossible and overcoming obstacles. Attendees of Ashley’s presentations learn the proven leadership, communication and teamwork strategies that took her from a small-town girl with big-time dreams to an award-winning reporter and columnist for the preeminent sports network on the planet.

Yamiche Alcindor is the White House correspondent for PBS NewsHour, Host of Washington Week, and a contributor for NBC News and MSNBC. She often tells stories about the intersection of race and politics. 

As a contributor for NBC News and MSNBC, she often appears on a number of shows including Morning Joe, Andrea Mitchell Reports, and Meet the Press with Chuck Todd.

Previously, Alcindor worked as a national political reporter for The New York Times where she covered the presidential campaigns of Mr. Trump and Senator Bernie Sanders as well as Congress. She also wrote about the impact of President Donald Trump's policies on working class people and people of color.

In 2020, the White House Correspondents’ Association named Alcindor the recipient of the Aldo Beckman Award for Overall Excellence in White House Coverage. She has also been honored with the Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award by Simmons University and NextGen Leader Award by the Georgetown Entertainment & Media Alliance.

Robert Safian is one of the most sought-after speakers, moderators, and interviewers in the modern business. From leadership positions at Fast Company, Time, Fortune and Money, to incisive analysis across multiple TV networks, podcasts, and digital platforms, Safian has been lauded as an unparalleled source of insight on the future of the global enterprise. He is not only among the most acclaimed publishing executives in history but has deep relationships across the C-suite in multiple industries, accessing the cutting-edge developments that are reshaping our world.

Undersized and overmatched, at 5'8" Justin Forsett had plenty of reasons to give up on becoming a full-time NFL starter. It wasn't until 2014 at age 29 that Forsett "came out of nowhere" and proved them all wrong. 

Forsett spent parts of four seasons (2008-11) with Seattle and the 2012 season with the Texans. He played in nine games for the Jaguars in 2013 before injuring his foot, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. Forsett spent more than two seasons with the Ravens, including one Pro Bowl year in which he took the league by storm in 2014.  He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015 following his most successful season in the NFL, and ranked #65 on the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2015. 

After breaking his arm midway through the 2105 season, recovering, and playing just nine more games with the Ravens, the Detroit Lions, and the Denver Broncos, Forsett announced his retirement from the NFL on May 3, 2017.
 
Justin, however, will be defined by much more than his stats.  Justin was a cherished fan favorite and big part of the community. He spent much of his time spreading advice and encouragement to his teammates and anyone he worked with. A Christian man of integrity, he was extremely active in volunteering to help those in need, the Baltimore community in particular, who embraced him back.

When speaking to audiences, Justin has a genuine desire to positively impact others with his message of perseverance through life’s disappointments. His witty and down-to-earth personality engages audiences from corporate environments to youth groups as he shares his inspirational journey of hope, focus, determination, and the importance of legacy.

In an inspiring program, Uslan takes audiences along on the journey of creating his career to bringing Batman successfully to the big screen. He shares the principles that allowed him to persevere despite repeated rejection and encourages audiences everywhere to reach for their dreams and believe in themselves.

In a different program specifically aimed at corporations, guilds, and business conferences, Uslan uses Batman to discuss the need for the spirit of entrepreneurship and the critical importance of branding and re-branding in business today, and how we all personally need to adapt that concept to our own lives by periodically reinventing ourselves.

In a third program, Uslan addresses the founders of the comic book industry and how, not coincidentally, the majority of them are Jewish immigrants or first generation American Jews. Personally familiar with these legends, Uslan shares their anecdotes and also reveals the connection between the super-heroes created by these men and women and Jewish lore and tradition—i.e. how The Golem spawned The Hulk and just how similar Superman and Moses really are.

Proven to deliver what USA Today hailed as one of the top 10 commencement addresses of all time at Indiana University, Michael Uslan is sure to capture your audience with his devotion and intellect, and inspire them with the wonder and promise of comics universe.

Dr. Agnia Grigas, is a political economist, author, and speaker. She is a Senior Fellow at The Atlantic Council and an independent consultant based out of Los Angeles. Her three acclaimed books include “The New Geopolitics of Natural Gas” (Harvard UP) and “Beyond Crimea” (Yale UP), which was selected as TIME’s Top-10 book on Russia, and “The Politics of Energy and Memory” (Routledge). She has lectured at Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, John Hopkins, Oxford, LSE, and leading business and security conferences. She regularly appears in the media including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Newsweek, Financial Times, Bloomberg, Reuters, Foreign Affairs, CNN, BBC. Agnia earned her Doctorate & Masters degrees in International Relations from University of Oxford, and her BA in Economics-Political Science from Columbia University.

Terry Savage is a nationally recognized expert on personal finance, the economy and the markets. She writes a twice-weekly personal finance column syndicated nationally by Chicago Tribune Content Agency, and blogs regularly on the Huffington Post. Terry appears weekly on the WGN radio Noon Business Hour and on WGN-TV Morning News, as well as national television and radio programs, commenting on the financial markets and current economic events.

Elizabeth Cohen is senior medical correspondent for CNN's Health, Medical and Wellness unit, reporting breaking medical news and health consumer reporting on CNN and CNN.com. Her signature digital column, Empowered Patient, keeps consumers informed on how to ensure the best medical care for themselves and their families. She has a masters degree in public health and is the author of THE EMPOWERED PATIENT: How to get the Right Diagnosis, Buy the Cheapest Drugs, Beat Your Insurance Company, and Get the Best Medical Care Every Time.

Josh Levs was already an internationally known, award-winning broadcast journalist when he suddenly found himself the nation's "poster boy" for paternity leave. Facing an unfair policy, Levs took on one of the world's biggest corporations -- and won. Now, businesses nationwide are learning from him and how best to serve employees and the bottom line by adapting to the new realities of modern families. Individuals are learning that what Levs teaches in his popular keynote addresses is true: One person can achieve what many others consider impossible. His book, All In, busts myths about men, women, and parenthood; exposes outdated structures, and lays the path forward through clear, simple steps.  

Suze Orman is a world-renowned motivational speaker who speaks annually to over 100,000 people in the United States, South Africa & Asia. In 2007, Business Week has named Suze the top female motivational Speaker in the U.S..

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 has also worked as an analyst for Fox News, commenting on the big news events of the day as well as cultural and media issues.

Few journalists in America’s history have had the impact on their era and their craft as Carl Bernstein. For forty years, from All the President’s Men to A Woman-In-Charge: The Life of Hillary Clinton, Bernstein’s books, reporting, and commentary have revealed the inner-workings of government, politics, and the hidden stories of Washington and its leaders.

In the early 1970s, Bernstein and Bob Woodward broke the Watergate story for The Washington Post, leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon and setting the standard for modern investigative reporting, for which they and The Post were awarded the Pulitzer Prize.

Since then, Bernstein has continued to build on the theme he and Woodward first explored in the Nixon years – the use and abuse of power: political, media, financial, cultural and spiritual power. Renowned as a prose stylist, he has also written a classic biography of Pope John Paul II, served as the founding editor of the first major political website, and been a rock critic.

Bestselling Author Amy Sohn has skillfully captured the zeitgeist of a whole generation of women in her novels.

Ms. Soderberg brings her to the table her breadth of experience in the formation of US foreign policy, including promoting peace in Northern Ireland, participating in a United Nations mission to Indonesia and East Timor, negotiating key United Nations resolutions regarding the Middle East and Africa, conducting shuttle diplomacy in Latin America, assisting in the development of the Clinton Administration’s policy of political economic normalization with Vietnam and advising President Clinton on policies regarding China, Japan, Russia, Angola, the Balkans, Haiti, as well as several conflicts in Africa. With nearly twenty years of experience in the formation of U.S. foreign policy, Nancy Soderberg has been involved in most of the conflicts around the world and speaks and writes regularly on national security issues. Ms. Soderberg is highly qualified to discuss today’s crises in Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, Africa and the Middle East and what effects peacekeeping, terrorism, nonproliferation, and the United Nations can have on the outcomes.

Dr. Peter Salgo is an Emmy Award-Winning medical journalist, practicing physician, and respected healthcare futurist.

As host and weatherman of NBC’s Today Show, Al Roker has the undivided attention of the nation every weekday morning as America prepares for school and work.

Spanning more than 40 years on TV and 14 Emmy awards - and in addition to reporting on the weather - Al conducts interviews with celebrities and newsmakers around the world and does a wide variety of segments on every imaginable subject. Al also co-anchors the popular 3rd Hour of Today, presenting homespun lifestyle segments that touch all Americans. As a prolific bestselling author, Al has penned 13 books, the latest being You Look So Much Better In Person - True Stories Of Absurdity and Success. This latest tome is a humorous collection of essays based on lessons for living a happy life and achieving success through the power of saying "yes!"

Al Roker brings to the podium the same charisma and sense of humor that have propelled him to number one in Americans' hearts. Whether emceeing events or delivering a closing keynote, his ability to improvise and sling out his legendary one-liners are a huge hit with audiences.

Veteran journalist Deborah Norville has been anchor of Inside Edition since March 1995. Ratings jumped 15% the week the two-time Emmy winner joined the series, which is now the nation’s top-rated syndicated newsmagazine.

Ken Burns has been making documentary films for almost fifty years. Since the Academy Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, Ken has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, including The Civil War; Baseball; Jazz; The Statue of Liberty; Huey Long; Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery; Frank Lloyd Wright; Mark Twain; Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson; The War; The National Parks:  America’s Best Idea; The Roosevelts:  An Intimate History; Jackie Robinson; Defying the Nazis:  The Sharps’ War; The Vietnam War, and, most recently, The Mayo Clinic:  Faith - Hope - Science. Future film projects include Leonardo da Vinci, The American Revolution, Emancipation to Exodus, and LBJ & the Great Society, among others.

Ken’s films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including sixteen Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards and two Oscar nominations; and in September of 2008, at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards, Ken was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The late historian Stephen Ambrose has said that “more Americans get their history from Ken Burns than any other source.” And Wynton Marsalis has called Ken “a master of timing, and of knowing the sweet spot of a story, of how to ask questions to get to the basic human feeling and to draw out the true spirit of a given subject.”

Ken has been the recipient of more than thirty honorary degrees and has delivered many treasured commencement addresses.  He is a sought-after public speaker, appearing at colleges, civic organizations and business groups throughout the country.  

One of the industry's most popular and award-winning television sports figures, Len Berman not only provides unique perspective on recent happenings, but also a larger look at sports’ unique place in our society.

Ron Reagan has parlayed his unique political perspective as presidential son and Washington insider into insightful analysis for MSNBC. In addition he lends a passionate and knowledgeable voice to the subject of embryonic stem cell research.

Rosenblatt's weekly column in The Jewish Week, "Between The Lines" has won first-place awards from the New York State Press Association, and is syndicated each week by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency to Jewish newspapers throughout the country. Rosenblatt has been a contributor to the Los Angeles Times Op Ed page and has served on the boards of the American Jewish Press Association and the Jewish Student Press Service. He is also a founder of the Gralla Fellows Program at Brandeis University for Journalists in the Jewish Press, and is chairman of the Fund for Jewish Investigative Journalism.

Phil Simms, Super Bowl XXI MVP and 15-year NFL veteran, joined CBS Sports in January 1998 as lead analyst for the CBS Television Network's coverage of the NFL. He again shares The NFL Today desk for his third season as a studio analyst alongside James Brown, Bill Cowher, Nate Burleson and Boomer Esiason.

Politician, author, and analyst Julián Castro has distinguished himself as a strong leader and successful public servant for nearly two decades. A former Democratic candidate for President, Castro served as the 16th Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Barack Obama from 2014 to 2017, and as mayor of San Antonio from 2009 to 2014. Today, Castro serves on the board of directors of the LBJ Foundation and is a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. Castro serves as CEO of the Latino Community Foundation, the nation’s largest Latino-serving foundation. From education to technology to safe and affordable housing, Castro has been at the forefront of some of the most innovative partnerships, programs, and achievements in the public sector.

His memoir, An Unlikely Journey: Waking Up from My American Dream, is a candid account of race and poverty in America. His views on equality, housing, and the future of America have been sought by America Votes, The National Association of Colleges and Employers, New York University, and more. In sharing lessons learned from the struggles and successes of his political journey, Castro gives audiences insight into how any group can make a significant change when it comes to America's most pressing issues.

World-renowned, award winning professor of business administration Anita Elberse is acclaimed for her publications on products in the entertainment, media, sports, and other creative industries, using econometric modeling techniques and case studies to examine media-industry problems. Professor Elberse teaches an MBA course covering the "Businesses of Entertainment, Media, and Sports," which ranks among the most sought-after courses at HBS and chairs an eponymous executive education program. Professor Elberse has published her case studies on dozens of entertainment companies, personalities, and other entities across major industry publications, such as the Harvard Business Review, Marketing Science, the Journal of Marketing, and several other journals. Several of her case studies are described in her bestselling book, Blockbusters: Hit-making, Risk-taking, and the Big Business of Entertainment.

Professor Elberse is acclaimed for her work on furthering equality in sports media. She chairs a semester-long mentoring program, "Crossover Into Business," specifically designed for professional athletes and leads the Summer Venture in Management Program for college students from minority backgrounds. Poets & Quants named her one of the "World's Best Business School Professors Under the Age of 40," and she has received teaching awards on multiple occasions from both students and Harvard Business School itself. Professor Elberse provides actionable takeaways for organizations to effectively manage products and talent in media, reflecting her fruitful work on digital-media strategies. As a speaker, Professor Elberse provides insightful stories, commentary, and case studies unpacking the best of sports, media, and pop culture.

Bestselling author, prize-winning journalist, and researcher Laura Blumenfeld has dedicated her life to analyzing conflict in the Middle East.

Blumenfeld previously served in the U.S. State Department as senior policy advisor for the Middle East Peace Process. She spent two decades as a reporter for the Washington Post covering the Middle East, national security, and presidential politics. She has also been a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund and a public policy fellow at the Wilson Center, where she worked on the project of “U.S. Responsibility to Lead.” Blumenfeld’s memoir, Revenge: a Story of Hope, recounts her global travels in search of the terrorist who shot her father in cold blood. She is currently a Middle East analyst at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Blumenfeld has written on peace in the Middle East for The New Yorker, New York Times Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, and more. Her perspectives on politics and conflict in the region have been sought by AIPAC and AJC, alongside JCCs and Jewish Federations across the country.  

Lilly Singh is an Emmy-winning entertainer, actress, producer, New York Times best-selling author, gender equality advocate, and President of Unicorn Island. A leading force in pop culture, she has pivoted her successful online career to the big and small screens. Up next, Lilly’s first feature film, DOIN’ IT, will premiere at the 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival. She co-wrote, produced, and stars as the lead in the comedy. During the Festival, Lilly will also receive the “Comedy Crossover” Award at Variety’s Power of Comedy honors. She is also partnering with AAVRANI, an Ayurvedic science-backed beauty brand, to launch the hair care collection she helped create alongside founder Rooshy Roy, inspired by Indian cultural rituals.

Most recently, Lilly starred in the Emmy-winning Disney+ comedy series The Muppets Mayhem, DreamWorks Animation action-comedy THE BAD GUYS, and voiced the lead in her animated series, The Mindful Adventures of Unicorn Island, now available on YouTube. She currently hosts CTV’s Battle of the Generations, a primetime quiz show that she also executive produces, and is a judge on Canada’s Got Talent. She is the author of two international chart-topping books, How to Be a Bawse: A Guide to ConqueringLife and Be a Triangle: How I Went from Being Lost to Getting My Life Into Shape. With every innovative project, business endeavor, and keynote, Lilly is redefining the rules – breaking norms that led to exclusion – and leading us toward a richer and more inclusive future. 

Through her Unicorn Island Productions company, its non-profit arm Unicorn Island Fund, and her Lilly’s Library book club, Lilly continues to blaze new paths in storytelling, spotlighting underrepresented voices and challenging social norms to transform the way the world sees, values and invests in girls and women. In her live events, Lilly offers empowering insights about building her career, creating equity, leading with authenticity, and more, and always with her signature blend of humor, vulnerability, and keen observation.

Gail Simmons is a trained culinary expert, food writer, and dynamic television personality. Since the show’s inception in 2006, she has lent her extensive expertise as a permanent judge on Bravo’s Emmy-winning series Top Chef. Now entering its 21st successful season, Top Chef is rated the #1 food show on cable television. She was most recently co-host of The Good Dish, and was formerly host of Top Chef Amateurs, as well as Iron Chef Canada. From 2004 to 2019, Gail served as special projects director at FOOD & WINE. Gail’s first cookbook, Bringing It Home: Favorite Recipes from a Life of Adventurous Eating, was released by Grand Central Publishing in October 2017. Her first book, a memoir titled Talking With My Mouth Full, was published by Hyperion in February 2012. Gail is the co-founder of Bumble Pie Productions and sits on the board of several other nonprofit organizations including Children in Conflict, City Harvest and Hot Bread Kitchen.

Simmons' background in both media and culinary spaces affords her the fantastic rhetorical skill of a food writer paired with the expertise of a head chef, making for educational, enriching live engagements. She makes frequent television appearances on NBC’s TODAY, ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS’s The View, and the Tamron Hall Show, among others. She has been featured in publications such as People, New York magazine, Women’s Health, Travel + Leisure, GQ, Entertainment Weekly, US Weekly, Los Angeles Times, and was named the #1 Reality TV Judge in America by the New York Post. She has received the Award of Excellence by Spoons Across America, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating children about the benefits of healthy eating.

Famed conservative political media consultant Mike Murphy is a widely quoted pundit, longtime analyst and frequent guest on NBC News, CNN and MSNBC, and co-host of the popular Hacks on Tap podcast. One of the Republican party’s most successful consultants, he has served as a top campaign advisor to John McCain, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with dozens of other GOP Senators, Governors, and Members of Congress. Murphy has spoken for groups including the Council of State Restaurant Associations, Simpson College, Friess Associates of Delaware, the California Chamber of Commerce, America’s Health Insurance Plans Association, Goldman Sachs, NY Life, and John Hancock, among many others.

Murphy advises several Fortune 500 corporations, as well as Hedge Funds and Trade Associations. He has written columns and op-ed pieces for TIME, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and the Bulwark, and the LA Times. He is currently co-director the University of Southern California’s Center for the Political Future and served as a longtime senior fellow at Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, focusing on the intersection of domestic politics and national security decision making.