Ambassador Daniel B. Shapiro is a distinguished diplomat and foreign policy expert with over two decades of experience in senior U.S. government positions. Most recently, he was the top Middle East policy official at the Pentagon, serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, where he coordinated the Department of Defense's response to the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks and the multi-front war that followed. 

Shapiro served as U.S. Ambassador to Israel for over five years during the Obama Administration. Under President Biden, prior to joining the Pentagon, he was the U.S. State Department's Senior Adviser on Middle East Regional Integration, the first senior official dedicated to expanding the Abraham Accords. His government tenure has also included two tours of service on the National Security Council. 

In addition to his government service, Ambassador Shapiro served as a Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council, where he spearheaded the N7 Initiative focused on regional integration and as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. He has spoken to groups such as AIPAC, Tablet Magazine, UC Berkley, and more. A sought-after speaker and media commentator, Ambassador Shapiro engages global audiences on critical issues concerning U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East.

William J. Burns is one of the most experienced and respected foreign policy minds of the modern era, with a career spanning nearly four decades in diplomacy, intelligence, and global security strategy. Having served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2021 to 2025, Deputy Secretary of State from 2011 to 2014, and a career diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service for 33 years, Burns has been at the forefront of U.S. national security, geopolitical strategy, and high-stakes international negotiations.

His tenure as CIA Director coincided with some of the most consequential geopolitical challenges of the 21st century, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, escalating tensions with China, cyber warfare threats, and the evolving landscape of Middle Eastern security. His deep understanding of foreign intelligence, diplomatic statecraft, and global power dynamics positioned him as a key architect of U.S. security strategy during an era of unprecedented global instability.

Burns’ has also served as President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2015–2021), where he shaped global policy discourse on great power competition, nuclear security, and diplomatic conflict resolution. His bestselling 2019 book, The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for Its Renewal, provides an insider’s perspective on some of the most critical foreign policy decisions of the last 30 years.

Having spent decades in direct negotiations with world leaders—including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese officials, and Middle Eastern heads of state—Burns offers an unmatched perspective on how global power players think and operate. His ability to assess political motivations, anticipate strategic moves, and navigate diplomatic crises has made him one of the most sought-after voices on international security, intelligence strategy, and geopolitical risk assessment.

His leadership in intelligence and diplomacy has earned him three Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and the highest civilian honors from the Pentagon and the U.S. Intelligence Community.

Jack Lew is a distinguished attorney, diplomat, and policymaker with a remarkable career spanning both public service and the private sector. As the 76th Secretary of the Treasury (2013–2017) and United States Ambassador to Israel, Lew played a pivotal role in shaping global economic policy and U.S. foreign relations. He also served as White House Chief of Staff (2012–2013) and Director of the Office of Management and Budget under both the Clinton and Obama administrations.

Lew’s extensive experience extends beyond government service. Prior to 2010, Lew served as managing director and chief operating officer for two different Citigroup business units. Lew was tapped by Citigroup for his work as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of New York​ University, where he was responsible for budget, finance, and operations, and served as a professor of public administration. From 2004 through 2008, Lew served on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service and chaired its Management, Administration, and Governance Committee. As Special Assistant to President Clinton from 1993 to 1994, Mr. Lew helped design Americorps, the national service program.

Lew began his career in Washington in 1973 as a legislative aide. From 1979 to 1987, he was a principal domestic policy advisor to House Speaker Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr, when he served the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee as Assistant Director and then Executive Director. He was the Speaker's liaison to the Greenspan Commission, which negotiated a bipartisan solution to extend the solvency of Social Security in 1983, and he was responsible for domestic and economic issues, including Medicare, budget, tax, trade, appropriations, and energy issues. With deep expertise in public finance, policy, and international relations, Lew offers invaluable insights into leadership, economic strategy, and governance, making him an ideal speaker for audiences seeking perspectives on global economics and public service.

Multiple Emmy, Peabody, and DuPont Award-winning journalist Suzanne Malveaux is the CEO and President of Malveaux Global Media. Malveaux spent two decades at CNN, bringing ground-breaking journalism to the network. There, she covered the White House for 10 years, interviewed 5 U.S. Presidents, embedded with U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and reported on the war in Ukraine from the front lines. Malveaux was recently recognized by Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism for covering "One of the Top 50 Stories of the Century" for her reporting on then-Senator Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Malveaux is also a profound advocate for ALS patients, winning a Gracie Award for her work documenting her mother’s journey with the condition.

Malveaux is Co-Chair of the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF), sits on the Board of Trustees for HBCU Xavier University, and is a former board member of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. She has been named “Journalist of the Year” by Essence Magazine and one of “America’s Most Powerful Players under 40” by Black Enterprise. Malveaux has been named an Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellow as well as an Aspen Global Leadership Network fellow and has participated in numerous panels at the Aspen Institute Ideas Festival.

Jake Sullivan most recently served as the 28th Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (National Security Advisor). He is now the inaugural Kissinger Professor of the Practice of Statecraft and World Order at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Sullivan helped lead U.S. national security through a period of historic geopolitical change and challenge and established enduring strategic advantages for the United States. In the Obama-Biden Administration, he served as National Security Advisor to then-Vice President Biden, Director of the Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. Department of State, and Deputy Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. With a career spanning high-stakes diplomacy, national security decision-making, and technology and economic policy, Sullivan offers unparalleled insights into the forces driving the global landscape today. He is one of the most influential and well-respected voices on U.S. foreign policy and world affairs.

His unique insights include: 

• The direction of consequential and complex relationships with global powers like China, India, and Saudi Arabia.  Sullivan managed these relationships as National Security Advisor.
• Trends in a fast-moving landscape of technology, artificial intelligence, and national security. Sullivan pioneered groundbreaking policy at this intersection.
• The future of trade, investment, and industrial policy, which he first outlined in a landmark speech at the Brookings Institution that shaped the global debate.
• Complex multi-stakeholder negotiations, as a leading player in the secret negotiations that led to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
• Lessons learned from crisis management in the White House Situation Room during crisis and conflict from Ukraine to the Middle East.
• Qualities needed to build and lead successful cross-disciplinary teams.

Known for his clarity, pragmatism, authenticity, and deep understanding of global trends, Sullivan engages audiences with thought-provoking analyses and actionable ideas for shaping a more stable and prosperous world. 

As a former mayor of Chicago, U.S. congressman, ambassador to Japan, and White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel has a wealth of experience navigating high-stakes environments and tackling complex issues. As a speaker, Ambassador Emanuel offers unique insights into leadership, governance, and decision-making.

Ambassador Emanuel was confirmed in a bipartisan vote as the 31st United States Ambassador to Japan on December 18, 2021. Previously, Ambassador Emanuel was the 55th Mayor of the City of Chicago, a position he held until May 2019. During that time, he made the critical choices necessary to secure Chicago’s future as a global capital. Prior to becoming Mayor, from November 2008 until October 2010, Ambassador Emanuel served as President Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff. In addition to being the President’s top advisor, the Ambassador helped the Obama administration secure the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Ambassador Emanuel was elected four times as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois’s 5th Congressional District (2002-2008). As Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Emanuel helped pass legislation to raise the minimum wage and authored the Great Lakes Restoration Act. From 1993 to 1998, Ambassador Emanuel was a key member of President Bill Clinton’s administration, rising to serve as Senior Advisor to the President for Policy and Politics. During this time, Emanuel served as a legislative liaison to Congress and spearheaded efforts to pass several of President Clinton’s signature achievements, most notably the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, and the historic Balanced Budget Act, which created the Children’s Health Insurance Program that expanded health care coverage to 10 million children. The Ambassador also worked closely with President Joseph R. Biden Jr., then a U.S. Senator, to shepherd the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 through Congress.

Ambassador Emanuel has expertise on a variety of subjects relevant across both the public and private sectors, including leadership, crisis management, urban policy, politics, negotiation, and the intersection of business and government. Blending high-level insights with an engaging and candid speaking style, Ambassador Emanuel engages audiences with both his content and delivery.

Former U.S. Senator and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Ambassador Jeff Flake’s experience representing America overseas, combined with nearly two decades of knowledge and experience on Capitol Hill, make him a truly unique asset to companies and organizations trying to navigate through complex global developments, topics, and trends. Known for his genial nature while in Congress, Ambassador Flake was confirmed unanimously by his former colleagues for his current ambassadorial post. Before his Ambassadorial appointment, Ambassador Flake served on the Advisory Board of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University, as a Distinguished Fellow at Arizona State University, and at the Sorensen Center for Moral and Ethical Leadership at Brigham Young University. He also served on the board of Directors of Taylor Morrison, the nation’s fifth-largest homebuilder. Ambassador Flake is the author of the New York Times best-seller Conscience of a Conservative: A Rejection of Destructive Politics and a Return to Principle. He is also the recipient of the Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage from the University Philosophical Society at Trinity College, Dublin. He offers a timely and unique perspective on U.S. foreign policy and the geopolitics of Europe and the Middle East.

A sought-after speaker, Ambassador Flake has guest lectured at Stanford, Princeton and Yale, and he was a Resident Fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics. He has been a frequent guest on NBC’s Meet the Press, ABC’s This Week, CBS’s Face the Nation, FOX News’ Sunday, and CNN’s State of the Union. Ambassador Flake currently serves as the Director of the Institute of Politics (IOP) at Arizona State University, and as Chairman of the Board of World Trade Center Utah. He also serves as a Visiting Fellow at Brigham Young University. Ambassador Flake engages with audiences without partisan rancor or vitriol, making him capable and competent without being controversial.

Amos Hochstein is a leading national security leader, energy and infrastructure expert, and experienced negotiator. He is also a frequent and highly sought-after public speaker who regularly appears on leading media outlets from CNBC and Bloomberg to CNN and Fox, and is featured in leading publications around the world.

Hochstein was the lead negotiator in securing the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, ending the post October 7th war between Israel and Hezbollah. Previously, he negotiated several global economic and diplomatic agreements including the Israel-Lebanon maritime border agreement, a landmark diplomatic and first of its kind political and economic agreement that resolved a decades-long dispute that also enabled significant investment opportunities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In his years at the White House, Hochstein regularly met with the leaders of countries around the world from the Arabian Gulf to Asia and Africa on behalf of the President of the U.S.

Dubbed by the Washington Post as the “energy whisperer” or the “energy czar” by others, Hochstein is well known to the global energy, mining and infrastructure sectors.  He has held leadership positions in both the private sector and government, shaping the future of energy policy.

In his expansive leadership role, Hochstein played a leading role shaping and negotiating the US global policy on artificial intelligence (AI) and AI infrastructure. Chairing the AI investment taskforce with Saudi Arabia and other countries while accelerating investment in data centers in the U.S. and around the world.

Kurt M. Campbell was confirmed by the Senate on February 6, 2024, and sworn in as the 22nd Deputy Secretary of State on February 12, 2024. Prior to assuming this position, Deputy Secretary Campbell served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the National Security Council. He was previously founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Asia Group, LLC, a strategic advisory and capital management group. From 2009 to 2013, Campbell served as the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Earlier, he was the CEO and Co-Founder of the Center for a New American Security and concurrently served as the Director of the Aspen Strategy Group and Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Washington Quarterly.

Among the other positions he has held during his distinguished career, Campbell served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs, White House Fellow at the Treasury Department, and as Director of the Democracy Office at the National Security Council during the Clinton Administration. Campbell was an Associate Professor of Public Policy at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and served in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

He is the author or editor of ten books including The Pivot: The Future of American Statecraft in Asia, Difficult Transitions: Why Presidents Fail in Foreign Policy at the Outset of Power, and Hard Power: The New Politics of National Security.

He received his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego and his Doctorate in international relations from Brasenose College at Oxford University where he was a Distinguished Marshall Scholar. Campbell is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award.

Dambisa Moyo is a member of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords sitting as Baroness Moyo of Knightsbridge . She is a principal of Versaca Investments - a family office focused on growth investing globally. She serves on a number of global corporate boards including Chevron, and the Oxford University Endowment Investment Committee. She is a member of The American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Moyo is respected for her unique perspectives, her balance of contrarian thinking with measured judgment, and her ability to turn economic insight into investible ideas. 

Dr. Moyo is the author of five bestselling books on the global macroeconomy and geopolitics. She holds a PhD in economics from Oxford University and a Masters degree from Harvard University. Dr. Moyo was named to the list of TIME’s "100 Most Influential People" in the world; writes for the Financial Times, WSJ, Barron's, and Harvard Business Review. Dr. Moyo is a pre-eminent thinker whose insights empower key decision-makers in strategic investment and public policy.

Governing Through Crisis: Lessons in Global Leadership

David Miliband—former UK Foreign Secretary and current President of the International Rescue Committee—is one of the most respected voices in global leadership today. Drawing on a remarkable career at the intersection of government, diplomacy, and humanitarian action, Miliband offers a sweeping and deeply informed perspective on what it takes to govern through crisis in a rapidly changing world.

As Foreign Secretary, Miliband helped shape UK foreign policy during an era of profound global volatility. Today, as the leader of the IRC—founded by Albert Einstein—he oversees one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, delivering life-saving aid across 40 countries and guiding refugee resettlement efforts throughout the United States. Under his stewardship, the IRC reached more than 38 million people last year alone.

In his compelling talks, Miliband explores how institutions—whether governmental, financial, or humanitarian—must evolve to meet 21st-century challenges. He speaks to the critical need for international cooperation, the moral imperatives of leadership, and the strategic thinking required to navigate conflict, displacement, public health emergencies, and climate-related crises. His TED Talk, "The Refugee Crisis is a Test of Our Character," has garnered more than 1.5M views, and his book Rescue: Refugees and the Political Crisis of Our Time offers timely insights into leadership, ethics, and global responsibility.

A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Grammy Award-winning narrator, Miliband is a gifted communicator with rare moral clarity and strategic depth. President Bill Clinton called him “one of the ablest, most creative public servants of our time.”

Whether addressing business executives, policymakers, or global citizens, Miliband challenges audiences to think bigger, lead boldly, and act with purpose in a world that demands nothing less.

Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall has tackled the world’s most pressing global and domestic challenges for four decades. Leading in top public roles, including as White House Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor (2021-2025), Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Energy (2014-2017), White House Coordinator for Defense Policy, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Arms Control (2013-2014), Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European Affairs (2009-2013), and at the Pentagon as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia (1994-1996), Sherwood-Randall has worked on the most complex and consequential global challenges, participating in the highest levels of international and domestic decision-making. Sherwood-Randall’s expertise spans a broad range of topics that are highly relevant today, including leading through crises, securing critical infrastructure, driving energy innovation, and conducting international diplomacy with both allies and adversaries.

Offering unique insights and unparalleled expertise across a spectrum of issues, from homeland security to national security, Sherwood-Randall presents the threats and opportunities that lie ahead through a compelling insider’s lens. Her work in both the top levels of the American government and with private sector partners highlights her ability to bring innovative solutions to complex challenges. She offers insights on reducing threats, navigating uncertainty, managing emergencies, and making tough decisions under pressure in the media spotlight. With first-hand experience as a defense and energy policy leader, global crisis manager, and proven female executive, Sherwood-Randall has inspired numerous teams to achieve ambitious goals, facing dynamic times with courage, steadiness, and grace under pressure.