Speakers on Policy

Susan Sher
Former Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama; First Female Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago; Health Care Expert

Susan Sher, former Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama, has been an integral player in the White House, from overseeing the First Lady’s health care and anti-obesity agenda to coordinating with the West Wing on Michelle Obama’s role in the elections. In her lectures, she will draw from her experience, sharing anecdotes from her time in the East Wing.

Governor Tim Pawlenty
Former Governor of Minnesota

Tim Pawlenty is the former governor of Minnesota and one of the leading voices in the Republican Party. He used innovative and conservative leadership to balance Minnesota’s budget, cut spending, reform health care, and improve schools without raising taxes. Under his leadership, Minnesota had nation-leading health care, the highest school test scores, and a leading economy.

Senator Bob Bennett
Former U.S. Senator (R-UT)

Senator Bennett was at the forefront of health care reform and a member of the Joint Economic Committee, where he was at the center of economic policy discussions. He worked to get the economy back on track by focusing on Social Security and health care reform, authoring a highly-praised bill on Social Security. Before he ran for office, Bob Bennett was also a successful entrepreneur.

Senator John Breaux
Former Senator (D-LA) and Co-Chairman of the President's Tax Reform Commission

Widely respected by both parties, John Breaux shares his mainstream approach to dealing with issues such as social security and Medicare reform, energy development, and national security. An aggressive advocate for transforming America's healthcare system, Breaux shares progressive ideas from his own national campaign.

Senator Byron Dorgan
Former U.S. Senator (D-ND)

Senator Dorgan championed the interests of rural America and a renewable energy policy. His most notable accomplishments included creating a comprehensive energy plan that outlined actionable strategies for our country to implement in our pursuit of energy security, working to fund renewable energy sources, providing a strong safety net for family farmers, and spurring economic development.

Senator Evan Bayh
Former United States Senator (D-IN)

Senator Bayh’s legislative efforts aimed at strengthening our national security, creating more jobs by growing small businesses, protecting American workers, and providing tax-relief for families. As a member of the Senate committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the chairman of the Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance, he also had experience with our economic struggles.

Senator Judd Gregg
Former United States Senator (R-NH)

A leading voice for fiscal discipline, Senator Gregg served as the Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee and played a major role in rescuing our country from the brink of economic collapse as a chief negotiator of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Senator Gregg also served as one of the principal negotiators working to modernize our nation’s financial regulatory system.

Senator Trent Lott
Former U.S. Senator (R-MS) and Senate Majority Leader

For 34 years, Senator Trent Lott was a formidable presence in the halls of the U.S. Capitol Building. As Senate Majority Leader, he helped produce the historic 1997 budget that balanced the federal books for the fist time in nearly thirty years. With a patriot's concern for good governance and a true diplomat's ability to forge alliances, he led by example, spearheading bipartisan legislation on health care, social security, global trade, and tax policy.