Updated Oct 29, 2026

2026 New Exclusive Speakers

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Posted by Kristin Van Trieste

6 minutes read

Updated Oct 29, 2026

Leading Authorities is proud to introduce our newest exclusive speakers for 2026. From business leaders and policymakers to journalists, innovators, and military experts, this exceptional group brings fresh perspectives and real-world experience to today’s most important conversations. Explore the newest additions to our exclusive roster below.

Kevin Boehm, Award-Winning Restaurateur and Author
Dr. Raphael Bostic, Former President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Dasha Burns , Political Correspondent
Maura Burns, Leadership and Organizational Strategy Executive
Dr. Moogega Cooper, Space Engineer, Planetary Protection Lead of Mars Rover ‘Perseverance’ Mission
Brian Driscoll, Former Senior FBI Executive
General Randy George, 41st Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army
David Gibbs, Former CEO of Yum! Brands
Michele Kernitsky, Healthcare Executive
Adriana Kugler, Former Federal Reserve Governor and Economist
Adam Mizel , Author and Social Entrepreneur
Desmond O’Neill, Leadership and Business Performance Expert
Melissa Proctor, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer of NBA’s Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena
Loyal Pyczynski, Former Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering and Meta
Martinzie Richmond, Leadership and Organizational Development Expert
David Rohde, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist
Simon Rogers, Award-Winning Data Journalist and Data Visualization Pioneer
Trey Whitworth, Business Leader and Corporate Strategist
Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, Co-Founders of theSkimm

Our newest speakers represent a diverse range of industries and perspectives, offering audiences practical insights on today’s most pressing topics. Explore the list below to find the right speaker for your next event.

Kevin Boehm, Award-Winning Restaurateur and Author

Kevin Boehm is the co-founder of Boka Restaurant Group and a James Beard Award-winning restaurateur. He speaks on leadership, hospitality, and building strong teams and enduring businesses.

Dr. Raphael Bostic, Former President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Dr. Raphael Bostic is the former president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the first Black president of a regional Federal Reserve Bank. He speaks on the U.S. economy, monetary policy, and how economic developments impact businesses and their leaders.

Dasha Burns, Political Correspondent

Dasha Burns is a political correspondent who has covered presidential campaigns, Congress, and the White House from the front lines. She speaks on American politics, elections, and the political developments shaping business, the economy, and the future of the nation.

Maura Burns, Leadership and Organizational Strategy Executive

Maura Burns has led organizations across nuclear energy, space systems, cybersecurity, and advanced technology. She shares practical insights on leadership, organizational change, and talent development.

Dr. Moogega Cooper, Space Engineer, Planetary Protection Lead of Mars Rover ‘Perseverance’ Mission

Dr. Moogega Cooper is a space engineer and planetary protection expert at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory who helped make history on the Mars Perseverance mission. She speaks on space exploration, resilience, teamwork, and achieving ambitious goals.

Brian Driscoll, Former Senior FBI Executive

Brian Driscoll is a former senior FBI executive who led the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team and directed national tactical operations. He speaks on leadership, preparation, and building high-performing teams that succeed under pressure.

General Randy George, 39th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army

General Randy George served as the 41st Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. He shares practical insights on leadership, teamwork, and leading through change.

David Gibbs, Former CEO of Yum! Brands.

David Gibbs is the former CEO of Yum! Brands, where he spent more than three decades leading strategy, finance, and operations. He speaks on leadership, business growth, digital transformation, and building enduring global brands.

Michele Kernitsky, Former CIA Senior Executive

Drawing on experience at the CIA, the White House, and the State Department, Michele helps audiences understand today’s geopolitical landscape. She speaks on global risk, national security, and the decisions shaping world events.

Adriana Kugler, Former Federal Reserve Governor and Economist

Adriana Kugler served as a Governor of the Federal Reserve and held leadership roles at the World Bank and the U.S. Department of Labor. She shares insights on the economy, labor markets, and workforce trends.

Adam Mizel, Author and Social Entrepreneur

Mizel is the co-founder and CEO of US United, where he works with communities and leaders across the country to bridge divides and build trust. He shares insights on leadership, collaboration, trust, and workplace culture.

Desmond O’Neill, Leadership and Business Performance Expert

Desmond O’Neill draws on decades of experience in federal law enforcement and national security. He offers practical insights on leadership, communication, trust, and decision-making under pressure.

Melissa Proctor, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer of NBA’s Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena

Melissa Proctor is the executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, and author of From Ball Girl to CMO. She speaks on leadership, resilience, career growth, and achieving success on your own terms.

Loyal Pyczynski, Former Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering and Meta

Loyal Pyczynski led emerging technology initiatives at Disney and Meta, helping drive innovation at a global scale. He shares practical insights on innovation, adaptability, and leading through change.

Martinzie Richmond, Leadership and Organizational Development Expert

Martinzie Richmond spent decades at the CIA, leading operations and advising senior U.S. leaders on national security. His presentations focus on leadership, risk assessment, and leading through change.

David Rohde, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist

David Rohde is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist who has reported from the front lines of global conflict. He explores international affairs, geopolitics, and the issues influencing today’s global landscape.

Simon Rogers, Award-Winning Data Journalist and Data Visualization Pioneer

Award-winning data journalist and data visualization pioneer who helps organizations uncover the stories behind data. His presentations explore data, emerging trends, and the insights that drive better decisions.

Trey Whitworth, Business Leader and Corporate Strategist

Trey Whitworth brings expertise in AI, national security, and global strategy. He offers practical perspectives on leadership, innovation, and strategic decision-making.

Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, Co-Founders of theSkimm

Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg are the co-founders of theSkimm, a digital media company with millions of subscribers. They offer insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building trusted consumer brands.

Book a Leading Authorities Exclusive Speaker Today

Want to check fees or availability for any of these speakers? Contact our team today!

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FAQs

Leading Authorities can help you find a motivational speaker based on your audience, event goals, budget, and preferred presentation style. Our team can recommend speakers, share insights from past events, and help you compare options so you can find the right fit for your event.

To book a speaker, start by sharing your event date, audience, goals, budget, and any speakers or topics you are considering with Leading Authorities. Our team can recommend options, check current fees and availability, and help you compare speakers. Once you make your selection, we’ll guide you through contracting and coordinate the details needed to prepare for the event.

For most corporate meetings and conferences, it’s best to book a keynote speaker 6 to 9 months before your event. For celebrities, bestselling authors, former government officials, and other high-demand speakers, consider starting 9 to 12 months in advance or earlier. If your event is only a few weeks or months away, Leading Authorities can help you identify speakers who are still available and find strong alternatives when needed.

Keynote speaker fees vary based on the speaker and details of the engagement. If you have a specific budget, share it with Leading Authorities at the beginning of your search. Our team can recommend speakers within your range and confirm current fees and availability for the speakers you are considering.

Start by defining what you want your audience to learn, understand, or take away from the presentation. Then consider your audience, event goals, topic, budget, and the type of presentation style that will work best. Leading Authorities can help you compare speakers based on these factors and provide recommendations informed by our experience working with speakers and clients.