In a career spanning more than 35 years, longtime Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) senior executive Ted Singer has been regarded as a national intelligence and security chessmaster whose insights and acumen have guided strategic decision-making by U.S. and foreign governments on global issues of the highest complexity. From 2006 onwards, Singer served as a CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer — succeeding in positions of increasing responsibility and U.S. national security scope, and becoming a five-time Chief of Station — serving in major Middle Eastern and European capitals. Singer’s knowledge of regional dynamics in the Middle East and Europe is near-encyclopedic and his list of achievements is as extensive as it is impressive. His expertise extends across strategic planning, stewardship of significant staff and resources, financial management, and operational control of groundbreaking intelligence programs.

Former FBI special agent Christopher Tarbell was heavily involved in the tracking and arrest of two of the most infamous figures in cyberspace – Sabu, of the hacktivist collective Anonymous (and at one point the most influential hacker in the world), and Dread Pirate Roberts, the man behind the deep web’s infamous Silk Road—“the most sophisticated and extensive criminal marketplace on the internet.” Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Tarbell has extensive expertise in cyber security and computer forensics. A former member of the FBI’s preeminent cyber crime squad, he is the man about whom even the most notorious cyber criminals have nightmares.

Lisa Jaster is one of only three women to graduate from the first integrated United States Army Ranger program, which is one of the most difficult combat training courses in the world, and she was the first female Army Reserve officer to become Ranger qualified. Lisa continues to demonstrate that barriers are meant to be broken and exemplifies how perseverance and hard work are absolutely essential to achieving your goals. Filled with humorous stories and moving anecdotes, her talks leave audiences inspired to push past adversity no matter the cost and better their lives.

Tracy Walder shares her incredible true story of a young woman who went straight from her college sorority to the CIA where, as a covert operative for CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, she assumed aliases, thwarted terrorist attacks, and debriefed terrorists at black sites. After the CIA, she went on to become one of the few women to work both at the CIA and FBI, serving as a Special Agent at the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office and specializing in Chinese counterintelligence operations. Walder details her riveting journey with audiences, offering her unique perspective of a woman in the male-dominated field of special operations. A TED speaker, Walder expertly discusses a range of topics including national security, foreign policy, education, and the role of women in law enforcement and intelligence and shares her impactful message: don't try to change who you are to fit what you think the job wants you to be.

One of only two Americans to serve two terms as U.S. Attorney General, William “Bill” Barr represents the pinnacle of political and corporate law and has been among the most influential presences in American politics across five decades. Serving as the 77th and 85th attorney general under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Donald Trump, Barr put forth several programs and initiatives that were viewed favorably by both sides of America’s political spectrum and was hailed as a “throwback to the days when attorney generals would actually talk to you” for his willingness to address the questions others often evaded head on.

Sergeant Dakota Meyer is a Marine Corps veteran and the recipient of the Medal of Honor, the military’s highest honor. He is the first living marine to have received the medal since 1973 and is also one of the youngest. Through five successive missions, he helped save the lives of 13 American and 23 Afghan troops. President Barack Obama awarded Meyer the medal on September 15, 2011. Meyer was also inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon. He addresses motivation, courage, leadership, believing in yourself, doing what is right, and what happened that day in Afghanistan.

Dr. Larry Sabato is an election analyst, the author of 24 books, a professor, and the founder and head of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, where his ‘Crystal Ball’ electoral analysis expertly navigates the shifting sands of politics. A former Rhodes Scholar and Danforth Fellow, Sabato has received every major teaching award at UVA and has appeared on myriad news channels. Named the most accurate prognosticator by FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC, and Pew’s Project for Excellence in Journalism, Sabato addresses politics, the constitution, PACs, and election forecasting.

Kurt Muse was an American held hostage by the Noriega regime in Panama for his role in the creation of an underground opposition radio station "The Voice of Liberty". Kurt was rescued by U.S. Delta Forces after nine months in captivity. Kurt's thrilling story of personal strength in the midst of overwhelming obstacles is inspiring and instructive.

Ambassador Ron Kirk is the former United States trade representative (USTR) who was a pivotal member of the president’s economics team. With nearly 20 years in politics, he has been a Dallas mayor, U.S. Senate candidate, a lawyer with international reach. Boisterous and entertaining, Kirk analyzes the current political environment and offers audiences a glimpse behind the curtain in Washington and into what the president is really thinking. He also addresses trade, jobs, the economy, and doing business in China.

Don is a former Apple and Kodak executive and a successful and revered Silicon Valley entrepreneur. The mind behind the world's first consumer digital camera, Strickland rose from an engineer at Kodak to a top executive leading a team of 15,000. He left to become Apple's Vice President of Imaging and Publishing before founding and eventually selling his own start-up, PictureWorks Technology.

Matthew Dowd is a well-known and respected cultural commentator and strategist. For the past 30 years, he has helped shape strategies and campaigns for CEOs, corporations, foundations, governments, candidates, and presidents. Most recently, he served as chief political analyst for ABC News where he appeared on This Week, Good Morning America, and Nightline. He was the chief strategist for the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign, earning the title “strategist of the year.” He is also the author of the best-selling Applebee’s America. Dowd addresses politics; running winning campaigns; and demographic, commercial, and political patterns.

Crystal Washington, CSP works with organizations that want to leverage technology to increase profits and productivity! As a technology strategist and certified futurist, Crystal takes complex social media, app, and web topics, and makes them easy to understand and accessible for everyday people. Crystal’s clients comprise Fortune 500 companies including Google, Microsoft, and GE and as a sought-after keynote speaker, she has entertained and educated audiences around the globe. She has appeared in numerous publications including Entrepreneur, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Forbes and is regularly called on by major television networks as a tech expert. Crystal is the author of the books One Tech Action and The Social Media Why.