One of the brightest minds in economics, Matthew Slaughter addresses the near-term challenges facing the economy with an eye on the future. He is a member of the Congressional Budget Office’s Panel of Economic Advisors and was a member on the White House Council of Economic Advisors. Approachable and enthusiastic, he makes practical sense of economic data and shares insights on opportunities, emerging markets, trade, investments, and policy – offering organizations the numbers they need to put the economic situation in the right perspective.

Zak Dychtwald is a lifelong fan of interesting people, big ideas, great food, new adventures, science fiction, and religious meaning. A writer, consultant, and public speaker, he has traveled extensively throughout five continents to explore what makes people and cultures tick while searching for glimpses into the future.

Joel fuses his knowledge of improvisation and his experience with the corporate world to create presentations that make a difference. His humor and style create a positive and comfortable environment for his audience that allows them to take risks and explore their creativity.

At the complex intersection of global politics, economics, investment, and financial markets sits Jeffrey Garten. Few experts can boast such high-level experience in both government and business, as well as a deep knowledge of the global economic picture. He has earned an unparalleled reputation. His experience, from the emerging markets to the dean’s office at the Yale School of Management, has made him a hot commodity for organizations whose survival depends on a clear picture of the state of the global economy and the underlying implications of America’s policies.

Four-Star Admiral James “Sandy” Winnefeld is the former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the second highest-ranking officer in the entire United States Armed Forces. A highly decorated leader, his nearly 40-year, celebrated military career includes extensive time as a fighter pilot and as an instructor at TOPGUN before he led at the Pentagon. He was one of the Navy’s best pilots before taking on larger leadership roles and commanding at every level, including serving as an aircraft carrier commander during 9/11. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said, “He’s been the grease in the machinery between our special operations forces and our most senior decision makers, helping remove some of the worse terrorists from the fight.”

Former Wall Street lawyer, investment banker and now rising star on the comedy scene, Mecurio combines his quick wit and intelligence with his innovative improv abilities to create a hilarious and unique comedy experience.

As a corporate put-on comedian and emcee, Harry Freedman has performed for hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies, and is frequently rated ‘best speaker’ at their conferences and perhaps the only individual ever to have been profiled in the business sections of The New York Times, Miami Herald, Newsday, and the International Herald Tribune. As a stand-up comedian, Harry is a regular opening act for Ray Romano, and as an actor, he has appeared on shows like CBS's hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond and TNT's Men Of a Certain Age. With over three decades experience from the clubs of Las Vegas to the corporate boardroom, Harry Freedman is a comic you can trust and that audiences across all industries will love. Harry will create the perfect fake industry expert or executive for your group and will have everyone fooled with his outrageous quips until they realize they have been had and they are roaring with laughter!

For almost 50 years, The Second City has been the training ground for a host of famous alumni including John Belushi, Mike Myers, Gilda Radner, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, and countless stars of stage and screen. Second City Communications works with corporate groups to create a fun, interactive and unconventional approach to training and entertainment.

DR. JONATHAN D. T. WARD has been studying the rise of China for more than a decade. From travels with truck caravans in Tibet and across the South China Sea by cargo ship in his early twenties, to accessing Communist Party archives that have now been closed to the world while a PhD candidate at Oxford, to consulting for the U.S. Department of Defense and Fortune 500 organizations, Dr. Ward has brought the experience of a traveler, the discipline of a scholar, and the insight of a strategy consultant to one of the toughest, biggest challenges of our time: what does China want, how will it try to get it, and what should America do? Dr. Ward is the Founder of Atlas Organization, a Washington DC based consultancy focused on the rise of India and China, and US-China global competition. He speaks Russian, Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic. A path-breaking work on Chinese global strategy, China’s Vision of Victory brings the reader to a new understanding of China’s grand-scale planning and ambitions. From seabed to space, from Africa to the Antarctic, from subsurface warfare to the rise of China’s global corporations, this book illuminates the greatest challenge of our lifetimes – the Chinese Communist Party’s ambition to end the American-led world and to bring about a century defined by Chinese power.

Glenn S. Gerstell served as the general counsel of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Central Security Service (CSS) from 2015 to 2020. He has written and spoken widely about the intersections of technology and national security and privacy. Prior to joining the NSA, Mr. Gerstell practiced law for almost 40 years at the international law firm of Milbank, LLP, where he focused on the global telecommunications industry and served as the managing partner of the firm's Washington, D.C., Singapore, and Hong Kong offices.

Introducing the business world to the next big thing, Jack Uldrich reveals how future trends and paradigm-shifters will change business, and how “learning to unlearn” can help organizations prepare for the future and capitalize on these periods of profound change. A best-selling author, technology guru, and global futurist, Uldrich is a leading voice on nanotechnology and forward-thinking leadership. Jack knows how to read the future landscape to help audiences set goals and position themselves to take advantage of emerging trends and developments—including blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI), the impact of the rise of autonomous vehicles, and more.

A former CEO of three successful start-up companies, Scott Klososky is passionate about shaking up the daily grind, rebuilding businesses from the ground-up, and seeking new opportunities. Klososky delivers fresh observations, ideas, and practical steps that organizations can use to restructure teams, create strategies that work, and apply technology in influential ways.