Jim Donald – the current co-chairman and former CEO of Albertsons, and the former CEO of Starbucks, Haggen Food & Pharmacy, and Extended Stay Hotels – focuses on innovation, quality, and service. He started his career as a grocer; he was handpicked by Sam Walton to build a supermarket presence for Wal-Mart. He helped Starbucks enjoy record growth and performance and increase its social responsibility commitment. At Extended Stay Hotels, Donald utilizing his reputation for turning around ailing companies. Named one of the “Top 25 CEOs in the World,” he addresses leadership, management, the power of one customer. “The comments about your session were overwhelmingly positive... rarely have we had a speaker do as much research into our members and relate their message so personally. Thanks for a superb presentation!” - F&B Company "The best thing about Jim was that he understood and was so excited about the audience that he catered his presentation to be the most relevant as possible to them.” - Software Company

An award-winning innovator and disruptor, Reggie Fils-Aimé is a proven expert on transforming companies, re-vitalizing brands, and reshaping industries to solve daunting challenges and achieve ‘the impossible.’ Most recently, he was the president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America – the first American and African-American to hold this position. Revered by business leaders and gaming fans alike, Fils-Aimé helped bring Nintendo’s greatest successes – including the Nintendo DS, the Wii, the Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and the Nintendo Switch – to the global marketplace. Using his personal story as an example, he shares with audiences his principles for effective and innovative leadership, including defining a vision, courage in decision-making, and “irrefutable integrity.” "Reggie’s presentation was a hit! He was so kind and generous with his time during the meet-and-greet. We had several very excited people who were thrilled to meet him." - Insurance Company "We very much enjoyed having Reggie Fils-Aime speak to our clients. Reggie was professional, punctual, prepared, and very personable making the discussion engaging for our audience. Reggie was able to pivot and speak to current topics as they related to innovation which was also great for our moderated Q+A with attendees." - Banking Company

Recognized as “the man who fixes businesses” Kevin Gaskell has an impressive track record in building and leading successful companies. As CEO of Porsche, Lamborghini, and BMW, Gaskell led hugely successful turnarounds that are pointed to as examples of how to successfully transform companies and position them for long-term success. His energy and leadership have helped companies to achieve world-class levels of customer service and financial performance, and he speaks with electricity about using inspired leadership to achieve incredible results. "Kevin was extremely engaging and his content resonated perfectly with our audience. His stage presence is amazing… Both speakers were extremely involved throughout the entire pre-event process and were very easy to work with!" Software Company "Kevin was incredible!! Yes – please let everyone at LAI know how happy we are with his presentation. And more than that, he is such a pleasure to work with! He’s kind, makes himself available, takes time to get to know us/our messaging/our branding so that he can work it into his delivery and was so flexible the day-of. He was a dream to work with. I would recommend him to anyone & everyone!" - Financial Company

Colin Bryar is a business advisor and technology leader whose career has focused on optimizing business strategy and operations. He is a former top-level executive at Amazon, where he spent more than 12 years – much of it in the early aughts during the company’s period of unmatched innovation – leading the operations for IMDb.com, as well as working directly with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to help with overall business strategy, technology, and operations. Bryar is the co-author of Working Backwards, along with former Amazon executive Bill Carr, which provides an insider's breakdown of Amazon's approach to culture, leadership, and best practices. Taking audiences inside the room, Bryar demonstrates how the principles and practices key to “Being Amazonian” can be scaled and applied to any organization.

Bill Carr is a strategic business leader who has spent his career at the forefront of tech innovation. He is a former top-level executive at Amazon, where he worked for more than 15 years – much of it in the early aughts during the company’s period of unmatched innovation – launching and managing Amazon’s global digital music and video businesses, including Amazon Music, Prime Video, and Amazon Studios. Under his leadership, Amazon's digital media business grew into a global operation exceeding $1 billion in revenue as the company pushed to compete with Apple, Netflix, and Hulu. Carr is the co-author of Working Backwards, along with former Amazon executive Colin Bryar, which provides an insider's breakdown of Amazon's approach to culture, leadership, and best practices. Taking audiences inside the room, Carr demonstrates how the principles and practices key to “Being Amazonian” can be scaled and applied to any organization.

Adam von Gootkin is a globally recognized innovator and risk-taker who has revolutionized the spirits industry with his unique approach to traditional business principles. Carrying on his family’s entrepreneurial legacy in the spirits industry, which began in the 1800s and continued through the prohibition era and into the present day, von Gootkin is the co-founder and CEO of Highclere Castle Spirits and the co-founder of Highclere Castle Cigar Co. A visionary in every sense of the word, von Gootkin has built an empire on foundations of authenticity and has re-written the rules for how organizations can spark innovation on the path to radical success.

As McDonald’s Corporation’s legendary vice chairman and CEO, Jim Skinner led a turnaround at the world’s largest food service company, leaving the chain with the best financial performance in its history. One of the architects of McDonald’s worldwide “Plan to Win” revitalization plan launched in 2003, he managed a successful shift in strategy that led to increased sales, reinvented menus, modernized restaurants, and innovative new offerings. Repeatedly hailed by media as the “CEO of the Year, Skinner addresses business strategy, turnaround stories, leadership, and managing change.

Hon. Reta Jo Lewis is an influential leader in international trade, finance, and bipartisan collaboration, serving as the 27th President and Chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). With over 30 years of experience spanning global economic policy, legal advisory, and public service, she offers expert insights into U.S. trade strategy, economic competitiveness, and the future of global markets. Chair Lewis is renowned for her ability to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, forge public-private partnerships, and drive solutions that bolster American businesses. She speaks passionately about strengthening U.S. industries, the role of clean energy and infrastructure in economic growth, and the power of bipartisan leadership in shaping resilient global trade policies.

Stephen Hayes is a renowned journalist and sought-after speaker known for his engaging, insightful, and balanced analysis of politics, policy, and global affairs. As a conservative commentator who examines both sides of the political spectrum, he fosters meaningful dialogue on today’s complex political landscape. With years of on-the-ground reporting and insider access to Washington’s top policymakers, Hayes offers authoritative perspectives on domestic and international trends, national security, and the evolving media landscape. His dynamic speaking style and depth of knowledge ensure an informative and thought-provoking experience.

Ambassador Michael Froman is the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, dedicated to elevating Americans’ participation in matters related to trade and foreign policy decisions. He formerly served as the 17th United States Trade Representative, sworn in under President Obama in 2013. In this capacity, he served in the Cabinet as President Obama’s principal advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on international trade and investment issues. He also led the Office of the United States Trade Representative in its work to open global markets for U.S. goods and services, enforcing America’s rights in the global trading system and fostering development through trade.

Regarded as the quintessential strategist and a creative business thinker, Judith McKenna is the former president and CEO of Walmart International known for spearheading innovative programs and initiatives that transformed the store’s international operations. From 2018-2023, she headed all aspects of Walmart’s global footprint — leading a team of 500,000 associates across 5,200 stores and 18 countries, and delivering industry-leading results through the “Strong Local Businesses, Powered By Walmart” strategy. As a business leader, she is a deep advocate for creating customer-centric cultures in which profit is the product of the prioritization of people and purpose, and outlines this values-based philosophy as the foundation for success for any organization. McKenna has received various honors and recognitions throughout her more than three decades as one of the most influential movers and shakers in the business world, including being named one of Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women in Business” and one of Forbes’ “World’s Most Powerful Women.”

Marci Rossell is a world-renowned economist and financial expert known for her ability to take complex economic issues, often dull in the button-down press, and make them relevant to people’s lives, families, and careers. Her animated style was honed when she served as the popular and lively Chief Economist for CNBC and Co-Host of Squawk Box, where she became a household name and a must-watch source of financial news. An expert on investing, globalization, and trade, she uses her media and courtroom experience coupled with her expertise in business and government to address the current state of our economy, including economic recovery, restructuring, and revitalization. “Marci has a contagious energy about her which makes her easy to follow. She’s an expert at keeping her audience engaged. I’ve never seen another economist like her. She’s a true gem!” - Real Estate Company “Marci is a total homerun. She is the kind of speaker I wish I could use at every single meeting. We will definitely have her back again.” - Nonprofit