Two-time New York Times bestselling author and sought-after leadership expert Ashley Merryman finds the science essential to understanding what makes people tick — what motivates us, what inspires us. Then she explains how to use these insights to help people discover new ways to succeed. Merryman has taught Olympians and professional athletes how to perform under pressure, advised Fortune 100 executives on building winning cultures, and coached military leaders on institutional change. In her speeches, she offers evidence-based techniques and real-world strategies that leaders can apply at every level of their organization. Her talks are filled with fascinating anecdotes and cutting-edge research. Her presentations are always thought-provoking and inspiring, as she makes complex concepts accessible to a wide audience.

Paul Zikopoulos is changing the way audiences are looking at their businesses in terms of sales, obstacles, and potential for growth - and the key ingredient is data! He’s been named an expert on big data by publications such as Big Data Republic, Technopedia, and Analytics Week. He is also included on multiple "experts to follow" lists around the world - including SAP’s “50 Big Data Twitter Influencers”. Paul has been consulted on this topic by “60 Minutes” and advises various universities as they develop their curriculums to match market needs. Paul has won multiple awards for his speaking in part because he has a unique ability to take the often complex world of analytics, big data, AI, data science, machine learning, etc. and reach audiences of all ages and skills levels with the right message. Paul is a Fortune 35 (IBM) Vice President focused on Analytics, an award winning writer (who has published more than 19 books and over 350 articles on various topics) and sits on the advisory board of Women 2.0 - a for profit company committed to close the gender gaps in founding, investing, and workplace leadership.

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.

Charlie Cook is widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading authorities on U.S. elections and political trends. He founded the independent, non-partisan Cook Political Report in 1984, serving as Editor and Publisher for 37 years, stepping down in 2021 and transitioning ownership and management of the venerable newsletter to Amy Walter. Charlie remains with the renamed “Cook Political Report with Amy Walter” as a contributor. In addition to lecturing, Charlie continues to write his weekly column for National Journal and serving as a political analyst for both National Journal and for NBC News. He is also a co-author of the 2020 and 2022 editions of The Almanac of American Politics.

One of Silicon Valley's first African American female CEOs, Shellye Archambeau is the former CEO of MetricStream, a Silicon Valley-based, Governance, Risk, Compliance (GRC) apps company that helps organizations around the world improve their business performance. Under Archambeau's leadership, MetricStream has grown into a recognized global market leader with nearly 1,500 employees worldwide. The company has received many awards and recognition for growth, product innovation, and customer success, and has been consistently named a leader in GRC by leading independent analyst firms. Named the “#2 Most Influential African American in Technology” by Business Insider, Archambeau is a sought-after speaker and board member who has presented to Fortune 500 corporations, members of Congress, and associations including Institute of Internal Auditors and NASDAQ. In her talks and her hit book, "Unapologetically Ambitious," she shares her story of overcoming the odds to achieve success, along with strategies to take risks, break barriers, and create success on your own terms.

Amy Walter is the publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, where she provides analysis of the issues, trends, and events that shape the political environment. A contributor to the PBS NewsHour, she provides weekly political analysis for the popular “Politics Monday” segment. She is also a regular Sunday panelist on NBC’s Meet the Press and CNN’s Inside Politics, and appears frequently on Special Report with Bret Baier on Fox News Channel. From 2017 until early 2021, Walter was the host of the weekly nationally syndicated program “Politics with Amy Walter” on The Takeaway from WNYC and PRX. She is the former political director at ABC News and known as one of the best political journalists in Washington. For more than 20 years, she has built a reputation as an accurate, objective, and insightful analyst with unparalleled access to campaign insiders and decision-makers. Her analysis has earned her numerous accolades, including the Washington Post’s Crystal Ball Award and being named one of the top 50 journalists by Washingtonian. Walter addresses the electoral process, congressional culture, and the Washington political scene.

Stuart Rothenberg is the senior editor for Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales and a columnist for The Washington Post. For three decades, Stu has addressed politics with unbiased clarity and non-partisan precision. He has contributed op-ed pieces to top publications, and his expertise has made him a frequent guest on the network television news circuit. He captivates audiences with insightful discussions about election results, the issues facing Capitol Hill, and the nature of politics itself. His lectures are as up-to-date as today’s newspaper, and he addresses politics, election forecasting, the current administration, and the balance of power.

Renowned journalist, author, and political commentator who keeps his finger on the pulse of modern American politics, speaking to every audience about current events and what the future holds. Widely known as the journalistic icon who broke the deeply disturbing news of the Watergate scandal. Bob Woodward is a reporter-historian with an aggressive but fair and non-partisan reputation for digging deep to uncover Washington’s secrets. He gives audiences unvarnished look at Washington politics and leaders.

A highly respected political journalist, Jonathan Martin provides sought-after coverage and regularly drives the news by delivering the inside story from the White House and Capitol Hill to the campaign trail well beyond the beltway. As bureau chief and senior political columnist for POLITICO, Martin is among the most trusted reporters in the country with deep connections to the political leaders, power players, and movers and shakers in Washington, D.C. — and across the country. With vast array of sources in both parties and his keen analytical mind, he reveals what’s really happening at the highest levels of American politics.

David Wasserman is the Senior Editor & Elections Analyst for the nonpartisan newsletter, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, and a contributor to NBC News. A prominent election analyst respected and trusted by Republicans and Democrats as accurate and impartial, David's expert commentary regularly appears on TV outlets and in major publications. Called “whip smart” and “scrupulously nonpartisan” by The Los Angeles Times, he analyzes the current political environment, looking at both national and local politics, what the future holds for both political parties, the three critical trends that affect voting, and the 12 clusters of voters that affect voting. Incorporating up-to-date examples from the past week of news and fascinating political facts, Wasserman’s presentations are lively, entertaining, and interesting, and he uses relevant analogies that are as smart as they are memorable.

Poppy Jamie is an entrepreneur, influencer, and rising star in the happiness, mental health, and mindfulness space. She is the founder of the mental wellbeing company and app Happy Not Perfect – a source to better brain health. A deeply personal project combining behavioral scientific research, inspiration from her mother, and real life-experience, she created Happy Not Perfect to inspire and empower people to take control of their mental health through products, services, and experiences. As organizations worldwide grapple with how to manage the growing mental health crisis, Poppy provides a clear path to overcoming uncertainty, fears of rejection, anxiety, and burnout to find peace with the past and create a happier, healthier future. She is also author of the anticipated book Happy Not Perfect.

The first African-American woman to hold the top policing job in Seattle, Washington, Carmen Best served with the Seattle Police Department for 28 years. In 2018, Best was promoted to Chief of Police, a job she called “a dream of a lifetime.” Best quickly began efforts to diversify the police force, which had long been less diverse than the city, recruiting more than 40 new officers of color. Chief Best speaks on diversity, inclusion, and leadership lessons-learned guiding a police department during times of crisis.