Paul Ryan served ten terms in the U.S. House of Representative and as Speaker of the House from 2015 to 2019. Known for his meteoric rise in politics and often praised for his seriousness and honesty, Ryan is a committed conservative and public servant who has spent his life advocating for real solutions that expand opportunity for Americans. Before serving as Speaker of the House, he was Chair of the House Budget Committee, Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and a U.S. Vice Presidential candidate. He is exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau. “Paul Ryan was a major hit with our attendees. He was refreshingly candid, insightful, thought-provoking and, at times, funny. I would wholeheartedly recommend him as a keynote speaker for any group that cares deeply about American public policy.” - Electrical Company “Speaker Ryan was fantastic! The conversation with him and Willy was fantastic and loved by our clients and staff. Speaker Ryan was also gracious and giving of his time. He was able to bike with the team as well as attend our dinner Tuesday evening. He spent lots of time chatting with our clients, taking pictures, and just connecting with everyone.” - Financial Services Company

In a public service career that spans more than three decades and includes service in two presidential administrations, as well as two terms in the United States Senate (R-Ohio, 2011-2023) and six terms in the United States House of Representatives, Rob Portman has been among the most influential presences in American politics and policy. He has held various high-ranking government roles through the course of his career. In addition to the aforementioned roles, Portman was the 14th U.S. Trade Representative (2005-2006), as well as the director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush. Portman is known for his civility, successful bipartisan policymaking, work ethic, and extensive expertise of a broad range of complex issues. With more than 220 of his bills signed into law by Presidents Biden, Trump, and Obama during his tenure in the Senate, it is impossible to overstate his impact on American politics.

Congressman Joseph Kennedy III has dedicated his career to social and economic justice, fighting for the basic needs of every American family and a political system that is inclusive, representative, and fair. The U.S. Representative for Massachusetts’s 4th congressional district from 2013-2021, he ran for office to tackle the systemic inequities – from health care and housing to climate and education – that have left countless American families locked out and left behind. Kennedy’s presentations address the latest in politics and what’s next for the political landscape. Well-versed on the most pressing issues of the day, he provides an insider’s look at current events and takes a thoughtful approach on how they may impact the country’s future. With a constant focus on the most vulnerable among us, Kennedy brings a uniquely empathetic voice to our nation’s most vexing challenges.

A lifelong entrepreneur, key strategist, presidential confidante, party chairman, best-selling author, and the 72nd Governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe has played an incalculable role in 21st Century American politics. Today, he serves as a Distinguished Visting Professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University and a Visiting Fellow at Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy. His dynamic presentations never fail to deliver his trademark charisma and optimism, and he entertains crowds while demonstrating why he’s considered one of the keenest political minds in America.

Jen O’Malley Dillon is a trailblazing political strategist and leader. With experience spanning seven presidential campaigns, the White House, and global political strategy, she offers deep insight into leadership, navigating high-stakes decision-making, and managing change under pressure. As White House Deputy Chief of Staff, she was a key advisor to the President, playing a critical role in shaping policy, managing crisis response, and overseeing major governmental initiatives. She was at the center of high-stakes geopolitical moments, accompanying the President on diplomatic missions to engage world leaders, including secret wartime travel to Ukraine and strategic meetings with China and Russia. Jen also made history as the first woman to manage a winning Democratic presidential campaign. One of the most influential political strategists, she speaks with authority on political dynamics, presidential leadership, and crisis management, drawing from firsthand experience at the highest levels of government and campaign strategy.

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.

Widely respected for his determined dedication to upholding American values and democracy, The Honorable Ken Buck represented Colorado’s 4th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives during one of the most transformative periods in our nation’s history. Republican Congressman Buck was first elected to Congress in 2014 and served an impactful five terms until making the decision to resign in 2024. Throughout his decade-long tenure in Congress, Buck sought to affect change to policy and politics from inside the beltway and championed legislation in favor of small government, less debt, and antitrust initiatives. Following his time in Congress, Buck retains his unwavering passion for driving meaningful change in politics and solving problems for the American people.

Tim Pawlenty, one of the leading voices in the Republican Party, was a two-term governor of Minnesota serving from 2003 until 2011, a candidate for the 2012 Republican nomination for President, and the co-chair of Mitt Romney for President. Tim was a solutions-oriented politician who was well-respected on both sides of the aisle. His education, healthcare, and energy initiatives were widely viewed as among the most innovative in the nation. Tim previously served as president and CEO of the Financial Services Roundtable, which represents leading financial service companies in protecting the security, integrity, and success of our nation’s financial system. The author of the book, Courage to Stand, Pawlenty offers audiences candid and entertaining presentations on politics, the future of the GOP, the economy, and issues important to the financial services industry. “Thank you so much for coming to the first annual Celebration of Faithful Leadership event … It was wonderful to have you be a part of our very special night. You were a perfect keynote speaker and a wonderful role model for our students." - University

Chris LaCivita served as the senior advisor and campaign manager to Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, playing a key role in shaping strategy for one of the world's most closely watched races. A seasoned political consultant, he has built a distinguished career spanning over three decades in Republican Party politics. His ability to analyze the state of the country, interpret polling data, and predict political shifts—combined with his insights into Trump’s plans for the coming years—make him a valuable resource for understanding and navigating new political territory.

The honorable Juan Carlos Pinzón is widely recognized as a pivotal player in upholding the strong diplomatic ties between the United States and Colombia and furthering the relationship between the two nations. Having served two terms as Ambassador of Colombia to the United States, Pinzón is counted among the most influential voices in shaping the priorities of the partnership and was the linking presence between American and Colombian leaders in collaborating to address the most important political, economic, and societal challenges in both countries, and across the globe.

Few have had as immense an impact on American politics and policy by the age of 40 as Dr. Mike Gallagher. Elected to the United States House of Representatives as the representative for Wisconsin’s 8th congressional district, Dr. Gallagher was the youngest man in Congress and later became the youngest committee chairman in the modern Congress. During his seven-year tenure, he emerged as one of the foremost foreign policy experts and served as the founding Chairman of the Select Committee on China. In this role, he spearheaded efforts to address the complexities of America’s economic and technological competition with China. Having dedicated his career to public service, Dr. Gallagher was previously a Marine Corps counterintelligence/human intelligence officer and is regarded among the most authoritative voices on the U.S.’s role in military, economic, and technological competition on the global stage. He uses his knowledge to inform audiences about how shifts in relations with our allies and adversaries impact our businesses and society. After leaving the Marine Corps, he became a Distinguished Fellow at the Hudson Institute and senior strategic advisor for TitletownTech, where he focused on driving tech innovation and growth across the Midwest to advance America’s national security interests. Today, he is Head of Defense at Palantir Technologies and a Wall Street Journal Contributor.

Deanne Criswell is a nationally recognized leader in emergency management, disaster response, and crisis preparedness, with over 30 years of experience at the local, state, and federal levels. As the 12th Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the first woman to hold the position, she has led the nation’s response to some of the most complex disasters in modern history. Deanne delivers expert insights on disaster resilience, crisis leadership, and the future of emergency preparedness, offering insights shaped by decades of frontline experience.