Brendan Vaughan is the Editor-in-Chief of Fast Company and a seasoned leader in the media industry. He is renowned for his expertise in business innovation, digital transformation, and audience engagement. Having held top editorial roles at premier brands like GQ, The Atlantic, and Medium, his award-winning career showcases a unique blend of creative vision and strategic insight. As a dynamic speaker and moderator, Vaughan distills complex topics such as AI's role in reshaping media and the keys to thriving in a fast-paced digital world into actionable takeaways. His passion for innovative storytelling and proven ability to grow audiences across platforms make him a sought-after expert for guiding companies through change and unlocking new opportunities for success.

CNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent, Jake Tapper, joined the network in January 2013. His one-hour weekday program The Lead with Jake Tapper debuted in March 2013. The program seeks to examine and advance stories that demonstrate Tapper's own curiosities and interests with headlines from around the country and the globe, from politics to money, and sports to popular culture. “Jake Tapper was actually kind of funny! He covered a lot and actually did research on our group, probably more than any speaker I have ever seen. Made calls to Capitol Hill to see what the status of legislation was that was related to us, etc. that was impressive.” - Engineering Company

Part journalist, part historian, and all shrewd political observer, Ronald (Ron) Brownstein explains the complexities of American politics with lucid precision. As a CNN Senior Political Analyst and Bloomberg Opinion Columnist, he produces sharp analysis on politics, policy, the electorate, media, healthcare, energy, the press' impact on Americans, and the range of issues informed by his strong sense of American political and national history. Brownstein provides an insider’s look into politics and the media and has twice been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He is also the author of seven best-selling books, and his articles on politics, public policy, and culture have appeared in myriad of major publications and on many broadcast news outlets. “Ron did a great job. He was compelling, and his data was spot on to support general themes. I received good feedback from some folks in the audience, and did not receive one negative comment.” - Healthcare Company “LOVED Ron Brownstein. He did the best political perspective of anyone that had given that type of speech before. Ron was thoughtful, and gave a very high level perspective of what is happening in Washington, and made it easy and interesting for non-Washingtonians to follow. He was definitely the smartest person in the room!” - Trade Association

Margaret Brennan is the moderator of CBS News' Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan and the network's senior foreign affairs correspondent based in Washington, DC. Brennan has reported on politics, international affairs, foreign relations, the economy, and global markets since she joined CBS News in 2012 and was named the White House and senior foreign affairs in 2017. Prior to joining CBS News, Brennan spent a decade covering global finance, anchoring a weekday show on Bloomberg Television called "InBusiness with Margaret Brennan."

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. “Amy was fantastic at our event on Friday. She was engaging and personable and our clients really enjoyed hearing from her. She absolutely set the right tone and was a highlight of the event.” - Banking Company “She was terrific; authentic, engaging and informative. And a very nice person! I would be happy to recommend her to any of my colleagues.” - Association

A.B. Stoddard was most recently a columnist for the political news and opinion publication The Bulwark, and a contributor and guest host for SiriusXM’s POTUS channel. Prior to The Bulwark, she was associate editor and columnist for the political news site and polling data aggregator RealClearPolitics, as well as associate editor and columnist for The Hill newspaper. Her column with The Hill won first place Dateline Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. She has published articles in the Boston Globe, Congressional Quarterly, and The Federal Paper and is known for her commentary on the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Stoddard also regularly appears on Fox's Special Report with Bret Baier and CNN's New Day as well as other shows on Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, CNN, and MSNBC. She addresses politics and elections. “AB did a great job! She couldn’t have been nicer either. I thought her insights were great and our group enjoyed her. And she did a good job of being objective.” - Association “A.B. was fantastic! We really enjoyed having her. We loved her talk, found it incredibly relevant and have been getting great feedback from our board and other members. Quite a few legislators stayed for her talk and missed committee too!” -Nonprofit

Jonathan Capehart is a journalist and television personality who has worked as a policy advisor to Michael Bloomberg’s campaign, a national affairs columnist, and was a member of the Daily News editorial board which won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing. He is currently associate editor for The Washington Post, host of the podcast "Capehart," and is an MSNBC contributor and anchor for "The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart." "Jonathan’s opening keynote presentation during yesterday’s conference was absolutely fantastic, and the perfect tee up for the sessions that followed. He came prepared, was fully engaged, and really met the moment. We couldn’t have asked for a better speaker!" - Insurance Company

Mike Allen is one of Washington’s most influential and well-connected journalists. He is the co-founder and executive editor of Axios, a disruptive media company delivering news and insights on politics, business, media, and tech. The company, whose name means “worthy” in Greek, specializes in high-quality news and analysis easily shared among the country’s influential readers and across social platforms. Axios has been recognized for its forward-thinking approach to the way people consume news in the 21st century. The approach is chronicled in Allen’s book Smart Brevity: Saying More with Less, which he co-authored alongside Axios co-founder, Jim VandeHei. In addition to starting Axios, Allen was a co-founder at POLITICO, the digital media company that upended and revolutionized political and policy journalism in Washington, New York, and Europe. He not only reported on but also drove the day’s conversations in and around the Beltway. His sharp journalistic experience and coveted insider status make him an ideal choice to discuss the latest political happenings. In presentations, he offers his nonpartisan, energetic and up-to-the-minute insider perspective on the political issues of the day, the current administration, Congress, and building a business in an unsteady economy. “It was fantastic! Our guests were so impressed with the discussion and our ability to plan such a timely and relevant discussion. Personally I have to say Mike Allen is the nicest speaker I have ever met. In the few minutes I spoke with him, I could tell he is such a wonderful person! He is so kind and thoughtful! Now to work on next year and try to meet the level of expectation we have created!” - Private Equity Company “Mike was terrific. Everyone appreciated him. Perfect dinner speaker for our group!" - Investment Firm

Jim VandeHei is one of the most celebrated media and political thinkers of his generation. He is the co-founder and CEO of Axios, a media company designed to get people smarter, faster on politics, technology, media, and business. A longtime White House reporter before creating and running both Politico and now Axios, VandeHei offers a clinical, insider’s view on politics, AI, starting and running companies, and the modern media ecosystem. He has co-moderated two presidential debates, wrote two bestselling books, and won numerous accolades, including the industry’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. "Grand slam. Crushed it, both sessions! We want to book him for another event next year." - Consulting Company “Everyone loved Jim today. I have had many people say that he was the best speaker we have ever had! Seriously. And guess what - I agree! Please thank him for me and pass along my quick comment.” -Nonprofit

Chuck Todd was NBC News’ chief political analyst and previously hosted the network's Sunday news show Meet the Press from 2014-2023. He is regarded as one of Washington’s foremost experts on political campaigns at all levels. With what the Washingtonian calls a “savant-like knowledge of politics,” his up-to-the-minute analysis and nonpartisan commentary has made him a sought-after voice in American political coverage. Previously the network’s chief White House correspondent and host of The Daily Rundown, he has the unique ability to deliver an all-consuming passion for politics with razor-sharp analysis as he looks at politics, campaigns, and elections. “Very low-key and very low maintenance. Easiest speaker we’ve ever had to deal with. Got to chat with CEO and they had a great time talking politics. Funny. Engaging….Went over great with audience: related well to industry and knew issues and how they were being affected politically.” - Biomanufacturing Company “Chuck Todd was absolutely dynamite last night. Our group was so pleased with his presentation, and he gave us so much to think about, we’re all poring over the news today and digesting all of the interesting insights he gave us." - Association

Kelly O’Donnell is the White House correspondent for NBC News. A veteran of presidential politics, her work on the 2008 presidential election earned her an Emmy and a National Headliner Award. Her other work has won myriad others, including multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards. In 2004, she was inducted into the Ohio Radio/Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame. O’Donnell has covered events ranging from the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq war to the Olympic Games and the British royal family. She addresses politics, current events, the presidency, women’s issues, and the media. “Kelly is articulate & bravely measured in her rhetoric. Refreshing in midst of our noisy 24/7 media cycle." - Board of Education

Stephanie Cutter is one of the most-trusted voices of the Democratic Party. At the center of every major policy and political debate of the last 20 years, she offers an enlightening look at the current state of politics told through insider stories with today’s top lawmakers. From the halls of Congress to the campaign trail and from the West Wing to the C-Suite, Stephanie is one of the foremost experts at weaving together political strategies to create a narrative that resonates with voters. She was named one of the “50 Most Powerful People in Washington,” by GC magazine.