Exclusive Speakers
Leading Authorities' exclusive roster of speakers includes former Fortune 1000 CEO's, high-profile figures from political life, military leaders, and some of today's greatest stories from everyday life.
Let us know if you are interested in one of our exclusive speakers for your event.
Poppy Crum
Expert in Technology-Driven Innovation & Human Evolution, Stanford University Adjunct Professor, Chief Technology Officer at Trimble Navigation, Neuroscientist, and Technologist
Fees
Please Inquire
Poppy Crum
Poppy Crum works to bridge the gap between technology and insightful, effective human interaction. As a multi-dimensional advocate of empathetic technology, she builds technologies that best leverage human physiology to enhance our experiences and how we interact with the world. Poppy serves as Chief Technology Officer for Trimble Navigation and as an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University in the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics and Program in Symbolic Systems. Poppy is dedicated to the development of immersive technologies that leverage human physiology and perceptual realities to enhance our experiences and interactions in the world. She is a frequent speaker on topics related to the intersection of human experience, artificial intelligence, sensory data-science, and immersive technologies.
Jake Tapper
Award Winning Journalist; Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent, CNN
Fees
Please Inquire
Jake Tapper
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.
Jim VandeHei
Jim VandeHei is a media entrepreneur and expert on American politics. He is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Axios, a new 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 most influential readers and across social platforms.
Chuck Todd
Chuck Todd, NBC News’ political director and the host of Meet the Press, is 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.
Nadja West
First African American Army Surgeon General and Former Commanding General, US Army Medical Command
Fees
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Nadja West
A trailblazer in female leadership, Lieutenant General (ret) Nadja West is the 44th Army Surgeon General and the former Commanding General of US Army Medical Command. She is the first African American woman 3-star General in the Army’s history, the first African American Army Surgeon General, and currently the highest-ranking woman to ever graduate from West Point. West shares her story of grit, perseverance, strength, and breaking boundaries, even when faced with adversity. Taking audiences on her journey to becoming the Army’s first African American woman 3-star General, she motivates them to overcome challenges with self-belief, bravery, and balance. With more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership, crisis management, and disaster response – including crafting the DOD medical response to the Ebola crisis – West speaks expertly on leadership tactics to effectively lead teams through times of uncertainty and crisis.
Mark Bowden
Expert in Body Language, Human Behavior & Communication
Fees
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
Mark Bowden
Mark Bowden is the keynote speaker for organizations worldwide whose work depends upon winning the hearts and minds of others. Mark entertainingly trains any audience in the most cutting edge techniques to stand out, win trust and profit every time they speak. His keynote presentation takes everyone on an exciting and humorous journey to understand how, with the right body language “It’s often not what you say—but how you say it, that gets results!”
Expert in human behaviour and body language, keynote speaker Mark Bowden is the creator of TRUTHPLANE®, a communication training company and unique methodology for anyone who has to communicate with impact to an audience. Mark’s highly entertaining keynote speeches and training seminars teach audiences around the world how to use the most influential verbal and nonverbal language to stand out, win trust and gain credibility every time they speak.
Margaret Brennan
Moderator of CBS News’ Face The Nation & CBS News’ Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Fees
Please Inquire
Margaret Brennan
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."
Stephanie Cutter
Legendary Political Strategist, Founder of Precision Strategies, and Former Deputy Campaign Manager & Senior Advisor to President Obama
Fees
Please Inquire
Stephanie Cutter
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.
Bob Schieffer
Former Moderator of Face the Nation and Former CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent
Fees
Please Inquire
Bob Schieffer
Emmy-winner Bob Schieffer is the retired moderator of Face the Nation and the CBS News’ former chief Washington correspondent. A living legend, he is one of the most respected journalists in the country and one of the few who has covered all four of the major Washington assignments. He offers an insightful look at today’s political climate told through fun insider stories about the most fascinating aspects of politics including how politicians really operate behind the scenes. He shares what could only have been learned from his more than five decades of on-the-job experience.
Alex Stamos
Former Chief of Security at Facebook & Stanford University Professor
Fees
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
Alex Stamos
Alex Stamos is a cybersecurity expert, business leader and entrepreneur working to improve the security and safety of the Internet through his teaching and research at Stanford University. Stamos is an Adjunct Professor at Stanford’s Freeman-Spogli Institute, a William J. Perry Fellow at the Center for International Security and Cooperation, and a visiting scholar at the Hoover Institution. As a Chief Security Officer at Facebook and Yahoo and a co-founder of iSEC Partners, Alex has investigated and responded to some of the most seminal events in the short history of cybersecurity and has been called the “Forrest Gump of Info Sec” by friends. He is working on election security via the Defending Digital Democracy Project and advising NATO’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. He has spoken on six continents, testified in Congress, served as an expert witness for the wrongly accused, earned a BSEE from UC Berkeley and holds five patents.
Jessica O. Matthews
Innovator and CEO, Uncharted
Fees
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Jessica O. Matthews
Jessica O. Matthews is the Founder & CEO of Uncharted, an award-winning energy and data technology company that develops infrastructure solutions for communities, facilities, and Internet of Things. The company was founded by Jessica when she was only 22 years old. Jessica’s research and career centers around the intersection of disruptive technology, renewable energy, human behavior, and the psychology of self-actualization. A dual citizen of Nigeria & the U.S., Jessica has a degree in Psychology and Economics from Harvard University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and is listed on over 10 patents and patents pending—including her first invention of the SOCCKET, an energy generating soccer ball, at the age of 19.
Sebastian Terry
Creator of 100 Things Philanthropic Movement
Fees
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
Sebastian Terry
Known worldwide for pursuing an incredible list of 100 Things that he wants to achieve before he dies, Sebastian Terry’s story is surprisingly not about a bucket list. It’s about something more far reaching: Permission, choice, growth, and connection. Affected by a curious mind and the death of a close friend, Sebastian experienced a moment in his life where he asked himself a simple question: “Am I happy?”. The answer was NO and so he decided to pen down a list of 100 Things that he’d always wanted to achieve. Sebastian's incredible story has grown from an entertaining tale of adventure into a global philanthropic movement that engages a growing tribe of hundreds of thousands to not just set meaningful goals, but pull the trigger and achieve them—all while helping others do the same. Guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, and inspire motivation, his talk will re-engage, connect, and inspire your organization to move forward as one.
Reggie Fils-Aimé
Former President and COO of Nintendo of America Inc.
Fees
- Local: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US East: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Europe: $75,001 and up*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Reggie Fils-Aimé
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.”
Tim Alberta
Tim Alberta is the former chief political correspondent for POLITICO Magazine, where he covered the Donald Trump presidency, Capitol Hill, the ideological warfare between and within the two political parties, demographic change in America, the evolving role of money in elections, and what lies ahead for the current administration. He is now a staff writer for The Atlantic and the author of the best-selling book, American Carnage: On the Front Lines of the Republican Civil War and the Rise of President Donald Trump.
Helena Boschi
World Renowned Applied Neuroscience Psychologist
Fees
- Local: Under $10,000*
- US East: Under $10,000*
- US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Europe: Under $10,000*
- Asia: Please Inquire
Helena Boschi
Helena Boschi is a psychologist who focuses on applied neuroscience in the work place. Her particular areas of interest include the brain and behaviour, our emotional and rational neural networks and how to improve our cognitive abilities in order to get the best out of our own and others’ brainpower. Helena has also researched the influence of cognitive biases and corporate psychopathy across different organisations. She has recently investigated the impact of chronic, work-induced stress on brain function and has just published a book called ‘Why we do what we do’.
Susan Gordon
Former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence
Fees
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
Susan Gordon
Sue M. Gordon is the former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI) – the country’s number two ranking intelligence official. As the fifth PDDNI, she co-led the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and oversaw the entire Intelligence Community, comprised of over a dozen agencies that collect information on threats against the United States. In particular, Gordon’s transformative leadership focused on integrating intelligence across the organization, expanding outreach and partnerships, driving innovation, and advancing diversity and inclusion throughout the Community. With nearly four decades of legendary and dedicated service, Gordon has led at every level of the Intelligence Community with roles spanning numerous organizations and disciplines – drawing on this experience to inspire audiences to challenge the status quo, adapt to changing environments, and apply innovation to their business.
Susan Desmond-Hellmann
Former CEO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Fees
- Local: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US East: $75,001 and up*
- US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Europe: $75,001 and up*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Susan Desmond-Hellmann
With a medical, scientific, and philanthropic career that spans more than 30 years, Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann has devoted her life to improving the human condition through innovation. Most recently, she was the CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, leading the organization’s vision for a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life. She was formerly the first female chancellor of University of California at San Francisco and spent 14 years at biotech firm Genentech, leading the development of a number of breakthrough medicines. An innovator and leader in life sciences, Dr. Desmond-Hellmann’s diverse training as an oncologist, scientist, and business executive leads to her endless curiosity about the world and her desire to change it for the better. In speeches, she shares her unique insights not only on revolutionizing global health, but also on effective and innovative leadership. Using lessons-learned as a trailblazing female leader of one of the world’s largest philanthropies, Dr. Desmond-Hellmann inspires audiences with her unparalleled perspective on how to foster an environment of collaboration and relentless innovation to drive disruptive solutions that make an impact.
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Legendary "Iron Man" of Baseball
Fees
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Europe: $75,001 and up*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Cal Ripken, Jr.
One of the true legends of baseball, "Iron Man" Cal Ripken, Jr. broke several professional records during his 21 seasons, but none is as sacred as his consecutive-games-played record. Shattering Lou Gehrig's streak of 2,131 games by more than 500, Ripken displayed perseverance, endurance, and an everyday work ethic that endeared him to fans, transformed him into a national icon, and some argue, even saved baseball at its darkest moment. An inspirational speaker, philanthropist, businessman, and best-selling author, Cal Ripken, Jr. is the personification of leadership, commitment, and excellence. In warm and witty presentations filled with stories from his illustrious career, he shares how his keys to success apply to both the business world as well as the baseball field.
Michael Coates
Former CISO at Twitter and Former Head of Security at Mozilla
Fees
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
Michael Coates
Michael Coates was previously the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Twitter where is organization worked to protect users, systems, and data for nearly 300 million users. Prior to Twitter, Michael was the Director of Product Security at Shape Security. In this role, Michael worked with a specialized team to drastically change the way organizations defend their applications against modern application attacks. Prior to that, Michael was head of security for Mozilla where he built and lead the security assurance program to protect nearly half a billion Firefox users, Mozilla web applications, and infrastructure. Before building and leading security programs, Michael assessed, compromised, and secured applications and networks for some of the largest banks, governments, and enterprises around the world.
Ginny Clarke
Former Director, Executive Recruiting at Google and Holistic Leadership Strategist
Fees
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
Ginny Clarke
Dedicated to creating the conscious workplace for tomorrow, Virginia “Ginny” Clarke is a seasoned executive recruiter who has advised at the highest levels of corporate America for decades. A proven expert in driving diverse leadership, she is the former director of executive recruiting at Google, where she led the company’s diversity, non-tech recruiting, and leadership internal mobility teams – finding and hiring senior leaders across the company. She also built a scaled internal mobility program for Google’s senior leaders and designed much of the infrastructure that supports their executive recruiting function today. In speeches, Clarke draws on her unparalleled experience assessing thousands of executives inside corporate C-Suites and boardrooms to bring a unique, holistic five-dimensional approach to true leadership that is essential now more than ever. She delivers “no-holds-barred” discussions on the root causes that lead to a lack of diversity in organizations, and provides the integrated solutions that anyone can use to affect change.