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.
James Williams
Research Associate at the Oxford University, former Google strategist, and Author of Stand Out of Our Light: Freedom and Resistance in the Attention Economy
Fees
- Local: Please Inquire
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: $20,001 - $35,000*
James Williams
James Williams’ work sits at the intersection of philosophy, ethics, and technology. A research associate at Oxford’s Internet Institute, he worked for 10 years at Google, where he received the company’s highest honor, the Founder’s Award, for his work on search advertising. He is particularly interested in advancing freedom of thought and wellbeing in environments of highly persuasive design, and authored a new book on this topic, Stand Out of Our Light: Freedom and Resistance in the Attention Economy.
Terry McAuliffe
Former Governor of Virginia, Former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
Fees
Please Inquire
Terry McAuliffe
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. 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.
Philip Howard
Government Overhaul Advocate, TED Speaker, and Best-Selling Author
Fees
Please Inquire
Philip Howard
Philip Howard, a civic leader, former special advisor to the SEC, American law expert, and noted commentator on the effects of modern law and bureaucracy on human behavior, society, and business. One of America’s most prominent thinkers and called “one of America’s finest public minds” by former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley, he is the author of best-selling The Death of Common Sense, and an expert on managing America's growing infrastructure crisis.
Gregg Easterbrook
Author and Contributing Editor, The Atlantic Monthly
Fees
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: $20,001 - $35,000*
Gregg Easterbrook
Gregg Easterbrook is the author of seven books, the contributing editor of several publications, and a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution. Rebutting common misconceptions about economic change, Easterbrook addresses progress and what is next for business and the economy, with the belief that everyone can benefit from the growth of technology, the spread of communication, and the rise of productivity.
John Pistole
John Pistole has led a life dedicated to keeping our country safe. A counterterrorism and homeland security expert, he is a 26-year veteran of the FBI, rising to become the bureau’s deputy director. He was involved in several high-profile investigations and also served as the head the Transportation Security Agency. He shares insider stories and behind-the-scenes insights on the many global threats our nation faces (Russia, China, North Korea, Syria, Iran). He looks at what businesses need to know in order to safeguard their interests and offers a debrief on the specific challenges of each.
Arturo Sarukhan
Former Mexican Ambassador to the U.S.
Fees
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: $20,001 - $35,000*
Arturo Sarukhan
Arturo Sarukhán is the former Mexican ambassador to the U.S, serving from 2007–2013. The grandson and son of conflict refugees to Mexico, he rose to become the youngest and longest-serving Mexican ambassador to Washington in recent history. He was also the first ambassador in Washington, DC, to have a personal Twitter account and has received several awards and honors for his incredible work. With a focus on geopolitics, Mexico-U.S. relations, immigration policy, and new security threats, he shares insights from his storied, 20-year career with the Mexican Foreign Service.
Douglas Lute
Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO
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*
Douglas Lute
Ambassador Douglas Lute is the former United States Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council, NATO’s standing political body. Appointed by President Obama, he assumed the Brussels-based post in 2013 and served until 2017. During this period he was instrumental in designing and implementing the 28-nation Alliance’s responses to the most severe security challenges in Europe since the end of the Cold War. He received the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award.
Nick Friedman & Omar Soliman
Renowned Founders of world-class iconic brands, including international franchise College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, Co-Authors of “Effortless Entrepreneur: Work Smart, Play Hard, Make Millions,” National TV Personalities, and Thought Leaders
Fees
Please Inquire
Nick Friedman & Omar Soliman
Childhood best friends, Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman, were just twenty-two when they co-founded the now iconic junk removal and moving company, College Hunks Hauling Junk. Starting as an idea to earn some extra money over college break in a beat-up cargo van, the duo has grown College Hunks into a $300 million national franchise with more than 100 locations – truly demonstrating what it means to be both bold risk takers and modern leaders. The company and founders have been widely recognized and acclaimed for their world-class culture and service, as well as their progressive approach to doing business in the 21st century. Through lessons-learned from their monumental business growth, the pair discuss what it means to create a purpose-driven, customer-centric organization, while also sharing their secrets to success: patience, persistence, and standing out in a crowded landscape. Building their company around visionary leadership, Friedman and Soliman showcase how to craft a world-class organization by developing an entrepreneurial culture of strong, reliable teams.
E.J. Dionne, Jr.
Washington Post Syndicated Columnist, Sr. Fellow at The Brookings Institution, & Georgetown University Professor
Fees
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: $20,001 - $35,000*
E.J. Dionne, Jr.
E.J. Dionne, Jr. is an internationally-recognized journalist, political commentator, thought-leader, and professor. He has been writing a column for the Washington Post since 1993. It is syndicated by the Washington Post Writers Group and appears in more than 250 newspapers. He is the author of eight books, most recently Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save Our Country. He is a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution and a professor at Georgetown University.
Jessica Taylor
Senate & Governors Editor, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter
Fees
- Local: Under $10,000*
- US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Europe: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Asia: $10,001 - $20,000*
Jessica Taylor
Jessica Taylor is the Senate and Governors Editor for The Cook Political Report. Founded in 1984, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter provides analyses of presidential, U.S. Senate, House and gubernatorial races. The New York Times has called The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, "a newsletter that both parties regard as authoritative." Before joining Cook, Taylor was a political reporter for National Public Radio for five years, where she covered elections and breaking news, ranging from the White House to both chambers of Congress and statewide elections. She was also a contributing author to the 2020 edition of The Almanac of American Politics.
Heather Caygle
Managing Editor, Punchbowl News
Fees
- Local: Under $10,000*
- US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Europe: Please Inquire
- Asia: Please Inquire
Heather Caygle
One of the nation’s leading journalists, Heather Caygle has made a name for herself covering the ins and outs of what’s happening inside Congress and the White House and the impact on politics, policy, and society. She is currently the managing editor of Punchbowl News, which has grown to become one of the most credible media outlets in the few short years since its founding. Before becoming managing editor of Punchbowl News, Caygle served as congressional bureau chief for POLITICO and a congressional reporter for Bloomberg BNA. Her byline has become nearly perpetual alongside many of the nation’s top stories, as she covers headline-making news from every conceivable angle.
Tim Heaphy
Lead Investigator, January 6 House Select Committee; Former United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia
Fees
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Europe: Please Inquire
- Asia: Please Inquire
Tim Heaphy
Working at the intersection of law, politics, and society, Timothy Heaphy is a widely respected attorney who was appointed as the lead investigator for the bipartisan United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack in the aftermath of the turmoil that took place at the U.S. Capitol. Heaphy is no stranger to serving the American public in the spotlight as a lead investigator, having been the University of Virginia’s general counsel, and directed the investigation and authored the report commissioned by the City of Charlottesville on the city’s handling of the August 2017 Unite the Right rally. Throughout his career, Heaphy has been a champion for principle over politics and is renowned for his unwavering commitment to our nation’s justice system and acting ahead of self-interest to arrive at fair and equitable outcomes for all through the eyes of the law.
William Coen
Former Secretary General, Basel Committee
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*
William Coen
Bill Coen served as Secretary General of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision from 2014 to 2019. The Basel Committee is the international group of central bankers and banking supervisors responsible for setting global banking standards. As Secretary General, Bill directed the work of the Basel Committee and managed its Secretariat. He served as chair of the Basel Committee’s Policy Development Group, which was responsible for developing and recommending the Basel III post-crisis reforms for endorsement by the Basel Committee and its governing body – the Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision (GHOS).
Corina Burton
Entrepreneurial Strategist & Mindset Maven; Founder & CEO, Unstoppable Media
Fees
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: Please Inquire
Corina Burton
Corina Burton is a breakthrough entrepreneur who has made a career of disrupting industries where people who look like her are often overlooked. She is a Latina founder, CEO, brand builder, and gamechanger who is driven by her passion for cultivating relationships and increasing profit margins. While balancing her responsibilities as a mother, as well as the other aspects of her personal life, she co-founded CPR Construction Cleaning, which has become one of the fastest-growing companies in its category since she launched it from her kitchen table in 2019. In addition to building a national company with annual revenue surpassing $5.5 million amid the economic uncertainty of the pandemic and the years following, she is the Founder and CEO of Unstoppable Media, and host of the “Unstoppable” podcast, where she shares the captivating stories and experiences of unstoppable people from all walks of life.
Aidan McCullen
Transformation Consultant, Author, MC, Host of The Innovation Show
Fees
- Local: Under $10,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Asia: $20,001 - $35,000*
Aidan McCullen
Aidan is the host and founder of the Innovation Show, broadcast globally and on national radio stations in Ireland and Finland. He is author of the bestselling book "Undisruptable: A Mindset of Permanent Reinvention for Individuals, Organisations and Life" which includes a Foreword by Visa founder Dee Hock. Aidan’s presentation is visual, story rich and full of interesting analogies to bring concepts to life. Aidan is a Change Consultant, Board Director and Executive Coach. He works with organisational teams to improve how they engage and innovate. He is a champion for change and has reinvented in his own career after rugby. Aidan worked in transformation for digital, innovation and now culture and leadership.
Matt K. Lewis & Jonathan Capehart
Successful political commentators and journalists, Jonathan Capehart and Matt Lewis, team up to deliver a presentation that offers perspectives from all sides of the aisle on today’s hot-button political issues.
Dr. Michael J. Sorrell
Visionary Leader, Institutional Change Agent, President of Paul Quinn College
Fees
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: Please Inquire
- Asia: Please Inquire
Dr. Michael J. Sorrell
When Dr. Michael Sorrell was selected to serve as the president of Paul Quinn College, it marked the beginning of a highly transformative era for the school. At the helm since 2007, Dr. Sorrell has spearheaded one of the great turnaround stories of our time — overseeing Paul Quinn College’s evolution from struggling institution to higher education powerhouse at a lightning pace. As the longest-tenured president in the college’s history, Dr. Sorrell has led the implementation of purpose-driven programs and initiatives that have improved graduation rates exponentially, reduced average student loan debt, and instilled a “We Over Me” mentality in students, faculty, and the community at large. Dr. Sorrell has been revered throughout his historic tenure for his ability to reimagine organizations to better serve the needs of the people that depend on them. He is a testament to the power of purpose and vision. Dr. Sorrell’s talks center on why the simplest approach to leadership is often the most effective one. As he engages the audience with the experiences that led him to Paul Quinn College, and the turnaround that followed, he introduces them to his “Four Ls” for leading with impact.