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.
Samantha Jordan
Futurist; Consultant, the Future Today Institute
Fees
- Local: Under $10,000*
- US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Europe: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Asia: Please Inquire
Samantha Jordan
Sam Jordan is a futurist on a mission to spread “plausible optimism” about the possibilities of emerging technologies. As a consultant with the Future Today Institute (FTI), a leading foresight and strategy firm founded by world-renowned futurist Amy Webb, Jordan helps organizations dissect the complexities of upcoming opportunities, while also factoring the inherent risks. Her analysis of the data and trends in the ever-changing tech landscape gets organizations unstuck and ready to develop and implement their own customized, future-focused strategies for evolving their businesses.
Eric Traupe
A powerful voice in the Intelligence Community and one of its leading national security professionals, Eric Traupe is the former assistant director of the CIA for the Near East and served on the front lines of U.S. counterterrorism efforts for more than 20 years. He remains a trusted advisor to our nation’s highest-ranking leaders, having advised CIA directors, presidents, cabinet and military officials, and members of Congress, and participated in momentous White House strategic, policy, and resource decisions. Traupe has tackled the full range of U.S. national security issues, and his leadership, acumen, and unmatched ability to cultivate enduring relationships between the U.S. and its foreign partners continues to be heralded in intelligence circles.
Beth Sanner
Former Presidential Intelligence Briefer, Former Deputy Director of National Intelligence
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*
Beth Sanner
A presidential-level communicator with more than three decades experience as a national security official, Beth Sanner is among the most influential voices at the highest levels of American intelligence. As the senior-most analyst for the entire Intelligence Community (IC), she was a trusted adviser to the President of the United States on our nation’s most important intelligence matters – first as the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s director of the President’s Daily Brief and later as the Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration. Having served in several leadership, staff, policy, and analytic positions in the IC, Sanner has briefed four Presidents and also advised vice presidents, congressional and cabinet officials, and foreign partners; her acumen is highly sought after by our nation’s decisionmakers and organizations across various industries.
Poppy Jamie
Founder of Happy Not Perfect, Co-Founder of Pop & Suki, and Happiness Expert
Fees
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Asia: $20,001 - $35,000*
Poppy Jamie
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.
Noelle Russell
Leading AI Innovator & Practitioner, Global AI Solutions Lead at Accenture, Founder & Chief AI Officer at AI Leadership Institute
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*
Noelle Russell
With a profound passion for technology and its potential to transform business and society, Noelle Russell has dedicated her career to helping organizations uncover the possibilities artificial intelligence presents to their businesses, and guiding them through the intricacies of AI adoption. In her current role, Russell is the global AI solutions lead at Accenture, where she advises companies across industries on how to integrate emerging technologies — including AI, Web3, and the Cloud — into their operations and workplace strategies. She is an award-winning technologist with an entrepreneurial spirit who has led innovative tech teams at NPR, Microsoft, IBM, AWS, and Amazon Alexa, and is among the world’s leading voices on data and AI literacy.
Bill Carr
Former Amazon Executive, Author, and Co-Founder, Working Backwards, LLC
Fees
- Local: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US East: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Europe: $75,001 and up*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Bill Carr
Bill Carr is a strategic business leader who has spent his career at the forefront of tech innovation. He is a former top-level executive at Amazon, where he worked for more than 15 years – much of it in the early aughts during the company’s period of unmatched innovation – launching and managing Amazon’s global digital music and video businesses, including Amazon Music, Prime Video, and Amazon Studios. Under his leadership, Amazon's digital media business grew into a global operation exceeding $1 billion in revenue as the company pushed to compete with Apple, Netflix, and Hulu. Carr is the co-author of Working Backwards, along with former Amazon executive Colin Bryar, which provides an insider's breakdown of Amazon's approach to culture, leadership, and best practices. Taking audiences inside the room, Carr demonstrates how the principles and practices key to “Being Amazonian” can be scaled and applied to any organization.
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 has worked in the information security space for the past 20 years, leading security at global organizations, such as Twitter and Mozilla, and protecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Coates is currently the CISO of CoinList and the CEO of the sub-entity CoinList Digital Asset Services, a leading exchange platform that is disrupting the Web 3.0 and cryptocurrency digital asset offerings. He is also a co-founder of Altitude Networks and served as its CEO before a successful exit following the company’s acquisition. Previously, Coates was the Chief Information Security Officer at Twitter. There, his team worked to protect nearly 300 million users, securing both Twitter systems and user data.
Andre Rush
Celebrity Chef, Decorated U.S. Army Combat Veteran, Mental Health & Wellness Advocate, TV Host
Fees
- Local: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US East: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Europe: $75,001 and up*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Andre Rush
A powerhouse presence in the world’s most famous kitchens and as a mental health and wellness advocate, Andre Rush is a celebrity chef and decorated U.S. Army combat veteran with more than 20 years of service. Renowned as the White House Chef with 24-inch biceps, Chef Rush served through the administrations of Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump, gaining international attention for his unmistakable muscular physique when a picture of him preparing a meal on the White House lawn went viral and received more than one hundred million views. He uses his platform to advocate on behalf of our nation’s veterans, while also sharing important messages about wellness, individual and collective growth, and the moments that shape who we are.
Melanie Subin
Futurist; Trends, Scenarios, & Strategic Foresight Leader; Managing Director, Future Today Institute
Fees
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
Melanie Subin
A forward-thinking expert on the digital future and the possibilities new technology presents to reshape society and the ways businesses operate, Melanie Subin is a leading futurist who provides strategic foresight, insights development, corporate innovation and transformation strategies, and strategic management and design processes that help to position organizations in every industry for sustainable success. Subin currently serves as the managing director for the Future Today Institute, a foresight and strategy firm founded by world-renowned futurist Amy Webb that leverages research, signals, and trends to help businesses reduce uncertainty and prepare for plausible futures. Throughout her career, she has assessed the impact of major external forces, such as climate change, increased technological sophistication, changing consumer and business preferences, and rising connectivity on the risks and opportunities facing small, medium, and large businesses across the globe.
Leonard Brody
Award Winning Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, Best-Selling Author and 2x Emmy Nominated Media Visionary
Fees
- Local: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
Leonard Brody
Leonard Brody has been called “a controversial leader of the new world order” and was recently named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. He is a highly respected entrepreneur, venture capitalist, best- selling author and a 2 time Emmy nominated media visionary. He has helped in raising millions of dollars for startup companies, been through one of the largest internet IPOs in history and has been involved in the building, financing and/or sale of five companies to date. In 2004, Leonard co-founded, and was CEO of, NowPublic.com which is a pioneer in the field of citizen journalism. Leonard also acts as an advisor to venture capital funds in the US, Europe and Asia.
Colin Bryar
Former Amazon Executive, Author, and Co-Founder, Working Backwards, LLC
Fees
- Local: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US East: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Europe: $75,001 and up*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Colin Bryar
Colin Bryar is a business advisor and technology leader whose career has focused on optimizing business strategy and operations. He is a former top-level executive at Amazon, where he spent more than 12 years – much of it in the early aughts during the company’s period of unmatched innovation – leading the operations for IMDb.com, as well as working directly with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to help with overall business strategy, technology, and operations. Bryar is the co-author of Working Backwards, along with former Amazon executive Bill Carr, which provides an insider's breakdown of Amazon's approach to culture, leadership, and best practices. Taking audiences inside the room, Bryar demonstrates how the principles and practices key to “Being Amazonian” can be scaled and applied to any organization.
Dr. Vin Gupta
Tech Innovation Leader; Health Policy Expert; Chief Medical Officer, Amazon Pharmacy
Fees
- Local: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
Dr. Vin Gupta
Described as America’s most widely recognized medical expert after Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Vin Gupta, MD, MPA is a tech visionary who operates at the heart of disruption to develop solutions to the most-complex challenges in commerce, communication, healthcare, and society — now, and in the future. Close to two decades of experience as a renowned health policy expert and clinician have led Dr. Gupta to his current role as chief medical officer, Amazon Pharmacy, where he spearheads cutting-edge programs that are leading us into the interdependent futures of healthcare and technology. A uniquely public-facing figure keeping the world in the know about what’s happening now and next, Dr. Gupta’s forward-looking insights inspire leaders and their organizations to embrace change, think outside the box to break new ground, and create new inroads to innovation and success.
Julia Pollak
Chief Economist, ZipRecruiter
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*
Julia Pollak
Julia Pollak is the chief economist for ZipRecruiter who is moving the needle behind the scenes with forward-looking, integrated approaches to economics and the future of work. As the leading economic voice at one of the world’s top online employment enterprises, she leverages exclusive data to gauge the health of the labor market, identify hiring trends, and help organizations and individuals succeed in today’s ever-evolving economic landscape.
Harry Harris
Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired); Former Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea
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*
Harry Harris
As the highest-ranking Asian American in the history of the U.S. Navy, Ambassador Harry B. Harris Jr. oversaw all military operations for more than half of the world’s geography as Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM). Widely regarded for his leadership, Amb. Harris was selected to serve by two presidential administrations – first to lead in one of the military’s most challenging roles at a critical time when the U.S. confronted the rise of new world powers and nuclear threats, and later as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.
Jonathan Mayes
DEI Expert, Former Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Albertsons Companies
Fees
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
Jonathan Mayes
Among the most influential retail industry executives for close to three decades, Jonathan Mayes has been one of the leading voices in elevating diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organizations he has led. Mayes is the former senior vice president and chief diversity & inclusion officer at Albertsons Companies, where he oversaw the organization’s government relations, sustainability, and philanthropy teams, and launched award-winning initiatives designed to position the business for success with DEI and corporate social responsibility at its foundation. He is a visionary who continues to drive the change toward a more representative and equitable workforce and has been recognized as one of the top diversity and inclusion executives in the U.S.
Meghan O'Sullivan
Geopolitical Authority & Presidential Advisor, Harvard Professor & Administrator
Fees
- Local: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US East: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US West: $75,001 and up*
- Europe: $75,001 and up*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Meghan O'Sullivan
Few people have had the immense impact that Meghan O’Sullivan has had at the highest levels of geopolitics. She is a globally respected geopolitical expert who has advised the nation’s highest-ranking leaders — from President George W. Bush to Secretary of State Antony Blinken — on some of the most-complex challenges in international affairs. Currently, O’Sullivan is the Jeane Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice of International Affairs and the director of the Geopolitics of Energy Project at Harvard University’s Kennedy School. In 2023, she was appointed as director of Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, where she leads the advancement of the policy knowledge base in international relations, security, technology, science, energy, and the environment at the world’s top academic think tank.
Samuel Bertram
Pragmatic Futurist, Agricultural Entrepreneur, Global Changemaker
Fees
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
Samuel Bertram
Samuel Bertram is an entrepreneurial visionary who has combined his robotics expertise with his passion for human wellness to bring innovative solutions for the world’s hunger challenges to life. He is the co-founder and CEO of OnePointOne, the mission-driven organization that is making breakthroughs in automation, artificial intelligence, and plant science to build the most advanced plant production system on Earth with the goal of growing the food, developing the medicines, and discovering the genetics to nourish and heal all of humanity.
Roben Farzad
Journalist, Broadcaster & Host of Public Radio’s “Full Disclosure”
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*
Roben Farzad
For a fresh take on today’s business landscape, paired with creative analysis on hot topics in tech; innovation; the economy; policy, media; and more, look no further than widely respected journalist, broadcaster, and author Roben Farzad. Farzad hosts public radio’s “Full Disclosure,” where he takes listeners on an audio exploration into the business of culture and the culture of business. In an exceptional career spanning more than two decades, Farzad has established himself as one of the most authoritative and influential voices on the matters that are driving industry and society forward in every corner of the globe.
Kath Koschel
Founder, Kindness Factory; Resilience Expert
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*
Kath Koschel
A testament to the power of the human spirit, Kath Koschel is a survivor who has overcome incredible odds and unimaginable tragedy to inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Koschel is formerly an elite cricketer and Ironman competitor whose world came crashing down when she broke her back twice in the span of five years and was told she’d never walk again. Instead, she faced the challenges head-on and defied all medical prognoses by teaching herself to walk again on three separate occasions. Driven by a passion to spread gratitude in the world, she founded Kindness Factory with the goal of encouraging one million acts of kindness and helping people find the light during dark times — just as she has done so many times.
Kelly Monahan
Managing Director of the Future of Work Research Institute, Upwork; Former Director of Future of Work, Meta; Organizational Behaviorist
Fees
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: Please Inquire
Kelly Monahan
Meta is the company organizations are looking to learn from when it comes to creating the best possible future for their own companies, and Kelly Monahan is the mind at work behind leading Meta to its next iteration. As the director of future of work at Meta, Monahan is the architect of first-of-their-kind research programs — the findings of which have inspired solutions to workplace challenges at Meta, and are being emulated by some of the world’s top organizations. Monahan introduces audiences to the human side of workplace evolution as draws from her firsthand research to reveal current and future trends that are shaping the workplace and provide decision-makers with the information, tools, and resources they need to understand and meet the needs of their employees now and in the future of work.