As a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation, Philip Mudd studies issues of counterterrorism, intelligence, and homeland security. He was the first deputy director of the National Security Branch after its establishment and was also the former deputy director of the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center. Additionally, he served on a team that helped piece together a new government for Afghanistan after 9/11. He is the recipient of numerous CIA awards and has been featured on all major networks and in national publications as a specialist in counterterrorism.

As a senior policy advisor, security professional, and leadership consultant, Jeff Eggers leverages 20+ years of experience managing strategic efforts and leading high-stakes, high-performing teams during his time with the White House, Department of Defense, and the U.S. Navy. Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Eggers explains why humble leadership is more important than heroic leadership, why leadership’s role is to cultivate rather than control, how a sense of “we” is the common thread amongst all high-performing teams — ranging from Formula One Racing to the Tokyo String Quartet to Navy SEALS — and why the most significant risk factors to a corporation are internal.

Mike Abrashoff is at the center of a tale of amazing organizational transformation. He took command of the near-worst ship in the Pacific Fleet; within twelve months it became the best ship in the entire Navy – using the same crew. How underperformers turned into overachievers makes for an inspiring presentation filled with practical lessons about learning to lead differently and new ways to create a high-performance culture of trust.

General James Conway is a retired four-star general and the 34th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. His previous postings include serving as the Director of Operations (J-3) on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Commanding General of I Marine Expeditionary Force, where he took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Called a “superb, multi-talented leader,” Conway is a highly-decorated marine, and, as such, is an authority on leadership, team building, crisis management, and our nation’s challenges five to ten years out.

William McNulty is the Founder & CEO of Team Rubicon Global and the Co-Founder of Team Rubicon USA. Team Rubicon a nonprofit that utilizes the skills and experiences of military veterans to rapidly deploy emergency response teams in the wake of natural disasters. A Marine Veteran who served for nine years in both the infantry and intelligence, he worked for the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Council’s Iraq Threat Finance Cell.

From Navy SEALs to legislative and policy experts, the McChrystal Group brings a wealth of practical leadership experience in running multi-national, multi-agency, culturally diverse, and geographically dispersed organizations. From the battlefield to the boardroom, McChrystal Group has assembled the best leadership practices into a transformational leadership system called CrossLead

Vincent K. Brooks is a retired four-star general who was in command of all US Forces in Korea, where he concurrently commanded United Nations Command as well as the Republic of Korea. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he led the 4,000 cadets as the cadet brigade commander or “First Captain.” A history-maker, Brooks is the first African American to have been chosen for this paramount position. He is also the eighth African American in history to attain the military’s top rank—four-star general in the United States Army. Widely respected as a speaker and leader of cohesive, innovative organizations, within and beyond the military, his areas of expertise are: leadership in complex organizations, crisis leadership, and building cohesive trust-based teams, national security, policy, strategy, international relations, military operations, combating terrorism and countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as diversity and inclusion.

A decorated combat veteran with more than 28 years serving our country in various high-profile public roles, The Honorable Patrick J. Murphy brings a vision focused on innovation, efficiency, and accountability as he advises organizations on ways to make an impact beyond the balance sheet. He was the first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress and later served as the 32nd Under Secretary of the Army. With an extensive background in management and innovation in a broad range of industries, Murphy’s leadership harnesses the power of public, private, and nonprofit partners to support important causes – from veterans’ issues to jobs and mental health.

Combat tests you. Being a beat cop tests you. Life tests you. Three brothers and being the only girl...tests you. Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour has been tested her whole life. A gutsy trailblazer, her resume is an impressive collection of “firsts” including America’s first Black woman combat pilot. She served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. After her military service, FlyGirl revved up her career in the private sector as an entrepreneur, consultant to business, and author of Zero to Breakthrough, The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter. As a speaker, FlyGirl unleashes hard-hitting advice and amazing anecdotes from her adventures on the battlefield and in business. She helps individuals and organizations Get Gutsy and build a sustainable inner force and conviction, that results in accomplishing significant goals.

Retired Colonel Greg Gadson is a 25-year career United States Army officer. Although a bilateral above-the-knee amputee, he has not been defeated by unfortunate circumstances, instead, his life is a portrait of courage in the face of great adversity. Greg communicates his passion for service, teamwork, and leadership in his moving and inspirational message made relevant for individuals, teams, and organizations of all sizes. He applies the poignant lessons of pride, poise, and team that he learned as a West Point football player to every aspect of his life and credits those same lessons as the underlying principles that saved his life when he was serving as a battalion commander in Iraq.

Major Anthony “AB” Bourke is a highly experienced F-16 fighter pilot who has flown tactical missions in countries all over the world. Bourke shares how fighter pilots, and other organizations where performance truly matters, have developed a feedback system to ensure continuous improvement and peak performance. Bourke discusses communication, leadership, organization, teamwork, commitment, culture, and selling and debriefing techniques.

Afterburner Inc is a team of elite fighter pilots who help your team pursue flawless execution and take performance to the next level. The combination of sound organizational development and combat-proven methodologies has made Afterburner Inc one of the fastest growing training and consulting organizations in the country. The Flawless Execution Model is a proven process used by elite military professionals around the world to execute missions when the stakes are high and failure is not an option. Corporate success, like success in combat, depends on execution.