Global Issues & Affairs Keynote Speakers
Browse Global Issues & Affairs Speakers
Global Issues & Affairs keynote speakers offer expert perspectives on the forces shaping our world—from diplomacy and national security to global economics, migration, and humanitarian crises. With backgrounds in policy, intelligence, and international relations, they help audiences navigate uncertainty, understand geopolitical dynamics, and make informed decisions in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 12 Videos: 9
Dr. Robert Ballard Featured
Deep Sea Explorer, Discoverer of the Titanic Wreckage, Emmy-winning Documentary Producer
Best known for his 1985 discovery of the TITANIC, Dr. Robert Ballard has succeeded in tracking down numerous significant shipwrecks, including the German battleship BISMARCK, the lost fleet of Guadalcanal, the U.S. aircraft carrier YORKTOWN (from the World War II Battle of Midway), and John F. Kennedy’s boat, PT-109.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 3 Videos: 13
Vikram Mansharamani Featured
Global Trend-Watcher; Former Harvard and Yale Lecturer; Author
Vikram is a global trend-watcher who shows people how to anticipate the future, manage risk, and spot opportunities. He is an academic, advisor, and author as well as a frequently sought-after speaker. Vikram adopts a uniquely global approach to his work, having worked on every continent other than Antarctica
Keynotes: 9 Books: 7 Videos: 36
Jamie Metzl Featured
Technology and Healthcare Futurist, Global Affairs Specialist, Science Fiction Novelist, and Genetic Engineering Expert
Jamie Metzl is one of the world's leading futurists and global public health experts who has been called "the original Covid-19 whistleblower" for his groundbreaking work exploring pandemic origins. He is the author of five books, including recent bestseller Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 1 Videos: 6
Sonia Nazario Featured
Author, Journalist, Humanitarian
Sonia Nazario is an award-winning journalist and humanitarian. Her personal story is the story of migration and of ganas (determination). Her articles and speeches move people to tears and end in standing ovations.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 0 Videos: 4
General Peter Pace, USMC (Ret.) Featured
Sixteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
General Peter Pace retired after more than 40 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. He was sixteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he served as principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council.
Keynotes: 10 Books: 36 Videos: 7
Jason Schenker Featured
Leading Futurist, Top-Ranked Economist, Bestselling Author with Expertise in Financial Markets, Geopolitics, and AI
Jason Schenker is an economist and futurist who breaks down key economic and technology trends to help clients anticipate risks and seize opportunities. Bloomberg has ranked him the#1 forecaster for jobs, housing, manufacturing, oil & gas. He is a best-selling author of books on automation, AI, supply chain, and finance.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 0 Videos: 4
Rachel Wilson Featured
Cybersecurity Expert; Managing Director of Morgan Stanley; Former NSA Senior Executive
In April of 2017, Rachel became the first Head of Cybersecurity for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management after 15 years at the NSA. Between 2008 and 2010, Rachel ran NSA’s counterterrorism operations. From 2012-2017, Rachel ran NSA's cyber exploitation mission, hacking into the networks and devices of our adversaries.
Keynotes: 6 Books: 3 Videos: 3
General Anthony Zinni Featured
United States Marine Corps (Retired)
Gen. Zinni’s 39 years of military service took him to more than 70 countries. His operational experiences included two tours in Vietnam, where he was severely wounded. His last assignment was Commanding General, U. S. Central Command.
Keynotes: 6 Books: 4 Videos: 9
Harry Broadman
Navigating Global Markets to Capitalize on Growth Opportunities and Fend Off Risks
Dr. Broadman has been at the forefront of global business and policy decisions over the past three decades. He shares a compelling perspective on opportunities and risks shaping our economic future. Harry has a deep understanding of the global marketplace and its complex spectrum of business, policy and consumer environments.
Keynotes: 9 Books: 0 Videos: 1
Ken Burns
Historian and Filmmaker
Ken Burns has been making documentary films for almost forty years. Since the Academy Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, Ken has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 5 Videos: 1
Noreena Hertz
Economist; One of the World's Leading Thinkers
Noreena Hertz is a renowned thought leader and economist with an impressive track record in predicting global trends. She advises some of the world's leading business, media, and political players on strategy, digital, sustainability, and global economic and geo-political risks.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 6 Videos: 7
Katty Kay
Veteran Political Reporter; BBC Special Correspondent; Popular Podcaster; Bestselling Author
Award-winning journalist and anchor Katty Kay broadcasts to a global audience from Washington with a fresh perspective on American politics and world affairs. She speaks on current events as well as self-assurance in women and girls, helping them turn thoughts into action. Katty co-authored four NYT bestsellers on the subject.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 1 Videos: 2
Amanda Lindhout
New York Times Bestselling Author, Expert on Transformation & Extraordinary Mindset
Amanda is an unparalleled voice on the topics of resilience, extraordinary mindset, and transformation. As the award-winning author of the NYT bestselling memoir "A House in the Sky," Amanda shares lessons learned after enduring 460 days as a hostage in Somalia that resonate across cultures and industries.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 2 Videos: 4
David McCloskey
Former CIA Analyst and McKinsey & Company Consultant
Author and former CIA analyst David McCloskey unpacks the intelligence community and major geopolitical trends shaping the globe and explains what they mean for executives and senior leaders.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 3 Videos: 1
Erica Miller
International Best-Selling Author; Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology; Entrepreneur; Holocaust Survivor
When Dr. Erica Miller shares her stories and wisdom, people can’t help but listen and take them to heart. A five-foot tall dynamo with an effervescent spirit, she has overcome challenges through her life that are difficult to fathom.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 2 Videos: 4
Eric O'Neill
Cybersecurity Expert; Legendary FBI Operative Featured in the Film Breach; Bestselling Author; Technology Futurist; Attorney
Best known for his role in capturing the most notorious spy in United States history, Eric O’Neill is a cybersecurity authority, former FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence operative, attorney, and national security strategist.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 4 Videos: 4
Theresa Payton
First Female White House Chief Information Officer; AI Strategist; Business and Personal Security Expert; Privacy Visionary
Theresa is a visionary in the digital world, was the first female to serve as White House Chief Information Officer, is widely recognized as one of the nation’s most respected authorities on cybersecurity. As a veteran cybercrime fighter and entrepreneur, Theresa masterfully blends memorable anecdotes with cutting-edge insights.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 7 Videos: 7
Peter Singer
Futurist; Best-Selling Author on Cybersecurity, Technology and National Security
A NY Times Bestselling author, described in Wall Street Journal as “the premier futurist in the national-security environment, Singer is considered one of the world's leading experts on 21st century technology/security. He's spoken at venues that range the White House and Sydney Opera House to TED and SXSW.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 0 Videos: 7
John Sitilides
Geopolitical & Geo-Economic Strategist; Expert in Global Affairs and American Politics; Senior Fellow for National Security, Foreign Policy Research Institute
John is a geopolitical strategist, national security senior fellow for former diplomacy coordinator to the Department of State, sharing his insights into U.S. and global geopolitical trends, intelligence and strategies before high-stakes decision makers and opinion leaders at investor, business and government conferences, forums and events.
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