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Ambassador Munir Akram
Following a long and distinguished diplomatic career as the former Permanent Representative to the United Nations from Pakistan, Ambassador Munir Akram is now ready to step out from behind the diplomatic curtain and tell what he knows and offer his perspective on what the goals of the United States should be in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and how they can be obtained.

Available Programs
  • What the united states Policy and goals should be in Pakistan and Afghanistan and how they can be obtained.
  • Economic development and climate change.
  • Nuclear proliferation and nuclear policy.

Dr. Oscar Arias
Awarded the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in ending political violence in Central America, Dr. Arias champions such issues as human development, democracy, and demilitarization, and has travelled the globe spreading his message of peace.

Available Programs
  • The Struggle for peace and justice.
  • People-centered Policy: Human Development and Human Security.
  • Moral Leadership in today's world.
  • Priorities and Ethics for the 21st Century.

Rick Belluzzo
A 30-year tech industry veteran and former president and COO of Microsoft, Belluzzo is the CEO of Quantum Corporation, a data protection business. Belluzzo is responsible for guiding the company's business strategy and direction.

Available Programs
  • Corporate culture: The Value, The Challenge and the impact.
  • Transforming a Company: Building a new future.
  • Acquisitions: A vehicle or transforming a company.
  • The Human side of Transition: Getting people to accept tough change.
  • Managing and Developing People: Your company's greatest resource.
  • Technology and Business Model Transitions.

Dr. Mary Frances Berry
Former Chairperson of the US Civil Rights Commission, law professor, and esteemed civil rights historian, Berry continually defends the rights of all people with her actions and dedication to equality. From fair housing to equal opportunity to voter's rights, she has been a strong advocate for the disempowered and continues to emphasize the importance of developing and fostering a rich, diverse nation.

Available Programs
  • The state of Civil Rights Movement in a Post/Cosby world.
  • Race, Politics and the 2008 Elections.
  • Woman and Politics and the 2008 Elections.
  • Race, gender and the American Courts.
  • Affirmative Action: Are Political Opportunists' Exploiting Racial Fears?.

The Right Honourable Kim Campbell
Having made history as Canada's first female Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Campbell is among the most celebrated world leaders. Expanding her global influence, she was instrumental as Co-Founder of Club of Madrid, an organization of current and former heads of state and government dedicated to strengthening democracy worldwide. An expert on issues relating to international politics and conflict resolution, democratization, international trade, gender, and leadership, she is like no other former head of state, making informative and engaging media appearances ranging from network news programs to Real Time with Bill Maher.

Available Programs
  • Trade, Economic Development, and Migration of People.
  • Gender and Power: How it plays out.
  • The important Role of Education and Economic Empowerment of Woman to achieve development.
  • The Role of leaders in Democratic Transitions.
  • Healthcare Systems of Canada and the US: What works where and why.
  • The Social dimensions of Climate Change.

Mr. Ted Childs
As IBM's Vice President of Global Workforce Diversity, Childs oversaw IBM's model workforce diversity programs and policies. Called "perhaps the most effective diversity executive on the planet," by Hewitt Magazine, he helps companies, organizations, and communities understand the importance of diversity education to succeed in today's global environment.

Available Programs
  • The link between Diversity and Global Competitiveness.
  • Go Global, Go Diverse, Get Ahead.
  • The Business Case for Diversity.
  • The Promise of Diversity and Changes in the Market Place.
  • The Diversity Imperative: Strategies for Success in the Global Workplace.

Dr. Johnnetta Cole
A pioneer and role model for African American women across the country, Cole is the President Emeritus of Bennett College. Her ground-breaking career has made history, as the first African American woman to serve as president of Spelman College and the first African American woman to serve as Chair of the Board of United Way of America.

Available Programs
  • The Business Case for Diversity and Inclusion.
  • The Case for Diversity and Inclusion in American Higher Education.
  • Race, Gender and Class in the run for American Presidency.
  • Women and Leadership.
  • Everybody can be a philanthropist.

Dominique Dawes
Dawes burst into the international spotlight as the first African American gymnast to ever qualify and compete in an Olympic Games. She has won more National Championship medals than any other athlete, male or female, as well as four World Championship medals, along with the All Around title at the 1994 National Championships. Dominique Dawes continues on a path to inspire, motivate and lead.

Available Programs
  • Success is a journey, Not a destination.
  • Women's health and Heart Disease.
  • Envision: How to turn your dreams into Reality.
  • Put the best foot forward.

Shirin Ebadi
An extraordinary woman of many firsts, Iranian lawyer and activist Ebadi has made history as the first Muslim to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her courageous defence of human rights in Iran. One of the most intelligent, passionate, and respected voices of dissent from within this complex nation, she speaks to the world about democracy and the fundamental rights of women, children, and all individuals.

Available Programs
  • Iran Awakening: A Story of Revolution and Hope.
  • The Role of Women in World Peace.
  • True Islam: Human Rights and the Role of Faith.

Maria Echaveste
As the former Assistant to President Clinton and Deputy Chief of Staff, Echaveste was the highest-ranking female Hispanic Official at the White House. She previously served as Administrator of the US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, and worked extensively on the Department's anti-sweatshop effort.

Available Programs
  • The growing political, social and Economic influence of Hispanic Americans: Myth or Reality?.
  • Globalization: Can consumers make a difference?
  • The Border: Are we Ready for it to disappear?
  • The Intersection among politics, policy and communications.

Christopher Edley
Christopher Edley, Jr. joined Boalt Hall as Dean and Professor of Law in 2004 after 23 years as a Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. He is the first African American dean to lead a top-ranked US law school. Dean Edley earned a law degree and a M.P.P. in public policy from Harvard University, where he served as an editor and officer of the Harvard Law Review. Edley's academic work is primarily in the areas of civil rights and administrative law. He has also taught federalism, budget policy, Defence Department procurement law, national security law, and environmental law. Edley was co-founder of the Harvard Civil Rights Project, a renowned multidisciplinary research and policy think tank focused on issues of racial justice.

Available Programs
  • Reclaiming conservatism..

Prof. Caroline Elkins
Conversant in Swahili and Kikuyu, Elkins has used this knowledge to travel and work in rural areas in Africa, particularly in Kenya. Her research has won numerous awards, including the Fulbright, Andrew W. Mellon and Knox Fellowships as well as a fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Her first book, Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britain’s Gulag in Kenya, chronicles the British detention camp system in Kenya during the 1950s, and the war crimes perpetrated by colonial officials and settlers during this episode of imperial rule. The book was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction in 2006.

Available Programs
  • The dark side of democracy: Empire in the 20th century.
  • Human rights in a global world.
  • The curse of genocide.

Joseph J. Ellis
A nationally recognized scholar on American history from Colonial times through the early decades of the Republic, Ellis is the author of six books including Founding Brothers, which won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize in history. Known for his elegant and engaging narrative, his biographies have become instant classics. His most recent book is American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic.

Available Programs
  • What the founders did: Leadership lessons for the present.
  • Our founding brothers: The political values of the revolutionary Generation.
  • History as Prophecy.
  • American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the founding of the republic.

Jaime Escalante
The inspiration for the film "Stand and Deliver". Named "Best Teacher in America" and inducted into The Teachers Hall of Fame.

Available Programs
  • Educating in a multicultural Environment.
  • Ganas: Creating the desire to learn..

Ernest Green
When Green crossed over the threshold of Central High School in 1957, he stepped into history as one of the “Little Rock Nine” students who participated in one of the seminal moments of recent American history, helping change education forever. But have things really changed? Green continues to speak out on the vestiges of past injustices as well as the future hope for race and education in our country.

Available Programs
  • The Ernest Green Story.
  • Lessons from Little Rock.

Erin Gruwell
Erin Gruwell leveraged the power of education to transform Long Beach's "unteachables," by teaching tolerance through literature and writing. Her tenacity and commitment to her students is chronicled in The Freedom Writers Diary - How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them. Paramount Pictures has developed this remarkable story into a major film, Freedom Writers, featuring Hilary Swank as Gruwell.

Available Programs
  • Becoming a catalyst for change.
  • Teaching Tolerance.
  • Nurturing the leader within.

Roya Hakakian
A celebrated poet and filmmaker, Roya Hakakian has collaborated on over a dozen hours of programming for some of the most prestigious journalism units on network television, and has authored two highly acclaimed collections of poetry. Her most recent publication, Journey from the Land of No, is a memoir of growing up a Jewish teenager in post-revolutionary Iran.

Available Programs
  • Journey from the land of No: A girlhood caught in revolutionary Iran.
  • The fundamentals of an Iranian in Exile.
  • Iran 101: An insiders guide to a country in turmoil.
  • The Jews of Iran today.

Carolyn Jessop
The first woman in the country to escape from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) and be granted full custody of her eight children, her story has become a model of courage and hope to people everywhere. She co-authored the book Escape, which will be turned into a movie starring Katherine Heigl, chronicling her life in the organization, her adulthood and disillusionment, and her eventual flight.

Available Programs
  • Escaping from life in a polygamous family.
  • Empowerment and taking back your life.
  • FLDS, Polygamy and Abuse.

Robin Kelley
Author and historian Robin D.G. Kelley is one of the most distinguished experts on African American studies and a celebrated professor who has lectured at some of America’s highest learning institutions. He is currently Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California.

Available Programs
  • Before Obama: How black folks saved American Democracy.
  • Teaching to change the world: Transforming Public Education.
  • The secret Racial History of American Prosperity.
  • Thelonious Monk: The life and Music of an American Genius.
  • Another Reconstruction?: Race Respirations in Post Katrina America.
  • 'We Threaten the World': African Americans and the US Empire.

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Internationally known as Africa’s “Iron Lady,” President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first woman to lead an African nation. A Harvard educated former World Bank economist, she is a leading promoter of peace, justice, and democratic rule, working tirelessly end the corruption that has plagued her country.

Available Programs
  • Combating corruption and crime to foster Peace.
  • Poverty and Development, conflict and Peace.
  • The challenges of lasting Peace.
  • Africa and its place in the World.
  • Leading the World with the Iron Lady's touch.

Mr. Nicholas Kristof
Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times, Kristof is an extraordinary thinker, human rights advocate, and astute chronicler of humanity. As a seasoned journalist who has travelled the major roads and minor byways of China, Africa, India, and South Asia, he offers a compassionate glimpse into the issues focusing on global health, poverty and gender in the developing world. As co-author of China Wakes: The Struggle for the Soul of a Rising Power, he explores the people, culture, and power of China.

Available Programs
  • One woman at a time: Turning Oppression into Opportunity worldwide.
  • Reporting the truths of the world.
  • The World as I see it: Moving to a do-it-yourself Foreign Policy.
  • A Haunting Portrait of genocide in Darfur.

Mike Leonard
Mike Leonard has captivated millions of television viewers with his wry and witty feature stories on the often overlooked aspects of everyday life for NBC’s The Today Show. Prior to beginning his fulltime television career at age 30, Leonard worked a variety of jobs, from salesman to construction worker. In his 25-year career as a feature reporter for Today, he has traveled around the world in search of the offbeat, focusing in particular on everyday American life, exploring all 50 states for the true characters and humorous situations.

Available Programs
  • Where is my Mark? Carving out your own path in life.
  • The giant Motherload of the Middle: The incredible everyday life of the Everyman.
  • Setting sail in life: The beauty of Letting a Little Breath of wind push you off course.

Dr. Alexander A. Likhotal
Having served as adviser to President Mikhail Gorbachev for many years, Likhotal now is President and Chief Executive Officer of Green Cross International. Presenting a strategic approach to managing the environmental crisis, he also works with corporations on how they can successfully combine sustainability and corporate responsibility while accessing the growing eco-market to sharpen their competitive edge. An eyewitness to the wide reaching effects of "glasnost" in Russia, and the rapidly changing global political horizon, Likhotal is a wise and experienced voice on the social, economic and political future of an increasingly climate conscious world.

Available Programs
  • Strong Leadership and Effective Decision Making.
  • The Social, Economic and Political Future in a climate Conscious World.
  • Are you leading change or is Change Leading You?

Dr. Manning Marable
One of America's most influential and widely read scholars, Marable is Professor of History and Founding Director of the African American Studies Institute at Columbia University. A fervent activist and prolific author, he explores issues of black leadership and politics, culture and society.

Available Programs
  • Rediscovering Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention.
  • Diversity and Democracy in American Education: Making Multiculturalism work.
  • Living Black History: How Re-imaging The African-American past can remake America's Racial Future.

Judith Miller
Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent at The New York Times, Miller writes about national security issues, with special emphasis on the Middle East, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction. A remarkable speaker, Miller balances the frightening issues we need to face with hope for the future.

Available Programs
  • Ethica and Journalism: Does the right to know Trump the Right to Security?
  • First Amendment Threats, Growing Government Secrecy, what it means to the Average Citizen.
  •  Is Journalism Failing us? The Tenuous state of the third estate in our time.
  • US Foreign Policy.
  • Islamic Militency in the Middle East.
  • National Security.

Azadeh Moaveni
In suburban America, she lived in two worlds. At home, she was the daughter of the Iranian exile community, serving tea, clinging to tradition, and dreaming of theran. Outside, she was a California girl who practiced yoga and listened to Madonna. For years, she ignored the tense standoff between her two cultures. But college magnified the clash between Iran and America, and after graduating, she moved to Iran as a journalist.

Available Programs
  • To think I saw it theran: Iranian Youth between Theocracy and the West.
  • Pink Veil, Black Veil: Being Young, Muslim and Modern in Today's Middle East.

Kathy Najimy
Rarely do we encounter an actress with such a remarkable range of talents and scope of emotion than that of Najimy. Seen in over 20 films such as Sister Act and The Wedding Planner, she is an AIDS activist and enthusiastic supporter of women and animal rights, and choice.

Available Programs
  • Advocating for Rights of Girls and Woman.
  • Women supporting Each other Locally and Globally.
  • Women and Body Image.
  • Reproductive Rights.
  • AIDS.
  • Gay and Lesbian Rights.
  • Violence against women and Girls. Feminism.

Susan B. Neuman
Dr. Susan B. Neuman is currently a visiting professor at Georgetown University and a Professor in Educational Studies at the University of Michigan. She recently served as the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, under President George W. Bush. In this role, Dr. Neuman was responsible for the implementation of Reading First, Early Reading First, and assessment and accountability regulations and guidelines for states throughout the country.

Available Programs
  • Nurturing Knowledge: Building a Foundation for School Success by linking early Literacy to Math, Science and Art.

Angela E. Oh
Oh is a nationally-recognized attorney, public lecturer, and community leader. In 1992, Oh gained national prominence as a spokesperson and mediator for the Asian American community in connection with the Los Angeles riots. Thereafter, she was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve as one of seven Advisory Board Members on the President’s Initiative on Race, which was charged with identifying and resolving problems relating to race relations in the United States

Available Programs
  • Mind and Body: East meets west. Women in Leadership in the 21st Century. The future of Race Relations in America. Corporate Community Partnerships..

Mr. Joe Pantoliano
Emmy-winning actor Pantoliano from The Matrix, is best known as “Ralphie Cifaretto” on The Sopranos. What you don’t know is that he’s a mental health advocate who has dealt with clinical depression and his mother’s bipolar disorder. He stars in the film Canvas, a poignant story about a family’s struggle with mental illness.

Available Programs
  • Dealing with Depression.
  • Who's sorry now: The true story of a stand-up guy.

Bill Parcells
One of the most successful coaches in NFL history, Bill Parcells recently led the Dolphins from 1-15 to the playoffs in one season, a turnaround unheard of in business. As a keynote speaker he shares his proven leadership style by drawing on the teambuilding and management experience gleaned from three turnarounds. Motivational, decisive, and straight to the point -- Parcells always takes charge, driving home his points in the best-selling books Finding a Way to Win: The Principles of Leadership, Teamwork, and Motivation .

Available Programs
  • Finding a way to win: The principles of Leadership, Teamwork and motivation.
  • The tough work of Turning around a team.


Kelly Perdew
Kelly Perdew is a proven entrepreneur and strategic thinker, having led major negotiations and implemented successful operational strategies at a range of companies, with a record of motivating groups to achieve aggressive goals. Perdew's entrepreneurial skills and strategic thinking abilities were put to the test on the highly acclaimed NBC show, The Apprentice where he was chosen as the winner of the second season of the show.

Available Programs

  • TAKE COMMAND: 10 Leadership Principles that have taken me from Military Intelligence to Trump Intelligence.
  • Behind the scene s at eh Apprentice: Can you handle the truth?
  • The Trump Factor: Get out there and sell yourself!
  • Passion Perseverance and Planning: Three of the most Essential Component to Success.
  • Exploding your business with Strategies to move forward.

Ms. Doris Roberts
With her instantly recognizable voice, Emmy-winner Roberts has maintained an illustrious career in theatre, film and television and is part of our lives, especially as the memorable “Marie” on Everybody Loves Raymond. With warmth, wit, and wry humour, she shares her moving, yet hilarious life story and her perspective on ageism and giving back to the community.

Available Programs
  • Ladies wake up: You do not need permission to live.
  • Life is Fabulous, if you allow it to be!
  • Fighting Ageism as the last Acceptable Prejudice.

Mr. Anthony Romero
The first Latino and openly gay Executive Director of the ACLU, Romero has greatly increased and energized members, transforming the ACLU into an organizational powerhouse championing civil liberties. In his new book, In Defence of America, he takes a critical look at civil liberties in this country at a time when constitutional freedoms are in peril.

Available Programs
  • In defence of my America: All Americans must defence our democratic values.
  • Leadership: Stand up for what you believe in no matter what the difficulty.
  • The fight for American Values: Preserving Liberty while combating Terrorism.
  • The impact of the Patriot Act on American Businesses.
  • The joy of freedom.
  • Religious Liberty.

Claire Shipman
An experienced broadcast journalist who has covered stories in both the United States and Moscow, Shipman can be seen as the senior national correspondent for ABC News' Good Morning America. She has also reported on presidential policy and politics for NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw and The Today Show.

Available Programs
  • A view from Washington.
  • Observations: Leadership in changing world.
  • On the Campaign Trail.

The Right Honourable Jenny Shipley
Shipley has held many distinguished positions throughout her career in politics. Most notable was her role as the first female Prime Minister of New Zealand, which she held from 1997 to 1999. As Prime Minister, Shipley was the first woman to chair the highly successful APEC in New Zealand in 1999, advancing the free trade agenda, promoting economic cooperation, forging new tourism agreements and advancing positive regional relationships while actively promoting the export and tourism sectors..

Available Programs
  • Moving Young Minds Forward.
  • Making People stakeholders in the future.
  • Investing in People: A leader to the future.

Will Shortz
Shortz, the only academically accredited puzzle master in the world. He designed his own major program at Indiana University, which in 1974 led to his one-of-a-kind degree in enigmatology, the study of puzzles. Shortz has been the puzzle master for NPR's "Weekend Edition Sunday," since the program's start in 1987, crossword editor of The New York Times, editor of Games magazine for 15 years, and the founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament.

Available Programs
  • 12 Letters - 2 words: "puzzle master"
  • Will Shortz: The Worlds only "Enigmatologist".

Mikhail Shvydkoi
distinguished professor of foreign theater history and a member of the Academy of Humanities, Shvydkoi speaks with authority on a variety of topics ranging from the theater history of the Soviet Union, to politics, art, culture, and the media.

Available Programs
  • An Evening with Russia's minister of Culture.

David Silverman
Silverman was the Supervising Animation Director behind the massive effort that brought Bart Simpson and the rest of his peculiar but beloved television family to life each week. He is now Supervising Director for The Simpsons, overseeing seven production teams.

Available Programs
  • American Family Values: 16 years and counting with The Simpsons.
  • Bart Naked: Why we love the Simpsons.
  • Pain, Torture, Humiliation and a happy ending: Homer Simpsons Leadership Lessons.
  • Why is the Simpsons the most diverse program on TV?.

Omarosa Manigault Stallworth
One of the original participants on NBC's hit reality show, The Apprentice, Stallworth is known for her pride, sophistication, and flair-and unwavering drive to crush the competition-she is a powerful force who advocates the use of courage and wisdom to achieve goals. Currently, Stallworth serves as a Managing Partner for Access America Enterprise Corporation, a strategic planning and consulting service.

Available Programs
  • Turning adversity into prosperity! Leadership issues for women.
  • Surviving the trecherous world of politics.
  • Analysis of the Apprentice.
  • Diversity in corporate America.
  • Reality shows: Behind the scenes.

Sean Stephenson
Expected to die at birth, Sean Stephenson has faced an army of reasons to give up and countless opportunities to embrace pity. He suffered more than 200 bone fractures by age eighteen, reached a height of only three feet, and is permanently confined to a wheelchair. Despite his challenges, he took a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world, including Tony Robbins and President Clinton.

Available Programs
  • Ending self sabotage.
  • Leadership Development.
  • Moving beyond Communication in to Connection.
  • Time to stand.

Susan L. Taylor
As editorial director of Essence magazine, Taylor is the driving force behind one of the most celebrated black-owned business success stories of the past three decades. Her firm belief that tapping into the power within and motivating her employees to adopt the best practices they can achieve has led Essence to become a successful global multimedia company.

Available Programs
  • National Cares Mentoring Movement: A call to action.
  • Creative Leadership: From the inside out.
  • A New vision for Women: Healing and Empowering Ourselves.
  • Passionate Leadership.
  • A new worked is on the way.
  • A Better way of living: Creating balance and meaning in your life.

Blair Underwood
A charismatic and versatile actor, Underwood's success has been driven by his underlying belief that to achieve longevity in the acting business, you must diversify yourself. Now with the release of his new book “Casanegra” A Tennyson Hardwick Novel, co-authored with Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes, and named the Essence Book of the Month pick, Underwood can add author to his list of accomplishments.

Available Programs
  • Defining your dream.
  • Kids and Family.
  • Diversity.
  • From the mountain to Hip Hop.

Rosalind Wiseman
She is the author of Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence published by Crown in May 2002. Twice a New York Times bestseller, Queen Bees & Wannabes was the basis for the 2004 movie Mean Girls. Since founding the Empower Program, a national violence-prevention program, in 1992, Wiseman has gone on to work with tens of thousands of students, educators, parents, counsellors, coaches, and administrators to create communities based on the belief that each person has a responsibility to treat themselves and others with dignity.

Available Programs
  • Social Justice and Ethical leadership (for students, parents or educators)
  • Media literacy (for educators or students)
  • Queen Bees and wannabes: Teaching cosial Competency in middle and high school students.
  • Queen Bee Moms and Kingpin Dads: Navigating Relationships with the adults in your Childs life.

Bill Yoast
Along with Herman Boone, Yoast helped to transform the T.C. Williams High Titans into a model team and school by teaching their players to respect each other's differences. His story was recounted in his autobiography, Remember This Titan, as well as in the hit Disney movie, Remember the Titans.

Available Programs
  • Turning  potential into reality. Diversity: A blue print for progress.
  • Leadership the foundation for excellence.
  • The teenager Years: A launch pad for accomplishment.