Economy and Finance
Understanding the forces that shaped the economy over the past 12 months is fascinating—but understanding the forces that will shape the next 12 months is essential. Whether you’re making a major business decision or planning a strategic investment, the right insights matter. Explore our list of top keynote speakers on trends and economic outlook for 2026.
Bernard Baumohl
Chief Global Economist of the Economic Outlook Group, Speaker on International Economy and Geopolitics
About
Bernard Baumohl: Chief Global Economist, The Economic Outlook Group | Author of The Secrets of Economic Indicators | Speaker on the Economy and Geopolitics
Make Sense of the Economic Signals That Matter
Bernard Baumohl helps audiences answer those questions. He brings together economic data, global developments, and a clear explanation of what they could mean for business.
Why Book Bernard Baumohl?
Bernard makes complex economic developments understandable and relevant. He looks at forward-looking indicators alongside consumer and business activity, inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical risk to help leaders consider what may be changing.
His presentations connect the broader outlook to the decisions facing an audience. Business leaders leave with a more informed way to discuss potential turning points, prepare for risks, and recognize opportunities.
What Makes Bernard Different?
- A career spanning economic forecasting, financial journalism, and international affairs
- A clear explanation of the indicators behind an economic outlook
- A perspective that connects global events to business conditions
- The ability to focus on issues affecting a specific industry
- Facts and humour that make a complex subject engaging
Why Is Bernard Right for Your Audience?
Bernard is a strong fit for executive meetings, financial services events, industry associations, and conferences where the economic outlook affects planning. He is particularly valuable when leaders need to understand the factors that could change the picture.
Book Bernard when your audience needs to:
- Understand the direction of the U.S. and international economy
- Identify economic signals relevant to its industry
- Consider the effects of inflation, interest rates, and spending trends
- Assess how geopolitical developments could affect business
- Prepare for a range of possible economic conditions
- Ask better questions when making strategic decisions
Audience Takeaways
Attendees will leave:
- Clearer on which indicators deserve attention
- Better able to connect economic trends to their own market
- More aware of potential risks and opportunities
- Equipped to discuss uncertainty without relying on a single forecast
- Ready to bring economic context into planning conversations
Keynote Programs
What Is the Outlook for the U.S. and International Economy?
Bernard examines the forces shaping growth, consumer and business spending, jobs, inflation, interest rates, and trade. He connects the outlook to the questions facing the audience’s industry. Ideal for annual meetings and strategic planning events.
Geopolitical Risks: Where Is the World Headed?
Bernard considers how international tensions and policy decisions may affect economic conditions and business activity. Ideal for executives and globally engaged organizations evaluating external risks.
Stay Ahead of the Curve: Using Economic Indicators
In a seminar format, Bernard helps leaders understand how forward-looking indicators can signal potential turning points. Ideal for groups that want a deeper discussion of the data behind the outlook.
Why Contact The Sweeney Agency Now?
Tell us about your industry, the markets you follow, and the questions your leaders are asking. We’ll help you determine the right focus, discuss customization, and confirm Bernard’s availability and current fee.
Is Bernard Right for Your Event?
Tell us about your audience, its exposure to economic change, and what you want attendees to understand more clearly. We’ll help you assess Bernard’s fit and plan the next step.
To check availability and fee of this speaker, call 1-866-727-7555 or email [email protected].
About
Carl Bernstein: Watergate Journalist | Bestselling Author | Political Analyst
Hear the Story Behind the Headlines
Carl Bernstein brings audiences inside the reporting that exposed Watergate and changed the course of a presidency. From his work with Bob Woodward at The Washington Post to decades of books and political reporting, he offers a firsthand perspective on journalism, public accountability, and American democracy.
Why Book Carl Bernstein?
Carl can tell a story few speakers have lived. He explains how patient reporting revealed the Watergate scandal, then connects those lessons to the challenge of finding trustworthy information and holding powerful institutions accountable today.
His presentations give audiences a chance to hear history from a journalist who helped uncover it—and to consider what rigorous reporting requires when public trust is under strain.
What Makes Carl Different?
- Firsthand experience reporting the Watergate story with Bob Woodward
- Decades of investigative reporting on politics and public affairs
- Bestselling books including All the President’s Men, The Final Days, and Chasing History
- A perspective spanning major changes in journalism and American politics
- Stories that bring the work behind consequential headlines to life
Why Is Carl Right for Your Audience?
Carl is a strong fit for university events, leadership forums, journalism conferences, public affairs programs, and audiences interested in history and democracy. He is especially compelling when an event calls for a respected voice who can examine both a defining political moment and its continuing relevance.
Book Carl when your audience needs to:
- Hear the firsthand story of the Watergate investigation
- Understand how investigative reporters establish and verify facts
- Consider the role of journalism in holding power accountable
- Discuss the relationship between trustworthy information and public debate
- Explore how political history informs present-day questions
- Engage with a speaker whose reporting shaped a national conversation
Audience Takeaways
Attendees will leave:
- With a deeper understanding of the reporting behind Watergate
- Better able to appreciate the persistence and verification investigative journalism demands
- Thinking more critically about evidence, sources, and competing claims
- Clearer on why an informed public matters to democratic institutions
- With questions to carry into conversations about journalism and civic life
Keynote Programs
An Evening with Carl Bernstein: The System Can Work
From his early days as a teenage copyboy to his reporting on national politics, Carl reflects on journalism, the public interest, and the search for the best obtainable version of the truth. Ideal for broad audiences and moderated conversations.
The Lessons of Watergate
Carl takes audiences behind the scenes of the reporting and political drama that led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation. He considers what Watergate reveals about institutions, accountability, and the work required to uncover facts. Ideal for history, journalism, and public affairs events.
The Problem of Washington
Carl examines the responsibilities of elected officials, the press, and citizens in shaping political life. Ideal for leadership forums and audiences looking for a candid discussion about public debate and the state of American democracy.
Why Contact The Sweeney Agency Now?
Tell us what your audience wants to explore: Watergate, investigative journalism, political history, or the role of the press. We can help identify the right topic and format for your event and confirm Carl’s availability and current fee.
Is Carl Right for Your Event?
Tell us about your audience, the questions it wants to examine, and whether you envision a keynote or a moderated discussion. We’ll help you assess Carl’s fit and plan the next step.
To check availability and fee of this speaker, call 1-866-727-7555 or email [email protected]
Book Your Next Great Speaker in 5 Easy Steps
5 Tips to Book your Next Great Speaker
About
Did last year's speaker knock your socks off? Not sure where to go next? Let our team of experienced professionals help you find your next great speaker.
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With over 20 years experience, you can trust us to provide all of the information you need to choose the right speaker.
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About
Roger Bootle is one of Britain's best-known economists and Chairman of Capital Economics, one of the world’s largest independent macroeconomics consultancies, which he founded in 1999. Roger is also an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries. He was formerly Group Chief Economist of HSBC and a Visiting Professor at Manchester Business School. Under Chancellor Kenneth Clarke he was appointed to the Government’s panel of Independent Economic Advisers, the so-called “Wise Men”. From 1997 to 2017, he was a Specialist Adviser to the House of Commons Treasury Committee. In 2012, Roger was named Economics Commentator of the Year and, together with a team from Capital Economics, he won the Wolfson Prize, the second biggest prize in Economics after the Nobel.
Roger Bootle studied at Oxford University and then became a Lecturer in Economics at St Anne’s College, Oxford. Most of his subsequent career has been spent in the City of London.
Roger has written many articles and several books on economics. His latest book, Making a Success of Brexit and Reforming the EU, is the 4th edition of The Trouble with Europe. This book follows The Trouble with Markets and Money for Nothing, which were widely acclaimed. His earlier book, The Death of Inflation, published in 1996, became a best-seller and was subsequently translated into nine languages. Initially dismissed as extreme, The Death of Inflation is now widely recognized as prophetic. Roger is also joint author of the book Theory of Money, and author of Index-Linked Gilts. Mark your calendars for Sep 5, 2019, the anticipated release date of Roger's upcoming book The AI Economy: Work, Wealth and Welfare in the Robot Age - in which he examines the economic implications of Artificial Intelligence and addresses the concerns of both businesses and ordinary people about how the future will look as robots and AI proliferate. In contrast to much of the literature on robots and AI, this book is profoundly optimistic about what they imply for the human condition.
Roger appears frequently on television and radio and is also a regular columnist for The Daily Telegraph.
Ian Bremmer
President of Eurasia Group, a political risk consulting firm; senior fellow at the World Policy Institute and columnist for the Financial Times.
About
Ian Bremmer: President and Founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media | Political Scientist | Speaker on Geopolitical Risk
See What Global Change Means for Your Decisions
Ian Bremmer helps audiences connect global politics to the choices facing organizations today. As founder and president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, he brings a political risk perspective to international developments and explains what they could mean for markets, operations, and strategy.
Why Book Ian Bremmer?
Ian gives executive audiences a framework for understanding how political power shapes economic outcomes. He looks beyond any one crisis to explain shifting relationships between countries, the limits of global cooperation, and the business exposure created by those changes.
His presentations can be shaped around the regions, industries, and decisions that matter most to your audience, making a complex global discussion relevant to the room.
What Makes Ian Different?
- Founder of a firm dedicated to political risk analysis for business and investors
- President and founder of GZERO Media, which covers international affairs
- A widely published author and host of GZERO World with Ian Bremmer
- Experience examining the geopolitical implications of artificial intelligence
- An ability to connect global developments to strategic business questions
Why Is Ian Right for Your Audience?
Ian is a strong fit for executive meetings, investor conferences, board programs, and industry events with international exposure. He is especially valuable when leaders need to consider how political developments may affect supply chains, market access, technology, or long-term plans.
Book Ian when your audience needs to:
- Understand how the global order is changing
- Identify political risks relevant to its markets and operations
- Consider the business implications of US–China competition
- Explore how AI is changing power and international competition
- Think through how crises can spread across regions and sectors
- Ask more useful questions about future scenarios
Audience Takeaways
Attendees will leave:
- Clearer on the forces driving current geopolitical uncertainty
- Better able to connect political developments with business exposure
- More aware of how trade, technology, energy, and security issues intersect
- Ready to include geopolitical factors in strategic discussions
- Equipped to consider several plausible outcomes rather than one forecast
Keynote Programs
Navigating the Geopolitical Recession
Ian examines the weakening of international coordination and the growing rivalry between major powers. He connects those shifts to their implications for business and public policy. Ideal for executive audiences seeking a broad view of the global landscape.
Managing Risk in an Unstable World
Ian shows why economic analysis alone can miss the political forces affecting markets, investments, and supply chains. Ideal for organizations making decisions across borders or assessing new areas of exposure.
The Geopolitics of Artificial Intelligence
Ian explores how control of AI systems is reshaping competition among governments and companies. Ideal for leaders considering the strategic implications of technology and global power.
The Power of Crisis
Ian explains how conflict, energy disruptions, climate pressures, and technological change can produce connected shocks in a world with limited international coordination. Ideal for leaders responsible for resilience and long-term planning.
Why Contact The Sweeney Agency Now?
Tell us which regions, risks, and strategic decisions matter most to your audience. We can help identify Ian’s most relevant program, discuss its focus and format, and confirm his availability and current fee.
Is Ian Right for Your Event?
Tell us about your audience, its international exposure, and the questions its leaders need to examine. We’ll help you assess Ian’s fit and plan the next step.
To check availability and fee of this speaker, call 1-866-727-7555 or email [email protected]
Dr. Harry Broadman
Renowned Economist and Speaker on Global Economic Outlook
About
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Dr. Broadman talks about the elements that shape the operations of successful firms pursue that allow them to grow rapidly, excel at remaining more competitive than rivals, reduce exposure to risks and constantly innovate.
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Audiences leave with insights about how market and policy dynamics impact Boards, C-Suites, and workers enterprise-wide, and how they’ll alter the fortunes of today's businesses in ways few ever could have predicted.
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Dr. Harry Broadman is a genuine thought leader on the transformation of world markets long before the term "globalization" was ever uttered, an author & keynote speaker.
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Past clients include: Cotton Council International, AMG Bank, Institute for Private Investors, U.S. International Trade Commission, Sentinel Risk Advisors and Share-Vu Capital.
At the vanguard of his generation, 36 years ago Harry Broadman began building a career that epitomizes present-day 'serial entrepreneurs’ as a practitioner in high growth emerging markets of international finance, global business growth and risk-mitigation strategy, corporate governance and anti-corruption compliance practices, and the nature and pace of innovation.
Re-inventing himself multiple times in a truly interdisciplinary fashion across greatly differentiated senior roles in the private sector, interspersed with stints as a high-level policy maker and regulator, Harry emerged as a genuine thought leader on the transformation of world markets long before the term "globalization" was ever uttered.
His professional journey—the imprints of which color his thought-provoking speeches—has been driven by his intense personal inquisitiveness about the elements shaping the operations successful firms pursue to grow rapidly, excel at remaining more competitive than rivals, reduce exposure to risks and constantly innovate.
Harry brings to audiences a unique combination of fundamentally insightful yet pragmatic views about how market and policy dynamics impact Boards, C-Suites, and workers enterprise-wide, and how they’ll alter the fortunes of today's businesses in ways few ever could have predicted.
He has the rare ability to frame speeches about the impacts of the most salient business issues from a prospective vantage point rather than conventional rear-view mirror extrapolation, and do so through a prism that recognizes the intrinsic non-linearities of market changes. And, all done in a highly entertaining mode and infused with Harry’s infectious sense of humor.
Harry has authored several books and numerous professional articles published in a wide array of peer-reviewed economics, law, and foreign policy journals. His most recent books are: Africa's Silk Road: China and India's New Economic Frontier; From Disintegration to Reintegration: Russia and the Former Soviet Union in the Global Economy; and The State As Shareholder: China's Management of Enterprise Assets.
About
Andrew Busch: Economic Futurist | Former Chief Market Intelligence Officer at the CFTC | Speaker on the Economy, AI and Growth Opportunities
Why Book Andrew Busch?
Andy combines that experience with a background in financial markets and public policy, including his role as Global Currency and Public Policy Strategist at BMO. His presentations explore how technology, policy and demographic change influence business opportunities. He researches each audience’s industry to make the discussion relevant to its challenges and plans.
Why Is Andrew Busch Right for Your Audience?
Andy is a strong fit for executive meetings, industry conferences, financial services events and association gatherings. He is especially useful when leaders need to understand how economic and policy shifts could affect demand, investment, supply chains or workforce decisions.
Book Andy when your audience needs to:
- Understand the forces shaping the economic outlook
- Connect policy changes with business implications
- Explore how AI could reshape its industry
- Identify potential growth opportunities amid uncertainty
- Consider the effects of geopolitical and supply chain changes
- Bring a broader perspective to strategic planning
Audience Takeaways
Depending on the program selected, attendees will leave:
- Clearer on economic trends relevant to their industry
- Better able to connect government policy with business conditions
- More aware of how AI is changing markets and work
- Equipped with a framework for discussing risks and opportunities
- Ready to ask better questions about future growth
Keynote Programs
Future Economy: Growth Opportunities
Andy connects the economic outlook with public policy, technology and demographic trends. Using research and an industry-specific case study, he helps audiences consider where growth opportunities may emerge. Ideal for executive, financial services and industry audiences.
AI Unleashed: Disrupting the Economy and Shaping the Future
Andy explores AI’s implications for economic growth, jobs, business models and policy. Ideal for leaders who want to understand how technological change could affect their markets and plans.
Geopolitics=Economy: Opportunities to Grow!
Andy examines how conflicts, tariffs and shifting alliances affect trade, supply chains and economic decisions. Ideal for organizations assessing international exposure and opportunities in a changing business environment.
Is Andrew Busch Right for Your Event?
Tell us about your audience, the economic questions it faces and the decisions you want the session to inform. We can help select Andy’s most relevant program, discuss industry-specific research and customization, and confirm his availability and fee.
Contact The Sweeney Agency 1-866-727-7555 or [email protected] for more information on this speaker.
About
A dynamic and insightful speaker, Jeff Bush is known for his unique ability to translate difficult and confusing tax and fiscal information coming out of Washington into winning growth strategies for business owners, executives, and high net worth investors. Jeff is a colleague of Andy Friedman and an integral part of The Washington Update, the non-partisan experts on all things Washington D.C.
Jeff does more than 200 presentations yearly in the US and abroad to a client base that includes a who’s who list of fortune 500 firms from Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between. Jeff has been featured in Investment News and has been an analyst on POTUS Sirius/XM radio. While best known as a keynote speaker, Jeff has shared the stage with many notables including former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford, Jr., Consuelo Mack, host of Wealth Track, Morgan Stanley, Chief Investment Officer, Jeffrey Applegate, Ron Insana, reporter for Market Score Board and former CNBC Senior Analyst.
Jeff is a 28-year veteran of the financial industry. During a 10-year career at Merrill Lynch he was responsible for providing, through 7500 financial advisers, creative investment strategies and effective risk mitigation approaches to private and corporate clients across the US. By the end of his career on Wall Street, he was managing a $50+ billion business. Before that, Jeff was the youngest managing partner in the 150-year history of The New England Financial, an investment and tax risk consulting firm. He began his career at Principal Financial Group, where he handled complex underwriting issues before moving into the areas of research and development.
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management with emphasis in accounting and philosophy from William Jewell College. Jeff’s dedication, forward thinking, and strategic abilities have resulted in performance records, industry awards, and leadership accolades.
About
Antonia Colibasanu is Senior Geopolitical Analyst at Geopolitical Futures and Senior Fellow for Eurasia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. She has published several works on geopolitics and geoeconomics, including "Geopolitics, Geoeconomics and Borderlands: A Study of a Changing Eurasia and Its Implications for Europe" and "Contemporary Geopolitics and Geoeconomics". She is also lecturer on international relations at the Romanian National University of Political Studies and Public Administration. She is a senior expert associate with the Romanian New Strategy Center think tank and a member of the Scientific Council of Real Elcano Institute.
Prior to Geopolitical Futures, Dr. Colibasanu spent more than 10 years with Stratfor in various positions, including as partner for Europe and vice president for international marketing. Prior to joining Stratfor in 2006, Dr. Colibasanu held a variety of roles with the World Trade Center Association in Bucharest. Dr. Colibasanu holds a master’s degree in International Project Management, and she is an alumna of the International Institute on Politics and Economics at Georgetown University. Her doctorate is in International Business and Economics from Bucharest’s Academy of Economic Studies, and her thesis focused on country-level risk analysis and investment decision-making processes by transnational companies.
Geoff Colvin
Senior Editor-at-Large, Fortune and Best-selling Author Helping Leaders Confront Trends Driving Disruption
About
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In this keynote, Geoff leverages nearly 40 years at Fortune to arm audiences with valuable perspectives on the trends driving business disruption, revealing how top leaders are confronting them right now.
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Audiences leave with unparalleled insights in terms on how to win in business today through extraordinary leadership acting on the best intelligence it can find.
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Geoff Colvin is one of business journalism’s sharpest and most respected commentators on leadership, management, globalization, government regulation, corporate governance, competition, the economy, the infotech revolution, human performance, and related issues. International bestselling author of Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else
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Past clients include: Boston Consulting Group, Certent, Coca-Cola, McRock Capital, Microsoft, Putnam Investments, and SEI
Click Here to Watch Geoff's Virtual Presentation
Experience counts in serious times. For four decades at Fortune, Geoff Colvin has covered the economic, political, technological, and competitive forces disrupting business and how top leaders and companies adapt and transform to win in spite of them. The big takeaway, Geoff says, is that winning companies and leaders summon the courage to act –they stop protecting the past and start inventing the future –and they confront this reality faster than the competition. As business leaders face their biggest challenge ever, Geoff Colvin is the voice of experience who shines a light –revealing a clearer path for an uncertain future. His columns and cover stories for Fortune have earned him millions of loyal fans. Many of them also hear him dispense critical business insights on the CBS Radio Network, where he reaches seven million listeners each week. Geoff’s bestselling books include The Upside of the Downturn, Talent is Overrated, and Humans are Underrated. A keynote speaker with compelling content, Geoff Colvin is also a brilliant panel moderator and interviewer.
As Fortune‘s senior editor-at-large, Geoff Colvin is now in his fourth decade at Fortune. He is one of business journalism’s sharpest and most respected commentators on leadership, management, globalization, government regulation, corporate governance, competition, the economy, the infotech revolution, human performance, and related issues.
In addition to his daily CBS Radio Network segments (he’s done over 15,000 since 1995), Geoff has appeared on Today, Good Morning America, Squawk Box, CBS This Morning, ABC's World News Tonight, CNN, PBS's Nightly Business Report, and dozens of other programs. He also served as anchor of Wall $treet Week with Fortune on PBS.
In addition to speaking, Geoff is also a brilliant panel moderator, emcee, and interviewer whose subjects have included Madeleine Albright, Ben Bernanke, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, Bill Gates, Timothy Geithner, Alan Greenspan, Henry Kissinger, Henry M. Paulson, Colin Powell, Robert Reich, Condoleezza Rice, Desmond Tutu, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, Jack Welch, Janet Yellen and many others.
Geoff is a respected author whose groundbreaking international bestseller, Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else, has been published in a dozen languages. The Upside of the Downturn: Management Strategies for Difficult Times was named “Best Management Book of the Year” by Strategy + Business magazine. Geoff’s latest book is Humans are Underrated: What High Achievers Know That Brilliant Machines Never Will. It’s based on the idea in his wildly popular Fortune article “In the Future Will There Be Any Work Left for People to Do?” It looks at the trend of advancing technology performing ever more tasks better than people perform them, and the ways humans will create value for their organizations and their careers in the changing economy. The ideas he shares have profound implications for every business and industry.
A native of Vermillion, South Dakota, Geoff Colvin is an honors graduate of Harvard with a degree in economics and has an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
About
Click Here to Receive Your Customized List of Speaker Ideas
Virtual Events can:
- Reach a wider audience
- Offer a great experience at a much lower cost
- Create long term impact with recorded elements that allow for content to be watched over a period of time
- Have an increased impact over time, as viewers re-watch, discuss and connect over social media and other channels
And, most importantly: offer the ability for inspiring and impactful presentations to connect in a one-on-one way, directly to the attendee.
WHO is your audience?
Who are your virtual event attendees? Are they across a specific group within your organization, or are you serving clients across a wide range of levels? Determining who you are speaking to will help you determine a format for your event that will captivate your audience.
WHAT is your key message?
Are you focusing on change? Innovation? Leadership?
Creating a single focus or mission will allow you to hone in on the type of speaker(s) you need to engage your audience and help event producers to format the event into a dynamic program that balances inspiration with information and audience interaction.
WHAT type of event suits your audience?
- Virtual Conference
- Webinar
- Hybrid Event
Virtual event technology has come a long way over the last few months, offering a huge range of different options from pre-recorded webinars, to multi-day virtual conferences, to hybrid events with some attendees in the audience while the event is live streamed.
OUR ADVICE
A COMBINATION of live and pre-recorded elements will allow your virtual event to run smoothly and stay on time.
Many of our clients are also opting for multi-day virtual conferences with shorter segments spaced over a few days.
This allows some flexibility for attendees in different time zones and accommodates different teleworking situations for attendees, allowing them to tune in when it is convenient.
WHERE? It’s all about Tech.
Virtual meeting technology has exploded over the last few months as teleworking became the norm.
Consider your needs:
- Interactive elements like breakout rooms, polls & Q&A
- Seamless blend of live & pre-recorded elements
- Ability to replay segments
- Live tech support
If you plan for rain, it’s likely the sun will shine…
Tech isn’t perfect so don’t forget to test, rehearse and have a back up plan ready to go for your virtual event.
Pro Tip: Think of a virtual presentation like a podcast. Viewers can view the content multiple times and refer back to it.
WHEN? A Date… or Dates?
As we have all noticed, our attention spans for meeting in real life versus meeting online are a lot longer.
When deciding on a date, consider spreading your virtual event out over a few days, with a variety of speakers, interactive elements and information.
The benefits of a multi-day format:
- Viewers watch content fresh for a short period every day
- Allows attendees in different time zones to stay on top of the content
- Attendees can review & re-engage with content
Virtual Event Checklist:
Is your event?
- Interactive?
- Informative?
- Able to be rewatched?
WHY? Pandemic 2020
Just because you are online instead of in person, it doesn’t mean you are missing out on connection.
Using the technology that we have become so accustomed to over the last few months, our keynote speakers have the ability to connect to your viewers one-on-one, in a way that was impossible in live events.
FIND YOUR WHY…
What do you want the audience to leave thinking at the end of the presentation?
Apply this question to all the presentations and segments in your event to create a cohesive, impactful virtual event.
HOW? Virtual Event Checklist
To wrap it all up
- TECH: Find the right tech platform & don’t forget to test drive before your event
- AGENDA: Use a mix of live and pre-recorded segments, mixed with interactive elements, to ensure a smooth flow of events & audience engagement
- ANTICIPATION: Build up your event with emails, teasers and sneak peeks into what content will be offered
- NETWORKING: Create and encourage online chat functions, an event specific hashtag or even a dedicated event page to allow attendees to network virtually. Maximize the networking opportunities offered by your tech platform.
- EXTEND YOUR IMPACT: A dedicated social media page is a great place for attendees to connect after an event to discuss ideas and implement some of the learnings from the event.
Offer a password protected, limited time recording of keynote presentations to continue the conversation long after the virtual event has ended.
Continue the conversation with post-event touch points like emails or questions based on the key presentations.
To find a GREAT Speaker for your Virtual event, get in touch.
About
Anderson Cooper anchors Anderson Cooper 360, an unconventional, wide-ranging news program airing on CNN/U.S. weekdays. Cooper, who joined CNN in December 2001, served as CNN's weekend anchor before moving to the 7 p.m. hour in March 2003 following the war in Iraq.
Since joining CNN, Cooper has anchored major breaking news stories, including Hurricane Katrina and the war in Iraq, as news of the military conflict was unfolding live during the day in Baghdad. Cooper also anchored much of CNN's live coverage of the D.C.-area sniper story and the coverage of the Space Shuttle Columbia explosion.
Because of Cooper's background as a war correspondent for Channel One News, he was sent to Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to report on the U.S. military conflict and to Qatar where he reported on the testing of CENTCOM's new mobile headquarters. Most recently, as a weekday anchor, Cooper was the only Western journalist to interview Liberian president Moses Blah on the day he took office.
Before joining CNN, Cooper was an ABC News correspondent and host of the network's reality program, The Mole. Cooper anchored ABC's live, interactive, overnight news and interview program, World News Now as well as providing reports for World News Tonight, 20/20 and 20/20 Downtown. Previously, he was a New York-based correspondent for ABC News, reporting primarily for World News Saturday/Sunday.
Cooper graduated from Yale University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He also studied Vietnamese at the University of Hanoi. Cooper is based in New York City.
Dr. Joseph Coughlin
Director of MIT AgeLab, Keynote Speaker, Esteemed Researcher on How Longevity is transforming business & society
About
Dr. Joseph Coughlin, or as he is most often referred to, “Dr. Joe,” leads the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab. Researcher, teacher, advisor, and speaker – his work explores how global demographics, technology and changing behaviors are transforming business & society.
He teaches in MIT’s Department of Urban Studies & Planning. Coughlin advises major companies worldwide, the World Economic Forum, OECD, and has served on advisory committees for the White House and several federal agencies. Coughlin’s current focus is on how longevity and service innovation will transform the business of advice to help people prepare for 100 good years of living. He was named as one of “100 Most Creative in Business” by Fast Company Magazine, and one of Investment News “Icons & Innovators.”
Coughlin is a Senior Contributor to Forbes and writes regularly for the Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch. His recent book, The Longevity Economy: Unlocking the World’s Fastest Growing, Most Misunderstood Market – was named a CEO READS Best Seller and is on the required reading lists of Fortune 500 corporate boards and executive leadership at firms such as Ally Bank, Best Buy, Humana, Marriott International, Lowe’s, Pulte Group, and others. His new book, with MIT AgeLab colleague Luke Yoquinto, is Longevity Hubs: Regional Innovation for Global Aging.
Dr. Daniel Crosby
President of IncBlot Organizational Psychology, Speaks on Leadership, Organizational Development, and Behavioral Finance
About
About
Tony Dwyer is a globally recognized macroeconomist and market strategist, highly sought-after among executives and associations for his sound insights on what drives the global economy - and the role human nature plays in economic activity and investing. Frequently featured on CNBC and Bloomberg, Tony’s entertaining and practical approach on current and future economic trends, along with his thought-provoking presentation style - draws from a long career advising some of the country’s biggest companies and professional investors. His unique ability to take complicated jargon down to an understandable and digestible level - accentuated with humour - will have an audience thinking and speaking well after the talk is over. As a speaker, Tony has presented for companies across the country, as well as various hedge funds and associations.
Tony serves as the Chief Market Strategist for Canaccord Genuity which he joined in 2012 following the acquisition of Collins Stewart - where he was the Chief Equity Strategist. Prior to Collins Stewart, Tony spent many years at FTN Financial’s equity arm as the Chief Equity Market Strategist, Co-Director of Research, Chairman of the Investment Committee and sat on the firm’s Operating Committee.
Tony lives in New Jersey with his wife and two sons and is on the Board of Trustees for LeMoyne College, his alma mater. He enjoys being a private pilot, scuba diving, sky diving and all outdoor sports.
Cliff Eala
Behavioural Strategist, Author, Thought leader on bridging the strategy-execution gap with behaviour change design.
About
Cliff Eala uses behavioural and data sciences to drive positive behaviour change among customers and employees as CEO of BS Works. His work directly impacts revenues and workplace productivity.
Cliff built and sold a software company in 2007, built and grew an intelligent lighting and IOT company across 10 countries in Asia, and was board director at Magenic Manila from inception until its 2021 acquisition by NASDAQ-listed Cognizant. He is board director at UnionDigital Bank and several other finance and technology firms.
He authored the book Sh*tty Places & Selfish People, 7 Rules of Engagement.
Cliff has a Master's in Behavioural Science (with Distinction) from the London School of Economics, an MBA, and a Master's in Philosophy from the University of Navarre (Spain). He has two undergraduate degrees in Socio-Legal Sciences and Philosophy (with Distinction).
He has conducted a large scale randomised controlled experiment across 74,000 electric utility customers for his dissertation on Behavioural Nudging for Prompt Payments.
About
Dr. Elliot Eisenberg: Chief Economist at GraphsandLaughs | Former Senior Economist at the National Association of Home Builders | Speaker on the Economy, Housing and Business Conditions
Why Book Dr. Elliot Eisenberg?
A former Senior Economist at the National Association of Home Builders, Elliot brings particular depth in housing and real estate. His lively delivery combines charts, humor and audience interaction with clear explanations of interest rates, inflation, employment and growth. He gives audiences a broader view of the economy and a practical reason to pay attention to the numbers.
Why Is Dr. Elliot Eisenberg Right for Your Audience?
Elliot is a strong fit for association conferences, banking events, real estate meetings, homebuilding gatherings and business leadership programs. He is especially relevant when attendees need an economic outlook that connects national developments with the markets they serve.
Book Elliot when your audience needs to:
- Understand the economic outlook in accessible language
- Connect interest rates and inflation with business conditions
- Assess trends in housing, construction and real estate
- Put regional economic developments into a national context
- Consider how employment and wages affect demand
- Bring better-informed questions to business planning
Audience Takeaways
Depending on the program selected, attendees will leave:
- Clearer on the economic indicators most relevant to their work
- Better able to understand relationships among growth, rates and employment
- More aware of the forces influencing housing demand and affordability
- Equipped with context for discussing market risks and opportunities
- Ready to interpret economic news with a broader perspective
Keynote Programs
The Economic Forecast
Elliot examines the outlook for growth, interest rates, employment, business spending and other major indicators. Ideal for business and association audiences seeking an engaging overview of economic conditions and their implications.
The Economy and the Housing Market
Elliot connects the national economic outlook with housing prices, mortgage rates, construction, affordability and demographics. He also considers regional and local conditions. Ideal for real estate, mortgage, homebuilding and banking audiences.
The Economic and Energy Forecast
Elliot combines an economic overview with a discussion of oil, natural gas and energy demand. Ideal for energy-related businesses and industries seeking to understand how economic conditions and energy markets interact.
Is Dr. Elliot Eisenberg Right for Your Event?
Tell us about your audience, the markets it serves and the economic questions you want the presentation to address. We can help select Elliot’s most relevant program, discuss regional focus and customization, and confirm his availability and fee.
Contact The Sweeney Agency 1-866-727-7555 or [email protected] for more information on this speaker.
Colin Fenton
About Colin Fenton – Former Managing Director, the Global Head of Commodities Research, and Chief Commodities Strategist for J.P. Morgan: Colin Fenton is co-founder and managing partner of Blacklight Research, LLC and the senior managing director for c …
About
About Colin Fenton - Former Managing Director, the Global Head of Commodities Research, and Chief Commodities Strategist for J.P. Morgan:
Colin Fenton is co-founder and managing partner of Blacklight Research, LLC and the senior managing director for commodities at 22V Research, LLC. Previously, he was the global head of commodities research and chief commodities strategist for J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. There, he was a member of the ten-person global management committee that supervises the work of about 1,000 research analysts worldwide across all asset classes and sectors.
On the buy side, Colin founded Curium Capital Advisors, LLC, a registered investment adviser that he sold to J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in 2010. Curium had served as a subadvisor to hedge funds run by Soros Fund Management, Makena Capital, Raptor Capital, and other firms. Before striking out on his own, Colin was the managing director responsible for commodities and cyclical industries at Stanley Druckenmiller’s hedge fund, Duquesne Capital Management, LLC. Colin also worked for two years as the Chief Intelligence Officer for Ospraie Management, LLC, at that time manager of the world’s largest commodity hedge fund by AUM.
Colin began his Wall Street career in 1996 as an original member of the commodities research group at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Before joining Goldman, Colin was the research assistant to Ambassador Chester A. Crocker, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and then-Chairman of the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Colin holds a Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) degree from Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. He is presently serving a three-year term on the Board of Advisors for the MSFS program. Previously, he was a Non-Resident Fellow at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in the Center on Global Energy Policy. Colin earned his A.B. in early modern history at Princeton University.
Dr. George Friedman
Author of The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century and Speaker on International Affairs
About
George Friedman, Founder & Chairman, Geopolitical Futures | Geopolitical Forecaster | New York Times Bestselling Author | Founder of Stratfor
Understand What Happens Next
George Friedman helps audiences understand the geopolitical forces shaping the future and what they could mean for business, economies and global strategy.
Founder and Chairman of Geopolitical Futures and founder of Stratfor, George is one of the world's best-known geopolitical forecasters. His books include The Next 100 Years, The Storm Before the Calm, Flashpoints and The Next Decade.
Why Book George Friedman?
George goes beyond headlines and daily political commentary to examine the deeper forces shaping nations, economies and international relationships.
Drawing on decades of geopolitical analysis, he gives leaders a framework for understanding global events and considering how political, economic, military and geographic forces may affect their organizations.
His presentations are particularly valuable for executives who need to make long-term decisions in an increasingly uncertain world.
What Makes George Different?
- Founder and Chairman of Geopolitical Futures
- Founder and former Chairman of Stratfor
- New York Times bestselling author
- Author of The Next 100 Years and The Storm Before the Calm
- Has briefed military and government organizations in the U.S. and internationally
- Translates complex geopolitical developments into clear strategic implications
- Challenges audiences to look beyond today's headlines and consider the forces shaping tomorrow
Why Is George Right for Your Audience?
George is an excellent choice for executive conferences, leadership meetings, financial and investment audiences, global companies and organizations whose future is affected by geopolitical change.
Book George when your audience needs to:
- Understand the geopolitical forces reshaping the global economy
- Look beyond headlines to identify longer-term trends
- Explore how international events could affect markets and business
- Understand changing relationships between major global powers
- Consider geopolitical risk when making strategic decisions
- Think more clearly about an uncertain global future
Audience Takeaways
Attendees will leave:
- Better able to put major world events into a broader strategic context
- More informed about geopolitical forces affecting business and markets
- Equipped with a framework for thinking about global uncertainty
- Better prepared to challenge assumptions about what happens next
- Thinking differently about risk, opportunity and long-term strategy
Keynote Programs
The Future of the World
What forces will shape the international system over the coming years?
George examines the geopolitical realities influencing nations, economies, alliances and conflicts and helps audiences consider what these changes could mean for the future.
Ideal for executive conferences, global leadership meetings and organizations operating internationally.
Geopolitics and the Global Economy
Political events increasingly have direct consequences for business.
George connects geopolitics with economics, trade, markets, supply chains and investment, helping executives understand how international developments may affect strategic decisions.
Ideal for financial services, investment, manufacturing and multinational business audiences.
America and the World Ahead
The United States is experiencing significant political, economic and social change while its relationship with the rest of the world continues to evolve.
Drawing on themes from The Storm Before the Calm and his broader geopolitical work, George examines the forces shaping America's future and their potential implications for the global system.
Ideal for leadership, economic and international affairs audiences.
Why Contact The Sweeney Agency Now?
Geopolitical events move quickly. The most valuable presentation will connect George's global perspective directly to the issues your organization and audience are facing at the time of your event.
Contact us to:
- Confirm George's availability and current fee
- Discuss the geopolitical issues most relevant to your audience
- Explore customization around your industry, markets or regions
- Determine the best presentation and format for your event
- Receive comparable recommendations if another geopolitical speaker may be a stronger fit
Is George Friedman Right for Your Event?
Tell us about your audience, the geopolitical issues affecting your organization and what you want attendees to better understand.
We will provide an honest assessment of George's fit, confirm availability and fees, and help shape a presentation around the global issues that matter most to your audience.
Contact The Sweeney Agency to discuss booking George Friedman.
About
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Ian Goldin
Former VP of World Bank, Speaks on Future Trends, Globalization & Innovation
About
Professor Ian Goldin was the Founding Director of the Oxford Martin School from September 2006 to September 2016. He is currently Oxford University Professor of Globalization and Development and the Director of the Oxford Martin Programme on Technological and Economic Change. He is a Senior Fellow at the Oxford Martin School and a Professorial Fellow at the University’s Balliol College.
During his decade as Director, the School established 45 programs of research, bringing together more than 500 academics from across Oxford, from over 100 disciplines - and becoming the world’s leading centre for interdisciplinary research into critical global challenges.
Professor Goldin initiated and was Vice-Chair of the Oxford Martin Commission for Future Generations, which brought together 19 international leaders from government, business, academia, media and civil society - to address the growing short-term preoccupations of modern politics and business, and identify ways of overcoming today’s gridlock in key international negotiations. The Commission’s report, Now for the Long Term - was published in October 2013.
From 2003 to 2006 he was Vice President of the World Bank, and prior to that the Bank’s Director of Development Policy (2001-2003). He served on the Bank’s senior management team and led the Bank’s collaboration with the United Nations and other partners - as well as with key countries. As Director of Development Policy, he played a pivotal role in the research and strategy agenda of the Bank.
From 1996 to 2001 he was Chief Executive and Managing Director of the Development Bank of Southern Africa - and served as an advisor to President Nelson Mandela. He succeeded in transforming the Bank to become the leading agent of development in the 14 countries of Southern Africa. During this period, Goldin served on several Government committees and Boards, and was Finance Director for South Africa’s Olympic Bid.
Previously, Goldin was Principal Economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London, and Program Director at the OECD Development Centre in Paris - where he directed the Programs on Trade, Environment and Sustainable Development.
He has a BA (Hons) and a BSc from the University of Cape Town, an MSc from the London School of Economics - and an MA and Doctorate from the University of Oxford.
Ian has served as a non-executive director on the boards of a number of leading businesses, including Old Mutual, Implenia AG, Metropolitan Life, and CDC Plc. His board positions include being the lead independent director - and chairing investment, credit, risk, audit, strategy, remuneration, social responsibility and ethics committees. Ian has advised over 50 governments and 100 leading global businesses. His non-profit activities include being the Chair of the CORE-econ.org initiative to reform global economics - and serving as a trustee of Comic Relief and other charities.
Goldin has received wide recognition for his contributions to development and research, including having been knighted by the French Government and nominated Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum. He has published over 50 articles and 20 books, including Globalization for Development: Meeting New Challenges (Oxford University Press, 2012), Exceptional People: How Migration Shaped our World and Will Define our Future (Princeton University Press, 2011), Divided Nations: Why Global Governance is Failing and What We Can Do About It (Oxford University Press, 2013), The Butterfly Defect: How Globalization Creates Systemic Risks, and What To Do About It (Princeton University Press, 2014) and an edited volume, Is the Planet Full? (Oxford University Press, 2014). His latest books are The Pursuit of Development: Economic Growth, Social Change and Ideas (Oxford University Press, 2016) and Age of Discovery: Navigating the Risks and Rewards of Our New Renaissance (Bloomsbury and St Martin’s Press, 2016).
Reva Goujon
Stratfor Vice President of Global Analysis and Speaker on Geopolitics
About
Reva Goujon: Geopolitical Strategist | Director at Rhodium Group | Speaker on U.S.–China Relations and Global Business Risk
Why Book Reva Goujon?
Her experience includes leading global analysis at Stratfor and strategic intelligence at Martin+Crumpton Group. Reva brings a structured approach to uncertainty, helping audiences examine the forces behind events, consider alternative scenarios, and ask better questions about their strategic exposure.
Why Is Reva Goujon Right for Your Audience?
Reva is a strong fit for executive meetings, board retreats, industry conferences, and organizations with international operations or investments. She is especially relevant when leaders need to understand how political competition and policy changes could affect their markets, partnerships, and supply chains.
Book Reva when your audience needs to:
- Put geopolitical developments into a business context
- Understand the implications of U.S.–China competition
- Examine exposure to changes in trade and industrial policy
- Consider how technology competition affects strategic choices
- Explore alternative scenarios before committing resources
- Build geopolitical awareness into planning discussions
Audience Takeaways
Attendees will leave:
- Clearer on the structural forces behind international developments
- Better prepared to discuss geopolitical risks with colleagues
- More aware of assumptions worth testing in their plans
- Equipped to ask sharper questions about regional and industry exposure
- Ready to consider multiple outcomes when making strategic decisions
Keynote Programs
A Manic Moment in Time
Reva’s geopolitical overview examines the forces changing global power, conflict, and economic relationships. Ideal for executive and industry audiences seeking context for international developments.
Presentations can also be shaped around the following areas of expertise:
U.S.–China Competition and Corporate Strategy
A focused discussion of the relationship between the two countries and its implications for business. A relevant direction for organizations with operations, suppliers, or customers in China.
Geopolitics, Trade and Technology
An exploration of how policy and international competition influence commercial decisions. A relevant direction for audiences considering supply chains, investment, or technology strategy.
Geopolitical Forecasting and Scenario Planning
A discussion of how to assess uncertainty and examine possible outcomes. A relevant direction for boards and strategy teams seeking to strengthen their planning process.
Is Reva Goujon Right for Your Event?
Tell us about your audience, its international exposure, and the strategic questions you want explored. We can help shape a relevant presentation, discuss the format, and confirm Reva’s availability and fee.
Contact The Sweeney Agency 1-866-727-7555 or [email protected] for more information on this speaker.
Ron Insana
CNBC Senior Analyst & Contributor, Trailblazing Financial Journalist, Best-Selling Author and Financial Industry Expert
About
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40-year veteran, financial news reporting
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CNBC senior analyst & commentator
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Host, the market score board report
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CEO and founder, the Insana Entertainment Group
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Author of four books on investing and financial markets trends
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Past clients include: Adecco. Deltek, Xerox Corporation, Prudential Financial, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch and Cobank.
Click Here to Watch Ron's Virtual Presentation
In the midst of the chaotic forces impacting business and the economy, Ron Insana delivers clear insights business leaders and financial professionals can use to make smarter decisions. A pioneer in television financial news reporting, Ron is currently senior analyst and commentator at CNBC. He also hosts The Market Score Board Report, a daily nationally syndicated radio program. As CEO of iFi AI, an AI-powered stock research platform created in partnership with IBM watsonx, Ron has a front row seat to the transformative AI revolution. He is also founder and CEO of The Insana Entertainment Group, a film and TV production company. Ron is author of four books on investing and financial markets dynamics. In his speeches, Ron makes sense of the business, economic, technological, and political news – distilling it into actionable insights his audience can use to navigate change, protect what they have, and spot fresh opportunities. Besides keynoting, he is also an outstanding moderator and interviewer.
Ron’s career in financial reporting was a total accident. He had graduated from college with a degree in film production when a producer friend at the Financial News Network hired him on as a freelance producer in 1984. FNN was the first television network devoted exclusively to financial news. One day in 1985 the network’s only two anchors got sick on the same day and Ron found himself on the air for a full eight-hour shift. That launched Ron’s financial broadcasting career. When the Financial News Network merged with CNBC in 1991, Ron became a regular anchor there and a frequent presence on other NBC News shows.
Ron was named one of the “Top 100 Business News Journalists of the 20th Century” and was nominated for a news and documentary Emmy for his role in NBC’s coverage of 9/11.
His four books on investing include: TrendWatching: Don't Be Fooled by the Next Investment Fad, Mania, or Bubble; The Message of the Markets: How Financial Markets Foretell the Future--and How You Can Profit from Their Guidance; Traders' Tales: A Chronicle of Wall Street Myths, Legends, and Outright Lies; and How to Make a Fortune from the Biggest Bailout in U.S. History: A Guide to the 7 Greatest Bargains from Main Street to Wall Street.
Ron is a highly regarded speaker on domestic and global economics, financial markets, economic policy issues, and technology trends impacting business. He graduated with honors from California State University at Northridge.
Amy Myers Jaffe
Leading expert on the geopolitics of oil, energy, security and risk, author of Oil, Dollars, Debt and Crises
About
Amy Myers Jaffe is a leading expert on global energy policy, energy and sustainability and geopolitical risk and author of “Energy’s Digital Future.” Jaffe currently serves as a research professor and Director of the Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab at New York University's School of Professional Studies. She teaches graduate level courses examining clean tech innovation and business, global climate finance, and energy and climate policy. Jaffe is widely published on energy, commodity markets, and finance and is author of several books including her most recent book, “Energy’s Digital Future” published in 2021 by Columbia University Press and Oil, Dollars, Debt and Crises: The Global Curse of Black Gold (with co-author Mahmoud El-Gamal) published by Cambridge University Press in 2010.
Jaffe is a regular contributor to the popular podcast “The Energy Gang” and a frequent media commentator in television and print media, including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Financial Times of London, and CNN International. She holds a career prize in energy economics from the US Association for Energy Economics and also served as the organization’s President in 2020. She is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, where she served as the David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and Environment and Director of the Program on Energy Security and Climate Change from 2017 to 2020.
Ms Jaffe has advised numerous organizations on geopolitical risk and climate and sustainability including multinational organizations and major Fortune 500 companies. She is a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Climate Policy Lab at Tufts University's Fletcher School. From 2014 to 2017, Ms. Jaffe served as senior advisor on sustainability to the Office of the Chief Investment Officer of the University of California, Regents where she helped design the sustainable investing framework for the UC’s $140 billion in pension and endowment funds. She has taught energy and sustainability classes at several universities including New York University, Rice University, Yale University, and University of California, Davis.
She holds a bachelor of arts degree from Princeton University in Near Eastern Studies with a specialization in Arab language and history.
Katty Kay
Senior Editor and Executive Producer, OZY Media; Award-winning Journalist & Former BBC America Lead Anchor; and Bestselling Author
About
Katty Kay: BBC Studios U.S. Special Correspondent | Bestselling Co-Author of The Confidence Code | Speaker on Global Affairs and Confidence
Why Book Katty Kay?
Katty also helps women build confidence and act on their ambitions. As co-author of The Confidence Code and The Power Code, she draws on research, interviews, and her own experience to explore what holds people back—and how they can move forward. Her range makes her a compelling keynote speaker and an experienced moderator for important conversations.
Why Is Katty Kay Right for Your Audience?
Katty is a strong fit for executive meetings, association conferences, client events, and women’s leadership programs. Choose her political analysis when your audience needs perspective on a changing world, or her confidence program when the goal is to encourage professional growth and action.
Book Katty when your audience needs to:
- Understand developments in Washington and their wider implications
- Put global events into a clearer context
- Examine the forces changing international relationships
- Build confidence to speak up and pursue opportunities
- Move beyond perfectionism and fear of failure
- Engage in a thoughtful discussion with leaders or expert panelists
Audience Takeaways
Depending on the program selected, attendees will leave:
- Better informed about the political developments relevant to their work
- Ready to ask more useful questions about global change
- Clearer on how confidence develops through action
- More willing to take thoughtful risks and learn from setbacks
- Equipped with fresh perspectives for leadership and career decisions
Keynote Programs
Decoding DC
Katty examines developments in Washington, helping audiences understand policy shifts and their potential significance. Ideal for executive, business, and association audiences.
A World in Flux
Katty explores geopolitical tensions, shifting international influence, and pressures on democracies. Ideal for leaders seeking a broader perspective on global affairs.
The Confidence Code
Drawing on her bestselling work with Claire Shipman, Katty explores self-doubt, risk-taking, and the relationship between confidence and action. Ideal for women’s leadership and professional development events.
Moderator, Discussion Leader & Interviewer
Katty brings her journalistic preparation and interviewing experience to panels, executive conversations, and fireside chats. Ideal for events that need a skilled host to draw out relevant insights and keep the discussion engaging.
Is Katty Kay Right for Your Event?
Tell us about your audience, the questions you want explored, and the outcome you want from the session. We can help select a relevant keynote or discussion format, discuss customization, and confirm Katty’s availability and fee.
Contact The Sweeney Agency 1-866-727-7555 or [email protected] for more information on this speaker.
Dr. Mary C. Kelly
Commander U.S. Navy (Ret.), Author, International Speaker on Leadership, Growth and Productivity, Highly Respected Leadership Economist
About
From Dr. Mary C. Kelly's days as a naval intelligence officer to her role as one of today’s most influential economists, Commander/Dr. Mary C. Kelly has carved out an unforgettable career in leadership. Former chief of police, professor, realtor and HR Director - Mary has spent over 25 years teaching and training more than 40,000 military and civilian personnel. Mary is now on a mission to spread and communicate her message of success with audiences worldwide, sharing with them the secrets to being a true leader in today’s workplace.
A high-energy keynote speaker, Mary is focussed on using research, laughter, and experience to show professionals how to excel. Mary’s relatable, no-nonsense approach inspires audiences to embrace their roles, surpass their goals - and plan for the future.
Mary is the author of 13 books on business growth, leadership, and today’s economy. She is a speaker, coach and trainer who has worked with hundreds of organizations and companies across the globe.
Click Here to Watch Mary's Virtual Presentation
Brett King
Author of Bank 2.0 and speaker on financial services and the customer experience
About
Brett King: Founder of Moven | Bestselling Author of Bank 4.0 and Branch Tomorrow | Speaker on the Future of Banking
Why Book Brett King?
His keynotes challenge audiences to look beyond today’s products and channels. Brett examines how artificial intelligence, changing customer behavior, and new competitors could reshape financial services—and what institutions should consider as they plan for that future.
Why Is Brett King Right for Your Audience?
Brett is a strong fit for banking conferences, credit union meetings, fintech events, payments forums, and leadership gatherings in financial services. He is especially relevant when executives need to test assumptions about branches, digital experiences, and the role of AI in serving customers.
Book Brett when your audience needs to:
- Understand forces changing the future of banking and payments
- Examine how AI could reshape financial services
- Reconsider the role of branches and traditional channels
- Learn from the rise of mobile banking and fintech challengers
- Anticipate changing customer expectations
- Start a strategic conversation about what to build next
Audience Takeaways
Attendees will leave:
- Clearer on the trends challenging established banking models
- Better able to question assumptions about where and how banking happens
- More aware of the opportunities and risks in AI-driven services
- Ready to discuss how customer behavior should shape future offerings
- Equipped with questions to guide their next strategic decisions
Keynote Programs
Towards Bank 5.0: The Algorithmic Bank
Brett explores how AI could change banking operations, security, and the customer experience in the decades ahead. Ideal for banking leaders, technology teams, and fintech audiences.
Branch Today, Gone Tomorrow: The End of Branch Banking as We Know It
Drawing on research behind Branch Tomorrow, Brett examines the changing role of branches as digital-first financial services grow. Ideal for banks and credit unions reconsidering their distribution strategy.
The Rise of the Challengers: How Neo-Banks Changed the Rules and How the Industry Responded
Brett reviews the emergence of digital challengers and the responses of established institutions. Ideal for executives weighing competitive threats and opportunities to adapt.
Optimal Humanity: Smart Economies & Emerging Solutions
Brett widens the lens beyond banking to explore how AI and other major developments could affect economies and society. Ideal for executive and cross-industry audiences seeking a broader view of the future.
Is Brett King Right for Your Event?
Tell us about your audience, the financial services questions it is facing, and the decisions you want the keynote to inform. We can help select Brett’s most relevant program, discuss customization, and confirm his availability and fee.
Contact The Sweeney Agency 1-866-727-7555 or [email protected] for more information on this speaker.
Sallie Krawcheck
One of the Most Respected Voices on Wall Street and Speaker on Finance and Diversity
About
Sallie Krawcheck has a reputation for integrity, creativity, independence of thought, a sense of humor and an unrelenting focus on results, who has built a career that has reached the top levels of success across a range of functions: as a senior corporate executive, as a research analyst and now as an entrepreneur. Sallie Krawcheck is also CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevest, a digital investment platform for women. She was named number 9 on Fast Company’s list of the “100 Most Creative People 2014,” she has also been referred to as one of the most successful, strategic and influential executives in financial services. From turning around and growing troubled wealth management businesses to eliminating Wall Street conflicts of interest and advocating a true client-centered business model, Fortune Magazine called her “The Last Honest Analyst” during her tenure at Sanford Bernstein. She spent years as the guardian of such brands as Smith Barney, Merrill Lynch and US Trust.
Krawcheck has often noted that “Investing in women is simply smart business” and is expressing this view through her ownership in the Ellevate companies. The Ellevate network (formerly 85 Broads) is a 34,000-strong (and growing) global professional woman’s network, the most expansive and diverse of its kind. Sallie is also the Chair of the Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Index Fund, which invests in the top-rated companies for advancing women.
Krawcheck's embrace of social media as a means of including more people in her frank business conversations on women and business, regulatory reform and investor protection has garnered her more than 500,000 followers as a LinkedIn’s INfluencer and more than 22,000 followers on Twitter.
A Tar Heel fan through and through, Krawcheck also spends her time advising start-up companies, focusing on education-oriented philanthropy and serving on a variety of boards.
David Laibson
Professor of Finance at Harvard University, renowned speaker on behavioral economics.
About
David Laibson is a speaker on behavioral finance and economics. He is a Harvard College Professor and the Robert I. Goldman Professor of Economics at Harvard University.
Laibson is also a member of the National Bureau of Economic Research, where he is Research Associate in the Asset Pricing, Economic Fluctuations, and Aging Working Groups.
Laibson serves on numerous editorial boards, as well as the boards of the Health and Retirement Survey and the Pension Research Council.
He is a recipient of a Marshall Scholarship and grants from the National Science Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the National Institute on Aging, the Sloan Foundation, the Social Security Administration, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
David Laibson co-organizes the Russell Sage Foundation's Summer School in Behavioral Economics. He has received the PBK Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Laibson's research focuses on the topic of psychology and economics and his work is frequently discussed in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, the Economist, Business Week, Forbes, Fortune, Money, Wired Magazine, Pensions and Investments, the New Yorker the PBS program Wealthtrack, and the Bloomberg television network.
In 2005, Fortune named Laibson one of 10 people to watch. In 2008 Wired Magazine included Laibson on the 2008 Smart List: 15 People the Next President Should Listen To.
In 2006 Laibson served as an external reviewer for the Department of Labor regulations that implement the Pension Protection Act. In 2009 Laibson was appointed to the Harvard University Pension Investment Committee. Laibson holds degrees from Harvard University (BA in Economics, summa cum laude), the London School of Economic (MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (PhD in Economics).
Hamish McRae
Europe’s leading futurist. Speaker on global political economy, commentator for The Independent.
About
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Hamish talks about the forces that will change the world over the next generation, and the implications these have for the business world.
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Audiences leave understanding these forces and how leaders can plan to meet those challenges in his highly customized keynote presentation.
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Hamish McRae is one of Europe's foremost speakers on global future trends in economics, business and society. He is Associate Editor of The Independent Newspaper in London and Principal Economic Commentator for The Independent and The Independent on Sunday and a columnist for the London Evening Standard best selling author.
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Past clients include: Bell Microsystems, Deloitte, Fujitsu, Eversheds, TNT, KPMG, The Astana Economic Forum and PwC.
Hamish McRae is one of Europe's foremost speakers on global future trends in economics, business and society. He is Associate Editor of The Independent Newspaper in London and Principal Economic Commentator for The Independent and The Independent on Sunday and a columnist for the London Evening Standard. He is the author of the acclaimed work on the future, The World in 2020: Power, Culture and Prosperity, which was long-listed for the Business Book of the Year at the FT/Goldman Sachs Awards in New York in 2010. Following its publication he became a sought-after speaker on trends in the economy, technology and business.
As a speaker, Hamish is in demand around the world for his lucid insights into the forces such as technology, demography, globalisation, natural resources, and government policies shape the economy and influence business strategy. He examines likely future scenarios for business, government and society.
Hamish's other books include Capital City - London as a Financial Centre, co-authored with Frances Cairncross, and Wake-up Japan, co-authored with Tadashi Nakamae. and What Works: Success in Stressful Times, which was long-listed for the Business Book of the Year at the FT/Goldman Sachs Awards in New York in 2010.
He is an Adjunct Professor at Trinity College, Dublin, and a Governor of the National Institute for Economic and Social Research as an economic journalist, Hamish McRae was editor of Euromoney and financial editor of The Guardian before moving to The Independent.
Amongst his awards are the David Watt Prize for outstanding political journalism in 2005, the Business and Finance Journalist of the Year in the 2006 British Press Awards, and Communicator of the Year at the 2007 Business Journalist Awards.
He is now working on a new book, provisionally entitled The World in 2050, to be published in 2020.
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