American Program Bureau’s (APB) commencement speakers deliver inspirational keynotes drawn from a lifetime of achievement that reflect on the significance and prestige of a college or university’s big day. From thought leaders to professional athletes to the media elite, entertainers, and world leaders, APB’s commencement speakers share a common thread as the leaders of their respective fields.
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 who was recently honored with a Nobel Peace Prize for her work in ...
Wes Moore
Wes Moore is a youth advocate, keynote speaker, Army combat veteran, promising business leader and the best-selling author of The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates - contrasting his childhood choices against another Wes Moore's who was eventually imprisoned.
Jeff Taylor
As founder of Monster and Eons, Jeff Taylor is recognized as an innovator and visionary business leader in the Internet and careers industries. As an inspirational and enthusiastic keynote speaker, Taylor zeroes in on what lies ahead by drawing on his experience as a big picture entrepreneur and expert at technology, ...
Juan Williams
A prize-winning columnist and former editorial writer for The Washington Post, Juan Williams is also a Fox News correspondent and a keynote speaker on issues including diversity, ethics, leadership, media and national issues. There are few voices as clear and intelligent on the power of diversity within today's ...
Nicholas Kristof
A 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 traveled China, Africa, India, and South Asia, he offers a compassionate glimpse into such issues as global health, poverty and ...
Michael Eric Dyson
Named by Essence magazine as one of the 50 most inspiring African Americans, Dyson is one of the nation's most renowned public intellectuals, revitalizing the role with the fervor of an ordained Baptist minister. Called "a street fighter in a suit and tie," he takes on the toughest and most controversial issues of ...
Mary Robinson
As first female President of Ireland, Robinson increased the status of the nation. Formerly the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, she now advises businesses worldwide on ethical practices and management. In addition to her role as Executive Director of the Ethical Globalization Initiative, she is one of five members ...
Mariane Pearl
Pearl is a unique and versatile award-winning journalist who has written A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of My Husband Danny Pearl, a gripping and profound narrative of her experience and the pursuit of those who captured and killed her husband, Daniel Pearl, the South Asia bureau chief for The Wall ...
Joseph P. Kennedy II
The founder of Citizens Energy Corporation, Joseph P. Kennedy II has served as Chairman and President of the company since 1998, following 12 years of service in the US House of Representatives. Establishing the nonprofit company to provide low-cost heating oil to the poor and elderly, Kennedy grew the organization to ...
Diane Ravitch
Diane Ravitch is Research Professor of Education at New York University and a historian of education. In addition, she is a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC.
Mikhail Gorbachev
One of the 20th century's most pivotal leaders, Pres. Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his extraordinary leadership and the democratic reforms that ended the Cold War. As a keynote speaker he continues to inspire the rest of us to lead the way towards peace, a better environment, and global democracy.
Dan Rather
For decades, Rather was the face of the news as CBS News anchorman and reporter, delivering audiences the most defining moments in our recent history. He continues to call them as he sees them as a keynote speaker on media and national issues, and as the host of Dan Rather Reports on HD Net. As a speaker, his ...
Daymond John
Credited with creating the urban apparel market, Daymond John is the founder of FUBU & the branding guru on ABC's Shark Tank. His message draws on his experience as an entrepreneur & consultant.
Harry Markopolos
Harry Markopolos was catapulted into the spotlight as the man who blew the whistle on Bernie Madoff and his $50 billion Ponzi scheme. Passionate about fixing the system and preventing future abuses, Markopolos speaks about the Madoff scheme and how you can recognize and prevent fraud in your organization.
Chris Hughes
A technology superstar whose business is people, Hughes has helped create two of the most successful startups in modern history: Facebook and MyBarackObama.com, the campaign apparatus that helped elect a US President. With an instinct for building technology that networks the commonality of real people and real ...
Richard Carmona
As the 17th Surgeon General, Dr. Carmona developed comprehensive knowledge of the environmental influences on healthy living today. He offers a close look at the epidemic of asthma in young children as well as other issues directly related to the state of our environment and how we can work towards not only a healthy body, ...
Geoffrey Canada
Profiled on 60 Minutes, Canada has achieved great success as President and CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone, an agency that fuses community building with academic achievement to improve the futures of inner city youth. Recently, President Obama launched an initiative to create “Promise Neighborhoods” around ...
Ralph Nader
Former Green Party candidate for president and one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential Americans of the 20th Century," Ralph Nader has always been a voice fighting for the people on the issues that matter most: healthcare, safety, environment, ethics, education, economic and social equality. As a keynote ...
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
A Nobel Peace Laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu served as South Africa's voice of conscience during its long struggle against apartheid, soothing the spirits and rallying the hearts of his people as head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. As a highly regarded and inspirational keynote speaker, he continues to ...
Michael Douglas
One of the most prominent actors, directors and producers in Hollywood, Michael Douglas has repeatedly chosen to work on politically influential and controversial motion pictures. As a celebrity keynote speaker, long-time champion of social and environmental causes and UN Messenger of Peace he speaks out for human rights ...
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