American Program Bureau’s (APB) global leadership speakers understand the issues specific to many regions throughout the world. With a wide range of experts, including former heads of state, international business experts, and knowledgeable academics, in our roster, APB’s global leadership speakers offer insight and cogent advice about leading in the new world order.
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.
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 ...
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 ...
Lech Walesa
Using his power of persuasion to promote his vision of peace and equality, Walesa led the Solidarity Labor Movement that brought about the downfall of Poland's Communist leadership. For his heroic efforts, Walesa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and went on to become the first democratically elected President of Poland. ...
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 ...
Muhammad Yunus
Founder and Managing Director of Grameen Bank, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner for his pioneering work in establishing microcredit initiatives throughout developing nations, Yunus continues to work tirelessly to fulfill his vision of eradicating poverty through efforts empowering the poor. He authored Creating a World ...
Gro Harlem Brundtland
Former Prime Minister of Norway, Director-General of the World Health Organization, and Chair of the World Commission on Environment and Development, Dr. Brundtland has been a prominent force in addressing key issues such as healthcare, economic sustainability, and the challenges to the environment throughout the world. ...
Paul Volcker
Over the course of his career, Paul Volcker has worked in the United States Federal Government for almost 30 years, culminating in two terms as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from 1979 to 1987, under Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. In November 2008, President Elect Obama chose ...
Kim Campbell
Having made history as Canada's first female Prime Minister, The Right Honorable 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 ...
Oscar Arias
Former President of Costa Rica and 1987 Nobel Peace Laureate Oscar Arias holds international stature as a spokesperson for the developing world. Championing such issues as human development, democracy, and demilitarization, he has traveled the globe spreading a message of peace and applying the lessons garnered from the ...
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 defense 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 ...
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 ...
Jehan Sadat
Beautiful, dignified, courageous, controversial, and known as The First Lady of the World, Madame Jehan Sadat has played a key role in many history-making events of today's Middle East. Madame Sadat, widow of the late President of Egypt, Anwar Sadat, was born in Cairo, Egypt. Her autobiography is entitled A Woman of ...
Cesar Gaviria
Former Colombian President César Gaviria --known in Latin America as a conflict mediator, advocate of democracy, staunch supporter of regional integration and defender of human rights-- also served as the first elected Organization of American State (OAS) Secretary General.
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 ...
Parag Khanna
Parag Khanna is the leading next-generation voice on the future of global affairs. Named one of Esquire magazine's 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century, Khanna was a foreign policy advisor to President Barack Obama during his historic presidential campaign. He is currently a senior fellow at the New ...
Pedro Solbes
A highly respected and pivotal figure in Europe’s political arena, Pedro Solbes served as the European Commissioner of Economic and Monetary Affairs-overseeing the Euro’s integration across the European Union. A respected political and financial voice, Solbes delivers keynote speeches on integration, change management, ...
Helmut Kohl
Rising through the ranks of the West German government as a proponent of European unity, Kohl was the longest serving German Chancellor of the 20th century. As an epic statesman, the architect of German unity, and a visionary behind European integration, Kohl's accomplishments can be matched by few.
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 Fast Company, he helps companies, organizations, and communities understand the importance of diversity education to ...
Jagdish N. Bhagwati
Bhagwati, Professor of Economics and Professor of Political Science at Columbia University, has made contributions to development theory and policy, public finance, immigration and to the new theory of political economy. His books are acknowledged to have provided the intellectual case for the economic reforms now ...
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