Past Official Speakers

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.

David Satcher

As the 16th Surgeon General, Dr. Satcher encouraged public debate about issues including mental health, bioterrorism, sex education, AIDS, tobacco, obesity, and balancing the community healthcare system. As the force behind creating Healthy People 2010, the nation's health agenda, he works to eliminate racial disparities ...

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. ...

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

Mickey Edwards

Serving as a member of Congress for 16 years, he was a senior member of the House Republican leadership as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, a member of both the House Appropriations and Budget Committees, and ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Foreign Operations. He is now a lecturer at Princeton, ...

Kweisi Mfume

Former President and CEO of the NAACP, Maryland Congressman, and Chairman of the Black Congressional Caucus, Mfume is credited with rebuilding and revitalizing the NAACP. As a leader, activist, and seasoned political voice for diversity, he continues to follow his dream of impacting society and shaping a more humane public ...

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 ...

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.

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. ...

John Kasich

Known as a strong proponent of personal responsibility and a leader who was able to accomplish things through consensus, Kasich served as a US Congressman for 18 years. He currently hosts The Heartland with John Kasich on Fox and can be seen on The O’Reilly Factor. Examining the issues and people who made ...

Robert Dole

Recognized as one of the most prominent political figures of our time, Senator Dole is Chairman of the World War II Memorial Campaign, counsel to one of DC's top law firms, author of two best-selling books on political humor, a frequent guest on the late night talk show circuit and political commentator for The Daily ...

Steven Galson

Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, MD, MPH, served as the Acting United States Surgeon General for two years until October 2009, during which time he was the nation's primary advocate for good health. Deeply involved in the most current and pressing healthcare issues, his work included proposing reform of the American ...

Joseph Stiglitz

Regarded as one of the best economic minds of his generation, Joseph E. Stiglitz is the winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in economics. His work has helped explain the circumstances in which markets do not work well, and how selective government intervention can improve their performance. He helped create a new branch 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 ...

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

The first female Lt. Governor of Maryland, Kennedy Townsend has carried the Kennedy legacy in serving the people of our nation. With faith and religion consistently crossing over into the political realm, she has written Failing America’s Faithful: How Today’s Churches are Mixing God with Politics and Losing Their ...

Bay Buchanan

Former US Treasurer, political commentator for CNN, and veteran of six presidential campaigns, Buchanan gets inside politics and the election with her well-informed, fair perspective. As an author, she takes the most controversial presidential candidate to task in her unapologetically partisan book The Extreme Makeover ...

Jimmy Carter

Thirty-ninth President of the United States, Carter now serves a global constituency, monitoring elections and mediating wars in other nations. Through his work with Habitat for Humanity and his nonprofit Carter Center, he continues to serve his country and humanity by promoting peace and well-being thoughout the world.

Zbigniew Brzezinski

A counselor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Dr. Brzezinski is not only one of the most respected international affairs experts in America, but is also the former national security advisor to President Carter.