According to the US Department of Labor, 72 million women in the United States are actively participating in the workforce, accounting for 51% of high-paying management and professional roles. American Program Bureau's working women speakers represent the industry leaders within this rapidly growing and influential population. Our speaking roster includes the most celebrated women within such diverse fields as politics, journalism, fashion, the environment, entertainment, and business development.
**Don't forget: March is Women's History Month and pioneering business women speakers' schedules fill up fast. Check out our Women's History Month speaker page for fresh ideas on women in the workforce for your Women's History Month engagements.
Robin Meade
The anchor of Morning Express with Robin Meade, airing on CNN's spinoff news channel HLN, Robin Meade has reported on many of today's most pressing issues – from politics and world events to momentous pop culture occurrences. Meade draws on her extensive knowledge of world affairs and experience as an anchor and ...
Sheryl WuDunn
As a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author and professional speaker, Sheryl WuDunn offers a unique perspective on current economic, political and social issues such as women's rights. As co-author of the New York Times bestseller, Half the Sky, WuDunn calls attention to the trials and triumphs of women ...
Susan L. Taylor
As editorial director of Essence, Taylor was the driving force behind one of the most celebrated black-owned business success stories in recent times. Her firm belief in personal empowerment and tapping into the power within motivates and inspired her employees to lead Essence to become a successful global ...
Patty Duke
A young Oscar winner for her role in The Miracle Worker, Duke stunned the world when she shared her story of living with bipolar disorder in her best-selling book, A Brilliant Madness. Now an outspoken, yet compassionate advocate for those suffering from mental illness, she is honored for her ongoing efforts ...
Carmen Wong Ulrich
Carmen Wong Ulrich is a uniquely talented debt management specialist known for her realistic and valuable credit crisis advice. With a diverse background in personal finance, she has established herself as one of today's leading authorities and commentators on the subject, appearing hourly on MSNBC's It's the Economy ...
Gail Sheehy
As the best-selling author of over a dozen books, including Passages, Gail Sheehy has rocked the culture and changed the way millions of women and men look at the stages of their lives. A Library of Congress survey named Passages one of the ten most influential books of our time. In her latest book, ...
Rosalind Wiseman
Rosalind Wiseman is an internationally recognized expert on children, teens, parenting, bullying, social justice, and ethical leadership. She is the author of Queen Bees and Wannabes, the groundbreaking best-selling book that was the basis for the movie Mean Girls, and its follow-up, Queen Bee Moms and ...
Goldie Hawn
Hawn's Academy Award-winning roles and lasting impressions have gained her adoring audiences worldwide. A woman of many talents, she is not only a gifted actor and celebrity speaker, but also a creative director, savvy producer, successful entrepreneur, respected CEO, and loving parent. Managing to balance her life with ...
Deborah Norville
As the anchor of the nation's top rated syndicated newsmagazine, Inside Edition, Norville is an acclaimed television journalist, active volunteer, and author of Back On Track: How to Straighten Out Your Life When it Throws You a Curve, I Don't Want to Sleep Tonight, and Thank You Power: Making the ...
Rachel Simmons
Simmons is the author of The New York Times bestseller Odd Girl Out, the first book to explore the phenomenon of bullying between girls - just as harmful as boys, but harder to recognize. The Founder and Director of The Girls’ Leadership Institute, she is a highly sought-after consultant to schools all over ...
Malaak Compton-Rock
A graceful and inspirational force, Compton-Rock is devoted to volunteerism and focuses on such issues as youth, women’s empowerment, and education. Founder of The Angelrock Project, she works to promote social responsibility and encourages us all to live a life of service. A judge on Oprah’s Big Give, a ...
Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields, the star of NBC's comedy series, Suddenly Susan, is a highly accomplished television, film and theater actress, as well as business woman, author, and model. Shields is the author of The Brooke Book and On Your Own. In addition to her professional career, she continues to be a strong ...
Holly Robinson Peete
For nearly two decades, Peete has been a television star with high-profile roles that cross over between comedy and drama. Married to Carolina Panthers quarterback Rodney Peete, the Peetes have formed a foundation HollyRod, with the mission to help improve the lives of people plagued with devastating life circumstances. ...
Leslie Bennetts
A contributing editor at Vanity Fair who has explored women's issues in society, Bennetts is the author of The Feminine Mistake: Are We Giving Up Too Much?, the groundbreaking bestseller that presents a cautionary tale about the dangers of women giving up their careers.
Maria Hinojosa
For 25 years, Maria Hinojosa has helped tell America's untold stories, many around themes of diversity and the cultural richness of the American experience. She is the anchor and editor of NPR's "Latino USA," a reporter for PBS's Frontline, and anchor of the Emmy-winning talk show One-on-One.
Patti Solis Doyle
As the first Hispanic woman to lead a presidential campaign in the United States, she is the former campaign manager for Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 presidential bid. Solis Doyle is one of the hardest working leaders in her business, where it is rare for females to manage major campaigns, and where minorities in key ...
Rosario Marin
Rosario Marin, former Treasurer of the United States, firmly believes that "of him to whom much is given, much is expected." She has served as the highest-ranking Latina in the Bush Administration and the first U.S. Treasurer born outside of the country.
Alfre Woodard
Known for the challenging roles she's played on film and in television, critically acclaimed actress Alfre Woodard's work has earned her an Oscar nomination, four Emmy Award wins and 16 nominations, three SAG awards, and a Golden Globe. Woodard also enjoys philanthropic work and currently serves on the National Film ...
LeAnn Thieman
LeAnn Thieman is a nationally acclaimed professional speaker, author, and nurse who was "accidentally" caught up in the Vietnam Orphan Airlift in 1975. Her book, This Must Be My Brother, details her daring adventure of helping to rescue 300 babies as Saigon was falling to the Communists. Newsweek magazine ...
Delia Passi
Delia Passi is a nationally recognized and highly regarded businesswoman in the field of marketing and business development. As President and CEO of Medelia Communications, Passi supports companies in their efforts to gain market share of women consumers and target markets.