David Hogg
Gen Z Political Strategist, Movement Builder & New York Times Bestselling Author
David Hogg
Gen Z Political Strategist, Movement Builder & New York Times Bestselling Author
Biography
David Hogg has become one of the most influential political voices of his generation—an architect of Gen Z’s rise in American politics and a leading force within today’s Democratic Party. Thrust into activism after surviving the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, David transformed personal tragedy into a national movement, helping ignite a new era of youth-led civic engagement. His early call to “get over politics and get something done” galvanized millions, positioning him as a defining moral voice on gun violence and the urgent need for young people to shape the future of American democracy.
On February 14, 2018, David’s life changed forever when a gunman killed 17 students and educators at his high school. His clear, unflinching public responses in the aftermath placed him at the center of the national conversation on gun safety. Determined that no young person should endure what he and his classmates experienced, he and fellow students co-founded March For Our Lives, now one of the largest youth-led movements in the world. Just five weeks later, the organization mobilized one of the biggest demonstrations in U.S. history, drawing more than 800,000 people to Washington, D.C. David went on to meet with families and communities across the country, deepening his understanding of gun violence and the policy failures that fuel it. With his sister, Lauren Hogg, he co-authored the New York Times bestseller #NeverAgain and contributed to the best-selling anthology Glimmer of Hope.
After heading to Harvard University in 2019 and graduating in 2023, David expanded his focus from activism to political power-building. He played a visible role supporting the breakthrough 2022 congressional campaign of Maxwell Alejandro Frost—helping elect the first Gen Z member of Congress—and witnessing firsthand how young leaders can transform electoral landscapes. Inspired by that success, David co-founded Leaders We Deserve, a grassroots political organization dedicated to electing young progressives to Congress and state legislatures nationwide. What began as a post-college idea has become one of the most influential Gen Z-focused political organizations in the Democratic Party, shaping candidate pipelines, strengthening youth turnout, and elevating Gen Z leadership at every level of government.
David’s influence continued to grow as he served as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) from February 2025 to June 2025, bringing the perspective of the nation’s youngest voters directly into the party’s national leadership. Today, he is widely recognized as the leading national voice for Gen Z political engagement—both as an organizer and as a strategist shaping the future of the Democratic coalition.
With a social media presence that reaches more than two million followers, David uses his platform to promote civic participation, fight apathy, and champion the issues young Americans care about most. As a speaker, he informs, challenges, and motivates audiences of all ages, urging them to see youth participation not as a footnote in politics, but as a transformative force. “People call us snowflakes,” he once tweeted. “What happens when snowflakes vote? That’s called an avalanche.”
Speaker Videos
Working Together as Americans for a Better and Brighter Future
Want to build a better future? Let young people lead. | David Hogg | TEDxMidAtlantic
Building Momentum and Beating Burnout: You Can Do Both | David Hogg
More Than Grit
Diversity of Thought
Hatred is Not A Mental Illness
Firearms vs. Mental Illness
Since Parkland Over 100 Gun Laws Passed at the State Level
David Hogg: Families use A.I. generated voices to 'get people's attention'
With That Power and with Those Rights Come Responsibility
Save The Country | David Hogg
March For Our Lives
How to fight the Gun Lobby
What We Must Do to End Gun Violence
Engage in the Change
The People Behind The Movement
Speech Topics
The Next Generation of Power: How Young People Are Transforming American Politics
David Hogg has emerged as one of the most influential voices of his generation, helping shift young people from protest to real political power. In this keynote, he reflects on how his journey—from early activism to co-founding national organizations and helping elect the first Gen Z members of Congress—has shaped his belief that lasting change must come from young people themselves. David calls on audiences to step fully into civic life: to register, organize, vote, work on campaigns, and recognize the power their generation now holds. He emphasizes that the issues defining our future—climate, rights, economic mobility, global stability, and the health of our democracy—are all shaped by who shows up. His message is clear and energizing: change is not something to wait for; it’s something to build.
Audiences will learn:
- Why young people today have more political power and influence than any generation before them.
- Simple, practical ways to turn civic engagement—voting, organizing, campaigning—into real impact.
- A renewed sense of agency and urgency around shaping the future of American democracy.
The Gen Z Advantage: Why Listening to the Next Generation Strengthens Every Organization
As Gen Z becomes a major share of the workforce, leaders across every sector are navigating one of the most significant generational shifts in recent history. David Hogg—organizer, strategist, and one of the most influential Gen Z voices in American public life—shares what his generation needs in order to contribute, lead, and thrive. In this keynote, David cuts through misconceptions and offers a clear perspective on what young professionals expect: a workplace where their ideas are respected, their voices matter, and their values align with the organization’s mission. He urges managers to listen, mentor, and collaborate in ways that build trust and unlock the potential of emerging leaders. By investing in Gen Z’s growth and creating environments that empower them, organizations strengthen their teams today while shaping a more innovative, inclusive, and future-ready culture for tomorrow.
Audiences will learn:
- Learn what Gen Z values in workplaces and leadership.
- Understand how listening, mentoring, and collaboration strengthen retention and performance.
- Discover practical ways to build a culture where multiple generations thrive together.
Protecting Our Communities: What It Will Take to End Gun Violence
Gun violence touches nearly every part of American life—from school safety and community wellbeing to mental health, public health, and the stability of our democracy. Drawing on his years of national advocacy and his work helping build one of the largest youth-led movements in the country, David Hogg shows how this issue is not isolated to mass shootings but woven into policies, systems, and decisions that affect families every day. In this keynote, he combines lived experience with the political lessons he has gained since co-founding March for Our Lives, outlining what communities and voters must do to finally move beyond gridlock and enact meaningful change. David calls on Americans to reject performative politics and instead elect leaders who are willing to treat gun violence as the urgent public health crisis it is. His message is clear: protecting our schools and our communities is not a partisan position—it is a moral responsibility and a national imperative.
Audiences will learn:
- Understand how gun violence impacts schools, communities, and public health.
- Recognize why voting, advocacy, and accountability drive real change.
- Learn simple, concrete actions individuals can take to help build a safer America.
Testimonials
Related Speakers
)
)
Founder & Executive Director of PERIOD, Forbes 30 Under 30, Gen Z Social Entrepreneur & Branding Expert
)
)
First-Ever White House Climate Advisor, Former EPA Administrator, Professor & Environmental and Public Health Thought Leader