In today's complex political environment, and given the many issues currently being debated in the halls of government, it can be difficult to find speakers to talk about what's happening while making it applicable to a wide variety of audiences. However, some well-known or accomplished professionals have found ways to talk about the issues, and share their experiences, while making the information they impart accessible to people outside of politics.
Here are a speakers for meetings, conferences, and other events who fit the bill.
Groups seeking a speaker on diversity and immigration can call on Rosario Dawson. Though she’s best-known as an actress—in a number of films as well as on Broadway—Dawson also is an activist. She is a co-founder of Voto Latino, which encourages civic engagement among young Latinos, and a fashion line called Studio 189—a platform to promote and curate African content. Her agency, CAA, provides pricing upon request.
Having served as White House director of economic policy under George H.W. Bush, managing director of the $15 billion Tiger hedge fund, and a Harvard professor, economist Todd Buchholz delivers talks on economics, fiscal politics, finance, and business strategy. Represented by Goodman Speakers Bureau, his range of speeches include one entitled, “The Hope and Danger Behind World Politics.” His fee is $10,000 to $20,000.
Former CNBC chief economist and Federal Reserve and Oppenheimer Funds economist Marci Rossell has spoken not just to finance-related groups but also to engineering organizations, agribusiness audiences, and others. She covers regulation, how the politically charged Federal Reserve operates, how changes such as the mid-term elections could change funding on projects, and more. Represented by Promenade Speakers Bureau, Rossell charges $20,000.
Oscar-winning screenwriter and filmmaker Dustin Lance Black works to raise awareness of violence and discrimination committed against L.G.B.T. people around the world. The recipient of the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Milk is a founding board member of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, and has blended creative and civil rights efforts with 8, a play based on the federal trial challenging California's Proposition 8 that restricted the right of same-sex couples to marry. A frequent guest on MSNBC and CNN, he often is named as one of the most powerful members of the L.G.B.T. community. His agency, CAA, provides pricing upon request.
As the inaugural chair of information integration at the Department of Defense, as well as the founder of the Strategic Narrative Institute, “global futurist” Amy Zalman is an expert on worldwide trends who can speak about cyber security, approaches for managing change, grasping the impact of emerging trends, and branding or storytelling. The former C.E.O. and president of the World Future Society, which serves as an advocate on future-critical issues, is represented by Promenade and charges $7,500 to $10,000.
Tax attorney Andy Friedman, who has served as the tax advisor to Major League Baseball and several other sports organizations, is known for his talks on political and legislative developments, as well as his ability to accurately predict the outcomes of Washington’s battles. He provides audiences with investment strategies to consider, given the political landscape, pulling from nearly 30 years of experience at the law firm of Covington & Burling. Represented by Goodman, Friedman charges a $10,000 to $20,000 speaker fee.
