New York Times & Amazon Bestselling Author of groundbreaking political memoir The World As It Is, named to The New York Times "9 New Books We Recommend" and heralded by The New Yorker as “the closest view of Obama we’re likely to get until he publishes his own memoir"

"Ben was wonderful and generous with the students. Everybody appreciated his acute and thoughtful answers to the many questions asked... The students who attended the Q & A were enthusiastic and the public clearly enjoyed his open presentation."

—Indiana University

"Everything went smooth as silk. Ben talked with many, many people and generated lots of follow-up conversations and thinking by faculty and students — that’s just what we want."

—Stanford University
Leading international advisor and close confidante of President Obama BEN RHODES is in-demand on college campuses nationwide thanks to his sharp commentary and candid insights on today's political and media landscape, and engaging anecdotes from his decade working alongside Obama in the White House. Starting out at just 29 years-old as a senior speechwriter and foreign policy advisor on Obama's campaign to walking out of the White House on the President's last day in office, Rhodes saw almost everything that happened at the center of the Obama administration, starting every morning in the Oval Office with the President’s Daily Briefing. In The World as It Is, Rhodes reveals what it was like to be there, and in his talks takes audiences behind-the-scenes of the most pivotal political moments of the last decade. As The New Yorker wrote in its exceptional book review: "More than any other White House memoirist, Rhodes is a creature of the man he served... This is the closest view of Obama we’re likely to get until he publishes his own memoir."
Perfect for college audiences, Rhodes' story is also that of an ambitious young adult following his dreams, learning the ropes in a new career, and struggling with his own idealism. Recently, Rhodes-- who was just named a political contributor to NBC News & MSNBC--  has been sought-out for interviews by New York Magazine, CBS This Morning, CNN, NPR and more to share details from his book, insights into policymaking, and commentary on Washington today. The book has also made headlines in  The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian, The Atlantic, People, and more. 
RONAN FARROW

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Investigative Reporter recognized for his "explosive, impactful journalism"; #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of War on Peace; Contributing Writer, The New Yorker; Documentary Filmmaker, HBO 

"Can’t say enough about Ronan’s kindness -- respectful behavior, personally attentive to people he met. He also added levity, sometimes, at just the right moment. Professional and grateful…"

—Gonzaga University

"He sure did knock it out of the park...My goal with our meeting was that every attendee leave feeling hopeful, energized and inspired, and [his] keynote truly made that impact."

—Blackbaud
Recently awarded a Pulitzer Prize and named to TIME's "100 Most Influential People of 2018," RONAN FARROW's career is exploding as he's in-demand by major media-outlets, prestigious organizations and event-planners alike.  Recognized for his, “explosive, impactful journalism... spurring a worldwide reckoning about sexual abuse of women,” by the Pulitzer Prize committee, and his, "hard work and impeccable journalism [that has] changed attitudes, behavior, conversations, norms, laws and policies, yielding enormous personal and public good" by TIME, Farrow continues to make headlines for his heavy-hitting investigative journalism. "How Ronan Farrow keeps landing bombshells" read one recent CNN headline, following Farrow's in-depth expose on CBS chief Les Moonves. Plus, Farrow's new book War on Peace-- a harrowing exploration of the collapse of American diplomacy-- was an instant New York Times and Amazon bestseller. Following the book's release, Farrow has been sought-out for interviews by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, ABC's Good Morning America, CBS' This Morning, TIME, The New Yorker, SLATE, NPR, Preet Bharara's podcast and more.
A fantastic speaker for college campuses, Farrow's keynotes cover everything from "Breaking the Story: The Fight for and Transformative Power of Hard Truths" to "The Power of the Next Generation." A youth activist and global citizen, Farrow offers compelling lessons and anecdotes for young audiences, inspiring them to powerful action. As audience-members at recent events tweeted: "Re-inspired to make the world a better place by keynote @RonanFarrow"; "It's refreshing to hear about current events and politics in full sentences again."  Farrow also recently made headlines for his powerful commencement address at Loyola Marymount University
CECILE RICHARDS 

New York Times & Amazon Bestselling Author of powerful new memoir
Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead praised by Gloria Steinem as “[having] the answers… She is the best teacher on earth—someone you trust”; President, Planned Parenthood (2006-18)

"Cecile Richards was a fascinating, engaging, and charming speaker. With humor, grace and first-rate storytelling, she kept an audience of 800 New Yorkers - women and men, old and young - engaged and excited during an important and stimulating conversation. Her appearance was one of the “hits” of our season."

—Temple Emanu-el Streicker Center
Named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” former Planned Parenthood President CECILE RICHARDS is in-demand for several high-profile upcoming events including a Rutgers University lecture, the Comnet Annual Conference, and the Connecticut Forum on Women Rising: redefining Power in 2018 for 2,800 attendees. Richard's new book Make Trouble--a powerful story about learning to lead and making change-- is an instant New York Times and Amazon Bestseller earning stellar reviews. Drawing on Richard's decade of experience at the helm of Planned Parenthood, work as "heroine of the resistance" (Vogue), and lifetime dedication to fighting for women's rights and social justice, Make Trouble is filled with Richard's empowering and actionable lessons. In the wake of the book's release, Richards is making headlines and in-demand by major media outlets such as CBS’ This Morning, NPR, MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show and Morning Joe, Business Insider’s podcast, and more, for her insights and sharp commentary on leadership, women’s rights and politics.
Celebrated for her passionate, informative, and naturally engaging style as a speaker, Richards has addressed audiences everywhere from Talks at Google to Harvard University. Her keynote Make Trouble motivates young audiences to powerful action, sharing transformative lessons on resilience and leadership, and encouraging people to take risks, make mistakes, and make trouble along the way. Having delivered commencement addresses at CUNY, Northeastern, Barnard, Columbia and more, Richards has a tremendously successful track record addressing college audiences. 
ALEX BANAYAN

National Bestselling Author of game-changing business book The Third Door, named the #1 "Top Career Books to Read in 2018" by Forbes, to Business Insider's "15 best business books to read this summer" and by The New York Post as "Finally, a worthwhile graduation book"

"The event was a wonderful success! We’ve received nothing but positive feedback from students, faculty, and staff. Alex’s speech was full of energy and his interaction with the students afterward generated a great deal of interest and enthusiasm."

—Lamar University

"Alex Banayan's keynote at the Alabama YP Summit was a wonderful example of one person’s story of dedication and perseverance. The presentation was not only engaging and hilarious, but also delivered a lasting and poignant message. Truly remarkable!"

—Alabama YP Summit
Millennial thought-leader and Forbes "30 Under 30" ALEX BANAYAN's awe-inspiring journey and compelling lessons are made for college audiences. Banayan's just-released national and instant Amazon bestseller The Third Door, tells his story as an aspiring medical student who found himself "stuck," and then embarked on the mind-opening quest of a lifetime to track down the world's most successful people. Banayan succeeded in his audacious journey, and his keynotes bring audiences into his one-on-one exclusive interviews with Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Lady Gaga, Stephen Spielberg, Maya Angelou, Pitbull, Steve Wozniak, and more, revealing the invaluable lessons about perseverance, passion, self-discovery and success he learned along the way.  As one Forbes article raves: "The book reads like a movie... It’s not surprising that the book debuted as a national bestseller. Whether you’re searching for a new job, starting your own business, or looking to add extra fuel to your current career, this book is a powerful and massively enjoyable way to do just that."
 As The Third Door receives rave reviews,  Banayan has been sought-out by Forbes, Money Magazine, Entrepreneur, Billboard, CNBC, and more to reveal what he learned from his seven years interviewing the world's top business leaders and industry moguls. Just like his book, Banayan's keynotes are chock-full of compelling, hilarious and practical lessons, and he's been in-demand to address over 6,000 attendees at Powerful U, 4,000 attendees at Intuit's QuickBooks Connect 2018, and 1,500 attendees at The Ohio School boards Association's Capital Conference.
Programming Idea: With fresh perspectives, engaging stories and invaluable lessons from the front-lines, these HWA Speakers would make a fantastic choice for one of your upcoming campus events. Plus, all of them have newly-released bestsellers! Add a book signing to your event to make it a truly unforgettable experience.