BAN KI-MOON: Secretary-General of the United Nations (2007-16); President & Chair, Global Green Growth Institute; Founder, Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens

"The program was fantastic!...SG Ban [was a] highlight. We really appreciate your help with securing [him]... I look forward to working with you on the next one!"

- SAP

Among the most respected and well-known statesmen of his generation, BAN KI-MOON has nearly four decades of experience in foreign affairs, unparalleled insights into the inner workings of global developments, and extensive experience working with top decision-makers worldwide. Named a Top 100 Global Thinker by Foreign Policy and a recipient of France's Legion of Honour, Ban has been sought-out to speak everywhere from The World Economic Forum to We Day. Recently named chair of the newly established Global Commission on Adaptation along with Bill Gates and CEO of the World Bank Kristalina Georgieva, which will work to catalyze a global movement to bring scale and speed to climate adaptation solutions. News of the commission made headlines in Business Insider, National Geographic, Business Standard, and more, as it embarks on an ambitious two-year plan that involved presenting at the 2019 United Nations Secretary General's Climate Summit.In the coming weeks Ban is also set to headline MIPIM for 2,500 attendees.

H.R. MCMASTER: Former National Security Advisor; Lieutenant General, U.S. Army, Retired; New York Times Bestselling Author

"Major General Herbert Raymond McMaster might be the 21st century Army’s pre-eminent warrior-thinker... H.R. is also the rarest of soldiers — one who has repeatedly bucked the system and survived to join its senior ranks."

- Retired Lieutenant General David Barno for TIME

A retired Lieutenant General of the U.S. Army, H.R. MCMASTER just served as President Trump’s National Security Advisor (2017-18) and is internationally renowned for his leadership in the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Named one of TIME's "100 Most Influential People in the World" and Fortune's "50 World's Greatest Leaders", McMaster was described in a recent New Yorker profile as having "an impeccable reputation as a warrior-intellectual" who "in addition to excelling in combat... has written a Ph.D dissertation that became a landmark book, 'Dereliction of Duty.'" A preeminent voice on leadership and global affairs, McMaster is an in-demand speaker who delivers substantive, illuminating, and genuinely engaging remarks. He is set to deliver a keynote for an audience of 1,400 at the 2019 MHA Business Summit, and just brought the house down for hundreds of senior executives at CME's Global Financial Leadership Conference, where he received two standing ovations. Recently named the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, McMaster is also working on a highly-anticipated book. 

JUAN MANUEL SANTOS: President of Colombia (2010-18); Nobel Peace Prize Recipient

"President Santos was wonderful in every way."

-Depauw University

When JUAN MANUEL SANTOS left office in 2018, he left behind a country transformed from a one-time murder capital of the world, to a global destination for investment and tourism. Recognized as one of the most influential leaders in the world, Santos is renowned for ushering in a new era of prosperity, peace, equity, and education throughout Colombia, and was awarded the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for his resolute efforts to bring an end to his country's five decade civil war. Now the subject of a new, powerful documentary, Port of Destiny: Peace, which chronicles how Santos risked his career and legacy to bring peace to his people, Santos is in-demand to bring his empowering message of leadership and resilience to audiences world-wide. He is set to address an audience of over 3,000 high profile attendees at the World Government Summit, and another 2,500 at the Varkey Foundation's Global Education & Skills Forum. Also renowned for his commitment to climate change and leadership on sustainable development—among many prestigious awards, Santos was the first head of state to receive Kew's International Medal— Santos just made headlines as he was awarded the Global Visionary Award by Conservation International and was named a member of The Elders.

AL GORE: Founder and Chairman, The Climate Reality Project; Nobel Peace Laureate (2007); Vice President of the United States (1993-2001)

"Everything was excellent! We have received many positive comments of his presentation, and our audience thoroughly enjoyed it. We are very pleased with the performance of VP Al Gore, is a very outstanding speaker. "

-AMIS



An environmental, business and tech visionary, AL GORE was sought-out for two panels at the World Economic Forum: Safeguarding Our Planet and Taking Action for Our Ocean. Highlighting how recent science and continued environmental degradation proves the urgency of the climate crisis, Gore outlined ways for the public and private sector to come together to implement solutions. At the undisputed epicenter of the global conversation surrounding climate change, Gore recently hosted a 24 hour National Geographic Wild special, "24 Hours of Reality: Protect Our Planet, Protect Ourselves" to explore the impacts of the climate crisis worldwide and reveal what we can do about it. He also recently spoke at the U.N. Climate Summit in Poland, and has been sough-out for fascinating, in-depth interviews with Christiane Amanpour on CNN, on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and CBS Sunday Morning, and in The Atlantic and Washington Post on the evolving politics of the environment. Inspiring and passionate, Gore is a gifted orator who offers a unique perspective on national and international issues, moving audiences to powerful action. 

JULIA GILLARD: 27th Prime Minister of Australia (2010-13); Chair, Global Partnership for Education; Inaugural Chair, Global Institute for Women's Leadership at King's College

"Geneva was a tremendous success. [PM Gillard] was fantastic. Very well received - amazing really - and wonderful to be around - an incredibly generous woman. I would definitely like to bring her to Boston at some point."

-Simmons Leadership Conference

A world leader with fresh insights on geopolitics, the global economy, and women's rights, JULIA GILLARD is at the helm of two world-renowned organizations-- The Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the world’s only global fund solely dedicated to education in developing countries, and beyondblue, a non-profit focused on mental health. Regularly making headlines thanks to her work with GPE, which enjoys the impressive backing of mega-star Rihanna, Gillard is heralded for keynotes that are equal parts inspiring and informative. Regularly in-demand for keynotes worldwide, she is set to speak on "Diplomacy and Leadership in an Age of Disruption" for an audience of 2,800 at the Connecticut Forum, on "Engagement in the Asian Century" for an audience of 2,000 at the San Joaquin Valley Town Hall, on Designing Success for 3,400 at the prestigious Simmons Leadership Conference. Gillard also recently established and was named chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, which will work to better understand and address the causes of women’s underrepresentation in leadership positions worldwide. The news of Gillard’s new role quickly made headlines as she has become a leading voice on gender equality.

DICK CHENEY: Vice President of the United States (2001-09); U.S. Secretary of Defense (1989-93)

"I was in awe of Mr. Cheney. So generous with his time and so gracious to our guests. The conversation in the office was that there may not have been a single better or more appropriate person on the planet than the VP. So far we have not thought of anyone that could have provided what Mr. Cheney provided."

- Casimir Capital L.P.

Having served at the highest levels of the U.S. Government and private sector, DICK CHENEY has participated in many of the events that have helped shape our nation for over four decades. Sought-out for his extensive business, security and policy insight, Cheney currently serves on the board of WellAware, a leading industrial Internet of Things Company that offers data analytics solutions for the oilfield industry. Since Cheney has joined the board, WellAware has made headlines for its continued growth and more recently, for its cutting-edge collaboration with Amazon web services. Heralded for his unvarnished assessment of today's political landscape and its implications for businesses across industries, Cheney recently engaged in a Q&A at a major trade association's Board Meeting, and is set to address 2,700 attendees at the upcoming AFPM International Petrochemical Conference.

FELIPE CALDERON

President of Mexico (2006-12); Chair, The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate

"President Calderon did a fantastic job presenting at our Seminar. He was exceptionally open and honest-- and participants loved him."

-Accenture

GERHARD SCHRODER

Chancellor of Germany (1998-05)

"The content of your speech was very interesting and delivered in very engaging manner... It is very clear that guests found the experience both interesting and enjoyable. They were especially impressed by your willingness to offer your views on a wide range of topics."

-Arcapita

VICENTE FOX

President of Mexico (2000-06); Humanitarian & Founder of Centro Fox

"A complete hit and the largest audience we have ever had for a daytime lecture."

-San Joaquin Valley Town Hall

EHUD BARAK

Prime Minister of Israel (1999-01); Minister of Defense of Israel (2007-12)

"Your insights into globalization and the changing state of the world were fascinating, and certainly thought-provoking..."

-S.C. Johnson & Son

MOHAMED ELBARADEI

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; Director General Emeritus, International Atomic Energy Agency

"Excellent session! The audience was very engaged. He is such an amazing intellect yet so approachable."

-Thomson Reuters

HER MAJESTY QUEEN NOOR

Founder & Chair, King Hussein Foundation; Global Humanitarian

"Queen Noor was great. All the delegates really appreciated her speech. It was genuinely original, and brought an interesting new angle to some of the issues we had been discussing all day."

- Global Water International

These HWA Speakers bring the experience of working at the utmost levels of global leadership, crafting the policies and engaging in negotiations with profound impacts the world over, to each of their engagements. Able to speak directly to the most pressing challenges of our time-- from climate change to national security, the global economic outlook to international diplomacy-- these speakers decode complex issues for a wide audience, and inspire individuals and organizations to be a force for positive change.