The Leading Speakers Bureau

Former CEO of Starbucks

Orin C. Smith was President and Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks Corporation from 2000 to 2005. He joined Starbucks as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 1990, became President and Chief Operating Officer in 1994, and became a director of Starbucks in 1996. Mr. Smith has been a Director of The Walt Disney Company since 2006 and he has been a Director of Nike Inc. since September 20, 2004 and serves as a Member of its Audit Committee.

“Embracing diversity is not only the right thing to do socially or ethically, it’s good for business.”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to joining Starbucks, Mr. Smith spent a total of 14 years with Deloitte & Touche. He serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Washington School of Business, the University of Washington Medicine Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of Conservation International. He was also a Director of Oakley Sunglasses, Watches, Shoes, and Apparel from August 1995 until July 10, 2003. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As one of America’s most respected and successful corporate leaders, Orin C. Smith offers audiences valuable insights into the strategies which have made him so successful. He carefully explains in great detail the importance of strategic leadership and how to create a global brand[/expand]
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Former Adviser to Mikhail Gorbachev

Alexander Likhotal served as adviser to Mikhail Gorbachev for many years and is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Geneva-based Green Cross International. He is a member of the International Council for the Earth Charter and Adviser to the Club of Madrid and has launched internationally acclaimed initiatives such as the Earth Dialogues Forum and has spearheaded Green Cross International’s global campaign for the Right to Water.

“The past has shown that new security threats would emerge in the form of global terrorism and that globalisation and our continued reliance on fossil fuels would raise the environmental stakes even higher”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prof. Likhotal was the Deputy Spokesman for the President of the USSR and has held a number of academic positions internationally specialising in European security and NATO. He was visiting professor at the Northeastern University, Boston, USA, Research Associate at the Institute of European Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow and Associate Editor of Security Dialogue Journal, Oslo, Norway.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Having witnessed first hand the wide reaching effects of “glasnost” in Russia and the rapidly changing global political horizon, Professor Likhotal is ideally positioned to advise organisations around the world on the social, economic and political future of an increasingly climate conscious world. [/expand]
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Author of ‘The Name of the Rose’ and Professor of Semiotics

Italian born Umberto Eco is a prolific author and essayist and has published numerous books and articles covering a wide range of subjects from Art and Beauty in the Middle Ages to Semiotics – the Science of Signs and Symbols. He reached ultimate fame when his book ‘The Name of the Rose’ was made into a blockbuster film.

A laureate graduate from Turin University in 1954 Umberto Eco was cultural programme editor for RAI – Italian Radio and Television – from 1954 to 1959. He joined the publishing house of Bompiano in Milan as senior non-fiction editor in 1959 and was with them until 1975. Since 1962 Umberto Eco has been a regular columnist for some of Italy’s leading newspapers such as Il Giorno, La Stampa, Corriere della Sera.

[expand title=”In detail”] Umberto Eco holds honorary doctorates from Universities in both Europe and the Americas and has lectured and given seminars in Universities and cultural institutions in Italy and throughout the world. He has collaborated with cultural organisations world wide. He has received many literary awards and decorations for his work including Cavaliere di Gran Croce al Merito of Italy (1996), Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur of France 1993 and Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France (1985)[/expand]
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First Woman to Summit Everest from North & South Sides and Leadership speaker

Cathy O Dowd is a winning explorer and raconteur. Not one to submit to adversity, she reached Everest’s peak from the south, despite facing the worst storm in the mountain’s history. She took on the challenge of the treacherous north side two years later, but her attempt ended when she stopped to try and save a dying climber. A year later she returned and succeeded in becoming the first woman to climb Everest from both the north and south sides.

The first woman to conquer both the north and south sides of Everest

[expand title=”In detail”] A former university lecturer with a Masters degree in Media Studies, she grew up in South Africa. Now based in Europe, she remains an active adventurer, from the heights of the Himalaya to the wilderness of the Arctic. In 2003 she attempted a new route up the notorious east face of Everest. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Interweaving the literal climbing adventure and the symbolic challenge of peak performance, she evokes your sense of possibility. Spectacular images add to her poignant story, which will rouse you to approach challenges with renewed zeal and increased capabilities. Cathy’s great strength lies in combining her dramatic adventures with a coherent message to business. Her inspirational presentations entertain and motivate while reinforcing key principles of best business practise.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Cathy is a fluent and passionate speaker, combining humour and drama, weaving a spell-binding story out of which she subtly draws her metaphors for achievement. All presentations are dramatically illustrated with photographs from the mountain. She is also part of our Top Women keynote speakers. [/expand]
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Celebrated Author of ‘Wild Swans’

Jung Chang is the author of the best-selling book ‘Wild Swans – Three Daughters of China’, which has sold over 12 million copies and been translated in more than 30 languages. ‘Wild Swans’ has won many awards, including the UK Writers’ Guild Best Non-Fiction (1992), Book of The Year UK (1993) and NCR Book Award UK (1992),. Her biography of Mao Tse-tung, ‘Mao: The Unknown Story’, was published in 2005 and has sold some 1.5 million copies outside China and been translated into 34 languages.

A compelling writer and raconteur

[expand title=”In detail”] Born in Yibin, Sichuan Province, China in 1952, Jung Chang worked as a peasant, a ‘barefoot’ doctor, a steelworker and an electrician before becoming an English Language student and, later, an assistant lecturer at Sichuan University. She left China for Britain in 1978 and was awarded a scholarship by University of York, where she obtained a PhD in Linguistics in 1982 – the first person from the People’s Republic of China to receive a doctorate from a British University. She has also been awarded honorary doctorates from the Universities of Buckingham, York, Warwick and the Open University and Bowdoin University in the USA.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Her spellbinding lectures charting the dramatic developments in 20th century China provide a truly unique, inspiring and uplifting experience and help to understand the challenges of 21st Century globalisation. The lessons to be learned from her latest highly acclaimed book ‘Mao – The Unknown Story’ add tremendously to the understanding of Chinese culture and development. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]A gifted storyteller, her presentations stimulate emotions and leave audiences reflecting upon her powerful and moving messages, taking them on a thoughtful and, at times, emotional journey.[/expand]
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International Business Consultant, Author & Lecturer

Dr Jonas Ridderstråle is at the forefront of the new generation of European-based business gurus. He cuts through the madness and hyperbole surrounding the global economy and his appeal is truly global. Jonas has attained tremendous media coverage throughout the world. The 2005 Thinkers 50, the bi-annual global ranking of management thinkers, ranked him (and his colleague Nordström) at number nine internationally and as the leading European business guru.

“Rebel with a cause”

Dr. Jonas Ridderstrale has been ranked among the top 50 most influential business thinkers

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The First Female Anchor of the Prime Time Italian Rai News & Author

Lilli Gruber is a journalist and writer. She is a highly respected journalist for foreign affairs, specialised in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and gulf wars. Lilli is a member of the European Parliament and is chairman of the delegation for the relationships with the states of the Gulf; member of the commission for the civil rights, the justice and the internal affairs and member of the delegation for the relationships with Iran.

“An Italian Media Pioneer”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1987 Lilli Gruber became the first female anchor to present the TG1, Italy’s most popular television news. In 1988, she became international political correspondent for RAI, covering events such as the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the war in the former Yugoslavia, the situation in the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the Iraqi war. Lilli has worked for the Italian daily newspaper La Stampa, and for Io Donna, the women’s magazine of Italy’s leading newspaper Corriere della Sera, and for magazines Tv Sorrisi e Canzoni and Anna.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Lilli uses her considerable experience to entertain and educate decision makers from all fields with her insight into world events, many of which she has witnessed firsthand.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Lilli is a well known face to television viewers. She is an experienced speaker and continues to be in great demand at a variety of prestigious events.[/expand]
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Former Chairman and Chief Executive of GE

John Francis “Jack” Welch Jr.’s twenty years as CEO of General Electric created history. He is now recognized as one of the greatest business leaders. During his leadership the company’s market value increased an incredible $387 billion, with his innovations and ideas making him their most influential CEO. Jack retired from General Electric in 2001 and now serves as a consultant to a small group of Fortune 500 business CEOs.

“Manager of the Century”
– Fortune magazine (1999)

[expand title=”In detail”] After 10 years with GE Jack was elected the company’s youngest Vice President and was named Vice Chairman in 1979. He became the eighth Chairman and CEO in 1981. Upon publication in 2001 his autobiography lead the bestseller lists from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com, USA Today Non-Fiction and the Association of Independent Booksellers. In 2006 Jack Welch gave his name to Sacred Heart University’s College of Business.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Jack’s genius is his natural capacity to communicate with people and is acclaimed for his insights on how businesses and people can achieve excellence. His tremendous leadership and inspirational skills made him into one of the most successful business leaders of all time.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In anecdotal detail and with self-effacing humour, Jack Welch delivers his message in interviews with a fire and pragmatism honed through his vast experience as the leader of the world’s biggest business. His down to earth, direct and powerful style make him highly sought after at events worldwide.[/expand]
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Leading Expert on Economic, Social, Political Issues

Carlo Ungaro is an Italian ambassador and retired Diplomatic Officer who has served in a variety of postings in Africa, Asia and Europe. From 2005 to 2007 he was the political adviser to the Italian contingent of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Herat, Afghanistan and served as head of the Italian Diplomatic Delegation to Somalia. Ungaro has published a book of short stories ‘Il Manuale del Perfetto Diplomatico’ and, recently an article in the International Herald Tribune on Afghanistan.

“A renowned and respected expert on economy and politics”

[expand title=”In detail”] During his five-year-stay in the Balkans, Carlo Ungaro opened the Headquarter of the European Community Monitoring Mission in Croatia. In Albania he served as diplomatic advisor to the Italian led multilateral military contingent, and then, with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Croatia and, finally as head of the OSCE Spillover Mission in Skopje. He was also Counselor in Kuala Lumpur, Consul General in Rotterdam, and served as a junior diplomat in Kinshasa, and as Vice Consul in Bedford (England).[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Carlo Ungaro has a wide experience as consultant in issues such as social, political and economic developments in Central Asia and the Balkans, also in the light of gender issues and protection of ethnic minorities.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Carlo Ungaro is an engaging and insightful communicator. His presentations are an in depth analysis of economic, political and social issues masterfully delivered for audiences around the globe.[/expand]
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General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Legal and Government Affairs at Apple

Bruce Sewell is highly successful lawyer who specialises in global business development, international competition and intellectual property. He is currently the General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Legal and Government Affairs at Apple. He was previously Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Intel Corporation where he supervised a team of roughly 600 attorneys and policy professionals located in over 30 countries around the world. He was recently profiled in Fortune and is also a regular contributor for the Wall Street Journal.

“One of the 100 Most Influential Lawyers” California Lawyer magazine and the legal Daily Journal (2006)

[expand title=”In detail”] Mr Sewell joined Intel in 1995 as a senior attorney assigned to counsel various business groups in areas such as antitrust compliance, licensing, and intellectual property. In 2001, he was promoted to vice president and deputy general counsel. In that role he managed Intel’s litigation portfolio, and handled corporate transactions, including M&A activities. He took over as only the third general counsel in Intel’s history in November 2004 and was appointed Senior Vice President in 2005.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Dynamic and focused Bruce Sewell offers audiences valuable insights into the intricate world of corporate responsibility. He also uses his considerable expertise to explain in plain English the legal complexities of intellectual property rights and the ins and outs of international competition issues. He shows organisations how to create and retain wealth in today’s innovation economies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Mr Sewell enjoys using new media (audio and video) in his engaging presentations and dots the landscape with interesting visual aids.[/expand]
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