The Leading Speakers Bureau

Assistant Professor – Media Speaker at the Media Laboratory

Patty Maes is an Associate Professor at MIT’s Media Laboratory, where she founded and directs the Autonomous Agents Group. She currently holds the Sony Corporation Career Development Chair. Previously, she was a visiting Professor and a Research Scientist at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Pattie Maes received her Ph. D. in Computer Science at the University of Brussels.

Global Leader for Tomorrow” World Economic Forum 2000

[expand title=”In detail”] Patty is also particularly interested in building autonomous agents that interact with people. She is one of the project leaders for the ALIVE project (Artificial Life Interactive Video Environment). This project allows a user to interact in real-time with 3D animated autonomous characters.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Patty offers audiences an global perspective of her ground breaking research aimed at businesses wishing to compete successfully in the 21st century economy.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]An affable and charismatic personality, the soft spoken Belgian is highly sought after by clients keen to hear her fact packed and innovative presentations.[/expand]
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Professional Facilitator, Consultant and Author, Leading Authority on Leadership

Kate Sweetman is co-author of ‘Leadership Code: 5 Rules to Lead By’ and an experienced leadership consultant, educator, author, editor, and speaker. Currently an instructor at MIT’s Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship, she collaborates with gifted young entrepreneurs from emerging and developing countries including India, Rwanda, Colombia, Vietnam, Venezuela, Zimbabwe and North Africa. While an editor at Harvard Business Review, Kate acquired and edited articles by top business executives, academics, and consultants around the globe on the topics of business creativity, organizational change and development, leadership psychology, teamwork, and social enterprise.

“The organization’s leadership moves from the outside in, and the individual leader’s strength moves from the inside out”

[expand title=”In detail”] Kate Sweetman is a founding partner of Sweetman Consulting, LLC, an education and organizational development firm based in Milton, MA. In addition to her career in executive and management education, she has worked in publishing and academics. She was also a Research Associate at Harvard Business School, and later taught the Management Communications course there. Kate has a BA in English from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Kate Sweetman’s speciality is crafting customized cases around issues of leadership, strategy, organizational development, and implementation that help organizations look at themselves, what they do well, and what they need to improve. She has written hundreds of cases, scenarios, vignettes, role plays, scripts and other creative materials designed to open up essential discussions around strategy, leadership, and organizational behaviours.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Kate Sweetman’s ability to bring the best out of herself and others in front of audiences has been appreciated by clients including Citigroup, Novartis, Verizon, Johnson & Johnson, British Petroleum Exploration and AstraZeneca among others. She is also part of our Top Leadership speakers.[/expand]
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Former Senior Director of Trends & Strategy at Philips Design, Recognized Authority on Social & Cultural Change

Josephine Green is an internationally aclaimed speaker in the field of social and cultural change and innovation having been Senior Director of Trends and Strategy at Philips Design from 1997 to 2009, responsible for research into Society, Cultures and People and its implementation into the Strategic Futures Programme. She pioneered the Strategic Futures Program that helps companies and organizations think about and implement a human focused approach to innovation and growth. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the European Futurists Conference Lucerne and has worked both in international sales and marketing and in futures and social research for advanced strategy.

“Josephine promotes new thinking & new knowledge in the specific field of Social Foresight for Strategy & Innovation”

[expand title=”In detail”] Josephine Green studied History and Politics at Warwick University, England. She has consistently worked with customers to introduce new thinking and sustainable development into their culture and processes. She has given many international presentations, and lectures at a number of universities’ masters and executive courses.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]A consultant for a number of European Futures programmes and advisory boards, Josephine Green promotes working in emerging social space both as an opportunity and as a necessity and sees design and the new technologies as important enablers towards more social and sustainable solutions for the 21st century. Her main focus is on the critical transformation we are experiencing as we journey from one way of thinking, of being and of doing (the techno-industrial era) to another (the socio-ecological era).[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]An inspiring speaker, Josephine Green’s passion is now in promoting new thinking and new knowledge in the specific field of Social Foresight and Innovation which she does in a clear and frank manner.[/expand]
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Global Entrepreneur, Strategic Marketing & Media Consultant

Christina Vlahova is a Strategic Marketing and Media consultant, Global entrepreneur and Marketing speaker. She is networking her business between India, Eastern Europe and Italy. Owner of Intellecta Srl – Strategic Marketing and Media consultancy, Christina has an extensive marketing experience having been marketing director of Coca-Cola and Western Union in Europe. She utilizes a lot of the online media and social networking sites to challenge our concepts of geographical distances, what is possible in the business world and how to establish new businesses.

“Anything that is of value in life only multiplies when it is given” Deepak Chopra

[expand title=”In detail”] Bulgarian born Christina Vlahova graduated from high school in India and had her Master’s in Advertising in the US. She has lived and worked in different countries, which contributes to her understanding that the world is as distant as we make it in our own minds. Christina is a jury member of the Bulgaria Effie Awards in Bulgaria and the Moscow International Advertising Festival. One of her latest ventures includes the representation of Bollywood in Europe.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]As a marekting speaker Christina offers you a creative approach to new media and challenges your understanding of what is possible in terms of consumer reach. She empowers small and medium businesses to become big with low-cost online techniques and ideas. In her work and presentations, she applies the traditional marketing techniques and marries that with the opportunities offered by the new media. Very creative, she has fascination for the possibility, which the online media offer to individuals and small businesses to grow.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Christina is very practical and creative marketing speaker, providing vivid examples and generating creative ideas through her interaction with the audiences. A natural presenter, she has a calm and warm demeanor, with a clear and professional style. She is also part of our Top Women keynote speakers. [/expand]
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Financial Journalist & Presenter of Effetto domino on La7

Myrta Merlino is a TV presenter, journalist and producer of numerous television programmes (including Italia Maastricht, Energia, Mister Euro, La storia siamo noi and Economix). She presents the economic affairs TV discussion programme Effetto Domino, broadcast on La7, the private Italian TV channel. She has contributed to Il Mattino and Il Messaggero, reporting on economic policy issues, and is the author of two essays on economics, La moneta and Gli affari nostri.

“Myrta Merlino is a respected and natural presenter”

[expand title=”In detail”] Myrta Merlino presented the economic affairs talk show Economix on RAI Educational and RAI 3 from 2006 to 2009 and prior to that the programmes Italia Maastricht, Energia, Mister Euro and La storia siamo noi. On the RAI Radio 2 programme Alle otto della sera she also presented an in-depth series on the history of money. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Economic journalist, Myrta Merlino is at ease in any media situation, having gained vast experience on TV including her weekly talk show that treats economy in a very simple and interesting way, explaining how economy affects everyday life from macro to micro.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Myrta Merlino always manages to encourage engaging debate using her natural charm, intelligence and warmth.[/expand]
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Lecturer & Researcher Carlos III University, Madrid

Irene Tinagli’s work focuses on policies for innovation, creativity and regional development. She has worked as a consultant for the Department of Social and Economic Affairs of the United Nations, for the European Commission, and for regional governments and development agencies in various European countries.

Irene Tinagli works on two levels: macro and micro”

[expand title=”In detail”] Irene Tinagli holds a Master of Science in Innovation Management and Policies and a PhD in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She has authored and co-authored international publications including ‘Europe in the Creative Age’ (with R. Florida) and ‘Understanding Knowledge Societies’ (with J. Szeremeta) and is an editorialist for the Italian newspaper La Stampa… Her research focuses on the social and economic conditions that lead to creativity and innovation. At the macro level she explores the geographic distribution of human capital and innovative activities and investigates the sources of regional growth, innovation and competitiveness. At the micro level, she explores the psychological mechanisms that attract and retain people in one place and that stimulate them to undertake more creative / innovative activities.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Irene Tinagli’s research is focused on the concept of innovation in social contexts, cities and regions, comparing global trends and local systems. Her invaluable presentations examine how countries and cities are adapting to the 21st century global economy, probing the opportunities and challenges that Europe faces in the global competition for creative and talented people. Her professional activities range from consulting, research projects, to training, executive education and speaking engagements, as well as participation to advisory boards and scientific committees.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Irene Tinagli’s expertly delivered presentations are high in content, clear and informative.[/expand]
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American Novelist, Author of New York Times Bestsellers Committed & Eat, Pray, Love and Spiritual speaker

Elizabeth Gilbert is most famous for her book ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, the story of the year she spent travelling around the world in search of personal restoration after a difficult divorce. The result is a book which has exploded in popularity with women across the planet. She was a staff writer for five years at GQ, where her stories earned her three National Magazine Award nominations. She has also written for such varied publications as The New York Times Magazine (Yoga Y’all!), Allure, Real Simple and Travel and Leisure. She has been a contributor to the public radio show This American Life. Her editor calls her the “Queen of Quirk”.

One of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, 2008

[expand title=”In detail”] After graduating from New York University, Elizabeth Gilbert used money earned at a Philadelphia diner to travel. Coming from an educated, ascetic rural Connecticut upbringing, she came to her writing career with fearless reporting skills, an abiding appreciation for working-class values with an attendant scepticism of politically correct liberalism. Much of her writing has been optioned by Hollywood for potential films; one GQ story, a memoir about Gilbert’s career as a bartender in a lowdown East Village dive (“The Muse of the Coyote Ugly Saloon”) became the basis for the Disney movie Coyote Ugly.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Brilliant and personal, rich in spiritual insight, filled with sorrow and a great sense of humour, Elizabeth Gilbert is everything you would love in a tour guide, of magical places she has travelled to both deep inside and across the oceans: she’s wise, jaunty, human, ethereal, hilarious, heartbreaking, and pays great attention to the things that really matter. She muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses – and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person “being” a genius, all of us “have” a genius.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Expansive, exploratory, playful, bright and armed with a comic’s sense of timing, Elizabeth Gilbert has an awful lot of humour and charm. She also talks the way she writes – with intelligence, wit and not just a shade of the performer behind her expressive and insightful presentations. She delivers funny, personal and surprisingly moving talks.[/expand]
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Philanthropist, World Famous Author & Creator of the Harry Potter Series

Joanne “Jo” Murray OBE better known as J. K. Rowling is perhaps equally famous for her “rags to riches” life story, in which she progressed from living on welfare to multi-millionaire status within five years. The Potter books have gained worldwide attention, won multiple awards, sold more than 400 million copies, and been the basis for a popular series of films. Time magazine named her as a runner-up for its 2007 Person of the Year, noting the social, moral, and political inspiration she has given her fandom.

Forbes ranked J. K. Rowling as the forty-eighth most powerful celebrity of 2007

[expand title=”In detail”] In 2000, graduate of Exeter University, a teacher and then an unemployed single parent, “Jo” established the Volant Charitable Trust, which combats poverty and social inequality and in 2005 founded the Children’s High Level Group. She is the president of the charity One Parent Families. She has received honorary degrees from St Andrews University, the University of Edinburgh, Napier University, the University of Exeter and the University of Aberdeen. The Harry Potter novels have been translated into more than 60 languages.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Perhaps no one in our time has done more than J.K. Rowling to inspire young people to experience the excitement and the sheer joy of reading. She conveys the idea that we do not need magic to transform the world. She emphasizes that we should not be afraid of failure in life as our imaginations are our greatest gifts. She is an experienced speaker, having spoken at prestigious global events including being Harvard University’s principal commencement speaker.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]J. K. Rowling speaks from the heart and provides inspiration to a wide ranging worldwide audience.[/expand]
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Pioneer of “market-based” philanthropy

Jacqueline Novogratz founded and leads Acumen Fund, a nonprofit that takes a businesslike approach to improving the lives of the poor. She’s become a leading voice of the new philanthropy, which emphasizes sustainable bottom-up solutions over traditional top-down aid.

[expand title=”In detail”] One of the most innovative players shaping philanthropy today, Jacqueline Novogratz is redefining the way problems of poverty can be solved around the world. Drawing on her past experience in banking, microfinance and traditional philanthropy, Novogratz has become a leading proponent for financing entrepreneurs and enterprises that can bring affordable clean water, housing and healthcare to poor people so that they no longer have to depend on the disappointing results and lack of accountability seen in traditional charity and old-fashioned aid.

The Acumen Fund, which she founded in 2001, has an ambitious plan: to create a blueprint for alleviating poverty using market-oriented approaches. Indeed, Acumen has more in common with a venture capital fund than a typical nonprofit. Rather than handing out grants, Acumen invests in fledgling companies and organizations that bring critical — often life-altering — products and services to the world’s poor. It’s a fascinating model that’s shaken up philanthropy and investment communities alike. And their success can be traced back to Novogratz herself, who possesses that rarest combination of business savvy and cultural sensitivity. In addition to seeking out sound business models, she places great importance on identifying solutions from within communities rather than imposing them from the outside.

Prior to Acumen Fund, Jacqueline founded and directed The Philanthropy Workshop and The Next Generation Leadership program at the Rockefeller Foundation. She also founded Duterimbere, a microfinance institution in Rwanda. She began her career in international banking with Chase Manhattan Bank. She is currently on the advisory boards of Stanford Graduate School of Business and of Innovations Journal published by MIT Press. She is an Aspen Institute Henry Crown fellow and a Synergos Institute Senior Fellow. She is a frequent speaker at international conferences, including the World Economic Forum, the Clinton Global Initiative and the TED Conference.[/expand]
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Chairman & Former CEO of Xerox Corporation

Anne M. Mulcahy is credited with leading the printer and copier maker out of a deep financial slump earlier in the decade. From 2001 to 2009, she was also CEO and retains the position of chairman. The Wall Street Journal named her one of 50 women to watch in 2005 and Forbes Magazine ranked her at the sixth position among the Most Powerful Women in America in 2005. In 2008, she was selected by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s Best Leaders. She has been selected as CEO of the Year 2008 by Chief Executive magazine.

“One of America’s Best & Courageous Leaders”

[expand title=”In detail”] Anne M. Mulcahy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English / Journalism from Marymount College in Tarrytown, N.Y. In addition to the Xerox board, she is a board director of Catalyst, Citigroup Inc., Fuji Xerox Company, Ltd., Target Corporation, The Washington Post Company, and is the chairman of the corporate governance task force of the Business Roundtable. She began her Xerox career as a field sales representative in 1976 and became chief staff officer in 1997 and corporate senior vice president in 1998. Prior to that, she served as vice president and staff officer for Customer Operations, covering South America and Central America, Europe, Asia and Africa, and China.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Anne Mulcahy provides worldwide audiences with her story of how she successfully led a multibillion-dollar turnaround of Xerox and transformed the business into an innovative digital technology and services enterprise. Central to her strategy is the investment in R&D through good times and bad. She is a superb motivator who can push people to step up their game without demoralizing them in the process. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Anne Mulcahy is a tremendous communicator and a skilled negotiator having persuaded a full 98 of the 100 top executives to stay during the dark periods of the turnaround, and the bulk of them are still with the company today.[/expand]
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