The Leading Speakers Bureau

Renowned Conductor

Itay Talgam is a prominent and internationally renowned Israeli orchestral conductor. He is also a speaker and workshop leader who believes that, in the orchestra as in the work place, music has the power to create community and reinforce shared values. Music embodies knowledge and innovation, individual effort and collective achievement, and offers a work-environment that is full of opportunities for excellence and self-actualization – same as any. successful business.

“After a decade-long conducting career in his native Israel, Itay has reinvented himself as a conductor of people in business”

[expand title=”In detail”] Itay Talgam received his Artist Diploma in conducting from the Jerusalem Rubin Academy and studied General Philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, winning his degree “Cum Laude”. His International Conductor’s Debut took place in 1987, when he was chosen by Leonard Bernstein to perform in a special concert with the Orchestre de Paris. Since that highly successful performance, Talgam conducted many orchestras in Europe – being the first Israeli conductor to perform with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and with the Leipzig Opera house. He also performed in the United States, and, naturally, conducted and recorded many times with all of Israel’s major orchestras, including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Israeli Opera, Jerusalem Symphony, and the Israel Chamber Orchestra.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Itay Talgam finds metaphors for organizational behaviour – and models for inspired leadership – within the workings of the symphony orchestra. Imagining music as a model for all spheres of human creativity, from the classroom to the boardroom, he has created the Maestro Program of seminars and keynote speeches that aim to help everyday people develop a musician’s sense of collaboration, and a conductor’s sense of leadership. He expertly transfers his knowledge to corporations that need to manage creativity and innovation in the company.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Using a range of innovative techniques, Itay’s energetic and thought-provoking speeches challenge standard thinking and offer participants a fresh perspective on a range of organizational issues and work styles.[/expand]
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Internet Entrepreneur, CEO of Reputation.com

Michael Fertik is the founder and CEO of Reputation.com, the world’s leading provider on online privacy and reputation management services. He is a member of the World Economic Forum Agenda Council on Internet Security and a recipient of the WEF Technology Pioneer 2011 Award. He was named an EIR at Harvard University in 2012. He was most recently named Entrepreneur of the Year by TechAmerica, an annual award given by the technology industry to an individual they feel embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that made the U.S. technology sector a global leader.

“He is lauded as the world’s leading cyber-thinker in digital privacy and reputation”

[expand title=”In detail”] Michael is a member of the Advisory Board of the Internet Keepsafe Coalition, a non-profit organisation seeking to protect safety of youth online. He lectures internationally and is an industry commentator with guest columns in Harvard Business Review, Reuters and Newsweek. He has become a highly respected expert in digital reputation and privacy. Frequently quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Financial Times.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As a consummate expert in the emerging field of online identity management, Michael helps businesses and consumers control their online lives. The growth of the Internet has made managing online reputation a necessity. He provides individuals and businesses with the necessary tools to define their online image. His presentations will help corporate clients to keep control of their brands and reputation on the internet.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Michael is a young, passionate and innovative speaker. His words touch audiences providing a shot of energy and an update on what is happening in the virtual world. Highly inspiring and thought provoking in his approach, he enthuses his listeners all over the world.[/expand]
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Finance & Economics Expert, Founder and CEO of Beyond Global

Sandra Navidi is a leading international strategic consultant. She is the founder and CEO of BeyondGlobal, a company, which provides strategic advice to financial institutions and corporations seeking to optimally position themselves in international capital markets. Formerly, she was Director of research strategies and senior relationship manager at Roubini Global Economics.

“We have moved beyond the global paradigm to a model that rewards insight, capability and speed.” Sandra Navidi

[expand title=”In detail”] Sandra holds a law degree and a Master-of-Law Degree in Banking Corporate and Finance law. She is admitted to the practice of law in Germany as well as in the U.S. Sandra continues to work closely with Professor Nouriel Roubini and her former team at Roubini Global Economics. Until 2001, she was a manager in the international capital markets department at Deloitte & Touche in Germany, where she specialised in alternative investment structures. Thereafter, Sandra moved to New York to accept a position as General Counsel at Muzinich & Company, a $6 billion alternative asset management company. Her numerous responsibilities included the creation of innovative fund structures for institutional clients and resolving international regulatory issues.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Building on Sandra’s financial expertise and global top-level relationships, she helps clients navigate successfully through today’s evolving economies, markets and regulatory policies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Undoubtedly of highest economic pedigree, Sandra is in frequent demand to keynote summits and conferences around the globe.[/expand]
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Entrepreneur and Pioneer in Impact Philanthropy, Social Justice

Mark Florman is Chief Executive of The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association. Mark joined BVCA after a thirty year career in business, including the private equity sector, and an involvement in an array of political, cultural and charitable activities. Mark was a Senior Deputy Treasurer of the Conservative Party and last year became Chairman of the Centre for Social Justice, a think-tank which pioneers new approaches to combat poverty at home and abroad. He remains non-executive Vice Chairman of 8 Miles, a new private equity business for Africa

“He provides the private equity and venture capital sector with energetic leadership in pursuit of its objectives”

[expand title=”In detail”] Mark started his career with The Northern Trust Bank of Chicago before joining County Bank and then Enskilda Securities. In 1992, Mark created and was CEO of Maizels, Westerberg and Co. which became one of the leading independent investment banks in Europe. He sold the company in 2000 to create ArosMaizels, one of the largest investment banks in the Nordic region, where he was the COO. From 2001 to 2008, Mark was a Senior Principal at Doughty Hanson, the private equity and venture capital business. He was Vice Chairman and then Chairman of LM Glasfiber, now the world’s leading manufacturer of blades and components for the wind turbine industry.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Mark Florman is an advocate of transparency and best practice in business for many years, recognising the role of business in contributing to social progress. He also offers insights on how the private equity climate in the UK and Europe is likely to change over the next few years with respect to the on-going sovereign debt crisis and the likelihood of a lengthy recession across the continent.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A charismatic and respected business leader, Mark Florman’s presentations are insightful, powerful and challenging.[/expand]
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The Most Influential Green Architect in the World

William McDonough is an internationally renowned designer and one of the primary proponents and shapers of what he and his partners call ‘The Next Industrial Revolution.’ In 2007, he was elected an International Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and is part of the Management Committee of HRH The Prince of Wales’s Business & The Environment Programme at Cambridge University.

Mr. McDonough works with corporations to redesign buildings, processes and products to work according to nature’s rules

[expand title=”In detail”] Mr. McDonough’s serves as U.S. Chairman and member of the Board of Councillors of the China-U.S. Center for Sustainable Development. From 1994-1999, Mr. McDonough was the Edward E. Elson Professor of Architecture and Dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia. He designed the city-sized Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan, where he installed the world’s largest green roof, saving the company millions a year in utility costs alone. He is also the master planner behind seven new, entirely green cities in China. In his practical-minded, nature-inspired projects he employs sustainable principles that are both beautiful and cost-effective; principles that have caught on worldwide.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Mr. McDonough’s leadership in sustainable development is recognized widely, both in the U.S. and internationally, and he has written and lectured extensively on his design philosophy and practice. He was commissioned in 1991 to write The Hannover Principles: Design for Sustainability as guidelines for the City of Hannover’s EXPO 2000, and in 1993 to give the Centennial Sermon at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. More recently, Mr. McDonough and Michael Braungart co-authored ‘Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things’. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In his fascinating talks, delivered with eloquence and a very dry sense of humour, McDonough draws on his stunning body of work to provide you with strategies toward absolute sustainability in all industries. He also explains his influential cradle to cradle design process, in which products can be used, recycled, and used again without losing any material quality.[/expand]
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One of the World’s Most Influential Social & Political Philosophers

Francis Fukuyama has worked at several prominent think tanks and public policy organizations, has served the U.S. Department of State in posts related to Middle East affairs, and is a 2002 appointee to the President’s Council on Bioethics. He is the Bernard L. Schwartz Professor of International Political Economy at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of Johns Hopkins University, and the director of SAIS’ International Development Program. He is also chairman of the editorial board of the magazine, The American Interest.

Prof. Fukuyama’s work has attracted worldwide attention

[expand title=”In detail”] After graduating from Cornell University and Harvard, he was a member of the Political Science Department of the RAND Corporation for over 10 years and professor of public policy at George Mason University. He worked in the US Department of State in Middle East affairs and was deputy director for European political-military affairs. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rand Corporation, of the Board of Governors of the Pardee Rand Graduate School, and of the advisory boards of the Journal of Democracy, the Inter-American Dialogue, The New America Foundation, Evolutionary Psychology and FINCA. As of July 2010, he is Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Historian and author of a number of important scholarly and popular works, Francis Fukuyama offers fascinating insights into issues relating to questions concerning democratization and international political economy and the transition into an information economy. Few thinkers have so strongly influenced the direction of modern social and political philosophy and public policy as Francis Fukuyama. He offers a valuable history of the ideas, people and actions that have brought us to this intersection and new ideas about how to relate to the rest of the world.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Francis Fukuyama is in constant demand around the world in the media and as a highly informative, knowledgeable and eloquent speaker.[/expand]
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Professor of African Development at the LSE

Professor Thandika Mkandawire is an economist with a keen interest in the promotion of comparative research on development issues. He is former Director of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development and the first person to take on the new position of Chair in African Development at the London School of Economics (LSE). He currently holds the Olof Palme Professor for Peace with the Institute for Future Studies in Stockholm.

“An economist with many years’ experience in the promotion of comparative research on development issues.”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prof. Mkandawire was formerly Director of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Development Research in Copenhagen and has taught at the Universities of Stockholm and Zimbabwe. His research interests are mostly in development theory, economic policy and development and social policy in developing countries and political economy of development in Africa.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Professor Mkandawire offers audiences an extensive insight into the role of African intellectuals; social policy in a development context; African perspectives on structural adjustment; Africa’s re-industrialisation; aid, accountability and democracy; and transformative social policy in developing countries.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Professor Mkandawire’s presentations are customised to fit the needs of the clients to whom he is speaking. His messages are powerful and effective, delivered in his personal, yet highly professional style.[/expand]
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Founder of craigslist & Philanthropist

Craig Newmark is a self-described nerd, pioneer of the Web, speaker, philanthropist, and a strong advocate of the use of technology for the public good. He is the founder of craigslist, which he started in 1995 and is now one of the world’s most-visited websites with around 50 billion page views per month

“One of the world’s most recognised internet entrepreneurs”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 2011 he founded craigconnects, his personal Web-based initiative to stand up for organizations “getting stuff done” in areas Craig is passionate about. These include veterans and military families, open government, public diplomacy, back-to-basics journalism and fact-checking, consumer protection, and technology for the public good. Craig currently serves on the board of directors of the Center for Public Integrity, Sunlight Foundation, Consumers Union/Consumer Reports, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. He also serves as an advisor on the use of technology to more than a dozen other non-profit organizations and government agencies.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Craig’s aim is to extend the reach of technology worldwide, by giving a voice to the voiceless and real power to the powerless, delivering his craigconnects message to audiences nationwide. From the lectern Craig will speak about becoming an “accidental entrepreneur,” the way he describes the founding of Craigslist. He will also speak about utilizing the power of technology to transform, unite and uplift the public.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Craig’s presentations are delivered with clarity and provide foresight about what’s going on in the networked world. He interacts with people and likes getting directly engaged.[/expand]
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President of the Institute for the World Economy Dennis Snower

Dennis Snower is an American economist and renowned expert on world economy and economic policy. He is Professor of Economics at the University of Kiel, Germany and President of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy since 2004. He has published extensively on employment policy, the design of welfare systems, monetary and fiscal policy.

“A global authority on world economy”

[expand title=”In detail”] Dennis Snower earned his BA and MA from New College, Oxford University and an MA and a PhD at Princeton University. Prior to becoming President of the Kiel Institute, he was Professor of Economics at Birkbeck College, University of London. He has been a visiting professor at many universities around the world, including Columbia, Princeton, Dartmouth, Harvard, the European University Institute, Stockholm University and the Vienna Institute of Advanced Studies. He has advised the European Commission and various OECD countries on employment policy and welfare state policy and has consulted for the IMF, the UN, the OECD and the World Bank.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations Dennis Snower gives a realistic outlook of the current global economic situation and the role of markets and Governments. His remarks are highly valued by business leaders and organisations all over the globe.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His inspiring and thought-provoking presentations make him a highly sought after speaker at prestigious conferences.[/expand]
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Chairman of the board and CEO of Conservation International

Peter A. Seligmann is one of today’s most dynamic leaders in the global conservation movement, where he has brought innovation and action to the forefront of biodiversity protection for more than 25 years. In 1987, he co-founded Conservation International, and as Chairman and CEO he has positioned CI at the cutting edge of conservation, creating lasting solutions to biodiversity and sustainable development challenges.

[expand title=”In detail”] Seligmann holds a masters degree from Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Science and an honorary Doctorate in Science from Michigan State University. In 2001, he was awarded the Order of the Golden Ark from the Netherlands. Seligmann serves on the board of the Wild Salmon Center in Portland, Oregon, and the Mayor’s Environmental Council in Washington, D.C. He also serves on several corporate boards, as well as on the advisory councils of the Jackson Hole Land Trust, Ecotrust and other not-for-profit organizations, including the Japanese Keidanren’s Nature Conservation Fund. In 2000, President Clinton named him a member of the Enterprise for the Americas Board.

Seligmann’s work has been featured by ABC’s “Nightline,” CNN and Fortune Magazine. A strong advocate of building partnerships, Seligmann has forged groundbreaking joint projects between the environmental community and other sectors, including government and industry. In 1998, CI established the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, and in 2001, the Center for Environmental Leadership in Business. In 2000, CI launched the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund in collaboration with the World Bank and the MacArthur Foundation.

Under Seligmann’s leadership, CI has pioneered conservation tools that are economically sound, scientifically based and culturally sensitive. He has guided CI to become a major international conservation leader, with field offices in more than 30 countries, and major influences in science and business. [/expand]
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