The Leading Speakers Bureau

CEO at Ortiz Industry Inc and Former Global Creative Director at Nike

Claire Ortiz is CEO and cofounder of “intelligent fashion” company Ortiz Industry, Inc. For more than 25 years, Claire has built infrastructure and led teams in startup environments and global corporations like Nike, Wilson and UnderArmour. She has garnered a reputation for her entrepreneurial edge and ability to transform brands into major revenue generators. As Global Creative Director at Nike, Claire was hired by basketball legend Michael Jordan to turn Brand Jordan Apparel into a success. She carved out distribution channels and partnerships across the U.S., Asia and Europe.

“A respected apparel-industry executive”

[expand title=”In detail”] Claire’s design background matches her entrepreneurial expertise. She is a self-taught designer who created and sold her own successful label, Smoke Street Couture, in her early 20s. At 26, she was hired by the founder of Esprit Des Corps to be Director of Design, heading the design of all women’s products in the U.S. She also led creative and product development at Eddie Bauer and AirWalk, as well as brands like VH1 and MTV. Claire is a highly sought after speaker and consultant, with clients like MagicSourcing, SPG, Babolat, Tennis Warehouse, Men Chuen Fibre, numerous schools and universities and several others.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Claire Ortiz shares with audiences around the world her ability to transform brands into major revenue generators. Her expertise is based in building infrastructures, creating in depth Idea to Consumer roadmaps, execution strategies for large and small brands, as well as reorganizing teams, building marketing and marketing strategies. She is also known in her industry as ‘the fixer’. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Claire is a persuasive and charismatic speaker who has a tremendous knack for making ideas come to life in an easily digestible way. Her presentations are delivered in her natural ‘real talk’ style and a bit of comedy to make audiences feel at ease, especially on complex topics.[/expand]

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Associate Professor of Mathematics

Talithia Williams is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College. Her research focuses on developing dynamic statistical models that emphasize the spatial and temporal structure of data with environmental applications. Dr. Williams discovered that by listening to her body -temperature, blood pressure, heart rate – all are forms of data that can help us understand our bodies and recognize when something is going wrong, enabling our doctors to better diagnose us.

“Renowned Statistician”

[expand title=”In detail”] Dr. Williams joined the Harvey Mudd College faculty in 2008 after receiving her B.S. in Mathematics from Spelman College, her M.A. in Mathematics from Howard University, and her Ph.D. in Statistics from Rice University. Her professional experiences include research appointments at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the National Security Agency (NSA), and NASA. She has been recognised for the development of a cataract model used to predict the cataract surgical rate for developing countries in Africa. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Dr. Williams’ talk will explore how each of us can begin to collect data about ourselves that can provide insight into our personal health. She will also examine the applications of statistics and give examples of where statistics can be successfully used.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Dr. Williams’ high content tailored presentations are always well received. Her messages are concise and informative, delivered in her personal, yet highly professional style. [/expand]

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Former CEO of Aveda, Senior Executive at Nike & Reebok, Executive Coach, Productivity, Leadership & Diversity Expert

Marilyn Tam is a Speaker, Author, Consultant, Board Certified Executive/Corporate Coach, CEO of Marilyn Tam & Co. and Founder and Executive Director of Us Foundation. She is a contributing writer to Huffington Post and also has a weekly radio show, The Happiness Choice on FMG network, with 35 million listeners globally and features experts on how to live a happy, healthy, successful, and dynamically balanced life. Marilyn has been recognized as one of the Top 30 Female Entrepreneurs in the USA by Fempreneur magazine.

“One of the four most prominent names in Ethical Business globally” Brand Channel

[expand title=”In detail”] Marilyn was formerly the CEO of Aveda Corp., President of Reebok Apparel and Retail Group; Vice President of Nike Inc. and also a successful entrepreneur who has built four companies. Marilyn is featured in many documentary movies including GLOW Project, The Compass, Tapping the Source, and FEMME for her accomplishments and inner wisdom. Marilyn’s book, ‘The Happiness Choice’, has won the Silver Medal of the Global eBook Awards.
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[expand title=”What she offers you”]From child labourer to CEO, Marilyn has had an extraordinarily diverse life, from her beginnings in a traditional Chinese family in Hong Kong to her meteoric rise in the international business world to become an influential corporate leader and respected humanitarian. Marilyn helps people and organisations to find and fulfil their life purpose, and provides them with the principles and actions to take them to their goals. Her NPR (Net Promoter Score), the industry standard for measuring customer satisfaction, from her clients is among the highest rated of all speakers.

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[expand title=”How she presents”]Marilyn is a powerful and effective speaker who despite her achievements is a very humble individual, who delivers customized presentations and is in frequent demand at prestigious events around the globe. Her captivating and informative stories are truly inspirational.[/expand]

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Co-Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize 2014

Malala Yousafazai is a courageous advocate for universal education and girls rights. Targeted for her brave activism, in 2012 the Taliban boarded her school bus and shot her and two other girls. After the shooting, Malala was flown from her home in Pakistan to the UK to recover. She is now back at school and continues to campaign for every child’s right to education. In 2014, at the age of just 17, Malala received the Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.

“A global symbol for girls’ rights and global education”

[expand title=”In detail”] Malala first came to attention in 2009 after she wrote an anonymous diary for BBC Urdu about life under Taliban rule in north-west Pakistan. The following year a journalist from the NYT made a documentary about her life and Malala rose in prominence giving interviews in print and on TV. In 2013 she spoke at the headquarters of the United Nations to call for worldwide access to education. The Times Magazine named her One of the Most Influential People and was awarded the EU’s prestigious Sakharov human rights prize. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Malala brings awareness to world and business leaders to the social and economic impact of education. She empowers people to raise their voices, to unlock their potential and to demand change. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Her eye-opening message and her extraordinary courage make Malala Yousafazai an acclaimed ambassador for human rights and education.[/expand]

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Leading Space Scientist and BBC Presenter

Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a space scientist whose passion is presenting science to a general audience to make them participate in and enjoy science. Her programme Do We Really Need the Moon? on BBC 2, which explored our intimate relationship with the moon, showed just that. The programme earned Maggie the talkback Thames new talent award at the prestigious Women in Film and TV Awards in 2011. Maggie is currently presenting the new series of Sky At Night on BBC 4 and Mini Stargazing for Cbeebies.

“One of the UK’s top 100 most influential scientists”

[expand title=”In detail”] Maggie obtained her degree in Physics and her PhD in Mechanical Engineering. To further share her love of science, Maggie has set up her own company Science Innovation Ltd. Through this she conducts “Tours of the Universe” and other public engagement activities, showing school children and adults the wonders of space. Maggie has just produced a film called Space in the UK, which features her on a “Big Brother” spaceship on a journey to Mars. Maggie has a Science in Society Fellowship from the STFC.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In her illuminating and inspiring presentations Maggie Aderin-Pocock shares invaluable insights on how science and technology affects our lives. Her remarks are of great interest for decision makers from all businesses.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A passionate scientist and outstanding communicator, Maggie Aderin-Pocock brings tremendous enthusiasm about science to each event.[/expand]

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German Olympic Figure Skater

Katarina Witt is a German Olympic figure skater and model. Always looking for new challenges, she is continually taking on new directions in her work, adding to her experience thus far as an Olympic figure skater, producer, moderator, actress and author. Katarina is also the founder of production agency WITH WITT Sports & Entertainment GmbH in 1995. This enterprise set new standards in the market of figure skating production.

“One of the most successful skaters of all time”

[expand title=”In detail”] Katarina’s biography and her career as a figure skater are incomparable and unique. Besides two Olympic victories, she became the World Champion four times, the European Champion six times, and the National Champion eight times. Following the 1988 World Championships, her successful amateur career came to a close. She then toured for three years as the headliner in her own show Witt and Boitano Skating which was so successful, that Madison Square Garden in New York was sold out for the first time in its history. She has toured America and Canada for 10 years as a guest star in the American figure-skating shows “Stars on Ice and Champions on Ice, while also participating in countless professional international competitions. She has worked as a figure skating expert during world championships and Olympic Games for American and German TV channels.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Katarina uses her expertise and insight to motivate, stimulate and inspire her audiences.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Katarina is an intelligent and direct presenter, with a calm and friendly style. She is a dynamic and well liked communicator.[/expand]

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TV Personality and Leadership Facilitator

After three decades working on stage, TV and radio, Ruby Wax has changed direction. Having completed an MSc in Psychotherapy, Ruby now provides workshops to corporate leaders enabling them to come to a deeper and more direct level of communication with their clients and colleagues. The workshops combine humour with scientific and theoretical learning and practical exercises. Participants leave with a set of tools to help create a climate of positivity, creating more effective teams of people, directly impacting their organisation.

“Often provocative & sometimes controversial Ruby has become one of the most recognised TV personalities”

[expand title=”In detail”] After arriving in Britain in 1977 and training as an actress, Ruby began her career acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company before developing her own brand of highly amusing “attitude TV”. In addition to performing and presenting Ruby has contributed, written and edited numerous scripts for TV shows such as French and Saunders, Happy Families and Absolutely Fabulous. With her outrageous show, Ruby Wax Meets, she has broken all the rules and conventions and created some of TV’s most memorable moments.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Ruby is upfront, sassy and with a reputation for posing questions no one else would think to ask. Having performed stand-up comedy and toured extensively, her TV shows get under the skin of celebrity and seek out the wackier side of life. She is in demand, not only for dinner speaking and entertainment, but also moderating conferences, where a sharp brain, wittiness and humour is of essence.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Ruby is amusing, engaging and open. Her brash style has been described as refreshing, charming, endearing and very funny.[/expand]

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Chilean-American Acclaimed Novelist

Isabel Allende is an internationally acclaimed author considered to be part of the Latin American feminist literary awakening. Born in Lima, Peru, she grew up in Chile and travelled around the world as the daughter of a Chilean diplomat. She is best known for her epic and highly autobiographical novel ‘The House of Spirits’, which was later released as a motion picture in 1993.

“A genius” The Los Angeles Times

[expand title=”In detail”] Isabel Allende worked with the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization in Santiago, then later in Brussels, Belgium, and in Europe. For a brief period in Chile, she also had a job translating Romance novels from English to Spanish. Reportedly, the CIA-backed military coup in 1973 “changed everything” for her because “her name meant she was caught up in finding safe passage for those on the wanted lists”. In 2006, she was one of the eight flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Her novels have been translated into 30 languages and sold more than 51 million copies.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Isabel has lectured, done extensive book tours and has taught literature at several US colleges. In her writing, Allende deals with politics, history, and social institutions in a way that is all but passive. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Isabel’s presentations give fascinating insights into how she is guided by a vision of a world in which women have achieved social and economic justice. This vision includes empowerment of women and girls and protection of women and children. [/expand]

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Adventurer, Author, Entrepreneur & TV Presenter

Debra Searle is a hugely popular motivational speaker and conference facilitator. The media worldwide went crazy for the story of the 5ft 5″ young lady who carried on rowing the Atlantic solo when her husband, a 6 ft 5″ experienced oarsman, left the boat after developing an uncontrollable fear of the ocean. Yet, she dared to believe and 111 days later she rowed into Port St Charles, Barbados, to a rapturous welcome. She set out in January 2010 to compete in the Ladies Cup of the 2010 Rally Monte Carlo Historique.

“Britain’s latest sporting heroine” – The Times

[expand title=”In detail”] Debra Searle has achieved more than most people would dream of achieving in a lifetime: a first class honours degree, medals at World Championship level with the Great Britain Dragon Boat Team, entrepreneurial success with the launch of her online art consultancy ‘The Well Hung Art Company’, had her first book published, successfully rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean and has received an MBE from the Queen. Her ease in front of the camera, drive and enthusiasm has led to a number of presenting opportunities. She has recently completed work for BBC Grandstand, CBBC Education, was the subject of a documentary for BBC Extreme Lives and presented a 1-hour ITV documentary on the Southampton Boat Show.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Debra’s overwhelming ‘positivity’ and ‘go for it’ attitude are contagious, while her modesty is endearing. Often very emotive, she shares her highs and lows, personal battles and victories, to help illustrate in a very human way what we are all capable of. Since completing her Atlantic crossing she has charmed audiences with her highly articulate, open and emotional accounts of her exploits and particularly the departure of her husband. She sets herself apart from other speakers with her level of commitment to each project.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]In her presentations Debra powerfully illustrates her ideas with slides and stunning video footage and leaves her audience in no doubt of their own ability to achieve the extraordinary. She is entertaining, articulate, attractive, adaptable and totally inspirational.[/expand]

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Leading Nutritionist, Author and Successful Entrepreneur

Vicki Edgson is one of the UK’s foremost nutritionists and spokesperson for women and health. Having trained at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, Vicki has run a private nutritional therapy and naturopathic clinic in West London for the last 15 years and travels extensively around the country speaking at lectures and seminars. She works with a variety of health conditions through dietary planning, health screening, blood tests and saliva tests to determine vitamin and mineral deficiencies and hormone imbalances. She regularly writes for the national press, women’s glossies and health magazines.

“Putting passion into nutrition and making sense of healthy living”

[expand title=”In detail”] Vicki’s expertise with the principles of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine and Naturapathic integrated medicine make her a leading authority in the design of products, and spa packages across the world. Her affiliations include originally co-founding The Food Doctor and developing many of the original food recipes for which they are now so well know; launching the Nutritionist Range for L’Oreal Garnier in the UK and Paris. She was also instrumental in developing the more stringent food policies for BBC Worldwide children’s licenced food products. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Vicki Edgson has a strong motivational message which is that it takes only one small change to make a difference. She feels passionately about how taking control of one’s lifestyle and nutrition can re-energise and motivate, as well as enable people to rediscover their zest for life at any age. Vicki is living proof that with the right diet you can successfully combat stress, feel re-energised and happy, and achieve a good life balance.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Vicki’s energy and vitality are infectious; with her combination of sound practical lifestyle advice and undefeatable optimism, she proves an adept guide on how to motivate and inspire in the workplace. Vicki is synonymous with health, beauty and vitality.[/expand]

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