The Leading Speakers Bureau

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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Global Expert on Retail Banking Innovation and Best Selling Author of ‘BANK 2.0’

Brett King is the bestselling author of the groundbreaking book ‘Bank 2.0’ and is a strategic advisor to the global financial services sector. He is the founder of the world’s first direct mobile-only bank Movenbank, a revolutionary new bank that will launch in 2012 and that will redefine and revolutionise retail banking. He also runs User Strategy, a boutique consultancy focused on improving customer interaction for leading financial services companies and businesses.

“Voted as American Banker’s Innovator of the Year in 2012”

[expand title=”In detail”] Brett is an International Judge for the Asian Banker Retail Excellence Awards and for the Middle- East Business Achievement Awards. Previously Brett led the Asia division for Modem Media/Digitas and the E-Business service line for Deloitte. His clients include HSBC, Citigroup, UBS, Standard Chartered, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, EmiratesNBD, BNP Paribas and many more. Brett publishes regularly in his role as industry advisor on Huffington Post, Internet Evolution, FinExtra and his own personal blog Banking4Tomorrow.com. He has been featured on Bloomberg TV, BBC, CNBC, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, The Economist, The Asian Banker Journal and SBC to name a few. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]A keynote speaker at leading global events for financial services and innovation, Brett is an acknowledged expert on innovation, customer experience and channel distribution strategy including understand the fundamental shifts in consumer behaviour. His fresh ideas on how to better reach your customers are of great interest for decision makers from all fields. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An engaging and down to earth speaker, Brett never fails to thought-provoke and inspire his audience.[/expand]
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Co-Founder, China India Institute

Haiyan Wang is Managing Partner of China India Institute, a research and consulting organization with a focus on creating winning global strategies that leverage the transformational rise of China and India. A native of China, she has spent the last twenty years consulting for and managing multinational business operations in China and the US in several different industry sectors.

“It’s India and China, not India or China” Haiyan Wang

[expand title=”In detail”] Haiyan Wang received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade and a master’s degree in International Business from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. She also holds an M.B.A. from The University of Maryland at College Park. Her opinion pieces have appeared in top international media such as The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, CEO Magazine, The Economic Times, China Daily, The Times of India, as well as other outlets. In the late 1980s, she worked for Minmetals, one of the 20 largest enterprises in China and a global Fortune 500 company. In the US, she began her career working as a management consultant with Kepner-Tregoe, Inc. and served as Director of Business Development at E-Steel Corporation. She also served as a senior marketing and operations executive at PTI Inc.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Haiyan Wang presents an insider’s perspective on how people from various social layers of China see the shifting landscape and their role in it. She will bring alive the hot button issues facing people from different walks of China that matter to government and business decision makers both within China as well as outside. Drawing on her broad international experience, she consults with clients and speaks at conferences on building and exploiting global presence, especially in China.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Shedding light on the brutal competition for today’s markets and resources in China and India, Haiyan Wang’s fascinating and informative presentations give deep understanding and insight in a clear and easily digestible style.[/expand]
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Former Marketing Director of two F1 teams, Benetton and Lola Scuderia Ferrari

Brian Sims is first and foremost a world class professional salesman with an exceptional track record. Having initially built a reputation in the corporate sector, he moved into the world of international motorsport and became one of the sport’s most successful sponsorship sales exponents. His achievements include being the first salesman to secure the multi-million dollar deals that brought FedEx, Gillette and Marconi into Formula 1. Brian is also the Founder and one of only three Honorary Life Members of the prestigious Motorsport Industry Association, the trade association that represents the £5 billion British motorsport industry.

“ Selling in the Fast Lane – From Xerox to Formula 1”

[expand title=”In detail”] Brian began his career as a Xerox salesman and it was the sales skills that he learned with this highly regarded company that would eventually enable him to succeed at the very top level of international motorsport. His passion for motorsport then came to the fore and he embarked on a new career, initially as a championship winning professional race driver. It wasn’t long, however, before he built an enviable reputation for securing substantial corporate sponsorship and this led him to a career in Formula 1, not as a driver, but as the Marketing Director of two F1 teams, Benetton and Lola Scuderia Ferrari. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]An accomplished business speaker, Brian has both the credibility and experience to relate well to sales audiences and has a unique ability to entertain and enthuse at the same time as passing on valuable lessons about the way he is still succeeding in achieving sales in these tough economic times.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In his insightful and entertaining presentations Brian takes the audience behind the scenes of the glamorous, exciting, yet cut-throat world of global sports marketing. He intersperses accounts of how he became such a successful salesperson up to and including Formula 1, with a host of anecdotes from his colourful motorsport career.[/expand]
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