Distinguished Speakers

Tony® and Emmy Award®-winning comedian, actor, producer, writer and director BILLY CRYSTAL is known to audiences around the world as the star of such feature films as When Harry Met Sally…, City Slickers and Analyze This; as…

Bette Midler grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she began singing at an early age. After appearing in the film, Hawaii, she finally earned enough money to move to New York…

Barack H. Obama is the 44th President of the United States. Few presidents have walked a more improbable path to the White House.

Ban Ki-Moon was the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 2007 to December 2016. Before becoming Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations.

Bradley Cooper produced, wrote and directed the critically acclaimed remake "A Star is Born" (2019) which earned him 3 Oscar nominations.

Brandon Stanton shares his journey of personal growth and discovery, and uncovers the stories behind the stories featured on Humans of New York, powerfully illustrating the value of sharing your…

Bill Gates is co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and chairman of Microsoft.

A visionary global leader, entrepreneur, adventurer and bestselling author, Blake Mycoskie is Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS, and the catalyst behind the now-ubiquitous One for One movement. Having…

As the Chief Executive Officer of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, Brett Yormark oversees the business enterprise that manages and controls the Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, the New York Islanders business…

Barbara Corcoran’s credentials include straight D’s in high school and college and twenty jobs by the time she turned twenty-three. It was her next job that would make her one…

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum is a psychologist, administrator, and educator who has conducted research and written books on the topic of race, focusing specifically on race in education, racial identity…

Bill Simmons is a writer, TV host, analyst, and podcaster. He recently signed a multi-year, multi-platform deal with HBO, where his new weekly talk show that aired in 2016 and…

Brian Chesky is co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. He drives the company’s vision, strategy, and growth as it provides interesting and unique ways for people to travel. Chesky and Airbnb…

Benjamin Zander is the conductor of The Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and a guest conductor around the world. With London's famed Philharmonia Orchestra he is…

Bob Woodward has worked for The Washington Post since 1971. He and Carl Bernstein are the authors of All the President’s Men and The Final Days. Woodward has won nearly…

Brian Williams, Journalist at NBC News, currently serving as chief anchor on the cable network MSNBC and host of the network's nightly flagship program, The 11th Hour with Brian Williams.…

Few entertainers today are as accomplished or as versatile as Ben Vereen. His legendary performances transcend time and have been woven into the fabric of this country's artistic legacy. A…

A charismatic and versatile actor, Blair Underwood has found success acting in television, on stage, and on the big screen. His success has been driven by the underlying belief that,…

Economist; Longtime Columnist for The Wall Street Journal, Barrons and The New York Times; Speech Writer and Aide for Presidents Nixon and Ford; Emmy-winning Television Gameshow Host; Commentator for CBS…

Brent Spiner, whose primary claim to fame is his portrayal of the beloved android Data on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), was born and raised in…

Bob Schieffer is broadcast journalism's most experienced Washington reporter. He is CBS News' chief Washington correspondent; serves as anchor and moderator of Face the Nation, the network's Sunday public affairs…

Bill Nye, scientist, engineer, comedian, author, and inventor, is a man with a mission: to help foster a scientifically literate society, to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science…

B.J. Novak is an actor, writer, and comedian, best known for his contributions to NBC's Emmy Award winning comedy, "The Office.

Branford Marsalis has stayed the course. From his early acclaim as a saxophonist bringing new energy and new audiences to the jazz art, he has refined and expanded his talents…

Whether skewering Republicans, Democrats, the mass media or Hollywood, Bill Maher is one of the most perceptive and hilarious satirists at work today. From the podium he delivers his trademark…

Barbara Kingsolver was born in 1955, and grew up in rural Kentucky. She earned degrees in biology from DePauw University and the University of Arizona, and has worked as a…

Bryant Gumbel joined CBS News in 1997, having previously worked for NBC for nearly 25 years, serving as anchor of The Today Show for an unprecedented tenure of 15 years.…

Bill Duke is an acclaimed African American filmmaker, actor, director, producer and writer who received his dramatic arts training at Boston University, New York University's Tisch School of Arts and…

Bob Costas has won twenty-five Emmy awards—more than any sports broadcaster. His versatility has been recognized with awards and nominations in the categories of hosting, play-by- play, writing, journalism, news,…

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher joined CBS Sports as an analyst for the Network’s NFL studio show, THE NFL TODAY, in February 2007. This season he once again…

General Manager of the New York Yankees since 1998, under Brian Cashman’s leadership, the Yankees have won five World Series championships and seven American League pennants.

Buzz Aldrin grew up in Montclair, New Jersey. His mother, Marion Moon, was the daughter of an Army Chaplain and his father Edwin Eugene Aldrin was an aviation pioneer. Buzz…