Distinguished Speakers
Find a Presenter
Distinguished Speakers
If you don't see who you are looking for, contact one of our experts. We will help you locate the speaker or provide you additional suggestions. 1-914-940-0075 or info@pdaspeakers.com
Co-Founder and CEO, Airbnb
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…
TV Icon & Host of The Ellen DeGeneres Show
A beloved television icon and entertainment pioneer, comedian Ellen DeGeneres has a distinctive comic voice that has charmed audiences worldwide from her first stand-up comedy appearances through her recent work…
Co-Founder, Def Jam Records
Acknowledged as the Godfather of Hip-Hop, Russell Simmons is the visionary behind Def Jam, the legendary label that launched the careers of such artists as Run DMC, the Beastie Boys,…
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo
Indra Nooyi is chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo. In its global food and beverage portfolio, PepsiCo has 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated…
Known as Black Thought, MC of the Philadelphia-based Hip-Hop group The Roots, as well as an occasional actor
Tariq Trotter has been rapping for 19 years, ten of which have been shared with his legendary crew
Drummer for The Roots, In-House Band Jimmy Fallon Band & Author
Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, drummer, author, multi-instrumentalist, DJ, music journalist, and record producer. Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson is the drummer and co-founder of the Grammy award-winning hip hop band The Roots. He's…
Creator & Executive Producer, "Arrested Development" as well as the co-creator of The Ellen Show, and a contributor to The John Larroquette Show and The Golden Girls
Mitch Hurwitz is an Emmy, TCA and WGA Award-winning writer and producer best known as the creator and executive producer of the iconic comedy series Arrested Development. The multiple Emmy…
Television Producer, Lawyer, Legal Analyst, and Celebrity Reporter. He is the founder of celebrity news website TMZ
Harvey Levin is the creator of the celebrity news website TMZ.com and executive producer of the entertainment television news magazine TMZ-TV. Mr. Levin founded TMZ.com in 2005. It is now…
Trainer, Author and Transformation Specialist on TLC and OWN's "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition"
Chris Powell is the trainer and transformation specialist from ABC’s highly rated documentary style series “Extreme Weight Loss.” With an unyielding dedication to helping others, Chris traveled the country using…
Television Host, Comedian, Writer, and Producer. He is the Host and Executive Producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
As host and executive producer of the late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live" for the ABC, Jimmy Kimmel is a busy man.
CEO of Notional, Co-founder of CollegeHumor, CEO of CollegeHumor and Vimeo Co-Founder
Keynotes by Ricky Van Veen provide insightful information about the relationship of people and the type of content they consume online. Van Veen's interest in comedy led him to co-found…
Award-winning Author and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet
Pulitzer Prize-winner Natasha Trethewey served two terms as the 19th Poet Laureate of the United States (2012-2014). In his citation, Librarian of Congress James Billington wrote, “Her poems dig beneath…
Actress, Most Well Known for her Role as Becky in "Glee"; In November 2011, President Barack Obama appointed Potter to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
An inspiration to all, Lauren Potter has proven herself a young woman of strength and character. She's overcome bullying and the challenges of living with a disability, and is currently…
Politician
Former Minnesota Congresswoman, Michele Bachmann became the first Republican woman elected to represent Minnesota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was listed in Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People”…
America's No. 1 Crisis Management Expert and Inspiration for ABC's Hit Show, "Scandal"
As a result of her wide ranging and ground breaking career, Shonda Rhimes, creator of ABC’s hit television dramas Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, developed a television drama about the…
Stand-Up Comedian, host of the podcast, "WTF with Marc Maron" and starred in his own IFC television comedy series, Maron, for which he also served as executive producer and occasional writer
For over twenty years, Marc Maron has been writing and performing raw, honest and thought-provoking comedy for print, stage, radio, online and television. A legend in the stand-up community, Maron…
Youngest-Ever Nobel Prize Winner; Advocate for Girls' Education & Women's Equality; Author of the International Bestseller "I Am Malala"
Malala Yousafzai made headlines when she was shot by the Taliban in 2012 at the age of 15 while traveling home from school on the bus with her friends in…
Grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi, Acclaimed Human Rights Advocate
Dr. Arun Gandhi is proof that one can change his ways. Although he is the grandson of the legendary Mohandas Gandhi, he overcame tremendous prejudice and anger in order to…
Owner of The Dallas Mavericks, "Shark" Investor on ABC's "Shark Tank"
Mark Cuban was an entrepreneur from the early age of 12, when he sold garbage bags door-to-door. Today, Mark is the highly successful entrepreneur and investor who founded HDNet, Broadcast.com…
Scottish Singer Who Gained Fame on "Britain's Got Talent"
Susan Boyle is a Scottish singer who came to international attention when she appeared as a contestant on the TV program "Britain's Got Talent" in April 2009, singing "I Dreamed…
Comedian, Writer, Actor, and Television Producer
Since starting out on the NY comedy-club scene, the Brooklyn native's dry, off-kilter sensibility has been found in his writing as well as his (more infrequent) acting. In 1999 Larry…
Former Captain and Shortstop of the New York Yankees and Co-Owner & CEO of the Miami Marlins
Derek Jeter, a five-time World Series champion Turn 2 Foundation. For the duration of the evening, Jeter was joined on-stage by Fox News lead analyst and former MLB second baseman…
Duchess of York, Philanthropist, Author and Advocate
An international personality, successful career woman and single working mother, Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, is an inspiring role model whose extraordinary life is a testament to the powers…
Actress, Author, and Domestic Abuse Awareness Advocate
A successful actress, Robin Givens long oscillated between a glamorous movie star life and the domestic abuse she suffered at home. Today, she speaks out about the abuse she suffered,…
Anchor of CNN Headline News' "Nancy Grace" and Court TV's "Closing Arguments with Nancy Grace"
An outspoken, tireless advocate for victims' rights and one of television's most respected legal analysts, Nancy Grace is the powerful force behind CNN Headline News' (HLN) top-rated Nancy Grace. A…
Global Thinker, Columnist & CNN Host
Host of CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, contributing editor at The Atlantic, and Washington Post columnist Fareed Zakaria is widely respected for his thoughtful analysis and ability to spot economic and…
Conductor, Teacher, Speaker and Best-Selling Book, "The Art of Possibility," which has been translated into fifteen languages
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…
Business Woman, Philanthropist, & Author of "Secrets of a Jewish Mother"
Jill Zarin is one of the most popular and requested reality television stars in the entertainment business. Combining Twitter, Facebook, her newsletter, and other social media subscribers Jill has upward…
Stage, Film and Emmy-Winning Television Actor
Emmy Award-Winner Anthony Zerbe has been a well known figure on the American stage and screen for over 50 years. His feature films include: The new David O. Russell film,…
Founder & CEO, Zuckerberg Media, Former Head of Marketing at Facebook
Randi Zuckerberg believes in being a three-dimensional woman of many titles. After all, life is too short to pick just one! She is the Founder & CEO of Zuckerberg Media,…
Comedy Writer, TV, Books, Movies, Theater and Keynote Speaker. Zweibel Worked on Such Productions as Saturday Night Live, PBS' Great Performances, and It's Garry Shandling's Show
Alan Zweibel delivers a charming and candid look at his career journey as a comedy writer. He describes the experience of writing for some of television’s most beloved comedies—from Saturday…
Senior VP, Anchor and Managing Editor Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network
Neil Cavuto serves as senior vice president, managing editor and anchor for both FOX News Channel and FOX Business Network. Cavuto anchors FNC's Your World (weekdays 4-5PM/ET) and Cavuto on…
Emmy Award-Winning Actress, Activist for Human Rights
Known for the challenging roles she's played on film and in television, critically acclaimed actress Alfre Woodard's work has earned her an Oscar nomination, four Emmy Award wins and 16…
Legendary Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist/Author and Associate Editor, The Washington Post
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…
Former Director of the C.I.A.
R. James Woolsey is Chairman of Woolsey Partners LLC. He is also a Venture Partner and Senior Advisor to VantagePoint Venture Partners of San Bruno, California. Mr. Woolsey currently chairs…
Emmy-Winning TV Host, MS and Health Advocate, Wellness Entrepreneur, Decorated Naval Officer
Montel Williams earned his media celebrity status as an inspirational Emmy Award winning television personality whom Americans invited into their homes for more than 17 years. He is a decorated…
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
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.…
Award-Winning Spoken Word Artist, Actor, Singer and Musician
Saul Williams, rapper, singer-songwriter, musician, poet, writer, and actor. He is known for his blend of poetry and alternative hip hop, and for his lead roles in the 1998 film…
Global Media Entrepreneur
Talk show host, entrepreneur and entertainer Oprah Winfrey journey from her grandmother's Mississippi farm to becoming one of the world's most admired women is one of the great American success…
Chief Foreign Affairs Senior Correspondent, PBS NewsHour; Former Fellow of Yale Corporation
Margaret Warner is a senior correspondent and on-air anchor of public television’s PBS NewsHour, interviewing newsmakers and top experts in every field from politics and foreign affairs, to the economy…
Award Winning Actor and Filmmaker
Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington is a man constantly on the move. Never comfortable repeating himself or his successes, Washington always searches for new challenges through his numerous and…
Chef, Restaurateur, Activist and Author. She is the owner of Chez Panisse, a Berkeley, California restaurant famous for its organic, locally grown ingredients and for pioneering California cuisine
Alice Waters is a chef, author, food activist, and the founder and owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, California. She has been a champion of local sustainable agriculture for…
Philosopher, Social Activist and Professor
Dr. Cornel West, philosopher, social activist and professor, has long held a place in the African American culture for his thought-provoking theories on politics, race relations and religion. West is…
Tony Award-Winning Entertainer
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…
Best-Selling Author, Historian and Political Journalist
Martin Walker, born in 1947 in Scotland, is a writer, historian and political journalist. He studied History in Oxford and International Relations and Economics at Harvard. After his studies, he…
Author, The Color Purple
Alice Walker is an internationally celebrated writer, poet and activist whose books include seven novels, four collections of short stories, four children’s books, and volumes of essays and poetry. She…
Television Personality, Criminal Investigator, Human and Victim Rights Advocate, and the host, as well as creator, of America's Most Wanted
John Walsh's life unraveled in 1981 when his 6-year-old son, Adam, was abducted from a mall near their home in Hollywood, Florida. Two weeks after Adam's disappearance, his severed head…
Actor, Producer and Director Known for His Roles in "Gilmore Girls," "Heroes" currently stars as Jack Pearson on NBC's Hit Show "This Is Us"
Milo Ventimiglia, actor best known for his role as Peter Petrelli on the NBC television series Heroes. Ventimiglia's first career break was in the Fox series Opposite Sex, playing Jed…