Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.)
<p>The resilient leader who saved the USS<em> Cole</em> from sinking during its devastating al Qaeda attack, Commander Kirk Lippold shares strategies for leading decisively, strengthening team performance, and navigating risk—as well as real-time geopolitical and national security insights.</p><p>On October 12, 2000, Commander Kirk Lippold led the USS Cole when it came under a devastating al Qaeda suicide attack in Aden, Yemen—which came to be known as one of the most brazen acts of terrorism prior to the September 11 attacks. </p><p>Under Commander
Judy Smith
<p>The real-life inspiration behind ABC's hit political thriller series "Scandal" starring Kerry Washington, Judy Smith is the US's premier crisis management expert. As the founder and president of Smith & Company -- a leading strategic and crisis communications firm with offices in Los Angeles and Washington, DC -- she uniquely combines her communication skills, media savvy, and legal and political acumen to serve clients around the world.</p>