Leadership (U)

Our list of top leadership speakers teach college audiences how to guide, motivate, and empower teams. Students gain practical skills in communication, collaboration, and decision-making to become confident, effective leaders.

Page Title
Leadership
Display Title
Leadership

Dr. Peggy Whitson

<p>A renowned NASA astronaut named one of <em>TIME</em>’s Most Influential People and one of <em>Forbes</em>’ 50 Over 50, Peggy Whitson shares insight on leadership, building resilient teams, developing soft skills for success, and the importance of STEM education. </p><p>An inspirational leader dedicated to pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and advancing our understanding of space, Peggy Whitson has over 37 years of experience with NASA.

José Hernández

<p>The inspiring subject of the Prime film, <em>A Million Miles Away</em>, José Hernández shares stories from his extraordinary journey from migrant farm worker to NASA astronaut, empowering audiences to persevere in challenging environments and to achieve their greatest goals. </p><p>NASA engineer José Hernández wanted to fly in space ever since he heard that the first Hispanic-American had been chosen to travel into space.

Koritha Mitchell, PhD

<p>A renowned cultural critic, feminist scholar, and award-winning author, who coined the term “Know-Your-Place Aggression, Koritha analyzes American culture to empower audiences and advocate for social equity.</p><p>Her first book, <em>Living with Lynching</em>, won awards from the American Theatre and Drama Society (ATDS) and from the Society for the Study of American Women Writers (SSAWW).

Anna Maria Chávez

<p>Anna Maria Chávez is an attorney, award-winning leader, global movement builder, and President & CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation, where she drives philanthropic innovation to strengthen communities statewide. With more than 25 years of leadership across nonprofits, government, and national organizations, she has led transformative efforts as CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA and the National School Boards Association, and as a senior executive at the National Council on Aging and Encantos. She has advised U.S.

Alissa Quart

<p>Acclaimed journalist Alissa Quart speaks on topics like poverty, economic inequality, and the myth of the “American Dream.” </p><p>Alissa Quart is the author of five acclaimed books of nonfiction, including <em>Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream </em>(Ecco, 2023). The others are <em>Squeezed</em>,<em> Republic of Outsiders</em>,<em> Hothouse Kids</em>, and <em>Branded</em>.

Steve Kerr

<p>Drawing from his remarkable career as one of the most successful NBA coaches and players of all time, Steve Kerr provides lessons in leadership, overcoming adversity, and the importance of giving back.</p><p>Few professional coaches have had a career—or a life—as inspiring as Steve Kerr’s. Currently head coach of the Golden State Warriors and USA Basketball Men’s National Team, he is a nine-time NBA champion, having won five titles as a player and four as a head coach.

Amanda L. Tyler

<p>This UC Berkeley Law Professor and Supreme Court expert shares stories from the book she co-wrote with friend and mentor Ruth Bader Ginsburg and gives audiences a behind-the-curtain look at the inner workings of the nation’s highest court.</p><p>A Supreme Court, civil liberties and constitutional law expert who served early in her career as a law clerk to the late and Honorable Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Amanda Tyler is currently the Shannon Cecil Turner Professor of Law at UC Berkeley and an author.

Rosemary Saal

<p>Rosemary Saal helped make history as a member of the Full Circle Everest Expedition, the first all-Black team to climb Mount Everest. </p><p>One of three women on the Full Circle Everest Expedition team, Saal understands the value of diversity for leaders and teams, and the importance of focus in high-stakes environments.