Leading Authorities, Inc.

What would drive a college president to replace a football field with a farm? For Dr. Michael Sorrell, it was a bold reimagining of leadership. As a speaker, he shares the powerful story of how he transformed Paul Quinn College’s struggling football program into an award-winning community farm that partnered with brands like Pepsi and the Dallas Cowboys. He tells audiences that real leadership isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about courage, vision, and an unwavering commitment to impact. Watch him inspire audiences in our recent video: https://bit.ly/41PNBnr #Leadership #Inspiration #KeynoteSpeaker

Will tariffs strengthen the U.S. economy or trigger a recession? Matthew Slaughter weighs in. In a recent NPR interview, Matthew Slaughter, Dean of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and former member of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, provided a critical analysis of the U.S. economy under the current tariff strategy. While the administration argues that these policies will revitalize American manufacturing and protect national security, Slaughter warns of both short-term and long-term economic consequences. Key takeaways from the conversation: ?? Tariffs may create more harm than good – While some industries, like auto manufacturing, may see temporary relief, the broader economy—especially companies relying on global supply chains—faces rising costs and job losses. ?? Global connections drive economic strength – Slaughter emphasizes that U.S. businesses that engage in international trade and investment tend to be more productive, innovative, and offer better wages. ?? Recession risks are rising – The broader and higher the tariff barriers, the greater the likelihood of economic downturn, with businesses and consumers bearing the cost. Listen to the full interview here: https://n.pr/42euQeA

Pres. Trump’s 2024 co-campaign manager and LAI exclusive Chris LaCivita sat down for a wide-ranging conversation with Dasha Burns for “Playbook Deep Dive.” In the podcast, LaCivita sheds light on Project 2025, Elon Musk and DOGE, tariffs and market volatility and so much more. Watch the full podcast here: https://politi.co/3FyKh8D

The world is changing fast, and the U.S. faces growing geopolitical challenges. Recently, Dr. Phil Gordon, former National Security Advisor to the VP, visited LAI to share his insights on the five key threats shaping our future. He noted that the U.S. remains an economic and technological powerhouse, well-positioned to navigate these threats, but recognizing and addressing them early will be critical to maintaining global leadership. Read more on our blog here: https://bit.ly/3Fj7viK

At this year’s SXSW, futurist Amy Webb unveiled the much-anticipated Tech Trends Report for 2025. Here are some standout insights: ?? Moving beyond generating language, AI is evolving into agentic systems that set their own goals and make complex decisions. ?? We can expect robots to integrate into everyday environments. ?? Quantum computing is transitioning from theory to practical applications. Watch her full talk at SXSW here: https://bit.ly/41LS36o

Awesome to see our wonderful speakers take part in Lisa Sun's incredible initiative to truly #AccelerateAction this Women's History Month! GRAVITAS' 25 Ideas in 2025 brings together powerful women across industries to drive real change for gender equity. From an inspiring video series to an actionable checklist, this initiative is all about making impact now. #25IdeasIn2025 #IWD?#WomensHistoryMonth

That's a wrap on our speaker showcase for INSPIRE 2025! Other highlights from the day included Grammy-nominated musician Justin Michael Williams bringing the audience together with a powerful sing-along that underscored the power of authenticity and connection. Beyond the music, he led an exercise where the audience wrote letters to their future selves, setting intentions and reflecting on goals. To close the event, the captivating Carla Hall took the stage, sharing relatable lessons from Top Chef. She emphasized the importance of recharging, setting boundaries, and avoiding burnout. Thanks to our speakers, LAI Video, LAI Live, and Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) for another incredible event! #leadingauthorities #speakersbureau #inspirationalspeakers #meetingplanners #events #washingtondc #keynotespeakers #eventprofs

INSPIRE 2025 is in full swing! Every year, we bring together extraordinary speakers with powerful, thought-provoking stories for a day of bold ideas, meaningful connections, and inspiring conversations—proudly hosted alongside our partners at Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). So far, we've heard from Michael Sorrell and Jenny Wood, two powerhouse speakers who have shared deeply personal stories that challenge us to step outside our fears and embrace boldness in our lives and careers. Excited to see what Justin Michael Williams and Carla Hall bring!

Brilliant insights from our speakers at International Confex in London last week—engaging, inspiring, and game-changing.

Paul Zikopoulos, VP of Technology at IBM, has a deep understanding of AI—how it works, how to use it effectively, and how it can transform the way teams operate. He teaches us that AI isn’t here to replace people. Human oversight is still critical, but AI can handle the repetitive tasks, freeing teams to focus on higher-value work. The key is to think big, start small, and learn fast. How are you using AI? Watch the full video to hear Paul in action. https://bit.ly/3QEpVwQ #AIforBusiness #GenerativeAI #Efficiency #PaulZikopoulos #IBMAI