Top Geopolitics Speakers

Charles Michel is the President Emeritus of the European Council, having served from 2019 to 2024.

Unanimously elected and re-elected, he played a pivotal role in steering the European Union through major global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine crisis, and high-stakes negotiations on trade, climate, and security.

Michel has engaged extensively with world leaders, strengthening EU relations with the United States, China, Russia, India, and key regions such as Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

Before his role at the European Council, Michel served as Belgium’s youngest-ever Prime Minister, where he led bold economic and social reforms.

Sir Alex Younger is the former Chief (“C”) of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), serving from 2014 to 2020 and becoming the longest-serving MI6 Chief in 50 years.

He joined MI6 in 1991, with postings in Europe, the Middle East, and Afghanistan, primarily as an operational case officer.

In 2009, he became head of counter-terrorism and played a key role in securing the London Olympics in 2012. As MI6 Chief, he focused on transforming the agency to leverage technology as an advantage against adversaries and maintained a global network of intelligence chiefs.

He also advised the Prime Minister on intelligence and security matters as a member of the National Security Council.

Helle Thorning-Schmidt is a prominent leader in politics, international relations, and business.

As Denmark’s first female Prime Minister (2011–2015), she navigated the country through a financial crisis while advancing social policies.

She later served as CEO of Save the Children, leading global humanitarian efforts. A member of key foreign policy think tanks, including the Council on Foreign Relations and the International Crisis Group, she remains deeply engaged in global affairs. Helle was a co-chair of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, and is on the board of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.

She also advises businesses and nonprofits, drawing on her extensive political and international expertise.

Tim Marshall is Britain’s best-selling author on international affairs and a former Diplomatic Editor for Sky News.

He has reported from over 30 countries, including 12 war zones, and published six books on international relations.

Marshall was one of the few Western journalists in Belgrade during the Kosovo crisis and has received acclaim for his coverage of conflicts in Iraq, Gaza, and Syria.

He analyzes the impact of geography on state behavior and explores the intersection of technology and politics, helping audiences understand global dynamics.

Serving as White House Chief of Staff, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Mick Mulvaney played a key role in shaping federal policy.

At OMB, he managed a $1.2 trillion budget and oversaw critical regulatory, financial, and digital transformation initiatives.

His deep knowledge of fiscal policy, government operations, and international affairs makes him a compelling speaker on U.S. politics, economic strategy, and global governance.

A former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush on the National Economic Council, Dr. Pippa Malmgren advised on financial markets, corporate governance, and terrorism risks post-9/11.

In 2023 Pippa was a part of Tony Blair’s AI Wargaming event. She is a Learning Advisory Partner to The Young President’s Organisation on AI, Geopolitics and Tech and she has participated in many AI and geopolitical podcasts/conferences including with RUSi, the world’s leading defence think tank.

As Prime Minister of Denmark (2001–2009) and Secretary General of NATO (2009–2014), Anders Fogh Rasmussen played a pivotal role in shaping international security and defense policies.

During his NATO tenure, he spearheaded a major transformation of the Alliance. Now leading Rasmussen Global, he provides strategic consulting on international affairs, making him a sought-after speaker on security, defense, and global leadership.

Michelle DiGruttolo, MBA, MA, blends sharp geopolitical insights with an ability to decode current events. She empowers audiences to look beyond the headlines, finding trends shaping our world today.

With a background as a former Daily Intelligence Briefer to President Obama, Michelle is a trusted advisor and expert strategist. She has a proven track record of analysing and presenting critical intelligence to top leaders in the White House, Congress, and the Pentagon.

She addresses national security threats, including terrorism, illicit finance, advanced technologies, and the military capabilities of nations like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Michelle’s insights not only inform but inspire, equipping her audience to navigate the complexities of our geopolitical landscape.

David Miliband is President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), leading humanitarian efforts in crisis zones worldwide.

As the UK’s Foreign Secretary (2007–2010), he shaped Britain’s global diplomacy on key issues like Afghanistan and Iran.

Previously, he led education and environmental reforms, pioneering the world’s first legally binding emissions reduction bill. He also founded “Movement for Change” to train community organisers and has taught at MIT and Stanford.

A respected voice in international affairs, he continues to influence global policy and humanitarian action.

Dr. Maha Hosain Aziz is a professor at NYU’s MA International Relations Program, specializing in global risk and prediction.

She leads the annual global risk prediction project with Wikistrat, the world’s first crowdsourced consultancy, and serves on the 2023-2024 Global Future Council on Complex Risks.

Her recent talks focus on geopolitical, economic, and social risks in a post-pandemic world, including the impact of the Ukraine war, technological advances, and climate change.

Parag Khanna is a leading global strategy advisor, author, and CEO of Climate Alpha, an AI platform for real estate forecasting.

He is also the Founder of FutureMap, a strategic advisory firm. Recognised as one of Esquire’s “75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century,” Parag has advised the US National Intelligence Council and served as a senior geopolitical adviser in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He contributes to international media and authored the influential 2008 essay “Waving Goodbye to Hegemony” in the New York Times Magazine. Parag frequently speaks at global conferences, providing insights on trends and economic planning to government and corporate leaders.

Farah Pandith is a pioneer in countering violent extremism and has served as a foreign policy strategist for three U.S. presidents.

In 2009, she became America’s first special representative to Muslim Communities, traveling to nearly 100 countries to launch youth-focused initiatives.

She is an adjunct Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, a Senior Fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School, and Head of Strategy at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Pandith has also served on the US Department of Homeland Security’s Advisory Council and was the main architect of the Women in Public Service Project, promoting women’s roles in public service.

François Hollande, former President of France (2012–2017), is a prominent speaker known for his insights on international relations, European politics, and economic reform.

During his presidency, he implemented key economic policies to enhance France's competitiveness and growth while also demonstrating strong leadership in response to the terrorist attacks of 2015 and 2016.

His expertise in global security, diplomacy, and governance makes him a sought-after voice on geopolitical challenges.