Hendrickson Forum
keynote speakers
Over the years, we've been fortunate to host some truly inspiring speakers who have tackled topics ranging from navigating a culture of contempt and artificial intelligence to other pressing issues facing our country today. Dive into our past topics and speakers, and discover the conversations that have sparked ideas and ignited change!
2020 - 2025
New York Times bestselling author — and renowned expert on human happiness — Arthur C. Brooks is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, and professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness.
Focusing on his best-selling book, “Love Your Enemies,” Brooks explains America is afflicted with a “culture of contempt.” It is increasingly common for people to view those who disagree with them as worthless.
Jon Clifton, CEO of the Gallup Organization, discussed his Wall Street Journal Best Seller, “Blind Spot: The Global Rise of Unhappiness and How Leaders Missed It.”
He explained that while leaders pay close attention to measures like GDP or unemployment, almost none of them track their citizens’ wellbeing and that the implications of this blind spot are significant and far-reaching.
David Brooks, bi-weekly op-ed columnist for the New York Times and regular analyst on PBS NewsHour and NPR’s All Things Considered, talked about his New York Times bestseller, “The Road to Character” — explaining why selflessness leads to greater success and describing how we can all strive to build rich inner lives, marked by humility and moral depth.
Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist widely considered to be one of the world’s leading experts on the psychology of morality, specifically addressed the ethics of capitalism, which requires that we first understand why the left and the right disagree so sharply about what it is and what its effects are.
Nicholas A. Christakis, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., director of Yale University’s Human Nature Lab and co-director of the Yale Institute for Network Science, addressed how certain kinds of social artificial intelligence (AI) might best be used to enhance our society.
2010 - 2019
Renowned journalist, Cokie Roberts, named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress (2008), is one of the most esteemed and brilliant broadcast journalists of our time.
International best-selling author and global consultant Jackie Freiberg is dedicated to helping companies and organizations foster work environments where innovation is a product of risk taking, facing failures and seizing opportunities, all while empowering employees to do their best work.
As The Economist’s editor-in-chief and former Washington editor, economics editor, and business affairs editor, Zanny Minton Beddoes delivers unmatched insights and global perspective on the various economic elements at work in presentations that are constantly evolving along with global economic conditions and circumstances.
Jon Huntsman, Jr., former Governor of Utah (2005–2009) and former United States Ambassador to China (2009–2011) presented “Global Leadership: Our Future with China.” Huntsman shared his keen insights behind modern news headlines—from China and the economy to business abroad, as well as intellectual property protection.
James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and Retired U.S. Navy Admiral, presented “The Ethics of Cyber Security.” He brought to light how in our increasingly connected world, we digitally share more and more of our personal information, the security risks that brings, and what can be done at the business, national, and international levels to ensure our data security.
Sheila Bair, former chair of the FDIC, presented “Main Street vs. Wall Street and the New Financial Paradigm.” Named second most powerful woman in the world by Forbes, Bair challenged “too big to fail” institutions on behalf of “Main Street.” Bair addressed turning short-term gratification into long-term economic stability, producing value to generate meaningful economic gains, and looking toward global challenges.
Dr. Ian Bremmer, president, of Eurasia Group, presented “Rocking the World Order: How Changing Politics, Economics, and Geography Impact Us.” He addressed the seismic shifts taking place in the world order that affect the global economy and rise (and fall) of nations. He shared what experts track and also precautions people can take.
Sue Gardner, executive director of Wikimedia Foundation, presented “Why Wikipedia Matters.” With nearly half a billion readers at the time, Wikipedia’s regarded as the most popular encyclopedia in human history. Gardner discussed how Wikipedia has changed access to information and what the future might hold.
Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of Acumen Fund, presented “Social Capitalism: An ‘App’ to Fight Poverty.” Novogratz reported on Acumen’s progress in addressing practical health, food, and business issues based on her extensive international experience. Her empowering approach brought about change in global aid and development in the U.S. and abroad.
Dr. Marcelo Suarez-Orozco, professor of globalization and education at New York University, presented “Global Migration: Best Practices for Business and Society in a Changing World.” At the time, one in every 35 people traveling via plane were working, living, or moving across national borders. Suarez-Orozco discussed modern migration and the profound implications for individuals, businesses, and society.
2008 - 2009
The inaugural forum was in 2008.
John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia, presented “Leadership in a Global Economy.” Howard discussed the role of world leaders in a new century, events addressing the growing concerns of globalization and global economics, the environment, and threats to international security. He explained ways and the degrees to which China, India, and the Pacific Rim may participate.
John Micklethwait, editor-in-chief of The Economist, presented “Globalization and the Economy of the Future.” He provided a briefing on the world’s economy with commentary on globalization, where it’s headed, and opportunities for positive impact.
Watch our past presentations
Watch some of our keynote speakers from over the years. To view a specific video from the playlist, choose your desired selection using the playlist icon located in the upper right corner of the video.