The Lavin Agency Speakers Bureau
A speakers bureau that represents the best original thinkers,
writers, and doers for speaking engagements.
The Vice President of Sales and Marketing is a key senior management position at The Lavin Agency. Your primary purpose will be to create customer demand for our intellectual talent and generate revenue for the Agency. You will be a leader in your area of responsibility managing a team of sales and marketing professionals. You […]
Are you the right person in the wrong job? Have you stayed up all night debating politics, music, civil rights and social justice, old philosophies, new technologies, the media, the economy—or, better yet, the intersection of them all? A real debate where minds get changed, including your own? Yes? Then maybe we’re the home you […]
The iconic author’s latest release has only been on shelves for one short week, but already it’s established itself as another bona fide hit. According to Penguin Random House, The Testaments has sold more than 125,000 copies since its release on Tuesday. Margaret Atwood’s sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale has performed so well, it has […]
Intellectual Talent Agent
Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman is behind The Black Agenda: the first ever book to bring together dozens of Black writers, scholars, and leaders to solve today’s most pressing social issues, from economics to education to climate change. The Black Agenda “will challenge what you think is possible” (Ibram X. Kendi, New York Times bestselling author). America needs help. […]
Concrete Rose, the prequel to Angie Thomas’ wildly popular novel The Hate U Give, will hit shelves on January 12th. In her explosive follow-up to The Hate U Give, which has spent nearly 200 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, Angie Thomas revisits the fictionalized neighborhood of Garden Heights—seventeen years before the events […]
Is there any better way to spend the holidays than curled up with a good book? As this year comes to a close, we’ve rounded up the reads that have inspired, motivated, challenged, and moved us. So, whether you’re shopping for a history buff or a poetry lover, or even a gift for yourself, there’s […]
What will become of in-person events, now that the business world is acclimating to the affordability and accessibility of virtual events? The Lavin Agency’s Founder and CEO David Lavin considers the future of the industry he’s so passionate about. There’s an interesting parallel between what’s happening in the events industry today, and the digital disruption […]
From a Tropical Space is the latest series from Titus Kaphar, the award-winning painter, sculptor, and MacArthur “Genius.” Although the New York exhibition of this work has been postponed, Kaphar is currently the focus of Gagosian’s latest “Artist Spotlight.” In a new interview with Vulture, the artist speaks candidly about the project he describes as […]
Join Naomi Klein, Angela Duckworth, Wajahat Ali, and many more of the world’s top thinkers at What’s the Future @ Lavin Live—a free virtual event diving into the enormous challenges we’re all facing as a result of COVID-19. The longer we stay under lockdown, the less likely we are to return to a world that […]
When it comes to loss of life, the coronavirus is no doubt a human tragedy of epic proportions. But when it comes to the future of our economy? It’s not necessarily all doom and gloom. In his latest LinkedIn article, Public Sapient’s John Maeda explains why this crisis is different from those we have previously […]
Few CEOs navigated the Great Recession as skillfully as David Cote. In a new interview with Fortune, the inspiring corporate leader offers guidance for businesses managing the coronavirus crisis today. When David Cote inherited Honeywell in 2002, the company was teetering on the brink of failure thanks to a mishandled merger with GE. Yet Cote […]
“A pandemic is war,” writes Derek Thompson in his latest article for The Atlantic. And our response to the biological enemy is a shut-down of public life, from schools to restaurants. Unfortunately, the latter closure especially will have profound effects on the nation’s economy. What we do to support the restaurant industry, then, is crucial […]
Citizens around the globe are glued to the news as the coronavirus continues to silently spread. But Jonathan Brill, a gifted futurist who has helped some of the world's leading companies navigate uncertainty, suggests that what we really need to focus on is life after the pandemic. While globalization has improved quality of life for […]
With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, it’s no wonder that anxiety and fear are on the rise. What if a loved one falls ill? How will we deal with the potential financial fallout? And what happens if we find ourselves in another global recession? Psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb—also the author of the New York Times […]
Nathan Pyle’s Strange Planet is an example of how the Internet can still bring joy, wonder, and meaning into our lives. The beloved comic (and New York Times bestselling book) follows the misadventures of adorable aliens as they navigate life on a planet strikingly similar to Earth—and in the process, reveals the absurdity of our […]
Psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb made waves when she released Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, a poignant memoir that’s spent week after week on the bestseller lists. Now, she joins fellow Lavin Speaker Scott Barry Kaufman on The Psychology Podcast to discuss the book, some misconceptions about therapy, and why searching for “happiness” may be the […]
In just a couple of months the Coronavirus that emerged from the Chinese city of Wuhan has spread around the world, sparking a race to find treatments and vaccines against it. Zeroing in on how this deadly virus is spreading and what everyone can do to take preventative measures are The Lavin Agency’s Top Pandemic Speakers—letting […]
Scientific study was born out of a desire to answer big, philosophical questions on the meaning of life. When scientists and technologists forget this nascent connection, says Radhika Dirks, they run the risk of creating without considering the ethical implications of their work. In her TEDx talk, Dirks reminds us why relating technology back to […]
In her debut book Edge, Harvard Business School professor Laura Huang busts the myth that hard work alone will get us to our goals. Instead, she teaches us how to find our “edge”—the unique qualities that set us apart—and open doors to money, time, and connections. Wouldn’t it be nice if career advancement was […]
Margaret Atwood’s already incredible career was absolutely on fire ilast year, with The Testaments—the hotly anticipated sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale— breaking sales records and taking home the Booker Prize. And her 2020 shows no signs of slowing down, with today’s announcement of her upcoming poetry collection, Dearly. Her first collection of poems since 2007’s […]
More than just a modern-day business buzzword, corporate culture plays an integral role in a company’s success. Whether it’s innovation, collaboration, diversity, or a commitment to taking risks, Lavin’s Top Corporate Culture Speakers will help you elevate your organization by championing strong values and putting people first. Stephanie Mehta: Few people know what makes an […]
Technology has undoubtedly transformed our lives—for better and for worse. In his latest essay, WIRED Editor-in-Chief Nicholas Thompson investigates the mistakes we’ve made in the name of tech, and how we can push forward and rebuild what we broke. “For several years now, we've been living in a time of intense backlash against the technology […]
Hypocrisy in politics is not, by any means, a new concept. But it does seem to be escalating—especially in an Internet age, where every tweet and video clip can be captured and circulated indefinitely. As the 2020 election approaches, NYU’s Associate Professor of Psychology Jay Van Bavel explores how we got here. “It is pragmatic […]
INSEAD professor Erin Meyer’s groundbreaking book The Culture Map may have been published in 2014, but it remains an enduring staple for anyone doing business around the world. What makes the book so timely and relevant? Meyer sits down with Microsoft’s Executive Vice President and President of Global Sales to discuss her insights—and why they’ve […]
In the not-so-distant past, citizens have rallied around their president in moments of terror and distress. The crisis in Iran feels different. Taking place in the shadow of Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, the current political moment is inspiring more fear than faith. Globe and Mail alum John Ibbitson considers what might happen next. “No […]
As we enter a new decade, there’s a lot to look forward to—and a lot left to fight for. And unfortunately, racism isn’t a relic of shameful times past—it’s still very much alive today. Here at The Lavin Agency, our Top Race Speakers tackle this tough topic from all angles—public policy, pop culture, education, and […]
Rebels get a bad rap, says Harvard professor Francesca Gino, but in fact, there’s much we can learn from the people willing to challenge the status quo. In a new interview with Forbes India, Gino opens up about why it pays to encourage the right kind of rule-breaking in an organization. Francesca Gino has spent […]
Everyone wants to be happy and healthy—but it doesn’t come easy. The pressure of performing well at work and having a fulfilling personal life can often be hard to manage—and that’s where Lavin’s Top Happiness & Wellness Speakers come in. Experts in how to actively enhance our inner lives and outer selves, they inspire audiences […]
The most recent novels from bestselling authors Margaret Atwood (The Testaments), Lori Gottlieb (Maybe You Should Talk to Someone) and Angie Thomas (On the Come Up) all were named to Variety’s list of the Best Books of 2019. Margaret Atwood’s hotly anticipated sequel to 1985’s The Handmaid’s Tale, was able to intertwine her original story […]
The Age of AI is an 8-part documentary series exploring the newest, most innovative applications of artificial intelligence and machine-learning. Lavin speaker Martin Ford—the bestselling author of Rise of the Robots—joins superstar host Robert Downey Jr. in the brand-new Youtube Original production. There is no doubt about it: artificial intelligence will change the world […]
New Year’s resolutions like changing your diet, fitness, and lifestyle can often be fleeting. So why not take a page from leadership expert Adam Bryant’s book and tackle something at work that’s well within your control? In his latest article for Strategy+Business, Bryant makes a compelling argument for turning January into a “Simplification Month.” “A […]
Once upon a time, technology was lauded for its potential to bring people together and strengthen human bonds. Today, our ability to connect is being threatened by destructive online forces that profit when we’re divided into increasingly smaller, radicalized groups. Featured on CBC Radio’s Ideas with Nahlah Ayed, Douglas Rushkoff makes the case for putting […]
Being a CEO means more than having a fancy title and corner office. It means being able to lead under pressure, and in times of crisis; being able to inspire and mobilize a team; and lastly, being able to execute strategy with vision. Lavin’s Top CEO Speakers have walked the walk, and now they’re sharing […]
The revolutionary author of Prediction Machines Ajay Agrawal sat down with Forbes to discuss how AI functions, where it is best applied, and why we should embrace, rather than fear the technology. As a researcher. entrepreneur, and bestselling author, Ajay Agrawal focuses on the economics of machine intelligence. He encourages leaders and CEOs looking to […]
Lavin’s speakers have dominated the “end-of-year” and “best-of-decade” lists circulating the Internet lately. Most recently, Variety’s Best Books of 2019 list featured works by three Lavin Speakers: YA novelist Angie Thomas, Atlantic columnist and therapist Lori Gottlieb, and literary legend Margaret Atwood. Lori Gottlieb—Maybe You Should Talk to Someone Therapist Lori Gottlieb chronicles not […]
While some consider religion a pillar of morality and community, others believe it to be the root cause of wars, political strife, and ideological dust-ups. With compassion, honesty, and humor, Lavin’s Top Religion Speakers shine a light on the pivotal role faith continues to play in modern-day life. Megan Phelps-Roper Meghan Phelps-Roper grew up […]
Among Entertainment Weekly’s top 10 non-fiction books of the decade is Patti Smith’s beloved memoir Just Kids and George Packer’s historical juggernaut The Unwinding. Patti Smith—Just Kids In Just Kids, bohemian rocker Patti Smith takes readers through her artistic awakening in the raw and gritty world of New York City in the late sixties and […]
Ever since the 2016 election, American politics have seemed more like a circus than a system of government. Lavin’s top ten political speakers are some of the brightest, sharpest minds fighting anti-democractic forces and standing up for the values of free society. Garrett M. Graff: Garret Graff has unique insight into America’s ever-shifting political […]
Congratulations to Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Jayson Greene, Lori Gottlieb, David Wallace-Wells and Shoshana Zuboff for penning stirring, thought-provoking works that have captured the world’s attention. Salman Rushdie—Quichotte The prolific author’s 14th novel reimagines the famous Don Quixote character in a satirical metafiction. Quichotte is set in Donald Trump’s America and follows “pharmaceutical-product salesman […]
In a new op-ed, Martin Ford—acclaimed author of two books on the impact of AI on the labour market—explains why AI-driven automation should be a top-of-mind issue in the upcoming election, and why Andrew Yang is the only candidate willing to speak out about it. “The Democratic Party’s agenda increasingly is being shaped by the […]
As the Editor-in-Chief of WIRED, Nicholas Thompson published two critical exposés on one of the world’s largest and most influential companies: Facebook. Now, in a conversation with WeTransfer’s President Damian Bradfield, Thomspon discusses the backlash the company has faced for their controversial business model—and how it affects our nation’s democracy. Facebook invented one of […]
Founded by Professor Ajay Agrawal at the Rotman School, the Creative Destruction Lab has supported over 1,500 founders from over 30 countries—generating more than 4 billion dollars in equity value. Now, in its partnership with International business school HEC Paris, the CDL is poised to “play a vital role in building the next generation of […]
Western society is trapped by the belief that maximizing wealth and self-interest is the right thing to do, says Yancey Strickler. In his new book This Could Be Our Future—out tomorrow—the crowdfunding mastermind explores how we can liberate ourselves by expanding our understanding of value. Our value system is broken, operating on the assumption that […]
Fresh off her Booker Prize win, prolific Canadian author Margaret Atwood received another honor recently—and an incredible career first: it was presented to her by none other than Queen Elizabeth. As of late October 2019, Atwood is now one of the select few people granted the Companion of Honor award—given for achievements in the arts, […]
Some people value their gut for guiding them through their biggest business decisions. Others are wary of relying on instinct, fearing it to be too reactionary and emotional. So, should leaders make decisions based on intuition, or shouldn’t they? When, if ever, is it OK to use your gut? Laura Huang discusses in Harvard Business […]
With her newest release, The Testaments, breaking sales records around the globe—and at a record speed—literary legend Margaret Atwood is also taking home the Booker Prize for the sequel to 1985’s The Handmaid’s Tale, today. Nineteen years ago, Atwood accepted the same award for her book The Blind Assassin; and today’s win makes her only […]
The retail industry has undergone a massive, unprecedented transformation in the last few years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Retail Reinventionist Joe Jackman and Retail Futurist Doug Stephens join forces to answer your most burning questions about the industry and where it’s headed. Joe Jackman is a master of retail reinvention. […]
When thinking about diversity, we tend to consider factors like gender, sexuality, and ethnicity. But what about age? Activist Ashton Applewhite has written a manifesto raging against the perils of growing older in a society that is, at its core, deeply ageist. Forbes calls it a must-read for anyone hoping to foster a more diverse […]
Opening at the Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago, LaToya Ruby Frazier’s “The Last Cruze” will focus on the Rust Belt. Several of LaToya Ruby Frazier’s photographs from her first solo show have already been published in a feature story of the same name for The New York Times. Her black-and-white images showcase […]
Four hundred years ago, in August of 1619, a ship carrying enslaved Africans arrived in the American state of Virginia, then a British colony. That fateful trip altered the country, it’s identity, and its history in unimaginable ways. Nikole Hannah-Jones explores the shadow cast by that crucial moment in her new audio series ‘1619.’ Titled […]
Renowned psychologist Angela Duckworth joins Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code, for an enlightening conversation about grit, bravery, and challenging yourself outside of your comfort zone. How do you get better at things you’re not comfortable doing? Host Reshma Saujani is uncomfortable using her hands to fix things, whether it be putting together […]
Common wisdom would suggest that Donald Trump’s campaign is targeted towards his most ardent supporters: fellow Republicans. Yet, a new study co-authored by Stanford Sociology Professor Robb Willer and his colleague suggests the opposite is true. Liberals, not conservatives, may be most swayed by the President’s re-election strategy. It turns out that a subset of […]
Pacific Standard has rounded up twenty-five must-read books being released in Fall of 2019. Among them are Lavin Speakers Margaret Atwood, Naomi Klein, Megan Phelps-Roper, and Patti Smith. Margaret Atwood—The Testaments The highly anticipated sequel to Margaret Atwood’s seminal book The Handmaid’s Tale is almost here. Fans who have followed along with the book’s heroine […]
How has Amazon integrated automation into its 600,000+ workforce? What will be the future of its employees? And how are we, as consumers, making that future happen? Martin Ford joins the Land of Giants podcast for a discussion on the Robot Revolution. Land of Giants, a podcast produced by Vox Media, explores today’s information age […]
Once a lifestyle app featuring beautifully curated images, Instagram has become the newest, easiest shopping destination. In a new article on The Cut, psychologist and bestselling author Adam Alter explains why we’re so addicted, and how we can manage our symptoms in a digital world of access and convenience. Part of the addictive, shopping-fuelled influence […]
With the global economy in crisis, bitcoin should be in a position to prove itself as an asset immune to political effects. Michael Casey explores how the currency war might affect it in his latest article for CoinDesk. Something may or may not come out of Trump’s decision to label China a “currency manipulator,” but […]
Ajay Agrawal, AI Expert and Founder of the Creative Destruction Lab, sat down with billionaire venture capitalist Vinod Khosla for a conversation on the future of machine learning—and the social implications it will bring. “Education is not the solution,” Vinod Khosla said, when discussing the impact of artificial intelligence on the economy and the labour […]
Republican Senator Josh Hawley recently proposed a bill that would ban tech companies from implementing the addictive features that prompt us to spend more and more time on our devices. Adam Alter, the New York Times bestselling author of Irresistible, weighs in. Rather than a full-on ban on certain tech features, psychologist Adam Alter suggests […]
In 2015, for the first time ever, Americans spent more money in restaurants than they did in grocery stories. Now, the food industry is preparing for yet another major shift: by 2020, an estimated half of restaurant spending will occur “off premises.” Deliveries, drive-throughs, and takeaway meals are poised to takeover sit down dining. Derek […]
This year’s historic Thomas J. Wilson Memorial Prize goes to Anthony Jack for his first book, The Privileged Poor. Bestowed by Harvard University Press, the prize acknowledges an exemplary first book manuscript, and is judged for its outstanding style, content, and presentation. It also highlights the author’s special contribution into illuminating a major problem in […]
In his latest book, award-winning journalist George Packer tells the story of controversial American diplomat Richard Holbrooke. Our Man paints a dazzling portrait of a policy giant who was brilliant, self-absorbed, and willing to do anything to fulfill his political ambition. Recently, Packer joined Mother Jones editor Clara Jeffery for an enlightening conversation about the […]
When Chuck Klosterman first emerged into public consciousness, he was a cultural critic hailed for his funny, idiosyncratic, and prescient voice. But as social media has become more ubiquitous, it seems everyone on the Internet is now a “cultural critic” of sorts. In his GQ interview, Klosterman speaks openly about the realities of a digital […]
After an incredible response to its’ first three seasons, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is returning to television for a highly anticipated fourth run. Following the story of Offred and her fellow “handmaids” in a dystopian near-future, Margaret Atwood’s 1985 classic still strikes a chord today. The book-turned-series is Hulu’s most-watched show, not just in […]
How can you maximize innovation, reduce risk, and build an entrepreneurial organization? Harvard Business Professor Laura Huang explains the importance of the Minimum Viable Product in achieving all three goals. Instead of creating the disparate parts of a product and then assembling them into its final form, creating a Minimum Viable Product or MVP means […]
Randall Lane, the Chief Content Officer of Forbes, announced the magazine would be continuing its editorial expansion with the hire of 10 new journalists worldwide. The appointments—which take place in New York, London, and San Francisco—span across nearly all the Forbes coverage areas, including the iconic Under 30 franchise. “It’s a thrill to be […]
July 20th, 2019, marks 50 years since NASA put a man on the moon. These are the Lavin Speakers talking about mankind’s greatest achievement. One Giant Leap author Charles Fishman continues his 50 Days to the Moon series for Fast Company. The award-winning journalist is also appearing at NASA’s 50th anniversary event—held in collaboration […]
The moon landing wouldn’t have happened without President John F. Kennedy, he who boldly promised the nation that we would reach the moon before the Soviets. But would we have gotten there by 1969—as promised—if he hadn’t been assassinated? In his latest article for Fast Company, Charles Fishman reveals surprising evidence that suggests JFK was […]
“Why do we buy the things we buy?” Asks David Sax, author of The Revenge of Analog and expert on consumer behavior. This week in Vox he provides the answer: “as someone who has been looking at consumer trends and the forces that shape them over much of the past decade, when you step back […]
Cybersecurity attacks are doubling every year. Phishing scams are at an all-time high. These days, it isn’t an IT flunky answering for security breaches, it’s CEOs and business owners, non-tech professionals who need clear, actionable guides to understand how to secure themselves, and protect their customer’s data. Enter Tarah Wheeler. Tarah Wheeler is the former […]