Practice Area

Public Speaking

The most memorable speakers are the ones who were in the room. Former government leaders bring firsthand stories and hard-won judgment your audience cannot get anywhere else.

When people seek this expertise

Occasions that bring organizers here

A few of the many occasions organizers bring to the speakers listed below; reach out directly about yours.

Conference keynotes

A headline speaker who has led an agency, negotiated for the country, or run a major program gives your event a draw a professional lecturer cannot match.

Executive briefings

Leadership teams facing a regulatory shift or geopolitical question want an insider's read delivered in plain terms, not a slide deck of public reporting.

Association events

Members expect substance on where policy is heading, and a former official who helped shape that policy can speak to it with authority.

Panels and conversations

A panelist who has actually made the decisions under discussion changes the level of the entire exchange.

Training and workshops

Former officials teach negotiation, crisis leadership, and public service ethics from experience, which lands very differently than theory.

University and civic programs

Commencements, lecture series, and civic forums gain weight from a career spent in public life.

Members in this practice area

Public Speaking

Showing 1–10 of 80

Ranked by relevance to Public Speaking from verified member profiles.

Amanda Atkinson

22 years of government experience

Public Engagement, Immigration, Human Rights, Communication

AI SummaryAmanda Atkinson served in various roles at USCIS from 2003-2025, specializing in policy, training, and public engagement. Her expertise in immigration, communication, and program management suits her for leadership in public policy and strategic communication.

Current

Consultant: Policy, Outreach, and Project ManagementHR&A Advisors

Consulting

Former Government

Asylum Training CoordinatorCitizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Program CoordinatorHR, Training and Organisational Development

Practice Areas

Sectors

ArlingtonView Profile →

Allen Al-Haj

Verified1 years of government experience

Litigation Associate at Baker McKenzie

AI SummaryServed as law clerk for US District Court, specializes in complex commercial and employment litigation. Adept at managing multi-jurisdictional disputes and multidistrict litigation.

Current

Litigation AssociateBaker McKenzie LLP

Civil LitigationInvestigations

Former Government

Judicial InternCourt of Appeals for the Third Circuit

AttorneyResearch

Practice Areas

Sectors

Dallas, TexasView Profile →

Sahar Zomorodi

Verified2 years of government experience

Partner, Tax Attorney at Baker McKenzie New York

AI SummarySahar Zomorodi served at the IRS and is a tax attorney at Baker McKenzie, specializing in international tax planning, transfer pricing, and tax controversy.

Current

Partner Tax AttorneyBaker McKenzie

Attorney AdvisorTax Attorney

Former Government

APMA Team Leader and EconomistInternal Revenue Service (IRS)

Strategy & TransactionsFederal Government

Practice Areas

Sectors

New York, New YorkView Profile →

Tara C. Davis

2 years of government experience

Mathematician | Educator | Researcher | Capacity Builder

AI SummaryServed as an English Literacy Resource Volunteer for the Peace Corps, Math Teacher at The Dalles Middle School, and Professor at Hawaii Pacific University; specializes in education, research, and capacity building.

Current

Math TeacherThe Dalles Middle School

Teacher / Professor

Former Government

English Literacy Resource Volunteer Eastern CaribbeanPeace Corps

Community and Social ServicesTeacher / Professor

Practice Areas

Sectors

The Dalles, OregonView Profile →

William K. Lane III

Verified5 years of military service

Partner at Wiley Rein LLP

AI SummaryServed as Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice; specializes in appellate, constitutional, and complex commercial litigation.

Current

PartnerWiley Rein LLP

Civil LitigationLitigation Support Specialist

Former Government

Special CounselU.S. Senate

Projects, Programs and Advisors

Practice Areas

Sectors

Alexandria, VirginiaView Profile →

Alexandra Minkovich

Verified4 years of government experience

Tax Policy Partner at Baker & McKenzie

AI SummaryAlexandra Minkovich served as Associate Tax Legislative Counsel at the US Treasury's Office of Tax Policy, specializing in tax law and policy. Her current role as Tax Policy Partner at Baker McKenzie leverages her expertise in tax policy, legislative advocacy, and litigation.

Current

PartnerBaker McKenzie LLP

Attorney AdvisorRegulatory Specialist

Former Government

Attorney-AdvisorOffice of Tax Policy, US Treasury Department

Attorney AdvisorTax Attorney

Practice Areas

Sectors

Washington, District of ColumbiaView Profile →

Favour Okhuevbie

Verified

Tax Associate at Baker McKenzie

AI SummaryFavour served as a legal intern at the U.S. Department of State and SEC, specializing in legal assistance and litigation, which suits them for tax controversy and litigation roles.

Current

AssociateBaker McKenzie LLP

AttorneyCivil Litigation

Former Government

Legislative InternU.S. House of Representatives

Legal AssistantLegal

Practice Areas

Sectors

San Francisco, CaliforniaView Profile →

Arin H. Smith

Verified1 years of government experience

Partner at Dowd Bennett LLP

AI SummaryArin H. Smith served as a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals and U.S. District Court; her expertise in litigation and appellate work suits her for legal advisory roles.

Current

PartnerDowd Bennett LLP

AttorneyCivil Litigation

Former Government

Law ClerkU.S. Court of Appeals

Law ClerkResearch

Practice Areas

Sectors

St. Louis, MissouriView Profile →

Andy Lawton

24 years of government experience

DEA Senior Executive (Ret.) | Founder, Lawton Risk Advisory

AI SummaryAndy Lawton served 20 years in the DEA, including roles in global risk oversight and inspections. His expertise in risk management, investigations, and international diplomacy suits him for corporate security leadership and advisory roles.

Current

Founder & PrincipalLawton Risk Advisory LLC

National SecurityProgram and Project Management

Former Government

Senior Inspector & InspectorDrug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

OH&S, Risk ManagementData Analyst

Practice Areas

Sectors

Philadelphia , PennsylvaniaView Profile →

Jacquelyn Cabada Branscomb Haeberle

12 years of government experience

J.D., Grants/Ops Leader | Policy Governance | Social Impact

AI SummaryJacquelyn Cabada Branscomb Haeberle served over 15 years in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specializing in grants policy, equity, and process simplification.

Former Government

Branch Chief/GS-15Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Federal GovernmentPlanning, Policy, Strategy

Practice Areas

Sectors

Springfield, VirginiaView Profile →

Where this expertise comes from

Backgrounds behind the directory

Some of the many backgrounds you'll find among the speakers above.

Agency leadership

Former secretaries, administrators, and senior executives map to keynotes and executive briefings on regulation, governance, and leading large organizations.

Diplomats and ambassadors

Former State Department officials map to talks on international affairs, negotiation, and operating across cultures.

Congress and senior staff

Former members and committee staff map to sessions on how legislation actually moves and what it means for your industry.

Military leaders

Former flag and general officers map to crisis leadership, national security briefings, and team-building keynotes.

Prosecutors and enforcement leaders

Former DOJ and agency enforcement officials map to talks on compliance, investigations, and corporate accountability.

White House and campaign veterans

Former advisors and communicators map to sessions on politics, media, and persuasion.

Engaging a speaker

Why book a former government professional instead of a professional speaker?

Firsthand authority. A former official speaks from decisions they actually made, and audiences respond to that credibility in a way polish alone never earns.

How do I choose the right speaker for my event?

Match the background to your audience: policy and regulatory events point to agency leaders and congressional veterans; leadership programs point to military and executive backgrounds; international themes point to former diplomats.

How does contacting someone work?

Open a profile and reach out directly. FormerGov connects you with the professional; there's no intermediary or fee to make contact.

Do members work independently or through firms?

Both. Some speak through bureaus or advisory firms, others independently; each profile describes how that professional engages.

For former officials

Your story belongs on a stage

Event organizers are searching for speakers with exactly your experience. Create a profile so they can find you.

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