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 1–20 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
Civil RightsForeign RelationsHuman Rights+1
Sectors
Government ServicesEducation & Training ServicesConsulting Services
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
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)International ArbitrationPublic Speaking+1
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)
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
AI SummaryServed as Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice; specializes in appellate, constitutional, and complex commercial litigation.
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
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.
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.
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.
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)
Committed to Public Service, Advocacy & Global Engagement
AI SummaryErica Herrmann served at the U.S. Department of Labor, focusing on child advocacy and international relations. Her roles involved policy formulation, research, and international diplomacy, equipping her for work in global policy and advocacy.
Former Government
Senior International Relations OfficerU.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Child AdvocacyInternational Development
Practice Areas
Civil RightsVietnamAsia+1
Sectors
Museums, Historical Sites, & Similar InstitutionsEducationGovernment Services+1
Legal Counsel- Privacy, AI, and Regulatory Compliance
AI SummaryServed as legal counsel at the FBI, specializing in privacy, AI, and regulatory compliance. Expertise in privacy law, risk management, and technology innovation.
Former Government
Assistant General CounselFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Senior Policy & Program Analyst | PhD in Counselor Education
AI SummaryCeara Shaughnessy served in the U.S. Air Force and Office of the Secretary of Defense, specializing in policy analysis, program management, and diversity initiatives.
Current
Senior Policy and Legislative AnalystOffice of the Secretary of Defense
Data AnalystFederal Government
Former Government
Violence Prevention Policy & Program AnalystU.S. Air Force
FormerGov Director of Coaching | Soul Shine Coaching Founder
AI SummaryFormer Gov Director of Coaching, specializing in workforce strategy and talent management. Experienced in organizational transformation and strategic communications.
AI SummaryAndrew Kirkpatrick served over 20 years in the GSA and US Army CERDEC, specializing in strategic program management and human capital transformation. His expertise in executive coaching and organizational strategy makes him well-suited for leadership consulting roles.
Former Government
Customer Service Director/Business Development Specialist/ Innovation Adoption Lead/ Executive CoachGeneral Services Administration (GSA)
Customer Service DirectorBusiness Analyst
Practice Areas
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)Board of DirectorsCoaching+1
Sectors
Staffing & Employment ServicesCommunicationsEducation & Training Services+1
Experienced Strategic Program Leader and Public Speaker
AI Summary34 years with the IRS, specializing in tax auditing, compliance, and management; currently leading tax implementation efforts and developing audit technique guides.
Current
SuperintendentNon-Profit Organization
Administrative
Former Government
Supervisory Internal Revenue Agent - Group ManagerInternal Revenue Service (IRS)
AI SummaryJill Schulman served as a Combat Engineer Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Her expertise in leadership development and bravery suits her current role as a keynote speaker and founder of Breakthrough Leadership Group.
Current
PrincipalPrincipal Breakthrough Leadership Group LLC
AI SummaryDylan Hayden served as an analyst for HUD and VA, specializing in data-driven decision-making and AI governance. His current roles as a data strategist and educator in AI for public sector leadership suit him for consulting on AI and public policy.
Current
Founder & CEOPublius AI
ConsultingPublic Policy
Former Government
Enterprise Open Data LeadU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD)
Federal GovernmentData Scientist
Practice Areas
Income InequalityHealth CareGrant Review+1
Sectors
Professional & Business ServicesProfessional, Scientific, & Technical Services
AI SummaryServed 20 years at FBI, led diverse teams on national security; Managing Director at Aon, led global cyber intelligence team; specializes in leadership coaching, change management, and team effectiveness.
Current
Leadership Coach & Instructor
Former Government
Deputy Assistant DirectorFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Strategic Federal Procurement Consulting with Integrity
AI SummaryCindy O. Morgan served over 16 years in federal agencies including the Peace Corps and FAA. Her roles as IT Specialist, Program Manager, Policy Analyst, and Contracting Officer demonstrate expertise in IT acquisitions, acquisition policy, and operations.
Current
PresidentC.O.MORGAN, LLC
Contracts / ContractingConsulting
Former Government
Procurement AnalystU.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Contracts / ContractingProgram and Project Management
Practice Areas
Artificial Intelligence TechnologyContracts+1
Sectors
Information TechnologyGovernment ServicesInformation Technology Services
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.
