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Mark Kennedy

Mark Kennedy

University President, Former U.S. Congressman, Business Executive

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Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000
Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000
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Categories Categories:
Business, Business Growth, Business Leadership, College, Conservative, Education, Government, Leadership, Political, Republican
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Mark Kennedy Biography

The only person to have served as a senior officer of a Fortune 100 company, a U.S. Congressman, and president of a flagship public research university, Mark Kennedy delivers keynotes that equip leaders to compete with clarity in an age of disruption.

As Founding Director of the Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition, Kennedy crafts policy strategies that align open societies against authoritarian threats—focusing on trusted technology alliances, resilient supply chains, and the digital rules that shape power. His GRIPS, PIVOT, and ALIGN frameworks help executives, policymakers, and educators to diagnose posture, reinforce systems, and convert strategy into execution. Through his Mind the Gap series, Kennedy exposes how failure often results not from flawed ambition, but from misaligned systems—offering leaders a roadmap for building institutional coherence and trust.

He is also the author of "Shapeholders: Business Success in the Age of Activism" (Columbia University Press), which redefines how leaders engage those who influence an organization’s risks and opportunities—even without holding a stake in its success. Kennedy applied these principles firsthand while helping lead Federated Department Stores through what was then the largest non-oil merger and corporate reorganization in U.S. history—a transformation that created today’s Macy’s.

A first-generation college graduate, Kennedy’s career spans business, government, and academia. He has led through some of the 21st century’s most defining disruptions: navigating the aftermath of 9/11 as a member of Congress, guiding the University of North Dakota through a major oil bust, and steering the University of Colorado system through the COVID-19 pandemic. Across each, he earned trust by aligning shapeholders and systems toward mission-first resilience.

He has engaged leaders and learners alike in more than 45 countries—meeting with heads of state, senior ministers, civic leaders, and students in settings ranging from world capitals to war zones, refugee camps, military bases, and aircraft carriers at sea.

His keynotes blend geopolitical foresight with institutional insight, equipping audiences to navigate disruption with clarity and courage. Mark Kennedy delivers more than a speech—he delivers a 360° lens for leadership in a contested world.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 07/22/2025.

Mark Kennedy Speaking Topics

  • From Overconfidence to Coherence: Competing Like It Matters

    Flagship Keynote on Strategic Competition

    In a world of fractured alliances and rival tech ecosystems, strategic competition isn’t a single fight—it’s a system-wide test of alignment, trust, and execution. In this powerful keynote, Mark Kennedy explains why winning today’s geopolitical contest requires more than capability—it demands coherence.

    Audiences will walk away with a shared language for navigating complexity, grounded in Kennedy’s GRIPS, PIVOT, and ALIGN frameworks. Whether in boardrooms, ministries, or universities, Mark delivers a roadmap for leading with clarity in a contested, interdependent world.

    Audience Takeaways: • How democracies can compete without fragmentation • Why trust, not just strength, defines strategic advantage • A practical framework to align strategy, systems, and execution

  • Geoeconomic Statecraft: Power Through Markets, Rules, and Infrastructure

    The New Toolkit of Global Influence

    Markets have become battlegrounds. In this provocative talk, Kennedy shows how finance, trade, and development are now frontline tools of global power. From supply chain controls to infrastructure finance, he explores how open societies can lead through aligned geoeconomic strategy.

    This is a must-hear for leaders navigating sanctions, export controls, new trade regimes, or the rise of alternative financial blocs.

    Audience Takeaways: • Why rules-based trade must be strategic—not just liberal • How to harness infrastructure and investment for alignment • What economic resilience looks like in a multipolar world

  • Alliances for the 21st Century: From Security Guarantees to Strategic Integration

    Redefining Partnership for the Age of Systems Rivalry

    Alliances must evolve from last-resort defense pacts into full-spectrum partnerships—spanning tech, trade, regulation, and governance. Mark Kennedy draws on high-level policy experience to reveal how alliances like NATO, AUKUS, IPEF, and the Quad must modernize for resilience and relevance.

    Ideal for summits, foreign ministries, or industries embedded in alliance-driven ecosystems.

    Audience Takeaways: • The future of alliances: not just defense, but direction • Lessons from digital cooperation and Indo-Pacific frameworks • The strategic role of industry in alliance modernization

  • Trusted Technology Alliances: Governing the Future Together

    Digital Trust as a Strategic Asset

    From AI standards to semiconductors and data flows, Kennedy reveals how technology is the frontline of modern competition—and why democracies must shape interoperable, values-based digital ecosystems. This keynote speaks directly to public and private actors navigating a shifting digital order, offering clarity on policy, alignment, and responsible innovation.

    Audience Takeaways: • How democracies can lead through digital governance • Why trust, not dominance, defines tech power • Real-world playbook for building tech alliances that last

  • Tech Leadership in a Fractured World: Competing Without Losing Our Values

    Winning the Tech Race Without Becoming What We Fear

    Can democracies lead in AI, chips, and cloud without compromising their identity? In this inspiring talk, Kennedy lays out how to embed values in tech strategy—balancing innovation, security, and civil liberties.

    It’s not just about speed—it’s about what kind of future we’re building. This keynote is ideal for conferences at the intersection of tech, ethics, and national strategy.

    Audience Takeaways: • Why values are strategic assets in digital leadership • How to embed resilience into AI and infrastructure • Strategies to avoid decoupling while competing boldly

Mark Kennedy Videos

  • Statement from Incoming President Mark Kennedy
    Statement from Incoming President Mark Kennedy
    Mark Kennedy on May 2 was elected the 23rd president of the University of Colorado by a 5-4 vote by the Board of Regents.
  • CU Presidential Finalist Open Forum – Mark Kennedy
    CU Presidential Finalist Open Forum – Mark Kennedy
    CU Presidential Finalist Mark Kennedy will spend one day on each campus and at system administration.
  • Mark Kennedy Frontiers of Freedom Lecture featuring Dr. Hal Brands
    Mark Kennedy Frontiers of Freedom Lecture featuring Dr. Hal Brands
    The Honorable Mark Kennedy became the 12th President of the University of North Dakota on July 1st, 2016. Author of Shapeholders: Business Success in...
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FAQs on booking Mark Kennedy

  • How do I book Mark Kennedy to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Mark Kennedy

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  • What topics does Mark Kennedy speak about?

    Mark Kennedy is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Business, Business Growth, Business Leadership, College, Conservative, Education, Government, Leadership, Political, Republican.

  • Where does Mark Kennedy travel from?

    Mark Kennedy generally travels from an undisclosed location, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Mark Kennedy for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Mark Kennedy for your next private or corporate function.

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Mark Kennedy is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as From Overconfidence to Coherence: Competing Like It Matters, Geoeconomic Statecraft: Power Through Markets, Rules, and Infrastructure, Alliances for the 21st Century: From Security Guarantees to Strategic Integration, Trusted Technology Alliances: Governing the Future Together and Tech Leadership in a Fractured World: Competing Without Losing Our Values. The estimated speaking fee range to book Mark Kennedy for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Mark Kennedy generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Steve Largent, Kim Klacik, Shiza Shahid, Kay C. James and Ben Stein. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Mark Kennedy for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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