Public Policy & Government Leadership Expert; Former President of The Heritage Foundation; Director of U.S. Office of Personnel Management; Author

Richmond, VA, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info

Kay Coles James Biography

Kay Coles James is an American public servant whose career spans local, state, and federal government, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. James served as president of The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C., and was the first African American and the first woman to hold that position. Raised in Richmond's housing projects during the era of segregation, she participated in the desegregation of Virginia's public schools.

James began her public policy career at the grassroots level, serving on the school board of Fairfax County, Virginia, and later on the state board of education. Under President George H. W. Bush, she was associate director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and assistant secretary for public affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She was appointed secretary of health and human resources under former Virginia Governor George Allen, where she led Virginia's welfare reform initiative, impacting 14 state agencies and more than 19,000 employees. James was later appointed director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, overseeing a department of 3,600 employees and advising on personnel administration for the federal civil service, with stewardship over $650 billion in federal employee assets.

In her role at the Office of Personnel Management, James designed the process for merging nearly 170,000 employees from 22 agencies into the Department of Homeland Security. Beyond government service, she has held senior positions in education and nonprofit organizations, including chief operating officer of a national mentoring organization and dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University. James founded and led The Gloucester Institute in Gloucester County, Virginia, to train emerging leaders in the African American community. She also served on a presidential transition team, advising on federal appointments, and as secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

James is the author of several books, including "Never Forget: The Riveting Story of One Woman's Journey from Public Housing to the Corridors of Power," "Transforming America From the Inside Out," and "What I Wish I'd Known Before I Got Married: Keepin' It Real." Her honors include the National Humanities Medal, the Republican Party of Virginia's Lifetime Achievement Award, and the introduction of an annual award in her name for advancing traditional American values in minority communities. She has received honorary degrees, including a Doctor of Laws from Pepperdine University, the University of Virginia's Publius Award for Public Service, and the Spirit of Democracy Award for Public Policy Leadership from the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.

James is a frequent commentator and lecturer, appearing on national news and talk programs, with her editorials published in newspapers nationwide. She has promoted the concept of "solutionism," encouraging leaders to address society's challenges with practical solutions. Her experience in public policy, government leadership, and nonprofit management has established her as a prominent voice in American public life.

BOOK Kay Coles James

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/30/2026.

Kay Coles James Videos

The King’s College Class of 2022 Commencement | Secretary Kay Coles James

The King’s College Class of 2022 Commencement | Secretary Kay Coles James

On May 7th, 2022, The King’s College was honored to welcome Secretary Kay Coles James as our 2022 Commencement speaker.

  • How do I book Kay Coles James to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Kay Coles James for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Kay Coles James, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Kay Coles James or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Kay Coles James

    Speaking fees for Kay Coles James, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Kay Coles James are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Kay Coles James, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Kay Coles James speak about?

  • Where does Kay Coles James travel from?

    Kay Coles James generally travels from Richmond, VA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Kay Coles James’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Kay Coles James 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 Kay Coles James for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Kay Coles James or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Kay Coles James is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Kay Coles James for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Kay Coles James generally travels from Richmond, VA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Steve Largent, Michael Steele, Jennifer O'Neill, Alan Keyes and Buster Soaries. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Kay Coles James for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP