Dr. Mark T. Esper

Former U.S Secretary of Defense & Secretary of the Army; New York Times Bestselling Author of "A Sacred Oath"

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Dr. Mark T. Esper Biography

Mark T. Esper, PhD, has had a comprehensive career characterized by leadership in defense, technology innovation, and strategic policy development. His commitment to ethical leadership, coupled with his ability to spearhead significant initiatives, has defined his professional journey. He emphasizes the importance of values and ethics, aiming to ensure dignity and respect across all levels of operation.

Dr. Esper served as the 27th Secretary of Defense from July 2019 to November 2020, following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate with a 90-8 vote. In this role, he was pivotal in responding to global and domestic challenges, including managing the Department of Defense during the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and multiple international conflicts. His strategic focus included advancing the National Defense Strategy, which emphasized great power competition, and he was instrumental in the establishment of the U.S. Space Force and the Space Command. His tenure also saw the implementation of significant research and development in Artificial Intelligence, directed energy, robotics, and hypersonics.

Prior to his role as Secretary of Defense, Dr. Esper was the 23rd Secretary of the Army from November 2017 to June 2019, where he launched the U.S. Army Futures Command to modernize military capabilities. Before his government service, he held a senior executive position at Raytheon Technologies from 2010 to 2017, where he gained extensive experience in the defense industry.

Dr. Esper's memoir, "A Sacred Oath," has been acknowledged as a New York Times bestseller, offering insights into his experiences and challenges during a critical period in American history. He is also a recognized speaker, frequently appearing on major news outlets such as CNN, FOX, and Bloomberg to discuss national security and military strategy.

Currently, Dr. Esper is actively engaged in various policy and strategic roles. He holds the Distinguished Chair of the Modern War Institute at West Point and is a partner and chairman of the national security practice at Red Cell Partners. Additionally, he is on the boards of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Aspen Strategy Group, and the Atlantic Council. His recent public engagements have included appearances in notable forums such as "The 60 Minutes Interview," "Real Time with Bill Maher," and at the Reagan Library, where he discusses topics ranging from AI and security to the geopolitical landscape impacting global business.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/04/2024.

Dr. Mark T. Esper Speaking Topics

  • A Global Outlook: How Geopolitics Affect Your Business

    In this valuable address, Dr. Esper shares his expertise on the emerging geopolitical landscape, highlighting current trends and concerns to explain the potential risk and implications to companies, investors, and policymakers. Dr. Esper blends his extensive experiences in both private firms (private equity and venture capital) and public service to demonstrate a deep understanding of cause and effect on a global scale. Providing a high-level overview of the world’s hotspots – the people, places, and policies that investors and companies should be aware of – Dr. Esper can advise on strategy in a meaningful and impactful way. This discussion can be customized to address your organization’s current concerns.

  • U.S. Foreign Policy: What Are the Top Issues Facing the U.S. Today?

    In this riveting talk, Dr. Esper offers a substantial and insightful perspective on U.S. foreign policy, and the top issues facing the United States today. During his tenure as U.S. Secretary of Defense (2019-2020) and Commissioner for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (2007-2008), Esper successfully lead the Defense Department through an unprecedented time in the nation’s history: from conflict with Iran, an ongoing military campaign in Afghanistan, and counter-terrorist operations in the Middle East; to open competition with China and Russia amidst a fundamental shift in the geo-strategic environment. With experience as a corporate executive, Esper is in a unique position to address the challenges the U.S. faces globally while drilling down to the risks • and opportunities • that matter most to leaders, organizations, and policymakers.

  • Leadership: Caring for Your Most Important Asset, Your People

    In this impactful speech, Secretary Esper uses his informed experiences as a leader of two of the world’s largest and most complex organizations to discuss the necessity of having a clear vision, straightforward mission statement, and comprehensive strategy for your organization. Esper speaks to the importance of being able to articulate these things well to multiple audiences, and how to develop coherent plans for developing, implementing, and sustaining success. Mark Esper believes the most important elements of an organization’s success are the character, values, and culture of its leaders and employees. In this pragmatic yet motivational presentation, Esper also shares:

    • The importance of empowering and motivating your team by delegating authority, assigning mission-type objectives, and giving people room to surprise you
    • How to strike the right balance between the demands of the present and the needs of the future when today is right in your face
    • The criticality of diversity, inclusiveness, and respect in the workplace
    • How to identify, recruit, develop, and retain quality people, especially leaders
    • The importance of caring for your most important asset, your people
    • How to drive change and implement reform in today’s world

  • National Security: What the U.S Government Can Do to Protect America Today While Readying for the Future

    In this presentation, Secretary Esper addresses the challenges the U.S. faces globally, moving from region to region, and hot spot to hot spot, to share his insights about the challenges, trends, risks and opportunities that every leader and organization needs to be aware of. Esper’s remarks will cover topical issues, including:

    • What does the ascendance of China mean for the U.S. and the West in the 21st Century
    • How should America and its allies think about Russia over the next 10-15 years?
    • How real are regional threats to U.S. interests from countries like Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela?
    • How should the U.S. think about Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East?
    • What about transnational threats from terrorist groups and criminal organizations?
    • How do pandemics and climate change play into all of this?
    • What are the real challenges America faces in space and cyberspace?

    Esper also speaks to how the U.S. can develop and implement a whole-of-country approach – one that includes government at all levels, and the private sector in all of its shapes and sizes – to deal with these matters, including what the United States government can do to protect America today while readying itself for the future. And what does this all mean for your organization and its future?

Dr. Mark T. Esper Videos

  • Esper: Trump audio about classified documents 'stunning'
    CNN's Kaitlan Collins spoke with former defense secretary Marc Esper about new CNN reporting about former President Donald Trump's handling of...
  • Ex-defense secretary lays out successful Ukraine counteroffensive
    Ukraine officials are urging silence over any potential news of a counteroffensive in order to protect plans. "CNN This Morning" speaks with former...
  • CHAT: The Indispensable Leader: America in the 21st Century

Dr. Mark T. Esper Books

  • A Sacred Oath: Memoirs of a Secretary of Defense During Extraordinary Times
    A Sacred Oath: Memoirs of a Secretary of Defense During Extraordinary Times

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  • What topics does Dr. Mark T. Esper speak about?

    Dr. Mark T. Esper is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Authors, Consulting, Geopolitics, Government, Leadership, Military, Political, Republican, Security & Defense, Veterans, World Affairs.
  • Where does Dr. Mark T. Esper travel from?

    Dr. Mark T. Esper generally travels from 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.
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Dr. Mark T. Esper is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as A Global Outlook: How Geopolitics Affect Your Business, U.S. Foreign Policy: What Are the Top Issues Facing the U.S. Today?, Leadership: Caring for Your Most Important Asset, Your People and National Security: What the U.S Government Can Do to Protect America Today While Readying for the Future. The estimated speaking fee range to book Dr. Mark T. Esper for your event is available upon request. Dr. Mark T. Esper generally travels from USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Robert D. Kaplan, Evelyn Farkas, Ray Mabus, Mark Hertling and Karl Eikenberry. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Dr. Mark T. Esper for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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