CEO of Global Reach; Hostage Negotiation & Crisis Diplomacy Expert; Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Development Strategist; Author of "In The Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad"
Mickey Bergman Biography
Mickey Bergman is CEO of Global Reach, a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that negotiates the release of political prisoners and hostages around the world. He speaks on negotiations, emotional intelligence and leadership, drawing on real hostage negotiation stories.
Bergman was nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize, in 2019 and 2023, alongside former Gov. Bill Richardson. He has led his teams to facilitate the release of political prisoners from countries including North Korea, Myanmar, Russia, Venezuela, Iran and Gaza.
Bergman's book, "In the Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad," was published in June 2024. He was honored with the 2023 James W. Foley Legacy Foundation American Hostage Freedom Award.
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Mickey Bergman Speaking Topics
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Finding Your Individual Negotiations, Communications and Leadership Style
How international hostage negotiations can inform your style at work, home and with your kids.
Drawing from more than 18 years of experience negotiating high pressure situations in places like North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Venezuela and Myanmar, Mickey Bergman shares with participants how they can incorporate negotiation tactics into their everyday lives to reduce stressful situations. From negotiating a job offer to how to approach arguments with your kids, this session will help participant align their negotiations style with their individual personality.
An open discussion format, utilizing anecdotes from real life negotiations and applying lessons to everyday situations.
The session will cover issues including: how to improve one’s emotional intelligence; how to recognize cognitive biases; and how to align individual personalities with negotiations, communications and leadership style.
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From Hostage Crisis to the Negotiating Table — A Conversation Our Community Needs (in collaboration with Hanna Siegel)
On October 7th, our lives converged in the worst possible way. Mickey Bergman has spent his career negotiating the release of hostages and wrongful detainees around the world — operating in back channels, working across governments, navigating the impossible space between leverage and humanity.
Hanna watched her aunt and uncle, Keith and Aviva Siegel, get taken from their home in Israel on October 7th and held hostage in Gaza. What began as traditional family advocacy quickly evolved into something far more consequential: she became the primary family advocate and a core member of the negotiating team — shaping strategy, directing messaging, navigating political and diplomatic fault lines, and sustaining the fragile conditions that ultimately made a deal possible.
Aviva was held for 51 days. Keith for 484. Together, we experienced the same crisis from two completely different vantage points: the career negotiator and the family member who became a negotiator herself — essential to the effort and instrumental in bringing the deal across the finish line. What we learned — about leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, leverage, moral clarity, and community — feels deeply relevant to this moment for Jewish communities.
We would love to bring that conversation to your community. This would not be a political talk. It would not be a news recap. It would be an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about:
- How high-stakes negotiations actually work — and what most people misunderstand
- The role families and communities can play (and how to do so constructively)
- Communicating clearly under extreme pressure
- Holding both strategy and humanity at the same time
- What this experience taught us about resilience, responsibility, and collective strength
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How do I book Mickey Bergman to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Mickey Bergman 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 Mickey Bergman, 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 Mickey Bergman or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Mickey Bergman
Speaking fees for Mickey Bergman, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Mickey Bergman are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Mickey Bergman, 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 Mickey Bergman speak about?
Mickey Bergman is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Business Leadership, Communication, Crisis Management, Emotional Intelligence, Executive Leadership, Geopolitics, Leadership, Negotiation, Personal Growth, Security & Defense, Strategic Leadership, World Affairs -
Where does Mickey Bergman travel from?
Mickey Bergman generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, 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 Mickey Bergman’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Mickey Bergman 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 Mickey Bergman for your next private or corporate function. -
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Mickey Bergman is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Finding Your Individual Negotiations, Communications and Leadership Style and From Hostage Crisis to the Negotiating Table — A Conversation Our Community Needs (in collaboration with Hanna Siegel). The estimated speaking fee range to book Mickey Bergman for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Mickey Bergman generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Cheryl Cran, Garrison Wynn, George Kohlrieser, Alan Mallory and Anne Bonney. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Mickey Bergman for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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