Keynote Speaker
Governor of New Mexico (2003-2010), Former U.S. Energy Secretary, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
As Governor, U.S. Energy Secretary, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Congressman, Bill Richardson's leadership experiences over a distinguished three-decade career in public service has shaped his perspective on the most pressing issues of our time.
From negotiating with the North Korean regime to easing tensions on the Korean peninsula to sitting down with Saddam Hussein and the Taliban to leading sweeping reform initiatives as the Governor of New Mexico, few can match the wide-ranging experience and dedication to public service of Bill Richardson. On the world stage as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, global diplomatic troubleshooter and human-rights champion, Richardson’s tireless efforts to extract hostages, bring peace and resolve intractable problems led to multiple nominations for a Nobel Peace Prize. As Governor, Richardson’s bold leadership style moved his state forward in several important areas including making New Mexico a leader in clean energy, building a high-speed rail, investing in schools, cutting taxes to encourage business investment and spearheading the growth of the commercial space industry. With his combination of domestic, political and high-visibility global experience as well as candor, wit and charm, Richardson helps audiences make sense of the issues confronting us today including working with a divided government, the economy, domestic policy issues, immigration, energy independence, U.S. foreign policy and global diplomacy. Richardson is the co-author of, How to Sweet-Talk a Shark: Strategies and Stories from a Master Negotiator (October, 2013), in which he shares his incredible stories, and offer readers a lesson on how to better manage the sociopaths, dictators, and narcissists in their own lives. In his speeches on the same topic he offers audiences a candid and entertaining glimpse into an insider’s world of high-stakes power plays and the tools for anyone who wants to come out on the winning end of a negotiation.
In this presentation,Richardson shares his incredible stories, and offer audiences a lesson on how to better manage the sociopaths, dictators and narcissists in their own lives. We all deal with difficult people at some point. Whether it’s the bullying boss, undermining colleague, ornery neighbor, a cantankerous loved one or relentlessly opinionated teenager, Richardson reveals that no interpersonal challenge is insurmountable. He enlightens by recounting his own negotiating successes and failures in some of the world’s most hostile environments, and distills lessons in the art of negotiation to help the audience conquer the “shark” in his or her own life. These include: Set the Mood; Minutes Matter; Humor is Key; Don’t Ask for a “Yes”—Assume a “Yes” and Don’t Rush to Fill the Silences. This presentation is a candid and entertaining glimpse into an insider’s world of high-stakes power plays and gives the audience the tools to come out on the winning end of a negotiation.
Given the remarkable depth of his career in public service, Bill Richardson addresses a wide variety of domestic and global issues including:
US Energy Policy— Fracking, Shale and Climate Change
The Future of Renewable Energy and Natural Gas
Global Energy Trends
Implications of Energy Policy on National Security
The Immigration Crisis in America
The 2016 Presidential Election
Congressional Gridlock
National Security — Middle East Conflict, Israel, Hamas, Iraq and Syria
US and Russia Relations
Dealing with Rogue Counties
Conflict Resolution and How to Negotiate with Dictators
US Relations with Mexico, Latin America and Cuba
Prospects for Free Trade – The Trans-Pacific Partnership and the European Union
Western Environmental, Public Lands and Water Issues
Common Core Education Standards
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