Steven Olikara
Steven Olikara on Creating Opportunities for Cooperation
Steven Olikara
Keynote Speaker
Founder and Former CEO, Future Caucus (formerly Millennial Action Project)
Steven Olikara is an electrifying keynote speaker who activates people’s sense of agency for real change. His story—from Milwaukee musician to the nationally-recognized founder of a multi-million dollar civic leadership organization—informs his high energy and motivational speaking style. Without fail, audiences come away feeling more hopeful about the future.
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Steven Olikara'S SPEAKING FEE Under $25,000
Steven Olikara is a nationally recognized change-maker, speaker, and executive. From founding the multi-million dollar non-profit, Millennial Action Project (MAP), to appearing on national media outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, NPR, NBC, The Washington Post, USA Today, and more, Steven is a highly sought-after voice on transformational leadership, civic entrepreneurship, and the future of democracy. His journey is featured in the documentary film, “The Reunited States,” on Amazon Prime and PBS. In 2018, he was invited to testify before Congress on issues facing millennial and Gen Z entrepreneurs.
Steven’s message of leading real change draws from his experience building a national civic organization from scratch, staying true to his mission, and defying conventional wisdom along the way. An avid musician, he often incorporates music into his keynote presentations (both metaphorically and literally) to illuminate the creative power of creating an inclusive culture in organizations and our democracy. He is co-author of the book, JFK: The Last Speech, which highlights this intersection of the arts, aspirational leadership, and democracy.
Steven turns ideas into action: MAP is now the largest nonpartisan organization of young elected leaders in the U.S. and is backed by major philanthropists such as MacKenzie Scott. Through MAP, Steven has been on the front lines of issues such as democracy, the environment, veterans’ employment, and more. Steven has also advised two multi-platinum recording artists on youth empowerment and sustainable energy initiatives, including Akon Lighting Africa which electrified over 1 million homes in Africa with solar power.
Steven is a frequent keynote speaker at venues such as the Aspen Ideas Festival, World Affairs Councils, the White House, Harvard’s Institute of Politics, the National Press Club, SXSW, and the United Nations, among others. He is also an accomplished moderator and host. His podcast series, “Meeting in Middle America,” has featured guests such as Oscar-winning screenwriter John Ridley, former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, and Emmy-winning comedian Charlie Berens. He has won numerous awards, including Forbes Magazine’s 2017 30 Under 30 in Law & Policy, the World Economic Forum’s Global Shaper designation, and the Truman Scholarship.
Featured Videos
Steven Olikara
Steven Olikara Sizzle Reel
Steven Olikara
Steven Olikara on Finding the Jazz in Democrazy
Steven Olikara
Steven Olikara on the Impact of Youth in Government
Steven Olikara
Steven Olikara on Creating Opportunities for Cooperation
Steven Olikara’s Speech Topics
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Find the Jazz in Democracy: How to Show Up and Be Part of the Solution
Jazz is a call-and-response artform, just as democracy at its best is a call-and-response political system. However, today our democracy has descended into a call-and-shutdown culture. At a time of rising polarization and distrust in our political system, how can we reinvent democracy for the 21st century? In this talk, Steven draws on his 15-year journey as a nationally recognized democracy reformer and musician to share how each of us can show up and be part of the solution at this historic crossroads. Steven will discuss how to be an effective political bridge-builder across lines of difference, the most impactful systemic reforms to incentivize better leadership, and concrete steps to get involved and help build a new, inclusive model of civic action. As Steven reminds us, “If you think someone ought to do something, that person is probably you.”
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Beating the Odds: How to Transform the Future
In this motivational talk, Steven shares his lessons learned from founding an underdog start-up and beating the odds to achieve impact at scale. He believes that every new venture destined for success has a predictable conversion cycle of change—from early skepticism to broader adoption and acceptance. Along the way, each leader’s purpose is tested, but ultimately if he or she stays true to that purpose, broader forces move in his or her favor. This talk on creating transformational change helps the audience see their own change-making ability, learn concrete tips to overcome the hurdles of a purpose-driven journey, and take that next bold leap of faith.
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Leading with Integrity
After working with over 2,000 young elected leaders across the country, Steven shares why integrity is at the root of creating real change. He encourages all leaders to reflect on these foundational questions: what type of leader do you want to be? What is your overarching mission? What are your core principles? Amidst many outside pressures telling you what you’re “supposed to be,” this talk on leadership and integrity will help audiences:
- Have courage in decision-making
- Build trust with teams, stakeholders, and constituents
- Create principled consensus across diverse interests
Speaker Topics & Types
- Activist Speakers
- Business Speakers
- Current Events Speakers
- Democratic Speakers
- Diversity & Inclusion Speakers
- Election Forecasters & Analysts
- Entrepreneur Speakers
- Event Emcees
- Government Regulation Speakers
- Keynote Speakers
- Leadership Speakers
- Motivational Speakers
- News Speakers
- Nonprofit Speakers
- Personal Growth Speakers
- Political Speakers
- Public Speakers
- Thought-Provoking Speakers
- Virtual Speakers
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