Bill Burke founded The Optimism Institute after a long career as an executive, writer, and producer in media and sports. A former Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellow, Bill now speaks on leadership and the power of optimism to transform individuals, teams, and organisations.
Bill's career highlights include serving as CEO of The Weather Channel Companies and working at Time Warner, where he was the founding general manager of Turner Classic Movies.
At just 29, Bill became president of TBS Superstation. He also learned valuable lessons from CNN founder Ted Turner, who co-authored the top-10 New York Times best-selling autobiography, Call Me Ted. Bill also co-owned and chaired the Portland Sea Dogs, the double-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox for fifteen years. As a writer, Bill has co-written, produced, and directed Live Another Day, an award-winning documentary on the U.S. auto industry bailout.
Bill has also worked in non-profits, serving on and chairing several boards. He chaired the boards of Maine Medical Center (Maine’s largest hospital) and MaineHealth (the largest private employer in Maine). Bill also chaired the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, helping steer the organization through the “Great Recession” of 2008 to 2009, and the US Biathlon Association, the national governing body for this Winter Olympic sport.
A lifelong optimist, Bill launched The Optimism Institute and the Blue Sky podcast to combat the negative effects of news and social media on mental health. Through the podcast, Bill has interviewed inspiring leaders, authors, researchers, and big thinkers, including Amy Edmondson on the benefits of psychological safety and Daniel Pink on the surprising positive power of regret. Bill has also appeared on TODAY with Hoda and Jenna and Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People Podcast to share his optimistic vision of the world and its future.
How can I book Bill Burke for my next event?
Email bill.burke@getapeptalk.com, or call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
PepTalk are the official speaking agents for Bill Burke available to book for corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity endorsements, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Bill Burke's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. For media interviews, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Bill directly.
What topics does Bill Burke specialise in?
Bill Burke specialises in discussing media and broadcasting, sports management, optimism, leadership and more.
What is Bill Burke's speaking style like?
Bill delivers with dynamic energy, optimism, and humour, offering practical advice and sharp insights. His engaging style inspires teams, fosters connection, and provides reassurance during times of change.
Does Bill Burke offer virtual speaking engagements?
Yes, Bill Burke offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.
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![Bill Burke’s session was far more than a speaking engagement—it was a powerful and timely experience for our team. As we focused on building a culture that embraces change, Bill’s message on the power of optimism resonated deeply and personally, offering a sense of agency and hope[...] | Keri Kaiser | FSA Store |](https://peptalk-static-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/speech-bubble-4.webp)
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