Located in the heart of New York City and founded in 1754, Columbia University blends Ivy League excellence with global urban energy. It’s a launchpad for public intellectuals, media trailblazers, and changemakers across industries.

For speaking agencies, Columbia offers a deep bench of articulate, well-rounded speakers who are as at home in the newsroom as they are in the boardroom. Columbia’s strength lies in its cross-disciplinary fluency — from journalism and medicine to international affairs, climate science, and finance.

Columbia University: Intellectual Rigor Meets Urban Influence

Columbia alumni include cultural icons like Barack Obama, Nobel laureates like Joseph Stiglitz, and creative powerhouses like Kathryn Bigelow (first woman to win Best Director at the Oscars).

From Pulitzer Prize–winning journalists to UN leaders, Columbia’s reach is global.

Notable speaker draws include Fareed Zakaria, Maggie Haberman, Lisa Ling, Andrew Yang, and Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee — all offering intellectual substance and media savvy.

Columbia’s School of Journalism, Business School, and SIPA (School of International and Public Affairs) produce talent that understands complexity and knows how to communicate it clearly.

Why Columbia Speakers Resonate With Your Audience

Columbia-affiliated speakers excel in thought leadership. They bring data, narrative, and media fluency — making them ideal for conferences, panels, and broadcasts.

If your event spans public health, geopolitics, storytelling, or innovation, Columbia’s voices deliver unmatched credibility and presence.

Columbia speakers are trusted experts with global relevance. If you're curating a program where facts, ethics, and public impact matter, Columbia is a reliable source of smart, compelling voices.

Featured Columbia University Speakers

  • Kara Swisher – Tech Journalist; Host, Pivot and On with Kara Swisher. Book Kara Swisher for a no-holds-barred conversation on tech, power, and accountability — a must-hear voice for any audience navigating disruption in business or society.
  • Ta-Nehisi Coates – Author, Journalist, MacArthur Fellow. Bring Ta-Nehisi Coates to your stage for an unflinching, poetic keynote on race, history, and American identity — a voice that challenges, enlightens, and elevates.
  • Anderson Cooper – CNN Anchor; Journalist; Author. Book Anderson Cooper for an insightful, personal, and globally informed talk on journalism, empathy, and the pursuit of truth in turbulent times.
  • Jeffrey Blau – CEO, Related Companies; Urban Development Leader. Invite Jeffrey Blau to speak on the future of cities, innovation in real estate, and what it takes to build community-centered, sustainable urban environments.
  • Leila Janah – Founder, Samasource & LXMI (Legacy Speaker). Honor the legacy of Leila Janah by exploring her groundbreaking work on ethical entrepreneurship, AI, and lifting communities through dignified work — perfect for impact-driven events and social innovation forums.
  • Alicia Keys – Grammy-winning Artist; Activist; Entrepreneur. Book Alicia Keys for a deeply inspiring conversation on creativity, purpose, and the intersection of artistry and activism — where voice meets vision.
  • Jhumpa Lahiri – Pulitzer Prize–Winning Author; Princeton Professor. Bring Jhumpa Lahiri to your audience for a rich, introspective keynote on language, migration, and the emotional complexity of belonging — perfect for literary and cultural events.
  • Eric Holder – Former U.S. Attorney General; Civil Rights Advocate. Book Eric Holder for a powerful address on justice, voting rights, and leadership in a divided nation — a commanding voice on law, ethics, and equity.
  • Henry Louis Gates Jr. – Harvard Professor; Historian; Host, Finding Your Roots. Invite Henry Louis Gates Jr. to speak on ancestry, race, and the stories that shape us — a brilliant educator and storyteller who brings history to life.

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Book Columbia Speakers for Your Event

From global political leaders to award-winning journalists, cultural icons, and Nobel laureates, Columbia speakers embody intellectual rigor and real-world influence. If you want authority, credibility, and a voice that resonates across industries, Columbia delivers.

Email hello@getapeptalk.com, connect with us via chat, or call +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US) to find the right Columbia speaker for your next event.

Written by Isla Cauchi
Isla Cauchi was born in London and now lives in New York. She is currently attending Westminster School in Connecticut, where she continues her education.