Northwestern Speakers Who Prove Midwest Means Business

Founded in 1851 in Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern University is a leader in journalism, law, business, and the arts. It’s home to the famed Medill School of Journalism, Kellogg School of Management, and top-tier programs in engineering and medicine.

For speaking agencies, Northwestern is a wellspring of influential communicators and thought leaders who blend creativity, precision, and public engagement.

Notable NorthWestern Speaker Highlights

Notable alumni include Stephen Colbert, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, George R.R. Martin, and Meghan Markle.

On the thought leadership side, Kara Swisher (tech journalist), Erin Burnett (CNN anchor), and David Reibstein (marketing strategist) bring media fluency and sharp insight to the stage.

Northwestern also excels in healthcare and social research, with voices tackling inequality, public health, and behavioral science.

Why Northwestern Speakers Resonate

Northwestern speakers are dynamic communicators. They’re ideal for events focused on storytelling, branding, tech culture, journalism, and media ethics.

These are people who know how to keep an audience engaged — and thinking.

Book from Northwestern when you need clarity, charisma, and media-smart storytelling. Their speakers bridge worlds: data and narrative, business and culture.

Featured Northwestern University Speakers

• Mary Zimmerman (B.S./M.A./Ph.D., Performance Studies) – Tony Award–Winning Director of Metamorphoses; MacArthur Fellow; Professor at Northwestern; Director at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. Book Mary Zimmerman for a dazzling conversation on storytelling, adaptation, and the imaginative power of theater — a master director who bridges classical text and modern spectacle.
• Noshir S. Contractor (Ph.D.) – Network Scientist; Director of SONIC Research Group; Executive Director, Web Science Trust. Invite Noshir Contractor to explore how social, organizational, and digital networks shape innovation, influence, and human behavior in a connected world.
• William Dichtel (Ph.D.) – Professor of Chemistry; MacArthur Fellow; Expert in Covalent Organic Frameworks. Book William Dichtel for a compelling look at molecular design and sustainable chemistry — from water purification to next-gen materials.
• Luís A. N. Amaral (Ph.D.) – Complex Systems Scientist; Professor at Northwestern; Co-founder, Chimu Solutions. Bring Luís Amaral to decode the science of complexity — from human health to social systems — with clarity, data, and global relevance.
• Samuel I. Stupp (Ph.D.) – Materials Scientist; Northwestern Professor; National Academy of Sciences & Engineering Member. Book Samuel Stupp for groundbreaking insights on regenerative medicine and smart materials — where science meets the future of healing.
• Spencer Glendon (B.A., Industrial Engineering) – Former Senior Fellow, Wellington Management; Climate & Philanthropy Advocate. Invite Spencer Glendon to share an urgent and eloquent vision for climate communication, risk strategy, and why storytelling is essential to sustainability.

» READ MORE: Princeton's Sharpest Minds Ready for Keynotes

Book Northwestern Keynotes for Your Event

From media trailblazers and literary icons to scientists and business leaders, Northwestern speakers know how to combine substance with style. Their mix of creativity and precision makes them ideal for audiences who want to be informed and entertained.

Email hello@getapeptalk.com, connect with us via chat, or call +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US). Let’s bring Northwestern’s creativity and insight to your next event.