Laura Schwartz, the White House Director of Events for the Clinton Administration, created and executed more than 1,000 White House events including State arrival ceremonies and dinners, America’s Millennium Celebration, NATO’s 50th Anniversary, the Concert of the Century and many others.
While producing the President’s events on the world stage, Laura demonstrated the ability to inspire a nation and the world through powerful events. She arrived at the White House at just 19 years old with no political connections and volunteered answering phones in the press office. Proving her value immediately, Laura climbed her way up the ranks as a Staff Assistant, the Midwest Press Secretary, the Director of Television, and ultimately, the White House Director of Events. Following the Administration, Laura traveled the world with Former President Clinton for his Foundation and Global Initiative.
In her first book, “Eat, Drink & Succeed! Climb Your Way to the Top Using the Networking Power of Social Events,” Laura shares the secrets to building powerful, effective partnerships in our companies, communities and beyond, adding color with personal anecdotes from her life and White House years. As a professional speaker, she takes those same details to stages, boardrooms, classrooms and ballrooms around the world in her acclaimed speaking series to empower, motivate and inspire each audience to Eat, Drink & Succeed!
Laura appears regularly as an international television commentator speaking about political campaigns, leadership, networking, domestic and foreign affairs, pop culture and special events. She covered the 2008 presidential campaign for the CBS Early Show, was the on-air political contributor for Fox News Channel from 2004 to 2007, and was the special correspondent to Larry King Live and CNN for the 2008 presidential primaries. Laura appears internationally as well offering a smart American perspective on a myriad of issues and events at home and around the world. Laura’s non-partisan commentary is well respected both domestically and internationally.
Laura Schwartz keynote speaker on success
Laura is a well-known mistress of ceremonies for multi-day conferences and events including charity galas, sporting events, panel discussions and fashion shows. Whether addressing an intimate gathering of 30 or an audience of 30,000, Laura captivates audiences with her positive energy, expertise and enthusiasm. Laura is the annual emcee for several prominent charitable events and organizations, including the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk in Chicago’s Grant Park and the YWCA Annual Leader Luncheon, which honors women and mentors for outstanding achievement in their chosen career fields.
Laura is widely recognized for her civic, philanthropic and professional leadership and has won numerous awards and accolades. She has been named one of the Best Keynote Speakers by Meetings and Conventions Magazine and is a member of the National Speakers Association. She serves on the boards of the American Heart Association, the Clean the World Foundation, Common Threads and Event Solutions Magazine. She was named one of the “100 Most Influential Women in Chicago” by Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine and named one of Chicago’s “Most Bold and Beautiful” by Chicago Magazine. In 2009, the prestigious Oxford Union in England invited Laura to speak on the Foreign Policy Legacy of the United States and the role of Women in the World.
Laura has been speaking professionally since 2001 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. She travels extensively both domestically and internationally to work with Fortune’s Top 50 and 500 companies, independent businesses, industry associations, universities and nonprofit organizations, motivating people from all over the world to EAT, DRINK & SUCCEED!