NAFSA 2019 Annual Conference & Expo

Join peers and experts at the premier global professional learning and networking event for all international educators and organizations that support international education for the NAFSA 2019 Annual Conference & Expo, "Global Leadership, Learning, and Change."

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Plenary Speakers - NAFSA 2019

NAFSA’s plenary speakers will share their unique insights and viewpoints on the challenges and opportunities facing everyone in the ever-changing global landscape. Each day we will unite at the plenaries to reflect, discover, and expand our collective horizon. Be inspired to grow and transform the landscape of international education.

NAFSA will share updates regarding each featured speaker prior to the opening of registration. Return to this page for updates.

Plenary Speakers

Dr. Madeleine K. Albright

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As one of the world’s most respected diplomats, Dr. Madeleine K. Albright, continues to advocate for democracy and human rights across the world, while also championing the important impact international relations and educational exchanges have on the United States today. In 1997 under President...
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General Colin L. Powell

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For over fifty years, General Colin L. Powell, USA (retired) has devoted his life to public service having held senior military and diplomatic positions across four presidential administrations. General Powell served as President Ronald Reagan’s National Security Advisor and he served as Chairman of...
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José Andrés

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José Andrés is an internationally recognized culinary innovator, author, educator, humanitarian, and committed advocate of antihunger issues. Andrés is known for his groundbreaking avant-garde cuisine and his award-winning group of 31 restaurants and one food truck located throughout the United...
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Doris Kearns Goodwin

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Doris Kearns Goodwin is a world-renowned presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize winning author. Through her lifelong examination of the U.S. presidency, Goodwin brings history alive and illuminates her readers on the triumphs and tribulations of the men and women who have shaped the nation...
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Shankar Vedantam

Shankar Vedantam
Shankar Vedantam is the host of Hidden Brain on National Public Radio (NPR) and is NPR’s social science correspondent. His reporting focuses on human behavior, the social sciences, and how research in those fields can get listeners to think about the news in unusual and interesting ways. Before...
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