Filter by:

The Lavin Agency Speakers Bureau

A speakers bureau that represents the best original thinkers,
writers, and doers for speaking engagements.

Heather McGhee

How can all Americans prosper, together?

Author of New York Times Bestseller The Sum of Us

Now Playing

Why Can’t We Have Nice Things in America? (4:27)

Now Playing

The Most Important Things in Life Can’t Be Achieved Alone (2:06)

Now Playing

How Do You Keep Going in the Fight for Equality? (3:01)

Now Playing

How Somali Refugees Revived a Dying Maine Town (5:52)

Now Playing

Racism Has a Cost for Everyone (14:22)

Lavin Exclusive Speaker

How can Americans fight back against “zero-sum” thinking—the idea that progress for some must come at the expense of others? How do we flourish, as a nation, and how do we thrive, as individuals, even in a deeply divided time? In her instant New York Times bestseller, The Sum of Us, Heather McGhee took a road trip across America to show us that inequality doesn’t just affect people of color; it has a real economic cost for all of us. “This is a book for every American,” writes Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love), “and I am grateful for McGhee’s research, her humanity, and her never-more-important teachings.” For her podcast of the same name, from the Obamas’ production company Higher Ground, Heather traveled anew across the country, uncovering stories of everyday people coming together across division to make tangible change in their communities. In hugely hopeful keynotes, she offers a practical roadmap for this critical moment in American history.

The Sum Of Us is nothing less than a cultural phenomenon. Called “required reading to move the country forward” by The Chicago Tribune, Heather’s book shows us that inequality lies at the root of our biggest collective problems—collapsing infrastructure, rising student debt—but that these problems have solutions grounded in achievable, pragmatic action. It spent 10 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, was longlisted for the National Book Award, was named the Best Business Book of the Year by Porchlight, and landed on countless Best Books of the Year lists, including The Washington Post and TIME. Heather is also the author of The Sum of Us: Adapted for Young Readers, which brings her crucial message of solidarity to a new generation of leaders, thinkers, and activists.

For nearly two decades, Heather helped build the non-partisan “think and do” tank Demos, serving four years as president. Under her leadership, Demos moved their original idea for “debt-free college” into the center of the national discussion, argued before the Supreme Court to protect voting rights, and provided expert testimony to Congressional committees. Famously, Heather was asked by Howard Schultz, CEO at Starbucks, to help the company design anti-bias training for over 250,000 employees. The resulting report offered practical recommendations for how to eliminate bias and even showed other companies, both large and small, the benefits of doing the same. An influential and seasoned media voice, Heather regularly appears on shows such as NBC’s Meet the Press and Morning Joe, and her opinions, writing, and research have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

Heather holds a B.A. in American Studies from Yale University and a J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law. She currently serves as a Visiting Lecturer in Urban Studies at the City University of New York’s School of Labor and Urban Studies. She has also held visiting positions at Yale’s Brady-Johnson Grand Strategy Program and the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics. Heather is the Chair of the Board of Color of Change, and serves on multiple other boards of trustees, including the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and Demos.

Testimonials

The event was a splendid success. Heather gave an absolutely riveting talk, winning the admiration of students and faculty alike. It exceeded even my own very high expectations. She’s a gem.

Yale University

Testimonials

We were so fortunate and grateful to have Heather at this year's Statewide Housing Conference. It was absolutely the right time and her clear, hopeful message of addressing our Zero/Sum politics head-on with solidarity and mutual benefit, was the needed fuel to start the day and rise to the challenges ahead. Heather's reminder that 'housing is central to the American Promise' was just the theme we needed as we collectively work towards the future we envision for our nation, state and communities.

Vermont Housing Finance Agency

Testimonials

Our folks really appreciated the time with Heather! Her strong analysis along with powerful stories provided really clear teaching and insights. At the end, she gave us an inspiring call to action not only based on her leadership and expertise but also in response to the dialogue with our Sr. Fellows.

American Leadership Forum, Silicon Valley

Testimonials

Heather's presentation was engaging, thoughtful, and inspiring! The follow up conversation flowed naturally and set the perfect tone for this moment in time. We’ve received great feedback from members who clearly appreciate Heather's work, and there were quite a few comments in the chat from folks eager to get a hold of her book.

Southeastern Council of Foundations

Testimonials

We were thrilled to host a virtual keynote with Heather McGhee for an audience of education system leaders from across the U.S. Heather was brilliant. The audience learned so much in that hour, and found her style to be warm and compelling. She brought a clear, inspiring, and inclusive call to action and we all left energized and hopeful.

WestEd

Testimonials

We have already received very positive feedback on your impactful and very relevant mainstage session. Some examples of the comments included “Heather was incredible”, “Superb in every way”. We are also deeply grateful for your participation and presentation during the Annual EGA Trustee Dinner sharing your wisdom and lessons learned from your time at the helm of Demos’ racial equity transformation. EGA members deeply appreciated listening to your insights and engaging with you.

Environmental Grantmakers Association

Testimonials

Heather was a great keynote speaker, especially for many leaders in the room who didn't know her or her book. Many people commented about how she helped reshape their way of seeing and thinking things.

Partners in Diversity

Lavin Exclusive Speakers

Angela Duckworth

Author of Grit, the #1 New York Times Bestseller | Pioneering Researcher on Grit, Perseverance, and the Science of Success

Daron Acemoglu

2024 Nobel Prize Winner | 3rd Most Cited Economist in the World | Bestselling Co-Author of Why Nations Fail and Power and Progress

Alison Wood Brooks

Harvard Business School Behavioral Science Professor | "40 Under 40 MBA Professor" | Author of TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves

Derek Thompson

#1 New York Times Bestselling Co-Author of Abundance | Host of thePlain English Podcast | Founder of the Substack Derek Thompson

Clint Smith

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author of How the Word Is Passed and Above Ground | The Atlantic Staff Writer

Speech Topics

Leadership

The Sum of UsEmpathy, Solidarity, and How We Can Prosper Together

We’ve bought into the idea that progress for some of us must come at the expense of others. But the truth is that when we stand together, we all stand to gain.

In her book The Sum Of Us, New York Times bestselling author Heather McGhee showed how policies that benefit our most marginalized actually benefit all of us—in spheres from our infrastructure and education system to our democracy itself. In her podcast of the same name, she took listeners on a journey across the country to meet the ordinary people who are coming together across divides to make life better for everyone.

This talk, based on Heather’s extraordinarily powerful book and podcast, pulls back the curtain on the divisions that plague us. And it offers a path forward—into the achievable changes we need to make to create a just and equitable future for all.

America250

The Choices That Made AmericaOur Next 250 Years

As we approach America’s 250th birthday, it’s time to ask ourselves not just where we’ve been, but where we’re going. Drawing on real stories of ordinary people throughout our country’s history, Heather McGhee offers a powerful vision of what the next 250 years of our story could look like if we listen to the echoes of the past.

In this inspiring keynote, this New York Times bestselling author—whose book The Sum of Us helped reframe the national conversation on solidarity and empathy across divides—charts a path towards a future marked by unity, solidarity, and progress: the values that have always moved our country forward. She introduces us to everyday heroes whose small acts of courage made our country what it is, and she helps each of us understand how the seemingly small choices that we make today contribute to the America of the future.

“Every individual one of us has a choice every day as to what kind of America we want to defend,” Heather says. “It’s never been up to people more famous and more important than us. It’s always been everyday people whose choices have shaped history and made America better.”

Corporate Culture

Leading Organizational TransformationsHow to Foster Culture, Community, and Belonging

Over her tenure as President of Demos, Heather McGhee brought in staff from all backgrounds and created an original curriculum and process that helped the 50 staff members and trustees better operate in an inclusive professional environment. The transformation sparked not only joy and a changed company culture but also a renewed commitment to its mission and purpose from staff of all backgrounds. Heather has also served as a pro bono advisor to Starbucks, helping shape their company-wide anti-bias training on May 29th and co-authoring a report, “Toward a Vision for Racial Equity & Inclusion at Starbucks,” with recommendations that can be adapted for other corporations. With this talk, Heather addresses corporate executives and staff about the business benefits of leading such processes and how to get alignment for change.