Hubert Joly
Former Chairman & CEO of Best Buy | Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School | Bestselling Author of The Heart of Business | Thinkers50 Top Thinker
Robert Gates
22nd U.S. Secretary of Defense | Former Director of the CIA | Advisor to Eight U.S. Presidents | Presidential Medal of Freedom | Authority on National Security & Leadership
Robert Gates is one of the most respected national-security leaders in American history, the 22nd Secretary of Defense and the only person asked to stay in that role by a newly elected president of the other party. A career CIA officer who rose to become its Director, he advised eight presidents across both parties and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. On stage, he offers an unmatched, nonpartisan perspective on global security and leadership.
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Robert Gates biography
Robert Gates has earned the trust of eight American presidents from both political parties, an achievement without parallel in modern public life. The only Secretary of Defense in U.S. history asked to remain in office by a newly elected president of the opposing party, and the only career officer ever to rise from an entry-level position to Director of the CIA, he has spent a lifetime at the center of American national security. Respected across the political spectrum for his judgment, integrity, and candor, he offers audiences a perspective almost no one else can.
Global affairs speaker Robert Gates served as the 22nd Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011, leading the Pentagon under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Deeply committed to those in uniform, he championed the rapid deployment of armored MRAP vehicles that saved thousands of lives, earning him the enduring nickname “the Soldiers’ Secretary.” Earlier, as Director of Central Intelligence, he led the CIA through the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
From CIA Analyst to the Pentagon
Gates began his career at the CIA in 1966 and spent nearly twenty-seven years as an intelligence professional, including almost nine years on the National Security Council serving four administrations. He later served as president of Texas A&M University and Chancellor of William & Mary, his alma mater, and today is a principal in a leading strategic advisory firm alongside former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. On his final day as Secretary of Defense, President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, capping a career chronicled in his four acclaimed books and profiled at Britannica.
As a speaker, Robert Gates is measured, insightful, and refreshingly straightforward, drawing on decades at the highest levels of intelligence, defense, and leadership. He speaks on global security and the threats facing the world, the future of American power and alliances, leadership and institutional reform, and decision-making in times of crisis. Nonpartisan and deeply credible, he gives senior audiences a clear-eyed understanding of a dangerous and rapidly changing world, from one of the few people who has helped steer it.
Robert Gates Speaking Videos
Gates Forum Keynote: December 5, 2024
Beyond The Battlefield- Keynote Conversation: “The Return of Strategic Competition”
Robert Gates Keynote Topics
Few people can assess the world's dangers with Robert Gates's authority. Drawing on nearly five decades in intelligence and defense, he offers audiences a sweeping, sobering, and clear-eyed analysis of the threats facing the United States and the world, from nuclear-armed rivals in Europe and Asia and the rise of China to regional conflicts, cyber threats, and emerging technologies, and what they mean for security, business, and global stability in the years ahead.
Gates built a reputation as one of government's most effective reformers, transforming the CIA, the Pentagon, and a major public university. In this keynote, drawn in part from his book on leadership, he shares hard-won lessons on leading large, complex, and often resistant institutions: how to drive change, make tough decisions, take responsibility, and earn trust. A substantive, practical talk for leaders facing transformation in any field.
Over a career advising eight presidents, Gates helped make some of the most consequential decisions in modern American history, in war, intelligence, and crisis. He takes audiences inside how such decisions are really made, the weight of responsibility they carry, and the judgment, discipline, and integrity they demand. A compelling reflection on leadership under pressure, relevant to anyone who must make high-stakes decisions with imperfect information.
As a statesman who helped guide the U.S. through the end of the Cold War and two decades of conflict, Gates offers a strategic view of America's role in a shifting world. He examines the future of alliances, the tools of national power beyond the military, the challenges to the international order, and what it will take for the United States and its partners to navigate an increasingly contested century. A thoughtful, nonpartisan assessment from a master strategist.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Robert Gates
Why Robert Gates?
Booking Robert Gates brings audiences one of the most trusted and experienced national-security leaders alive. Almost uniquely, he served eight presidents of both parties, led both the CIA and the Pentagon, and is respected across the political spectrum for his integrity and sound judgment. He offers a rare, authoritative, and genuinely nonpartisan perspective on global security, American power, and leadership, delivered with the calm, straight-talking clarity that defined his career. For audiences trying to make sense of a dangerous and fast-changing world, few voices carry more weight. He is ideal for events on global affairs, national security, leadership, and geopolitics. To bring Robert Gates to your next event, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.
Who is Robert Gates?
Robert Gates is an American statesman and former intelligence officer widely regarded as one of the most respected national-security leaders in U.S. history. He served as the 22nd Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011 under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, the only person asked to continue in that role by a newly elected president of the opposing party. Earlier he was Director of the CIA and the only career officer in the agency's history to rise from an entry-level position to Director. He advised eight presidents, later led Texas A&M University and William & Mary, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is the author of four books, including the memoir Duty.
Why is Robert Gates called "the Soldiers' Secretary"?
Robert Gates earned the nickname "the Soldiers' Secretary" for his deep, personal commitment to the men and women serving in uniform during his time as Secretary of Defense. Among his best-known initiatives, he pushed to rapidly produce and deploy Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, which are credited with saving the lives and limbs of thousands of U.S. service members in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was known for prioritizing the welfare of troops and their families, and for personally writing to the families of those killed in action. His focus on the human cost of war, over bureaucracy and politics, is central to how he is remembered.
What topics does Robert Gates speak on?
Robert Gates speaks on global security and world threats, American power and the future of alliances, leadership and institutional reform, and high-level decision-making. His keynotes suit events on global affairs, national security, leadership, and geopolitics. To book Robert Gates as a speaker, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.
How to book Robert Gates as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Robert Gates as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Robert Gates's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Robert Gates or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Robert Gates speaking fee?
Robert Gates speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Robert Gates to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Robert Gates.
How can I contact Robert Gates?
We only work with Robert Gates on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Robert Gates and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Robert Gates speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Robert Gates for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Robert Gates for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Robert Gates is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Robert Gates for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
