Speakers

Monday, Aug. 6, Keynote Cheif economist of Mesirow Financial Diane Swonk
Diane Swonk, chief economist Mesirow Financial

Diane Swonk, chief economist for Mesirow Financial has been named one of the top economic forecasters in the country by the Wall Street Journal. She acts as advisor to Federal Reserve Board and regional Reserve Banks, and is one of the most respected economists in the world and among the most quoted economists in the financial press.

Thursday, Aug. 9, Keynote 
Doris Kearns GoodwinDoris Kearns Goodwin

Doris Kearns Goodwin, acclaimed historian, Pulitzer Prize winner, prolific author and captivating speaker, has written books on Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, the Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys, Lyndon Johnson and Abraham Lincoln. This year, she will be speaking on Teddy Roosevelt—legislator, president, bigger-than-life hero—and the leadership lessons we can learn from a time of economic and political turmoil that reverberate today.

Engler, Oberhelman and RustThursday, Aug. 9
John Engler, Douglas Oberhelman and Edward B. Rust Jr.

John Engler, former Michigan governor and current head of the Business Roundtable, and Douglas Oberhelman, CEO of Caterpillar Inc., and Edward B. Rust Jr., CEO of State Farm Mutual and chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will participate in a lively discussion on the different roles government and businesses can play in creating jobs.

Pollsters Peter Hart and Neal Newhouse

Tuesday, Aug. 7, Keynote
Peter Hart and Neil Newhouse

Peter Hart and Neil Newhouse are two of the nation's leading pollsters. Newhouse is a partner and co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies, a firm that The New York Times describes as "the leading Republican polling company" in the country. Peter Hart is "the foremost Washington pollster for the Democratic Party," according to the National Journal and is chairman of Peter D. Hart Research Associates.

Wednesday, Aug. 8
Women's Legislative Network Lunch |
Erica Borggren

Erica BorggrenErica Borggren is Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.  She will speak about the unique health care, psychological and social needs of female veterans.  

Wednesday, Aug. 8
Strong Stewards
A Tribute to Legislative Staff | Mary Crane

Mary CaneMary Crane is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer. She has been featured on 60 Minutes and Fox Business News, and her experience includes working in the White House.

Tuesday, Aug. 7
Legislative Staff University | Laree Kiely

Laree Kiely Laree Kiely is an award-winning organizational expert, consultant, educator, and founder of the Kiely Group.