2012 Speaker Showcase Speaker: Marco Vicenzino

MARCO VICENZINO represents a new generation of independent foreign policy thinkers who combine successful international private sector experience with profound insight into contemporary geo-politics to produce an informed global strategic perspective on issues, events and developments that drive world affairs in the 21^st century. As a graduate of Oxford University and Georgetown University Law Center, Marco has distinguished himself through his ability to master and inter-connect a wide range of international topics and speak authoritatively on diverse media outlets around the world. Marco is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and is a widely recognized political commentator/analyst throughout Latin America and Spanish-language audiences in North America.

Marco has provided commentary on CNN, BBC, NBC Nightly News, Fox, National Public Radio and many others. His writings and views have appeared in leading publications/websites including the New York Times, International Herald Tribune, Financial Times, U.S. News & World Report, Le Figaro, El Pais, Daily Star, Al Hayat, South China Morning Post and many others.

Marco is a leading world affairs contributor to CNN Espanol TV, providing extensive live analysis during breaking news of international crises. He contributes to other leading regional media outlets throughout the Americas, including Telemundo, Univision, NTN/RCN and many others. Marco also provides regular commentary to leading radio outlets throughout the Americas, including BBC Spanish, Radio Caracol and CNN Espanol Radio. He has contributed to leading newspapers throughout Latin America, including El Universal (Mexico), La Nacion (Argentina) El Mercurio (Chile), El Espectador (Colombia), El Nacional (Venezuela), and many others. He also provides regular commentary for Spain’s leading daily El Mundo.

For more information please check out the Speaker Showcase Brochure.

2012 Speaker Showcase Speaker: Patrick Thean

PATRICK THEAN is the author of Execute without Drama and an award-winning serial entrepreneur who has started and exited multiple companies. As CEO of Metasys, he achieved a ranking of 151 on the Inc. 500 list. With Patrick’s leadership, Metasys was deemed the “gorilla” of his industry by topnotch analysts. This propelled Metasys to one of the most successful technology company exits in North Carolina.

Patrick has spoken to thousands of businesses in the United States, Canada, Asia and Australia. He has spoken to YPO, EO and Fortune Small Business Growth Conferences, as well as corporate conferences for companies such as Charles Schwab, Ingram Micro and the Singapore Economic Development Board. His specialty is providing practical insights and one-page tools to help companies grow faster by getting their teams focused, aligned and accountable.

Patrick is the CEO of Gazelles Systems and the co-chair of the MIT Enterprise Forum and EO’s world-renowned Entrepreneur’s Masters Program – a highly exclusive three-year program that provides successful entrepreneurs with practical education to grow their businesses. He also chairs Malaysia’s” Taipan: The Making of Asian Giants” program. Patrick received his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering from Cornell University.

For more information please check out the Speaker Showcase Brochure.

2012 Speaker Showcase Speaker: Rohit Talwar

ROHIT TALWAR is a global futurist, business advisor and award-winning professional speaker noted for his inspirational approach, provocative content and humour. He advises global clients from developed and emerging markets on how to survive, thrive and develop innovative growth strategies in the decade ahead.

Rohit specializes in emerging markets and sectors such as technology, aviation, travel, retail and meetings, and he currently leads studies on Airport 2025 and Convention 2020. He authored Designing Your Future – Key Trends, Challenges and Choices, edited Achieving Transformation and Renewal in Financial Services, and contributes regularly to books and journals on futures and strategic change. Rohit delivers keynote speeches for leaders at business, government and association events in 50+ countries around the world. Regular topics include change drivers, economic futures, emerging technologies, innovation, developing economies, professional services, complexity, winning in a downturn and the future of travel, aviation and meetings.

Rohit leads Fast Future Research, conducting futures studies on topics such as the Future of HR, Hotels 2020, Mega Trends, The Shape of Jobs to Come, Science and Technology Timelines, Future of Cities, Travel and Tourism, and Convention 2020. He has led scenario projects on Asia, 2015, Migration, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Healthcare Innovation, the Narcotics Landscape and Demographic Trends. Profiled by the Independent Newspaper as a top ten global future thinker, his interests include technology in business and society and embedding foresight in organizations. Clients range from 3M, Samsung and Santander to 20+ associations and government agencies in the US, UK, Finland, Dubai, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

For more information please check out our Speaker Showcase Brochure.

2012 Speaker Showcase Speaker: Hagai Segal

HAGAI M. SEGAL is an award-winning academic, consultant and analyst, specializing in the Middle East and Asia, modern terrorism, geo-strategic and economic risk, and Business Continuity/Resilience policy.

Hagai has a long track record as a consultant, analyst and advisor – to numerous banks, finance/investment houses, international corporations, business groups, security and police agencies and politicians across the globe – examining pertinent geo-strategic and economic risk factors and their effect on global and regional security and the global economy.

This includes ongoing advisory work, training and briefings for UK national counter-terror and security organizations, counter-terror agencies and police forces across Asia and Australasia, and federal agencies in the United States (including the FBI and the Federal Reserve).

Hagai serves on the London First Security & Policing Advisory Board Executive Advisory Committee of the Global Risk Network (an international body of senior leaders from the public and private sectors that addresses issues related to risk, emergency preparedness, security, etc.) and is a member of the UK Council of the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Dept. of State).

He is the recipient of the 2007-2008 NYU in London Annual Teaching Award.

Hagai additionally has become a familiar face as a keynote speaker at international corporate and industry conferences, regularly addressing events such as the CLSA Investors’ Forum, oil and gas conferences such as Sparks & Flames and Flame, and project finance conference such as Projects International and TransFin, in addition to resilience and security forums like International Joint Operations Command Conference, IFSEC, Counter-Terror Expo and The World Summit On Counter-Terrorism.

A regular guest on national and international television and radio stations.Hagai also writes for a number of newspapers and publications around the world. He has additionally participated in top-level Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

For more information please check out the Speaker Showcase Brochure.

2012 Speaker Showcase Speaker: Peter Nixon

PETER NIXON, author of Negotiation, Mastering Business in Asia (Wiley, 2005) discovered Dialogue Gap while consulting, coaching and training thousands of executives in more than 50 countries. With a background as a chartered accountant and auditor with Big Four legacy firm Coopers & Lybrand, Peter has spent a generation helping clients lead their companies and resolve conflicts effectively while improving sales, sourcing, profit, governance, talent management, service, strategy and effectiveness. Given his unique background and global reach, Peter is also asked to address global environmental, political, social and spiritual challenges for NGOs and government bodies.

Peter has researched decision making around the world and has assembled practical tools, methodologies and approaches to enable and inspire leaders to achieve the optimal outcomes signalled to exist by John Nash’s Prize-winning winning economics. Simply put, Peter helps leaders get the stakeholders to discuss the right issues, in the right way, at the right time, and in the right space. Peter’s latest book, Dialogue Gap (due on tablets and bookshelves in March 2012), has received endorsements from leaders around the world. In it Peter outlines the origins, implications and solutions for Dialogue Gap.

Apart from speaking, training, consulting and coaching to groups around the world, Peter is also busy developing Dialogue Champions to resolve the implications of Dialogue Gap at work, in schools, hospitals, governments, and anywhere the quality of dialogue we need to solve our problems falls short of the quality of dialogue we experience. Originally from Montreal, Peter began his international career in 1988 when he relocated to Geneva, where he witnessed the end of the Cold War before transferring to Hong Kong a year later. Deferring partnership in his firm, Peter chose instead to focus on his clients and develop his new specialty while raising his young family. Peter launched Potential in 1994 and never looked back.

For more information please check out the Speaker Showcase Brochure.

2012 Speaker Showcase Speaker: Denis Cauvier

As president and CEO of three companies, DR. DENIS CAUVIER understands the realities, challenges and opportunities faced by senior executives in today’s turbulent economy. Having researched the best business ideas, practices and case studies from around the world, he takes this global perspective and creates localized solutions for his audiences, thus providing them with competitive strategic advantages. Denis creates practical methods of attracting, pre-screening, selecting, leading, developing, engaging and retaining exceptional people.

Denis’s highly customized content delivery style fosters participant interaction, discussion and idea exchange around the topic covered. Attendees greatly value the “ah-ha” moments, the relatable case studies, and the ready-to-use practical tools, checklists and templates.

Denis provides proven low-cost, high-impact methods to decrease costly employee turnover, increase levels of productivity, enhance performance, increase sales and customer satisfaction, increase market share and boost profits. Denis’s strategies have added more than US$300 million in new value/revenue, and have boosted his clients’ profits by millions of dollars.

Denis’s clients include hundreds of small/medium companies, family businesses, 200+ multinational firms, dozens of Fortune 500 companies, an African king, an Arabian sheikh and several billionaires. With more than 22 years as a professional speaker and consultant, Denis has spoken to more than one million people in more than 45 countries. He is a frequent expert cited in media outlets including the New York Times, LA Times, CBS, ABC, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, MSNBC and Forbes. He is the best-selling author of eight books.

For more information please take a look at our Speaker Showcase Brochure.

YPO-WPO Speaker Spotlight: Susan Tabak

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to talk with YPO-WPO Speaker Susan Tabak.  Susan is a luxury expert and fashion insider with an interesting tie-into the Organization, read on to find out more…

“One of my first jobs out of college was working in the YPO‘s education department. It was great fun, researching some of the fascinating speakers we brought in for presentations, and I learned so much; not just about the roster of speakers, but also through meeting so many interesting YPO members from all over the world. And, thanks to my time spent as a YPO employee, I became very aware of the considerable strength of this organization. I continue meeting people who are YPO members, and I’m always impressed by their success as well as their devotion to this network of support. My own career has evolved considerably since my days in the education department: I’m now the CEO of a small, independent luxury-lifestyle media company with global appeal. But I like to think my entreprenurial spirit was influenced by YPO!”

Susan started her second career by launching herself as a personal shopper, taking well-heeled women from New York (and around the world) on personalized shopping excursions to Paris. Susan is a New Yorker, but she spent a lot of time in Paris as a child, as a teenager, and then as a college student, so she knows the city like a native (and speaks the language fluently). In 2006, she self-published a book, Chic In Paris, which was well-received and well-reviewed in the worldwide fashion press. Susan gradually became less interested in personal shopping and more interested in creating a small media company using original content (text, photographs and video) to reach a growing audience of luxury consumers. To that end, she incorporated as Susan Tabak LLC, relaunched her “Chic In Paris” blog as SusanTabak.com, began working with social media and even developed and launched her first branded product–a perfume called “Sortir le Soir.” She’s currently sought after as a luxury expert by media outlets ranging from CNN to French television to newspapers and magazines, and her constant–and extensive–travels (sometimes combined with speaking engagements) make her a natural commentator on fashionable doings around the world.

For more information on Susan please visit our Speaker Database or SusanTabak.com.

YPO-WPO Speaker Interview: Anita Rosenberg

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to speak with Anita Rosenberg, an award-winning author, global business owner and expert in Chinese Metaphysics which includes Feng Shui, BaZi Chinese Astrology and Yi Chi.  Keep reading to see what she had to say.

YPO-WPO: How did you get involved with speaking to YPO-WPO?

Anita: I grew up as part of the YPO family. My father was YPO-WPO and now CEO. One of my brothers is currently YPO-WPO. Growing up in Cincinnati my parents would leave on exotic trips to far-flung places joining their YPO friends. The stories they would tell upon their return about the fascinating people they had met and the amazing authors and speakers they had heard were exciting. Over the years I could see how these YPO adventures expanded my parents’ world and made them much more interesting and worldly. It was during this time I decided I would be one of those enlightening speakers too.

That dream was forgotten for many years as I pursued my artistic passions at art school (San Francisco Art Institute) and film school (New York University Graduate Film & Television) earning a BFA in sculpture and an MFA in movie directing. After NYC I moved to Los Angeles where I gained cult status directing chick flicks “Assault of the Killer Bimbos” and “Modern Girls.”After thirteen years in the movie business I grew tired of the dangling carrot of “next week, next month” and even a long lunch with George Clooney couldn’t convince me to stick it out. So, I switched creative gears and began hand-painting decorative accessories in my garage. Anita Rosenberg Studio grew into a million-dollar global business with production eventually moving to China.  It was during my first trip to Hong Kong I was introduced to Feng Shui. On a tour of the city it was pointed out that the Hong Kong Bank had good Feng Shui and I wanted to know what it was and how to get it. So, I studied and earned multiple certifications and degrees in Classical Chinese Feng Shui, BaZi Chinese Astrology, Plum Blossom Yi Ching and Date Selection and have been doing this work professionally for over fifteen years.

Coming full circle, right before a trip to Vietnam I was asked if I wanted to speak to YPO in Saigon. Of course I said yes and that experience led to my recent trip through India as the guest speaker to YPO-WPO in Punjab, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. As my reputation throughout Southeast Asia and India continues to grow, my goal now is to bring this work back to YPO-WPO in the U.S. Americans need to know what China and India already know, the power of spirituality is good for business and good for the soul.

YPO-WPO: What take-home value do members in the YPO-WPO audience walk away with after your session?

Anita: YPO-WPO in India was challenging because it was the first time I presented this BaZi Chinese Astrology material and I wanted it to be an interactive event. Since I am one of the few people (both inside and outside the U.S.) to do this type of work it had to be explained and experienced. We asked for attendee’s birth information beforehand so I could create personal BaZi Astrology charts for everyone.

Sidenote: The minute you ask someone in India for their birth dates they get it. Vedic Astrology is an important aspect of their professional and personal life, so they know they are going to have their chart read and this sets the tone for a lively evening.

The Education Chairs decided to open with a one-hour Power Point overview of Feng Shui and BaZi Astrology as a reference point then break for personal mini-readings during cocktails and buffet. The visual presentation included photos and stories of my celebrity clients like Paula Abdul and her house and the famous W Hollywood Hotel. Feng Shui take-aways included practical tips like adding fresh flowers to homes or offices to attract more money and how-to create a romantic bedroom to stir up passion. Where the lecture took an exciting turn was when everyone brought out their personalized BaZi charts and we went over them in a group setting learning; Who Are You, How You Approach the World, and What Role Do You Play in Life?

Heading out into the audience I glanced at charts to point out if someone was a Ding Fire like Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan whose success comes from selling every role he plays or Ren Water like Bill Gates who shares a profile with most Fortune 500 billionaires because he knows how to raise capital as a visionary. Everyone was excited to understand which powerful person they shared a profile with. Spouses teased spouses while colleagues teased colleagues – the event became a real party.

The most valuable take-away was the 10-minute mini readings everyone received. I was able to give personal attention even though I heard they were fighting over me, “I can’t get to her.” So we learned that we had to make a list and the chair person was in charge watching the clock so that everyone had a turn (not a bad problem to have.) In the end, I was thrilled to be able to educate people on Classical Chinese Feng Shui, especially BaZi Chinese Astrology and afterwards YPO members scheduled private consultations. I worked with amazing YPO-WPO movers and shakers who continue to be my clients and dear friends.

YPO-WPO: What specifically is it about your message that’s relevent to the YPO-WPO audience?  What sets you apart?

Anita: The message of being the best YOU, you can be is not original but the tools I use are quite cutting-edge. First of all I am working with a 4,000 year old ancient Chinese art that most Westerners are not familiar with. Educating others on the “real deal” of Feng Shui and not the trend is my mission. BaZi Chinese Astrology on the other hand is so new to the West, most people have never heard of it. My workshop focus is on each and every person. How can YOU change your life? How can YOU improve business? How can YOU enhance your relationships?

What sets me apart is the intimate nature of my presentation. A smaller group of 25-40 people allows me to connect directly with each person. I can truly hear what they are concerned about and answer them directly with tips and ideas on how to solve their problems. No matter how wealthy or how successful you are, no one is perfect. And it is those who desire self-improvement and are open to new and fresh ideas who will continue to grow.

In 2012, the year of the Water Dragon or Ren Chen is about change. People will become more spiritual and look inwards. There will be more mergers and less fighting. The general theme is healing and recovery. Things should start to stabilize in the world and those seeking growth and renewal will do well. I hope what sets me apart as a YPO-WPO speaker is my passion for my work and that I make it fun to learn.

YPO-WPO: How has working with YPO-WPO impacted your presentation or personal life? What personal value has speaking with YPO-WPO provided you with?

  Anita: Speaking to YPO-WPO and doing it in India was profound and life-changing for me. India resonates with me unlike anywhere else I have traveled. It inspired me on a deeply spiritual level and impacted the work I do in so many ways. While in India I went “shopping for nirvana” and found magical items for my Good Karma Shop along with life long friendships with YPO-WPO members.

The entre I had into the elite world of YPO-WPO India was a privledge. On the global stage, India is a crucial player and the folks I met in Punjab, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru are the movers and shakers who are changing the world.

Professionally, my credibility and self-confidence went through the roof. Speaking to YPO-WPO gave me a sense of personal accomplishment for a goal I set in my teens.  So, as I contemplate the power of being involved in the YPO-WPO network, I feel like I have come home. As I have always been part of the YPO-WPO and CEO family because of my father and brother I am now a part of it as a speaker.

For more information on Anita please visit the Speaker Database.