General Session Speakers
General sessions at the Vision conferences feature industry leaders and experts who share their insights and often start a productive exchange of ideas on today's most relevant issues.
Madeleine K. Albright
Former U.S. Secretary of State
(1997-2001)
James W. Paulsen, Ph.D.
Chief Investment Strategist
Wells Capital Management
Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr.
Celebrity Athlete
Madeleine K. Albright
Former U.S. Secretary of State (1997-2001)
Monday, May 4
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Albright was the 64th Secretary of State of the United States. In 1997, she was named the first female Secretary of State and became, at that time, the highest ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government. As Secretary of State, Albright reinforced America’s alliances, advocated democracy and human rights and promoted American trade and business, labor and environmental standards abroad.
From 1993 to 1997, Albright served as the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations and as a member of the President’s Cabinet. She is a professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. She chairs both the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, the Pew Global Attitudes Project and serves as president of the Truman Scholarship Foundation. Albright serves on the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Policy Board, a group tasked with providing the secretary of defense with independent, informed advice and opinion concerning matters of defense policy. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Aspen Institute. In 2009, Albright was asked by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to chair a group of experts focused on developing NATO’s New Strategic Concept.
On May 29, 2012 President Obama awarded the U.S. Medal of Freedom to Dr. Albright – the nation's highest civilian honor - citing the inspiration her life is to all and that her scholarship and insight continue to make the world a better, more peaceful place.
Albright is the author of five New York Times best-sellers: her autobiography, Madam Secretary: A Memoir, (2003); The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs, (2006); Memo to the President: How We Can Restore America's Reputation and Leadership, (2008); Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box, (2009); and, her most recent book, Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948, (April, 2012) in which she tells the story of Albright's experiences and those of her family during and immediately after World War II, providing a fresh lens through which to view some of the modern era's most tumultuous years.
James W. Paulsen, Ph.D.
Chief Investment Strategist
Wells Capital Management
Tuesday, May 5
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
James W. Paulsen is the Chief Investment Strategist at Wells Capital Management. An investment management industry professional since 1983, Paulsen develops investment strategies that assist in the management of separate institutional account assets as well as mutual and collective investment funds.
In 1997, he joined Norwest Investment Management, Inc., which later combined with Wells Capital Management. Prior to that, Paulsen was the Senior Managing Director and Chief Investment Strategist for Investors Management Group in Des Moines, Iowa. Earlier, he was President of SCI Capital Management in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Paulsen is nationally recognized for his views on the economy. He frequently appears on several CNBC and Bloomberg Television programs, including regular appearances as a guest host on CNBC. Businessweek named him Top Economic Forecaster, and BondWeek twice named him Interest Rate Forecaster of the Year.
For more than 25 years, Paulsen has published his own commentary assessing economic and market trends through his newsletter, Economic and Market Perspective, which was named one of the “101 Things Every Investor Should Know” by Money magazine.
Paulsen earned a bachelor’s and a doctoral degree in economics from Iowa State University.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr.
Celebrity Athlete
Wednesday, May 6
11:00 a.m. - 11:55 a.m.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr. has become the most powerful African-American businessman in the world. He is a Major League Baseball owner, an NBA legend, a two-time Hall of Famer, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist and a motivational speaker. The business mogul has successfully parlayed his skills and tenacity on the court into the business world, propelling his company to the status of #1 Brand in Urban America.Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE), Johnson’s company provides high-quality products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and underserved urban communities through strategic alliances, investments, consulting and endorsements. The conglomerate comprises multiple business entities and partnerships that include Yucaipa Johnson, a $500 million private equity fund, ASPIRE: an African-American television network; SodexoMAGIC: a food service and facilities management company; Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academies: a high school dropout prevention program; Clear Health Alliance: a healthcare provider with a specialty plan for HIV/AIDS patients; Magic Airport Holdings: including Magic Johnson Sports and Inner City Broadcasting Corporation.
In the business world, Johnson is most noted for his unprecedented Starbucks partnership, which served as the catalyst for redevelopment in urban communities and is literally the blueprint for Corporate America’s engagement and success with urban consumers. In 2010, the savvy businessman divested his Starbucks and Los Angeles Lakers shares in excess of $100 million.
In 2012, Johnson, as a member of Guggenheim Baseball Management (GBM), became an owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a Major League Baseball Franchise. In 2014, Johnson, with some of the partners from GBM, purchased the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.
Johnson also serves as Chairman and Founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation, where his unwavering commitment to transform Urban America continues through HIV/AIDS Awareness & Prevention Programs, Community Empowerment Centers and the Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program. Celebrating more than 20 years of success, the Magic Johnson Foundation has become one of the most recognizable philanthropic organizations around the world.
