Hollie McKay

Hollie McKay

Keynote Speaker: Geopolitical Analyst & Journalist, War Reporter, Author & International Humanitarian

Hollie McKay Biography

Hollie S. McKay is an investigative journalist, foreign policy expert, war crimes investigator, and keynote speaker. She authored the best-selling book "Only Cry for the Living: Memos from Inside the ISIS Battlefield" and founded McKay Global, a geopolitical risk assessment consultancy. McKay spent over fourteen years with Fox News Digital focusing on warfare, terrorism, and crimes against humanity.

Her commitment extends beyond journalism; McKay is a dedicated humanitarian, contributing her time and resources to aid war victims. She is actively involved with children in Mexico, mentors veterans, and collaborates with organizations like Emergency USA and BCRF to support conflict victims. McKay's work on the frontlines of conflict zones in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Iran, Turkey, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Burma, Russia, Africa, Latin America, and Ukraine has encompassed detailed interviews with ISIS combatants, survivors of severe human rights abuses, and high-ranking officials across various governments and military establishments.

McKay's insights are disseminated through keynotes on topics such as the human connection in war, storytelling in hostile environments, war crimes accountability, terrorist psychology, and the roles of women in war. Her columns have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, and her investigative reports have been referenced in numerous mainstream publications and academic journals. Throughout her career, McKay has received numerous awards recognizing her significant contributions to journalism and humanitarian efforts. Her work continues to illuminate the impacts of conflict on ordinary people, aiming to foster greater understanding and accountability through her extensive coverage and speaking engagements.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Hollie McKay and other top speakers and celebrities.

Hollie McKay Speaking Topics

IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN CONNECTION | WHAT WAR TEACHES US

While conflict brings out the worst of humanity, it also brings out the very best. Survivors of such manmade atrocities teach us what it is to be brave, when there is little choice for the ordinary to become extraordinary. I have often been struck by how ordinary people are forced to become extraordinary at the drop of a hat – or a bomb. I am both perplexed and inspired by the resilience of these people to withstand pain (physical and psychological), to find hope in the bundling of misery, and to push through the darkness. The key? Faith, hope, and the power of love and holding each other up.

THE ART OF STORYTELLING IN HOSTILE ENVIRONMENTS

Getting to the truth, and shining a light in some of the darkest corners of the globe, is far from a straight-forward task, especially when faced with hostile governments, insurgents and powerful players who will stop at nothing from squashing the truth. But it can and must be done, both now and in the future.

ON INVESTIGATING WAR CRIMES AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Over and over again, we hear and often even see unfathomable crimes being committed by governments, gangsters, warlords and terrorists against those simply caught in the crossfire of conflict. Who is holding the perpetrators accountable? Why are so many mass murderers and rapists getting away with their crimes in the context of wartime? More must be done.

HOW TERRORISTS THINK AND OPERATE: INTERVIEWING ISIS

Having spent years interviewing terrorists from various factions, all over the world and with different ranks and responsibilities, Hollie can offer an unprecedented insight into what makes them tick, what they really want, and why they do what they do.

WOMEN IN WAR: VIGNETTES FROM ALL SIDES

Women are playing an increasingly prominent role in today’s wars, and on all sides of the spectrum. We are seeing more female jihadists, more female fighters, more foreign terrorist wives and more females fighting for what’s right and playing visible roles in conflict resolution. Women, like never before, are crucial to preventing future conflict.

How do I book Hollie McKay to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Hollie McKay for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Hollie McKay, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Hollie McKay or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Hollie McKay for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Hollie McKay, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Hollie McKay are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Hollie McKay, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Hollie McKay speak about?

Hollie McKay is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Journalism, News & Media, Geopolitics, Security & Defense, World Affairs, Immigration, Sexual Assault Recovery, Government and Women.

Where does Hollie McKay travel from?

Hollie McKay generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Hollie McKay?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Hollie McKay for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Hollie McKay for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Hollie McKay or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Hollie McKay is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Journalism, News & Media and Geopolitics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Hollie McKay for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Hollie McKay generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Michael Auslin, Amali Tower and Bernard Baumohl. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Hollie McKay for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/11/2024.

Hollie McKay Speaking Topics

  • IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN CONNECTION | WHAT WAR TEACHES US

    While conflict brings out the worst of humanity, it also brings out the very best. Survivors of such manmade atrocities teach us what it is to be brave, when there is little choice for the ordinary to become extraordinary. I have often been struck by how ordinary people are forced to become extraordinary at the drop of a hat – or a bomb. I am both perplexed and inspired by the resilience of these people to withstand pain (physical and psychological), to find hope in the bundling of misery, and to push through the darkness. The key? Faith, hope, and the power of love and holding each other up.

  • THE ART OF STORYTELLING IN HOSTILE ENVIRONMENTS

    Getting to the truth, and shining a light in some of the darkest corners of the globe, is far from a straight-forward task, especially when faced with hostile governments, insurgents and powerful players who will stop at nothing from squashing the truth. But it can and must be done, both now and in the future.

  • ON INVESTIGATING WAR CRIMES AND ACCOUNTABILITY

    Over and over again, we hear and often even see unfathomable crimes being committed by governments, gangsters, warlords and terrorists against those simply caught in the crossfire of conflict. Who is holding the perpetrators accountable? Why are so many mass murderers and rapists getting away with their crimes in the context of wartime? More must be done.

  • HOW TERRORISTS THINK AND OPERATE: INTERVIEWING ISIS

    Having spent years interviewing terrorists from various factions, all over the world and with different ranks and responsibilities, Hollie can offer an unprecedented insight into what makes them tick, what they really want, and why they do what they do.

  • WOMEN IN WAR: VIGNETTES FROM ALL SIDES

    Women are playing an increasingly prominent role in today’s wars, and on all sides of the spectrum. We are seeing more female jihadists, more female fighters, more foreign terrorist wives and more females fighting for what’s right and playing visible roles in conflict resolution. Women, like never before, are crucial to preventing future conflict.

  • How do I book Hollie McKay to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Hollie McKay for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Hollie McKay, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Hollie McKay or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Hollie McKay for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Hollie McKay, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Hollie McKay are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Hollie McKay, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Hollie McKay speak about?

    Hollie McKay is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Journalism, News & Media, Geopolitics, Security & Defense, World Affairs, Immigration, Sexual Assault Recovery, Government and Women.
  • Where does Hollie McKay travel from?

    Hollie McKay generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Hollie McKay?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Hollie McKay for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Hollie McKay for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Hollie McKay or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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HOLLIE MCKAY

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