John Wood
Keynote Speaker: Founder of Room to Read, Author, Social Entrepreneur
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Travels From:
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Categories:Inspirational, Change Management, Personal Growth, Economy, Social Activism, Political, Ethics & Integrity, Government, Entertainers, Creativity, E-Commerce, Empowerment, Executive Leadership, Technology, Innovation, Work-Life Balance, Entrepreneurship, World Affairs, Motivational, Business Leadership, Storytelling, Women, Literacy, Family & Parenting, Authors, College, Education, Celebrity, Leadership, Business, Computer Science
John Wood Biography
John Wood is the Founder of Room to Read, an organization committed to transforming the lives of children in developing countries through literacy and gender equality in education. Since its inception, Room to Read has reached over 16.6 million children across 16 countries. At the age of 35, Wood left his role as Director of Business Development for Microsoft’s Greater China region to establish Room to Read. Nearly two decades later, his initiative has expanded to over 30,000 schools and communities, significantly impacting millions of lives through educational opportunities.
Wood authored the award-winning memoir "Leaving Microsoft to Change the World," which details his decision to leave his corporate career and focus on increasing global literacy and education. This memoir has won acclaim for its inspirational message and was selected by Amazon as one of the Top Ten Business Narratives of 2006. It has been translated into 20 languages and was featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Wood's third book, "Purpose, Incorporated: Turning Cause Into Your Competitive Advantage," released in February 2018, argues for integrating purpose with profitability in business practices. It highlights companies successfully aligning these goals and contributes its profits towards opening libraries through Room to Read.
Among his numerous accolades, Wood has been recognized by Goldman Sachs as one of the world’s 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs and has spoken multiple times at the Clinton Global Initiative. He is also a five-time recipient of Fast Company Magazine’s Social Capitalist Award. Time Magazine honored him with the “Asian Heroes” Award, and he was named a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum. The Tribeca Film Festival's Disruptive Innovation Awards acknowledged him as a Lifetime Achievement Honoree, and in 2014, he received the prestigious World’s Children’s Prize from Queen Silvia of Sweden, often referred to as the Children’s Nobel Prize.
Wood holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Colorado, and has been awarded honorary doctorates from institutions including McGill University and the University of San Francisco. He has served on several advisory boards, including the Clinton Global Initiative, and currently contributes to the advisory boards of Global Citizen Year, New Story, and Possible Health. Recognized as the “Andrew Carnegie of the developing world” by the San Francisco Chronicle, Wood’s commitment to educational access and equality continues to influence countless individuals globally.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on John Wood and other top speakers and celebrities.
John Wood Speaking Topics
As our world faces an unprecedented crisis of leadership, a "war for talent" rages, with the most visionary leaders building the most effective global teams. In this keynote, Wood inspires audiences to think differently and more boldly about what they can accomplish as leaders, talking candidly about his evolution as a leader, mistakes he's made along the way, and the lessons he's learned during two decades as a fast-rising Microsoft executive and as Founder of Room to Read.
John Wood's first-person account of following his passion and the lessons learned in doing so. It is a popular "inspiring close" or "bring people to their feet" dinner speech at corporate, industry, and education conferences.
In this keynote, Wood discusses how corporate social responsibility represents the new competitive advantage; a way to re-engage customers and employees and improve the bottom line. He recalls his experiences using the ‘power of purpose’ to onboard resistant communities, motivate volunteers and enlist high-profile investors, while pointing to the growing number of corporations—like IBM and GE—that have begun building a ‘higher calling’ into their products and services. Wood demonstrates that “cause” is now the key to commercialism and inspires audiences to re-think old assumptions, dream big and take steps to align with the business world’s often-overlooked competitive advantage: purpose.
John Wood Videos
How do I book John Wood to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like John Wood 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 John Wood, 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 John Wood or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book John Wood for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for John Wood, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book John Wood are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire John Wood, 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 John Wood speak about?
John Wood is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Inspirational, Change Management, Personal Growth, Economy, Social Activism, Political, Ethics & Integrity, Government, Entertainers, Creativity, E-Commerce, Empowerment, Executive Leadership, Technology, Innovation, Work-Life Balance, Entrepreneurship, World Affairs, Motivational, Business Leadership, Storytelling, Women, Literacy, Family & Parenting, Authors, College, Education, Celebrity, Leadership, Business and Computer Science.
Where does John Wood travel from?
John Wood generally travels from San Diego, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for John Wood?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like John Wood 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 John Wood 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 John Wood 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.
John Wood is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Inspirational, Change Management and Personal Growth. The estimated speaking fee range to book John Wood for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. John Wood generally travels from San Diego, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Erin Gruwell, Hugh Evans and Linda Armstrong Kelly. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling John Wood for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
John Wood Speaking Topics
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Re-Imagining Leadership
As our world faces an unprecedented crisis of leadership, a "war for talent" rages, with the most visionary leaders building the most effective global teams. In this keynote, Wood inspires audiences to think differently and more boldly about what they can accomplish as leaders, talking candidly about his evolution as a leader, mistakes he's made along the way, and the lessons he's learned during two decades as a fast-rising Microsoft executive and as Founder of Room to Read.
-
Leaving Microsoft To Change The World
John Wood's first-person account of following his passion and the lessons learned in doing so. It is a popular "inspiring close" or "bring people to their feet" dinner speech at corporate, industry, and education conferences.
-
Purpose: The New Competitive Advantage
In this keynote, Wood discusses how corporate social responsibility represents the new competitive advantage; a way to re-engage customers and employees and improve the bottom line. He recalls his experiences using the ‘power of purpose’ to onboard resistant communities, motivate volunteers and enlist high-profile investors, while pointing to the growing number of corporations—like IBM and GE—that have begun building a ‘higher calling’ into their products and services. Wood demonstrates that “cause” is now the key to commercialism and inspires audiences to re-think old assumptions, dream big and take steps to align with the business world’s often-overlooked competitive advantage: purpose.
VIDEO
John Wood Videos
BOOKS
FAQS
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How do I book John Wood to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like John Wood 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 John Wood, 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 John Wood or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book John Wood for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for John Wood, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book John Wood are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire John Wood, 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 John Wood speak about?
John Wood is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Inspirational, Change Management, Personal Growth, Economy, Social Activism, Political, Ethics & Integrity, Government, Entertainers, Creativity, E-Commerce, Empowerment, Executive Leadership, Technology, Innovation, Work-Life Balance, Entrepreneurship, World Affairs, Motivational, Business Leadership, Storytelling, Women, Literacy, Family & Parenting, Authors, College, Education, Celebrity, Leadership, Business and Computer Science. -
Where does John Wood travel from?
John Wood generally travels from San Diego, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for John Wood?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like John Wood 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 John Wood 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 John Wood 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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