Contact us 1.800.698.2536
Search by Speaker Name or Topic

Laysha Ward

Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer at Target

Laysha Ward
Travels From Travels From:
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
Live Event: $50,000 - $100,000
Virtual Event: $10,000 - $20,000
More Fee Info
Categories Categories:
Categories Categories:
Business Leadership, Civil Rights, Creativity, DEI, Diversity & Inclusion, Human Resources, Influential Women, Inspirational, Social Activism, Social Justice
REQUEST BOOKING INFORMATION

Laysha Ward Biography

Laysha Ward is an accomplished C-suite executive with 30 years of leadership experience at Target. She has demonstrated an ability to lead through rapid change, solve problems, build innovative community programs, and collaborate with key stakeholders to support organizational goals and objectives.

In 2017, Ms. Ward was named Executive Vice President, Chief External Engagement Officer, overseeing Target’s enterprise-wide approach to engage and deepen relationships with cross-sector stakeholders to drive positive business and community impact. She is a founding member of the Racial Equity Action and Change committee (REACH), established in 2020 to help lead the organization’s strategy to drive lasting impact for Black team members, guests and communities.

Ms. Ward began her career with Target in 1991 as a member of the store sales and management team of Marshall Fields in Chicago. She was named Director of Community Relations in 2000 and promoted to Vice President of Community Relations and Target Foundation in 2003. She previously served as Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer before being named to her current position.

In 2008, President Bush nominated and the U.S. Senate confirmed Ms. Ward to serve on the board of directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the nation’s largest grantmaker for volunteering and service. She continued on the board under the Obama Administration, where she served as board chair. Later that year, she was promoted to President of Community Relations and the Target Foundation.

She serves on the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Advisory Board and the Stanford Center for Longevity Advisory Council; is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, the Economic Clubs of New York and Chicago, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and The Links, and serves on the boards of Greater MSP, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Northside Achievement Zone. Laysha is also a member of Denny’s Corporation board of directors and United Airlines board of directors.

She received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, master’s degree from the University of Chicago, and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

She and her husband, Bill, reside in Minneapolis, MN.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Laysha Ward and other top speakers and celebrities.

BOOK Laysha Ward

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/01/2024.

Laysha Ward Videos

  • 2019 Commencement Address: Laysha Ward
    2019 Commencement Address: Laysha Ward
    Laysha Ward, Target Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer, delivered the 2019 commencement address to graduates of the...
  • 2016 Catalyst Awards Conference: Laysha Ward
    2016 Catalyst Awards Conference: Laysha Ward
    Laysha Ward, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, Target, delivers a pivotal speech during the 2016 Catalyst...
See All Videos »

FAQs on booking Laysha Ward

  • How do I book Laysha Ward to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Laysha Ward for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Laysha Ward, 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 Laysha Ward or any other speaker of your choice.

  • What are the speaker fees for Laysha Ward

    Speaking fees for Laysha Ward, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Laysha Ward are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Laysha Ward, click the Check Availability 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 Laysha Ward speak about?

    Laysha Ward is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Business Leadership, Civil Rights, Creativity, DEI, Diversity & Inclusion, Human Resources, Influential Women, Inspirational, Social Activism, Social Justice.

  • Where does Laysha Ward travel from?

    Laysha Ward generally travels from Minneapolis, MN, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

  • Who is Laysha Ward’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Laysha Ward 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 Availability 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 Laysha Ward 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 Laysha Ward 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, unbiased 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.

Laysha Ward is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Laysha Ward for your event is $50,000 - $100,000. Laysha Ward generally travels from Minneapolis, MN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Cassandra Worthy, Cynthia Marshall, Dr. Bernice King, Dr. Johné Battle and Candi Castleberry-Singleton. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Laysha Ward for an upcoming live or virtual event.

BOOK Laysha Ward

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.

  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

Need Quick Answers?

We are happy to help! Call us to speak with a booking agent about your event or specific speaker request.

Sarah Miller
phone   1.800.698.2536
Our celebrity booking agents can:

  • Gauge interest and check availability for speaking engagements, appearances or corporate events

  • Provide you with the speaking fee to book Laysha Ward or other celebrity appearance fees

  • Give you personal recommendations for the best keynote speakers or celebrities

  • Assist you with any questions you have throughout the talent booking process

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP