James Whittaker

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5 out of 5

Distinguished Technical Evangelist & Bestselling Author

Travels From Travels From:
Seattle, WA, USA
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James Whittaker Biography

James Whittaker's career, starting in 1986, has crossed the domains of academia, start-ups, and top tech companies.

He was the first computer science graduate to be hired by the FBI. He then moved on to freelancing during his graduate school days at the University of Tennessee, working for major tech companies such as IBM, Ericsson, SAP, and Cisco. His next venture was joining the faculty at Florida Institute of Technology where he not only obtained promotion to full professor but also won over $12m in sponsored research and built a research startup that Raytheon later acquired.

Whittaker's tenure at Microsoft began as an individual contributor working on Windows and Trustworthy Computing, followed by Visual Studio. He later joined Google as an engineering director, leading teams working on Chrome, Chrome OS, Maps, and Google+. In 2012, Whittaker returned to Microsoft to lead machine learning efforts on Bing and Cortana. His abilities as a speaker and storyteller led him to become Microsoft’s first Distinguished Technical Evangelist.

Known for being a creative and passionate leader, Whittaker is also a sought-after speaker and author. He has written five technical books, two of which are best-sellers and two have been Jolt Award finalists. He regularly speaks to technical, marketing, and advertising audiences on subjects like the future of man and machine. Whittaker has been a speaker at events such as ANA Disrupt at CES, IAB Engage UK, Advertising Week Europe, Digital Life Design, Business Insider Ignite, Pitch @The Palace, the CIO Summit, and SXSW.

After retiring in 2019, he began focusing on in-person experiences through his brewery and taproom enterprise on the east side of Seattle. He still maintains his connection to the tech world by collaborating with young founders and serving on the boards of interesting companies.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/12/2024.

James Whittaker Speaking Topics

  • Thinking Strategically About The Future of Technology

    AI, ML, Blockchain, Crypto, IoT, Web 3, the Metaverse ... Technology changes are coming fast and companies need to understand what is ahead so they aren't hampered by bad adoption decisions. This masterclass in understanding the future is based on James' experience at Google and Microsoft and teaching this material at top-rated MBA programs on two continents. Let James entertain and educate you in this funny, story-rich jaunt through how tech ate the world and continues to do so. You'll gain a new understanding of these technologies even if you aren't technical. You'll see how business and society is likely to change in the near and long-term. You'll understand what technologies are likely fads and which ones you need to plan for. The world is changing and this class will help you get ahead of those changes.

  • Supercharging Individual and Team Creativity

    Creativity is the one universal ingredient of success. Creatives report higher job satisfaction and lead more fulfilling lives than any other class of people. And yet our school curriculum focuses on rote learning and test taking at the expense of creativity, problem-solving and higher-order thinking. Former Microsoft Distinguished Engineer James Whittaker shows you how to develop your creative mind and use it as the fulcrum of a lifestyle where creativity doesn’t just happen, it becomes the default case for everything you do in work and life. Come to this session and learn to supercharge your creativity to make your work more interesting and your life more exciting. Learn:

    • How to learn faster and retain knowledge better.
    • How to merge your passions with your day job.
    • How to discover and nurture your creative biorhythms.
    • How to become an expert in your field.
    • How to turn your creativity on at will.

  • Public Speaking and the Art of Storytelling

    Boredom. Nowhere does it manifest more aggressively than in corporate conference rooms where speakers struggle to get an idea across in an engaging way. That boredom is killing those ideas, sapping audience energy and slowing down progress. Former Microsoft Distinguished Engineer James Whittaker has decoded the solution to engaging stage presence and cast it as a set of spells to be woven into the fabric of a presentation. Like actual spells, these techniques are activated by 1) what you say, 2) how you say it and 3) what you do while you are saying it. James presents these concepts, not by lecturing them, but by demonstrating them. Expect to be thoroughly entertained with authentic stories while you learn how to command a stage and turn an audience into a room full of believers. Whether you want to improve the story of your company, product or yourself, this course will turn you into a storytelling wizard.

    Learn:

    • How to conceive and structure a presentation for proper flow and maximum impact.
    • How to prepare for your presentation to conquer stage fright and ensure recall.
    • How to make important points stick in the minds of your audience.
    • How to weave story, voice modulation and movement to spellbind your audience.
    • How to tell your own story to improve your career.

James Whittaker Videos

  • James Whittaker | Google, Microsoft, Future of Testing
    We will ask James about his work at Google and Microsoft, the differences between engineering culture in these companies. We will speak about whether...
  • James Whittaker on the Future of Technology | #ETS2019 - YouTube
  • James Whittaker - The Art of Storytelling
    James Whittaker, keynote speaker at the 2016 International Business Model Competition, delivers an engaging presentation about the Art of...

James Whittaker Books

  • Think and Grow Rich The Legacy: How the World's Leading Entrepreneurs, Thought Leaders, & Cultural Icons Achieve Success
    Think and Grow Rich The Legacy: How the World's Leading Entrepreneurs, Thought Leaders, & Cultural Icons Achieve Success
  • The Storyteller's Spellbook: How to make your ideas more compelling and your career more magical
    The Storyteller's Spellbook: How to make your ideas more compelling and your career more magical
  • Career Superpowers: Succeeding on Purpose
    Career Superpowers: Succeeding on Purpose
  • Exploratory Software Testing: Tips, Tricks, Tours, and Techniques to Guide Test Design
    Exploratory Software Testing: Tips, Tricks, Tours, and Techniques to Guide Test Design
  • How to Break Software Security
    How to Break Software Security

FAQs on booking James Whittaker

  • How do I book James Whittaker to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like James Whittaker 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 James Whittaker, 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 James Whittaker or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for James Whittaker

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

    James Whittaker is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Business, Computer Science, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Internet, Leadership, Marketing, Technology.
  • Where does James Whittaker travel from?

    James Whittaker generally travels from Seattle, WA, 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.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like James Whittaker 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 James Whittaker for your next private or corporate function.
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James Whittaker is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Thinking Strategically About The Future of Technology, Supercharging Individual and Team Creativity and Public Speaking and the Art of Storytelling. The estimated speaking fee range to book James Whittaker for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. James Whittaker generally travels from Seattle, WA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Erik Qualman, R "Ray" Wang, Josh Linkner, Jason J. Sosa and Joanna Peña-Bickley. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling James Whittaker for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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