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Bestselling author & equity strategist

Heather McGhee

Heather McGhee helps organizations build inclusive economic strategies and cross-racial coalitions with bestselling author and economic policy expert. Heather works with leaders to advance diversity, equity, and shared prosperity. New York Times bestseller, podcast host for Higher Ground, trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Heather McGhee

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Heather McGhee's biography

At a glance

  • Economic policy expert on racial division costs
  • Author of New York Times bestseller The Sum of Us
  • Advocate for shared prosperity and cross racial coalitions
Heather McGhee is an economic policy expert who reveals the hidden costs of racial division and offers a practical blueprint for shared prosperity in America. She is the author of The Sum of Us, an instant New York Times bestseller, and host of the podcast of the same name, produced by the Obamas' Higher Ground production company. Her work has earned praise from writers like Elizabeth Gilbert, who called it "a book for every American." Heather's research draws on years of traveling across the country, documenting how zero-sum thinking hurts everyone, not just communities of color. She shows how policies rooted in racial division drain public resources, weaken infrastructure, and shrink the middle class. Her findings give audiences a clear framework for understanding why broad-based cooperation produces better economic outcomes for all, backed by data and real stories from communities already putting these ideas into practice. Audiences leave her keynotes with a concrete understanding of how inequality functions as a collective economic loss, examples of cross-racial coalitions achieving measurable change in their towns and cities, and a renewed sense of agency rooted in evidence rather than wishful thinking. Book Heather McGhee to give your audience both the clarity and the courage to build something better together.

Why we recommend booking Heather

Heather brings rigorous economic analysis to the business case for inclusive policy, showing leadership teams exactly how zero-sum thinking erodes market opportunity and organizational performance. Her cross-sector research translates into actionable frameworks for executives navigating workforce dynamics and stakeholder expectations in divided markets.

frequently asked questions

Have Questions About Booking?

What topics does Heather McGhee specialise in?
Heather McGhee specialises in discussing racial inequality, economic impact of division, community-driven social change and more.
What is Heather McGhee's speaking style like?
Previous bookers say Heather McGhee connects well with audiences and speaks with clarity, confidence, and ease.
How can I book Heather McGhee for my next event?
Email heather.mcghee@getapeptalk.com or call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Heather McGhee for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Heather McGhee's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Heather McGhee directly.
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Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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Yes. PepTalk books commercial podcast guests every week of the year. A high-profile voice can boost your podcast's reach and deliver ideas to your audience at scale. Fees typically start from £1,200 / $1,500, depending on the expert. Our network includes bestselling authors, industry leaders, and cultural figures who have appeared on leading global podcasts — and many host their own. Whether you want bold insights, candid stories, or deep expertise, we'll help you find the right guest to elevate your show. Contact us today to book your next podcast guest.

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