Keynote Address by General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.)

Sunday, 19 October
3:45 PM – 5:15 PM

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), former U.S. Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, and Four-Star General will share his insight about leadership, project management and social responsibility at PMI Global Congress in Denver, Colorado USA. 

One of the most admired men in the United States, General Colin Powell has been a leader for most of his life. But General Powell believes a leader is more than just his or her title.

Drawing on examples garnered from experience as both a leader on the world stage and as eyewitness to leadership in action, General Powell illustrates precisely what it takes to be a leader, providing strategies for “taking charge” during times of great change and great crises.

General Powell demonstrates how to remain focused, take responsibility and work towards improving processes, organizations and people.

General Powell’s accomplishments as a leader, project manager, and advocate for economic and social development worldwide are inspirational. You’ll bring home meaningful concepts that will help you in your personal and professional endeavors.

About General Colin L. Powell

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) became the 65th Secretary of State on January 20, 2001, bringing extensive experience with him to his office. Before becoming Secretary of State, Colin Powell served as a key aide to the Secretary of Defense and as National Security Advisor to President Reagan. He also served 35 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Four-Star General and serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989 – 1993).  During this time, he oversaw 28 crises including the Panama intervention of 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

That experience served him well, both before and particularly after the events of 11 September 2001. A fervent purveyor of democratic values, Colin Powell has stressed that fighting the war on terrorism is not just a military but also a diplomatic task – the two go hand in hand. He led the State Department in major efforts to solve regional and civil conflicts – in the Middle East, between Israel and its Arab neighbors; in Sudan, Congo and Liberia; in the Balkans, Cyprus, Haiti, Northern Ireland and elsewhere. He has been especially concerned with the peace and security of Afghanistan and Iraq, countries where winning the peace is as important as Coalition battlefield victories. In all areas, he used the power of diplomacy and the universal ideal of democracy to build trust, forge alliances and then begin to transform these once-unstable regions into areas where societies and cultures prosper.

General Powell has been devoted to grasping opportunities as well as to confronting the global and regional security challenges of the 21st century. As Secretary of State, he was at the forefront of efforts to advance economic and social development worldwide – in the fight against HIV/AIDS, in the promise of the Millennium Challenge Account, and in pursuing a freer trading and investment climate worldwide. These efforts were not separate from the U.S. security agenda. Indeed, in testimony before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, then-Secretary Powell affirmed that the U.S.’s main purpose is to extend democracy, prosperity and freedom to every corner of the world.

Born in New York City on April 5, 1937, General Powell was raised in the South Bronx.  His parents, Luther and Maud Powell, immigrated to the United States from Jamaica.  General Powell was educated in the New York City public schools, graduating from Morris High School and the City College of New York (CCNY), where he earned a bachelor's degree in geology.  He also participated in the Reserve Officer Training Corps at CCNY and received a commission as an Army second lieutenant upon graduation in June 1958.  His further academic achievements include a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University.

General Powell is the recipient of numerous U.S. military awards and decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.

General Powell's civilian awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the President's Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal.  He has received awards from over two dozen countries, including a French Legion of Honor and an honorary knighthood bestowed by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.

General Powell was the founding Chairman of America’s Promise-The Alliance for Youth, a national crusade to improve the lives of our nation’s youth.  Established at the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in Philadelphia in April of 1997, and endorsed by every living U.S. President, America’s Promise aims to ensure all children in America have access to the fundamental resources needed to build and strengthen them to become responsible, productive adults.  He has also been a member of the board of trustees of Howard University and the Board of Directors of the United Negro College Fund.  The General also served on the Board of Governors of The Boys & Girls Clubs of America and was a member of the Advisory Board of the Children's Health Fund.

Since returning to private life, General Powell has become a strategic limited partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm.  He is also on the board of directors of Revolution Health Group, a company developing strategies for consumer-directed health care.  Gen. Powell is the founder of the Colin Powell Policy Center at his alma mater, the City College of New York, and he is helping to raise funds for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC and for the construction of an education center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  

General Powell is the author of his best-selling autobiography, My American Journey.

General Powell is married to the former Alma Vivian Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama. The Powell family includes son Michael; daughters Linda and Annemarie; son-in-law Francis; daughter-in-law Jane; grandsons Jeffrey, Bryan and Patrick; and granddaughter Abigail.

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