Todd Buchholz: Economist

Economic strategist who translates complex market dynamics into practical actions for leaders, enabling smarter policy decisions and competitive business positioning.

Quick Facts:

Highlights:
Formats: Keynotes (45–60 minutes), Executive briefings, Virtual sessions and micro-coaching

Audiences: CEOs, strategy teams, finance leaders, global executives, and policymakers seeking clarity on economic disruption, AI trends, and market strategy.

Outcomes:
  1. Faster, clearer interpretation of economic signals for business planning.
  2. Practical action steps for investment and risk management.
  3. Tools to communicate macro implications to nonfinancial stakeholders.
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: Solana Beach, California
  • **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000

Talent Services

Keynote Topics:

Discover how demographics, technology, and globalization are reshaping the economy and our future

Pinpoint the signs of stock market rallies, and the warning signs of slumps
Identify the political pressures on trade, debt, and interest rates from the U.S. to the E.U. to China

Todd unlocks the 4 strategies that keep businesses prospering when they hit an unexpected crisis.

Ninety percent of the Fortune 500 list from 1955 are gone. What can you learn from the survivors?

Tap into Todd’s frontline experience as White House director of economic policy and managing director of the Tiger investment fund, to get your business growing now.

  • Find out how companies like Disney, Johnson & Johnson, and Audi bounced back from near-fatal hits to their bottom line
  • Discover whether your company should invoke the “Clean Sweep” or “Big Bet” strategy to win back customers
  • Learn whether the economy will bounce back with a V-shaped, U-shaped, or W-shaped recovery, and how to adjust Position your company to be, not just a survivor but a beneficiary of the economic rebound ahead
  • Target the customers and entities that can spend the most—soon

Learn how the “scissors economy” cuts costs while creating new opportunities
Explore the ways to build customer loyalty even when facing unforeseen competition
Find out which countries offer the best opportunities for investment and expansion

  • Behavioral Economics Can Work for You
  • Finding Hope in World Politics
  • New Ideas from Dead CEOs

Talent Short Bio

Todd Buchholz is an economist and award winning author who brings macroeconomics to life with storytelling and practical frameworks. He has served in government and in the private sector, and now advises leaders on how policy and market shifts affect corporate strategy, workforce planning, and capital allocation.

Todd’s presentations are known for being lucid, engaging, and actionable: he helps audiences see which signals matter and which to ignore. He works well for investor conferences, corporate retreats, and leadership offsites where economic clarity is needed to inform decisions. His style pairs historical perspective with modern examples and clear recommendations.

Todd Buchholz has been featured alongside such luminaries as Colin Powell, Michael Porter, and Jeff Bezos.

He has been invited to guide corporate and political leaders around the world, from the UK and New Zealand parliaments, to the Mexican and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges, to tech and entertainment firms in Seoul.

An internationally known consultant on global markets and winner of Harvard’s annual teaching prize, Buchholz advises the world’s leading companies and “lights up economics with a wickedly sparkling wit.” (Associated Press)

Todd Buchholz has been featured alongside such luminaries as Colin Powell, Michael Porter, and Jeff Bezos.

As a frequent commentator on the state of the markets, Todd Buchholz brings his experience as a former White House director of economic policy, a managing director of the $15 billion Tiger hedge fund, and a Harvard economics teacher to the cutting edge of economics, fiscal politics, finance, and business strategy. Buchholz is a frequent guest on ABC News, PBS, and CBS, and he recently hosted his own special on CNBC.

Before joining Tiger, Buchholz was President of the G7 Group, Inc, an international consulting firm whose clientele included many of the top securities firms, investment banks and money managers in New York, London, and Tokyo, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

His commentaries were closely read by officials at the Federal Reserve, Bundesbank and Bank of England. Buchholz won the Allyn Young Teaching Prize at Harvard and holds advanced degrees in economics and law from Cambridge and Harvard.

Todd Buchholz was a fellow at Cambridge University in 2009, holds several engineering and design patents and is a co-producer of the Broadway smash “Jersey Boys.”

Buchholz is the inventor of the Math Arrow, a mathematical matrix that makes numbers more intuitive to children. Martin Cooper, widely recognized as the inventor of the cellular phone, has called the Math Arrow “ingenious.”

Todd Buchholz has authored numerous critically acclaimed and best-selling books on the economy and leadership, many of which he has developed into successful lectures and speaking events.

His books have been translated into a dozen languages and are used in universities worldwide, including at NYU, Duke, and Princeton. Author Buchholz is praised for his examination of economics, business and entrepreneurship in the context of global society.

The Sunday TIMES (UK) called The Price of Prosperity: Why Rich Nations Fail and How to Renew Them “highly entertaining, far-sighted and enjoyably acerbic.”

The Wall Street Journal named the book to its exclusive list of “Eight Summer Must-Reads” for 2016. Market Shock: 9 Economic and Social Upheavals that Will Shake Our Financial Future, was released to rave reviews and dubbed “outstanding” by the Wall Street Journal.

Buchholz has also published the best-selling New Ideas from Dead Economists, New Ideas from Dead CEOs, From Here to Economy, and Lasting Lessons from the Corner Office, which garnered high praise from the New York Times and Financial Times.

Named by Publishers Weekly as a “top ten” book for 2011, his book Rush: Why You Need and Love the Rat Race has been praised by the Financial Times, Toronto Globe & Mail, Los Angeles Times and the BBC, among many others.

Buchholz has penned articles for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Forbes, and Reader’s Digest.

Todd Buchholz is widely sought for his depth of experience, sharp wit and honest, entertaining delivery. He puts global politics and financial markets into perspective and offers a positive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing today’s markets.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter

Todd Buchholz | Renowned Economist

Talent Videos

Todd Buchholz | Why Rich Nations Fail & The Price of Prosperity

Former White House economic policy director Todd Buchholz discusses the U.S. economy, Federal Reserve policy, and his book on why wealthy nations sometimes collapse.

In this interview, Todd Buchholz, former White House economic policy director and author of The Price of Prosperity, talks about the fragility of rich nations and the hidden risks behind America’s prosperity.

Key points include:

  • Federal Reserve & Janet Yellen: He critiques the Fed’s 2016 plan to raise rates four times, arguing the economy wasn’t strong enough to handle it.
  • Economic signals: Weak jobs data combined with slowing auto sales raise concerns about consumer spending.
  • Why rich nations fail: Unlike poor nations that collapse due to instability, wealthy countries decline because of structural issues. He cites the fall of the Ottoman and Hapsburg empires as examples.

Key Moments

0:00 – Introduction: Todd Buchholz, The Price of Prosperity, why rich nations fail.
1:00 – Discussion of Janet Yellen, the Fed, and interest rate policy.
3:00 – Weak jobs report and auto sales as warning signs for consumer spending.
5:00 – Why wealthy nations collapse: lessons from fallen empires.
6:30 – Demographics: declining birth rates, aging populations, and economic strain.
8:00 – Cultural shift: kids vs. pets and the consequences for social programs.
9:30 – Worker-to-retiree ratios and the looming entitlement crisis.
11:00 – Politics: lack of serious reform proposals in campaigns.
12:00 – Optimism vs. pessimism: Buchholz’s view of America’s resilience.
13:00 – Conclusion and reflections on The Price of Prosperity.

Former White House economic advisor Todd Buchholz shares gritty, story-driven playbooks from “dead CEOs” to help founders and leaders win in turbulent times avoid commodity hell, embrace new rules, and make yourself obsolete before rivals do.

Todd Buchholz opens in Seoul with a lighthearted intro, then dives into what really tests leaders: not plans, but punches quoting Mike Tyson to frame how great CEOs respond to shocks. Rather than retell Elon Musk or Jobs, he rewinds to overlooked giants whose choices built durable prosperity.

He spotlights Amadeo Giannini, an immigrant fruit broker who founded the Bank of Italy (later Bank of America). After the 1906 San Francisco quake, when incumbent banks closed “for six months,” Giannini opened the next day on two barrels at the wharf, lending to rebuild the city. He extended hours for working people, hired multilingual staff, lent to women, and treated IP as collateral funding Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Golden Gate Bridge. Core lesson: keep asking who’s my customer, and how do I create more of them? Have the courage and ethics to act when others freeze.

Buchholz urges leaders to find the overlap gap: don’t only read what your profession reads, read what your customers read. First-mover isn’t destiny; best-mover is (Google, Starbucks, McDonald’s didn’t invent their categories). Make yourself obsolete before someone else does (iPod → iPhone; Kodak didn’t). Reserve time to think, not just meet.

He warns of the “scissors economy” tech snips out middlemen. When rules change, move first (like the 1906 legalization of the forward pass in American football; only St. Louis University exploited it and went 11–0). Avoid commodity hell if your product can’t be meaningfully differentiated, you lose pricing power. Break out via new markets, service, brand, and cost control (e.g., Starbucks elevated coffee into an experience).

Key Moments

00:00 – Warm intro & frame
Seoul opening, culture nod, and the Mike Tyson rule: plans vs. punches; what great CEOs actually do.
03:10 – Why study “dead CEOs”
We don’t need more Musk stories; we need durable, transferable playbooks.
04:05 – Amadeo Giannini: “Gladiator of Finance”
Immigrant roots, father’s death, fruit broker to banker for workers; founding the Bank of Italy.
07:15 – 1906 quake: opening on two barrels
Incumbents shut for six months; Giannini opens next day, fuels San Francisco’s rebuild.
09:30 – Customer obsession as operations
Extended hours, multilingual staff, early lending to women; financing the Golden Gate Bridge.
11:05 – IP as collateral
Funding Disney’s Snow White; rethinking collateral and risk.
12:10 – Ethics & scale
Bank of Italy → Bank of America; promise not to enrich personally; philanthropy first.
13:20 – CEO habits: convictions, facts, overlap gap
Read what clients read; seek overlap between your worldview and theirs.
15:00 – First mover vs. best mover
Google, Amazon, Starbucks, McDonald’s examples; pick better, not earlier.

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

Talent FAQ's

A: Yes — tailored 30 to 45 minute briefings for leadership teams are common.

A: Yes — audience Q&A and live analysis of current data are typical

Key themes include economic policy, AI disruption, global crisis strategies, and prosperity dynamics.

Talent Resources

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links
  • Music List
  • Podcast Shows
  • Courses
  • + more

You may be interested in...

  • (20)

Mary Kelly is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and spent over 20 years on active duty in intelligence and logistics. She retired from the Navy as a commander. She has master’s degrees in history and economics, and a PhD in economics. Mary Kelly has EXPERIENCE, and it’s this experience that helps your […]

  • Travels from: Dallas, TX
  • Finance Speakers
  • (13)
  • (1)
Geoff Colvin

Geoff Colvin is a distinguished business journalist, author, and sought-after keynote speaker renowned for his insights into leadership, innovation, and what it takes to succeed in an ever-changing economy. As a Senior Editor at Fortune magazine, Colvin has analyzed global business and economic trends for over three decades, shaping perspectives on leadership and future-readiness. His […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Business Speakers
  • (12)

Nouriel Roubini is CEO of Roubini Macro Associates, LLC, a global macroeconomic consultancy firm in New York.  He is also Chief Economist for Atlas Capital Team LP, as well as Co-Founder of Rosa & Roubini Associates. At a 2006 address to the International Monetary Fund, Roubini warned of the impending recession due to the credit […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Finance Speakers
  • (81)
Rawi Abdelal

Rawi Abdelal is recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on how globalization and geopolitics affect businesses, economies, supply chains and social structures Herbert F. Johnson Professor of International Management at Harvard Business School, faculty co-chair of the Bloomberg-Harvard City Leadership Initiative and faculty chair of the Harvard Business School/YPO Presidents’ Program Work focuses […]

  • Travels from: Cambridge, MA
  • Political Speakers
  • (22)
John Manzella

John Manzella is a world-recognized speaker (live and virtual), author of several books, and an international columnist on global business, trade policy, labor, and the latest economic trends. His valuable insight, analysis and strategic direction have been vital to many of the world’s largest corporations, trade associations and universities preparing for the business, economic and […]

  • Travels from:
  • Geopolitical Speakers
  • (33)
Dr. Mark Zandi

Dr. Mark Zandii is chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, where he directs economic research. Moody’s Analytics, a subsidiary of Moody’s Corp., is a leading provider of economic research, data and analytical tools. Dr. Zandi is a cofounder of Economy.com, which Moody’s purchased in 2005. Dr. Zandi is on the board of directors of MGIC, the […]

  • Travels from: Philadelphia, PA
  • Finance Speakers
  • (114)
Ashley Stahl

Ashley Stahl is a counterterrorism professional, an international bestselling author, a spokesperson for SoFi, and an advisor for (IBM, Caterpillar) and expert on intuition, personal branding, and fulfillment. Daymond John (Shark Tank, Fubu, NYT bestselling author) says Ashley’s bestseller “You Turn: Get Unstuck, Discover Your Direction, Design Your Dream Career”, is “the ultimate guide to discover […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Empowerment Speakers
  • (9)
  • (3)

Sallie Krawcheck is one of the most influential and respected voices in the financial industry today. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevest, a digital-first, mission-driven investment platform for women, she has redefined what it means to empower women financially. Her career spans some of the most significant financial institutions in the world, where she […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Finance Speakers
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel

Speakers Inc Logo 2024
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.