Bill Burke

Bill Burke is the founder of The Optimism Institute and is a former Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellow.

His career includes serving as CEO of The Weather Channel Companies and launching Turner Classic Movies at Time Warner.

At 29, he became president of TBS Superstation, working closely with media pioneer Ted Turner, and co-authoring the New York Times bestselling autobiography Call Me Ted. He also co-owned and chaired the Portland Sea Dogs, the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, and co-created the award-winning documentary Live Another Day.

Bill is now a highly sought-after speaker, where he shows how optimism can transform leadership, teamwork, and culture. His message has been featured on NBC’s Today, and Guy Kawasaki’s Remarkable People podcast.

Through The Optimism Institute and Blue Sky podcast, Bill shares insights from world-class thinkers like Daniel Pink and Amy Edmondson, inspiring audiences to adopt a more positive, forward-looking approach to leadership and life.

Booking is easy with Great British Talent. To find out availability and fees for Bill Burke or any other talent for your corporate event or project, contact our Great British Talent agents via [email protected], or call us on +44 1753 439289.

Alternatively, fill out our talent enquiry form here – we’ll aim to respond within the hour. Our knowledgeable team of experts can handle all aspects of your booking to ensure it runs flawlessly.

Type Of Speaker

Business & Finance Creativity, Change & Innovation Health & Wellbeing High Performance Leadership & Teamwork Mental Health Personal Development Resilience Speaker

More About Bill Burke

Bill Burke’s career highlights include serving as the CEO of The Weather Channel Companies; being a founding general manager of Turner Classic Movies at Time Warner; and becoming president of TBS Superstation when he was just 29 years old.

After a long career as an executive, producer, and writer in media and sports, he founded The Optimism Institute.

He co-authored the New York Times bestselling autobiography, Call Me Ted, on CNN founder Ted Turner, and co-wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning documentary Live Another Day on the U.S auto industry bailout.

Through his podcast Blue Sky, he has interviewed inspiring leaders, authors, researchers, and big thinkers, aiming to combat the negative effects of news and social media on mental health.

A former Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellow, Bill now speaks on leadership and the power of optimism to transform individuals, teams, and organisations.

Bill Burke hire founder of the Optimism Institute speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

Bill Burke | Speaking Topics

– Leadership

– Mindset

– Optimism

– Mental Health

– Workplace Culture

Bill Burke | Keynotes

How To Be a Modern Optimist: Bill highlights a paradox of modern life: despite living in arguably the best era in human history, we face unprecedented challenges to our optimism. He points out that today’s culture inundates us with negativity through constant feeds and sensational news, distracting us from the remarkable progress humanity continues to achieve.

Attendees will learn how to navigate this landscape and cultivate a more positive outlook amidst the chaos.

Optimism and Mental Health: Bill explores the vital link between optimism and mental health, highlighting how a positive mindset can alleviate anxiety and depression while enhancing overall life satisfaction.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into practical strategies for fostering optimism, ultimately empowering them to improve their mental wellbeing and lead more fulfilling lives.

Optimism in Leadership: In this talk, Bill examines how a positive mindset can elevate leadership abilities, boost team morale, and foster innovation. He highlights the significance of optimistic thinking in making effective decisions and leading teams successfully.

Attendees will learn practical strategies to cultivate optimism in their leadership styles, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness and inspiring those around them.

Cultivating a Positive Culture in Organisations: In this session, Bill shares effective strategies for cultivating a positive culture. He emphasises the importance of optimism in enhancing employee engagement, boosting productivity, and promoting overall workplace happiness.

Attendees will learn practical approaches to create a more uplifting environment, ultimately leading to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.

ROI: Return On Integrity: Bill examines the crucial role of integrity in business. He highlights how prioritising ethical practices not only fosters a positive organisational culture but also drives sustainable success and profitability.

Attendees will learn how embracing integrity can transform their business strategies and enhance overall performance.

Bill Burke hire founder of the Optimism Institute speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

Optimism is a Force Multiplier: Bill will explore the significance of optimism in both the workplace and at home. Drawing inspiration from the late General Colin Powell, who believed that “perpetual optimism is a force multiplier, ” Bill will illustrate how positivity fosters resilience and a solutions-oriented approach during challenges.

Attendees will learn how cultivating an optimistic mindset not only enhances relationships but also contributes to overall wellbeing and longevity.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers today to book Bill Burke for your corporate event.

Contact us

Testimonials

Bill’s ability to combine humour, storytelling, and meaningful insights really resonated with our audience! The session was not only engaging but also provided a valuable perspective that attendees really appreciated.
Charles Schwab, IMPACT Conference

Bill brought tremendous optimism and inspiring ideas to our global Marketing organisation. His dynamic energy, sharp insights, and humour created a strong connection with the team. He offered insightful perspectives, balancing motivational strategies with practical advice on how focus on the positive. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from team members at all levels.
Kathryn McTighe, Sr. Director, Marketing Learning & Development, Workday

I hired Bill to speak at an offsite and his messages around optimism and how we can manage our social media diets to improve our outlook was particularly effective. He clearly articulated how to practice optimism as a means to an end and his talk made a big contribution toward a successful session for my team.
John Piccone, Regional President, Americas, Adform

Bill Burke’s session was far more than a speaking engagement—it was a powerful and timely experience for our team. As we focused on building a culture that embraces change, Bill’s message on the power of optimism resonated deeply and personally, offering a sense of agency and hope that people didn’t even realise they needed. What made it so impactful was that he spoke to something bigger than just the workplace—he addressed the challenges of the world around us with honesty and inspiration. Multiple team members shared that his words helped them reframe not just their week or month, but their outlook on the years ahead. He reminded us that we are not powerless—and yes, there were tears: the kind that come from being seen, inspired, and emotionally moved. Bill set the emotional tone for our offsite and helped spark the mindset shift we came together to create.
Keri Kaiser, FSA Store

I’ve known Bill for years and knew he’d be the perfect guest speaker for my offsite last summer. The talk he gave was amazing and super inspirational for the team. In these times of dramatic, scary change we can really benefit reassurance and optimism that things can (and are) all right. No one can tell that story, with accessible, real life stories, like Bill Burke can.
Dave Morgan, Founder and CEO, Simulmedia Inc.