Neil Howe Speaker Biography
Best-Selling Author and Renowned Authority
on Generations in America
Neil Howe is a renowned authority on generations and social change in America. An acclaimed author and speaker, he is the nation’s leading thinker on today’s generations—who they are, what motivates them, and how they will shape America’s future.
LifeCourse Associates
Howe is founder and president of the consulting firm LifeCourse Associates, where he develops and implements cutting-edge research, analysis, and consulting services to help clients understand how generations impact marketing, workforce issues, and strategic planning. LifeCourse has served hundreds of corporate, nonprofit, and government clients.
Global Aging Authority
A historian, economist, and demographer, Howe is also a recognized authority on global aging, long-term fiscal policy, and migration. He is a senior associate to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C., where he helps direct the CSIS Global Aging Initiative.
Books
Howe is a bestselling author who has written over a dozen books on generations, demographic change, and fiscal policy, many of them with William Strauss. Howe and Strauss’ first book, Generations (1991) is a history of America told as a sequence of generational biographies. Generations, said Newsweek, is “a provocative, erudite, and engaging analysis of the rhythms of American life.” Vice President Al Gore called it “the most stimulating book on American history that I have ever read” and sent a copy to every member of Congress. Newt Gingrich called it “an intellectual tour de force.” Of their book, The Fourth Turning (1997), Dan Yankelovich said, “Immensely stimulating…We will never be able to think about history in the same way.” The Boston Globe wrote, “If Howe and Strauss are right, they will take their place among the great American prophets.”
Millennial Generation
Howe and Strauss originally coined the term “Millennial Generation” in 1991, and wrote the pioneering book on this generation, Millennials Rising, in 2000. Neil has since released several application books on Millennials—including a Recruiting Millennials Handbook for the United States Army (2001), Millennials Go To College (2003, 2007), Millennials and the Pop Culture (2005), Millennials and K-12 Schools (2008), and Millennials in the Workplace (2010). Howe’s work on the Millennial Generation has been featured frequently in the media, including USA Today, CNN, the New York Times, and CBS’ 60 Minutes.
Other Books
Previously, with Peter G. Peterson, Howe coauthored On Borrowed Time (1989; reissued 2004), a pioneering call for budgetary reform. He coauthors numerous studies for CSIS (including the Global Aging Initiative’s Aging Vulnerability Index and The Graying of the Middle Kingdom: The Economics and Demographics of Retirement Policy in China). In 2008, he co-authored The Graying of the Great Powers with Richard Jackson.
Education
Howe grew up in California and currently resides in Great Falls, Virginia, close to Washington, DC. He received his B.A. at U.C. Berkeley, studied abroad in France and Germany, and later earned graduate degrees in economics (M.A., 1978) and history (M.Phil., 1979) from Yale University.
Neil Howe Speaking Topics
America's New Direction
Everyone agrees that the mood across America is changing rapidly. We seem to be entering a new period of national urgency, and perhaps even global crisis, with new worries about financial collapse, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and global instability. In their 1997 book The Fourth Turning, LifeCourse co-founders Neil Howe and William Strauss predicted that this was just where America would be today. They uncovered a remarkable pattern in American history, a cycle of recurring eras driven by generational changes. Using this proven historical method, we offer a road map that truly explains where America is today-and, more importantly, where it is heading, from the economy and consumer tastes to politics and popular culture.
Millennials and K-12 Education
Generational changes are dramatically reshaping the landscape of K-12 education-from hyper-involved parents to new issues over school security to the rising focus on teamwork and standards in the classroom. We offer a road map to help educators best serve today's Millennial generation of students, align their priorities with the new Gen-X parents, and navigate a multigenerational education workforce. Learn more about Neil Howe's K-12 keynote speeches.
Millennials and College
Meet the rising Millennial generation of students—and their hands-on parents. Understanding Millennials is key to navigating the seismic shifts occurring at America's colleges, from changing notions of campus security to increased focus on career placement to "helicopter" moms and dads. We offer a big picture perspective on the most pressing new trends and hands-on recommendations for anyone involved in college life.
Generations in the Workplace
In today's typical business, Boomers and Gen Xers have trouble understanding each other—and neither generation knows what to do about the rising young Millennials. We explain how each of these generations look at work and life differently. Find out what the best companies are doing to unleash the potential of each generation and foster productive relationships between them.
Generational Marketing
Many companies have recognized the need to look beyond traditional demographic categories and understand the effect generational change has on the marketing industry. We trace the life stories and characteristics of today's generations of consumers to help you understand what product styles and marketing messages work best for each.
Neil Howe Books
Millennials in the Workplace
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Millenials Rising
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Millenials and the Pop Culture
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The Fourth Turning
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Neil Howe Speaker Testimonials
“I expected great things yesterday, and you over-delivered. Fabulous talk with brilliant cultural anthropology and history.”
- LINK, Incorporated | CEO
“Neil’s presentation to the Marketing Executives Group was extremely well received. He was the top-rated speaker by the audience in our conference evaluations. Neil’s laid-back style and wealth of information left the audience wanting several more hours from him. He was amazing!”
- | National Restaurant Association
“You did it again! Your keynote address and break-out session challenged summit participants to think differently about generations and their significance. You made a huge impact thanks both to the research and analysis you shared and the entertaining and compelling way you delivered it. The time, energy, thought, and creativity you devoted to your presentations will yield untold benefits for this school system.”
- Superintendent | Baltimore County Public Schools
“Your sessions have created quite a buzz around the building. Your breadth of knowledge, profound insights and sense of humor all contributed to giving us a terrific day.”
- Chief Operating Officer | AARP