Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D.
Keynote Speaker: Decorated FBI Special Agent, Bestselling Author, Private Investigator, and Counterterrorism Expert
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Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. Biography
Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, PhD is a New York Times bestselling author, U.S. Attorney General’s Award recipient, and one of the most decorated agents in FBI history. Best known as the lead investigator in the case against Paul Castellano, the notorious head of the Gambino crime family, Dr. O’Brien played a pivotal role in the 1985 Mafia Commission Trial, which led to the historic convictions of New York’s Five Families under the RICO statute. His groundbreaking work is chronicled in "Boss of Bosses: The Fall of the Godfather," considered one of the definitive accounts of the American Mafia takedown.
After retiring from the Bureau, Dr. O’Brien earned his doctorate in criminal justice, with a dissertation focused on the roots and reach of Islamic terrorism. He has since worked globally as a licensed private investigator and independent counterterrorism specialist, investigating high-stakes international cases and intelligence failures. His work has taken him from the front lines of mob warfare to the shadowy realm of rogue state actors and jihadist operatives.
Dr. O’Brien is the founder of the Iran Accountability Initiative (IAI), a nonprofit dedicated to exposing and countering terrorism and state-sponsored violence. He is currently writing his second book—a revelatory non-fiction exposé co-authored with American jihadist Dawud Salahuddin, recorded before the terrorist’s death in 2025. The book reveals chilling details of a decades-long U.S. government cover-up surrounding Iran’s assassination of a dissident on American soil and implicates top officials in one of the most egregious national security failures in modern history.
Today, Dr. O’Brien is a sought-after public speaker and expert commentator on organized crime, terrorism, national security, and FBI history. His voice carries the rare weight of lived experience, and his story offers a sobering and timely perspective on the intersection of justice, politics, and power in America.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. and other top speakers and celebrities.
Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. Speaking Topics
From mafia takedowns to global terror threats, Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien’s presentation offers students a thrilling, real-world education on America’s criminal underworld—from inside the FBI’s war room to the streets of New York and the deserts of Iran. As one of the five elite agents assigned to dismantle New York’s Five Families in the 1980s, he played a crucial role in the takedown of Paul Castellano, the “Boss of Bosses.” His work helped trigger the historic 1985 Mafia Commission Trial, which broke the back of the U.S. Mafia under the RICO Act.
The Fate of the Five Agents
Dr. O’Brien shares a sobering reflection on his legendary peers:
- Joe Pistone (Donnie Brasco): Now retired, living under an alias.
- Robert Levinson: Vanished in Iran on a rogue CIA mission.
- John Connolly: Convicted of corruption tied to informants like Whitey Bulger.
- Lynn Devecchio: Acquitted after controversial mob-related charges.
- O’Brien: Continues to lead investigations into international terrorism and U.S. intelligence failures.
The War on Terror & the Road Ahead
After 9/11, Dr. O’Brien pivoted to counterterrorism, founding the Iran Accountability Initiative and independently investigating state-sponsored terror cases, including the chilling assassination carried out on U.S. soil by American jihadist David Belfield a.k.a. Dawud Salahuddin.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Dr. O’Brien’s keynote concludes by inviting students to consider careers in:
- Counterterrorism & Homeland Security
- Criminal Justice
- Intelligence Analysis
- International Relations
- Cybersecurity
- Public Service & Policy
His presentation serves as a powerful introduction to the expanding world of counterterrorism studies and the urgent need for a new generation of informed leaders.
How do I book Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D., or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D., or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $20,000 - $30,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D., click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. speak about?
Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Government, Security & Defense, Law, Bestselling Authors and Author.
Who is the agent for Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D.?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Government, Security & Defense and Law. The estimated speaking fee range to book Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. for live events is $20,000 - $30,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Christopher Strom, Kim Zetter and Hon. William R. Evanina. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. Speaking Topics
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A Rare Firsthand Account
From mafia takedowns to global terror threats, Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien’s presentation offers students a thrilling, real-world education on America’s criminal underworld—from inside the FBI’s war room to the streets of New York and the deserts of Iran. As one of the five elite agents assigned to dismantle New York’s Five Families in the 1980s, he played a crucial role in the takedown of Paul Castellano, the “Boss of Bosses.” His work helped trigger the historic 1985 Mafia Commission Trial, which broke the back of the U.S. Mafia under the RICO Act.
The Fate of the Five Agents
Dr. O’Brien shares a sobering reflection on his legendary peers:
- Joe Pistone (Donnie Brasco): Now retired, living under an alias.
- Robert Levinson: Vanished in Iran on a rogue CIA mission.
- John Connolly: Convicted of corruption tied to informants like Whitey Bulger.
- Lynn Devecchio: Acquitted after controversial mob-related charges.
- O’Brien: Continues to lead investigations into international terrorism and U.S. intelligence failures.
The War on Terror & the Road Ahead
After 9/11, Dr. O’Brien pivoted to counterterrorism, founding the Iran Accountability Initiative and independently investigating state-sponsored terror cases, including the chilling assassination carried out on U.S. soil by American jihadist David Belfield a.k.a. Dawud Salahuddin.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Dr. O’Brien’s keynote concludes by inviting students to consider careers in:
- Counterterrorism & Homeland Security
- Criminal Justice
- Intelligence Analysis
- International Relations
- Cybersecurity
- Public Service & Policy
His presentation serves as a powerful introduction to the expanding world of counterterrorism studies and the urgent need for a new generation of informed leaders.
FAQS
-
How do I book Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D., or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D., or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $20,000 - $30,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D., click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. speak about?
Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Government, Security & Defense, Law, Bestselling Authors and Author. -
Who is the agent for Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D.?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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