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Matthew Olsen

Matthew Olsen

Keynote Speaker: Former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center; National Security Analyst for ABC News; Harvard Law School Lecturer

Matthew Olsen Biography

For more than a decade, Matt Olsen has been at the forefront of our nation’s national security efforts and has played a pivotal role in shaping our response to terrorism, cyber security, and surveillance. As the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Olsen has been at the center of the nation’s efforts to defend the country against a complex and expansive terrorism threat. In this role, Olsen was responsible for keeping senior leaders, including the president and the National Security Council, apprised of threats facing the country and for coordinating our efforts to identify and disrupt terrorist plots. He helped lead the counterterrorism community through several terror attacks, including the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the 2012 assault in Benghazi, Libya.

He now helps lead a cyber security technology firm, and with his unique experience and insightful analysis, Olsen provides an engaging and candid look at some of the most important and far-reaching challenges facing the country. He offers a discerning and compelling perspective on the security challenges facing the country and shares his insights on navigating crises and the role of leadership. He shares his views on evolving threats and developing hot spots around the world today and what American businesses should consider as they move forward, especially to protect against the increasingly complex challenge of cyber security.

Accolades from the Top. President Obama said, “Most Americans may not know Matt Olsen’s name, but every American is safer because of his service.” Congressman Mike Rogers, the former Republican chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said, “There are no doubt many, many people alive in the United States and around the world today because of Matt Olsen’s service and persistent dedication.”

Olsen earned a reputation of being a straight shooter and was the first senior official in 2012 to call the Benghazi attack an act of terrorism. He was also among the senior officials who warned Congress that Americans joining al Qaeda were becoming an acute threat on U.S. soil.

Intelligence Expertise at the Department of Justice. Prior to his service at NCTC, Olsen was the general counsel and chief legal advisor at the National Security Agency and an official at the Department of Justice. Olsen was also tapped to lead the government’s review of detainees at Guantanamo. In these positions, he played a leading role in shaping the government’s efforts to enhance cyber security and to conduct intelligence operations against foreign terrorist targets, while maintaining adherence to the rule of law and the protection of civil liberties. For 12 years, Olsen served as a federal prosecutor in the District of Columbia, prosecuting violent gang members, terrorists, and white-collar criminals. He became the first director of the United States Attorneys Office’s National Security Division in 2004, later rising to acting director. He also was special counsel to the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Academia and More. Olsen is a lecturer at Harvard Law School and a contributor for ABC News. He graduated from the University of Virginia and Harvard Law School.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Matthew Olsen and other top speakers and celebrities.

Matthew Olsen Speaking Topics

The Demands of Crisis Leadership

Over the course of his career in government, Olsen has served in leadership roles in tackling some of the most urgent and challenging security issues facing the nation. His work has included responding to cyber attacks on critical infrastructure networks, combating terrorist threats inside the United States, addressing the ongoing controversy over government surveillance, and reviewing the status of detainees at Guantanamo. Olsen has provided thoughtful and principled leadership on these issues, helping to forge effective responses and solutions that emphasize collaboration across organizations and overcoming bureaucratic silos, while balancing competing values and interests. He conveys his discerning views on leadership in demanding, high-performing organizations and his hard-earned lessons and insights on leadership in the midst of a crisis.

The Dynamic Threat of Terrorism

With the rapid rise of new terrorist groups like the Islamic State, the ongoing threat from al-Qaeda, and the impact of homegrown terrorist cells, terrorism remains an urgent concern for the nation. The terrorism landscape is more complex than ever, as the recent attacks in Europe have demonstrated and as terrorist groups have multiplied and expanded. Networks of terrorist operatives pursue a range of lethal objectives both inside and outside of national borders and reach across continents from South Asia to the Middle East and from North Africa to Europe. Over the past few years, terrorists have attacked a natural gas installation in Algeria, killed U.S. government personnel in Libya, and bombed the Boston Marathon – all underscoring the dynamic and persistent threats to U.S. citizens and to our interests around the world. With his deep experience, Olsen shares his keen understanding of terrorism and the ways the government and the private sector can work together to counter these threats and enhance our security.

Cyber Attacks and our Nation’s Security

Cyber attacks have emerged as a leading threat to our national security. In the coming years, our adversaries will hone their skills and the scope and scale of the threats will escalate. Companies will need to develop a sophisticated understanding of the nature of these global challenges, the government’s role in defending cyber space, and the steps they can take to secure their networks and information. As a leading government official at NSA and the Justice Department, Olsen has worked on the inside on these challenges, and he now helps lead a cyber security technology firm. Olsen brings an astute understanding of the myriad threats to companies in cyber space and the government’s capabilities and limitations in this domain, as well as ways companies can enhance their cyber security.

Matthew Olsen Videos

Hitting the Security Reset Button: Time to Rethink Our Approach?
The NCTC's Matt Olsen on the Threat of ISIS (Oct. 8, 2014) | Charlie ...
Views from Washington: Matthew Olsen on 'The Changing Terrorist ...

How to book Matthew Olsen?

Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Matthew Olsen for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment for over 15 years. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers. Fill out a booking request form for Matthew Olsen, 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 pricing information and check availability for Matthew Olsen or any other celebrity of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Matthew Olsen?

Booking fees for Matthew Olsen, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. Pricing often varies according to the circumstances, including the talent's schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. Speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. For the most current fee to hire Matthew Olsen, please fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak with an experienced booking agent.

Who is the agent for Matthew Olsen?

All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Matthew Olsen for clients worldwide for more than 15 years. As a full-service talent 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. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Matthew Olsen for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service talent booking agency?

All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. We do not exclusively represent Matthew Olsen or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Matthew Olsen or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage.


Matthew Olsen is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Security & Defense, Cybersecurity and Policy. The estimated speaking fee range to book Matthew Olsen for live events is $10,000 - $20,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Matthew Olsen generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Edward C. Chow, Robert D. Kaplan and John Zogby. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Matthew Olsen for an upcoming event.

Matthew Olsen Speaking Topics

  • The Demands of Crisis Leadership

    Over the course of his career in government, Olsen has served in leadership roles in tackling some of the most urgent and challenging security issues facing the nation. His work has included responding to cyber attacks on critical infrastructure networks, combating terrorist threats inside the United States, addressing the ongoing controversy over government surveillance, and reviewing the status of detainees at Guantanamo. Olsen has provided thoughtful and principled leadership on these issues, helping to forge effective responses and solutions that emphasize collaboration across organizations and overcoming bureaucratic silos, while balancing competing values and interests. He conveys his discerning views on leadership in demanding, high-performing organizations and his hard-earned lessons and insights on leadership in the midst of a crisis.

  • The Dynamic Threat of Terrorism

    With the rapid rise of new terrorist groups like the Islamic State, the ongoing threat from al-Qaeda, and the impact of homegrown terrorist cells, terrorism remains an urgent concern for the nation. The terrorism landscape is more complex than ever, as the recent attacks in Europe have demonstrated and as terrorist groups have multiplied and expanded. Networks of terrorist operatives pursue a range of lethal objectives both inside and outside of national borders and reach across continents from South Asia to the Middle East and from North Africa to Europe. Over the past few years, terrorists have attacked a natural gas installation in Algeria, killed U.S. government personnel in Libya, and bombed the Boston Marathon – all underscoring the dynamic and persistent threats to U.S. citizens and to our interests around the world. With his deep experience, Olsen shares his keen understanding of terrorism and the ways the government and the private sector can work together to counter these threats and enhance our security.

  • Cyber Attacks and our Nation’s Security

    Cyber attacks have emerged as a leading threat to our national security. In the coming years, our adversaries will hone their skills and the scope and scale of the threats will escalate. Companies will need to develop a sophisticated understanding of the nature of these global challenges, the government’s role in defending cyber space, and the steps they can take to secure their networks and information. As a leading government official at NSA and the Justice Department, Olsen has worked on the inside on these challenges, and he now helps lead a cyber security technology firm. Olsen brings an astute understanding of the myriad threats to companies in cyber space and the government’s capabilities and limitations in this domain, as well as ways companies can enhance their cyber security.

Matthew Olsen Videos

Hitting the Security Reset Button: Time to Rethink Our Approach?
The NCTC's Matt Olsen on the Threat of ISIS (Oct. 8, 2014) | Charlie ...
Views from Washington: Matthew Olsen on 'The Changing Terrorist ...

How to book Matthew Olsen?

Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Matthew Olsen for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment for over 15 years. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers. Fill out a booking request form for Matthew Olsen, 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 pricing information and check availability for Matthew Olsen or any other celebrity of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Matthew Olsen?

Booking fees for Matthew Olsen, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. Pricing often varies according to the circumstances, including the talent's schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. Speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. For the most current fee to hire Matthew Olsen, please fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak with an experienced booking agent.

Who is the agent for Matthew Olsen?

All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Matthew Olsen for clients worldwide for more than 15 years. As a full-service talent 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. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Matthew Olsen for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service talent booking agency?

All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. We do not exclusively represent Matthew Olsen or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Matthew Olsen or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage.


Matthew Olsen is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Security & Defense, Cybersecurity and Policy. The estimated speaking fee range to book Matthew Olsen for live events is $10,000 - $20,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Matthew Olsen generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Edward C. Chow, Robert D. Kaplan and John Zogby. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Matthew Olsen for an upcoming event.

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All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.