Nicholas Kristof
Testimonials
Nicholas Kristof’s talk last night was wonderful and a great opening for fall! He spent dinner with
10 student hosts doing academic and volunteer work in the areas he has covered in his columns
and books, and they really appreciated his personal anecdotes, kind attention and thoughtful
advice, as well as his interest in their work. Then we had 1600 in the audience to hear his talk,
many of them first-year students who were experiencing a gifted speaker giving a lecture for the
first time in their college career. He is an amazing storyteller who is able to illustrate the facts he
presents with examples of challenges that individuals are facing around the world in a way that
keeps the audience engaged, but not overwhelmed. They also appreciated his humor when
describing his personal experiences, and his honesty about finding the solutions to the problems
we face. Whether talking about the horrors of human trafficking or the battle with Ebola or the
challenges of global water shortages, he encouraged them to continue to take on those
challenges.
During the book signing that followed, we had many students who commented that he inspired
them to try to “save the world” in whatever way that they could – large or small. He also took
the time to pose for pictures and speak with many service clubs and individual volunteers from
around campus and central Iowa. They all left inspired. Thanks for making this all happen!
-Director, Lectures Program, Iowa State University
It was a wonderful event, his talk was fabulous! He really connects with students—had they been
able, they would have kept him there until midnight with their questions. What a lovely person he
is: so bright, inspirational, gracious, and at the same time totally unassuming and low
maintenance. The turnout was terrific as well. We could not have hoped for more by any
measure. Thanks to you also—you were great to work with and I really hope we have a chance
to collaborate again sometime.
-Global Language Initiative, Northwestern University
The event last night with Mr. Kristof went extremely well! He was incredibly laid back and easy to
work with. His passion for his work was incredibly clear, and I think students really responded to
that. We had a packed house for the event, and I have never seen so many people hover
outside the VIP reception for an extended period of time just to try to get a glimpse of the
speaker. It was a pleasure hosting Mr. Kristof.
-American University
I wanted to say thanks again for joining us here for Leading Voices. The entire Dartmouth
community was extremely fortunate to have you and the students have been raving about your
visit. And it was a treat for me to spend the afternoon with you.
-Dartmouth College
One Gateway Center, Suite 751 | Newton, MA 02458 | Phone: 617.614.1600 | Fax: 617.965.6610 | apbspeakers.com
The event was a huge success. We had a packed house and everything ran smoothly. Thank
you for being so terrific to work with on this project. We really appreciated it.
-Junior League of Atlanta
Thank you for helping us prepare and plan such an amazing morning with Nick Kristof. Not only
did we find him to be an engaging speaker with tremendous life experience, he was easy to
relate to and (as many noted) just down to earth. It was a very inspiring and moving talk. He’s a
voice for many people in the world, and I now see that we are challenged to take his message
forward.
- Greenwich Academy
In a word, Nick was terrific. No surprise to you, I am sure. He was also generous – when he came
to dinner in Timothy Dwight College, he made a special effort on his own to walk around the
student tables and meet people. His short remarks and interaction with questions at the dinner
exceeded even the packed house presentation at our largest auditorium space. It was a good
experience working with you – very easy, very professional. We’re appreciative!
-Master, Chubb Fellowship, Yale University
Kristof “hit it out of the park” for all who were there. He is an incredible man of courage, action
and inspiration. His presentation was so compelling, not only because of the book Half the Sky,
but also because he now weaves in the feedback from the book and demonstrates that this is
not some hyperbolic claim of injustice, but a reality we must change. He left people feeling
empowered and inspired and not overwhelmed—people left looking for ways to act.
We “sold out” the venue at 650 people and if we had a larger venue we could have filled it. I
hope we will be able to bring him back again sometime, maybe with Sheryl too—Nick is so
engaging, humble, personable and forthright. He and Sheryl should be on the list for a
MacArthur and one of the Nobels—and that’s not exaggerating either.
- Executive Director, Women's Fund of New Hampshire
Mr. Kristof’s visit inspired students to action. Following the weeklong series of events ("Human
Rights Week") for which Mr. Kristof was the keynote speaker, two new student groups were
founded on campus. The International Women's Outreach Committee has organized a fall series
of events and activities with a focus on education: they are raising funds for Invisible Children
and also for American Assistance for Cambodia's rural schools project. The Human Rights
Initiative, partnering with them, is also active: they are participating in a fundraiser for SCTNow
with several other initiatives underway, including planning for another human rights week in the
spring.
You should know that positive change does take place as a result of these visits.
One Gateway Center, Suite 751 | Newton, MA 02458 | Phone: 617.614.1600 | Fax: 617.965.6610 | apbspeakers.com
-Director of International Studies, Franklin & Marshall College
We had Nick at a Forum last year called Saving the World and he was a spectacular panelist
and most enjoyable person throughout the day. He is a very special human being and very
effective at bringing real sustained attention to issues that matter. Nick is the real thing, a real
hero, and not full of himself.
-The Connecticut Forum
Nicholas Kristof’s lecture at Lafayette College attracted nearly 500 students, faculty, and
community residents. He did not disappoint. His lecture matched the great power of his writing,
no small feat. It was a memorable, moving evening; he inspired and educated students (and
the rest of us, too). What a great success his visit to campus was!
-Lafayette College
When I first heard of Mr. Kristof's impending visit to Lafayette, my expectations for his lecture were
indeed high, given his laudable reputation. What Mr. Kristof delivered, however, went beyond
what I could have ever imagined. His ability to simultaneously report, connect, and empower
made a significant positive impact on our student body. Later that night, I already had students
approaching me with comments about how Kristof opened their minds to what could be
accomplished, even when certain events seem so far removed from their own individual control.
-Student, Lafayette College Class of 2009
Nick Kristof’s visit went exceptionally well. Everyone was pleased on this end (and I think Nick
enjoyed the conversation). Seminar, dinner conversations, and lecture (and questions from our
students) were all on a very high intellectual level--and he did tailor his comments well to our
theme. Students were very engaged. Had about 400 for the speech, which was very good for us
for a Tuesday afternoon and a great turnout considering that there was torrential rain outside
that turned the campus into one big river for a while.
-Miami University
Things went really well with Nick. We got a really good response from the audience and we've
had a lot of dialogue on campus about the issues he brought up.
-Cornell University
Nicholas Kristof made an individual presentation, recounting his travels through the world's
conflict zones, and his difficult effort to free two young women from slavery in Cambodia.
Kristof’s passionate remarks about global health, poverty and gender issues in the developing
world were intelligent and moving. He motivated the students and inspired them to follow him in
taking personal risks and giving voices to the voiceless in other parts of the world.
-EduCap Inc.
One Gateway Center, Suite 751 | Newton, MA 02458 | Phone: 617.614.1600 | Fax: 617.965.6610 | apbspeakers.com
I just wanted to let you know how fabulous Kristof was last night. You could hear a pin drop in the
auditorium because he was spellbinding. Of course, the subject was not light; Darfur, etc. but his
delivery was natural and with no notes. He really felt the weight of his speech, as did the
audience.
- Dowd Lecture Series
We had an INCREDIBLE day! There were about 1,200 people in attendance, and all of them
were absolutely buzzed. Mr. Kristof is a rock star among our socially conscious audience
members! His presentation was riveting, and his genuine, down-to-earth manner added to the
power of his presentation. Our day with Mr. Kristof fulfilled in every way the essence of the
Forum’s mission.
- Westminster Town Hall Forum
Our membership found the presentation to be very enlightening and inspiring. The feedback has
been quite positive. On a personal note, my daughter is still talking about the afternoon and
looking forward to delving into your book. Many thanks for a thought provoking presentation.
-National Council of Jewish Women
He was wonderful, of course. We got great feedback. And he's a really nice guy, so easy to deal
with. Thanks so much for arranging this.
-Cheltenham 5-Star Forum
We loved having Nicholas Kristof here. He could not have been a more gracious guest and a
more inspiring presence. I was particularly impressed by the way he directed his remarks to the
students. They’re young and motivated, and they are ready to make a difference in the world in
the ways that he suggests. He’d be a great teacher if he didn’t have even more important work
to do at the moment.
-Director of International Studies, Franklin & Marshall College
He is fantastic!!! Brilliant, articulate, easy to work with. Thanks so much!
-Newport Beach Public Library Foundation
Nicholas Kristof’s remarks were brilliant and have received a great deal of positive feedback on
the evening. Thank you very much for staying to sign books. We hope that you will speak to us
again.
-President, Network 20/20
One Gateway Center, Suite 751 | Newton, MA 02458 | Phone: 617.614.1600 | Fax: 617.965.6610 | apbspeakers.com
Nicholas Kristof engaged the audience with an informative, sometimes difficult, and always
gripping presentation of stories and themes central to his new book, which he co-authored with
fellow Pulitzer Prize winner, and wife, Sheryl WuDunn: “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into
Opportunity for Women Worldwide.” Kristof’s presentation was well suited to a college
audience, with evocative PowerPoint visuals and open exchanges with students. If you are ever
double-booked between two events, and Kristof factors into the equation, I hope this will
convince you where you need to be.
-Student, Duke University
Nick was magnificent and impressive. He was the topic of the newsroom this morning at the
Omaha World-Herald, which sent 20 journalists, and several of our board members are elated.
-Associate Director, KANEKO
Every person should own this book…every woman you know should absolutely have a copy of
this book…Until I read this book, I had the overwhelming sense that nothing would change…The
most incredible story I’ve ever heard.
-Oprah
Thank you so much for your truly wonderful talk at Rice last week. I have received so much
positive feedback from our students, many of whom want to be you when they grow up! One of
my students emailed me to say, “It was such an inspiring talk, and he's become a role model in
terms of the kind of positive impact I would eventually like to make.” I know that many other
students were similarly inspired. Thanks again for reaching out to them.
-Rice University 360 Initiative
It was perfect. I’m not exaggerating. It was perfect through and through. I’m critical by nature
and I tried to look for something that could have been better. There isn’t anything. Nicholas was
excellent. We had one of the biggest turnouts for a lecture in the college’s history—between 500
and 600. Truthfully closer to 600. When he finished, everyone as kind of a group reflex rose to their
feet to give him thunderous applause. What they were applauding was not only what was said,
but the wonderfully caring, real, and deeply human person who was saying it. To me, what
made him a perfect fit for us and for the inaugural run of the St. Andre Lecture on “Welcoming
the Other” was that he didn’t simply bombard us with depressing stories and statistics. He let us in
on the reality, that’s for sure, but he went further and challenged us to think about what we can
do about these real episodes of suffering. He left us thinking that it is, in part, up to us. In other
words, we didn’t simply leave informed. We were moved. We left changed.
I was especially happy to see how he handled the Q&A. It was as if he believed it was as
important as the lecture itself. I, and my colleagues with me, agreed that our students asked
questions of substance. He took his time answering each one.
-Stonehill College
One Gateway Center, Suite 751 | Newton, MA 02458 | Phone: 617.614.1600 | Fax: 617.965.6610 | apbspeakers.com
One Gateway Center, Suite 751 | Newton, MA 02458 | Phone: 617.614.1600 | Fax: 617.965.6610 | apbspeakers.com