SACRAMENTO, CA – The Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce its acquisition of the Sacramento Speaker Series™, ensuring the continuation and growth of the high-profile program. Now led by the Sacramento Metro Chamber and presented by Sutter Health – in partnership with KCRA 3, My58 and KFBK News Radio -- the 2025-26 Sacramento Speakers Series kicks off on October 22, 2025, at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. Founded in 2004 by Mitchell Ostwald, the series has become the cornerstone of civic dialogue, featuring some of the most influential voices in politics, culture, thought leadership and more.

“With this acquisition, we want to first recognize the vision and commitment of Mitchell Ostwald and his team, whose dedication has made the Speaker Series a celebrated tradition,” said Robert Heidt, President & CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber. “As we take the helm, we are committed to honoring its legacy while elevating the experience for our community. The Speaker Series now joins our roster of signature programs, alongside our Annual Dinner & Business Awards, Capitol-to-Capitol, and Study Mission, that all aim to bring together business and community leaders to shape the future of our Capital Region.”

• October 22, 2025 – Former Secretary Pete Buttigieg
• November 12, 2025 – Mitch Albom
• January 28, 2026 – Vice President Mike Pence
• February 25, 2026 – Anthony Ray Hinton
• March 25, 2026 – Céline Cousteau
• April 29, 2026 – Mayim Bialik

“The Sacramento Speaker Series has long been about more than just remarkable voices — it’s about what happens when our community comes together to listen, learn, and lead,” said Keri Thomas, Board Chair of the Sacramento Metro Chamber and Vice President of External Affairs for Sutter Health. “This year’s line-up builds on the Chamber’s commitment to bringing world-class perspectives to the Capital Region, fostering dialogue that shapes our region’s future and deepens community connection. I’m thrilled to see how these conversations will continue to shape and energize Sacramento’s future.”

The Series will also continue its Share the Vision program, generously supported by the California State Library Foundation, which provides local high school students with unique access to speakers through exclusive pre-event receptions and complimentary admission.

Capacity is limited for the 2025-26 Sacramento Speakers Series and a sellout is expected. For more information about and/or advance tickets to Sacramento Speakers Series, please visit www.sacramentospeakers.com. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2025-26 season, with more information available by contacting Susan Harris Brazelton at sharris@metrochamber.org. More information about the Sacramento Metro Chamber is available at www.metrochamber.com.

2025-26 Speakers – Short Biographies

Former Secretary Pete Buttigieg

Pete Buttigieg served from 2021 to 2025 as U.S. Secretary of Transportation. During his tenure, he worked to launch over seventy thousand infrastructure projects across the country, improve transportation safety and technology, expand airline passenger protections, and resolve pandemic-related supply chain disruptions.

Previously, Buttigieg served two terms as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, where he was elected at the age of 29 and led the city to its strongest period of economic and population growth in decades. He also served for seven years as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, taking a leave of absence from his role as mayor in 2014 to deploy to Afghanistan. A candidate for the Democratic nomination for President in 2020, his historic campaign won the Iowa caucuses and finished second in the New Hampshire primary.

He holds degrees in history and literature from Harvard and in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He lives in northern Michigan with his husband Chasten, their two children, Gus and Penelope, and their dog, Buddy.

Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom is an acclaimed American author and philanthropist. He is the author of numerous books which have collectively sold more than forty million copies in forty-eight languages worldwide. He has written eight number-one New York Times bestsellers — including Tuesdays with Morrie, the bestselling memoir of all time, which topped the list for four straight years and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022. His much-anticipated new novel is a stunning love story about magical second chances called Twice and is set to release this fall.

Vice President Mike Pence

Mike Pence was born in Columbus, Indiana into a family that epitomized the American Dream, instilling in him values of hard work, faith, and family. After graduating from Hanover College and Indiana University School of Law, he embarked on a multifaceted career, including law practice, hosting a talk show, serving as a congressman for six terms, and championing limited government and fiscal responsibility. Pence then was elected the 50th Governor of Indiana, focusing on tax cuts, job creation, education reform, and infrastructure investment while maintaining fiscal responsibility. His accomplishments in Indiana led to his selection as the 48th Vice President of the United States. Pence’s conservative philosophy, inspired by Ronald Reagan, led to his founding Advancing American Freedom which continues to advocate for faith, family, and liberty as foundational American values. Mike and Karen Pence have been married for forty years and are the proud parents to three children and four grandchildren.

Anthony Ray Hinton

Anthony Ray Hinton is an American activist and author known for his wrongful conviction for two murders in Alabama and his eventual exoneration after 30 years on death row, a story detailed in his New York Times bestselling memoir, The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row. Hinton was convicted in 1985 based on flawed ballistics evidence and inadequate legal representation, despite having an alibi and being exonerated by a polygraph test. His case was eventually overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2014, leading to his release in 2015 with the assistance of the Equal Justice Initiative.

Céline Cousteau

Céline is an environmental activist, documentary filmmaker, and author who is committed to sharing the vital message of interconnectivity between humans and the natural world. With a degree in Psychology and a Master's in Intercultural Relations, Céline weaves storytelling and experiential practices to help people reconnect to self, community, and Nature. In 2026/27, Céline will join an incredible expedition that will map the length of the Amazon River from a newly discovered spring in Peru to the Atlantic Ocean: Amazon River: From Ice to Sea. Céline is a coach with Unlimited Life, creating personalized programs with clients to support living a meaningful, connected, and fulfilled life.

Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik began her career at just 11 years old and is best known for her roles in "Blossom" and "The Big Bang Theory". In addition to being a well-known actress, she was accepted to both Harvard and Yale but chose to attend UCLA where she earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience. She served as host of Jeopardy! for 2 seasons, earning her fifth Emmy nomination for her contributions to the iconic show which won its first prime time Emmy the year she hosted. She hosts a popular mental health podcast, Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown with over 82 million downloads.