New York Times Reporter and Author, The Man Who Broke Capitalism
David Gelles: Biography at a Glance
- David Gelles is a correspondent on the Climate desk at The New York Times, covering the intersection of public policy and the private sector.
- Gelles scrutinizes conflicts of interest and corporate influence on government action and highlights companies making serious efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and those that are posturing, greenwashing, or actively pushing in the opposite direction.
- He was formerly a reporter for the Business section, covering CEOs, tech, media, and Wall Street and interviewing more than 100 entrepreneurs, innovators, executives, and cultural leaders.
- Gelles is the author of The Man Who Broke Capitalism which explores the root of all that’s wrong with capitalism today and offers advice on how we might right those wrongs.
- In his first book, Mindful Work: How Meditation Is Changing Business From the Inside Out, Gelles reveals the impact of meditation, yoga, and mindful techniques in fostering happier, healthier workplaces and more productive organizations.
- A skilled moderator, he has interviewed leaders and thinkers and guided panel discussions at many events, including the Climate Hub in Glasgow and DealBook conferences.
Videos
Biography
David Gelles is a correspondent on the Climate desk at The New York Times, covering the intersection of public policy and the private sector. He spent eight years as a reporter for the Business section, covering CEOs, tech, media, and Wall Street. He also penned the Corner Office column, interviewing more than 100 entrepreneurs, innovators, executives, and cultural leaders. Gelles is the author of The Man Who Broke Capitalism: How Jack Welch Gutted the Heartland and Crushed the Soul of Corporate America — and How to Undo His Legacy. Publishers Weekly described it as “an incisive, eye-popping history,” and Kirkus called it “a vigorous argument for a more humane capitalism.”
Gelles was part of the Times team that won a Gerald Loeb Award for its coverage of the Boeing 737 Max crashes. A skilled moderator, he has interviewed leaders and thinkers and guided panel discussions at many events, including the Climate Hub in Glasgow and DealBook conferences. While reporting for The Financial Times, he secured a big exclusive, the jailhouse interview with $65 billion Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff.
In his role covering climate news, Gelles scrutinizes conflicts of interest and corporate influence on government action, shining a light on companies making serious efforts to reduce their carbon footprint – and those that are posturing, greenwashing, or actively pushing in the opposite direction. In his first book, Mindful Work: How Meditation Is Changing Business From the Inside Out, Gelles reveals the impact of meditation, yoga, and mindful techniques in fostering happier, healthier workplaces and more productive organizations.
A graduate of Boston University and the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, Gelles lives in New York City with his family.
Topics
Doing Well by Doing Good: Lessons from Patagonia and the Future of Sustainable Business
In this powerful and practical talk, New York Times reporter and bestselling author David Gelles takes audiences inside the remarkable story of Patagonia, a billion-dollar brand built not on cutthroat capitalism, but on environmental activism and a relentless commitment to doing the right thing. Drawing on exclusive access to founder Yvon Chouinard and Patagonia’s leadership, Gelles reveals the bold decisions that transformed the company into a global icon of social and environmental responsibility and how its model is inspiring other businesses to follow suit.
Through compelling case studies, Gelles shows how companies across industries are proving that prioritizing the planet and people can drive innovation, deepen customer loyalty, and boost the bottom line. Corporate leaders will walk away with a fresh perspective on how to align profit with purpose and an optimistic, actionable playbook for making choices that create lasting value for both shareholders and the world.
Inside the Corner Office: Celebrity CEOs, Empathic Leaders & the Keys to Great Leadership
The role of the chief executive has never been more complex — or more consequential. Business leaders today are reshaping the internet, reimagining health care, upending transportation, and more. But being a chief executive is no longer just about running a company. It means taking political stands and managing a hybrid workforce — all while balancing short-term profits with long-term goals, dealing with activist investors, and attracting talented employees.
Through interviews with more than 100 CEOs for the “Corner Office” column, Gelles has distilled what makes great leaders tick, the signs that a CEO is veering off course, and what traits inspire loyalty among employees.
Mindful Work: How Meditation Is Changing the Business World
A quiet revolution is reshaping the corporate world. The world’s most dynamic entrepreneurs and businesspeople are using meditation, mindfulness, and yoga to focus on feeling good while making money – and using the money to do good too. Materialism is out and mindfulness is in.
Reporter, longtime meditator, and creator of meditation guides for The New York Times, David Gelles has spoken with hundreds of business people who meditate — from high-level managers at Fortune 500 companies to scrappy entrepreneurs. In this engagement, Gelles shares their stories of how meditation and mindfulness are making for happier, healthier workplaces, and better more productive organizations.
Stakeholder Capitalism, the End of Shareholder Primacy & How American Business Is Caught Up in the Culture Wars
After decades of the “shareholders come first” attitude, a new era in American business has arrived. CEOs and major corporations have embraced “stakeholder capitalism,” and are pledging to put the well-being of workers, communities, and the environment on par with shareholder returns.
In this engagement, author and New York Times reporter David Gelles invites you to dive into how this new direction is creating the appearance of a kinder, gentler Corporate America. But it is also placing big companies on the front lines of the culture wars, leading to fraught exchanges with conservative lawmakers over issues like voting rights, gun control, immigration, and climate change.
The Man Who Broke Capitalism: The Legacy of Jack Welch – And the Plight of the American Worker
Jack Welch, the chief executive of General Electric from 1981 to 2001, is often remembered as the greatest CEO of all time. He turned GE into the most valuable company in the world, groomed dozens of proteges that went on to run major companies of their own, and was named by Fortune magazine as the “Manager of the Century.” However, New York Times reporter and author David Gelles argues that celebrating Welch is a mistake.
Based on his newest book, Gelles offers a compelling take on Jack Welch — he was not the greatest CEO of all time. Instead, he was a singularly destructive force in the history of American capitalism, ravaging the middle class, concentrating wealth in the hands of the few, and setting in motion the forces that would shape today’s highly unequal economy.
FAQs
How do I book David Gelles for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book David Gelles to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
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As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is David Gelles's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for David Gelles’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all David Gelles in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact David Gelles's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check David Gelles's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list David Gelles, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is David Gelles's speaking fee?
David Gelles's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, David Gelles's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
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How much does it cost to book David Gelles as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book David Gelles as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- David Gelles's keynote speaking fee
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Email speakers@caa.com for David Gelles's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact David Gelles for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all David Gelles speaking engagements.
Official contact for David Gelles bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/david-gelles
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking David Gelles.
Is David Gelles available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, David Gelles speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
David Gelles's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
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What events can I book David Gelles for?
Book David Gelles for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. David Gelles customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
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David Gelles engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how David Gelles can customize their presentation for your specific event.
David Gelles booking information and availability
Check David Gelles's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure David Gelles for your preferred event date.
Book David Gelles keynote speaker through CAA
Book David Gelles through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for David Gelles, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
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Will David Gelles speak at private events?
Yes, David Gelles speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
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Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for David Gelles's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking David Gelles?
CAA Speakers responds to David Gelles booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book David Gelles?
Book David Gelles 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get David Gelles pricing information?
Get David Gelles pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
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- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.