Presidential Speaker Series

2023 Presidential Speaker Series featuring Pete Souza

“WHAT I SAW INSIDE THE PRESIDENCY”

made possible by the Mary Tucker Jasper Endowment Fund

Thursday, November 9, 2023 | 6:00 – 9:00 PM | Indiana Roof Ballroom

 Join us for the 2023 Presidential Speaker Series as we hear from internationally renowned White House photographer Pete Souza and get a glimpse of his four decades of seeing the American presidency first hand through the lens of a camera. From intimate family portraits of the Reagans and Obamas to moments of earth-shattering international significance, Souza has seen some of the very best and worst moments of our collective American story with unparalleled access to our nation’s Commander-in-Chief.

Pete Souza is a best-selling author, speaker and freelance photographer based in Madison, Wisconsin. He was the Chief White House Photographer and Director of the White House photo office, and official White House photographer for six years of the Reagan administration (including his funeral services) and all eight years of the Obama administration. In 2021, Souza was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame. Souza has had solo exhibits of his photographs at numerous galleries: the Leica Gallery in NYC; Stephen Kasher Gallery in NYC; The Kennedys Museum in Berlin, Germany; Etruscan Museum in Cortona, Italy; Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas; Fermilab in Illinois; U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; Navy Museum in Washington, D.C.; University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C.; Boston University; Ohio University in Athens, Ohio; and the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. His photographs have also been part of group exhibits at the National Archives, Smithsonian Museum of American History, Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Newseum, and the 92nd Street Y in NYC. He currently has two traveling exhibits, “Obama: An Intimate Portrait” and “Two Presidents: Obama and Reagan”.

The Presidential Speaker Series is made possible through the Mary Tucker Jasper Endowment Fund. This will be the Presidential Site’s 18th year celebrating American thought and leadership through this event. Taking place shortly before Veteran’s Day, we will carry on our tradition of also honoring men and women in the United States military, who—like President Harrison, himself a veteran—sacrificed so much in their service to our country, with special tributes throughout the evening.

National Thought Leadership

The Speaker Series supports the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s mission to increase participation in the American system of self-government by sharing the life stories, arts, and culture of an American President. Event proceeds help the Presidential Site share innovative civic education and outreach programs with tens of thousands of children and adults each year. The event annually welcomes 300+ prestigious guests to enjoy a dinner and a nationally recognized speaker.