Eric Liu

CEO, Citizen University & Civic Evangelist

Eric Liu

CEO, Citizen University & Civic Evangelist

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Biography

Eric Liu is the co-founder and CEO of Citizen University, which works to build a culture of powerful and responsible citizenship in the United States. He is the author of numerous acclaimed books, including most recently Become America: Civic Sermons on Love, Responsibility, and Democracy — a New York Times New & Notable Book — and Live Like a Citizen: 8 Ways to Change Your Mindset and Our Country, to be published in October 2026. He is featured in the PBS documentary American Creed and is a contributing writer at The Atlantic.

Liu served as a White House speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and as the President’s deputy domestic policy adviser. He was later appointed by President Barack Obama to the board of the Corporation for National and Community Service. In 2020, Liu was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, where he now serves on its Trust and is co-chair of its Our Common Purpose commission on democratic citizenship. Liu founded and for nine years led the Aspen Institute Citizenship and American Identity Program. He is a graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, and a member of the Yale University Council. Liu lives in Seattle, where he has served on the boards of the Seattle Public Library and the Washington State Board of Education, and co-founded the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. His work as a civic innovator was recognized in 2020 with an Ashoka Fellowship.

Speaker Videos

TEDTalk: How to Revive Your Belief in Democracy

Humanizing Each Other

TEDTalk: Why Ordinary People Need to understand Power

How Democracy Can Work for Everyone | PBS NewsHour

TEDTalk: There's No Such Thing As Not Voting

Obama Summit Closing Session

Citizen Power

The Garden of Democracy

Exploring the Dangers of Polarized Politics for American Governance

Points of Light

The Art of Purpose, Mentorship, and Citizenship

Citizen University - How to Talk With the Other Side

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Speech Topics

Live Like a Citizen: Community is the Key to Bridging the Divide

What if the way we show up in everyday life could help heal our communities—and our democracy? Eric Liu offers a hopeful and actionable framework for reconnecting in a time marked by division, disconnection, and declining trust. Drawing from his book Live Like a Citizen, Liu introduces eight essential practices—simple yet powerful ways of seeing, listening, feeling, joining, and committing—that transform isolation into belonging and cynicism into shared purpose. Through real-world examples and compelling storytelling, he illustrates how small, intentional acts of citizenship can strengthen relationships and rebuild civic culture from the ground up. Rather than focusing on politics alone, Liu emphasizes how daily choices shape the health of our communities and the future of democracy. This talk is both a call to reconnect—and a practical guide to creating a more resilient, engaged, and hopeful society.

Audiences will learn:

A clear framework of everyday practices that strengthen civic engagement and human connection
How to move from division and disengagement toward belonging and shared purpose
Ways individuals can actively shape healthier communities and a more vibrant democracy

Live Like a Citizen: A Civic Approach to Healthier Communities

What if one of the most powerful ways to understand health was taking a walk through your own neighborhood? Eric Liu argues that we cannot improve public health without first strengthening civic health, reframing communities as the foundation of well-being. Drawing on his Power Walk project and insights from Live Like a Citizen, Liu shows how everyday environments—from access to parks and food to transportation and safety—reflect decisions shaped by policy, participation, and power. Through storytelling and practical tools, he teaches audiences how to see patterns of inequity, listen for unheard voices, and recognize shared responsibility. He challenges healthcare leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders to move beyond observation and into action, embracing their role not only as professionals, but as citizens shaping systems. By connecting civic engagement with public health, Liu offers a powerful path forward for building healthier, more equitable communities where health is not just delivered—but designed.

Audiences will learn:

How civic health directly influences public health outcomes
Tools for identifying and understanding social determinants of health in real-world settings
Ways individuals and institutions can take action to build healthier, more equitable communities

Citizen Power: Preparing the Next Generation for Civic Life

Young people are not the future of democracy—they are its present. Eric Liu makes a compelling case for reimagining civics education so students don’t just learn about democracy—they learn how to participate in it. Drawing on his work with educators and institutions nationwide, Liu explores how schools and colleges can move beyond content to cultivate the skills, habits, and sense of agency students need to understand and exercise power. He centers two essential questions—how do we live together, and who decides?—and shows how education can prepare students to answer both with confidence and responsibility. By connecting civic knowledge with real-world application, Liu demonstrates how classrooms and campuses can become training grounds for engaged, informed citizens. This talk challenges educators and leaders to equip the next generation not just for personal success, but for meaningful participation in a thriving democracy.

Audiences will learn:

How to teach civic power, not just civic knowledge
Practical ways to embed civic purpose and agency into K–12 and higher education
Strategies to empower students as active participants in their communities and democracy

Testimonials

"Eric Liu was fantastic! Our attendees loved him. His main stage remarks were spot on and beautifully delivered. The content and presentation were great. We appreciated his sticking with us."

- Council of MI Foundations

"Eric was fantastic! Our audience really appreciated how his remarks were timely, direct, and impactful. We got great reviews on our evaluation forms and many attendees noted Eric’s keynote address as the highlight of the event for them. On a personal and organizational level, both Eric and the APB team were fantastic to work with."

- NY Funders Alliance

"Eric delivered exactly the message we hoped he would, with passion and clarity. It is not always easy to be the after-dinner speaker and capture everyone’s attention – especially being virtual – but he did! They gave him a standing ovation!"

- Virginia Military Institute

"Eric, just wanted to express our thanks for your participation in our Statewide Leaders Gathering event. You really helped us wrap up an important opportunity to meet with our strongest statewide volunteers who are our ambassadors around the state. Your comments about civic duty and how we can use civic power to build community I know really resonated with our listeners. So much of what you shared rests at the center of what we are trying to accomplish as a community foundation."

- The Oregon Community Foundation

"Everything at the event went quite well. Eric’s key note remarks were great, very thought provoking and he did a nice job of weaving together the themes we wanted and also making connections to our organization. We then had a moderated discussion with Eric and our other guest speaker. That portion of the program was well-received too. Overall we were really happy with the event, and it was great to have Eric as one of our featured speakers."

- Social Venture Partners Seattle

"The event was fantastic. Eric was so generous with his time, and so well received by our group. He was articulate, passionate, interesting, energetic—truly a perfect way to kick off our conference and we’re very grateful."

- The Covenant Foundation

"Eric was incredible! We hope to find ways to work with him to enhance our efforts and his going forward. You were a pleasure to work with, and I can't thank you enough for making this happen."

- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

"Eric was phenomenal. Here's an example of one of the many e-mails I received yesterday: 'The presentation was amazing. I'm happy that I made it a priority to attend this morning, it was motivating and empowering! These types of events are great for the engagement initiative.' Thanks for being a part of putting this together. It was very much appreciated."

- Vanguard

"A spectacular performance! Students were moved and you were able to provoke reactions from them that were once seen only at football games! Feel proud of what you’ve accomplished here for us on this campus. Word going around is that the discussions went great and that students were very much into it."

- The University of Tennessee

"Eric Liu’s event was great. Could not have been more perfect."

- University of Utah

"Everything went very well and we were honored to have Eric speak to our students. They responded very well. I hope he enjoyed the visit also. Thanks again, APB, for all your help."

- University of Notre Dame

"Wow; that is the word I heard the most after your presentation at IPT's anniversary event in Oklahoma City. Your message was a powerful one and one that I am confident will lead to positive change within the investor education and protection arena. We are very grateful for your participation and contribution and hope to explore further collaboration in the future."

- Investor Protection Trust (IPT)