Distinguished Speaker Series Announces Three Influential Voices for Spring 2025

The Distinguished Speaker Series has announced the final three speakers for its 2025 Pasadena series, featuring prominent experts in economics, technology and healthcare who will address critical global issues. The spring lineup includes Zanny Minton Beddoes, Emily Chang and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, appearing monthly from April through June at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

The final lap of the annula series begins on Monday, April 21, 2025, with Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-Chief of The Economist and the first woman to hold that position. Minton Beddoes will analyze pressing economic and financial challenges, including inflation, populist movements, and shifting global power dynamics.

Emmy Award-winning journalist Emily Chang will speak on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. As host of Bloomberg Technology, Chang will share insights on how technology is reshaping society, drawing on her relationships with tech industry leaders to explain the influence of social media, artificial intelligence, and tech companies on government policies.

The series concludes on Monday, June 9, 2025, with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, neurosurgeon and CNN Chief Medical Correspondent. Gupta will discuss the intersection of healthcare, politics, and policy, exploring how political decisions impact public health and trust in science.

Each presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. and includes a moderated question and answer session. 

All events take place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, located at 300 East Green St. in Pasadena. The Distinguished Speaker Series is available in subscription packages only, with prices for the remaining three speakers ranging from $180 to $330. Tickets can be purchased online at www.speakersla.com.

Established in 1995 as an “enlightening entertainment alternative” for Southern California, the Distinguished Speaker Series now runs at four locations: Pasadena, Redondo Beach, Thousand Oaks, and Long Beach. The Pasadena Series is sponsored by Rusnak Autogroup and Laist.

For more information, contact Kathy Winterhalder at (310) 546-6222 or kathy@speakersla.com.