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About the event
President's Distinguished Lecture Series
Event: President’s Distinguished Lecture Series (PDLS): https://keanstage.com/education/lecture-series/
Organization: Kean University / Kean Stage
Location: Wilkins Theatre, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Audience: Students, faculty, staff, and broader university community
Overview
The President’s Distinguished Lecture Series at Kean University brings together influential voices and thought leaders to engage the campus community in meaningful dialogue around leadership, resilience, innovation, and societal impact.
Event Format & Structure
This is a multi-touch engagement designed to maximize both impact and interaction across the university community. The program includes:
- Arrival & Sound Check (30 minutes)
- Student Masterclass (30 minutes)
- Green Room / Interview / Archival Content (30 minutes)
- PDLS Introductions (10 minutes)
- Keynote Address (15 minutes)
- Moderated Fireside Chat (30 minutes)
- Audience Q&A (25 minutes)
- Meet & Greet / Book Signing (60 minutes)
Total Engagement Time: ~4 hours on-site
Timing Considerations
- Events are typically scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays
- Primary programming windows:
- Fall Semester: October–November
- Spring Semester: February–April
Availability
Andrew’s schedule is currently most aligned with Spring 2027 (February–April), with February 2027 being the most flexible window for this opportunity.
There is limited availability in the fall, with a small number of potential openings in late October / early November (e.g., October 29 or November 3), pending confirmation.
We’re happy to check and hold specific dates as they come into focus.
Speaking Fee & Logistics
Speaking Fee: $25,000 USD
Travel: $3,000 flat travel fee, inclusive of roundtrip airfare, ground transportation, meals, and incidentals
(Travel can be structured differently depending on routing and point of origin, offering some flexibility.)
Hotel: Two (2) hotel rooms to be provided
Andrew travels with a dedicated tour manager for all speaking engagements. This ensures a seamless experience on-site, particularly given the integration of live music and technical production elements.
Technical Requirements
Andrew’s keynote experience incorporates live music (keyboard), supported by a dedicated AV setup.
He travels with a detailed technical rider to ensure a seamless integration of both speaking and musical elements. The full rider will be provided as conversations progress so your production team has everything needed to support the experience.
Gravity Speakers Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/andrew-mcmahon
Website: https://www.andrewmcmahonspeaks.com/
Andrew is based in Los Angeles, CA.
“Watching Andrew transfer his in-depth knowledge of the creative process and his multidisciplinary reinventions applied to new fields and industries has been nothing less than breathtaking. More companies than ever feel like they have to grow in order to be successful in the current era of rapid change. Andrew's speech is the key to unlocking the courage to proactively transform.” - Josh Linkner, NYT Bestselling Author & Venture Capitalist Investor
“Andrew's bravery to take on risk when others tread in place is an eye-opener. But his determination to dive into uncomfortable waters to grow as an artist has resonance for all. By sharing his truly inspirational story through his insights, motivations, and methods, he explains how anyone can figure their own path to do what they really want. No matter your line of work or stage of your career, this is an important reminder that we're on this planet for a very short time. He teaches us how to get out of our own way so we can appreciate the past, but more importantly, make the most of our future. It's a life-changing lesson, charmingly told.”- AUDREY FIX SCHAEFER, HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS, I.M.P./9:30 CLUB
“Andrew is one of the most inspiring guest speakers that has ever met with our team. He has lived an extraordinary life, which has provided him with unique insights about reinvention, fear, and change that are relatable, and thought-provoking.” - Charlie Walker, President, C3 Presents
Speaker Highlights
Singer, Songwriter, Lifelong Reinventor
Over the last 25 years, Andrew McMahon has built a career defined by creative evolution, emotional connection, and the ability to continually reinvent himself.
A classically trained pianist and natural performer, Andrew first rose to prominence as the co-founder of Something Corporate, achieving major chart success in the early 2000s. He went on to launch the acclaimed solo project Jack’s Mannequin, followed by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness—each chapter marking a distinct creative era and expanding his reach to a global audience.
Across his three projects, Andrew has sold nearly 2.5 million albums, surpassed 1.3 billion streams, and performed at iconic festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Austin City Limits. In 2025, he brought all three of his musical identities together for a historic, sold-out “Three Pianos” performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre—becoming the first artist to perform as opening act, direct support, and headliner in a single night.
Behind this trajectory is a deeply personal story of resilience and transformation. Andrew’s journey through life-altering challenges, creative rebirth, and purpose-driven work—including founding the Dear Jack Foundation—has shaped a perspective that resonates far beyond music.
Today, Andrew brings that perspective to the stage in a powerful format that blends storytelling and live music—creating an experience that is both deeply personal and universally impactful.
Why Andrew McMahon
- A Career Built on Reinvention: Andrew’s journey across three successful musical identities offers a rare, real-world lens on adaptability and growth.
- A Format That Stands Apart: Blending live music with storytelling, Andrew delivers an immersive experience—not a traditional lecture.
- Highly Resonant for University Audiences: His story speaks directly to students navigating identity, change, and an uncertain future.
- Substance + Emotional Connection: Andrew balances depth and relatability, creating a meaningful and memorable audience experience.
Signature Experience:
Mapping The Wild: Charting the Course for Reinvention in an Era of Volatility
In a world defined by rapid change and unpredictability, standing still is the riskiest strategy there is.
Drawing from a career marked by constant reinvention, Andrew McMahon shares a creative leader’s roadmap for navigating uncertainty, embracing change, and building what’s next before it arrives. From launching three distinct, globally recognized musical projects to transforming personal challenges into purpose-driven work, Andrew offers a perspective grounded in lived experience.
Part keynote, part storytelling experience, this session equips audiences with the mindset to stay adaptive, courageous, and forward-thinking in the face of change.
Because the path forward isn’t found by clinging to the familiar—it’s charted by those willing to explore the wild.
Key Themes
- Navigating change in an unpredictable world
- Reinvention across different chapters of life and career
- Creativity, adaptability, and long-term resilience
- Turning uncertainty into opportunity
- Leading with courage, vulnerability, and vision
Program Alignment & Collaboration
Andrew is highly collaborative and experienced in working within structured, multi-component event formats such as Kean University’s President’s Distinguished Lecture Series.
He is comfortable engaging across each element of the program—including the student masterclass, keynote, moderated conversation, Q&A, and meet-and-greet—and works closely with organizers to ensure each component feels cohesive and aligned with the goals of the series.
Given the unique format of PDLS, Andrew will tailor his content and delivery to fit the flow of the program—balancing storytelling, audience engagement, and live music to create a seamless and impactful experience throughout the event.
We are happy to collaborate with your team in advance to shape the structure, discussion topics, and overall experience to best serve your students and broader community.