Pete Buttigieg [photo credit: Distinguished Speaker Series]
The event, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., will feature Buttigieg unpacking what series organizers describe as “the complexities of today’s political landscape—exploring what this moment demands from leaders in policy, politics, and communication, and how they can navigate an era defined by rapid change, deep polarization, and global uncertainty.”
The choice of Buttigieg reflects direct subscriber input.
“When we surveyed our audience last year, he was their number one pick,” said Kathy Winterhalder, co-founder of the Distinguished Speaker Series. “So then we reached out to him and made him an offer to see if he would be a part of our speaker series this year.”
Buttigieg served as the 19th Secretary of Transportation from 2021 to 2025, overseeing 55,000 employees.
During his tenure, he helped launch infrastructure projects across the country, improved transportation safety and technology, expanded airline passenger protections, and resolved pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, according to series promotional materials.
Before his federal service, Buttigieg served as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, first elected at age 29, and took leave in 2014 to deploy to Afghanistan as a U.S. Navy Reserve intelligence officer.
His 2020 Democratic presidential campaign won the Iowa caucuses and finished second in the New Hampshire primary, becoming the first openly gay major-party candidate to achieve such results.
The Distinguished Speaker Series structures its evenings around substantive engagement.
Events begin at 7:30 p.m. and include a one-hour presentation followed by a 30-minute moderated Q&A, allowing audiences to “interact and exchange ideas with each speaker during a moderated question and answer session,” according to promotional materials.
The 2025–2026 Pasadena season features six speakers: Ella Al-Shamahi, Sanna Marin, Laurie Santos, Pete Buttigieg, Bob Costas, and Anthony Fauci.
The Pasadena Civic Auditorium has served as the series’ home since 1997.
Winterhalder expressed commitment to the community: “We are thrilled and feel just really happy that we can call the Pasadena community and the Pasadena Civic Home. And we plan to be there for a long time.”
Distinguished Speaker Series: Pete Buttigieg will run on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., in Pasadena 91101.For more information, call (310) 546-6222 or visit www.speakersla.com.Series subscriptions only; individual tickets not available.
