From Cordia's tenacity and her real life insights to what real risk taking is about, we were inspired, moved and touched. WISE was a great event because of you. Women are indeed the heroes; they are changing the world one venture at a time.
Cordia Harrington
CEO and President of The Bun Company, One of the Top 25 Women Business Builders
Profile Links
Fee Range
$10,000Travels From
Nashville, TN, US
Cordia Harrington
Biography
Cordia Harrington is CEO and founder of Crown Bakeries, a highly automated, high-speed baking company that makes over 15 million baked goods daily and employs more than 1,700 people, serving elite customers in the United States, South America and the Caribbean. As CEO, Ms. Harrington guides the executive team to successful planning, business development, sales and marketing, and brand management.
Ms. Harrington serves on the Global Crossing Airlines Board of Directors and the Belmont University Board of Trustees. She is the immediate past Chair of the American Bakers Association Board of Directors and past Chair of the Chief Executives Organization Board of Directors.
Under Ms. Harrington’s leadership, Crown Bakeries have received many awards, including the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned Businesses, Business with Purpose Award, and Nashville Business Journal’s Best in Business Award. Ms. Harrington was listed on Forbes magazine’s list of 100 wealthiest self-made women in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. C200 recognized her as an Entrepreneurial Champion with their 2024 Luminary Award. The University of Arkansas awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 2020 and named a building in her honor in 2022 (the Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence). Ms. Harrington was named Nashville Post’s 2020 CEO of the Year and was inducted into the American Society of Baking Hall of Fame in February 2018. She has been recognized by numerous other organizations for her commitment to excellence and entrepreneurial spirit.
Ms. Harrington attended Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan; she graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree. She currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee, with her husband Tom. Together they have five children and eleven grandchildren.
Cordia Harrington
Featured Keynote Programs
Get your BUNS in Gear...
With economic times declining, it is the right time to RISE to the occassion and start your business...live your Dream! A focused speech on how resourcefulness can pay off in turbulent times! This presentation can also be geared for a "healthy lifestyle" motivated presentation.
No is NOT an OPTION
As a guest on "A Big Idea", Cordia presents a compelling story how to persevere and focus on the Goal. You too can "live the American Dream" as Cordia does owning a Banking Company with over $50 million in sales. She has mentored 15 friends and family to millionaires.
NO is not an Option is a title that can work well for University Groups, Entrepreneur Gatherings, and Professional Corporate Meetings...the details are applicable to all! Humor and Enthusiam make this a fun event.
Making DOUGH Rise
On the high speed bun line, Cordia makes 1000 buns per minute...YEAST is the resource to make the buns RISE!! What are the resources you need to MAKE DOUGH?
She has the courage to spell it out with humor and humility...
BUNS of Steel...
This baker has faced serious adversity, and has learned what it takes to be tough and tough it out...Courage, Determination, Faith, Forgiveness...all weave a KEYNOTE that resonates with top CEO's! A woman in a Mans Industry, balancing raising 3 young sons, on her own...BUNS of Steel!
Cordia Harrington
Featured Reviews
Cordia Harrington
Featured Articles & Resources
Cordia Harrington's The Bun Company to Become $100M Company
Written by E.J. Boyer
The Bun Companies, a Nashville-based provider of bakery products for wholesale clients, is buying a Georgia-based bakery, in a deal that will double its...
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking Cordia Harrington for your event.
How do I book Cordia Harrington for my event?
Booking Cordia Harrington with Premiere Speakers Bureau is a streamlined 4-step process:
- Availability Check: Contact us with your event date and budget to verify if your desired speaker is available.
- Hold Date: We place a temporary "hold" on the speaker's calendar while you finalize internal approval.
- Contracting: We issue a contract outlining the fee, cancellation policy, and event expectations.
- Logistics: Once signed, our event management team handles all travel booking, itinerary, and AV requirements.
Why should I partner with Premiere Speakers Bureau rather than contacting speakers directly?
Partnering with Premiere Speakers Bureau provides a comprehensive safety net for your event that direct booking cannot match. You get the same speaker for the same price, but with a dedicated team with over 30 years of event experience handling contracts, logistics, and are prepared for any emergency. We know what it takes to run an excellent event.
What makes Premiere Speakers Bureau unique compared to other agencies?
Premiere Speakers Bureau distinguishes itself by having over 30 years of experience while partnering with more than 35,000 events. PSB has also built a streamlined, fully online process that makes booking a speaker, handling travel and payments extremely easy for anyone looking to plan a speaker led event.
How does Premiere Speakers Bureau's 'Zero Cost Service' model work?
Premiere Speakers Bureau operates on a 'Zero Cost Service' model for event planners. Our services—including research, booking, and logistics—are always free to the client. The speaker covers our commission from their standard honorarium as payment for our role in marketing and managing their engagements.
How are speaker fees structured, and what is typically included?
A speaker's fee typically covers the keynote presentation, a pre-event planning call, and standard customization. Travel expenses are usually billed separately.
What are the standard policies for speaker travel and expenses?
Travel expenses are negotiated during contracting. We generally recommend a flat travel fee for simplicity, though we also offer line-by-line invoicing when preferred. PSB ensures these expenses adhere to professional standards, and our Event Portal allows for easy tracking and invoicing.
Cordia Harrington's Featured & Related Topics
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