HWA Exclusive Speakers

HWA has broad reach to connect you with virtually any speaker worldwide, including some speakers which you'll find exclusively with HWA.  

These speakers seek to be represented exclusively by HWA since they value how we uniquely prepare them for your event and handle the logistics of getting the speaker to you.  Take a look at our offering of exclusive speakers and contact us to get started.

News about our Exclusive Speakers

<p><strong>Success Story: Indra Nooyi captivated audiences at PCMA Convening Leaders, beaming in as a hologram</strong></p>

Success Story: Indra Nooyi captivated audiences at PCMA Convening Leaders, beaming in as a hologram

Business powerhouse and former CEO and Chairman of PepsiCo, INDRA NOOYI was a tremendous success as keynote speaker at the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Convening Leaders conference. Nooyi ignited the audience with her experience as a pioneering female business leader and insights on how focusing on family will unleash the economy’s full potential in her keynote, “Leading Through Tremendous Growth, Disruption, and Change.” The globally renowned corporate innovator was in attendance as a hologram – beamed live from a state-of-the-art studio for a completely unique and memorable audience experience. ‘I just watched Indra Nooyi deliver a captivating performance […] At times, I found my eyes full of tears as she spoke about anchoring your change strategy based on megatrends, balance of time, motherhood, and leading others. Running to download her new book.’‘Really interesting & just as impactful with the conversation of being there in person.(Crowd Comments from PCMA on social media)

<p><strong>Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett gives trusted vaccine advice to families all across America, including on <em>Sesame Street</em></strong></p>

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett gives trusted vaccine advice to families all across America, including on Sesame Street

Lead scientist in the development of the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines KIZZMEKIA S. CORBETT joined the beloved cast of Sesame Street for a town hall, ‘The ABCs of Covid Vaccines: A CNN/Sesame Street Townhall for Families.’ Corbett provided accessible vaccine information to Big Bird, Rosita, Elmo, and the rest of the muppet cast, ensuring that audiences of all ages could understand the most up-to-date scientific news. In response to a question from a child at home Corbett answered, “Is the vaccine a superhero? Ok, you know what? I like to think about you being the superhero. The vaccine is just your training camp for you to become the superhero so that you can fight away the virus.” Her generosity amplifies her expertise, speaking to her belief in the power of teamwork as well as her position as a leader inspiring a rising generation of women of color in STEM. Corbett brings this vital blend of gravitas and grace to every event and audience.

<p><strong>Speaker Spotlight: Al Gore is a gifted orator and vital leader on climate change, tech innovation, and sustainable investing </strong></p>

Speaker Spotlight: Al Gore is a gifted orator and vital leader on climate change, tech innovation, and sustainable investing

Former Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate AL GORE is at the epicenter of the global conversation surrounding sustainability and solving the climate crisis. An environmental, business, and tech visionary recognized as one of the world’s leading voices for climate action, Vice President Gore offers a unique perspective on national and international issues, including the threats of climate change and the future of tech. Gore is at the forefront of sustainable investing, making headlines for calling “sustainability history’s biggest investment opportunity” and providing eye-opening and actionable insights on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Investing in powerful keynotes and interviews at the World Economic Forum, The Milken Institute, and more, with a powerful message that resonates with live and virtual audiences: "We found Al Gore to be intellectually impressive, extremely knowledgeable, and highly entertaining. The most commonly used description of his speech was 'inspirational.'" (Merrion-Capital)

<p><strong>LaTosha Brown is a national treasure, tailoring memorable messages of hope and shared humanity</strong></p>

LaTosha Brown is a national treasure, tailoring memorable messages of hope and shared humanity

When LATOSHA BROWN stopped by the Harry Walker Agency for a virtual visit, we were simply blown away by her high-energy message of hope and shared humanity. Ms. Brown is an award-winning organizer, political strategist, and consultant with over two decades of experience working in the non-profit and philanthropy sectors, and is perhaps best known for co-founding the Black Voters Matter Fund. As she says, Ms. Brown has the “unmitigated gall to believe humanity can be better,” drawing on her experience as an organizer and Black feminist thought leader to invite us to close our eyes and envision the future, and specifically the democracy, that we deserve. A gifted and one-of-a-kind orator, Ms. Brown thoughtfully tailors each event, working with clients to understand what their unique audiences need to ensure the biggest impact possible. Our team described the resounding message of connection as spirit-lifting” and “amazing!”

<p><strong>Baseball star and business mogul Alex Rodriguez is building an empire</strong></p>

Baseball star and business mogul Alex Rodriguez is building an empire

Known for his unparalleled accomplishments on the baseball field, mogul ALEX RODRIGUEZ brings the same tenacity, vision, and unrivaled focus to building his business empire. He looks for long-term opportunities to provide financial capital, work alongside founders and leadership, and amplify the growth of each company. In a recent no-holds-barred profile for Bloomberg Wealth, Rodriguez revealed that he draws inspiration from fresh opportunities, seeing a clean slate and the chance to exceed all expectations. He is a highly sought-after speaker, tailoring his tremendous business expertise for each audience and receiving rave reviews: “Powerful, poignant, persuasive… To say impressed in an understatement. Your expressive and raw discussion turned heads and changed mindsets. A remarkable feat… The surprise and delight of your talk had everyone on the edge of their seats. The question and answer session in particular where many of your themes and advice organically came forth proved to be invaluable.” (Intuit)

<p><strong>Scottie Pippen talks perseverance, team dynamics, and tells his truth in <em>New York Times</em> bestselling new memoir <em>Unguarded</em></strong></p>

Scottie Pippen talks perseverance, team dynamics, and tells his truth in New York Times bestselling new memoir Unguarded

Scottie Pippen is one of basketball’s most talented, versatile, and successful players, and now on the 30th anniversary of the Bulls’ first championship, Pippen is finally giving millions of adoring fans what they crave – his story, in an unflinching new memoir Unguarded, which rocketed to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. Pippen offers a fascinating look at an iconic time in sports history, and offers transparent takes on some of the biggest names in basketball – Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, Dennis Rodman – sharing with riveted audiences what it takes to make a basketball dynasty. He opens up about the challenges of being an unsung hero for his team, reveals never-before-told stories about some of the most famous games in league history, and claims his place as a legend. Audiences are always thrilled to talk with Pippen about his blockbuster career, insider perspectives on some of basketball’s iconic figures and compelling moments, and what he’s learned from a life above the rim.

Our Exclusive Speakers

HWA EXCLUSIVE

BAN KI-MOON

  • Secretary-General of the United Nations (2007-2016)

Career diplomat and eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon has spent his eminent career in public service inspiring international cooperation and advocating for human rights and sustainable development. Prior to taking on what has been called “the most impossible job on this earth” at the helm of the UN, Ban served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of South Korea. In his memoir, Resolved: Uniting Nations in a Divided World, Ban chronicles his decade at the helm of the UN mobilizing world leaders around a new set of global challenges. He is the Founder of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, a non-profit whose mission is to empower women and youth to live in a peaceful and prosperous world. Among the most respected and well-known statesmen of his generation, Ban is sought-after for his gift of transforming his tremendous experience into an inspiring call to action for audiences of all kinds.

Ban has been named a “Top 100 Global Thinker” by Foreign Policy for his achievement of making the Paris Agreement a legally binding treaty less than a year after it was adopted. He has also been named to Forbes list of “The World’s Most Powerful People,” and is a recipient of France’s Legion of Honour. Ban serves as President and Chair of the Global Green Growth Institute, and chairs the Global Commission on Adaptation as well as the International Olympic Ethics Commission. At events worldwide with groups like the World Economic Forum, The Barclays Asia Forum, WE Day, and more, Ban’s sought-after perspective on our most pressing global issues inspires leaders, lawmakers, and global citizens to take action for a healthier, more peaceful, and more equitable world.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

  • 2016 Democratic Presidential Nominee

Hillary Rodham Clinton served as the 67th Secretary of State of the United States from January 21, 2009 until February 1, 2013, after nearly four decades in public service as an advocate, attorney, First Lady, and Senator.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON

  • Founder, Clinton Foundation

William Jefferson Clinton, the first Democratic president in six decades to be elected twice, led the U.S. to the longest economic expansion in American history, including the creation of more than 22 million jobs.  He is the founder of the Clinton Foundation which focuses on tackling a number of the worlds' greatest challenges.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

  • 44th President of the United States of America

Barack H. Obama is the 44th President of the United States.

Few presidents have walked a more improbable path to the White House.  Born in Hawaii to a mother from Kansas and a father from Kenya, Obama was raised with help from his grandparents, whose generosity of spirit reflected their Midwestern roots.  The homespun values they instilled in him, paired with his innate sense of optimism, compelled Obama to devote his life to giving every child, regardless of his or her background, the same chance America gave him.

After working his way through college with the help of scholarships and student loans, Obama moved to Chicago, where he worked with a group of churches to help rebuild communities devastated by the closure of local steel plants.  That experience honed his belief in the power of uniting ordinary people around a politics of purpose, in the hard work of citizenship, to bring about positive change.  In law school, he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review, then he returned to Illinois to teach constitutional law at the University of Chicago and begin a career in public service, winning seats in the Illinois State Senate and the United States Senate.

On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States, winning more votes than any candidate in history.  He took office at a moment of crisis unlike any America had seen in decades – a nation at war, a planet in peril, the American Dream itself threatened by the worst economic calamity since the Great Depression.  And yet, despite all manner of political obstruction, Obama’s leadership helped rescue the economy, revitalize the American auto industry, reform the health care system to cover another twenty million Americans, and put the country on a firm course to a clean energy future – all while overseeing the longest stretch of job creation in American history.  On the world stage, Obama’s belief in America’s indispensable leadership and strong, principled diplomacy helped wind down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, decimate al Qaeda and eliminate the world’s most wanted terrorists, shut down Iran’s nuclear weapons program, open up a new chapter with the people of Cuba, and unite humanity in coordinated action to combat a changing climate.

In times of great challenge and change, President Obama’s leadership ushered in a stronger economy, a more equal society, a nation more secure at home and more respected around the world.  The Obama years were ones in which more people not only began to see themselves in the changing face of America, but to see America the way he always has – as the only place on Earth where so many of our stories could even be possible.

Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, are the proud parents of two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

FORMER FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA

Michelle Robinson Obama served as First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017, transforming the position and becoming a role model, champion and inspiration for women, families, and young people across America and around the world.

As First Lady, Mrs. Obama launched and led four key initiatives: 

  • Let’s Move! brought together community leaders, educators, medical professionals, parents, celebrities and others in a nationwide effort to address the challenge of childhood obesity; 
  • Joining Forces, which she launched with Dr. Jill Biden, called on all Americans to rally around service members, veterans, and their families and support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities; 
  • Reach Higheraimed to inspire young people across America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university; 
  • Let Girls Learn, focused on helping adolescent girls around the world go to school. Mrs. Obama’s work on girls’ education continues through the Girls Opportunity Alliance at the Obama Foundation.

Mrs. Obama attended Chicago public schools until enrolling in Princeton where she studied sociology and African American studies. She graduated cum laude from Princeton in 1985 and received a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1988.  She then joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she met her future husband, Barack Obama. 

Following her time at Sidley & Austin, Mrs. Obama served as an assistant to Mayor Richard Daley and as Assistant Commissioner of Planning and Development for the city of Chicago, before becoming the founding Executive Director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares young people for public service careers. 

As part of her continued focus on community service and engagement, Mrs. Obama joined the University of Chicago in 1996 as its Associate Dean of Student Services focused on fostering connections between the campus and community. She also served as Vice President of Community and External Affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center. 

In 2018, Michelle Obama published her memoir, Becoming, which sold more copies than any other book published in the United States in 2018, achieving that status in just 15 days and instantly rising to the #1 slot on the New York Times Best Sellers list. She won a Grammy for her audio recording of Becoming and more than 15 million copies of Becoming have been sold worldwide. She also published a young readers edition of Becoming in 2021, adapted for children ages 10 and up. 

In 2018, Mrs. Obama and President Obama launched Higher Ground, a company focused on lifting up diverse voices in the entertainment industry. As part of Higher Ground, Netflix launched the Becoming documentary rooted in her memoir.  

In 2020, Mrs. Obama released the Michelle Obama Podcast where she hosted conversations with family, friends and colleagues exploring the relationships in our lives who make us who we are. In 2021, Higher Ground Productions also launched Waffles + Mochi, a culinary children’s series on Netflix. Alongside the release of the series, Mrs. Obama launched Pass the Love with Waffles + Mochi, a joint campaign with the Partnership for a Healthier America, which aims to provide meals to families experiencing food insecurity. Visit wafflesandmochi.org for more information. 

Mrs. Obama was born on January 17, 1964. She married Barack Obama in 1992. They currently live in Washington, DC and have two daughters, Malia and Sasha. 

HWA CO-EXCLUSIVE

JUAN MANUEL SANTOS

  • President of Colombia (2010-2018)

Juan Manuel Santos is the two-term President of Colombia (2010-2014 / 2014-2018). Recognized as one of the most influential leaders in the world, President Santos ushered in a new era of prosperity, peace, equity, and education throughout Colombia during his tenure. 

Due to his tenacity and determination to achieve peace and reconciliation in Colombia, in 2016 the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded President Santos the Nobel Peace Prize "for his resolute efforts to bring the country's more than 50-year-long civil war to an end." Santos has also been twice-named to TIME’s "100 Most Influential People" and was honored with the World Economic Forum’s Global Statesman Award.

During his administration, Colombia became the region´s leader in economic growth, job creation, reduction of poverty and extreme poverty, sustainable development and the enhancement of Information and Communications Technology. In addition, his administration reduced the housing deficit by half and launched the most ambitious infrastructure plan in Colombia's history.  He also published several books, including The Third Way, which he wrote with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Jaque al Terror (Checkmate to Terror), in which he describes how he successfully fought the FARC.

Sought-out to speak everywhere from Harvard University to the World Economic Forum, in his compelling keynotes Santos shares his reflections on the challenges of leadership, revealing what allowed him to change Colombia's history and make the impossible, possible. He delivers a message of unity and humanity that is inspiring, refreshing and necessary amid these turbulent political times. Santos also offers shrewd insights and analysis on issues such as the global economic outlook, global security, and foreign affairs.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

INDRA NOOYI

  • Chairman & CEO of PepsiCo (2006-2018)

Former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi is a business powerhouse, globally renowned for leading the company through a decade of tremendous growth and change. Praised for her prescient and strategic thinking, she was responsible for growing PepsiCo's revenues from $35 billion when she became CEO, to $63.5 billion in 2017. She oversaw a portfolio of global brands and diversified products enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 180 countries and territories around the world. As PepsiCo’s director of global strategy for over a decade, Nooyi led the company's restructuring, including the divestiture of its restaurants into the successful YUM! Brands, Inc; the acquisition of Tropicana and merger with Quaker Oats; the merger with PepsiCo’s anchor bottlers; and the acquisition of Wimm-Bill-Dann, the largest international acquisition in PepsiCo’s history. An advisor to several early-stage companies, Ms. Nooyi currently serves on the boards of Amazon, Philips, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Partnership for Public Service, and is an independent director of the International Cricket Council. She is a trustee at the National Gallery of Art, and is on the Dean’s Advisory Council at MIT’s School of Engineering.

Celebrated for her hallmark motto of "do well by doing good," Nooyi was chief architect of Performance with Purpose, PepsiCo’s pledge to do what’s right for the business by being responsive to the needs of the world through sustainable growth initiatives such as making healthier and more nutritious products, limiting the company's environmental footprint, and empowering associates and people in the communities PepsiCo serves. With multiple appearances in Forbes' "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women," Fortune's "Most Powerful Women," and TIME's "100 Most Influential People in The World," Nooyi has been sought-out for her unparalleled business insights and empowering messages on leadership, inclusivity and change everywhere from The World Economic Forum to The Aspen Institute. In 2019, her portrait was inducted into the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, and in 2022 she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book My Life in Full: Work, Family and Our Future, published by Penguin Portfolio in September 2021, and teaches the MasterClass "Leading with Purpose."

HWA EXCLUSIVE

TINA FEY

  • Award-Winning Actor, Producer, and Writer

Tina Fey continues to be applauded for the iconic and groundbreaking seven-season run as the Executive Producer, head writer, and star of NBC's three-time (2007, 2008, 2009) Emmy Award-winning, one-of-a-kind comedy series, 30 Rock. Her performances as 'Liz Lemon' earned Fey an Emmy, two Golden Globes, four SAG Awards, and a People's Choice Award. In 2009, 30 Rock was nominated for a record 22 Emmy Awards, the most ever of any comedy series on television in a single season. From 2012 to 2013, 30 Rock received a total of 13 nominations for its final season, six of which were individual nominations for Fey.

Prior to creating 30 Rock, Fey completed nine seasons as head writer, cast member, and co-anchor of the "Weekend Update" segment on Saturday Night Live. Fey is an Emmy winner and two-time Writers Guild Award winner for her writing on Saturday Night Live and won an Emmy in 2009 for Guest Appearance by an Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Sarah Palin on the 2008-2009 season of SNL. Fey also made Emmy history in 2016 when she and Amy Poehler became the first joint winners of “Best Comedy Series Guest Actress” for their SNL co-hosting appearance.

Fey expanded to feature films in spring 2004 as both a screenwriter and an actress in the hit comedy, Mean Girls, which earned her a nomination for a Writers Guild Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. On the big screen, Fey starred opposite Amy Poehler in the film, Baby Mama, for Universal Pictures, which exceeded the $50 million dollar mark at the U.S. box office. In 2010, Fey starred in 20th Century Fox's film, Date Night, opposite Steve Carell and was a featured voice in the Dreamworks animated film, Megamind.

In April 2011, Fey released her first book entitled Bossypants, which topped the New York Times best seller list and remained for 39 consecutive weeks, and received a Grammy nomination for “Best Spoken Word Album”. Bossypants was released in paperback in January 2012 and has sold over 3.75 million copies thus far.

In 2015 Fey and writing partner, Robert Carlock, co-executive produced and created the hit Netflix original comedy, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, starring Ellie Kemper.  The series was nominated in the “Best Comedy” category for the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards, boasting four nominations for the talented cast, including a guest actress nod for Fey. After four successful seasons, the show wrapped the first ever comedy interactive special for Netflix, an exciting conclusion to the series.

In 2018, Fey's Broadway adaptation of Mean Girls opened at the August Wilson Theater. Directed by Casey Nicholaw, and with music written by her husband Jeff Richmond, the show received 12 Tony Award nominations, including best book by Tina Fey. 

Fey lives in New York with her husband, Jeff Richmond, and their two daughters.

 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

AMY POEHLER

  • Award-Winning Comedian, Actress, and Producer

Amy Poehler is one of Hollywood’s most versatile and sought-after talents with credits including that of actress, writer, director, producer, and bestselling author.

Poehler is perhaps best known for her starring role on the Emmy-nominated NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation, which completed its seventh and final season in February 2015. Her portrayal of Leslie Knope earned her a 2014 Golden Globe award for “Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical, or Comedy,” the award for “Best Actress in a TV Comedy” at the 2014 American Comedy Awards, and a 2013 Gracie Award. For her work on the show, Poehler also received six consecutive Emmy nominations, two additional Golden Globe nominations, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations.

In the film world, Poehler recently made her directorial debut in the buzzed-about Netflix comedy Wine Country, which she also starred in and produced. Her additional film credits include The House, Sisters, Wet Hot American Summer, They Came Together, A.C.O.D., Free Birds, Are You Here, Baby Mama, Blades of Glory, and Mean Girls. She lent her voice as the character Joy in Disney Pixar’s Oscar-winning smash hit Inside Out and could also be heard in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, Monsters vs. Aliens, Horton Hears a Who!, and Shrek the Third.

Poehler’s first book, Yes Please, was released in October 2014 and debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list. The book went on to spend over 23 weeks on the list. Poehler co-hosted the Golden Globe Awards alongside Tina Fey for three consecutive years from 2013-2015, a role that was consistently met with critical acclaim. In January 2021, she returned as host with Fey for the special telecast.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

GARY COHN

  • Vice Chairman of IBM

Global finance industry leader and former Director of the U.S. National Economic Council Gary Cohn draws on his unparalleled private and public sector leadership experience to offer a key perspective on the global economy and financial markets in riveting remarks. Heralded by The Wall Street Journal as “an economic-policy powerhouse” and called a “go-to figure on matters related to jobs, business and growth” by The New York Times, Cohn is the current Vice Chairman of IBM. He previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. from 2006-2016, and was a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and Chairman of the Firmwide Client and Business Standards Committee. Cohn speaks on issues ranging from monetary policy to fiscal policy, trade to taxes, translating uncertainty into tangible takeaways for audiences worldwide.

Cohn served as Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council from January 2017 through April 2018. As chief economic advisor to the president of the United States, Cohn managed the administration’s economic policy agenda and led the successful effort to grow the U.S. economy, create jobs and increase wages through tax and regulatory reform. e serves on the corporate boards of Abyrx, Gro Intelligence, Lazurite and Sotera and is the Chairman of the Board of Pallas Advisors. Additionally, Mr. Cohn serves on the advisory board for Starling. He is a member of the Systemic Resolution Advisory Committee (SRAC) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Cohn’s expertise in the global financial system, tech advances, and the inner-workings of economic policy have him in-demand everywhere from the World Economic Forum to the Global Financial Leadership Conference. He brings both a CEO’s and White House insider’s point of view to each engagement, sharing prescient, tangible insights with an engaging sense of humor.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

STEVE MARTIN

  • Iconic Actor and Comedian

Steve Martin is one of the most well-known and pervasive talents in entertainment. His work has earned him an Academy Award®, five Grammy® awards, an Emmy®, the Mark Twain Award, and the Kennedy Center Honor.

Martin began his career on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967-1969), for which he earned his first Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, Variety or Music in 1969. In the mid-1970s, Martin shone as a stand-up on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Martin’s films are widely popular successes and are the kind of movies that are viewed again and again: The Jerk (1979), Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987), Roxanne (1987), Parenthood (1989), L.A. Story (1991), Father of the Bride (1991), and Bowfinger (1999).

As an author, Martin’s work includes the novel An Object of Beauty, the play Picasso at the Lapin Agile, a collection of comic pieces, Pure Drivel, a bestselling novella, Shopgirl, and his memoir Born Standing Up. His writing often appears in The New Yorker.

Steve Martin is also an accomplished Grammy Award-winning, boundary-pushing bluegrass banjoist and composer. In 2013, Steve Martin released his third full-length album called Love Has Come For You, a unique collaboration with songwriter Edie Brickell. Love Has Come For You, won a Grammy ® for “Best American Roots Song” for the title track and inspired their new musical Bright Star, which was first staged at San Diego's Old Globe Theater in 2014 and opened at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on December 17, 2015, followed by a Broadway premiere in 2016.

Martin and Brickell’s second album together So Familiar was released on Rounder Records in October. The album features 12 remarkable new songs that bring the acclaimed duo’s musical collaboration into fresh creative territory.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

KEVIN HART

  • Superstar Comedian and Actor

Kevin Hart is Hollywood’s box office powerhouse, opening ten films as the number one movie opening weekend. He was recently named the highest grossing comedian for the second straight year by Forbes who described him as a “built-in marketing machine.” Per Entrepreneur magazine, “Kevin Hart is building a brand and an empire that will outlive his fame.”

Hart launched his digital network, the Laugh Out Loud Network, which serves as a platform for emerging comedians. He has started and runs his own production company, Hartbeat Productions, and has several successful brand partnerships with companies like Fabletics Men, Chase J.P Morgan, Hydrow, Brüush, Tommy John and Therabody. Hart is the Founder and CEO of HartBeat Ventures. HBV is Kevin’s VC, and its mission is to invest in disruptive companies, specifically companies that can help elevate underserved communities by providing a platform for everybody to thrive.

Kevin’s memoir, I Can’t Make This Up, debuted at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list and remained on the Top 10 Print Hardcover Bestsellers List for ten weeks straight. His new book, Markus Makes a Movie (Random House) is his first book for his younger audience, debuted at number 6 on the coveted list and remained on the list for three weeks. Hart’s first Audible original, The Decision, was nominated for an Audie award for “Best Original Audiobook in 2021.”

Hart is currently in production filming Sony’s action-comedy, The Man From Toronto, which he is starring in alongside Woody Harrelson and Kaley Cuoco. Hart can currently be seen starring in the feature film Fatherhood, he also produced through Hartbeat Productions. Based on the best-selling book, Two Kisses for MaddyFatherhood tells the story of a single dad navigating parenthood after his wife unexpectedly dies a day after giving birth. The movie has been watched by more than 61 million accounts globally making it one of the most successful original dramatic movies on Netflix.

In remarks that are empowering, inspiring, and downright hilarious, Hart discusses his life and career, and the lessons on resiliency, overcoming adversity, and success, he's learned along the way. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

RYAN REYNOLDS

  • Acclaimed Actor, Comedian, Film Producer, and Screenwriter

Ryan Reynolds is one of Hollywood’s most diverse leading men seamlessly transitioning through varied genres of drama, action and comedy in his rich and ever evolving career.  He is equally as successful off-screen as a producer, screenwriter, entrepreneur, and marketing powerhouse.

He is the Golden Globe nominated star and producer of the 20th Century Fox billion-dollar franchise Deadpool.

Beyond acting, Reynolds is a successful entrepreneur and an award-winning marketer, creating breakthrough campaigns for Deadpool as well Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile and the Match Group. He is an owner of Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile, Wrexham Football Club, Chief Creative Officer of MNTN and a co-founder of Maximum Effort Productions. He has been recognized as one of the most creative people in business by Fast Company, The Hollywood Reporter, Wall Street Journal and AdWeek among others.

Reynolds is an in-demand speaker for engaging, insightful conversations about his storied career in Hollywood and significant business endeavors.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

TOM BRADY

  • Seven-Time Super Bowl Champion Quarterback

Seven-time Super Bowl champion, New York Times bestselling author, and entrepreneurial mogul Tom Brady has garnered accolades on and off the field as a leader and expert in peak performance. Brady has won 19 division titles, seven Super Bowls, three NFL MVP’s and three first-team all-pro awards, all while pioneering a holistic approach to preparation, performance, and recovery. Building on this honed expertise, in 2013 Brady and longtime body coach, Alex Guerrero, co-founded TB12, a health and wellness brand, to share his proven TB12 Method and holistic systematic approach to wellness. Brady’s motivational book, The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance, has gone on to become a New York Times #1 bestseller.

Brady’s serial ventures include his namesake next generation apparel brand BRADY and his global, multi-platform content company 199 Productions, which already boasts numerous high-profile projects including a partnership with ESPN, Disney, and Religion of Sports to produce the tentpole docuseries Man in the Arena, which won the 2022 Sports Emmy for Outstanding Documentary Series. Most recently, the company partnered with Paramount Picutres on the film 80 for Brady. He has long prioritized philanthropy, sustaining relationships with a number of non-profits including the TB12 Foundation, Best Buddies, Make-A-Wish and more. Among other notable achievements, Brady has been honored as ESPY’s “NFL Best Player,” Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsperson of the Year,” TIME’s “100 Most Influential People,” and being named to the NFL 100th Anniversary “All Time Team.” Brady shares personal stories of perseverance, leadership, and disruption as well as savvy business insights about the latest trends in impactful conversations for audiences of all kinds.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SULLY SULLENBERGER

  • 'Miracle on the Hudson' Captain

Ambassador “Sully” Sullenberger has been dedicated to the pursuit of safety his entire adult life. He recently served as the U.S. Ambassador and Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations Specialized Agency, after being nominated by President Biden. As a global thought leader, he has now resumed his profession as a sought-after keynote speaker to audiences around the world and continues his advocacy for safety in global air travel.

Born in Denison, Texas, Sullenberger pursued his childhood love of aviation, learning to fly at 16. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. He went on to be an airline pilot, instructor, and accident investigator. He still flies privately.

Sullenberger became internationally renowned on January 15, 2009, as Captain of US Airways Flight 1549, when he and his crew safely guided their disabled jetliner to an emergency water landing in New York City’s frigid Hudson River, during what has been called the “Miracle on the Hudson.” Sullenberger and his crew received international acclaim for their actions, including the passage of a Congressional resolution recognizing their bravery. Sullenberger was ranked second in TIME's "Top 100 Most Influential Heroes and Icons of 2009” and was awarded the French Legion of Honour.

Sullenberger is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Highest Duty: My Search For What Really Matters and also wrote Making a Difference: Stories of Vision and Courage from America's Leaders. Clint Eastwood directed the major motion picture about Sullenberger, titled SULLY, based on Highest Duty, with Tom Hanks in the lead role. The film was released to critical acclaim in September 2016. Highest Duty was republished that year as SULLY: My Search for What Really Matters.

Sullenberger is an international lecturer and keynote speaker on how to achieve the highest levels of performance, reliability, and safety through effective crisis management, continuous learning, leadership, and culture.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MOHAMED EL-ERIAN

  • Chief Economic Advisor at Allianz

Internationally respected economist and financier Mohamed El-Erian is a go-to voice around the world on how to decode the global economy, policies, and international markets – markets hang on his analysis and insight. With experience at the highest levels of business and government, El-Erian currently serves as the Chief Economic Advisor at Allianz, the corporate parent of PIMCO where he formerly served as Chief Executive and co-Chief Investment Officer. He is the President of Queens’ College, the University of Cambridge, Chair of Gramercy Fund Management, a columnist for Bloomberg View, and a contributing editor at the Financial Times. El-Erian receives resoundingly positive feedback for his events, such as: “In my thirteen years as an event producer, I have never received such positive feedback from a keynote speaker before. I can say with 100% confidence that this was a wise investment in our business.” (Information Management Network)

El-Erian has been named to Foreign Policy’s list of “Top 100 Global Thinkers” for four years in a row. Since 2014, he has been serving on the jury for the Financial Times/McKenzie Book of the Year award. He also served as Chair of President Obama’s Global Development Council from December 2012 to January 2017. He serves on two corporate boards and several advisory committees and non-profit boards. He has been a LinkedIn top influencer. Meeting planners share their praise for El-Erian’s ability to connect with audiences through a humorous laid-back style, and to clearly explain the complex issues of the global economy.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SYMONE D. SANDERS

  • Political Strategist and Former CNN Political Commentator

Seasoned political strategist, former CNN political commentator, and author Symone D. Sanders is a gifted communicator with a passion for problem solving, social justice, and in-depth analysis of today’s most important issues. Sanders previously served as the national press secretary for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, the youngest person to ever hold that title. She served as a senior advisor for President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign and was appointed as a senior member of the Biden-Harris administration, and will now bring her nuanced and critical insight to MSNBC as the host of SYMONE, as well as serving as an anchor and hosting a show on The Choice, MSNBC’s digital streaming arm. In her book No, You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America, Sanders shares her take-no-prisoners approach to life, politics, and career success, advocating for a new generation to be powerful in their own right. A rousing call to leadership, Congresswoman Maxine Waters raved, “Symone’s honest and profound reflection on standing up and speaking out is sure to inspire young people across the country to become the change agents the world needs.”

Sanders is a highly sought-after commentator and speaker, from her TED Talk Stop asking permission!, to an invigorating conversation at SXSW, Politico’s 2019 Women Rule Summit, the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity, and many more. She served as the National Chair of the Coalition of Juvenile Justice Emerging Leaders Committee, a member of the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice, and in her role as principal of the 360 Group, Sanders worked on leading-edge solutions to tough political and social problems. Sanders shares her expertise in communication and political strategy, in-depth analysis of key political issues, and the challenges and possibilities for radical change with authenticity, humor, and insight.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

STACEY ABRAMS

  • Political Leader, Voting Rights Activist, and Serial Entrepreneur

Political leader, business owner, and bestselling author Stacey Abrams is heralded for her candid insights on politics, leadership, entrepreneurship, social justice, and being a true force for change. A tax attorney by training, Abrams served eleven years in the Georgia House of Representatives, seven as Minority Leader, and became the Democratic nominee for governor in 2018 and 2022. She has launched multiple nonprofit organizations devoted to democracy protection, national and local voter engagement, tackling social issues, and building a more equitable future in the South.

An incomparable entrepreneur, Abrams has built a remarkably broad portfolio across nonprofit, political, and business sectors. She co-founded financial services firm NOWaccount Corp., Nourish, Inc. – a beverage company with a focus on infants and toddlers, and Insomnia Consulting to specialize in development, investment, and consulting for complex infrastructure projects, including transportation, waste-by-rail transfer, energy, facilities, and water. Abrams and her business partner published Level Up – a guidebook for entrepreneurs.

Abrams is also the CEO of Sage Works Productions, Inc., an entertainment production company. She conceptualized and produced the Academy Awards-shortlisted documentary All In: The Fight for Democracy and wrote the New York Times bestselling books Our Time is Now and Lead from the Outside. She is also the author of the political thrillers While Justice Sleeps and Rogue Justice, two children's books, and several romantic suspense novels, three of which are under development. She has been nominated for an Emmy and received the NAACP Image Award in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Sought-out to speak everywhere from TED, where her talk has almost 7M views and counting, to college campuses, to corporate board rooms, to the Commonwealth Club and Chatham House, Abrams is a powerful and passionate speaker. As TIME wrote of her, "People tend to remember the first time they heard Stacey Abrams speak, and it’s easy to see why."

HWA EXCLUSIVE

TINA BROWN

  • Award-Winning Journalist, Author, and Editor

Legendary editor, journalist, CEO, and New York Times bestselling author Tina Brown is an expert on leading through extreme disruption. Brown transformed Vanity Fair, increasing sales from 200K to 1.2M, reinvented The New Yorker, and pioneered online journalism as the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Beast. Now CEO of Tina Brown Live Media, she was the visionary Founder of Women in the World Summits and served as the CEO from 2010-2020. An engaging and talented speaker and moderator, Brown offers lessons on reinvention, shifting business models and market conventions, and taking risks.

Brown is the author of New York Times #1 bestselling biography The Diana Chronicles as well as The Vanity Fair Diaries: 1983-1992, which was named as one of the best books of 2017 by TIME, The Economist, Vogue, and more. Her new book The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor – the Truth and the Turmoil, which has been heralded as one of the most anticipated books of 2022, highlights Brown’s expertly observed insights into the world of the royal family. A leader in one of the most disrupted industries in our time, Brown was featured in CNBC’s documentary The Brave Ones, championing her leadership and legacy. Whether she’s sharing stories of triumphant turnarounds or offering concrete tools and inspiration for embracing risks, Brown is an engaging and powerful speaker who makes an impact with both individuals and organizations.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

PEGGY NOONAN

  • Pulitzer Prize-Winning Columnist for The Wall Street Journal

Peggy Noonan is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the Wall Street Journal and bestselling author of nine books on American politics, history, and culture. Her Wall Street Journal column, Declarations, has run each week since 2000, garnering millions of readers. In 2017 when she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary, the prize committee cited her, "For rising to the moment with beautifully rendered columns that connected readers to the shared virtues of Americans during one of the nation's most divisive political campaigns." Forbes Magazine has also hailed her column as “principled, perceptive, persuasive, and patriotic.”

A current political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, Noonan also served as a Special Assistant and speechwriter to President Ronald Reagan. In the Reagan White House, she worked alongside the President on speeches that span the 40th anniversary of D-Day, the Challenger disaster, and his Farewell Address.

Peggy Noonan provides unique and thoughtful analysis of our nation and its leaders. Her speeches are filled with humorous anecdotes and political insight, making them as entertaining as they are thought-provoking.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JOE SCARBOROUGH

  • Creator and Co-Host, MSNBC's 'Morning Joe'

Creator and co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and former Florida Congressman Joe Scarborough ignites audiences with his no-holds barred political commentary and far-reaching insight. Drawing on his experience as an influential player in Republican politics – and now one of the most in-demand commentators – Scarborough speaks candidly about the important issues facing Americans every day. A Washington Post and New York Times bestselling author, Joe’s books and his keynotes offer an incisive perspective on the trends in Republican politics, what that means for business, and the values that resonate with audiences.

As popular on stage as he is on TV, Joe brings the same energy to his events as a speaker. He is a member of the Cable News Hall of Fame and has been named to the prestigious TIME 100 list. With his signature off-the-cuff commentary, he offers a dynamic and fast-paced perspective on the current political and media landscape and cuts through the headlines of the day to get to what really matters to your audience.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MIKA BRZEZINSKI

  • Celebrated Commentator on Current Events, World Affairs, and Women's Empowerment

The co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, founder of “Know Your Value,” and New York Times bestselling author, Mika Brzezinski is a celebrated, go-to voice on current events, world affairs, and women's empowerment.

Mika's “Know Your Value” is a nationwide movement in partnership with NBCUniversal to support an empowered and inclusive community that helps all women recognize, and be recognized for, their worth in business and in life. Mika is the author of seven bestselling books which serve as essential and inspiring guidebooks for empowering women, offering encouragement and practical advice on claiming and communicating their worth.

A former anchor of CBS Evening News Weekend Edition and CBS News correspondent who frequently contributed to CBS Sunday Morning and 60 Minutes, Mika has covered some of the most pivotal moments of the 21st century, from the September 11 attacks to multiple presidential elections. 

Mika offers empowering insights into women's equality and work-life balance as well as a dynamic perspective on the current political and media landscape.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MASAI UJIRI

  • Vice-Chairman and President, Toronto Raptors

Vice-Chairman and President of the Toronto Raptors Masai Ujiri is a charismatic and visionary leader credited with driving his team to its most successful period in franchise history, including an NBA Championship. Having been named Toronto’s most influential person, he urges citizens to “believe in this city – believe in yourselves.” He has received numerous accolades for his executive leadership, and few speak as authoritatively about the strategy, teamwork development, and entrepreneurial mindset required to execute a turnaround the way Ujiri has done for several franchises as an executive, coach, and player. Ujiri's personal story reflects his entrepreneurial journey from Nigeria to being the most sought-after executive in the NBA.

A native of Nigeria, Ujiri speaks passionately about his development work in Africa, which is based on investment, not charity, and lifting up communities by empowering women and young people. Masai co-founded Giants of Africa, an organization which uses sport as a tool to enrich the lives of African youth and create opportunities for them on and off the court. Masai’s ethos is to “Dream Big,” and now GOA connects with youth – both boys and girls - in more than 17 African countries and territories. Ujiri has also served as the director of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program, and recently hosted the Moving Sports Forward: Turbo Charging Africa forum at the United Nations Unstoppable Africa Conference in New York City. 

A global citizen, Ujiri’s perspective is shaped by his executive and player experience around the world. He played professionally in Europe for six years, with stops in Belgium, Germany, England, Greece, and Finland. He has scouted all over the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. Ujiri has also managed and coached the Nigerian junior and senior national teams. In 2020, Masai launched thatshumanity.org, inspired by his experiences and the lessons learned from leaders like Nelson Mandela. “For me,” he says, “it’s about seeing each other. Really seeing. Trying to understand what someone else is going through. And helping if we can. Even if it’s just a kind word. Some encouragement. That’s humanity.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JULIA GILLARD

  • 27th Prime Minister of Australia (2010-2013)

Julia Gillard was the 27th Prime Minister of Australia.

She currently serves as the Chair of Beyond Blue, one of Australia’s leading mental health awareness bodies; is Chair of the global funding body for education in developing countries, the Global Partnership for Education; is the inaugural Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, which through research, practice and advocacy, is addressing women’s under-representation in leadership. She was recently appointed as the Chair of Wellcome, a global charitable foundation which supports science to solve urgent health challenges. Her second book Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons which is co-authored by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was released in 2020. Gillard was named to Forbes' 2021 List of "The World's Most Powerful Women."

HWA EXCLUSIVE

GREG GUTFELD

  • Host, 'GUTFELD!' #1 Rated Late Night Show

Greg Gutfeld has been called “outrageous and outspoken,” neither of which he denies.

A libertarian, political satirist, humorist, magazine editor and author, he is perhaps best known as the co-host of the daily hit show The Five and as the former host of the legendary Fox News Channel programs The Greg Gutfeld Show. and Red Eye where he covered a variety of topics, including news, entertainment, sports, and gossip.

Greg is also now host of the #1 rated late night show GUTFELD! on the Fox News Channel where he parodies current events and converses on key issues with his trademark humor on a nightly basis.

In his free time Greg contributes to his own digital community, The Gutter, where he covers every lifestyle topic imaginable with his unique comedic conservative-libertarian perspective. He is the author of nine books, among them, five New York Times best sellers, The Joy of Hate, Not Cool, How to be Right, The Gutfeld Monologues, and most recently The Plus: Self-Help for People Who Hate Self-Help.

The Weekly Standard calls him “the most dangerous man on television.”

“Trust me, you don’t want him setting his sights on your hypocrisy and public failings. Consider yourself warned.” – Andrew Breitbart

HWA EXCLUSIVE

KIZZMEKIA S. CORBETT

  • Lead Scientist, COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Development

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett was the scientific lead of the Vaccine Research Center’s coronavirus team at the U.S. National Institutes of Health where she studied coronavirus biology and vaccine development. Those 6 years of research led to the groundbreaking discovery that a stabilized version of a spike protein, which is found on the surface of all coronaviruses, would be a key target for vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her colleagues were central to the development of the Moderna mRNA vaccine and the Eli Lilly therapeutic monoclonal antibody, both of which were first to enter clinical trials in the world. As a result, her work is having a substantial impact on ending the worst respiratory-disease pandemic in more than 100 years. Dr. Corbett is now an assistant professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her work now extends beyond the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines to the outlook of this pandemic and future viral pandemics.

Perhaps just as important as her scientific accomplishments, Dr. Corbett has burst onto the public stage as the face of a diverse and rising generation of talented scientists who will transform the world. She is a stellar science communicator, explaining the vaccine and the virus in highly accessible ways to media outlets, two U.S. presidents, and audiences around the globe. 

 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL

  • Member NBA Hall of Fame & 15-Time NBA All Star Player

Few individuals ever become iconic enough to be known by one name – Shaq. A cultural icon, Shaquille O’Neal is best known for an NBA career spanning nearly two decades and earning him the sport’s highest honors including membership in the NBA Hall of Fame. He electrifies the room with his larger-than-life personality and audiences always give him standing ovations for his motivational keynote speeches. When Shaq is at your event, every seat is filled and your event gets a lot of buzz. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

WHOOPI GOLDBERG

  • EGOT Award-Winning Actress and Comedian

Whoopi Goldberg is one of a very elite group of artists who have won the Grammy, the Academy Award, the Golden Globe, the Emmy, and the Tony. She is equally well-known for her humanitarian efforts on behalf of children, the homeless, human rights, education, substance abuse, and the battle against AIDS. Among her many charitable activities, Whoopi is a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations. 

Beyond her remarkable film, theater, and television career, Whoopi is the author of several children’s books, as well as a New York Times bestseller.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA

  • Award-Winning Composer, Lyricist, and Performer

Award-winning composer, lyricist, and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking and history-making Broadway shows have impacted and inspired audiences worldwide. 

The creator and original star of Broadway’s smash-hit musicals Hamilton and In the Heights, Miranda is the recipient of countless prestigious awards including the Pulitzer Prize in Drama, three Tony Awards, three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, a MacArthur Fellowship, and a Kennedy Center Honor.

 A passionate and dedicated philanthropist, Miranda has been instrumental in providing support for Puerto Rico and is a vocal advocate for equality nationwide. 

Funny, candid and inspiring, Miranda sheds light on the creative process and innovative thinking, his life and career, and the power of supporting the missions that matter to you. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SIR TIM BERNERS-LEE

  • Inventor of the World Wide Web

Named one of TIME magazine’s “100 Most Important People of the 20th Century,” one of the UK’s "100 Greatest Britons,” and one of the world's "Most Influential Thinkers”, Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the most powerful communication medium in the world — the World Wide Web — and gave it to the world for free. It is no exaggeration to say that Sir Tim’s visionary work has transformed every aspect of our lives. In these uncertain times, governments, organizations, and the public are all experiencing how invaluable the Web is to connect and solve problems together. Sir Tim’s genius is in understanding the next, new future. In his speeches, Sir Tim shares his insights about the unimagined potential of innovation, business, government and humanity with audiences who learn how to lay the groundwork for new technologies for competitive advantage and his thoughtful consideration about the how the future of the web will impact our recovery and how we can create the future we want.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JOHN BOEHNER

  • Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2011-2015)

A former small businessman, John Boehner served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives for nearly five years during which he led the drive for a smaller, less costly, and more accountable federal government. Speaker Boehner focused on removing government barriers to private-sector job creation and economic growth, cutting government spending, reforming Congress, and rebuilding the bonds of trust between the American people and their representatives in Washington.

His new book On The House: A Washington Memoir released in the Spring of 2021.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JIM YONG KIM

  • President, World Bank Group (2012-2019)

12th President of the World Bank Group Jim Yong Kim is a global visionary devoted to improving the lives of people in developing countries and championing the cause of global health. Renowned for his pioneering approaches to tackling global health issues, education, and economic development at the World Bank, Kim re-defined the institution's work to amplify the voices of the world's poor, vowing to end extreme poverty by 2030.

Before his time at the World Bank, Kim served as President of Dartmouth College – becoming the first Asian-American president of an Ivy League institution – and as Executive Director and co-founder of the internationally renowned non-profit medical organization Partners In Health (PIH). At PIH, Kim helped launch a movement that changed global health forever, tackling some of the world's most difficult health problems, and proving experts wrong in what medical treatments and results are possible in communities of extreme poverty. Kim's work at PIH has now been replicated in more than 40 countries and is chronicled in the award-winning documentary Bending the Arc and bestselling book Mountains Beyond Mountains. Kim also served as Chief of the Department of Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the World Health Organization's HIV/AIDS department. At WHO Kim led the groundbreaking "3 by 5" initiative, the first-ever global goal for AIDS treatment.

Sought-out to speak everywhere from TED to the World Economic Forum, Kim's ideas and efforts have changed the way the world thinks about global development. A physician and anthropologist, he is the recipient of a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship and has been recognized as one of America's "25 Best Leaders" by U.S. News & World Report, named to TIME's "100 Most Influential People in the World," and listed to Forbes' "World's Most Powerful People." Kim inspires people to change the world and provides eye-opening and empowering insights on just how we can do it

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ROBERT GIBBS

  • Executive Vice President & Global Chief Communications Officer, McDonalds (2015-19)

Top political advisor, communications expert, and trusted commentator Robert Gibbs offers audiences a unique perspective on today’s political, business, and media environment. A long-time senior advisor to President Barack Obama, Gibbs served as the White House Press Secretary from 2009-2011. After nearly a decade in Washington, he became Executive Vice President and Global Chief Communications Office of McDonald’s (2015-19). Following his departure, he became Senior Counsel at Bully Pulpit Interactive, where he focuses on executive communications, building social impact plans, and corporations’ responses to crises. Drawing on his experience as both a Washington insider and executive at one of the most recognizable companies in the world, Gibbs provides robust insights into everything from the economy and regulatory environment to healthcare reform.

With decades of communications experience at the highest levels, Gibbs brings a unique perspective to sought-after commentary and speaking engagements. He is a regular contributor for MSNBC and NBC News, as well as a co-host for the U.S. political podcast Hacks on Tap, alongside David Axelrod and Mike Murphy. Gibbs is uniquely positioned to lead brands, campaigns, and causes through times of immense change and strengthen reputations in a world which is constantly demanding more.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JULIÁN CASTRO

  • Political Analyst, NBC News and MSNBC

Julián Castro has distinguished himself as a strong leader and successful public servant for nearly two decades. A former Democratic candidate for President, Castro served as the 16th Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Barack Obama from 2014 to 2017, and as mayor of San Antonio from 2009 to 2014. Today, Castro serves on the board of directors of the LBJ Foundation and is a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. 

As mayor, Castro brought a strong focus to expanding educational achievement and making America’s seventh largest city a leader in the 21st century global economy. Under Castro’s leadership, San Antonio implemented Pre-K4SA, a high quality early childhood learning initiative that has earned praise as one of America’s strongest public pre-kindergarten programs. During his tenure, San Antonio ranked first on the Milken Institute’s Best Performing Cities List, received an A+ grade for doing business by Forbes, and was the only Top 10 city at the time to achieve a Triple A bond rating with each of the three major ratings agencies. A native Texan, Castro made history in 2012 when he became the first Latino to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. 

His memoir, An Unlikely Journey: Waking Up from My American Dream, is a candid account of race and poverty in America. Born to unmarried parents in a poverty-stricken neighborhood of a struggling city, Castro details his unlikely journey to becoming an emerging national icon.

From education to technology to safe and affordable housing, Castro has been at the forefront of some of the most innovative partnerships, programs and achievements in the public sector. In sharing lessons learned from the struggles and successes of his political journey, he gives audiences insight into how any group can make a significant change when it comes to America's most pressing issues. He empowers groups to engage and take action, even when things seem at their most bleak. Castro’s own personal story is proof that the American Dream still lives, and in his inspiring talks, he shares actionable items people can accomplish in their day-to-day lives to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

CHRIS CHRISTIE

  • Former Governor of New Jersey

55th New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is currently a Senior Legal and Political Commentator for ABC News, the Managing Member of the Christie Law Firm and Christie 55 Solutions, LLC, and the author of The New York Times bestseller Let Me Finish, about his life and career in New Jersey and as a candidate for President. Previously, he served as Chairman of the Trump Presidential Transition Committee. 

Governor Christie spent his two terms in office emphasizing the issues of fiscal responsibility, pension, health benefit reform, education reform, and the opioid crisis gripping his state and the nation. He also devised the state’s groundbreaking response to Super-storm Sandy, leading the rebuilding of the state’s housing, infrastructure and public schools, and setting a bi-partisan example for storm recovery.

Lauded for his trademark charisma and candor, Governor Christie provides an in-depth understanding of what is happening in the nation’s capital and what it means for your industry, organization and employees. He highlights that achievable solutions and unrelenting leadership will help move us forward and help solve the most pressing issues in Washington.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

RIZ AHMED

  • Award-Winning Actor, Writer, Producer, Director, and Musician

Emmy award winner Riz Ahmed is a critically acclaimed actor, writer, producer, musician, director and activist.

Best known as the star of the explosively successful "The Night Of" on HBO, for which Ahmed became the first man of  Asian descent to win an acting award at the Emmys, Ahmed has graced the cover of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People” and earned inclusion in the "Variety 500."

As Riz MC, Ahmed came up in the London music scene as a rap battle champion, going on to write and perform both as a solo artist and with his band, Swet Shop Boy. A vocal activist and advocate, Ahmed has raised awareness and funds for Rohinya and Syrian refugees, and his award-winning piece in the Nikesh Shukla–edited collection of essays, The Good Immigrant, has been dubbed “essential reading.” 

Ahmed has been sought-out to speak everywhere from the British Parliament’s House of Common,  where he was an invited guest to speak on  diversity, to the BBC, where he’s spoken on harmful stereotypes and representation. He provides powerful remarks on diversity and inclusion, combating negative stereotypes, and harnessing creativity for good.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MAE JEMISON

  • First African American Woman in Space

Dr. Mae C. Jemison broke more than the sound barrier in 1992 when she climbed aboard the space shuttle Endeavour and became the first woman of color to travel into space.  She was also NASA’s first Science Mission Specialist performing experiments in material science, life science and human adaptation to weightlessness.  Dr. Jemison is a highly sought after speaker on issues of health care, social responsibility, technology, education, STEM, and motivation.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DICK COSTOLO

  • CEO of Twitter (2010-2015)

Time magazine named Dick Costolo one of the 10 Most Influential U.S. Tech CEOs. In his speeches, Dick Costolo calls on his experience as a digital entrepreneur, business executive, and surprisingly, his experience as an improvisational comedian to deliver entertaining, insightful speeches with a powerful message about the future of social media and the Internet. He is a digital entrepreneur who has launched a series of highly successful ventures, but when he became CEO of Twitter in 2010, he realized he was helping run more than digital platform. Twitter had become a tool to collapse regimes, a tool that gave a powerful voice for the unempowered, and created a new way for businesses to connect and news to be reported. More than ever before, social media was forcing ambitious and significant changes to politics, business, ethics, governance, democracy and inclusion. Twitter was enabling all of that while trying to grow revenue, manage rocket-speed growth, and court investors.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

URSULA BURNS

  • Former CEO & Chairman of the Board of the Xerox Corporation (2010-2017)

Ursula Burns made history as the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company when she became CEO of Xerox in 2009. Her journey from the lower east side projects, to earning two engineering degrees, and landing an internship at a company she would one day run, is a story that will inspire many. Burns is the author of Where You Are Is Not Who You Are: A Memoir, which received a rave review by the New York Times.

When Ursula took the helm at Xerox in 2009, she was tasked with turning around a company that was quickly becoming obsolete. Pushing for diversification and development of new products and services, and spearheading the largest acquisition in Xerox history, Ursula oversaw a monumental transformation and massive growth.

Ursula regularly appears on Fortune’s and Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful women. She helped lead the White House national program on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) from 2009-2016, currently sits as the Chairwoman of the Board at Teneo Holdings LLC and is on the board of Exxon Mobil, Endeavor, and Uber, and was previously on the board at Nestlé. She is also Co-Founder of Integrum Holdings, a private equity firm. Burns is on the Board Diversity Action Alliance, leading an effort to support diversity on corporate boards. 

An absolute force and American icon, Ursula shares her executive insights on leadership in a time of disruption, and instructs leaders how to answer the call to create more inclusive and diverse organizations. Her powerful and important conversations challenge and inspire audiences.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DAN SCHULMAN

  • CEO of PayPal

Dan Schulman is a cutting edge leader and inspiring example of what a CEO can be, blending profit with purpose to lead PayPal as a tech CEO focused on improving the financial health of people, families, and businesses around the world. Dan has frequently been recognized by Fortune as one of the "Top 20 Businesspersons of the Year" and in 2021, named to Fortune's 50 World's Greatest Leaders list. He has also been named one of the "Top 100 Most Creative People" by Fast Company  and, in 2019 he was named one of Glassdoor's "Top 50 CEOs." In addition, he has been recognized as one of the "Top 10 Most Innovative CEOs in Banking,” and is frequently presented with awards recognizing his commitment and influence in the space of equality and human rights. Schulman speaks about the future of money, values-driven business, and is most in-demand for his talks about leadership and innovation.  He encourages audiences to embrace stakeholder capitalism, inclusion, equality, and more  while also prioritizing responsible and world class business practices.

With extensive experience in payments, e-commerce and mobile technology, Dan is leading PayPal to empower people in their financial lives and reimagine how merchants can continually strengthen their businesses. Under Dan’s leadership, PayPal has been named as one of the top companies on JUST Capital and Forbes’ JUST 100 list, featuring “companies doing right by America.” PayPal has also been recognized as aFortuneChange the World company for its work to tackle the biggest challenges facing society today and named to Morning Consult's "Most Trusted Brands" list.

Dan has consistently delivered successful results over the course of his career, demonstrating his effectiveness as a leader and difference maker. Prior to his role as the CEO of PayPal, Dan served as Group President at American Express.Previously, Dan was President of the Prepaid Group at Sprint Nextel Corporation following its acquisition of Virgin Mobile USA, Inc., where he led the company as its founding CEO for eight years. Earlier in his career, Dan was President and CEO of Priceline Group, Inc., where he led the company through a period of rapid growth and expansion.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SIMON SINEK

  • Renowned Leadership Expert

Simon Sinek is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Sinek teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people, foster cooperation, build trust, and effect change. 

The author of the global bestsellers The Infinite Game, Start With Why and Leaders Eat Last, Sinek is an ethnographer by training. Fascinated by the leaders who make an impact on the world and the companies and politicians with the capacity to inspire, Sinek's work focuses on the remarkable patterns in how such people and organizations think, act and communicate. 

With a bold goal to help build a world in which the vast majority of us wake up inspired, feel safe at work and return home fulfilled at the end of the day, he is leading a movement to inspire people to do the things that ignite their passion, creativity, and joy.

Sinek is posting videos and encouragement on LinkedIn for these challenging times. Here’s one of his gems: "It is rare for all humanity to have an opportunity to come together to help each other. This is one of those times."

 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

LORI GREINER

  • Shark on ABC’s 'Shark Tank'

Lori started with one idea and turned it into a multi-million dollar international brand. She is well known as a self-made inventor, entrepreneur who created and marketed over 1,000 products, holds 120 US and international patents and has a 90% success rate for new items launched. She is recognized as one of the most prolific inventors of retail products of our time.

She’s a leading Shark on ABC’s 4x Emmy Award-winning entrepreneurial business show, Shark Tank, where she invests in companies and helps turn people’s dreams into a reality. Several of her investments are the highest success stories on Shark Tank to date, having the top 10 out of the top 20.

She’s well known for her impeccable negotiating skills and uncanny ability to know, identify and launch emerging brands.

At the heart of Lori’s own success is a combination of talent, hard work and perseverance. She is a strong role model for women of all ages and was honored with the Sherry Lansing 'Woman of the Year' Award and by the Paley Center as an Important Woman in Television.

Lori's international bestseller Invent It, Sell It, Bank It! is a step-by-step guide on how to turn an idea into a million-dollar reality.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SERENA WILLIAMS

  • 23-time Grand Slam Champion, Entrepreneur, and Founder of Serena Ventures

Serena Williams has overcome insurmountable odds to win a staggering 23 career Grand Slams. Her remarkable tennis achievements, combined with her off-court success in business and fashion make her one of the most recognizable icons in the world and a powerful voice for women and mothers.

In March of 2022, Serena Ventures launched its inaugural $111M venture capital fund and currently maintains a portfolio of over 60 companies with a focus on diverse leadership. Williams’ fashion brand, S BY SERENA, celebrates body positivity and female empowerment. Her brand partnerships include Nike, Lincoln, Cash App, Just Egg, Gatorade, Michelob Ultra, Audemars Piguet, and Gucci.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

VENUS WILLIAMS

  • Legendary Tennis Champion: 7-Time Grand Slam Singles Champion, 5-Time Wimbledon Champion, 4-Time Olympic Gold Medalist

Legendary tennis champion, New York Times bestselling author, and entrepreneur Venus Williams has made a lasting impact on and off the court with her entrepreneurship, advocacy, and fight for equality. Venus has won 7 Grand Slam titles, 5 Wimbledon championships, and 4 Olympic gold medals, and was formerly ranked No. 1 in the world. One of the most accomplished and inspiring women in the history of sports, she has been a steadfast advocate for equal pay, women’s empowerment, and social justice. Venus is also the New York Times bestselling author of Come to Win. Venus shares her insights in motivational speaking events for groups including Capital One, Ernst & Young, Infor, Gannett, and many more.

Heralded for her innovative business acumen, Venus is the Founder of V Starr, a full-service commercial and residential design firm, and the fashion-forward activewear brand EleVen by Venus Williams. She has expanded her portfolio with the launch of her plant-based protein company Happy Viking. Venus recently served as the Executive Producer on the Academy Award-winning Warner Bros. biopic King Richard – which told the story of her father’s impact on her childhood and career as she became a tennis icon and changed the sport for generations to come. Venus has been honored with Variety’s “Power of Women” Award, as Glamour Magazine’s “Woman of the Year,” CARE Impact Award for Gender Equality, ESPN’s “WTA Player of the Year,” and one of Forbes’ “Celebrity 100.”

Venus consistently receives glowing reviews for her events, such as: “Venus was absolutely incredible. Everyone is still talking about her fireside chat. She was so gracious with her time and brought such amazing energy to the event.” (eXp World Holdings)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

AL GORE

  • Vice President of the United States (1993-2001)

Al Gore was referred to by TIME magazine as “a businessman who is out to change the world.” An environmental, business, and tech visionary recognized as one of the world's leading activists, Vice President Al Gore offers a unique perspective on national and international issues, including the threats of climate change and the future of tech. He is the Founder and Chairman of The Climate Reality Project, a nonprofit devoted to solving the climate crisis, and a co-founder of Climate TRACE.

Gore is the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers An Inconvenient Truth and The Assault on Reason, the NYT bestsellers Earth in the Balance, Our Choice: A Plan To Solve the Climate Crisis, The Future: Six Drivers of Global Change, and most recently, The New York Times bestseller An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power. He is the subject of the documentary An Inconvenient Truth, which won two Oscars in 2006 - and a second documentary in 2017, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power. In 2007, Gore was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, along with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, for “informing the world of the dangers posed by climate change.”

Consistently an active leader in technology, Al Gore is uniquely in touch with the opportunities and challenges in charting a new digital society. Vice President Gore’s status as a leader in global politics, technology and business influences his positions as member of the Board of Directors of Apple and a Senior Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Silicon Valley’s preeminent venture firm. In addition, he is a Founding Partner and Chairman of Generation Investment Management, an asset-management company incorporating sustainability values into the financial-services world.

 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DICK CHENEY

  • Vice President of the United States (2001-2009)

Across four decades of public life, American statesman Dick Cheney has served at the highest levels of the U.S. Government and private sector. As White House Chief of Staff in the aftermath of Watergate and America’s withdrawal from Vietnam, Wyoming’s Congressman and a member of the House Republican leadership during the Reagan years, Secretary of Defense as the Cold War ended and America defeated Iraq in Desert Storm, former CEO of Halliburton, and Vice President of the United States on 9/11 at the dawn of the Global War on Terror, Cheney has participated in many of the events that have shaped our nation for over four decades. Few Americans alive today can match the breadth and depth of his experience and service. As a statesman, policymaker, businessman, and politician Cheney’s insight, experiences and knowledge are unparalleled.

Cheney has been recognized by many as the most powerful and consequential vice president in American history, remaining steadfast to the ideals that define him and true to his principles. He continues to shape the future of the energy industry in profound ways as a board member of WellAware, a leading industrial Internet of Things Company that offers data analytics solutions for the oilfield industry. Cheney is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several books, including his memoir In My Time, Heart: An American Medical Odyssey, and Exceptional: Why the World Needs a Powerful America, which he co-authored with his daughter, Congresswoman Liz Cheney. In his writing as well as in virtual speaking engagements, Vice President Cheney shares his enduring political vision with courage and without compromise.

HWA CO-EXCLUSIVE

DAVID ROWAN

  • Editor-at-Large and Founding Editor-in-Chief, WIRED UK

David Rowan explains compellingly how emerging technologies will impact business — and how leaders should prepare now. As founding Editor-in-Chief of WIRED magazine’s UK edition, David came to know the founders of WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google, Didi, Spotify, Xiaomi, Nest, Twitter, and countless other ambitious startups from Tel Aviv to Shenzhen. He has since invested in more than 80 early-stage tech companies, including three that became billion-dollar “unicorns,” and built a health-tech and climate-tech fund, and he’s an adviser to Lakestar, one of Europe’s largest venture-capital funds. His bestselling book Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World’s Smartest Minds (Penguin, 2019) has been translated to Japanese, Korean, Russian and Ukrainian. The book, a 20-country quest for bold corporate innovation in the face of technology-led disruption, sets out 17 proven strategies for future-proofing a successful business — from “Turn products into services” to “Empower your team” and “Become a platform.”

David has been a technology columnist for The Times, GQ, Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times, and founded the VOYAGERS not-for-profit community of 400 innovators working to solve health and climate problems. He has received repeat requests to keynote for clients such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Google, KPMG, McKinsey, Chanel, and Unilever, and has moderated events for the World Economic Forum and the UK and French governments. And he is still searching for the future

David will customize a talk for your meeting. His recent themes include: 

• How to build a radical culture of innovation 

• How emerging technologies will transform your industry 

• What AI, data analytics and blockchain mean for business leaders 

• How to optimize customer engagement 

• What talent wants in the new world of work 

• Why purpose plus profit is the new business mantra 

 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

BOZOMA SAINT JOHN

  • Trailblazing Brand Marketing Executive

A trailblazing and genuine change-agent, Bozoma “Boz” Saint John is a Hall of Fame Inducted Marketing Executive, author, and entrepreneur who is worthy of the Harvard Business School case study written about her career, titled “Leading with Authenticity and Urgency.” Few people have the depth and breadth of experience that Boz has. Couple that with her remarkable success at Netflix, Pepsi, Apple, Uber, and the Endeavor brands (WME | IMG, Miss Universe, Ultimate Fighting Champion, Professional Bull Riders, and more) and you have one of the most effective marketers of any generation. On February 21, 2023, Viking Books published her memoir, The Urgent Life.

With almost 20 years of experience that spans multiple industries including digital music and entertainment, consumer packaged goods, fashion, sports and automotive, Bozoma is a leader heralded for her bold thinking and cutting-edge ideas. Prior to Netflix and Endeavor, she served as the Chief Brand Officer at Uber, where she was tasked with telling the stories of millions of riders and driver-partners across over 600 cities, and as the Head of Global Consumer Marketing for Apple Music and iTunes, where she built and launched Apple Music, as well as spearheaded campaigns geared towards growing consumer brand recognition, loyalty, and equity around the world. 

Recognized for her breakthrough work by both the industry and her peers, Boz is a member of the Billboard Hall of Fame, the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement and American Marketing Association Hall of Fame. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, named Forbes #1 Most Influential CMO in 2021, Executive of the Year by Billboard Magazine, and featured in lists such as Fortune’s "Most Influential CMOs," Fast Company’s and Ad Age’s "100 Most Creative People," and more. 

Hailed as the "coolest person to ever go on stage at an Apple event,” by Buzzfeed, Bozoma brings unparalleled energy, transformative thinking, and innovative ideas to each engagement.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MARCUS BUCKINGHAM

  • New York Times Best-Selling Author, Researcher, and Founder of the Strengths Revolution

Marcus Buckingham is a global researcher and New York Times bestselling author focused on unlocking strengths, increasing performance, and pioneering the future of how people work. He is the author of two of the best-selling business books of all time, First, Break All the Rules, and Now, Discover Your Strengths, and his tenth book, Love + Work (Harvard Business Review Press) is a WSJ bestseller and has been heralded by Forbes as one of the ten must-reads for career and leadership in 2022. Marcus’ 2019 Harvard Business Review cover article, "The Feedback Fallacy," was selected by HBR as one of the most influential articles of the last 100 years, and Marcus’ strengths assessments have been taken by over 10 million people worldwide. Building on two decades of experience as a Senior Researcher at The Gallup Organization, Marcus leveraged his data-based discoveries to build a $100M tech company focused on helping people find and contribute their strengths at work. He currently guides the research agenda of the ADP Research Institute as Head of People + Performance. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MIKA BRZEZINSKI & JOE SCARBOROUGH

  • Hosts of MSNBC's 'Morning Joe'

Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski are morning television’s hottest political duo and the co-hosts of MSNBC's Morning Joe, one of the most popular and influential shows on politics because of who watches it – namely, every member of the Washington political ecosystem, from journalists and legislators to staffers and consultants.

An entertaining pair, they are as popular on stage as they are on TV. Tailoring their remarks to every audience, they can speak about the current political environment, current events, the current media landscape, and leadership and business news.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

EHUD BARAK

  • Prime Minister of Israel (1999-2001)

Few individuals have the breadth of political, economic and military leadership experience as former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, enabling him to speak with authority on a wide range of issues, including international diplomacy, global economic matters, and terrorism.

From an economic perspective, PM Barak served for many years as an advisor to hedge funds and private equity firms, and is currently a member of the CIFC— a NASDAQ credit manager with $14 billion under management. A respected voice on economic matters, PM Barak has offered his insight at the World Economic Forum, SkyBridge Alternatives (SALT) Conference, and to various international firms and businesses.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ERIN BROCKOVICH

  • Iconic Environmental Activist and Consumer Advocate

Say the name Erin Brockovich and you think, strong, tough and stubborn. Erin is all that and more. A formerly-unknown legal researcher who became a 20th century icon overnight thanks to Julia Roberts Oscar-winning tour de force, Erin’s dogged persistence was the impelling force behind the largest medical settlement lawsuit in history. 

And she’s kept fighting for the people one town at a time. In her latest book, Superman’s Not Coming, she brings to light the stark truths of America today: resources are exhausted; corruption is rampant; infrastructure is outdated; water and health issues affect us all - rich and poor, Republicans and Democrats. Erin gives permission and empowers people to take action so that they can save their families, their communities, and the planet. 

Erin uses her life experiences to motivate and bring inspiration to audiences worldwide, providing lessons on her four steps to success, her motto for resilience and perseverance, and advocacy for the causes that matter. Her motto comes from famed biologist Rachel Carson: "We are challenged as mankind has never been challenged before to prove our maturity and our mastery, not of nature, but of ourselves." 

Erin teaches that it will be up to us, we the people, to change our course.  

HWA EXCLUSIVE

GLENNON DOYLE

  • #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of 'Love Warrior' and 'Untamed'

Author, Activist, Founder of Together Rising, and Host of the We Can Do Hard Things Podcast

Glennon Doyle is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller UNTAMED, a Reese’s Book Club selection, which has sold over two million copies. She is also the author of GET UNTAMED: The Journal; the #1 New York Times bestseller LOVE WARRIOR, an Oprah’s Book Club selection; and CARRY ON, WARRIOR

Glennon hosts the WE CAN DO HARD THINGS Podcast, which debuted at #1 in May 2021 and was named the #1 New Podcast of 2021 on Apple Podcasts. 

An activist and “patron saint of female empowerment” (People), Glennon is the founder and president of Together Rising, an all-women-led nonprofit organization that has revolutionized grassroots philanthropy – raising over $40 million for women, families, and children in crisis. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

PETE DAVIDSON

  • Famed Comedian and Actor

Stand-up comedian, actor and writer Pete Davidson recently completed his seventh season as a cast member on Saturday Night Live.

Davidson, 27, is the first SNL cast member to be born in the 1990s. Davidson shot his first one-hour stand-up special for Comedy Central in 2016 and was named one of Forbes’ 2016 “30 Under 30.” In 2020, he released the stand-up special, “Pete Davidson: Alive From New York,” on Netflix.

Davidson co-wrote, executive produced and starred in the critically acclaimed film The King of Staten Island, released in 2020. He has also starred in the independent film Big Time Adolescence, Netflix’s Mötley Crüe biopic The Dirt, Netflix’s Set It Up and John Turturro’s The Jesus Rolls. He was most recently on screen in The Suicide Squad.

Davidson’s upcoming film projects include Meet Cute, I Slept With Joey Ramone, Worst Man and Bodies, Bodies, Bodies.

Davidson is from Staten Island, N.Y., and his birthday is Nov. 16.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

STEVE FORBES

  • Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Forbes Media

Steve Forbes is Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, and an internationally respected authority in the worlds of economics, finance, and corporate leadership. With the economy at the forefront of conversation on a global level, Mr. Forbes offers long-standing insights that capitalism, free markets, and a flat tax are essential to a healthy economy. This is a message Mr. Forbes has been delivering as editor of one of the world’s most successful business magazines for decades, and he continues to be one of the most sought-after speakers on this and other economic issues leading the economic debates around the world.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

KARL ROVE

  • Foremost Conservative Commentator & Strategist

Karl Rove, an iconic political strategist and one of the most sought-after political pundits of our time, is best known for his provocative and robust knowledge of major political issues. Rove served as Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush. Before the White House, he ran Rove + Co. a Texas based public affairs firm that consulted on over 75 GOP campaigns for Senator, Governor, Congress and statewide offices in 24 states. Rove writes a weekly op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, appears frequently on the Fox News Channel, and is the author of the New York Times bestseller Courage and Consequence. His latest book is The Triumph of William McKinley.

Rove was described by author and columnist Michael Barone as “…unique…no Presidential appointee has ever had such a strong influence on politics and policy, and none is likely to do so again anytime soon.” Washington Post Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Broder wrote that Rove was a master political strategist whose “game has always been long term…and he plays it with an intensity and attention to detail that few can match.” Conservative editor and columnist Fred Barnes, called him “the greatest political mind of his generation and probably of any generation… He knows history, understands the moods of the public and is a visionary on matters of public policy.”

From major international conferences to college campuses and intimate corporate events, Karl Rove's shrewd analysis helps him resonate with audiences. Sponsors hosting Rove have reported his remarks "were extremely insightful and very helpful to our industry leaders" (Edison Electric Institute); "stimulating and valuable" (The Fraser Institute); and "provocative, lively and thoughtful" (Nomura); with audiences "often erupting in applause" (Wabash College) and his presentations consistently praised as "one of the highest-rated" (The TriZetto Group).

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MICHAEL STRAHAN

  • Legendary Super Bowl Champion and Hall of Fame Member

Two-time Emmy winner, Super Bowl Champion, and Peabody Award-winning journalist Michael Strahan is a business mogul with an ever-expanding portfolio. After a spectacular NFL career that earned him a spot in the Hall of Fame, Strahan joined the ranks of top sports broadcasters and co-hosted the hit talk show LIVE with Kelly and Michael and headlining FOX's Thursday Night Football Pregame Show. He currently co-hosts ABC’s Good Morning America, serves as an analyst for FOX NFL Sunday, in addition to hosting ABC’s game show favorite $100,000 Pyramid. Strahan’s New York Times bestselling book, Wake Up Happy: The Dream Big, Win Big Guide to Transforming Your Life, encapsulates the uplifting and inspiring energy he brings to his sought-after keynotes and conversations, for memorable events with audiences of all kinds.

Strahan is the Co-Founder of SMAC Entertainment, and the MICHAEL STRAHAN brand encompassing clothing, lifestyle, skincare, and an NFL licensed apparel line. He made history as the first American News Anchor to go to space, participating in the Blue Origin spacecraft launch. Strahan is a committed philanthropist, donating his hands and heart to numerous charities including the USO, HELP USA, and Merging Vets and Players. Heralded for his highly sought-after perspective, Strahan talks about his storied career, how to overcome self-doubt to pursue your passion, and ‘Strahan’s Rules’ – a mix of mental discipline, positive thinking, and a sense of play – making a major impact with individuals and organizations.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

CECILE RICHARDS

  • Co-Founder, Supermajority

Cecile Richards, Co-Founder of Supermajority and Former President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund (2006-2018), is a globally respected activist and social justice leader. Named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in the World”, Richards is celebrated for her vocal, dedicated and strategic leadership as well as her extensive advocacy experience at grassroots organizations, in the non-profit sector and in Washington. The author of a new book, and instant New York Times Bestseller, Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead, Richards offers powerful insights and sharp commentary on leadership, women’s rights, social justice, and politics. A dynamic and empowering speaker who has addressed audiences everywhere from Talks at Google to Harvard University, Richard motivates audiences to action.

In 2019, Richards launched Supermajority, a new home for women’s activism, training, and the mobilization of a multiracial, intergenerational community to fight for gender equality. While at the helm of Planned Parenthood, Richards led a federation of more than 600 health centers, providing high-quality health care to millions of people each year, and directed a staff of more than 500 in the national offices. Under Richard's leadership, Planned Parenthood expanded advocacy efforts to include fighting for access to health care, and she leaves Planned Parenthood with 12M supporters and counting, four times more than when she joined.

Before joining Planned Parenthood, Richards served as deputy chief of staff for House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. In 2004, she founded and served as president of America Votes, a coalition of 42 national grassroots organizations working to maximize registration, education, and voter participation. She began her career organizing low-wage workers in the hotel, health care, and janitorial industries throughout California, Louisiana, and Texas.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

BEN SHERWOOD

  • Founder and CEO, MOJO sports tech and media company

Top media executive, New York Times bestselling author, and innovative tech entrepreneur Ben Sherwood offers game-changing insights on bold leadership in times of disruption. An award-winning journalist, Sherwood previously served as President of ABC News, as well as Co-Chairman of Disney Media Networks, and President of Disney|ABC Television Group. He is the author of multiple bestselling books, including the New York Times bestseller The Survivors Club, which explores the secrets and science of the world’s greatest survivors. Sought after for his masterful storytelling, Sherwood shares the secrets to unleashing creativity and innovation, and leading through disruption.

Consistently ranked in The Hollywood Reporter’s annual list of “Most Powerful People in Entertainment,” he is also the Founder and CEO of MOJO, a sports tech and media company on a mission to make youth sports fun, easy and accessible for everyone. Leveraging his experience managing a 12B business with Disney|ABC, Sherwood has pivoted to scale his startup within a year to high-profile partnerships with the NBA, MLB, NFL FLAG, and FC Barcelona, winning the 2021 Webby Award for “Best Sports App on the Internet” and recognition from Front Office Sports as one of the 30 Best Employers in the global sports industry. A compelling keynote speaker, Sherwood regularly receives rave reviews such as: “Ben's message is deep, highly relevant, and of great intrinsic value. He hit the ball deep into the seats.” (The Masters Forum)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

RONAN FARROW

  • Pulitzer Prize-Winning Investigative Reporter and New York Times Bestselling Author

Ronan Farrow is a contributing writer to The New Yorker, where his investigative reporting has won the Pulitzer Prize for public service, the National Magazine Award, and the George Polk Award, among other honors. His stories for The New Yorker exposed the first sexual-assault allegations against the movie producer Harvey Weinstein and the first misconduct allegations against CBS executives, including then C.E.O. Leslie Moonves. He was also responsible for the first detailed accounts of payments made by the National Enquirer’s parent company in order to suppress stories about Donald Trump during the 2016 Presidential campaign. Farrow's latest book, Catch and Kill is a New York Times bestseller with a companion Peabody Award-winning podcast which has topped the Apple Podcast charts. Farrow is also currently producing documentaries for HBO. 

Before his career in journalism, Farrow served as a State Department official in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He is also the author of the New York Times bestseller War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence

Farrow has been named one of Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People" and one of GQ's "Men of the Year". His speeches have been selected among NPR’s “Greatest Commencement Speeches Ever” and Huffington Post’s "Top 10 Speeches of the Year".

HWA EXCLUSIVE

TAMRON HALL

  • Award-Winning Journalist

Award-winning journalist, renowned TV host, and philanthropist Tamron Hall takes on the most captivating and thought-provoking issues facing the world every day. As the host of The Tamron Hall Show, Hall has received two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host, in addition to two prestigious Gracie Awards from the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation. The Variety “Power of Women” honoree is also the host of the Court TV series Someone They Knew, her second true crime series following Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall, and recently released her debut novel As the Wicked Watch, an instant Editor’s Pick on Amazon. In demand for events with groups like Microsoft, Google, Accenture, YWCA, the American Heart Association, and more, Hall inspires audiences with conversations about overcoming obstacles, creating connection, and thriving in the ‘now’.

Hall and her expansive cultural impact have been featured in Forbes, Vogue, The Washington Post, and many more, and she made history as the first African American female co-host of NBC’s TODAY, and served as the anchor for MSNBC’s Live with Tamron Hall. Audiences have turned to Hall – regardless of the network or medium – for her courageous curiosity, her warmth, and her devotion to issues like the prevention of domestic abuse through her work with Safe Horizon. Hall empowers and inspires audiences with conversations about overcoming obstacles in the workplace and at home; domestic violence, homelessness, and literacy; her storied career; journalism and the media; and much more.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

LAWRENCE SUMMERS

  • Director, White House National Economic Council (2009-2010)

An expert on domestic economics and a leading authority on international finance, Larry Summers is one of the most distinguished voices on the issues and policy impacting the global economy. His frequent commentary is regarded as essential input to crafting economic policy, and he has remained for decades a well respected statesman of the American economy.

Prior to serving in the Obama Administration as Director of the National Economic Council, Dr. Summers was 71st Secretary of the Treasury during the Clinton Administration, President of Harvard University, and Vice President of Development Economics and Chief Economist of the World Bank. Dr. Summers’ tenure at the U.S. Treasury coincided with the longest period of sustained economic growth in U.S. history. He is the only Treasury Secretary in the last half century to have left office with the national budget in surplus. During his tenure in the Obama Administration, Larry Summers emerged as a key economic decision-maker and continues to be called upon as the number one resource for the most pressing economic debates of the day.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

AMY SCHUMER

  • Emmy Award-Winning Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer, and Director

Amy Schumer is an Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated standup comedian, actress, writer, producer and director. She is the creator, star, writer and executive producer of the award winning Inside Amy Schumer, the popular Comedy Central television series, which premiered in April 2013 to the network’s highest season premiere ratings of that year.  Inside Amy Schumer won numerous awards including a Writers Guild Award for Best Comedy/Variety Sketch series, the first-ever Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sketch Variety Series, and the prestigious Peabody Award. In 2019, she was nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special category for her comedy special Amy Schumer Growing. Schumer’s latest one-hour Comedy special titled The Leather Special is currently streaming on Netflix. 

Schumer’s first book, the #1 New York Times bestseller The Girl with The Lower Back Tattoo, is a refreshingly candid and uproariously funny collection of personal and observational essays.

Schumer is also known for her work in films, including Universal Pictures film Trainwreck, the mother-daughter comedy Snatched, which she also produced, and the drama Thank You For Your Service. In 2018, Schumer starred and produced the STX comedy, I Feel Pretty.

Often touring theaters and arenas all over the world, Schumer is the only female comic to headline Madison Square Garden. She is a proud founding member of Time’s Up. Her podcast, Amy Schumer Presents: 3 Girls, 1 Keith premiered its fifth season on Spotify this past March.

In July 2020, Schumer’s three-part documentary series, Expecting Amy premiered on HBO Max. The docuseries takes viewers behind-the-scenes as Amy battles through an extraordinarily difficult pregnancy, while documenting the formation of her latest comedy special. She also premiered the second season of her cooking show, Amy Schumer Learns to Cook, with her husband Chris Fischer who is an award-winning chef on the Food Network this past August. Up next: Life and Beth, a comedy series via Hulu which Schumer will star in, write, direct and executive produce, and Stephen Karam’s The Humans that Schumer will star in.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

TYLER PERRY

  • Famed Actor, Producer, Writer, and Director

Tyler Perry is an established American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, playwright, and author.  Born into poverty and raised in a household scarred by abuse, Tyler fought from a young age to find the strength, faith and perseverance that would later form the foundations of his work. 

Tyler started his career writing plays, many of which later became the inspiration for his film projects and included the introduction of the now-legendary Madea character, played by Tyler himself.  Tyler’s first feature film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, debuted at number one nationwide. His ensuing films include Madea's Family Reunion, Daddy's Little Girls, Why Did I Get Married?, Meet The Browns, The Family That Preys, I Can Do Bad All by Myself, Why Did I Get Married Too?, For Colored Girls, Madea's Big, Happy Family, Good Deeds, Madea's Witness Protection, The Single Mom’s Club, Boo! and Boo! 2: A Madea Halloween, A Madea Family Funeral, Gone Girl, Vice and more.

With the historical official opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Perry is the first African American man to ever be at the helm of a major studio.

In conversation, Perry touches upon all of his experiences, ranging from his work in film and television to his activism on behalf of others and the journey it took for him to get where he is today.

HWA CO-EXCLUSIVE

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

  • Governor of California (2003-2011)

The world first knew Arnold Schwarzenegger as a famous bodybuilder and a Hollywood action hero, and now as California's 38th Governor, an environmental crusader, a successful businessman, and a generous philanthropist.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

STEVEN VAN ZANDT

  • Musician, Songwriter, Music and TV Producer, and Actor

Musician, Performer, Songwriter, Arranger, Music Producer, Music Supervisor, TV Producer, Actor, Director, Broadway Producer, TV and Film Composer, and Live Event Producer, International DJ, Activist, Historian, Teacher, member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and recognized internationally as one of the world’s foremost authorities on both Contemporary and Traditional Rock and Roll.

 “He’s not the only one, nor the oldest, nor the richest. But Little Stevie Van Zandt might currently be the planet’s most charismatic, dedicated and visible crusader scrapping to preserve the dirty purity of Rock ‘n Roll.” - BruceSpringsteen.net

“I know it sounds a bit silly but I do believe Rock and Roll can change the world.  It’s about bands, and that for me suggests brotherhood, family, friendship, and community” - Stevie Van Zandt

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ALEX RODRIGUEZ

  • Chairman and CEO, A-Rod Corp

Alex Rodriguez is a businessman and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of A-Rod Corp, a broad-based investment firm that bets on world-class startups and partners with leading global companies across the real estate, health and wellness, technology, and sports & entertainment industries. While best known as one of the world’s greatest athletes (a 14x MLB All-Star and a 2009 World Series Champion with the New York Yankees), for more than 25 years, Alex leads a team of experts building high-growth businesses and enhancing the value of more than 30 companies in the A-Rod Corp portfolio.

Alex founded A-Rod Corp in 1995, purchasing a duplex apartment on the theory that investing his MLB earnings wisely would protect him from the kinds of financial struggles that afflict too many professional athletes. While he racked up extraordinary stats on the field (696 home runs and more grand slams than any other MLB player in history), Alex simultaneously assembled an impressive team at A-Rod Corp, bought apartment units across the southeastern U.S., and built a fully integrated real estate and development company. In 2020, Alex joined CGI Merchant Group's hotel investment fund to acquire and develop properties across North America and the Caribbean.

Following his success in real estate, Alex has invested in a variety of sectors where he has expertise. He looks for long-term opportunities to provide financial capital, work alongside founders and leadership, and amplify the growth of each company.

In addition to leading A-Rod Corp, Alex is CEO of Slam Corp, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) with Antara Capital Chairman Himanshu Gulati as equal partner. Slam Corp is seeking to acquire a leader in the consumer tech, media, entertainment, and health and wellness sectors. 

In 2021, Alex joined the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx ownership group. In the same year, Alex formed A-Rod Media, a strategic pillar within the organization to house all media activity. A-Rod Media offers scalable, multimedia capabilities, including original content creation, compelling narrative storytelling, and audience engagement across all marketing  platforms.

Alex is an Emmy Award-winning MLB analyst for Fox Sports and ESPN. He has been a judge and investor on ABC’s Shark Tank, mentored financially distressed ex-athletes on CNBC’s Back in the Game, and currently co-hosts the podcast The Corp with Barstool Sports’ Dan Katz, interviewing CEOs, entrepreneurs, and sports legends. Committed to creating opportunities for young people to succeed, Alex serves on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade where he is an Alumni Hall of Fame Honoree, the Boards of Trustees of the University of Miami, and The Paley Center for Media.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

LINDSEY VONN

  • One of the Most Successful Skiers of All Time

Olympic gold medalist and one of the most successful skiers of all time Lindsey Vonn also a New York Times bestselling author, sports broadcaster, and mental health advocate. Following a stellar career as an alpine skier, Vonn pivoted to lend her knowledge of the sport to NBC’s coverage of the Beijing Olympics, appearing on the Today Show, in the studio, and as an alpine analyst sharing her many insights. She is the New York Times bestselling author of several books, including Strong is the New Beautiful and her memoir, Rise: My Story. An elite athlete, Vonn is a clear example of how leadership and determination lead to winning results. She is the Founder of the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, an organization established to empower young girls, and launched "Lindsey Vonn's Virtual Career Day" which brings together young scholarship winners from the Lindsey Vonn Foundation with an expert in their intended field. Vonn speaks authentically about her career and her challenges, sharing insights and takeaways about resilience, risk-taking, and overcoming adversity that empower audiences of all kinds.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MICHAEL EISNER

  • Chairman & CEO, The Walt Disney Company (1984-2005)

Michael Eisner teaches audiences how to develop corporate creativity and strategically invest in innovation, based on his experiences as CEO of Disney and as Founder of The Tornante Company, a fund to invest in and develop companies in the media and entertainment sector. Both Fortune 500 CEO and entrepreneur, Mr. Eisner knows that even large global companies can innovate and adapt to new markets, new economies and new technologies. Through his remarks, he not only inspires corporate innovation, he gives parameters for successful execution such as brand building, establishing strategic partnerships and employee work teams.

Under the leadership of Michael Eisner, Walt Disney Company revenues grew from $1.7 billion to more than $170 billion by focusing on the power of ideas, pursuing the innovative vision, and taking creative risks. As a leader in the media industry for four decades, Mr. Eisner has overseen organizations recognized for their inventiveness and innovation, experienced an explosion of technological advances that have impacted his business and led his companies through the advent of the next big ideas. In his presentations on leadership, he shares his insights on what it takes to run a company that must always grow and change.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MARK WAHLBERG

  • Award-Winning Actor and Producer

Mark Wahlberg earned both Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominations for his standout work in the family boxing film, The Fighter, and Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed drama, The Departed. He has played diverse characters for visionary filmmakers such as David O. Russell, Tim Burton, and Paul Thomas Anderson. His breakout role in Boogie Nights established Wahlberg as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents.

Wahlberg’s remarkable film career began with Renaissance Man, directed by Penny Marshall, and The Basketball Diaries with Leonardo DiCaprio, followed by a star turn opposite Reese Witherspoon in the thriller, Fear. He later headlined Three Kings and The Perfect Storm with George Clooney and The Italian Job with Charlize Theron. Wahlberg then starred in the football biopic, Invincible, and Shooter, based on Stephen Hunter’s best-selling novel, Point of Impact. Wahlberg reunited with The Yards director James Gray and co-star Joaquin Phoenix for We Own the Night, which he also produced. In 2013, he teamed with director Peter Berg on military drama, Lone Survivor, and 2 Guns with Denzel Washington. The following year, he starred in Ted 2 with Seth MacFarlane and Daddy’s Home opposite Will Ferrell. Wahlberg’s additional credits include The Gambler, The Lovely Bones, The Other Guys, Pain & Gain, Contraband, Ted, and Transformers: Age of Extinction. Also recently, he starred in Deepwater Horizon, Patriots Day, Transformers: The Last Night, Daddy's Home 2, All the Money in the World, Mile 22, and Instant Family. He will soon star in the Netflix film, Wonderland.

An accomplished film and television producer, Wahlberg has produced Instant Family, Mile 22, Daddy's Home 2, Patriots Day, Deepwater Horizon, Entourage, The Gambler, Lone Survivor, Broken City, Contraband, The Fighter (for which Wahlberg was nominated for an Oscar® for Best Picture), and We Own the Night. For television, Wahlberg is executive producer of Emmy-nominated Wahlburgers on A&E and hit comedy Ballers on HBO. He executive produced HBO’s Entourage through its impressive eight-season run as well as Boardwalk Empire, How to Make It in America, and In Treatment. He recently executive produced three seasons of Shooter for USA Network. For his work in television, Wahlberg has received a BAFTA, a Peabody, seven Emmy nominations, six Golden Globe® nominations, and a Golden Globe® Award for Boardwalk Empire in 2011.

A committed philanthropist, Wahlberg founded The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation in 2001 to benefit inner-city children and teens. He was inducted into the Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012. Additionally, he is the recipient of the Bob Hope Award from the Medal of Honor Society for his work to support our military.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JOHN MULANEY

  • Two-Time Emmy Award-Winning Writer and Comedian

John Mulaney is a two-time Emmy and WGA award-winning writer, actor, and comedian.

In 2018, he traveled the United States with sold out Kid Gorgeous tour, which was later released as a Netflix stand-up special and won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Variety Special; In 2015, he released The Comeback Kid, also a Netflix original, which The AV Club called the “best hour of his career;” In 2012, his Comedy Central special New In Town had Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly hailing him as “one of the best stand-up comics alive.” Starting March 2022, he’ll be touring with his newest hour John Mulaney: From Scratch.

Solidifying himself as a fan favorite, John Mulaney has been invited to host  Saturday Night Live  five times. He began writing for SNL in 2008 and created memorable characters such as ‘Stefon’ with Bill Hader and appeared as a “Weekend Update” correspondent. He has written for IFC’s Documentary Now! and Netflix’s Big Mouth, on which he voices the character of Andrew. John will star in the new reboot of Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers on Disney Plus this Spring opposite Andy Samberg.

He’s also starred on Broadway in the runaway hit written and performed alongside Nick Kroll in Oh, Hello On Broadway. The duo have since release a Netflix special of the same name, as well as Oh, Hello: The P’dcast, based off their characters Gil Faizon and George St. Geegland.

In December 2019, the critically acclaimed and Emmy nominated musical variety special John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch debuted on Netflix. It was recently announced that festivities will continue with a pair of holiday themed Sack Lunch Bunch specials coming to Comedy Central in the near future.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

KATE MCKINNON

  • Emmy Award-Winning Comedian and Actress

Kate McKinnon won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016 and 2017 and has been nominated every year from 2014 to 2020 for her work on Saturday Night Live. In addition, she earned a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016.

McKinnon’s recent roles include Jay Roach’s Bombshell opposite Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie, Danny Boyle’s Beatles inspired romcom Yesterday, starring opposite Mila Kunis in the Lionsgate action-comedy The Spy Who Dumped Me, Paul Feig’s reboot of Ghostbusters, Rough Night opposite Scarlett Johansson, and Office Christmas Party with Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston. In addition, she has voiced roles in several animated projects, including Oscar-nominated Ferdinand, Angry Birds and Pixar’s Finding Dory.  She has also voiced several TV series, including The Magic School Bus Rides Again for Netflix, The Simpsons and Family Guy. She was nominated for a 2017 Daytime Emmy for her work on the PBS animated series Nature Cat and can be heard as ‘Queen Mortuana’ in the Audible medieval fantasy-comedy series, Heads Will Roll, which she co-created.

Upcoming projects include the Fox Searchlight/Hulu limited series The Dropout, where she’ll be portraying Theranos founder, Elizabeth Holmes and playing Carole Baskin in the UCP limited series, Joe Exotic, based on the Wondery podcast and characters made popular on Netflix’s doc series, Tiger King for Comcast/Peacock.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

RICHARD THALER

  • Winner of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences

Nobel Prize-Winner Richard H. Thaler studies behavioral economics and finance as well as the psychology of decision-making which lies in the gap between economics and psychology. He investigates the implications of relaxing the standard economic assumption that everyone in the economy is rational and selfish, instead entertaining the possibility that some of the agents in the economy are sometimes human.

Thaler is the co-author (with Cass R. Sunstein) of the global best seller Nudge (2008) in which the concepts of behavioral economics are used to tackle many of society’s major problems. In 2015 he published Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics. He has also published numerous articles in prominent journals such as the American Economics Review, the Journal of Finance, the Journal of Political Economy, and is a regular contributor to the New York Times Economic View column. In 2018, he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. 

Thaler is a Founding Principal at Fuller and Thaler Asset Management where they manage about $10 billion in U.S. equities.  He was an informal advisor to the coalition government led by David Cameron, the Obama administration, several professional sports teams, and the Alliance for Decision Education.  

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JOHN KRASINSKI

  • Famed Actor, Writer, and Director

John Krasinski has established himself as one of the most exciting talents as an actor, writer and director, engaging audiences on the big and small screen. Having first rose to fame as Jim Halpert in the award-winning television sitcom The Office, Krasinski has gone on to co-write, direct and star in the Academy Award-nominated A Quiet Place, star in Sony Pictures Classics film The Hollars, direct Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, and star in the current Amazon series Jack Ryan, among many other commercially and critically successful projects.  

Krasinski also produces a diverse slate of projects through his production venture, Sunday Night, which he formed with Allyson Seeger.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Krasinski created and hosts Some Good News, a Youtube web series entirely dedicated to good news. Operated from inside Krasinski's home, and featuring special guests from David Ortiz to the cast of Hamilton, the show has over 1.5 million subscribers, with multiple episodes going viral. 

In engaging, hilarious, and inspiring remarks, Krasinski shares lessons-learned over the course of his career, insights into the creative process, and how to use your platform for good. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

WENDY DAVIS

  • Founder, Deeds Not Words - nonprofit for women's empowerment

Former Texas State Senator and Founder of the non-profit Deeds Not Words, Wendy Davis is renowned as a passionate advocate for women in social, economic and political spheres. After skyrocketing to near celebrity status through her historic 13-hour filibuster in the Texas Senate to stop a legislative effort that would have dramatically reduced women’s access to healthcare, Davis emerged as a leader in the national conversation surrounding women’s leadership and issues which threaten our individual opportunities. Long before she was a Texas State Senator and Texas’ Democratic nominee for Governor in 2014, Davis struggled with the same obstacles faced by women around the country. Determined to break the cycle of poverty she’d been born into, Davis fought to juggle school, career and single motherhood and uses those experiences to connect with others in order to shape perspective. Through Davis’ work at Deeds Not Words, for which she earned a spot on Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business,” she is shaping the next generation of leaders and directly working to foster diversity, inclusivity, and change at the highest levels of business and government.

At the podium, Davis combines the power of personal storytelling with her deep policy understanding to explain why equitable policies matter in the lives of women as well as the overall health and vibrancy of our economy, guiding organizations across industries toward a better understanding of the institutional value in creating diverse work environments, and key issues such as pay equity, family leave, and harassment policies. A living testament to the ability we each possess to rise above challenges and succeed, Davis demonstrates the power of each of our unique voices, and the value in raising them for what we believe in. Audiences are left inspired to utilize their individual strengths into meaningful contributions, and organizations are left with the tools and insights needed to advance positive change.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JIMMY WALES

  • Founder, Wikipedia - world's 5th most visited website

Leading futurist and ground-breaking tech entrepreneur Jimmy Wales is one of the most sought after visionaries in business and technology. Wales is the Founder of Wikipedia, the 5th most-popular website in the world, which strive to create free access for all to the sum of human knowledge. The stunning feat of democratization of information celebrated it’s 20th anniversary, having become a cultural phenomenon and remaining a leader in the fight against the proliferation of false information online. The tech giant creator is also the Founder of WT.Social, a collaboratively editable social networking platform, which aims to change the way we digest news. Driven by his passion for innovation, disruption, and the endless possibilities in the future of tech, Wales is a compelling and motivational keynote speaker for audiences of all kinds.

Named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People, Wales has also been heralded by the World Economic Forum as one of the top 250 leaders across the globe for his accomplishments, his commitment to the society, and his potential to shape the future of the world. Audiences praise Wales for his optimism for the future as well as his masterful ability to speak on complex issues ranging from AI, trends in new media, disruption, and resiliency. He consistently receives rave reviews for his in-demand events, such as: "We were all so thrilled with Jimmy. He was so open and dedicated to share with us, McCann people, media, students and the keynote audience such inspiring stories about him, Wikipedia and basically about such a wide array of interconnected subjects. We were all inspired in such a fantastic way by his presence here." (McCann/Thiess)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

AUSTIN CHANNING BROWN

  • Leading and Inspired Voice on Racial Justice

New York Times bestselling author, media producer, and sought-after speaker Austin Channing Brown is a leading and inspired voice on racial justice in America. Austin is known for her New York Times bestseller I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness, which was a Reese’s Book Club pick, and her adaptation with new stories for young readers, I’m Still Here: Loving Myself in a World Not Made for Me. I’m Still Here shot to the top 20 of Amazon’s bestsellers list, has been featured in all major publications, and received acclaim from Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and more. Austin’s workshops and talks are incisive, fun, disarming, and above all, transformative. She’s been sought-after by groups including Wells Fargo, Elon University, the Coalition of Black Social Workers, and many more.

Austin is also the Founder and CEO of Herself Media, and creates content that centers the experiences of Black women, dismantling the foundations of white supremacy. She is also the Executive Producer and Host of The Next Question – a web series that imagines how expansive racial justice can be. Her nationally-celebrated first season of TNQ featured MacArthur Genius Nikole Hannah-Jones, NYT bestselling authors Brené Brown, and Jasmine Guillory. In addition, Austin is a co-host of the Full Reset podcast. By using an intentional mix of humor, pop-culture, story-telling, and audience engagement, she awakens people to the current realities of systemic racism and the everyday actions which allow racism to thrive. Austin evokes thought, feeling, and action as she celebrates Blackness and the possibility of justice in our organizations and communities.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

AYỌ TOMETI

  • Human Rights Leader and Co-Founder, #BlackLivesMatter

Ayọ (fka Opal) Tometi is one of the most influential human rights leaders of the century according to TIME magazine. As one of the three women co-founders of Black Lives Matter digital platform and chapter-based network, her name is etched in history. Hailed as a feminist freedom fighter, Ayọ is respected for her track record of uniting communities, and for her thought leadership on race, immigration, and gender. In 2019 she completed nearly a decade of service as the Executive Director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), the first immigrant rights organization for people of African descent in the United States. Ayọ is a trusted advisor and serves on the board of  Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity and the International Living Futures Institute. She has graced the cover of magazines because of her achievements and received numerous recognitions including an honorary PhD, being named most influential women of the century by USA Today, TIME Magazine, and Most Influential People by Forbes, Marie Claire, Glamour and Cosmopolitan magazines. Ayọ was also honored by the City University of New York (CUNY) with a scholarship in her name to support immigrant students pursuing law degrees. In 2019 she also received the Coretta Scott King Center Award and Douglass 200 Award, and is currently featured in a video installation at the Smithsonian’s National Museum for African History and Culture for her contributions in thought-leadership for the betterment of the diaspora. As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Ayọ has set her movement sights on an even bigger struggle: uplifting Black lives worldwide. In 2020 she founded Diaspora Rising, a new media and advocacy hub dedicated to strengthening the bonds amongst members of the global Black family. Additionally, she's focused on other social enterprises. With nearly two decades as a human rights champion, she still feels her work has only just begun.

HWA CO-EXCLUSIVE

MAX BAUCUS

  • U.S. Ambassador to the People's Republic of China (2014-2017)

Former United States Senator and Ambassador to China, Max Baucus is a leading voice on business, public policy, and international affairs. In his years as an elected official and diplomat, Baucus was engaged in the most consequential issues of the past half-century, and continues to provide counsel as co-founder of the Baucus Group.

Montana's longest-serving senator Baucus established himself as one of the Senate’s most productive and least partisan members, building a record of accomplishment on a broad range of policy issues both domestic and foreign. As Chair of the Senate Finance Committee for seven years, Baucus served as the principal author and advocate for the Affordable Care Act, and led the passage and enactment of Free Trade Agreements with 11 countries and worked to increase U.S. exports by knocking down trade barriers. He was also deeply involved in orchestrating congressional approval of permanent normal trade relations with China in 2000 and in facilitating China’s entrance into the World Trade Organization in 2001, and is credited with holding China accountable on issues of intellectual property, human rights and currency

In-demand by numerous private companies and public organizations, Baucus currently serves on the board of directors of Ingram Micro and previously served on the board of advisors to Alibaba Group until May of 2019, and the External Advisory Board to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency until July of 2019.  He now devotes much of his time to the Max S. Baucus Institute at the University of Montana, founded to give young adults opportunities in politics, government, and overseas studies.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

PAUL TUCKER

  • Chair, Systemic Risk Council

Sir Paul Tucker is one of the most respected central bankers and financial policy makers of our time. He is Chair of the Systemic Risk Council, a Harvard University Fellow, and former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England. Tucker spent more than three decades in central banking, including experience in Asia, and was knighted for his reforms, which are creating a more resilient international banking system. Internationally, he was a member of the G20 Financial Stability Board, leading its work on “too big to fail, and a director of the Bank for International Settlements. Tucker’s most recent book, Unelected Power, examines the extraordinary powers central banks have wielded in the wake of the financial crisis, and what needs to be done to ensure they remain legitimate stewards for the common good. At the podium, Tucker reveals and unpacks key insights into everything from the future for monetary policy, the future of Europe, Brexit and international trade, to stability in the financial system, and the evolving role of central banks.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SUNNY HOSTIN

  • Emmy Award-Winning Legal Journalist

Three-time Emmy-winning legal journalist, former federal prosecutor, and New York Times bestselling author Sunny Hostin is co-host of ABC’s The View and a sought-after keynote speaker who earns rave reviews for her events. Hostin’s debut novel Summer on the Bluffs skyrocketed to #11 on the New York Times Bestseller List and is being adapted as the first major project for Sunny Hostin Productions. She recently released the second book in her acclaimed ‘Summer’ series, Summer on Sag Harbor. Hostin is also the author of a memoir, I Am These Truths: A Memoir of Identity, Justice, and Living Between Worlds, an introspective look into the challenges she faced while being raised by teenage parents in housing projects, the many obstacles she overcame to become a federal prosecutor, and her ultimate path to becoming an incredibly successful television journalist.

A sought-after public speaker, Hostin delivered the TEDxTalk "A Possibility Model" and has spoken at and moderated panels for the U.C. Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, Corporate Counsel Women of Color, Chrysalis, and the National Bar Association, among many others. She is currently in development for a one-hour drama series The Counsel, inspired by her own extraordinary political and personal experiences. An inescapable voice from the top echelons of news and entertainment, Sunny continues to use her platform to advocate for and give a voice to the marginalized.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

LAWRENCE O'DONNELL

  • Host, MSNBC's 'The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell'

Lawrence O'Donnell is an Emmy-winning producer and the host of MSNBC's The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell. Bringing his extraordinary background in politics, entertainment and news to the nightly program, O'Donnell provides the last word on the important issues and most compelling stories of the day. 

A sought-after speaker for his straight talking political commentary, O'Donnell has an uncanny ability to go beyond the headlines to provide audiences with prescient analysis.

Prior to his time as a political analyst, O'Donnell served as an executive producer for the acclaimed series The West Wing, a senior advisor on Capitol Hill, and a political columnist and writer.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JANE PAULEY

  • Host, 'CBS Sunday Morning'

A familiar face on television, one of broadcasting’s most respected journalists and host of CBS Sunday Morning, Jane Pauley is praised by audiences for her relatable and personal inspirational message.  She advocates for people 50+ starting different careers, making a difference and pursuing their dreams.  She is a also a highly regarded advocate for mental health, children’s health, and education issues. Jane Pauley's celebrity fills the room with optimism, and audiences often bring her back more than once, citing the warm reception she received by the audience.

Prior to anchoring on CBS, Pauley had a 13-year career on NBC's Today program and was also a co-host of Dateline NBC for 12 years. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

CHARLES BLOW

  • Op-Ed Columnist, The New York Times and CNN Contributor

Columnist, New York Times bestselling author, and CNN commentator Charles Blow fearlessly tackles today’s most pressing issues with depth, nuance, and tremendous insight. Now an Op-Ed columnist at The New York Times, Blow previously served as the paper’s Graphics Director, leading The Times to significant awards. He has also worked as the Art Director of National Geographic Magazine and for The Detroit News. Blow is the New York Times bestselling author of Fire Shut Up in My Bones, which won a Lambda Literary Award, the Sperber Prize, and appeared on numerous “best of” lists. A memoir, the book was called “searing and unforgettable” by People Magazine and was adapted into a critically-acclaimed opera with a groundbreaking run at The Metropolitan Opera – the first performance of an opera there by a Black composer. His second book, The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto, draws on both his personal experience and observations of society to call for an end to systemic racism. Blow is a prolific and insightful commentator on politics, public opinion, and social justice, often challenging those in power with clarity and candor.

Heralded for his forward-thinking coverage of American politics and society, as well as his skill in graphic design to create powerful narratives with compelling visuals, Blow is also an in-demand speaker and gifted moderator. He has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, SalonTV, CBS News, and regularly as a commentator on CNN, and has been featured in The Washington Post, The Ringer, Oprah Daily, and more about his highly acclaimed work. An advocate for social justice and racial equity, Blow speaks about income inequality, xenophobia, and mental health, generating impactful conversations that resonate with audiences of all kinds.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JACK LEW

  • Secretary of the Treasury (2013-2016)

Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew (2013- 2017) has served as the most senior economic official in the U.S. government, helping to shape policies that drove the longest economic recovery in American history.  At Treasury, he oversaw all aspects of international and domestic fiscal policy, including issues related to financial regulation, global sanctions regimes, tax policy, debt management, and trade.  As a speaker, he brings the freshest insights and an insider's knowledge of the individual people and policies affecting the direction of the global economy.  Secretary Lew addresses these issues both from an historical perspective -- given his over 30 years of government experience -- and by looking forward to how the new Administration and Congress may tackle the many challenges they face.  With his unique perspective, Secretary Lew presents an engaging view of how complex financial and geopolitical forces are shaping our economy, both domestically and overseas.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SEKOU KAALUND

  • U.S. Bank Executive Vice President and Head of Branch and Small Business Banking

U.S. Bank Executive Vice President and Head of Branch and Small Business banking, Sekou Kaalund has two decades of Wall Street experience spanning leadership in institutional and retail businesses, making him a highly regarded authority on strategic leadership and targeted, sustainable impact. A former leader at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as well as Citi, Kaalund has established key connections across client segments and industries, and is a highly sought-after speaker for his insights on strategizing growth, developing talent, and forming inclusive teams that have a major impact on organizations of all kinds. Prior to joining U.S. Bank, he spent the last 15 years at JPMorgan Chase in a variety of leadership roles across institutional and retail businesses, most recently serving as Head of Consumer banking for the Northeast division. While managing complex firmwide relationships, he launched Advancing Black Pathways, the first global corporate initiative that leveraged a data-driven strategic framework to develop scalable programs to reduce the racial wealth gap, which led to a historic five-year firm-wide $30B commitment to advance racial equity. He has offered riveting keynotes at the Milken Global Conference, National Urban League, the Whitney M. Young Jr. Memorial Conference, and many more, and has led engaging conversations at Chase Talks with Kevin Hart, Grant Hill, Dominque Wilkins, among many others.

Kaalund’s contributions have received numerous accolades including being named on Ebony’s “Power 100” list as a “Titan of Industry,” the SAID Institute’s Mark of Excellence award, World of Money’s Wall Street Legacy Award, and being named one of Face2Face Africa’s “30 Black Stars.” He has been featured in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, and on the BBC, NBC, and CNBC. Kaalund has been honored by the All Stars Project for leadership and community impact, the Council of Urban Professionals, the Harlem YMCA, and the Boys and Girls Club of American inducted him into the Hall of Fame in 2011. He serves on several boards, and his leadership initiatives include the tech partnership “Advancing Black Entrepreneurs” StartupBus, a hackathon on wheels.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

GLORIA STEINEM

  • Iconic Visionary of the Women's Movement

Writer, political activist, and feminist organizer Gloria Steinem is an iconic visionary of the women’s movement. She founded New York and Ms. magazines, and is the New York Times bestselling author of The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off!, Revolution From Within, Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions, and My Life On the Road, which was named one of the “best books of the year” by both O: The Oprah Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar and became the basis for the biopic The Glorias, directed by Julie Taymor and starring Julianne Moore. One of the most visible symbols of the movement, Steinem continues to be an ever-present and sought-after speaker on all fronts of social activism.

Steinem is the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as well as the Freedom Award from the National Civil Rights Museum. For her writing, Steinem has received the Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Society of Writers Award from the United Nations, among many others. Steinem co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus, the Ms. Foundation for Women, the Free to Be Foundation, the Women’s Media Center, Equality Now, Donor Direct Action, and Direct Impact Africa. She produced Viceland TV’s WOMAN, a series exploring human rights and violence against women around the world. As an in-demand speaker, Steinem consistently receives glowing reviews such as: "Gloria was absolutely amazing. It was like an out of body experience to hear from her. Everyone was blown away." (The Robert Toigo Foundation)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ASHLEY JUDD

  • Award-Winning Actress

Renowned actress, humanitarian, and political activist Ashley Judd is heralded for her unforgettable performances and tireless advocacy work. From starring roles in box office hits and award-winning independent films, Judd’s films tell very personal stories that tap into larger issues, and she brings this gift for storytelling to all her speaking engagements. A voice for the often voiceless, she shines an illuminating light on the vulnerable and the at-risk. Judd has traveled the world with her international public health work, from maternal health to child survival, human rights to disease prevention and treatment. She has been working with NGO’s, grass roots organizations, governments, and supranational bodies since 2004, and detailed her experience in her New York Times bestselling book, All That Is Bitter and Sweet. For her sought-after speaking engagements, Judd regularly receives glowing praise such as: “Ashley Judd walked onto the Ford Hall Forum stage and hit it straight out of the park from her first word to her last. She is not only incredibly intelligent and a top-notch presenter, but also thoroughly knowledgeable and committed... It was clear that the audience found Judd completely captivating and a true inspiration.” (Ford Hall)

Judd was named one TIME’s “Persons of the Year” for her role as a silence-breaker and change-maker of the #MeToo movement, shifting the culture and conversation around sexual abuse and harassment. She is a sought after public speaker and frequent OpEd author on topics as diverse as conflict mineral mineral mining and child marriage. She serves as the Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNFPA, the Global Ambassador for Population Services International, and is Chairperson of the Women’s Media Center Speech Project: Curbing Abuse, Expanding Freedom. She has received the Muhammad Ali Kentucky Humanitarian Award and her alma mater, the University of Kentucky, established the Ashley T. Judd Distinguished Gradate Fellowship in the Office for Policy Studies on Violence Against Women. Judd illuminates topics of women’s rights, mental health, the environment, and more with her indelible storytelling and global experience, and hosts rave about her impact: "Ms. Judd was the perfect choice for the closing keynote. She had obviously done her homework on the ATHENA leadership principles because she connected her remarks directly to them. She was intelligent, thought provoking, humorous, sincere, warm and extremely engaging. Conference attendees raved about her and she and her staff were delightful to work with. I would highly recommend her as a speaker." (Güd Marketing | Marketing That Matters)

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MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY

  • Academy Award-Winning Actor

Academy Award-Winning Actor Matthew McConaughey's impressive career has spanned 40 feature films that have grossed over $1 billion dollars. A Texas native heralded for his constant career reinvention, McConaughey is a dedicated philanthropist whose just keep livin' Foundation empowers high school students to lead active lives and make healthy choices for a better future.

A force of nature both onscreen and in business, McConaughey serves as creative director for Wild Turkey, is part owner of Austin FC, and serves as the Minister of Culture/M.O.C for the University of Texas sports arena and Austin FC MLS Soccer Club.

In his New York Times #1 bestselling book, Greenlights, McConaughey writes what he calls a love letter to life.  Greenlights takes readers on a journey of lessons he grappled with throughout his life reminding us to connect with grace, truth, and the beauty of being alive.

In engagements that are equal parts empowering and entertaining, McConaughey shares lessons from his life and career, the impact of his philanthropic efforts, and the importance of chasing your passion.

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RICKI LAKE

  • Actor, Producer, and Documentarian

Pop culture icon Ricki Lake has built an award-winning acting and producing career on her graciously candid sensibility and her authentic, relatable nature. A storyteller, talk show host, documentarian, and passionate activist, Lake has worked hard to make this world a better place through the use of her voice and platform. Lake’s legacy is undoubtedly her ability to share the truth on a wide variety of subjects through her unique lens.

Rising to fame at 18 years of age as the original Tracy Turnblad, in John Water’s Hairspray, she went to on make more than 20 films including Cry-baby, Serial Mom, and Mrs. Winterbourne among others. Ricki then went on to become the youngest talk show host in history at the age of 24. Her show was the voice of the younger generation and the success of her show was unprecedented and changed the genre of talk television forever.  

Lake’s award-winning documentary The Business of Being Born has become a national platform and tool for childbirth education in schools and hospitals, and is hailed as the “must see” film among mothers to be. In addition to other successful film projects, Lake also executive produced documentary film Weed the People, which examines the use of cannabis as medicine for children with pediatric cancer and its status as a Schedule I prohibited drug in the United States.

The author of Never Say Never: Finding a Life That Fits, Lake speaks to worldwide audiences, offering actionable advice for those struggling in their own skin. In empowering, impassioned conversations, Lake shares her journey from troubled childhood to weathering near-bankruptcy, an extremely difficult divorce, and the suicide of a deep love to ultimately finding success and happiness. In recalling the ups and downs of her experience, she reminds audiences that life always hands you the unexpected, so you should never say never. With her signature informative yet conversational delivery, Lake educates people on how to make informed choices when it comes to their health and inspires any group to let go of their own fears to find happiness within themselves.

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KEVIN HASSETT

  • Chairman, President's Council of Economic Advisers (2017-19)

Dr. Kevin Hassett is among the world's leading economists, and served as the 29th Chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisers from 2017 through 2019.  He was recently called back to the White House to serve as a special economic advisor to President Trump to manage data-driven decisions in response to the Coronavirus economic fallout.

While working in the Trump White House, Hassett was a key force driving internal and external debate on virtually every economic topic, from taxes and trade, to substance abuse and deregulation. While at the White House, Hassett was the top public spokesperson for the White House on economic policy and the state of economy, appearing regularly on Fox, Fox Business, CNBC, MSNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, and more.  Hassett was even drawn upon at times to run the televised White House press briefings. 

Sought-out by numerous presidential candidates, Hassett served as John McCain's chief economic adviser in the 2000 presidential primaries and an economic adviser to the campaigns of George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election and McCain in the presidential election of 2008. 

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ELIZABETH NYAMAYARO

  • Humanitarian and Voice for Global Social Change

Elizabeth Nyamayaro is an award-winning humanitarian and Special Advisor for United Nations World Food Programme. Born in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth has worked at the forefront of global development for over two decades improving the lives of underserved populations, and has been instrumental in fighting global inequalities, advancing social justice, and challenging the status quo to accelerate women’s rights around the world – through her leadership roles at the World Bank, World Health Organization, UNAIDS, and UN Women. Elizabeth is the mastermind behind HeForShe, a United Nations global solidarity movement for gender equality that took the world by storm, generating more than 1.2B conversations on social media and galvanizing men in every single country in the world in just five days. With her TED Talk garnering more than 1M views in its first weeks alone, Elizabeth is a prominent thought-leader and has engaged at global forums such as World Economic Forum in Davos, Cannes Film Festival, Skoll World Forum, Harvard, Oxford, the British Parliament, among others.

Named as Apolitico’s "100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy" in 2018 & 2019, Elizabeth has been touted by The New York Times as “one of only two women transforming Davos.” She has been featured in Vogue, Fast Company, Wired, Fortune, Elle, BBC, and CNN. She has also served as a Glass Lions jury at Cannes Lions and has received the PR Council Trailblazer Award for Social Impact and the Feminist Majority Foundation’s Global Women’s Rights Award. A Political Scientist by training, Elizabeth holds a Masters of Science in Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science and leadership education from the Harvard Business School. Elizabeth wrote a memoir about her life and experiences, I Am A Girl From Africa.

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ITZHAK PERLMAN

  • 16 Time Grammy Award-Winning Violinist

One of the only household names in classical music today, Itzhak Perlman enjoys superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician. Beloved for his charm and humanity as well as his talent, he is treasured by audiences who respond not only to his remarkable artistry, but also to his irrepressible joy for music-making and communicating with music lovers around the world. In his presentations, Mr. Perlman's joy of music is brought to life on stage as he uses his violin to demonstrate the power of music by emotionally connecting with his audience.

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ROBIN SHARMA

  • Globally Respected Leadership Expert

Robin Sharma is one of the world's premier speakers on Leadership and Personal Mastery, named one of the World's Top Leadership Gurus. As a presenter, Sharma has the rare ability to electrify an audience yet deliver uncommonly original and useful insights that lead to individuals doing their best work, teams providing superb results and organizations becoming unbeatable.

For nearly 20 years, many of the most well-known organizations on the planet, ranging from Nike, GE, Microsoft, FedEx, PwC, HP and Oracle to NASA, Yale University and YPO have chosen Robin Sharma for their most important events, when nothing less than a world-class speaker will do.

Sharma's books such as The Leader Who Had No Title have topped bestseller lists internationally and his social media posts reach over six hundred million people a year, making him a true global phenomenon for helping people do brilliant work, thrive amid change and realize their highest leadership capacities within the organization so that personal responsibility, productivity, ingenuity and mastery soars.

Sharma has been ranked as one of the Top 5 Leadership Gurus in the World in an independent survey of over 22,000 businesspeople and appears on platforms with other luminaries such as Richard Branson, Bill Clinton, Jack Welch and Shaquille O'Neill.

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ELLIE KEMPER

  • Emmy Award-Nominated Actress and Comedian

Known for her television roles on the American version of The Office and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Ellie Kemper is an actress, writer, comedian, and the author of My Squirrel Days, a collection of personal essays that detail her journey from adolescence to Emmy-nominated actress.

In conversations that are equal parts funny and inspiring, Kemper shares behind-the-scenes stories from her time on two of America’s most beloved modern shows; her rise from a struggling actor to a television star; the importance of mentorship in her career; balancing her acting career, publishing a book and having a child in the span of two years; how to keep a positive outlook when facing the challenges of the modern world; and how to effectively follow your dreams.

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ALEX MOFFAT

  • Actor, Comedian, and Writer

Actor, comedian, and writer Alex Moffat recently wrapped a six-season run on Saturday Night Live as a main cast member. He is best known for his impersonations of Joe Biden, Eric Trump, Mark Zuckerberg, Anderson Cooper, Joe Scarborough amongst others, as well as his prolific original recurring Weekend Update character ‘Guy Who Just Bought a Boat’. Alex has appeared in the indie film Susie Searches, which recently appeared at TIFF, as well as Holidate for Netflix, the live action hybrid feature Clifford for Paramount, Someone Great for Netflix and the indie Opening Act. On the television side Alex will appear in Bill Lawrence’s Bad Monkey for Apple, and can also be seen in Showtime’s Billions. Alex has lent his voice to Disney's sequel Wreck-it Ralph 2 as well as the upcoming Daria re-boot for Paramount.

Alex creates personalized, hilarious performances for any audience looking for an upbeat and lighthearted event. Moffat has been a hit with trade associations, corporate meetings, and college groups, adding levity to every program. Spending the earlier years of his career in Chicago, he was a regular performer at iO and The Annoyance Theatre as well as an official acro-dunker for the renowned Chicago Bulls. He played in the Celebrity All-Star game in February 2020. Both in character and as himself, he receives raves from in-person and virtual audiences, and is a gifted host, moderator, and emcee who leaves a lasting impression on any audience.

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VANESSA BAYER

  • Emmy-Nominated Comedian and Actor

Emmy Award-nominated actor, writer, comedian, podcaster, and author Vanessa Bayer is known for her seven seasons on Saturday Night Live, which garnered her an Emmy nomination and an American Comedy Award. Other notable projects include NBC’s Will and Grace, FOX’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine, ViacomCBS’s Drunk History, HBO’s Crashing, and ABC’s Modern Family and Single Parents, and films include Trainwreck, DC League of Super Pets, and Ibiza, among many others. Bayer also co-hosts the interview podcast How Did We Get Weird? with her brother, and is the co-creator and star of Showtime’s I Love That For You, a comedy series inspired by her own story of overcoming childhood leukemia. One of Hollywood’s funniest actors working today, Bayer brings comedy and commentary to your next event and makes an impact for audiences of all kinds.

Bayer’s children’s book How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear? teaches children and adults how to support friends through long-term illnesses, inspired by her own battle with leukemia. For her advocacy raising awareness, she was honored with The Gilda Award from Gilda’s Club. Bayer is the Co-Creator, Executive Producer, and star of Showtime’s new series I Love That For You, which is inspired by her own story of overcoming childhood leukemia. Bayer shares with humor and candor insights from her rising stardom, her journey overcoming adversity, and how she cultivated resilience through comedy and storytelling in memorable keynotes and conversations.

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W. KAMAU BELL

  • Sociopolitical Comedian, Producer, and Documentarian

Sociopolitical comedian, Emmy-winning producer, and New York Times bestselling author W. Kamau Bell is a revered cultural commentator, using hilarity and profound insight to illuminate today’s biggest issues – and where we can go from here. He is the host and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning CNN docuseries United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell, in which he explores communities across America to understand the unique challenges they face. Kamau is known for his Netflix stand-up comedy special Private School Negro, his one-man show The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour, and his FX & FXX comedy series Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. His first book, The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6' 4", African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian, is a humorous, well-informed take on the world today from “the most promising new talent in political comedy in many years” (The New York Times). Kamau is the co-author of the New York Times bestseller Do the Work!: An Anti-Racist Activity Book, with Kate Schatz. In sought-after talks, Kamau leverages humor as a tool for transformative conversations.

Kamau serves on the advisory boards of Right To Be (formerly Hollaback!), Donors Choose, and is the ACLU Celebrity Ambassador for Racial Justice. He’s been nominated for multiple NAACP Image Awards, a GLAAD award, and has been featured on Conde Nast’s “Daring 25” list. He has hosted three critically acclaimed podcasts: Kamau Right Now!, Politically Re-Active, and Denzel Washington is The Greatest Actor of All Time Period. Kamau is the director of the critically acclaimed documentary Cultureshock: Chris Rock’s Bring the Pain, and is the director and producer of the four-time Emmy-nominated docuseries We Need to Talk About Cosby. Kamau tackles some of the nation's most longstanding complex issues in accessible and empowering talks for audiences of all kinds.

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CHARLES DUHIGG

  • New York Times Bestselling Author, 'The Power of Habit' and 'Smarter Faster Better'

Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit has spent three years on the New York Times Bestseller list. Soon, his new book, Supercommunicators: The Power of Conversation and Hidden Language of Connection will appear on bookshelves. Duhigg’s work explores why – and how – people and companies develop habits (and how to change them), and how we can communicate during some the most important, and most difficult, conversations in life.

In his two books, as well as Smarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business (2016) Duhigg explains that managing how you think—rather than what you think—can transform your life. Duhigg's journalistic accomplishments, including a Pulitzer Prize, have made him an in-demand speaker for organizations from the UCLA School of Management to Google and Microsoft to Fortune 500 companies and the National Association of Science Teachers. His presentations are filled with stories, case studies and actionable advice about how to communicate with anyone – and become the best versions of ourselves. He current writes for The New York Times Magazine and The New Yorker, and previously hosted the How To! podcast for Slate Magazine. He has received the Scripps Howard National Journalism Award, numerous other honors, and was a 2020-2021 Business News Visionary Award recipient

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MAYIM BIALIK

  • Award-Winning Actress and Neuroscientist

Mayim Bialik starred on the hit CBS comedy, The Big Bang Theory as Amy Farrah Fowler, for which she received two Critics Choice Awards, four Emmy Award nominations, and a SAG Award nomination. From playing the young version of Bette Midler’s character in Beaches to her turn as Blossom Russo in the iconic 90’s sitcom Blossom, Bialik has appeared in numerous beloved roles throughout her dynamic acting career. She currently stars as the lead in the Fox comedy show Call Me Kat, and is a co-executive producer on the show. 

Bialik puts her Neuroscience degree to use in her podcast, Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, where she breaks down the topic of mental health, especially to bust myths and misunderstandings. After a successful guest hosting turn at Jeopardy!, Bialik hosts Jeopardy! spinoff series for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms.

An acclaimed author, Bialik has written two #1 New York Times best sellers, Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular, and the recently released Boying Up: How to Be Brave, Bold and Brilliant. She has also written a parenting book, Beyond the Sling, and a cookbook, Mayim’s Vegan Table. Bialik has recently dedicated her skills as a writer, actress, neuroscientist and mother to driving the lifestyle website GrokNation.com, which she started in 2015.

Following the end of Blossom, Bialik left acting for twelve years to earn a BS in Neuroscience from UCLA in 2000 with a minor in Hebrew & Jewish Studies. She went on to complete her PhD in Neuroscience, also at UCLA, and then completed her doctorate in the fall of 2007, which examined the role of oxytocin and vasopressin in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in adolescents with Prader-Willi syndrome. While at UCLA, Bialik was a dedicated student leader in UCLA Hillel, including conducting and writing music for UCLA’s Jewish acapella group.

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ELIZABETH DUKE

  • Governor of the Federal Reserve (2008-2013)

Elizabeth “Betsy” Duke is a highly regarded banker with many firsts as a woman in banking. Although she has been a key decisionmaker in the boardroom of both the Federal Reserve and a major US bank, her commonsense view of the world was shaped in 30 years of community banking and small business lending. She joined the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in 2008, just as the financial crisis got underway. With her practical understanding of the banking industry, she was the Fed’s point person on housing, consumer and small business issues during the crisis and the recovery. She stepped up to chair the board of directors of Wells Fargo after the discovery of serious sales practices issues required that company to take a hard look at its culture. As Board Chair she oversaw a nearly complete replacement of the board and management team and maintained regular dialogue with investors and regulators.

Today, her understanding of the perspectives of both investors and public policymakers combines with her high-level experience and crisis-tested judgement to give color and texture to her remarks. Audiences appreciate that Duke has walked down Wall Street, Main Street, and Constitution Avenue. Her speeches and panel discussions highlight the interplay between the banking system and the economy with a focus on fiscal, monetary, and regulatory policy. With a conversational style, she approaches policy from the standpoint of the factors that shape it and the consequences that flow from it.

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TIMOTHY SNYDER

  • #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of 'On Tyranny' and 'Our Malady'

Yale University historian of Nazism and communism Timothy Snyder was described by the New York Times as a "public intellectual unafraid to make bold connections between the past and present." His book On Tyranny was #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List more than two years after its publication, thanks to Snyder’s unique ability to distill practical guidance for action from the darkest chapters of history. It has been used around the world in defense of democracy.  

His newest book Our Malady is a short, urgent examination of healthcare as a human right which begins from Snyder's recent and nearly fatal illness. From his hospital bed, he rethinks the connections between the health we lack and the freedom we need. In a time of authoritarianism and pandemic, the timeliness of this book cannot be overstated. Both a cri de coeur and a data-driven argument, it shows the way towards an America that is both healthy and free.   

Snyder is also well known internationally for the prize-winning Bloodlands, which explains the most murderous events of the time of Hitler and Stalin in Europe. In his book Black EarthSnyder explains the Jewish Holocaust in ways that help us to better understand the basic predicaments of our own time. In The Road to UnfreedomSnyder charts the path from democracy to tyranny (and back). All five of these books were or are New York Times bestsellers.

A masterful presenter, Snyder is sought out by groups around the world to understand the direct line between big ideas of the past and our lives today.

 

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TOM BOSSERT

  • Former Homeland Security & Counterterrorism Advisor

Former Homeland Security Advisor to two presidents, Tom Bossert has been a leading voice on U.S. cybersecurity operations and policy for over a decade. During his time in the Trump Administration, Bossert was the Chief Advisor on global health security, cybersecurity, homeland security, and counterterrorism. In his 2017 talk at the Aspen Security Conference titled "The Next Pandemic," he offered a prescient warning to the world about the coronavirus, urging the administration and the global health community to invest in coordinated pandemic response. Prior to his role in the Trump Administration, Bossert served as Deputy Homeland Security Advisor under President George W. Bush and worked as a lawyer and risk management consultant in private practice. Bossert is now the president of Trinity Cyber, a fast growing, disruptive cybersecurity company, and sought after by businesses and global leaders alike for his insider's perspective on politics – both on domestic issues and America's place in the world – and the ways businesses can guard against foreign influence in their own networks.

Bossert is a National Security Analyst to ABC News, and his analysis has made headlines in virtually every major media outlet, including The Washington Post, Axios, and The New York Times, among others. He is a Senior Fellow at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy at the U.S. Atlantic Council, and was named one of The Washingtonian’s “500 Most Influential People” in D.C. Bossert has been an invaluable counselor to the likes of Disney Chairman Bob Iger, dozens of Fortune 500 companies, several of the nation’s largest university systems, and countless government entities and officials. Audiences are delighted by Bossert’s refreshing candor, and he is an engaging, well-armed speaker who leaves audiences with balanced and detailed understanding of what's ahead in politics, national security, and cybersecurity.

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ANDREW YOUNG

  • Civil Rights Activist & Former Executive Director, Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Ambassador, Congressman, Mayor, and Civil Rights icon Andrew J. Young has been serving and shaping our country for almost 70 years. Ambassador Young became active in the Civil Rights movement as leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to teach non-violent organizing strategies. Considered the diplomat among Dr. King’s community, he was a key strategist and negotiator in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Now a Patriarch in the Civil Rights movement, audiences look to Ambassador Young as a powerful voice honoring the legacy of Dr. King’s work and the future of human rights.

Ambassador Young became the first African American representative from the Deep South to serve in Congress since Reconstruction, and was appointed to serve as the first African American U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. He served as Mayor of Atlanta, worked with GoodWorks International to facilitate sustainable economic development in the Caribbean and Africa, and produced and hosted the Emmy Award-nominated docu-series Andrew Young Presents, exploring contemporary issues. He is the author of several books, including An Easy Burden: The Civil Rights Movement and the Transformation of America, which is being updated and re-released in a special edition commemorating his 90th birthday.

The veteran civil rights leader received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and France’s Legion d’Honneur, each representing the highest civilian honor for that nation, and was awarded the NAACP Springarn Medal, an Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award, and his portrait is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. The Andrew J. Young Foundation, Inc. supports and promotes education, health, leadership, and human rights in the U.S., Africa, and the Caribbean, building on his legacy and developing new generations of innovative leaders to tackle this era’s global challenges. Ambassador Young has been a powerful and active voice in the movement for Civil Rights for more than half a century, honoring the past and shaping the future, and shares a message of hope and humanity that uplifts and inspires audiences of all kinds.

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KEN LANGONE

  • Co-Founder, The Home Depot

Iconoclastic entrepreneur and business legend Ken Langone is renowned as the co-founder of The Home Depot, where he was lead director and a member of the executive committee of its board since the company's founding, helping it expand to a national chain with over 2,000 locations and 400,000 employees. A pillar of corporate America for decades, Langone is the Founder and CEO of investment banking firm Invemed Associates LLC, served as CEO and President of Geeknet, Inc. (2011-2013), and was a director of the New York Stock Exchange. 

Langone's New York Times bestseller, I Love Capitalism!: An American Story, tells his compelling personal story rising up from a low-income family to becoming one of America's most successful businessmen. A passionate defender of the American Dream, Langone demonstrates that everyone is entitled to dream big and reach their maximum potential. Langone provides on-the-nose business insights, sharp analysis on the current political and economic climate, and real-life, empowering, inspiration on success and leadership. 

A world-class philanthropist, Langone's many contributions include a major gift to NYU's Medical Center, resulting in its renaming as the NYU Langone Medical Center. He also serves on the boards of Unifi, Inc., Micell Technologies, Relationship Sciences and Juice Press. 

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KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON

  • U.S. Senator (R-TX) (1993-2013)

For more than four decades, Kay Bailey Hutchison has leveraged her expertise in the public and private sectors. She served in the U.S. Senate for twenty years representing the state of Texas. As a member of Senate leadership, she was elected Vice-Chairman of the Republic Conference and later Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, the fourth-highest ranking Republican Senator. Then in 2017, she became the permanent Representative of the U.S. to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, where she held the alliance together and strategized the U.S. working relationships with Russia, China, and the rest of the world. Highly regarded for her commitment to bipartisan solutions, Ambassador Hutchison offers an insider’s perspective and practical, non-partisan insights to issues central to the national economy, homeland defense, and foreign affairs in her engaging talks.

Kay Bailey Hutchison was named one of the world’s 100 most powerful women by Forbes. She served two terms as Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and previously worked as a prominent attorney at Bracewell, LLP, an established international law firm in Dallas, Texas. She is a Senior Adviser to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges, and is the namesake for the KBH Center for Energy, Law and Business at the University of Texas. Ambassador Hutchison is the New York Times bestselling author of three books, including Unflinching Courage: Pioneering Women Who Shaped TexasLeading Ladies: American Trailblazers, and American Heroines: The Spirited Women Who Shaped Our Country. With her breadth of experience, she is a masterful, knowledgeable speaker on national security, foreign policy and America's agenda on the world stage.

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HENRY KISSINGER

  • Secretary of State (1973-1977)

Foreign Policy Magazine named Henry Kissinger one of the "Top 100 Global Thinkers" for a "half-century ruling the U.S. foreign policy community." World-renowned for his unparalleled skills in the art of diplomacy, Dr. Kissinger is one of the shrewdest, best-informed and most articulate figures ever to occupy a position in Washington. A vital presence in international and national politics, Dr. Kissinger understands firsthand the delicate balance of world power and America’s influence.

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JOY REID

  • Award-Winning Journalist

Award-winning political analyst, New York Times bestselling author, and MSNBC national correspondent Joy Reid is the renowned Host of MSNBC’s The ReidOut. Reid made history with her namesake show as the first Black woman to host a primetime cable news program. Prior to The ReidOut, she hosted the hit weekend morning news show AM Joy. Reid is the author of Fracture: Barack Obama, the Clintons, and the Racial Divide, We Are the Change We Seek: The Speeches of Barack Obama, which she co-edited, and the New York Times bestseller The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story. She also hosts two podcasts Reid This, Reid That, with Emmy-winning journalist Jacque Reid, and a books podcast What to Reid. MSNBC’s new special, The Culture Is, features Reid as co-host, moderator, and executive producer for the first episode, The Culture Is: Black Women. A sought-after keynote speaker, Reid is celebrated for her no-nonsense commentary and insights, taking audiences beyond the headlines in impactful engagements.

Reid has been featured in Washington Post, Forbes, The New York Times, Vogue, Black Enterprise, Fast Company, Ms., among many others, and her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Miami Herald, New York Magazine, and The Daily Beast. She was a 2022 NAACP Image Award winner for The ReidOut, 2003 Knight Center for Advanced Journalism fellow, and has received awards from the Women’s Media Center, the National Action Network, the National Association of Black Journalists, and been nominated for an Emmy, a GLAAD Media Award, and two prior NAACP Image Awards. Reid has taught at Syracuse University and is a Hearst Visiting Professor at Howard University, teaching a course on the impact of race and gender on political coverage. Drawing on her decades-long experience in politics and passion for addressing the intersections of race, justice, and culture, Reid offers in-demand analysis on today’s most important issues.

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OLYMPIA SNOWE

  • Bipartisan Leader in Congress

Olympia Snowe is recognized as a policy thought-leader in Washington. She is also an inspiration for the barriers she overcame to become one of the most powerful women in Washington. The Washington Post summed up Senator Snowe's powerful legacy as a politician, "with several historic distinctions to her name: She is the first woman in U.S. history to serve in both chambers of a state legislature and both chambers of Congress. She was the first Greek American woman to serve in Congress, the youngest Republican woman elected to the House and the first Republican woman to serve on the Senate Finance Committee." 

She made the decision not to seek a fourth term in the United States Senate when she arrived at a stark reality: that the excessive political polarization in Congress would not diminish in the short term.  As a result, she joined the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, to take her fight for bipartisanship in a different direction.  At the BPC, she serves as a Senior Fellow where she is able to harness her insider’s knowledge to promote change from outside of Congress.  

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JOE LIEBERMAN

  • Advocate for Centrist Policies to Break Partisan Gridlock

Senator for 24 years and Democratic candidate for Vice President in 2000, Senator Lieberman is a voice of bipartisan reason in hyper-partisan times. Widely respected by Democrats and Republicans alike, he is known as a thoughtful, principled, and effective leader, advocating for centrist policies to break partisan gridlock. Throughout his service as Connecticut’s Independent representative from 1988-2012, Senator Lieberman established himself as a national leader – working across party lines to find common ground, building bridges, and facilitating mutually beneficial strategic agreements. He is a straight talker with a sense of humor, and an expert on topics ranging from the economy to international relations, national security, cybersecurity, and environmental protection.

After serving four terms in the U.S. Senate, Senator Lieberman has amassed impressive credentials in business and law. He went on to lead Kasowitz, Benson & Torres’ Government Affairs and Strategic Counsel Practice Group, providing strategic counsel to individuals, firms, non-profits and trade associations at the intersection of law, business and public policy. In sought-after and engaging talks, Senator Lieberman is uniquely positioned to shed light on what’s ahead for Washington as well as the challenges and opportunities of partisan politics. He regularly receives rave reviews, such as: “The program was marvelous. It was truly a pleasure. His remarks were poignant and extremely well-received,” (Anti-Defamation League) and “Everything with Senator Lieberman was fantastic. He was brilliant onstage and truly delightful to work with. Everyone at Stephens was thrilled and really enjoyed having him." (Stephens Inc.)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

CLARENCE PAGE

  • Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist

Pulitzer Prize winner Clarence Page is one of the most nationally recognized and highly regarded syndicated columnists in the country. A member of the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board, Page is also a regular contributor of essays to The News Hour with Jim Lehrer and has been a regular on The McLaughlin Group, The Chris Matthews Show, Nightline and Lead Story news panel programs. 

A go-to voice on American culture and politics thanks to his sharp, thoughtful and moving analysis, Page has received lifetime achievement awards from the Chicago Headline Club, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the National Association of Black Journalists. In his speeches, he decodes top political issues with clarity, balance and humor. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DEVAL PATRICK

  • Former Governor of Massachusetts (2007-2015)

Deval Patrick served two terms as the 71st governor of Massachusetts. An accomplished executive, passionate leader and gifted orator, Deval Patrick will capture—and hold—the attention of any audience.  Guided by the advice of his grandmother to “hope for the best and work for it,” he entered office in 2007, a first-time candidate propelled by an unprecedented grassroots campaign and lead the Commonwealth to top national rankings in education, health care, energy efficiency, economic competitiveness and more. Through a challenging economic environment, the Governor maintained a disciplined growth strategy of investment in education, innovation and infrastructure.

The Governor was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States where his platform included opportunity and economic growth, reforming our healthcare and criminal justice system, an accessible and functioning democracy, and collaborative global leadership for the 21st century.

His next step in public life is TogetherFUND, a political action committee to support progressive politics, candidates for the United States Senate and House in so-called "swing" states and districts, and grassroots groups working to drive turnout and engagement among disenfranchised and marginalized voters. The Governor will join the Harvard Kennedy School as a Professor of Public Leadership, the Roy E. Larsen Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Management, and Co-Director of the Center for Public Leadership.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

STEVEN LEVITT

  • Bestselling Author, Freakonomics Series

Co-author of the New York Times bestselling Freakonomics series, and 2003 recipient of the American Economic Association’s prestigious John Bates Clark Medal, given to the country's best economist under 40, Steven D. Levitt works with businesses to apply his Freakonomics approach (combining data, economic theory, and unorthodox thinking) to the corporate world.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

STEPHEN DUBNER

  • Bestselling & Award-Winning Author, 'Freakonomics' Series

Stephen J. Dubner is an award-winning author, journalist, and radio and TV personality. He is best-known as co-author of the New York Times bestselling Freakonomics series. They have sold more than 7 million copies in more than 40 countries. Dubner is also the host of the Freakonomics Radio podcast, which gets 5 million downloads a month, and he maintains the popular Freakonomics blog, which has been called “the most readable economics blog in the universe.”

Freakonomics, published in 2005, was an instant international bestseller and cultural phenomenon. Hailed by critics and readers alike, it still appears regularly on The New York Times bestseller list. SuperFreakonomics followed in 2009, to similar acclaim, and in 2010 a documentary film version of Freakonomics was chosen as the closing film of the Tribeca Film Festival.

The most recent successes in the series include Think Like A Freak (2014), which became an instant New York Times bestseller, and  When to Rob a Bank (2015), which is a collection of the best Freakonomics.com blog posts.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JIM MESSINA

  • CEO, The Messina Group

Renowned Democratic strategist and international consultant Jim Messina is widely regarded as one of the world’s most successful political advisors. Messina is the mastermind behind former-President Obama and then-Vice President Biden’s 2012 re-election campaign, which Google’s Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt called “the best-run campaign ever.” The “Campaign Strategist of the Year” merged technology and politics and established the modern presidential campaign. While serving as the Obama-Biden administration’s Deputy Chief of Staff, he earned the nickname “The Fixer,” building bipartisan support for the historic Affordable Care Act, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the landmark repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” For over two decades, Messina served as Chief of Staff for various Senate and House offices, developing strong relationship on both sides of the aisle. Messina has gone on to elect over a dozen Presidents and Prime Ministers on five continents including: the UK’s Theresa May and David Cameron, Mexico’s Enrique Peña Nieto, Argentina’s Mauricio Macri, Italy’s Matteo Renzi and Spain’s President Mariano Rajoy, who he helped secure a surprising re-election win. Messina has upended the way that cutting-edge organizations think about strategy, and he delivers tangible takeaways with substance and some much-needed humor

Messina is an in-demand voice at the crucial intersection of politics, business, and technology. He is a fixture on news outlets such as MSNBC, CNN, FOX News, Bloomberg, BBC, and more, and serves on the boards of Blockchain.com, Fortera, Vectra.ai, LanzaTech, the United States Soccer Foundation, and the Montana Land Reliance. At the helm of The Messina Group as CEO, Messina provides strategic consulting to top businesses around the world, including Uber, Airbnb, Google, Delta Air Lines, Hutchison Whampoa, and over 300 others. Among the most sought-after legislative D.C. insiders, Messina provides illuminating, actionable insights on our political and business landscape.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JENNIFER PALMIERI

  • Former White House Communications Director and Strategist

Renowned communications expert, political strategist, and writer Jennifer Palmieri has been on the frontlines of national politics for more than two decades. Author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Dear Madam President and She Proclaims: Our Declaration of Independence from a Man’s World, Palmieri served as White House Communications Director for President Obama and head of Communications for the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign. With her unparalleled level of knowledge and experience in the West Wing, she is sought-after for her shrewd insights about crisis management, voter mindset, and the media environment impacting current events.

One of the most accomplished communications advisors in politics today, Palmieri is the co-host of Showtime’s Emmy-nominated political docu-series The Circus, pulling back the curtain with insightful analysis and a unique perspective on the role gender plays in electoral politics and the media. She is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and hosted the podcast Just Something About Her. After losing her sister to early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2017, she has written and spoken about her family’s experience in an effort to aid other families facing the same disease. In moderated conversations and engaging point-counterpoint debates, Palmieri has been in demand for events with groups like Starbucks, Google Zeitgeist in London, the Center for American Progress, the Bloomberg MAKERS Women’s History Month event, and more.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

PENNY PRITZKER

  • U.S. Secretary of Commerce (2013-2017)

Penny Pritzker is an entrepreneur, civic leader and philanthropist with more than 30 years of experience in numerous industries. Named by Forbes as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world, Pritzker is the founder and Chairman of PSP Capital Partners and Pritzker Realty Group, a global private investment firm that takes a long-term, fundamental approach to investing in and building market-leading businesses in sectors such as professional services, real estate, technology, agriculture, industrial services and consumer products.

From June 2013 through January 2017, Pritzker served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce in the Obama Administration. Pritzker was a core member of President Obama’s economic team and served as the country’s chief commercial advocate, leading the Administration’s trade and investment promotion efforts. During her tenure, she launched SelectUSA, the first federal initiative aimed at attracting foreign direct investment to the United States, which facilitated $23 billion in investment to date and created or retained tens of thousands of good paying American jobs. Pritzker also developed the agency’s first comprehensive digital and data agenda, chaired the Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) program and served as the Administration’s point person on manufacturing.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

FELIPE CALDERON

  • President of Mexico (2006-2012)

Felipe Calderón is the 56th President of Mexico. Establishing economic reform as a top priority of his administration, Calderón implemented policies that catapulted Mexico into a powerful player in the global economy. Since leaving his post as President, he has focused his leadership and attention on the economic benefits of acting on climate change, and has positioned himself as a leading voice on this global issue. In 2022, he was named President of the Environment and Sustainability Commission for the International Automobile Federation. President Calderón has hosted and chaired the G-20 Summit of Leaders, the most important forum of heads of state and government. He also chaired the UN Conference on Climate Change COP 16, which marked a new era of cooperation in this field. He was named "Statesman of the Year" by the World Economic Forum and "Champion of the Earth" by the United Nations, and received the Teddy Roosevelt Award for the Environment, the GLOBE Award from the Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment, the International Star of Energy Efficiency award, and TIME magazine has designated him as one of their top 100 influential people in the world. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

OLIVIER BLANCHARD

  • Former Chief Economist, International Monetary Fund (2008-2015)

Olivier Blanchard is a renowned international economist and former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund. Since October 2015, he is the Fred Bergsten Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, in Washington. He is also the Robert M. Solow Professor of Economics emeritus at MIT.  

HWA EXCLUSIVE

WAYNE GRETZKY

  • National Hockey Legend

Hockey legend, beloved sportscaster, and entrepreneur Wayne Gretzky is widely considered to be the greatest hockey player of all time. Known as “The Great One,” Gretzky dominated on the ice for two decades unlike any player in history. After winning four Stanley Cup Championships, three Canada Cup tournament titles, and countless personal accolades, the NHL bestowed on the Hockey Hall of Famer the unique distinction of the retirement of his jersey number by all member clubs – “No. 99” will never be worn by another player. Gretzky was Head Coach and Executive Vice President of the Phoenix Coyotes, and was named Vice Chairman of the Edmonton Oilers from 2016-2021, in addition to serving in various leadership roles for Team Canada, guiding the Olympic Hockey Team to a gold medal win. He holds virtually every offensive record in the NHL and his tireless support of the game has contributed significantly to the popularity it enjoys today. His invaluable lessons in cultivating an athlete’s mindset and playing to your strengths resonate with audiences of all kinds.

Gretzky is the lead studio analyst for TNT’s hockey broadcasts, and the author of 99: Stories of the Game, an Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Biographies & Memoirs. He is a serial entrepreneur, with a restaurant, winery, a new apparel line Greatness Wins, and a major partnership with EBay as the featured athlete in their first collection of NFTs.  In addition, The Great One teaches a MasterClass on the athlete’s mindset, inspiring audiences to aim for greatness in their own lives. A dedicated philanthropist, the hockey star created The Wayne Gretzky Foundation, serves as the Honorary Chairman of Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities in Canada, and is an Athlete Ambassador and Honorary Member of the Board of Trustees of Right to Play – an athlete-driven humanitarian organization. He is also a participant in “Hands That Shape Humanity,” a project for the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

TROY AIKMAN

  • Three-Time Super Bowl-Winning QB

Troy Aikman is one of the most recognizable and accomplished personalities in sports and beyond, as a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, Emmy nominated broadcaster, philanthropist, and serial entrepreneur. Aikman is the new voice of ESPN's Monday Night Football alongside Joe Buck. Together with Buck, Aikman is part of the second-longest broadcast tandem in NFL history — his voice has become synonymous with the game. Aikman harnesses his tenacity, drive, and likeability from the field and brings it to every project and partnership off the field.

An empowering and insightful speaker, Aikman engages audiences with conversations about how to identify (and maximize) the individual assets of members on any team, how to use unexpected change and setbacks to grow, what he learned from the struggles and triumphs of his football career, and more.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MARIA SHARAPOVA

  • International Tennis Icon

Maria Sharapova is a world-class tennis champion and entrepreneur. Her passion for craftsmanship and detail is reflected in everything she does — both on and off the tennis court. 

After moving to the United States from Russia at age six to pursue her tennis career, Maria turned professional at age 14. She won Wimbledon at age 17 - the first of her five career Grand Slam titles -  and has been ranked #1 in the world by the WTA on five separate occasions. Maria was also the 7th female player in the open era to complete the career Grand Slam and the first female athlete to serve as the Olympic flag bearer for the Russian delegation. Maria chronicles much of her tennis career in her New York Times best-seller, Unstoppable: My Life so Far. 

Outside of tennis, Maria Sharapova is an active founder, CEO and business investor. She founded her premium candy line, Sugarpova, and has artfully designed and scaled all aspects of the company. She oversees the day-to-day decision-making and growth of the business — from creative branding and packaging to product R&D and retail expansion. Maria is also passionate about supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs — investing in several companies and participating in mentorship programs for women in business. 

 A curious person by nature, Maria is always seeking opportunities to learn and grow from others. She has taken courses at Harvard Business School and is collaborating with architect Dan Meis on a new concept for boutique wellness centers. Maria brings a creative and hands-on approach to all of her projects, spanning tennis, business, design and more. 

In her passionate remarks, Sharapova addresses everything from business advice and how to perform like a champion to women's empowerment and her own inspirational life story. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

KAREN G. MILLS

  • Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (2009-2013)

Karen Gordon Mills is a renowned expert on fintech, small business, entrepreneurship, job creation, and the economy at large.  Businesses and governments (including officials in the United Kingdom, Australia and the European Union) seek her insight not only for her higher-level ideas of growth and innovation, but also for important small business tactical insights such as access to capital, regional economic clusters, hiring skilled workers, boosting exports, and tapping into government and commercial supply chains. Mills was widely praised for doing this on a national level when she served in President Barack Obama's Cabinet as Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and as member of the President's National Economic Council. Mills is the President of MMP Group and a longtime venture capitalist and private equity investor, having built companies that range from tech platforms to Annie’s macaroni and cheese.

Author of Fintech, Small Business & The American Dream: How Technology is Transforming Lending and Shaping a New Era of Business Opportunity, Mills is a leading voice on how new technologies are revolutionizing the small business lending market, and how traditional institutions can create the impetus for innovation and change.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

TOM COLICCHIO

  • Award-Winning Chef and Restaurateur

Tom Colicchio spent his childhood immersed in food, cooking with his mother and grandmother. It was his father, however, who suggested that he make a career of it. Tom taught himself to cook with the help of Jacques Pépin’s legendary illustrated manuals on French cooking, La Technique and La Méthode. At age 17, Tom made his kitchen debut in his native town of Elizabeth, New Jersey, at Evelyn’s Seafood Restaurant.

Colicchio then cooked at prominent New York restaurants including The Quilted Giraffe, Gotham Bar & Grill, Rakel, and Mondrian. During his tenure as executive chef of Mondrian, Food & Wine magazine selected him as one of the top 10 “Best New Chefs” in the U.S. and The New York Times awarded the restaurant three stars.

In July 1994, Tom and his business partner Danny Meyer opened Gramercy Tavern in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park neighborhood. Tom’s cooking at Gramercy Tavern won consistent recognition, garnering three stars from Ruth Reichl of The New York Times and earning him The James Beard Foundation’s 2000 “Best Chef-New York” Award.

In 2001, Tom opened Craft one block south of Gramercy Tavern. Soon after, The New York Times awarded Craft with three stars, deeming the restaurant “a vision of food heaven.” Craft was awarded The James Beard Foundation Award for “Best New Restaurant” in 2002. That same year, Tom received The Bon Appétit American Food and Entertaining Award for “Chef of the Year.” The New York Times revisited Craft in September 2011, ten years after its debut, upholding its three stars and stating that the restaurant is “as magical and delicious as it was when it opened.”

Crafted Hospitality, currently includes New York’s Craft, Riverpark, and Temple Court; Craft Los Angeles; Las Vegas’ Heritage Steak and Craftsteak; and Small Batch in Garden City, NY.

Tom has published three cookbooks to date. The first, Think Like a Chef (Clarkson Potter/Publishers, 2000), won The James Beard Foundation “KitchenAid” Cookbook Award in May 2001. Tom’s second cookbook, Craft of Cooking, was released by Clarkson Potter/Publishers in 2003. A sandwich book inspired by ‘wichcraft, was released by Clarkson Potter/Publishers in March 2009.

Since 2006, Tom has been applying his experience and expertise to cable television as the head judge on Bravo’s hit reality cooking series Top Chef. The Emmy-winning show is currently in its 18th season.

In May of 2010, Colicchio was awarded The James Beard Foundation’s coveted “Outstanding Chef” award, the culmination of his 30 years of hard work in the restaurant industry.

Tom appears in and served as Executive Producer on A Place at the Table, Participant Media’s documentary about food and security in America. It was produced and directed by Kristi Jacobson and Colicchio’s wife Lori Silverbush and premiered at the 2012 Sundace Film Film Festival. Magnolia Pictures released the film on March 1, 2013.

Tom and his restaurants give back to the community by supporting charities including Children of Bellevue, City Harvest, Alex’s Lemonade Foundation, United Way of New York, and Food Bank for New York City. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Lori Silverbush, and three sons.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

PADMA LAKSHMI

  • Emmy Award-Nominated Host and Producer, Bravo's 'Top Chef'

Padma Lakshmi is an Emmy-nominated food expert, television host, producer and a New York Times bestselling author. She is the creator, host, and executive producer of the critically acclaimed Hulu series Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, which won a 2022 James Beard Award, and received a 2021 Critics Choice Real TV Award for Best Culinary Series and a 2021 Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series. Taste the Nation’s second season premiered on May 5th, 2023. Lakshmi also serves as host and executive producer of Bravo’s two-time Emmy-winning series Top Chef, now in its 20th season. Top Chef has been nominated for 42 Emmys, including her three-time nomination as Outstanding Host for A Reality-Competition Program.

Padma released her first children’s book The New York Times bestselling Tomatoes for Neela, as well as edited The Best American Travel Writing in the fall of 2021. Lakshmi is also the author of two cookbooks, Easy Exotic and Tangy, Tart, Hot & Sweet, The New York Times bestselling memoir Love, Loss and What We Ate, and The Encyclopedia of Spices & Herbs. Lakshmi is co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound) and serves as an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Artist Ambassador for immigrants' rights and women's rights. She was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and was awarded the 2021 Advocate of the Year Award by the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA).

Padma is a visiting scholar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She received the 2018 Karma Award from Variety magazine, as well as the 2016 EIHS Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ABIGAIL POSNER

  • Director, Creative Works at Google

Today’s unprecedented speed of change is forcing companies to pivot like never before and leverage their most innovative assets -- their PEOPLE.  For centuries, our workforce has been focused on specific roles and siloed divisions, but now the path to growth will come by inspiring every employee (from leader to individual contributor) with a new path to bring different, untapped sides of themselves to work, and ultimately become more curious, creative and action-oriented.  This process of creating a more holistic person and organization is what Abigail Posner refers to as expansiveness. Tapping into her Harvard background in social anthropology, as well as her practical application in business through her work at Google, where she pioneers a focus around Humanizing Digital, Abigail provides an inspirational narrative and a roadmap for how people and organizations can embrace a new WHOLE-istic approach to business innovation and growth.

Posner is a member of ENDI Corp’s Board of Directors and sits on the advisory boards of the 890 Fifth Ave, SwiftArc Ventures, Global Leadership Diversity Exchange, Realm, TheSocialArchitects & the Conference Board’s Marketing & Communications Team; and has been featured in a host of publications including: NYTimes, Business Insider, Forbes, Adweek, Huffington Post, La Presse, CNBC, Mumbrella, AdNews, B&T & Globes Israel.

If you are looking to guide people in your organization to embrace more than a siloed vision of their roles, as well as become more vested in using their unique perspectives and skills to be more creative and innovative, then Abigail is the perfect guide to spark novel thinking and lead your people to action. Beyond her role at Google, she is a world-renowned speaker, podcaster, writer, beauty blogger, and lifestyle influencer. From appearances before packed audiences at Lincoln Center and SXSW, to speaking in over 10 countries, Abigail has shared her insights on culture, technology and leadership to audiences of thousands and proves that her own expansive approach to life has infused her work with a creative and innovative edge.

 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JOSEPH LUBIN

  • Founder and CEO, ConsenSys - a blockchain venture studio

Joseph Lubin is a Co-Founder of Ethereum—the most superior advanced blockchain platform by size, functionality and applicationand founder of ConsenSys, one of the largest and fastest-growing blockchain companies in the world.

Named to CoinDesk’s “Most Influential in Blockchain,” Joseph co-founded the Ethereum Project and founded ConsenSys as a venture production studio focused on building developer tools and decentralized applications on the Ethereum platform. Prior to working on Ethereum, Lubin’s career focused on the intersection of cryptography, engineering, and finance, including his role as VP of Technology in Private Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs.  

Sought-out to speak at events ranging from The World Economic Forum to SXSW, in his compelling keynotes Joseph reveals the transformative power of blockchain technology and his vision for a decentralized future. Equal parts informative and inspiring, he sheds light on how new technologies have the power to transform industries, and how organizations can reap the benefits. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

PHILIPP HILDEBRAND

  • Chairman, Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (2010–2012)

Not only is Philipp Hildebrand "a thinker and strategist," according to the Financial Times, "many economists and policymakers argue that his bold moves and non-bureaucratic mindset are just what is needed amid the economic turmoil." He is currently Vice Chairman of BlackRock Inc. He most recently served as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, where he was a strong advocate of the bank’s policy of capping the franc against the euro. He was also one of the first western central bankers to publicly demand tougher capital standards for banks in 2007, before the Lehman Brothers crisis in 2008. During the financial crisis, Dr. Hildebrand played a prominent international role as a member of the Financial Stability Board (FSB) and as the Swiss Governor of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

HWA EXCLUSIVE

PHIL LIBIN

  • Digital Entrepreneur & Venture Capital Investor

Phil is a co-founder and the CEO of All Turtles, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup studio. He is also the co-founder and former CEO of the global productivity tool Evernote, which created an epic transformation in workflow and has redefined the way individuals and teams work today. A sought-after leader on innovation, Libin provides audiences with an engaging look at what it takes to reinvent productivity at global scale.  His investment focus is generally on using technology to enhance humanity, productivity, and business globally.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MARTIN SHEEN

  • Award-Winning Actor

Endeared to audiences nation-wide for his acting career which spans more than five decades, Martin Sheen uses his dynamic presence and celebrity status to lend an inspired voice to political and humanitarian causes around the globe.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MORGAN DEBAUN

  • Founder and CEO, Blavity Inc.

Morgan DeBaun is a serial entrepreneur and corporate advisor. As the Founder & CEO of Blavity Inc., the leading digital media company for Black culture and millennials, Morgan has grown the company into a market leader for Black media, reaching over 100 million readers per month through a growing brand portfolio which includes: Blavity News, 21Ninety, AfroTech, Travel Noire, Shadow & Act, and Lunchtable. Under DeBaun’s leadership, Blavity has launched several leading consumer summits, including Summit 21 for Black women creators, and AfroTech, the largest tech conference for Black innovators and founders.

DeBaun acts as an advisor to influential global brands and companies including Disney, American Airlines, CES, Pantora Bridal and Rosen Skincare. She is also an angel investor in Golde, a consumer brand present in over 200 stores, and Public, which has a $1B+ valuation.

DeBaun is a recipient of Ad Color’s Innovative Award, has been recognized by Forbes in the “30 Under 30” and America’s Top 50 Women in Tech lists, and was named as one of the 100 Most Influential African Americans by The Root.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

BILLIE JEAN KING

  • Sports Icon and Equality Pioneer

As one of the 20th century's most respected and influential people, Billie Jean King has long been a champion for social justice and equality. She has created new inroads for both genders in and out of sports during her legendary career and she continues to make her mark today, primarily through the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, which is dedicated to promoting equality and inclusion in the workplace.

King, who won an astounding 39 Grand Slam tennis titles during her career, blazed trails for women everywhere in 1970 when she became one of nine players to break away from the tennis establishment and accept a one dollar contract to compete in the newly created Virginia Slims Series. The revolt led to the birth of women's pro tennis and the formation of the Women's Tennis Association. King went on to star in one of the greatest moments in sports history when she defeated Bobby Riggs in the famous match dubbed “The Battle of the Sexes,” which was immortalized on the silver screen in the film of the same name. Her memoir, ALL IN: An Autobiography, published by Knopf in August 2021, is garnering rave reviews.

Named one of the "100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century" by Life, King is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award, and France's Légion d'honneur. King moves audiences with empowering lessons on leadership, inclusivity, equality, and finding your purpose.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

CARLI LLOYD

  • Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist and Two-Time World Cup Champion

Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist and Two-Time World Cup Champion Carli Lloyd is a former soccer legend who played for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team for 17 years (2005-2021). Carli was awarded the most prestigious and highest award in soccer: FIFA World Player of the Year (2015 and 2016); only one other American player has received the award twice.

She was best known for her clutch performances in the biggest moments, but it was Lloyd’s consistent production over the course of her career, her extreme dedication to the game and her relentless pursuit of self-improvement that perhaps best exemplifies her contribution to U.S. and world soccer history.

Carli is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (2008 and 2012) and a Bronze Medalist (2020). She holds the unique distinction of scoring in every Olympic medal match, including the 2008 gold medal match against Brazil, a brace in the 2012 gold medal game against Japan, and a brace in the 2020 Bronze medal game against Australia. Carli holds the record for All-time leading scorer in USWNT Olympic history with 10 goals. She is the only American player to score in four different Olympics (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).

She also competed in four Women’s World Cup tournaments (2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019), and is a two-time World Cup Champion (2015 and 2019). She became the first player in FIFA Women’s World Cup to Score a Hat Trick in a World Cup Final (2015). She was awarded the Golden Ball (MVP) and Silver boot at the 2015 World Cup. Carli played in more World Cup (25) and Olympic matches (22) than any other USWNT player. She scored 134 goals, in 316 Caps (games played), which ranks 3rd All-time on the international stage for men and women. 

Carli is a role model who empowers and inspires others to be Better Every Day and to never give up on achieving their goals. Carli also runs her own CL10 Soccer Clinics for ages 8-18 years of age for both boys and girls. The bestselling author of When Nobody Was Watching, Carli empowers audiences to find their own success with lessons from both in and beyond the world of sports.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

CAROLINE RANDALL WILLIAMS

  • Award-Winning Poet and Author

Award-winning poet, author, performance artist, and scholar Caroline Randall Williams is a change-maker and a catalyst. She rose to the international stage with her powerful New York Times piece You Want a Confederate Monument? My Body Is a Confederate Monument, a reckoning in the movement to dismantle systemic racism. A multi-genre writer, Caroline co-authored the NAACP Image Award-winning cookbook Soul Food Love with her mother, as well as The Diary of B.B. Bright, Possible Prince, which won the Harlem Book Fair’s Phyllis Wheatley Prize. Her debut collection of poetry, Lucy Negro, Redux, has been turned into a critically-acclaimed ballet by the Nashville Ballet, and she is currently working on her first non-fiction book, under the working title Body Politik, which will examine the stories written on and by the body, through the lens of her lived experience. Caroline will host Disney+’s Hungry for Answers, a new docuseries and revelatory cooking show focused on Black food history in America produced by Viola Davis. A highly sought-after speaker, Caroline speaks to the places where art, business, and scholarship intersect, moving people closer to their best lives and corporations closer to their ideal identities.

Caroline has been recognized by Southern Living as “One of 50 People Changing the South,” and she was named to The Root’s list of “The Most Influential African Americans in 2020.” She is the Writer in Residence in Vanderbilt University’s Medicine, Health, and Society Department, where she has been a Cave Canem Fellow and a Global Voices Fellow. Caroline has appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe and The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, Dr. Oz, among many others, and her writing has been featured in The Iowa Review, The Massachusetts Review, Essence, The New York Times, and more. Her recipes can also be found in the feature cookbook for Cherry Bombe, as well as Southern Living Magazine. Caroline regularly receives rave reviews of her speaking engagements, such as: “After you hear Caroline your life will never be the same! And if it is the same… you weren’t listening!” (Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ALLI WEBB

  • Founder of Drybar, Squeeze, and Becket + Quill

Founder of Drybar, serial entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author Alli Webb shares actionable and inspiring business insights in captivating talks. Webb is the co-Founder of Drybar – which skyrocketed from an affordable in-home service offered by Webb herself into a 150+ location, nationally recognized, and highly sought-after brand. Diversifying the brand, Webb created a line of products and tools – this division was acquired by Helen of Troy for $225M. Webb is the President of Canopy, and the co-Founder, advisor, and angel investor for Squeeze – the latest extension of her expanding empire. She has also partnered with an LA-based jewelry designer to launch Becket + Quill, continuing her innovation in the affordable luxury space, and recently launched Brightside – a wellness space. In her informative, actionable, and inspiring remarks, Webb demystifies creating a company and brand culture that will transform any industry.

Webb has been on the cover of Inc. Magazine’s “How I Did This” issue, named one of the “100 Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company, featured on Fortune’s “40 Under 40” list, and was one of Fortune’s “100 Women Building America’s Most Innovative and Ambitious Businesses.” She has appeared on ABC’s Emmy-nominated Shark Tank as a guest shark, and is the New York Times bestselling author of The Drybar Guide to Good Hair for All. Webb delights and motivates audiences with talks ranging from business innovation, to how to tap into the entrepreneurial spirit, to the challenges and opportunities in being a female entrepreneur, and beyond.

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HER MAJESTY QUEEN NOOR

  • Global Humanitarian & Activist

Her Majesty Queen Noor is an international public servant and advocate for cross-cultural understanding and conflict prevention and recovery issues such as refugees, missing persons, poverty, climate change and disarmament. Her peace-building work has focused on the Middle East, the Balkans, Central and Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa.

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JEAN-CLAUDE TRICHET

  • President, European Central Bank (2003-2011)

Former President of the European Central Bank (2003-11) and Chairman of the Bank of France (1993-2003) Jean-Claude Trichet is a global authority on financial markets and the economy. While at the helm of the European Central Bank, Trichet oversaw the Eurozone's handling of the Great Recession and European Debt Crisis in the aftermath of the 2008 financial collapse. Currently the Chairperson of the Board at Bruegel-- a leading European think tank focused on economic policy-- Chairman of the Group of Thirty, and European Chairman of the Trilateral Commission, Trichet offers razor shop analysis on risks and opportunities facing the global economy. 

Trichet has been named to the Financial Time's “Person of the Year” and “Fifty Faces that Shaped the Decade,” as well as listed on International Economy magazine's “Policy Maker of the Year,” Newsweek's “World’s Most Powerful” and TIME's “Most Influential People in the World.”

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BONO

  • Humanitarian & Philanthropist

Bono uses his rock star status to raise awareness about the crises in Africa: unpayable debts, uncontrolled spread of AIDS, and the unfair trade rules which keep Africans poor.  Bono co-founded DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) to raise public awareness of the issues in its name, and influence government policy on Africa. On behalf of DATA, Bono has lobbied U.S. Presidents and Congressional leaders, along with the heads of many other G8 nations. DATA is a founding member of the One Campaign to make poverty history, which is part of a global network of millions of people campaigning against extreme poverty.

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DOLLY PARTON

  • Country Music Superstar and Actress

Dolly Parton is the most honored female country performer of all-time and, according to Nielsen, is country music’s #1 most marketable, recognizable and beloved artist in the world. Additionally, Parton’s coveted Q Score ranking—which measures public appeal and branding affinity—lists the superstar among the highest-ranked celebrities across the entire entertainment industry.

An international icon, Parton has made countless contributions to the music industry. Achieving 25 RIAA certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards, she has had 25 songs reach number 1 on the Billboard Country charts, a record for a female artist. She has 41 career top 10 country albums and 110 career charted singles. She has won 7 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, 5 Academy of Country Music Awards, 3 American Music Awards and is one of only five female artists to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award.

In 1999, Parton was inducted as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and in 2001 she was inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. Broadcast Music, Inc. honored Dolly with their Icon Award in 2003, and in 2004, the U.S. Library of Congress presented her with their Living Legend Award for her contribution to the cultural heritage of the United States. This was followed in 2005 with the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor given by the U.S. government for excellence in the arts. In 2006 Dolly was honored by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for her lifetime of contributions to the arts. In 2007, Dolly was named the recipient of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. She has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Parton opened her own theme park, Dollywood, in 1986. Dollywood would go on to become the state’s number one tourist attraction. In 1988, Dolly founded a group of dinner attractions called Dolly Parton’s Stampede. In 2001, she built Dollywood’s Splash Country, which is Tennessee’s largest water park.

Dolly Parton’s entertainment businesses attract 4.5 million visitors annually and employ more than 3,000 people. In 1988, she began the Dollywood Foundation. Currently the foundation funds the Dolly Parton Imagination Library which gives every preschool child a book each month from the time he or she is born until the child reaches kindergarten. With the help of local sponsors, this program has expanded to over 800 communities in 41 states. In 2016, Parton announced her My People Fund, to help victims of the wildfires in Sevier County, Tennessee. In 2017, she created the Mountain Tough organization to provide continued support to fire victims, and pledged over $3 million to this cause.

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WOLF BLITZER

  • Emmy Award-Winning Journalist

One of the most insightful journalists in America today, Wolf Blitzer draws on his unique international breadth of experience and depth of understanding when discussing the issues facing Washington and the world today.

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RICK SANTORUM

  • U.S. Senator (R-PA) (1995-2007)

A passionate champion of America’s founding principles, Senator Rick Santorum's impressive presidential campaign positioned him as a leading voice of the Republican Party. Senator Santorum began his first presidential campaign as a dark-horse candidate, but with a victory in the Iowa caucuses, he became a center-stage challenger who went on to win another ten states, over 3 million votes, and claim the mantle of conservative alternative to the front-runner. In four years in the U.S. House of Representatives, 12 as U. S. Senator, Rick Santorum earned a reputation as a passionate fighter for conservative values and a vocal advocate for smaller government, cutting wasteful spending, a strong national defense, and a return to our country’s founding principles.

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BRET STEPHENS

  • Op-Ed Columnist, The New York Times

Bret Stephens is a U.S. foreign policy expert and highly-awarded columnist for "his incisive columns on American foreign policy and domestic politics, often enlivened by a contrarian twist." Audiences value Mr. Stephens' timely insights and also his "breath of fresh air" delivery.

Bret Stephens is an op-ed columnist for the New York Times. He previously spent 16 years at the Wall Street Journal, most notably writing "Global View," the foreign-affairs column, for which he was awarded the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary.

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NATAN SHARANSKY

  • Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel

Natan Sharansky is a former Soviet dissident, political prisoner and a symbol of human rights who has spent his life championing democracy and freedom. As a member of the Knesset, he has served in different Israeli governments and various Cabinet positions, including Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.

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GENO AURIEMMA

  • Legendary Head Coach, University of Connecticut Women's Basketball

Legendary Head Coach Geno Auriemma has redefined the meaning of success in his 34 years at the University of Connecticut. During his illustrious tenure, Auriemma transformed the women’s basketball program into the gold standard – both on and off the court. Under his guidance, the Huskies went from one winning season to 11 national titles, 20 Final Fours, have had six perfect seasons, and won 51 Conference titles. He also served as the head coach o the U.S. National Team, which won gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2016 Games in Rio. In his empowering remarks he shares lessons from on and off the court on teamwork, perseverance, finding motivation, and overcoming obstacles that resonate with any organization.

An inductee to both the Basketball Hall of Fame and Women Basketball Hall of Fame, and a recipient of numerous awards including 27 National Coach of the Year honors, Auriemma has set the bar not only in coaching – but also in team building, motivation, and a tested brand of everyday leadership that creates winning organizations. He shares his insights in a highly-rated MasterClass on 'Leading Winning Teams' as well as in sought-after speaking engagements, delivering motivational insights on building sustainable success.

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JANE LUTE

  • Cybersecurity & Homeland Security Expert

Jane Holl Lute has dedicated her career to preventing terrorism, enhancing global stabilty and security, and helping those in crisis. It says something about the times in which we live that Ms. Lute now focuses on cyberterrorism, the source of today's most menacing threats to nations, businesses and individuals. Audiences praise Ms. Lute for grounding her remarks about cybersecurity in her roots as a United Nations Peace builder and Assistant Secretary-General of the U.N. responsible for comprehensive on-the-ground support for humanitarian operations in crises. She has also served as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security where she was responsible for the day-to-day management of the Department's efforts to prevent terrorism and enhance security, secure and manage the nation's borders, administer and enforce U.S. immigration laws, strengthen national resilience in the face of disasters, and ensure the nation's cybersecurity.

Ms. Lute is currently strategic director for SICPA SecurInk, a privately held Swiss company that provides security solutions to protect the integrity of most of the world’s banknotes. Ms. Lute serves as director on the board of Union Pacific Railroad, Marsh McLennan Corporation, and Shell plc. Previously, Ms. Lute served as Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Internet Security, an operating not-for-profit organization and home of the U.S. Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) providing cybersecurity services for U.S. state, local, tribal and territorial governments. 

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HASAN MINHAJ

  • Peabody Award-Winning Comedian

Pioneering, two-time Peabody Award-winning comedian Hasan Minhaj is the creator of Netflix's comedy show, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, which brought an inclusive and nuanced perspective to global news, politics and culture. 

As Host of The Daily Show Trevor Noah wrote in TIME: "Patriot Act is the manifestation of Hasan’s whip-smart commentary, charisma and sincerity. It’s also a consistent reminder that Hasan is America. And America is Hasan.”

Named to TIME's "100 Most Influential People in the World," Minhaj originally rose to prominence as a senior correspondent on The Daily Show. He has gone on to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner and air his own critically-acclaimed one-hour Netflix comedy special, Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King. 

A first generation American, Minhaj comes from a Muslim family originally from India. In his comedy and at speaking engagements, he draws on his personal history and the immigrant experience to explore the modern cultural and political landscape with depth and sincerity. 

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CASEY NEISTAT

  • YouTube Personality, Filmmaker, and Digital Creator

YouTube star, digital creator, filmmaker sensation, and multi-media leader Casey Neistat has redefined brand content on the internet, setting a new standard for the way brands interact with digital creators. He has worked with major brands including J. Crew, Mercedes-Benz, Samsung, and Nike, and pioneered the ‘daily vlog’ format in the early days of YouTube. Neistat, who got his start working as a dishwasher, is a self-taught filmmaker who attained commercial success with HBO’s The Neistat Brothers and the indie film Daddy Long Legs. Boasting over 14M subscribers, he has parlayed his success as a digital creator into advertising, tech, and startup ventures. He created a video-sharing app called Beme, which was acquired by CNN for $25M, and pivoted to launch 368, a collaboration workspace. Heralded for his motto, “Do What You Can’t,” Neistat empowers audiences to think outside the box and redefine their creative potential.

Neistat was named one of Fortunes’ “Creator 25,” a list honoring those charting unique territory in the world of social media, and was a Fellow of the prestigious New Frontier Artist Residency program at MIT. He has launched a filmmaking masterclass with online course platform Monthly, and his documentary Under the Influence premiered at SXSW to critical acclaim. Neistat is an investor in Angel City FC as well as the bitcoin-rewards startup Lolli, and is an advisor for Ponto, which provides financial infrastructure for Web3. In keynotes that are as engaging and humorous as they are informative, Neistat shares actionable lessons on innovation and creativity, as well as cutting-edge insight into how to level-up your organization’s brand and content strategy.

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LIZA DONNELLY

  • Award-Winning Cartoonist, The New Yorker

Award-winning cartoonist and writer Liza Donnelly uses her creativity to draw (literally) connections between global events, feminism, and what’s funny. An innovator of digital visual journalism, Liza has live-drawn events including the Oscars, the Olympics, presidential debates, and White House Press Conferences. By disrupting how we make sense of everything from global politics to pop culture to gender equity, from history to the present, Liza invites audiences to shift their perspective, think differently, and innovate better.

Liza is known for her viral TED Talk “Drawing on humor for change,” which has been translated into 40 languages. She has written 18 books for adults and children, and is a contributor to The New York Times, Washington Post, Forbes, Medium, CNN, and CBS News. Liza’s most recent book, Very Funny Ladies: The New Yorker’s Women Cartoonists, is being developed into a documentary about women cartoonists globally. She teaches a virtual class with the 92Y on the history of the famous and beloved cartoons in The New Yorker and writes a wildly popular Substack newsletter “Seeing Things,” with an ever-growing readership. Liza’s unique and interactive programs enhance events, empower teams, and inspire innovation.

 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

LISA LING

  • Emmy Award-Winning Journalist

Lisa is the Executive Producer and host of This is Life on CNN, now its eighth season. For the show, Lisa has embedded with a notorious biker club and explored the medicinal use of psychedelics in psychotherapy. She is also the Executive Producer and Host of Take Out on HBOMax.

For five seasons prior, Lisa EP’d and hosted Our America on OWN. She was also a field correspondent for The Oprah Winfrey Show and contributor to ABC News' Nightline. For these shows she reported from dozens of countries; covering stories about gang rape in the Congo, bride burning in India and the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda, among other issues that are too often ignored.

Lisa was the first female host of National Geographic’s flagship show Explorer which sent her to cover the phenomenon of female suicide bombing, the spread of the MS-13 gang—considered the world’s most dangerous gang, and the humanitarian crisis inside North Korea.

She got her start in journalism as a correspondent for Channel One News where she covered the civil war in Afghanistan at 21 years of age. She later went to become a co-host of ABC Daytime's hit show The View, which won its first daytime Emmy during her time at the show.

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EDWARD NORTON

  • Award-Winning Actor, Screenwriter, Director and Producer

Edward Norton is an award-winning actor, screenwriter, director and producer. He is a visionary entrepreneur and committed social and environmental activist. Norton is a founding partner of CrowdRise, a web-based technology platform that changes the way organizations share their mission and involve those who support their causes. He speaks personally about his fundraising efforts and our responsibilities, particularly with regard to sustainability and natural resource management in our industrial economy.

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ANN CURRY

  • Emmy Award-Winning Journalist

What is the Ann Curry difference? She is more than a highly esteemed, award-winning journalist. Ann brings stories to life. Her reporting is raw, bold, and deeply personal, because she knows how to connect with each person she interviews. Her passion to share someone else’s truth so that she can better inform the world, comes from a deep understanding of the importance of service and it continues to be the driving force of her work on and off camera or stage. Audiences praise her for her “…genuine interest, insights, compassion for others, passion for your work, and obvious intellect and talents ... Your message was inspirational.” (Welcome House of Northern Kentucky, Inc.) Her celebrity status in the “Who’s Who” of the journalism world is a wonderful vehicle bringing her to events around the world, but at the end of the day, Ann is a person who will connect with every member of an audience and share a message that will leave each person forever changed.

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KEVIN WARSH

  • Member of the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System (2006-2011)

Kevin Warsh is a monetary policy expert and economist who served the United States in the Federal Reserve and the White House, and whose insights are sought by Central Banks around the world. Most notably, he was hired by the Bank of England, where he issued an independent report proposing reforms in the conduct of monetary policy in the United Kingdom. Parliament recently adopted the report’s recommendations. 

Kevin Warsh serves as the Shepard Family Distinguished Visiting Fellow in Economics at the Hoover Institution and lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He advises several private and public companies, including service on the board of directors of UPS. Warsh is also a member of the Group of Thirty (G30). He played a significant role in stabilizing the economy during the U.S. financial crisis. His authoritative and enlightening presentations on both domestic and international economic issues are helping audiences and corporations understand how U.S. and foreign monetary policy impacts large and small businesses, as well as individuals. Warsh is particularly well-positioned to explain the risks and rewards of Brexit, as well as economic strategy under this U.S. administration.

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VICENTE FOX

  • President of Mexico (2000-2006)

A visionary leader with a deep understanding of the economic and social challenges facing Latin America, President Vicente Fox is one of the world’s most important voices on the contemporary geopolitical landscape and the role of business in the developing world. When elected to the presidency of Mexico in 2000, he broke the stranglehold that the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party had held on the State for seven decades. A charismatic reformer, he is credited as playing a vital role in Mexico’s democratization, and with strengthening the country’s economy. After leaving office in 2006, President Fox and his wife founded Centro Fox, a non-profit dedicated to discover, exercise, and harness the leadership qualities we all have inside of us. 

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AUTHORS OF FREAKONOMICS

  • International Bestselling Authors of Freakonomics Series

Since the remarkable success of the International Bestsellers Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics (more than 5 million copies sold worldwide), its much heralded authors, Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, have given more than 1,000 lectures, some to audiences as large as 10,000, and are still in high demand. The books have made economic analysis and "out of the box thinking" so accessible and interesting to the general population that the Freakonomics team has gained additional success, including: the Freakonomics blog, which receives 2 million page views per month; Freakonomics Radio, which is No. 1 on iTunes, with 5 million downloads per month, and broadcast on public-radio stations across the country; their Twitter feed has over 600,000 followers; their Freakonomics documentary, was a hit at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival, and a hit on iTunes, Netflix and....Showtime; and both Levitt and Dubner continue to have national media exposure. Levitt and Dubner offer story after story, with research backing each theory, that address ways to create behavior change and show which incentives work and don't work.

The duos most recent book successes include Think Like A Freak (2014), which became an instant New York Times bestseller, and  When to Rob a Bank (2015), which is a collection of the best Freakonomics.com blog posts.

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ALEXA VON TOBEL

  • Serial Entrepreneur and Venture Capitalist

Renowned serial entrepreneur, CEO and founder, New York Times bestselling author, and podcast host Alexa von Tobel, CFP leads conversations that resonate with the full entrepreneur experience – everything from nuts-and-bolts operations to the craft of company-building. Alexa is the Founder and Managing Partner of Inspired Capital – a $500M+ venture firm focused on the entrepreneurs of the future. Prior to Inspired Capital, she founded LearnVest with the goal of helping people make progress on their money. After raising nearly $75M in venture capital, LearnVest was acquired by Northwestern Mutual in one of the biggest fintech acquisitions of the decade. Following the acquisition, Alexa joined the management team of Northwestern Mutual as the company’s first-ever Chief Digital Officer, and later assumed the role of Chief Innovation Officer, through which she oversaw the venture arm. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Financially Fearless and Financially Forward, and hosts the weekly podcast Inc. Founders Project with Alexa von Tobel, which features conversations with the best founders across the country. In sought-after talks, Alexa shares accessible and actionable insights about personal finance, entrepreneurial strategy, leading-edge industries, and more.

Alexa has appeared on the cover of Forbes, been interviewed on NPR’s How I Built This, and has been featured in a wide variety of publications from The New York Times to Vogue. She is a member of the 2016 Class of Henry Crown Fellows and served as an inaugural member of President Obama’s Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship. Alexa has been honored with numerous recognitions including: Fortune’s "40 Under 40", Fortune's "Most Powerful Women," Forbes’ "30 Under 30", IncMagazine's "30 Under 30,” and was named World Economic Forum's Young Global Leader. From her expertise in navigating a recession while staying connected to customers, to leveraging investor strategy in the fintech and Web3 arenas, Alexa’s high-impact talks will resonate with audiences of all kinds.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ERICA KESWIN

  • Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, 'Bring Your Human to Work', 'Rituals Roadmap', and 'The Retention Revolution'

Bestselling author and workplace strategist Erica Keswin has spent the past twenty years working with some of the most iconic brands in the world as a consultant, speaker, writer, and professional dot-connector. Her book Bring Your Human to Work: Ten Sure-Fire Ways to Design a Workplace That is Good for People, Great for Business, and Just Might Change the World became a Wall Street Journal bestseller in its first week, serving as a powerful guide to a workplace revolution that honors relationships and puts people first. Her book Rituals Roadmap: The Human Way to Transform Everyday Routines into Workplace Magic is a #2 Wall Street Journal bestseller and an indispensable guide to taking your employee engagement to the next level. In Erica's game-changing keynotes, she highlights how relationships are the most powerful driver of success for individuals and companies striving to attract and retain talent and loyal customers.

Erica's newest book, The Retention Revolution: 7 Surprising (and Very Human!) Ways to Keep Employees Connected to Your Company, which is due out September 23, 2023, is a game-changing playbook filled with accessible and actionable case studies and research that will prove how transforming old ideas into new beginnings is good for people, great for business, and just might change the world.

Keswin and her work have been featured in Harvard Business ReviewForbesHuffington PostO Magazine, Better Homes and GardensMogul, and Conscious Company, among others. She is also the Founder of the Spaghetti Project, a platform devoted to sharing the science and stories of relationships at work. Leaving audiences deeply informed and engaged, Keswin reveals her tried-and-true, human roadmap for people seeking a more meaningful and connected work life, and provides actionable insights on everything from how to cultivate a work culture of diversity and inclusion, to how to connect with customers in an authentic way.

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J. CRAIG VENTER

  • Pioneering Scientific Researcher on the Existence of Life & Human Genome

Few speakers are able to answer, "What is the meaning of life?" more than just rhetorically, but J. Craig Venter helps his audiences understand the meaning at its scientific essence. He is regarded as one of the leading scientists of the 21st century for his numerous, invaluable contributions to genomic research and the study of life, and through his studies he has become a teacher and policy advisor on health, longevity and the environment.   He is co-founder of Human Longevity Inc. and a scientist of human existence—from sequencing the human genome to actually creating synthetic life.

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MATTHEW WALKER

  • Sleep Scientist at Google

A Sleep Scientist at Google, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at UC Berkeley, founder and director of the school's Center for Human Sleep Science, and now bringing his science directly to the public as host of The Matt Walker Podcast, Dr. Matthew Walker is a celebrated sleep expert. The author of the New York Times bestseller Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams, hailed as an "important and fascinating book" by Bill Gates, Dr. Walker explains how we can harness sleep to dramatic effects including: to improve learning, mood and energy levels; regulate hormones; prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s, obesity, and diabetes; slow the effects of aging; increase longevity; enhance the education and lifespan of our children; and boost the efficiency, success, and productivity of our businesses. Previously, Dr. Walker was a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and served as Chief Scientist and scientific counsel for numerous technology companies, including Hello and Fitbit.

Dedicated to the communication of science, Dr. Walker has shed light on his groundbreaking research everywhere from Google to TED, where his talk "Sleep is your superpower" has over 3 million views. He discusses the impact of sleep on human health and disease in a way that is digestible for any audience and provides tangible takeaways on wellness and peak performance. Dr. Walker translates his work for any industry and audience, and also offers workshops of various kinds to business leaders, technology firms, and medical and healthcare professionals.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DAVID KESSLER

  • Foremost Expert on Grief and Healing

David Kessler is the world’s foremost expert on grief and loss. His experience with thousands of people on the edge of life and death has taught him the secrets to living a happy and fulfilled life, even after life’s tragedies. He is the author of six books, including the new bestselling book, Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief.  His books and work have received praise by so many, including Saint (Mother) Teresa.

David’s personal experience as a child witnessing a mass shooting while his mother was dying in a hospital helped him begin his journey. For most of his life, David has taught physicians, nurses, counselors, police, and first responders about the end of life, trauma, and grief. He facilitates talks, workshops and retreats for those experiencing grief. However, despite his vast knowledge on grief, his life was turned upside down by the sudden death of his twenty-one-year-old son. It inspired him to write his newest book, Finding Meaning

David’s volunteer work includes being an LAPD Specialist Reserve for traumatic events as well as having served on the Red Cross’s disaster services team. He is the founder of www.grief.com which has over five million visits yearly from 167 countries.

 

HWA CO-EXCLUSIVE

MARGARET TRUDEAU

  • Former First Lady of Canada & Mother of Current Prime Minister

Margaret Trudeau is celebrated for her role as a respected mental-health issues advocate and proponent of living a vibrant, joyful life especially as we age. From becoming the Canadian prime minister’s wife at a young age, to the loss of both her son and her former husband, to living with bi-polar disorder, Margaret shares her personal stories to remind others of the importance of nurturing the body, mind, and spirit.

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BILL FRIST

  • Chairman of the Global Board, The Nature Conservancy

Uniquely qualified to discuss the challenges and solutions in health policy, Senator (and Dr.) Bill Frist is consistently recognized among the most influential leaders in American healthcare. He is Chairman of the Global Board of The Nature Conservancy, the nation's largest conservation organization. He is a nationally acclaimed heart and lung transplant surgeon, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, and chairman of the Executive Council of the health investment firm Cressey & Company, as well as a founding partner of Frist Cressey Ventures. He is also the host of healthcare podcast A Second Opinion: Rethinking American Health (over 200 weekly episodes).

Senator Frist has also been a leader in community health, having founded NashvilleHealth, a collective impact organization that is creatively collaborating with business, academic, faith-based, and non-profit leaders to improve the health and well-being of all Nashvillians. As the Chair of the Global Board of The Nature Conservancy, he is also committed to preserving the health of our planet, recognizing that population health is empirically linked to healthy ecosystems.

Senator Frist has been at the forefront of many debates and government initiatives that have shaped a myriad of policies over the years, including the 2003 legislation that created the Medicare prescription drug plan and Medicare Advantage, as well as PEPFAR, the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history, saving 21 million lives from HIV/AIDS. He brings an experienced voice to the current issues of health reform, education, government policy, climate change, global health issues and volunteerism.

He is actively engaged in the business as well as the medical, humanitarian, and philanthropic communities.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ALLYSON FELIX

  • Holder of 13 Global Titles, 10 U.S. Championships, 11 Olympic Medals, and a World Record

Athlete icon, entrepreneur, and advocate Allyson Felix is the most decorated Track & Field Olympian in U.S. history. An eleven-time Olympic medalist. Seven-time Olympic Champion. World Record Holder. She has won a mind-blowing thirty-one global medals at the Olympics and World Championships. Felix has redefined athletics as she continues to cement her iconic status on and off the track. She is an investor in multiple companies, serves as an advisor to a female-led and focused venture fund, and is the Founder of her own shoe company for women, Saysh. Sought after for her empowering insights about striving for greatness in business and in life, Felix has captivated audiences across industries.

Felix has been featured in major publications including Forbes, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Glamour, Essence, Self, O Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and Elle. She is passionate about her community and serves on the Board of Directors for &Mother, Right to Play, and others, and through partnerships with Voice in Sport, the Women’s Sports Foundation, and more. Felix has received numerous accolades for her athletics and her advocacy, including being named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People of the Year” in both 2020 and 2021 as well as the Sports Illustrated ‘Unrelenting List’. In demand with groups such as Trellance, Princeton University, Paypal, and World 50, Inc., to name a few, Felix consistently receives rave reviews for her speaking engagements: “The event with Allyson Felix was a great success! She presented such a genuine, focused, inspirational story that displayed her journey of ups and downs; her great lessons and appreciation of what teamwork can bring. A true champion.” (ATG Global Entertainment)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

STEPHEN A. SMITH

  • Famed Sports TV Personality and Journalist

Legendary sportscaster, veteran journalist, actor, author, and podcaster Stephen A. Smith offers powerful and humorous lessons from the world of sports – and beyond – on overcoming adversity, leadership, building a personal brand, and ethics. After getting his start in journalism working for the New York Daily News and the Philadelphia Inquirer, Smith transitioned to TV and landed at ESPN in 2003. Known for his memorable catchphrases and thought-provoking analysis, Smith is a host on ESPN’s First Take, an NBA analyst and insider on SportsCenter, and hosts his own weekly NBA show, SportsCenter with Stephen A. Smith. Smith released his bestselling memoir, Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes, on January 17th, 2023. As he does in sought-after events, Smith shares his personal journey to becoming a giant of sports media, the adversities he has overcome, and how sports became his salvation.

Smith is set to host a new podcast, Know Mercy, with Cadence13/Audacy and featuring a range of notable guests and thought leaders. The fan-favorite commentator and ‘The Face of ESPN’ will offer his candid perspective on politics, entertainment, social issues, criminal justice, business, and of course, sports. He is a proud HBCU graduate, a brand ambassador for HBCU Week, and his Mr. SAS Productions is in development for Black Excellence, a documentary series examining the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Revered for speaking his truth and engaging audiences, Smith consistently receives rave reviews for his events, such as: ”Amazing! They loved him. He was the ultimate professional and inspiring at the same time. I’ve booked a lot of speakers, and I’d book him again and again. He knocked it out the park.” (Chrysler Minority Association)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MARA BROCK AKIL

  • Trailblazing Screenwriter and Producer, 'Girlfriends' and 'The Game'

Groundbreaking Hollywood visionary and power player Mara Brock Akil has written and produced nearly 400 episodes of television, truly leaving her mark on the industry. A trailblazer in many ways, Akil created the seminal television series Girlfriends-- a witty, intelligent and honest exploration of the many facets of black womanhood. Additionally, Akil developed the spin-off series The Game, which became the most-watched scripted-series premiere ever on ad- supported cable. The series continued on for a total of 9 seasons, earning praise throughout its run for its verisimilitude and, during the reality television boom, as one of the few shows on television that felt truly specific to its moment. Akil is also the creative force behind BET’s Being Mary Jane, which further cemented her ability to tell powerful and engaging stories that speak to women through honest, true-to-life reflections, The CW’s Black Lightning, and OWN’s Love Is___. Now, she is co-executive producing Netflix's adaptation of Ibram X Kendi's three anti-racism books, which will be a mix of a documentary and scripted features. 

A regular on the Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Power100, Akil is a leader in her field. She's been honored with the prestigious Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award; Essence magazine’s Visionary Award; named to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter’s Showrunner Power Lists; and been inducted into Northwestern’s Medill Hall of Achievement.  

A passionate, dynamic, and empowering speaker Akil has been sought-out to speak everywhere from Google to The Wing. She shares remarks on self growth and love, finding the power to be bold, loving life at every age, and breaking barriers in all facets of life. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MOHAMED ELBARADEI

  • Director General Emeritus, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

For the past two decades, Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei has played a key role in the most high-stakes conflicts of our time. Director General Emeritus of the International Atomic Energy Agency, he offers unparalleled insights from his 12 years at the agency's helm, which earned him and the IAEA a joint Nobel Peace Prize. A prominent voice for peace, freedom and democracy in the Arab and Islamic worlds, he comments on today's most pressing matters such as threats from Iran, Syria, Turkey and North Korea. Audiences look to Dr. ElBaradei to add context to the drastic and often dark headlines we read every day and guides audiences through his vision for stability and peace without terrorism.

 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

AMARYLLIS FOX

  • Former CIA Clandestine Service Officer

New York Times bestselling author, peace activist, and former CIA Clandestine Service Officer Amaryllis Fox has stopped at nothing to improve the world we live in. 

From interviewing Suu Kyi for the BBC while working with the Burmese democracy movement – which briefly landed her in prison – to spending time in Dili, East Timor, working to settle IDPs in the world’s newest country, Fox has spent years doing hands-on work to drastically enhance global communities. As a political and terrorism analyst for South East Asia, and then a Clandestine Service officer overseas, Fox was deployed as a spy under non-official cover--the most difficult and coveted job in the field. Her intensive training included everything from how to get out of flexicuffs while locked in the trunk of a car, to how to withstand torture, to the best ways to commit suicide in case of captivity. Her remarkable experiences spending a decade hunting the world’s most dangerous terrorists in sixteen counties-- all while getting married and giving birth to her daughter-- are chronicled in her New York Times bestselling memoir Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA.

The book has been translated into 23 languages and was chosen by Time Magazine, the Washington Post, the New York Times and People Magazine as a notable book of the year. It is being adapted into a television series by Apple, featuring Brie Larson. She is the host of Netflix's hit documentary series The Business of Drugs, which ranked #1 in the United States on Netflix the week of its release. Her viral video about listening to our enemies has been viewed over 130 million times worldwide. Previously, she hosted History Channel’s American Ripper and starred in Freak Power, a feature film about Hunter S. Thompson's campaign for Sheriff of Aspen in 1970. Amaryllis has offered guest commentary on global events everywhere from FOX News to BBC.

Sought-out to speak at TED, Fox's remarks are equal parts informative and inspiring. She brings the conflict resolution, communication, and teambuilding techniques and strategies she learned during a career in counterterrorism to audiences worldwide, and shares invaluable insights on human nature and how to apply these findings to daily life, vastly enriching our relationships and unlocking the power to communicate, collaborate, and together achieve common goals. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

KAREN HUGHES

  • Counselor to President George W. Bush (2001-2002)

One of the world's foremost communication strategists, Karen Hughes specializes in strategic messaging, crisis communications and executive positioning with clients ranging from global corporations to Fortune 500 CEOs. The current Worldwide Vice Chair at esteemed communications agency Burson Cohn & Wolfe, Hughes also served as counselor to President George W. Bush and Under Secretary of the State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. For her work in Washington D.C., Hughes has been described as "the most powerful woman ever to serve in the White House" (Dallas Morning News) and "the most powerful public diplomacy czar in decades" (The Boston Globe). 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MICHAEL NUTTER

  • 98th Mayor of Philadelphia - stewarded the city to an A credit rating for the first time in decades

Michael Nutter served as the 98th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, his hometown. He served 22.5 years as an elected official in Philadelphia, serving 14.5 years as a City Council member, and then 2 four year terms as Mayor, leaving office on January 4, 2016 due to term limits.

Mayor Nutter was considered one of the foremost leaders in innovation, tackling challenges of public safety, increasing funding for educating children, revitalizing the economy and spurring economic growth, restoring ethics and integrity to city government, ensuring fiscal discipline and making Philadelphia one of the great green and sustainable cities in America.

Known for keeping an active and engaged schedule as Mayor, Michael Nutter is doing the same as a private citizen. He's a Professor at Columbia University, a Senior Fellow with Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Program, Chair of the Mayors Advisory Board for Airbnb, and holds numerous Fellowships and Advisory positions in academic, political, non-profit and corporate entities. Mayor Nutter is actively engaged in the work of cities and trying to make them work better on behalf of their citizens.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JOYCE BANDA

  • Africa's Second Female President; Former President of Malawi (2012-2014)

An entrepreneur, activist, politician and a philanthropist, Dr. Joyce Banda is the former president of Malawi, making her the country's first female president and Africa's second. Voted as Africa's most powerful woman by Forbes magazine and voted as one of the most powerful women in the world, she is a champion for the rights of women, children, the disabled and other marginalized groups. Continuing her tireless work encouraging women to enter political office and championing the rights of women and the disenfranchised, Dr. Banda has taken on a Distinguished Visiting Fellowship at the Center for Global Development, jointly with the Woodrow Wilson Center, where she brings her invaluable experiences as a leader in African politics. She is also a member of the United Nation's Council of Women World Leaders, and was recently named Honorary Chairperson of The Women Empowerment & Development Society in Asia-Africa.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MATTHEW BERRY

  • Emmy Award-Winning Senior Fantasy Sports Analyst

Emmy Award-winning sports analyst and New York Times bestselling author Matthew Berry is universally regarded as “the face of fantasy football.” Berry, also known as ‘The Talented Mr. Roto’, is a fantasy football commentator and analyst for NBC across all platforms, including appearances on Football Night in America, Sunday Night Football Final, a daily audio and video podcast, and a weekly fantasy football show. Previously, Berry was the Senior Fantasy Sports Analyst for ESPN, where he hosted the award-winning Fantasy Football Show with Matthew Berry on ESPN+ and was the most-read weekly columnist on ESPN.com during football season. He won an Emmy for his work on ESPN2’s Fantasy Football Now, and is the author of the New York Times bestseller Fantasy Life, which spent many months on the list. His multi-award-winning podcast Fantasy Focus: Football regularly ranks in the top ten in the sports category. Berry brings his candid and entertaining perspective to memorable events for audiences of all kinds.

Berry was named Marketer of the Year by the Academy of Marketing Science (2013) for his leading role in fueling the national growth of fantasy football. He has also been named one of USA Today’s “NFL’s 100 Most Important People”, Sports Illustrated’s “Top 100 to Follow on Twitter,” and Mashable’s “32 Must Follow Accounts for NFL Fans,” boasting over 1.5M highly engaged social media followers. Berry was named FSTA “Analyst of the Year” by his peers (2017) and is one of only four people to be named to the Hall of Fame for both the Fantasy Sports Trade Association and the Fantasy Sports Writers Association.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DANIEL SHAPIRO

  • U.S. Ambassador to Israel (2011-2017)

Appointed by President Barack Obama, Daniel Shapiro served as the United States Ambassador to Israel from July 2011 until the end of the Obama Administration. As Ambassador, Shapiro won praise from leaders of both countries for his deft management of the U.S.-Israel relationship during Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, the Iran nuclear agreement, regional instability, and periods of significant bilateral tension and disagreement. Among Shapiro's major contributions were negotiating the $38 billion Memorandum of Understanding for U.S. military aid to Israel, unprecedented public outreach in fluent Hebrew to Israel’s diverse communities, and 40 percent growth in U.S.-Israel trade.

Shapiro's time as the Ambassador to Israel followed a diverse career of over 20 years in senior foreign policy and national security positions in the United States government, including as the Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the National Security Council.

Currently, Shapiro is the Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Tel Aviv University’s Institute of National Security Studies. His remarkable breadth of insights have been featured across the major media networks, and his writing has appeared in Foreign Policy, The Atlantic, Washington PostCNN, MSNBC, Israeli Channel 2, and more. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

HOWARD DEAN

  • Chairman, Democratic National Committee (2005-2009)

Dean’s groundbreaking campaign for the U.S. Presidency and subsequent four years as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee provided him with both an insider's view and a reformer's commitment to the economy, foreign trade policy and international relations. His 12 years as Governor of Vermont and his Chairmanship of the National Governor's Association have given him a vast knowledge of domestic issues. Prior to entering the political realm, Dean was a physician and used that expertise during his political career as a champion of healthcare reform. Today, he uses his dual knowledge of politics and healthcare to speak on the current issues. 

His skillful stewardship of the party as Democratic National Committee chair began in 2005 and continued through the inauguration of President Barack Obama. As Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Governor Dean made the Democratic Party competitive in every race, in every district, in every state and territory, while integrating national and state party operations and standing up for Democrats' core values.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

R. GLENN HUBBARD

  • Chairman of the U.S. Council of Economic Advisors (2001-2003)

An economic advisor to Presidents, a well-respected Professor, leading Republican economist R. Glenn Hubbard has been the architect of policies that affect millions. Event planners invite Hubbard to speak at their events not only to offer their audiences shrewd economic commentary but also to ensure their program maintains the gravitas they've worked so hard to cultivate. Hubbard is that rare economic policy speaker who entertains as he delivers a complex message clearly and concisely - the same skills which have made him a familiar face on political and economic television news programs.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

RICHARD PHILLIPS

  • Hero of the High Seas & Real Life Inspiration for the Movie 'Captain Phillips'

While we all aspire to live bravely in the face of life's significant challenges, few of us are tested to live bravely before the guns of hostile Somali pirates who threaten our leadership and authority, our lives, and the lives of our colleagues. Before Somali pirates hijacked his cargo ship and held him captive for five days, making him the center of a riveting international drama which played out live on television, Captain Richard Phillips was as normal as each of us doing our best at work and home.  Audiences connect with Captain Phillips on a personal level, become friends with him by the evening's end, and leave lifted by his inspirational message.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ALAN DERSHOWITZ

  • Renowned Defense Attorney

Professor Alan M. Dershowitz is a Brooklyn native who has been called “the nation’s most peripatetic civil liberties lawyer” and one of its “most distinguished defenders of individual rights,” “the best-known criminal lawyer in the world,” “the top lawyer of last resort.”  He has been named America’s most “public Jewish Defender,” -- “the Jewish state’s lead attorney in the court of public opinion.” He is the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law, Emeritus, at Harvard Law School.  Dershowitz, a graduate of Brooklyn College and Yale Law School, joined the Harvard Law School faculty at age 25 – the youngest in the school’s history -- and became an Emeritus professor after 50 years of teaching and 10,000 students.

In his speeches he continues to challenge audiences with his thought-provoking perspectives on today’s foremost social, legal, and ethical issues.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MOIRA FORBES

  • President and Publisher, ForbesWoman

As the Executive Vice President of Forbes Media, Moira Forbes is responsible for driving new business initiatives across the company’s diverse media platforms, and branding Forbes events worldwide. She is also the President and Publisher of ForbesWomen, a multi-media platform dedicated to successful women in business and leadership. Apart from hosting "Success with Moira Forbes," a video series on the Forbes Video Network featuring candid, one-on-one interviews with today’s top women leaders and "The Takeaway with Moira Forbes," a video series on Forbes where Moira interviews bold leaders weekly, she also writes a dedicated leadership column for Forbes.com profiling today’s most dynamic business leaders. In 2013, Moira launched the annual Forbes Women’s Summit in New York City, which brings together 250 female leaders to discuss and solve the world’s most intractable issues.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ALEX GUARNASCHELLI

  • Acclaimed Chef and Recipe Developer

Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli is a world-renowned chef and one of Food Network’s top stars. Guarnaschelli first appeared on the network in 2006 and has since been part of hundreds of episodes of programming on the network, including as a judge on Chopped, co-host of The Kitchen, host of Supermarket Stakeout, and star of Alex vs America. As a competitor, she beat nine rival chefs to win The Next Iron Chef: Redemption, joining the ranks of Kitchen Stadium Iron Chefs. She also hosts the award-winning digital series, Fix Me a Plate, and is the author of the cookbooks Old-School Comfort Food: The Way I Learned to Cook (2013), The Home Cook: Recipes to Know by Heart (2017), and most recently Cook with Me: 150 Recipes for the Home Cook (2020)

Guarnaschelli attended La Varenne Culinary School in Burgundy, France and began her international culinary journey training in Paris and New York with some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs including Guy Savoy and Daniel Boulud. In 2003, Guarnaschelli was given the opportunity to expand her repertoire and become the executive chef at Butter in New York City, where she has since created her own eclectic American and green-market inspired menu. In sought-after keynotes and live demonstrations, Guarnaschelli provides lessons from a life steeped in culinary education and adventure, her own travels, and experiences as a mother and in world-renowned kitchens.

Guarnaschelli is regularty a guest on national television shows such as Today, Good Morning America and Live with Kelly & Ryan and has also been featured in The Wall Street JournalThe New York Times and Food & Wine. A popular mainstay on social media and Head of Twitter’s Food Council, Guarnaschelli also premiered her one-woman live comedy show Busting My Chops at Caroline’s on Broadway. A passionate and dynamic speaker, Guarnaschelli enjoys serving as an emcee and provides engaging cooking demonstrations to the delight of audiences.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MARCUS SAMUELSSON

  • James Beard Award-Winning Chef and Restaurateur

Acclaimed chef, restaurateur, New York Times bestselling author, and beloved TV host Marcus Samuelsson inspires audiences with his powerful storytelling and engaging cooking demos. Samuelsson is the chef behind many renowned restaurants worldwide, including Red Rooster Harlem, Red Rooster Shoreditch, and Marcus B&P. He was the youngest person ever to receive a three-star review from The New York Times, and has won multiple James Beard Foundation Awards including “Best Chef: New York City.” Samuelsson is also the author of multiple books including the New York Times bestselling memoir Yes, Chef – which The New York Times called “one of the great culinary stories of our time,” Make It Messy, The Red Rooster Cookbook, and his latest groundbreaking cookbook The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food. Through his insightful conversations and thoroughly delightful live demos, Samuelsson offers uplifting, entertaining, and though-provoking experiences that resonate with audiences of all kinds.

Samuelsson was crowned champion of the TV shows Top Chef Masters and Chopped All-Stars, and served as a mentor on ABC’s The Taste. His PBS series No Passport Required celebrates the wide-ranging diversity of immigrant traditions and cuisine woven into American food and culture. A committed philanthropist, he co-produces the annual week-long festival Harlem EatUp!, which celebrates the food, art, and culture of Harlem. Samuelsson serves as a UNICEF Ambassador, a member of the U.S. State Department’s Chef Corps, and as the co-chairman for the organization Careers Through Culinary Arts Program. He was selected as a guest chef at the White House under the Obama Administration, where he planned and executed the administration’s first state dinner honoring Prime Minister Singh of India. For his sought-after programs, Samuelsson receives consistent rave reviews: ”Wow! You were utterly amazing. Added such depth and perspective. We can't thank you enough! Hope you'll join another at some point in the future” (Crain’s New York Business) and ”Marcus was thoughtful, personable, and left us wanting more!” (Kraft Heinz Company)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

GUY FIERI

  • Award-Winning Chef and Restaurateur

Chef, restaurateur, and Emmy Award-winning television host Guy Fieri is one of the world’s most recognizable and influential culinary stars. With a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he is best known as the Mayor of Flavortown and the face of Food Network favorites Diners, Drive Ins & DivesGuy’s Grocery Games, and Tournament of Champions. His thriving business empire has grown to include over 80 restaurants worldwide and a 175-location food delivery service, Flavortown Kitchen, Hunt & Ryde vineyard, Santo tequila, and an upcoming cigar brand.

Guy began his culinary career selling soft pretzels from a three-wheeled bicycle at the age of 10 and washing dishes in local restaurants in his early teens. By 16, he’d earned enough money to spend a year in France as part of a high school exchange program. It was there that he found a deep appreciation for international cuisine. After graduating from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, he gained industry experience as a restaurant manager before pursuing his entrepreneurial dream of opening his own restaurant. In 2006, Guy won the television competition Next Food Network Star and has been a nonstop presence on the network ever since.

Guy’s enthusiasm for food is matched only by his passion for helping others. In 2011, he started the Guy Fieri Foundation which supports culinary education for middle school and high school students, provides financial resources to aspiring chefs and feeds frontline workers, first responders and military personnel in the field. In 2021, the foundation awarded $20,000 in scholarships and served over 21,000 meals. In a true example of leadership, Guy partnered with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation during the pandemic and helped raise more than $21.5 million in aid for over 43,000 unemployed restaurant workers.

He currently lives in Northern California with his wife and two sons.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DAVID CHANG

  • Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur, and Founder of Momofuku

David Chang is the chef and founder of Momofuku. Called one of “the most influential people of the 21st century” by Esquire, David has appeared on numerous television shows, and was the first chef to be featured on the Emmy-award winning PBS television show, The Mind of a Chef. His cookbook Momofuku and memoir Eat A Peach are New York Times bestsellers. Along with Academy Award-winning Director Morgan Neville, David is a creative force behind Ugly Delicious, an eight-part Netflix original documentary series about foods we love and the stories that shape them. He is also the creator and host of Hulu's docu-series The Next Thing You Eat, and The Dave Chang Show podcast featuring conversations with thought-provoking guests. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ADAM SAVAGE

  • Hollywood Special Effects Designer

One of the most beloved figures in science and technology, Adam Savage has spent most of his life gathering skills that allow him to take ideas and make them real.

In his book, Every Tool’s a Hammer: Life Is What You Make It, Adam shares his golden rules of creativity, problem solving, and much more. This inspiring read not only explores the MythBusters star’s journey through 40-plus years as a maker and creator, but offers readers profound advice on how to pursue what truly inspires them.

In speaking to audiences around the world, Adam challenges and inspires people to turn their curiosities into creations. From finding what inspires you to following through on making an idea a reality, Adam encourages you to push the boundaries of what's possible, and provides a toolbox of techniques to achieve personal and professional success.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ROBIN ARZÓN

  • Vice President of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor, Peloton

Two-time New York Times bestselling author of Shut Up And Run and Strong Mama, Robin Arzón discovered her passion for athletics after healing from a traumatic experience through movement. She fearlessly left behind a successful law career to embark on new adventures in the health and wellness space, and has since reinvented herself into an avid ultra-marathoner and renowned fitness coach.

As Vice President of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor at Peloton, she believes that sweat transforms lives, and her story is living proof. She successfully partners with major lifestyle and fitness brands, using her powerful influence to connect directly with consumers through social media. In 2020, she was named one of the most influential people on Fortune Magazine’s "40 Under 40" list. Her life’s mission is to redefine, reform, and rethink possibility through movement.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DAPPER DAN

  • Legendary Fashion Innovator

A New York Times bestselling author and global fashion icon with a remarkable rags to riches story, Dapper Dan pioneered streetwear in the early 1980s with his eponymous store on 125th Street. Co-opting luxury branding to design original garments with high-end detail, Dapper Dan first drew powerful New York City hustlers as clientele, who flocked to him thanks to his strong street reputation as a legendary professional gambler and dandy. He then went on to outfit the world’s top entertainers and celebrities, all leading to his notoriety. 

Dapper Dan’s incredible personal journey from a hungry boy with holes in his shoes, to a teen who gambled drug dealers out of their money, to a beloved legend in the worlds of Harlem, fashion, and hip hop, is chronicled in his New York Times bestseller, Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem. It’s also a story that inspires and resonates with audiences worldwide, and is now being developed into a premium drama series and a documentary series. In his empowering and riveting remarks, Dapper Dan highlights the importance of tenacity, curiosity, and determination to make ones wildest dreams a reality.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DR. DAVID KATZ

  • Founding Director, Yale Prevention Research Center

David L. Katz, MD, MPH, FACPM, FACP, FACLM is a specialist in Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine/Public Health, and Lifestyle Medicine, with particular expertise in nutrition. He earned his BA at Dartmouth College (1984); his MD at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1988); and his MPH from the Yale University School of Public Health (1993). Katz is the founder and former director of Yale University’s Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center (1998-2019); Past President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine; Founder of the non-profit True Health Initiative; and Founder and CEO of Diet ID, Inc. He is a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine; the American College of Physicians; the American College of Lifestyle Medicine; and Morse College, Yale University. 

The recipient of numerous awards for teaching, writing, and contributions to public health, Katz was a 2019 James Beard Foundation Award nominee in health journalism, is a 2023 recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Doctors’ World Gala, and has received three honorary doctorates. He holds multiple US patents; has over 200 peer-reviewed publications; and has authored/co-authored 19 books to date including multiple editions of leading textbooks in nutrition, preventive medicine, and epidemiology.

 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JOE LOCKHART

  • Strategic Communications and Media Expert

Joe Lockhart is widely recognized as one of the top communications and public affairs professionals in the world, and offers strategic communications counsel to CEOs, C-suite executives, and Washington's most powerful leaders.  He knows how to handle a crisis and regain control of a narrative, honed through decades of experience in public affairs, corporate communications, administration, and political campaigns. Lockhart is perhaps best known for his service as White House Press Secretary under President Bill Clinton from 1998 to 2000. He has also worked for the National Football League (NFL) as executive vice president, overseeing communications, government affairs, social responsibility and philanthropy, and for Facebook as vice president of global communications. Lockhart's current role is to advise corporations and organizations on their communications strategies and vulnerabilities. He was vice chairman for public affairs at Edelman; he was also previously the founding partner and managing director of the Glover Park Group, and was executive vice president at Bozell Sawyer Miller. 

An award-winning journalist, he is also a frequent contributor to CNN and reflects on the week's news with Katie Barlow as they co-host the Words Matter podcast

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JUDITH JAMISON

  • Legendary Dancer and Choreographer

Judith Jamison - American dancer, Choreographer and Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - is a legendary icon in the world of the performing arts. Ms. Jamison, who as a dancer with the troupe, became the most stellar of modern dance's female performers and was appointed Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in December 1989 at the request of her mentor, Alvin Ailey, who personally chose her to succeed him. Ms. Jamison has shared her talent and artistic oversight at one of the most respected dance companies in the world for more than 50 years. Audiences respond to her passionate and electric remarks, and carry with them the truth of their own potential.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MARGARET I. CUOMO

  • Board-Certified Radiologist

Margaret I. Cuomo, M.D. is a board certified radiologist, teaching professional, and national advocate for the prevention of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. A trusted expert on health and wellness who empowers people to make lifestyle decisions to tangibly improve their health, Dr. Cuomo explores the ways in which food, exercise, sleep and stress management and more can reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease and how lifestyle modification—altering long-term habits— not only promote general health and well-being, but can be used to treat and prevent a wide range of diseases. Some of Dr. Cuomo’s other areas of expertise include: preventive medicine, public policy as it relates to health and wellness, toxic chemical reform, and the ways in which government, the medical community, the media, academia and more should partner in order to effect change in the "war on cancer." 

Her book, A World Without Cancer: The Making of a New World and the Real Promise of Prevention, presents a provocative and surprising look into the ways that profit, personalities, and politics obstruct real progress in the war on cancer. This groundbreaking book, based on her own first-hand experience with cancer patients, has been described as “urgent and powerful,” “an eye-opening look at the way we fight cancer,” and a “call for bold leadership to transform our system from treatment to prevention.”

A fearless advocate for the health of all people worldwide, Cuomo also addresses the power and necessity of STEM education and provides people with the tools and inspiration needed to transform their lives.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

KURT ANDERSEN

  • Peabody Award-Winning Host, Public Radio's 'Studio 360'

Kurt Andersen–a brilliant analyst and synthesizer of historical and cultural trends, bestselling novelist, groundbreaking media entrepreneur, and host of public radio’s Studio 360– takes a smart and refreshingly hopeful approach to our culture and politics. A bestelling author of many social and political commentaries, most recently, Evil Geniuses: How Big Money Took Over America, Andersen provides audiences with a fascinating examination of America’s culture that brilliantly displays how we’ve gotten to where we are today, and where we are going.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MICHAEL CHERTOFF

  • U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security (2005-2009)

Michael Chertoff is a renowned security expert whose extensive experience includes serving as the second Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  He founded the Data Equilibrium Project to explore data protectionism and the gap between privacy and national security.  He is also co-founder and executive chairman of The Chertoff Group, a security and risk management firm where he provides high-level strategic counsel to corporate and government leaders on issues from risk identification and prevention to preparedness, response and recovery.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JONATHAN SAFRAN FOER

  • Award-Winning and New York Times Bestselling Author

Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Safran Foer engages audiences in thoughtful dialogue on his books, culture, and society. Foer is known for his novels Everything Is Illuminated, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, which was named “Best Book of the Year” by the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post Book World, the Chicago Tribune, and more, Tree of Codes, and Here I Am. His non-fiction works include Eating Animals – which the Los Angeles Times hailed as placing him “at the table with our greatest philosophers” – and his latest book, We Are the Weather, described as “life-changing” by The Guardian. In compelling keynotes and conversation, Foer delves into vital questions that touch on some of today’s most pressing issues while remaining deeply personal: how we define ourselves, and the choices we make in food, in love, and in life.

Foer and his work have frequently been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and many more. He serves on the board of Farm Forward and is a passionate advocate for climate change solutions and more conscientious individual choices toward sustainability. Foer is the winner of The Guardian’s First Book Prize, the National Jewish Book Award, and the New York Public Library Young Lions Prize. He was named one of Rolling Stone’s “People of the Year,” Esquire’s “Best and Brightest,” and The Forward’s “Forward 50” list of the most influential Jewish-Americans of the year. Foer’s powerful storytelling and insights have been sought after by groups like Google, San Francisco Contemporary Museum, the John Adams Institute, and the Social Good Summit.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DESIREE ROGERS

  • CEO and Co-Owner, Black Opal Beauty and Fashion Fair Cosmetics

An influential business leader, Desiree Rogers has helped major organizations reinvent business models and reach new and more diverse audiences with tangible results. The first black CEO and Co-Owner of Black Opal Beauty and Fashion Fair Cosmetics, and a former CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, Rogers is heralded for her uncanny business acumen and innovative approach to marketing and brand development. Beyond her experience in the private sector, Rogers was appointed by President Obama as White House Social Secretary, re-positioning the White House as the “People’s House” and implementing innovative events.

Named to the "50 Most Influential People in the Multicultural Market" by WWD, "Top 25 Women to Watch" by Crain's Chicago Business, and "Top 50 Most Powerful African American Business Women" by Black Enterprise, Rogers offers insights on everything from how to make marketing work in a digital and global age, to how to talk about race and foster a positive, inclusive work environment. Sought-out to speak at TED, Rogers has the unique ability to connect with her audience, energize and inspire teams, and illuminate new strategic pathways and operational approaches.

"If you are afraid, there is no way to be open. Reach beyond, take a chance, be respectful, and always think of what you can do for others." - Desirée Rogers, TEDx Speech, 2016

HWA EXCLUSIVE

STEVEN ROBERTS

  • Renowned Journalist & Leading Political Pundit

Steve Roberts has been a journalist for almost 50 years, covering some of the major events of his time, from the antiwar movement and student revolts of the 60s and 70s to President Reagan's historic trip to Moscow in 1988 and twelve presidential election campaigns. 

A well-known commentator on many Washington-based TV shows, Roberts also appears regularly as a political analyst on the ABC radio network. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MICHAEL MOSS

  • #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, 'Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us'

Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and author of the New York Times bestsellers Hooked: Food, Free Will, and How the Food Giants Exploit our Addictions and Salt Sugar Fat, Michael Moss is a leading expert on the food industry, health and wellness, and marketing. Taking audiences on an eye-opening journey deep inside some of the world's biggest and most successful companies, he offers audiences an illuminating and surprising look at the researchers, marketers, strategists, and CEOs who seduce us with their products. Moss brings to vivid life the creative ways food manufacturers use the science of human behavior, biology and marketing to hook us. Using humor, case studies, and insight gleaned from investigative reporting that won him a Pulitzer Prize, he shows how companies get consumers to buy, often at the expense of their health.

Informative, engaging and often hilarious, Moss also offers lessons on the new world of health food, smart marketing strategies regardless of industry, and the state of journalism today. Hailed as "extraordinary" (University of the Sciences), "powerful" (Epicure) and "riveting" (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), Moss tailors his remarks to every audience, ensuring they leave deeply informed and with actionable takeaways. 

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CODY KEENAN

  • White House Director of Speechwriting for President Barack Obama (2013-2017)

Renowned speechwriter and messaging expert Cody Keenan rose from a campaign intern in Chicago to become Chief Speechwriter at the White House and Barack Obama’s post-presidential collaborator. Together, Keenan and Obama's efforts resulted in some of the most unforgettable addresses of our time. From commencement addresses to Selma to Obama’s Farewell Address, they redefined the essence of the American creed and charted an inspiring, optimistic course for a new generation’s active citizenship. Their collaborations have been compared to the works of Abraham Lincoln, described by CNN as “the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech for the 21st century,” and categorized even by prominent Republicans as “speeches every child should read in school.” Keenan continues to serve as Obama’s collaborator and post-presidential speechwriter. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America.

A sought-after expert on politics and current affairs, Keenan is now a partner at the leading speechwriting firm Fenway Strategies, and teaches a popular course on political speechwriting to undergraduates at his alma mater Northwestern University. He was described by NBC News as the ‘Springsteen’ of Obama’s White House, and included on British GQ’s list of the “35 Coolest Men Under 38 (And a Half).” He’s appeared in the History Channel’s nine-part special The Obama Years, on Showtime’s The Circus, in the Smithsonian Channel’s The Obama Years: The Power of Words, and elsewhere. Keenan’s commencement address at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service was highlighted by both The New York Times and The Washington Post as one of the year’s best, and he continues to be a sought-after motivational speaker for events with audiences of all kinds. With his humor and unparalleled insights, Kennan regularly receives rave reviews for speaking engagements, such as: “Cody stole the show at our global corporate affairs gathering. He brought his warmth, richness of experience, and incredible sense of humor together to give us the guidance we needed to cultivate authentic storytelling at Hilton. I was not surprised to see that he rated the top speaker in our program.” (Hilton)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ELLIOTT ABRAMS

  • U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela at the Department of State (2020-2021)

An expert on U.S. foreign policy around the globe and a top White House adviser on Middle Eastern issues, Elliott Abrams has served in major foreign policy positions for three Republican U.S. Presidents, George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and Donald Trump. He is a Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C.   

He served as Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Democracy, Human Rights, and International Operations (2001–2002), Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Near East and North African Affairs (2002–2005), Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy National Security Advisor for Global Democracy Strategy (2005-2009), and most recently, as the U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela at the Department of State (2020-2021). 

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DAVID MAKOVSKY

  • Expert on U.S. Policy in the Middle East

David Makovsky is an author and an expert on U.S. policy in the Middle East. A distinguished fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and Director of the Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations, Makovsky previously served as a senior advisor to the U.S. Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations. He brings his experience as a senior adviser as well as his keen analysis of the current situation to accessible and engaging talks on the past, present, and future of U.S. policy in the Middle East and the Arab-Israeli peace process, shedding light on challenges and opportunities. A long-time adjunct professor of Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University in the School of Advanced International Studies, Makovsky is also an in-demand voice for college audiences for both in-person and virtual events, including a TEDx Talk A Middle East Mount Rushmore, and hosts the Decision Points podcast, an exploration of history and contemporary policy decisions impacting Israel, the U.S., and the Middle East at large. Makovsky co-authored the book Be Strong and of Good Courage: How Israel’s Most Important Leaders Shaped Its Destiny, which Henry Kissinger called “A powerful statement on the style and principles of leadership that are critical for shaping the Middle East peace process.”

A veteran award-winning journalist, Makovsky previously served as the Executive Editor of the Jerusalem Post, and was the diplomatic correspondent for Ha’aretz, as well as contributing editor to U.S. News and World Report. He was awarded the National Press Club’s Edwin M. Hood Award for Diplomatic Correspondence, and his commentary has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, International Herald Tribune, Chicago Tribune, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and National Interest. Makovsky is a sought-after commentator on Arab-Israeli affairs, and has appeared frequently for decades on PBS NewsHour, Charlie Rose, NPR, CNN, Fox, the BBC, and more. He has testified before the full U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the full U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, and on multiple occasions before the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Middle East Subcommittee. Makovsky is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

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DANIEL GORDIS

  • Senior Vice President and Koret Distinguished Fellow, Shalem Center

Award-winning author Daniel Gordis is a revered scholar and commentator on matters pertaining to Israel. Gordis is the author of twelve books, including Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn – which received the 2016 National Jewish Book Award as “Book of the Year.” Of his book We Stand Divided, Ambassador Michael Oren wrote, “Impassioned, brilliant, and riveting… the essential book for understanding American Jewish-Israel relations.” Gordis’ newest book, Impossible Takes Longer: 75 Years After Its Creation, Has Israel Fulfilled its Founders’ Dreams? is due out in April of 2023. In his writing as he does in his talks, Gordis offers a balanced perspective and a deft and multifaceted assessment of Israel. Leonard Fein has written that Gordis is “perhaps the single most popular speaker on Israel to American Jewish audiences.”

Alan Dershowitz has called Gordis “one of Israel’s most thoughtful observers,” and his writing has appeared in The New York TimesThe New Republic, New York Times MagazineAzure, Commentary, and Foreign Affairs, while his books have received numerous awards. Gordis is a sought-after speaker who consistently receives rave reviews for his speaking engagements, such as: "Dr. Gordis was over the top fabulous. Warm, friendly, and brilliant. Roundtable, cocktail receptions, and program… he nailed every tier of our event. Articulate, knowledgeable and passionate. You could hear a pin drop during his keynote address. Our audience was completely engaged." (Tampa Jewish Federation)

 

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HADASSAH LIEBERMAN

  • Inspiring Speaker on Issues of Health, Women & Judaism

Hadassah Lieberman charms audiences with stories from her extraordinary life, focusing on women’s health issues, assisting nonprofit organizations, and promoting international understanding. Ms. Lieberman successfully tailors her remarks to fundraising objectives that enable an organization to reach their goals.

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MARTIN INDYK

  • Policy Expert & Advisor on the Middle East, Israel & Iran

Martin Indyk has been an active participant in the dramatic Middle East peace process and plays a leading role in advising on U.S. Middle East policy and U.S.-Israel relations. Ambassador Indyk's speeches are full of vivid details of high-level negotiations in Washington and the Middle East. He provides an insider's account of the players and dynamics that shape the volatile region and impact the prospects for peace. Currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, Ambassador Indyk was the last U.S. special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. He has now written a history of Henry Kissinger's role as the first U.S. Middle East peace envoy.

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JONATHAN SARNA

  • Leading Commentator on Jewish History, Religion and Life

Dr. Jonathan Sarna is the Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History and Chair of the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University, as well as Chief Historian of the new National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia.

Dubbed by the Forward newspaper in 2004 as one of America’s fifty most influential American Jews, he was Chief Historian for the 350th commemoration of the American Jewish community, and is recognized as a leading commentator on American Jewish history, religion and life. 

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DAVID HOROVITZ

  • Founding Editor, The Times of Israel

David Horovitz is the founding editor of The Times of Israel, the Jerusalem-based current affairs website that launched in February 2012.  The Times of Israel, which provides independent coverage of Israel, the region and the Jewish world, is the fastest-growing news site in the Jewish world, and now also publishes in French, Arabic and Persian.

Horovitz was previously editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post (2004-2011). Before that, he was editor and publisher of the award-winning news magazine The Jerusalem Report.

He has written from Israel for newspapers around the world, including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Irish Times and (London) Independent, and is a frequent interviewee on CNN, the BBC, Sky, Fox News, NPR and other TV and radio stations.

Horovitz lectures widely in Israel, the United States and Europe on Israeli current affairs, regularly giving the introductory briefing on Israel to Congressional delegations brought to Israel under the aegis of AIPAC.

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JOSEPH TELUSHKIN

  • Widely Acclaimed Authority on Judaism & Ethics

Joseph Telushkin, once named by Talk magazine as one of the 50 best speakers in the United States, is one of America’s leading ethicists. His book, Words that Hurt, Words that Heal, inspired Senators Joseph Lieberman’s and Connie Mack’s Senate Resolution #151 to establish a National Speak No Evil Day in the United States, a day in which Americans would go for twenty-four hours without saying anything unkind or unfair about, or to, anyone. An invaluable sourcebook of tools for businessmen, Words that Hurt, Words that Heal, contains suggestion after suggestion of how and when to criticize, how to keep a disagreement from turning into a quarrel, and the one technique that will keep you, even when angry, from ever saying something that can destroy a relationship.

His newest book building on the groundbreaking title, Words That Hurt, Words That Heal: How the Words You Choose Shape Your Destiny, was released in January 2019. 

 

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MATT ISEMAN

  • Emmy Award-Winning TV Host and Comedian

Emmy-winning TV host, comedian, physician, and cancer survivor Matt Iseman is beloved for his energetic, charismatic style and empowering message of overcoming obstacles. When Matt quit medicine to pursue stand-up comedy, his dad – a world-renowned physician – gave him the advice that still guides him today: “Life is short, do what makes you happy.” Renowned as the host of the four-time Emmy-nominated American Ninja Warrior, Matt combines his winning sense of humor, unique experience, and perspective as a doctor-turned-comic to deliver high-impact events. He shared his medical expertise and health and wellness insights on Hallmark’s Home & Family, won an Emmy for his hosting on Style’s Clean House, has hosted numerous live specials including The Macy’s 4th of July Special for NBC and Evel Live for History Channel and can be seen frequently as the in-house game show host for The Kelly Clarkson Show. Matt talks ninjas, tells jokes around the world and, in general, proves laughter is the best medicine.

Matt shares his inspiring story of battling Renal Cell Carcinoma and has become a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. His ongoing battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis transformed him into a strong supporter of the Arthritis Foundation – for his work over the past decade and a half, Matt was named the 2018 “Arthritis Warrior of the Year.” Matt also supports the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and serves as an Ambassador for the Armed Services Arts Partnership. Sought after for events of all kinds, he is an in-demand speaker for both medical and business events including Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Feather River Hospital, Edwards Lifesciences, and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, who raved: “Matt was fantastic! The audience really enjoyed his talk and he created the type of buzz we were looking for! He was also a pleasure to work with very energetic, kind, personable, and relatable. He hit all of the emotions, which was great!” His dynamic remarks cover everything from battling cancer, to overcoming obstacles, to the paramount importance of following your dreams.

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DANIEL KURTZER

  • Critical Voice on the Middle East, Israel & Egypt

Having served in numerous positions of international influence, Daniel Kurtzer is a uniquely qualified speaker with a distinct perspective on the geopolitical realties and culture of one of the world's most troubled regions. During a 29-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service (including U.S. Ambassador to Israel and U.S. Ambassador to Egypt) he was instrumental in formulating and executing U.S. policy toward the Middle East peace process. After retiring from the State Department, he served as a member of Secretary of State John Kerry’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board, and as an advisor to the bipartisan Iraq Study Group.

He is the co-author of Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: American Leadership in the Middle East; co-author of The Peace Puzzle: America’s Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace, 1989-2011; and editor of Pathways to Peace: America and the Arab-Israeli Conflict.

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JOANNE LIPMAN

  • No. 1 Bestselling Author, 'That's What She Said' and 'Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work'

Powerhouse journalist Joanne Lipman has transformed newsrooms across the country – and now she’s turned her keen eye to transforming work and life in the post-pandemic era. In her blockbuster new book, Next!: The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work (March 2023), she offers a deeply reported, delightfully readable look at how to change your life, your workplace, or your career -– and how to inspire innovation in others. It follows her No. 1 bestseller That’s What She Said, about achieving gender equity at work and at home, inspiring men as well as women to join together to promote diversity, innovation and excellence.

One of the nation’s most prominent journalists, Lipman is the former editor-in-chief of USA Today and the USA TODAY Network, Conde Nast Portfolio, and The Wall Street Journal Weekend Journal, leading those organizations to six Pulitzer Prizes. Dubbed “innovator in chief” by The New York Times and “star editor” by CNN, Lipman began her career at The Wall Street Journal, where she rose to become the highest-ranking woman in the paper’s history. Lipman has been in-demand with groups such as Motorola, Google, Aetna, Chevron, NBC Universal, among many others.

Lipman is sought after for her insights, appearing on ABC, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, and CBS, and is an on-air contributor at CNBC. Her work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, TIME, Fortune, and Harvard Business Review. She teaches a popular Yale University course on Media & Democracy, focused on issues including polarization and combatting misinformation. A lively and entertaining speaker, Lipman offers action-oriented insights and critical analysis into issues ranging from workplace culture, to personal and business growth and transformation, to fostering diverse and equitable organizations, and more.

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TJ ADESHOLA

  • Former VP of Global Content Partnerships, Twitter

Internationally-recognized media executive TJ Adeshola is a leader at the intersection of tech, media, and culture. Adeshola is the Former Vice President of Global Content Partnerships at Twitter – providing strategic consult for media properties across sports, gaming, entertainment, and news. He helps the biggest media brands in the world leverage Twitter and new media spaces to generate revenue and connect with culture, and TJ shares his actionable takeaways in transformative speaking engagements.

TJ has appeared on CNBC, Good Morning America, ESPN, NBA TV, NFL Network, and more. He has been recognized by the American Advertising Federation as an inductee in the Hall of AchievementSports Business JournalAd Age, and Black Enterprise "40 Under 40" awards, and was named one of 29 "Young Influentials" by Adweek. Through all his ventures, TJ prioritizes amplifying diverse voices across the entertainment, music, and sports industries. Adeshola has been sought after for thought leadership on high profile stages and conferences including including Advertising WeekSXSWCannes LionsCESMIT Sloan and Harvard Business School, the World Congress of Sports and more.

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BRIAN GRAZER

  • Academy, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy Award-Winning Producer

Hollywood legend Brian Grazer is an Academy, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning producer and New York Times bestselling author. Behind iconic films and shows including Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Splash, 24, and Arrested Development (just to name a few), Grazer's work has been nominated for 43 Oscars and 195 Emmys.

Named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” Grazer co-founded Imagine Entertainment along with his longtime friend and business partner Ron Howard in the 1980s, quickly growing it to become one of Hollywood's most prolific and successful production companies. Heralded as a creative visionary and entertainment powerhouse, and described by Russel Crowe in TIME as "a modern-age hunter-gatherer of information," Grazer is renowned for his uncanny prescience, curiosity, and innovative insight. 

Coming from modest means and growing up with dyslexia, Grazer's rise to a mogul in the pantheon of Hollywood is an empowering story of resilience and ingenuity. The secret to Grazer's success and distinct outlook are chronicled in his #1 New York Times bestselling book, A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life, which reveals why curiosity is our superpower and how all of us can channel it to lead bigger and more rewarding lives.  Grazer's second book,  Face to Face: The Art of Human Connection, reveals yet another key to happiness and success: eye-contact. Filled with personal, life-changing stories and insightful advice, Face to Face highlights the transformative power of genuine human connection, even as technology takes on a bigger and bigger role in our lives.

Sought-out to speak everywhere from Google to Goldman Sachs, SXSW to the Aspen Institute, Grazer has helped everyone from parents to CEOs to artists to young graduates hone the mindset, philosophy, and skills needed to thrive in turbulent times. With a unique flair for telling fascinating stories, and decades of experience as a Hollywood icon to draw upon, Grazer offers insight into themes such as leading through times of disruption, unleashing curiosity and creativity, innovating in a fast changing world, and the future media landscape. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SCOOTER BRAUN

  • Entertainment Industry Mogul and Innovator

Scooter Braun is one of the entertainment industry’s biggest entrepreneurs and innovators and the founder of SB Projects, a diversified entertainment and media company with ventures at the intersection of music, film, television, technology, brands, culture, and social good. Today, Braun has a roster of the top pop culture icons under his management, record label, and publishing companies that include Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Zac Brown Band, and Karlie Kloss, to name a few.

Braun has broken more new artists than any other music executive in the last decade and now has expanded his reach by establishing a fund which invests in some of the largest management, media, and rights companies in the industry. SB Projects houses a film and television production division which led to Braun making waves in the industry with his first documentary film, Never Say Never, and also continues to impact new verticals under its tech incubator, Silent Labs, which holds investments in Uber, Spotify, Songza, Casper, Waze, and Pinterest. In 2018, Braun announced new ventures including Mythos Studios, which will develop franchise films, and Good Story Entertainment, which will build out unscripted, live event, and documentary spaces.

As Braun continues to expand SB Projects, he remains committed to the company’s founding philosophy of giving back and designs a philanthropic element for each new initiative. Braun serves as Chair of the Advisory Board of Pencils of Promise, a non-profit organization that builds schools in developing countries. He is also on the board of Fuck Cancer, an organization focused on prevention and early detection of cancer, which his wife Yael Braun co-founded. Braun, his clients, and his companies have – together – granted more wishes for Make-A-Wish than any other organization in the history of the foundation. In 2017, Braun proved to be the music industry’s ‘first-responder’ when he organized the One Love Manchester benefit concert and Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief telethon, within just months of one another.

Braun lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ARIEL EMANUEL

  • Chief Executive Officer, Endeavor

Ariel Emanuel is Chief Executive Officer of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company comprised of industry-leading brands including WME, IMG and UFC. After rising through the Hollywood talent agency ranks, Emanuel co-founded the original Endeavor in 1995, eventually orchestrating the largest talent agency merger in history to form WME. He later led the company into a strategic partnership with Silver Lake, facilitating the acquisitions of IMG and UFC and culminating in the formation of holding company, Endeavor, which went public in 2021. Over the course of his career, Emanuel has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, one of Fortune’s Businesspersons of the Year, and one of Sport Business Journal’s 50 Most Influential People in Sports. Prior speaking engagements include conversations at Recode, Fortune’s Brainstorm Tech conference, The Economic Club of Chicago, and the Future Investment Institute.

 

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MIKE MURPHY

  • Famed Conservative Political Media Consultant

Mike Murphy is one of the Republican Party’s most successful political media consultants, having handled strategy and advertising for more than 26 successful gubernatorial and Senatorial campaigns, including 12 wins in “blue” states that have consistently voted Democratic in Presidential elections. He served as a top campaign advisor to John McCain, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with dozens of other GOP Senators, Governors and Members of Congress. Murphy has worked on five GOP Presidential campaigns and for foreign leaders in Europe and Latin America. He also advises several Fortune 500 corporations, as well as several Hedge Funds and Trade Associations. In 2020 he served as a key strategist for Republican Voters Against Trump.

Murphy is also a widely quoted pundit; he is a longtime top analyst for NBC News and MSNBC and he co-hosts the popular podcast Hacks on Tap. In the Hacks on Tap newsletter, Murphy and Robert Gibbs share insights you'll only get from folks who have spent a lifetime in the political trenches of both parties. He’s written columns and op-ed pieces for TIME, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and the Bulwark. Visit Murphy's website to read his commentary >>

Murphy is currently co-director the University of Southern California’s Center for the Political Future.  He serves on the boards of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. He served as a longtime senior fellow at Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs; focusing on the intersection of domestic politics and national security decision making. Murphy also works as a writer and producer in the entertainment industry with projects at HBO, CBS, and 20th Century Fox Studios.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MITCH ROSCHELLE

  • Macro-Economic Strategist and Business Consultant

As a former senior partner at PwC and a founder of their Real Estate Advisory Practice, Mitch Roschelle provides insights into what's next for business and the economy. He's called up by Fox News and other media outlets for his entertaining, actionable commentary as he is able to translate larger economic trends into next steps.  Given his approachable style and cache as a macroeconomic, market strategist, and policy analyst, Roschelle is often asked to moderate panel discussions, and is able to pull from high-level conversation the takeaways business audiences need to know now. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JOHN DELLA VOLPE

  • Director of Polling, Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics

Youth expert, pollster, strategist, and bestselling author John Della Volpe is the Director of Polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, where he leads polling initiatives on understanding American youth. Della Volpe was referred to by the Washington Post as one of the world’s leading authorities on global sentiment, opinion, and influence, and is the Founder of SocialSphere, a public opinion and analytics company. His new book, an Amazon Editor’s Pick for “Best Nonfiction,” Fight: How Gen Z is Channeling Their Fear and Passion to Save America, is an impeccable investigation into how Generation Z – those born in the 1990s and early 2000s – are rising to the unprecedented challenges of their time to take control of their country and our future. The recipient of an Eisenhower Fellowship, his research focus is data-based as well as qualitative, and he has advised heads of state, military generals, and blue-chip brands around the world, unlocking the secrets to winning the hearts, minds, and loyalty of Gen Z.

Della Volpe was appointed to the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission on Media in 2011, and serves as senior advisor and pollster to President Joe Biden. His work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, TIME, and more, and he is a political contributor on MSNBC offering his insights and strategies for engaging the Millennial generation.

Della Volpe is the author of the Substack newsletter JDV on Gen Z, which puts public opinion into context while creating a pathway to understanding, empowering, and engaging Gen Z.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

QIAN JULIE WANG

  • New York Times Bestselling Author, 'Beautiful Country: A Memoir'

Civil rights litigator and New York Times bestselling author Qian Julie Wang uses her unique gift for storytelling to transcend the business, legal, political, and literary worlds and focus on the humanity at the heart of these issues.

Qian Julie’s debut Beautiful Country: A Memoir became an instant New York Times bestseller, and was heralded as “an incandescent debut from an astonishing new talent.” Lauded as an “essential book for our times” and named one of the New York Times Book Review’s “Notable Books of 2021,” Beautiful Country is a poignant and heartrending literary memoir that intimately retraces Qian Julie’s childhood footsteps where at age seven, she moved from China to Brooklyn, New York with her parents, and overnight went from being the daughter of professors to being deemed “illegal.” As a litigator, Qian Julie has been praised by clients as "exceptionally talented" and "exemplary.” For a decade, she has represented Fortune 500 corporations, governmental entities, and individuals in complex civil litigation. Qian Julie is now a managing partner at Gottlieb & Wang LLP and is dedicated to advocating for marginalized communities' education and discrimination rights.

Qian Julie’s writing has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Cut, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and she has appeared on PBS Newshour, ABC News, NPR, BBC World Outlook, C-SPAN, The TODAY Show, among many others. A highly sought-after keynote speaker, Qian Julie is in demand for events with groups like the Association of Small and Rural Libraries, Datadog, the Nantucket and Savannah Book Festivals, Sentara Healthcare, and Central Synagogue, to name a few. For her open heart and strong passion for advocacy and bringing awareness to marginalized communities, she regularly receives rave reviews, such as: “Thanks to Qian Julie for a tremendous program last night. She gave such a beautifully crafted, powerful talk that had the audience alternatively chuckling, nodding, wiping their eyes, and occasionally even startled… Qian Julie is a supremely talented writer and thinker, and I am sure she will continue to challenge the world with her sharp and nuanced insights. And she couldn’t have been nicer and more gracious to staff and guests and trustees alike." (Museum of the City of New York)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ANNE SWEENEY

  • Mother and Neurodiverse and Disability Inclusion Advocate

Netflix and LEGO Board of Directors member Anne Sweeney is highly sought-after for her ability to envision new opportunities for businesses to gain strategic advantage. After receiving her Master’s in Education from Harvard University, Anne went on to work with Nickelodeon, and served as the Chairman and CEO of FX Networks. She served as the Co-Chair of Disney Media Networks and President of the Disney|ABC Television Group, focusing on her lifelong commitment to entertain and educate children. As the mother of a young adult on the autism spectrum, Anne is a passionate advocate for neurodiverse and disability inclusion, sharing actionable insights for inclusion in the workplace with groups across industries.

Anne sits on the Board of Trustees at the Mayo Clinic, The Getty Museum, and is a Deans Distinguished Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has previously served on the boards of The Fulfillment Fund, the Board of Visitors for UCLA Anderson, AFI, as well as the Special Olympics. In informative and inspiring talks, Anne offers a compelling call to action expanding our ideas about inclusion, how to shift workplace culture, and the numerous benefits of inclusivity for our teams, organizations, and communities.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JACQUELINE SANDERLIN

  • Acclaimed Educator and Leadership Guru

Accomplished educator, leadership guru, and author Dr. Jacqueline Sanderlin (Dr. Jackie) is an expert in developing meaningful community partnerships and is the Founder and CEO of the Why Not? Incubator, a non-profit organization designed to provide community partnership coaching about unity, wellness, community, equity, and racial healing. Her book The Why Not Challenge: Say Yes to Success with School-Community Partnerships shares her passion and practical takeaways for forming lasting community relationships between schools, organizations, and companies. In a time of vitriol and division, Dr. Jackie has been outspoken about her “Why not?” message, which is to build community, unity, equity, and partnerships.

Dr. Jackie has forged sustainable partnerships between over 350+ corporations, local businesses, and under-served schools, while offering powerful insights and accessible best practices in workshops, trainings, and talks. Her work was featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which led to a role as the consulting producer for NBC’s School Pride. She serves on the steering committee for SEL4CA, Social Emotional Learning for California, and as an Executive Board Member for the Goldie Hawn Foundation, Mind Up. Dr. Jackie is a highly sought-after keynote speaker at conferences and summits, and her message of empowerment, community connection, equity, and resilience creates a lasting impact with educational and corporate audiences as well as individuals.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

RICHARD BROWNING

  • Innovator in Human Aviation

Richard Browning is Founder and Chief Test Pilot of Gravity Industries which designs, builds and flies Jet Suits, pioneering a new era of human flight. The company was founded in March 2017 to challenge the perceived boundaries in human aviation and to inspire others to dare to ask “What if?”. It now scales towards an International Race Series.

Gravity has to date been experienced by over one billion people globally with Richard and his cohort of growing pilots completing over 130 flights across 34 countries and speaking at dozens of events from TED Talks to XPrize.

Prior to founding Gravity, Richard was a Royal Marines reservist for six years and an Oil Trader with BP for 16 years where he discovered and implemented major new technologies winning the BP Group innovation Award.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

BRIAN KELLY

  • Founder of The Points Guy

The Points Guy (TPG) Founder Brian Kelly the leading voice in loyalty programs, points, miles, credit cards and travel. Kelly has been helping travelers and other consumers navigate the increasingly complicated loyalty universe for over a decade and has grown TPG to be a powerhouse travel and lifestyle media platform that reaches over 11M unique monthly visitors around the world. Kelly has found a unique way to reach his audience and inspire millions to live their best lives through his supercharged personality, deep industry knowledge and extensive worldwide travel.

Kelly has been recognized with awards and accolades, including AdWeek’s "Young Influentials" list in 2019 and Forbes’ #1 travel influencer. His long-standing knowledge and expertise has garnered the trust of the nation’s top morning shows, with appearances on TODAY ShowCBS This MorningGood Morning America, and Kelly & Ryan, among others. Kelly’s passion for travel is shared by a belief in using travel as a global force for good, and he currently serves as a Committee Member for Rainbow Railroad, Global Ambassador for PeaceJam, Co-Chair of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Leadership Council, Goalkeeper for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and member of PTTOW.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

LINDSAY SHOOKUS

  • Co-Founder, 'Women Work F#cking Hard'

Emmy Award-winning producer and entrepreneur Lindsay Shookus is best known for her work on Saturday Night Live, which included identifying and empowering upcoming talent and liaising with celebrity guests. In addition to her work on NBC’s long-running Emmy Award-winning weekly sketch show, Shookus executive produced Miley’s New Years Eve Party, worked as an Associate Producer on the critically acclaimed comedy series 30 Rock, and produced the Adele: Live in New York City special. She’s a six-time Emmy Award-winner and twelve-time nominee, and a two-time Peabody Award-winner. Beyond her work in TV, Shookus is the Co-Founder of Women Work F#cking Hard, a networking movement focused on uplifting female founders and entrepreneurs. Shookus is an in-demand speaker for her insights on authentic leadership, strategic management, and women’s empowerment, making an impact on audiences of all kinds.

Shookus was named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s “Up-and-Coming Execs 35 & Under” and has appeared on Billboard’s "Women in Music" list three times. She and her work have been profiled in InStyle, Bustle, Elle, and more, and she serves on the Sesame Foundation Leadership Council and as a UNICEF member. Shookus is a member of the 2022 Class of Henry Crown Fellows within the Aspen Global Leadership Network at the Aspen Institute.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

CASEY ADAMS

  • Serial Entrepreneur, Tech Founder, and Social Media Influencer

Entrepreneur, personal branding expert, and renowned business podcaster Casey Adams is a rising marketing star. At the age of 17, Adams launched his podcast, The Casey Adams Show, which has quickly become a top 100 business podcast. He has interviewed hundreds of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world as well as many notable guests including Larry King, Rick Ross, Maye Musk, Robert Greene, and David Sacks. Adams is the Co-Founder of MediaKits, a SaaS platform that allows creators to easily share their creator analytics. Adams moderates substantive and insightful conversations about the hottest topics in business and entrepreneurship.

Adams has been featured in Forbes, The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, and more, and appeared on ABC News, BBC World News, and others. He is the author of Rise of the Young: How to Turn Your Negative Situation Into a Positive Outcome, and Build a Successful Personal Brand. Adams specializes in personal branding, social media marketing, and offers his unique perspective on facing challenges with an innovative mindset, building resilience, and turning negatives into positives in life and in business.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

CHAD EASTERLING

  • Co-Founder and CEO of Obsidianworks - a culture-powered marketing agency

Brand and marketing expert Chad Easterling is the co-Founder and CEO of Obsidianworks, a culture-powered marketing agency he co-founded with business partner Michael B. Jordan. Obsidianworks is a full-service advertising and marketing agency that reflects Easterling and Jordan’s diverse upbringings, specializing in cultural connectivity through brand strategy, as well as digital and social impact. Working closely with their talent and brand partners, Obsidianworks creates and executes innovative and culturally resonant campaigns and activations that connect with multicultural consumers. Their roster of clients includes Target, Legacy Classic, Meta, Marriott, and more. In powerful keynote remarks and moderated conversations, Easterling offers insights and tangible takeaways that make an impact with audiences.

Prior to partnering with Jordan, Easterling spent more than a decade at Nike, working across several categories and territories including both Nike and the Jordan Brand. While there, he spearheaded key brand moments and disruptive campaigns, including World Basketball Festival, All-Star Weekends, and Basketball Never Stops, as well as built robust strategies for key signature athletes and products, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Russell Westbrook and Zion Williamson. Understanding the role that Nike plays in inner cities and the powerful impact those communities have on culture, Easterling effectively helped connect and establish both brands on a grassroots level through Summer Leagues, high school basketball, NBA, and most importantly, throughout the community. Easterling offers his expertise on topics ranging from the importance of representation to impacting the culture in uplifting ways, and motivates audiences to welcome diverse and multicultural perspectives in branding and business.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DAN RUNCIE

  • Founder of 'Trapital' - a media company that's home for the business of hip-hop

Digital media expert and entrepreneur Dan Runcie is the Founder of Trapital, a media company that’s home for the business of hip-hop. Leveraging his background in business, Runcie pivoted to focus his analysis on the innovative strategy of hip-hop executives who are some of today’s most successful business leaders. Runcie and Trapital cover hip-hop’s influence in leading edge business development, early-adoption of the latest in tech from the advent of streaming to the mainstreaming of NFTs, among other key issues. Through Trapital’s newsletter (16K subscribers), the podcast Trapital, which Runcie hosts, as well as in-depth case studies, Runcie offers vital insights about corporate leadership, entrepreneurial inspiration, and collaboration that make a major impact across industries.

Runcie has been featured in The New York TimesThe Wall Street Journal, NPR's All Things ConsideredBBC World News, and other publications. He has appeared on countless podcasts and panels, and has been sought after to speak to groups including YouTube, SoundCloud, Sony, the National Association of Black Journalists, and more. Runcie unpacks major themes and strategies from the hip-hop world and shares actionable takeaways for companies looking to develop innovative strategies, improve creativity, and upgrade their media strategies.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MAURO PORCINI

  • Chief Design Officer, PepsiCo

Award-winning design veteran, podcaster, and author Mauro Porcini is PepsiCo’s first ever Chief Design Officer. Since joining the food & beverage corporation in 2012, Porcini has infused design thinking into PepsiCo’s culture and is leading a new approach to innovation by design that impacts the company’s product platforms and brands. Leading international teams, his focus extends from physical to virtual expressions of the brands – including fashion and art collaborations, retail activation, digital media, and beyond. He is the author of The Human Side of Innovation: The Power of People in Love with People, which focuses on innovation, design and leadership and was named a Gold Winner of the Better Future New York Design Award. Porcini offers insights from his journey across startups and multinational corporations for building high-impact brand and design efforts that put people first.

Prior to joining PepsiCo, Mauro served as the first ever Chief Design Officer at 3M, where his mission was to build and nurture a design sensitive culture in a technology driven global corporation. He is also the author of L’età dell’eccellenza: Come innovazione e creatività possono costruire un mondo migliore, which is in its fifth reprint, and hosts the successful video podcast In Your Shoes - with Mauro Porcini, where he interviews inspiring personalities from the creative community worldwide. Mauro has been a presenter and judge on CBS’ New York by Design and Amazon’s America by Design. He has been on the board of directors for several organizations, and currently serves as the President of the Politecnico of Milan Foundation in the United States (Fellows of Politecnico), sits on the board of directors of the Design Management Institute, and on the advisory council of other design, art, innovation, and business institutions.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DENISE WOODARD

  • Founder & CEO, Partake Foods

Founder, entrepreneur, and mentorship expert Denise Woodard is the groundbreaking Founder and CEO of Partake Foods – a natural food company inspired by her daughter’s experience with food allergies. Launched in 2017, Partake’s delicious, allergy-friendly products can now be found in more than 9,000 retailers including Target, Kroger, and Whole Foods Market. Denise is the first Black woman to raise more than $1M publicly for a consumer-packaged goods (CPG) food startup, and the company has raised over $19M to date from investors including HER, Rihanna, Cleveland Ave, FF2032, and Marcy Ventures Partners. Partake was recently named #45 on the 2022 Inc. 5000 list, and Denise was named on Inc.’s “100 Female Founders” list for building a fast-growing snacking brand that everyone can enjoy. After winning a pitch competition with just the idea, Denise conducted hundreds of demos, leveraged her supply chain expertise, and created a product and company that has attracted the attention of major funders and publications alike. She delivers actionable, no-nonsense insights with optimism, creating an uplifting and memorable event for groups including Microsoft, Victoria’s Secret, Danone, Carta, and Target, to name a few.

Denise serves on the board of Naturally New York, the advisory board for the UNC Shuford Center for Entrepreneurship, and on the WP Carey School of Business Dean’s Council. Prior to launching Partake, Denise spent a decade in CPGs at various Fortune 100 companies. A mentorship expert, she has participated as a mentoring founder-in-residence for three cohorts of Target’s Forward Founder’s program supporting 30 founders in that time. Denise is also the Founder of Black Futures in Food & Beverage, a fellowship program that offers mentorship, internships, and job opportunities within the food and beverage industries for active HBCU students. From her commitment to excellence in branding, to growing a strong team that exceeds goals, Denise shares her leadership perspective that resonates with everyone from entrepreneurs looking to make their mark to C-suite executives looking to inspire their teams around a unified vision.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

STEPHANIE SCHRIOCK

  • CEO & Organizational Leader, Political Strategist, and Inspirational Visionary

Organizational leader, political strategist, and senior advisor Stephanie Schriock is a strategic, adaptive leader with a 20-year record of success in both startups and mature organizations. An inspirational visionary, Stephanie’s strengths in management, strategy, and media relations are underpinned by her down-to-earth ability to engage with people from diverse backgrounds and views. From 2010 through 2021, Stephanie was President of EMILY’s List – a national organization dedicated to electing women to office. During her tenure, she tripled its income to $120M, quadrupled its staff to 120, built an online community of over 5M, and trained more than 14K women to run for office. She is the author of Run to Win: A Leadership Guide to Women Who Want to Change the World, an Amazon Editor’s Pick in Best Nonfiction. Stephanie has been sought-after to speak for groups including Yale University, George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management, the Harvard Women in Law Program, America Votes, and more.

Before joining EMILY’s List, Stephanie managed the successful U.S. Senate campaign of Jon Tester in Montana, building a campaign organization from scratch and defeating an 18-year incumbent. She served as Senator Tester’s Chief of Staff until 2010. Stephanie also managed Al Franken’s Senate campaign in Minnesota and was the national finance director for Howard Dean’s presidential campaign, where she pioneered the digital techniques that have since transformed political campaigning and fundraising. She serves on the boards of the Goldman School’s Center on Security in Politics at UC-Berkeley, Priorities USA, and Democracy Docket, and is currently consulting for Precision Strategies, FrontRow, and the Strategic Victory Fund. With expertise spanning leadership, politics, business, and more, Stephanie is an uplifting speaker who offers actionable strategies for growth and empowerment.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

CHRIS VOSS

  • Former FBI Lead Hostage Negotiator and Authority in High-Stakes Negotiation

Former international FBI hostage negotiator and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Chris Voss share a methodology that can used anywhere in the world, a strategy to build stronger relationships in a shorter period of time and enable audiences to negotiate deals they never thought would be possible. Chris was the lead international kidnapping negotiator for the FBI, as well as the hostage negotiation representative for the National Security Council’s Hostage Working Group. During his government career, he also represented the U.S. Government at two international conferences sponsored by the G-8 as an expert in kidnapping. Prior to becoming the FBI lead international kidnapping negotiator, Christopher served as the lead Crisis Negotiator for the New York City Division of the FBI. Christopher was a member of the New York City Joint Terrorist Task Force for 14 years. He was the case agent on such cases as TERRSTOP (the Blind Sheikh Case – Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman), and the TWA Flight 800 catastrophe and negotiated the surrender of the first hostage taker to give up in the Chase Manhattan bank robbery hostage taking.

Voss is the Wall Street journal bestselling author of Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It and The Full Fee Agent: How to Stack the Odds in Your Favor as a Real Estate Professional. Drawing on his 24-year tenure in the Bureau and training by not only the FBI but also Scotland Yard and Harvard Law School, Voss teaches a popular MasterClass and is the Founder & CEO of The Black Swan Group. He is a recipient of the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement and the FBI Agents Association Award for Distinguished and Exemplary Service. Voss leverages his many years of experience in international crisis and high-stakes negotiations to develop a unique program and team that applies these globally proven techniques to the business world.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DANA COWIN

  • Award-Winning Food and Lifestyle Tastemaker

Award-winning food and lifestyle tastemaker Dana Cowin is an innovator in media, food, and entrepreneurship. Her work spans advising creatives, founders and non-profits as well as creating editorial through podcasts, social, video, zines and books. For 21 years, she served as Editor in Chief of Food & Wine magazine and transformed the magazine into a must-read lifestyle publication and digital outlet. An influencer in the food world, she is a sought-after speaker on topics from trendspotting to lifestyle and motivation, leadership, and branding. And of course, good food! Cowin was the keynote speaker for the Bacardi Spirit Forward first national tour, a frequent judge on Top Chef and Beat Bobby Flay, presenter at TedXManhattan on food waste, interviewed experts at SXSW and Fast Company Innovation Festival, among many others.

Through her brand consulting work, Cowin advises growing companies on storytelling, food, PR, and marketing, lending her expertise to businesses such as Dig Food Group (where she was Chief Brand Advisor), to Neiman Marcus, to the Trust for Governors Island. She is an investor and advisor to startups in the culinary space, has a longstanding commitment to supporting opportunities for economic growth through culinary training. Cowin serves on the boards of Food Education Fund, Hot Bread Kitchen, and the Food Council of City Harvest. Cowin is host of Speaking Broadly, a podcast that features visionary women at the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and food. Inspired by their singular experiences, Cowin selected more than a dozen women to write their own stories in the first Speaking Broadly zine, published spring 2022, and developed the Giving Broadly project - a gift guide highlighting incredible products from women-owned brands.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MAURICIO UMANSKY

  • Industry-Disrupting Real Estate Magnate

Industry disruptor Mauricio Umansky is the Founder and CEO of The Agency, a billion-dollar brokerage that has been redefining the real estate business for over a decade. Umansky, who holds the distinction for selling the most homes in the country priced above $20M, launched The Agency in 2011 with a vision for disrupting the industry by fostering a unique culture rooted in the core philosophy of collaboration. Representing noteworthy clients as well as the world’s top developers and resort brands, The Agency is noted by The Financial Times as one of America’s Fastest Growing Companies and has ranked among Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing private companies in the country for five consecutive years. An in-demand speaker for events such as The Asia Society, Foreign Policy Association, TEDx, World Economic Forum, and KPMG, Umansky shares his incomparable insights on disruptive innovation, leadership, and how to create an unparalleled company culture for maximum impact in your industry.

Umansky has been featured in Forbes, International Banker, Entrepreneur, and more, and together with his team is noted as one of the highest producing agents by The Wall Street Journal’s REAL Trends annual list, and has been ranked #97 on Swanepoel’s 2022 Power200, a prestigious list of top real estate executives in the U.S. He is a proud member of The Young Presidents Organization, an influential and world-renowned business networking organization, serves on the board of Giveback Homes, and supports The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and the National Breast Cancer Association. Umansky is the author of The Dealmaker: How to Succeed in Business & Life Through Dedication, Determination & Disruption, which is a #1 New Release on Amazon in Work Life Balance and Business.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JASON Y. LEE

  • Founder & CEO of Jubilee Media

Founder and CEO of Jubilee Media Jason Y. Lee is a leader on the business side of the creator economy, with a focus on empathy and making a positive impact on the world. After graduating from The Wharton School at UPenn, Jason worked as a consultant at Bain & Company. He also previously worked on the 2007 Obama Campaign and for the Clinton Health Access Initiative in Zambia. But Jason stepped away from his successful consulting career to follow his purpose, founding Jubilee Media first as a non-profit, then transitioning to a digital media startup. Jubilee Media creates experiences to promote understanding and create human connection. Known for the viral series Middle GroundSpectrum, and Odd One Out, Jubilee has developed an audience of more than 7.5M subscribers and garnered more than 3B views.

As the world becomes more divided and media more divisive than ever, Jubilee swims against the current – bridging people together to create empathy, discourse, and love. Jason is a proud Korean-American, and recently received the Digital Influencer Award at Character Media’s Unforgettable Gala. He shared his incredible career journey in a TEDx Talk, and has been sought-after for events with groups including Spotify Space, Boston College, Wharton Asia Exchange, Bain Alumni Speaker series, and more.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

MICHAEL MIGNANO

  • Technology Entrepreneur, Executive, and Investor

Technology executive and entrepreneur Michael Mignano is passionate about building products that change the world. After serving as VP of Product for Aviary, and growing the photo editing platform’s audience to over 100M creators before an acquisition by Adobe, Michael co-founded Anchor which was acquired by Spotify in 2019 for $170M and is the world’s largest podcasting platform. His work on Anchor transformed podcasting from a niche medium into a universal form of creative expression adopted by millions worldwide. After Anchor was acquired by Spotify, Michael served as Head of Talk Audio for Spotify, where he lead the podcast, live, and video businesses for the world’s leading audio streaming platform. Michael has joined Lightspeed Venture Partners, a venture capital firm, as a partner.

Michael has been recognized by Fortune on their “40 Under 40” list, and he is an angel investor and advisor to more than fifty of the world’s most promising early-stage technology companies, including Cameo, Coda, The Infatuation, Parade, Pipe, and Stir. His career has been focused on building world-changing products that scale to hundreds of millions of users and empower people to express themselves creatively across mediums. In compelling keynote and conversations, Michael shares insights on shifting global culture through powerful ideas, leveraging your passion into an impactful career, and maximizing productivity through communication at work and in life.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

PETER ARNELL

  • Brand, Marketing, and Design Expert

Brand and design expert, New York Times bestselling author, photographer, and founder Peter Arnell has built a reputation for creating groundbreaking, boundary-averse work for global brands. He is the Founder, Chairman, and Chief Creative Officer of PETERARNELL, and the Founder and CEO of Intellectual Capital Investments. Arnell is known for transforming products, brands, and campaigns for the some of the world's most prestigious companies including Chrysler, Pepsi-Cola Co., Reebok, Donna Karan, Unilever, Fontainebleau and more. Arnell created the strategy brand concept and creative for Donna Karan New York and DKNY. He contributed and collaborated with Samsung on the introduction of the company a consumer-facing brand. He designed the global identity and packaging for the Pepsi brand and re-engineered the entire portfolio identity system and has served as Chief Innovation Officer for both Chrysler and The Home Depot. Arnell has been at the forefront of creating, building, and transforming brands, corporations, institutions, and communities for more than 40 years.

Arnell’s work as a photographer has been lauded by critics from Vogue, I-D Magazine, and other leading publications and has been exhibited at group and solo exhibitions around the world. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Shift, which showcases four decades of branding and marketing experience. His work is also the subject of Peter Arnell: Projects 1980-2020, a two-volume book that celebrates over four decades of tireless innovation and an exceptionally diverse body of work. Arnell has also devoted significant energy to the non-profit space. He currently serves on the Board of the FDNY Foundation, and previously served as a Board Member for the globally renowned non-profit, Special Olympics. Arnell’s unique interdisciplinary approach to brand uniting graphic arts, communications, photography, filmmaking, experience design, industrial design, product engineering, architecture and more to create holistic solutions that drive enduring brand value

HWA EXCLUSIVE

BRIAN DERRICK

  • Political Strategist, Civic Activist, and Tech Founder

Political strategist, activist, and tech founder Brian Derrick is transforming civic engagement with his message: “Stop doomscrolling. Start doing something.” Derrick has built a large online following with his digestible breakdowns of news and politics, including policy, election cycles and voting rights, equality, and more. He is the Founder and CEO of Oath – a civic tech platform that has raised millions of dollars for and engaged hundreds of thousands of people in state and local elections. Derrick is in-demand with groups including Generator Collective, Eleanor’s Legacy, The Next 50, Columbia Law School, and more.

A seasoned political consultant, Derrick has consulted on campaigns from city council to president – most notably for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marti Gould Cummings (NYC City Council). Derrick is also a leader in the nonprofit sector. In Development roles at Lambda Legal, the country's oldest LGBT civil rights organization, he launched new programs for the next generation of philanthropists. His activism has had lasting impact at organizations including Pelotonia, Equitas Health, and others. Leveraging his experience speaking to individuals and corporations, Derrick offers substantial insight on today’s most pressing issues.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

GEOFF DUNCAN

  • Georgia's 12th Lieutenant Governor (2019-2023)

A former professional baseball player, CNN contributor and successful entrepreneur, Geoff Duncan served as Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor from 2019-2023. As the state’s second-most powerful Republican and president of the State Senate, Duncan used a bipartisan approach to navigate the chamber through a global pandemic, civil unrest, and economic tumult. Duncan has established himself as a bold leader, especially in the areas of health care, public safety, technology, and economic development. His efforts to spearhead Georgia becoming the “Technology Capital of the East Coast” have been nationally recognized. After rising to national prominence, he authored a book entitled, GOP 2.0: How the 2020 Election Can Lead to a Better Way Forward for America's Conservative Party.

Prior to public service, Duncan enjoyed a successful career in the private sector. In 2001, he founded a marketing company that sold promotional products to mid-size and large corporate clients nationwide. In 2003, he launched a tech-enabled literature fulfillment division for several large corporate clients. In 2016, Duncan was hired as the CEO of a health care company where he successfully raised several rounds of early round growth capital. In 2019, he founded a consulting business to help growth stage private companies work directly with their management teams. Duncan also serves as a strategic advisor to several venture capital firms around the country.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

LISA WARDELL

  • Chairman and Former CEO & President, Adtalem Global Education Inc.

Business executive Lisa Wardell has more than 25 years of experience managing business strategy, operations, finance, and mergers and acquisitions, while driving shareholder value, stakeholder engagement, and company mission. Lisa currently serves as the Chairman of Adtalem Global Education Inc. – which aims to empower students to achieve their goals, find success, and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Lisa previously served as Adtalem’s President and CEO, then CEO & Chairman, and Executive Chairman. During her tenure as CEO, Wardell oversaw the strategic repositioning of Adtalem’s portfolio, and was the only African American woman CEO in S&P’s MidCap 400 Index. Under her leadership, gender and ethnic diversity has increased at the Adtalem board to 67%. Wardell has also led the higher education sector in implementing new standards in transparency and financial literacy, and in cultivating quality partnerships to fill critical global workforce needs. With expertise in business strategy, mission-driven growth, fostering diverse workforces, higher education, and advancing equity in healthcare, Lisa has been sought-after for her perspective by groups including Bloomberg, ASU+GSV Summit, Executives Breakfast Club, and more.

Prior to her work with Adtalem, Wardell was the Executive VP and COO for The RLJ Companies, a Principal at Katalyst Venture Partners, and a Senior Consultant for Accenture. She has also worked extensively in the media, entertainment, sports, gaming, and hotel industries, including assisting with the founding and management of Our Stories Films Studio and the now Charlotte Hornets. Lisa serves as the Vice Chair on the executive committee of The Business Council, and as Vice Chair of the Kennedy Center Corporate Fund. She also serves on the boards of American Express and GIII Apparel Group, Ltd., has served on the Adtalem board since 2008, and previously served on the Lowes Home Improvement board. A fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion and access to education at scale across diverse communities, Lisa also is a member of the board of the Economic Club of Chicago, the Executive Leadership Council, CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion, and the Fortune CEO Initiative. Lisa has been featured on CNBC and Cheddar as well as in The Wall Street JournalWashington PostBusiness InsiderBlack Enterprise, and other publications.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

CINDY PARLOW CONE

  • First Female President of U.S. Soccer

Three-time Olympian and first female President of U.S. Soccer Cindy Parlow Cone made history as the first female President of U.S. Soccer. She is also first person to hold the position who also played for a senior U.S. National Team. As a player, Cone is a National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and a three-time Olympian with two gold and one silver medal. The star striker has overseen major shifts in the Federation’s priorities, focusing on taking meaningful action in the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging space and putting an emphasis on team building throughout the organization. She has overseen multiple major commercial agreements, was instrumental in resolving the Women’s National Team landmark lawsuit for equal pay, and helped U.S. Soccer reach a historic collective bargaining agreement that guarantees equal pay – including World Cup prize money – the first country to do so.

Cone has won both the Hermann Trophy and the M.A.C. Player of the Year awards, and is the youngest player ever to win both an Olympic gold medal and a Women’s World Cup title. Cone serves as the Girls’ Director for NCFC Youth, and sits on the board for Goals for Girls, a non-profit that uses soccer to teach leadership skills to young women. She has previously served on the Athlete’s Council as well as numerous committees at FIFA and at U.S. Soccer, including the FIFA Steering Committee. Cone offers impactful insights from her incredible career on and off the field, as well as lessons in adversity and leadership that inspire audiences to rise to any challenge.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ALIZA LICHT

  • Founder of LEAVE YOUR MARK

Award-winning marketer, bestselling author, podcaster, personal branding expert, and global mentor Aliza Licht has built her expertise for over two decades in marketing, communications, and digital strategy in the fashion industry. Licht is the Founder of LEAVE YOUR MARK, a multimedia brand and consultancy that focuses on brand-building and career development. She was formerly known as the anonymous social media phenomenon DKNY PR Girl, an award-winning social media personality and pioneer fashion influencer with over 1.5M fans worldwide. Her reveal generated over 230M media impressions.

Licht’s first book, Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media. has been described as “a mentorship in 285 pages.” It has ranked on Book Authority’s “100 Best Career Development Books of All Time” every year, has been translated into multiple languages, and is required reading for many communications majors in U.S. universities. Her weekly podcast, LEAVE YOUR MARK, delivers essential advice and inspiration. Named one of “America’s Next Top Mentors” by The New York Times, Licht is a sought-after consultant for brand clients as well as a members-only career coach, mentoring people on how to shape and amplify their personal brands to drive success.

Licht has been featured on Good Morning America, the Wall Street Journal, in TIME’s “Six Women Who Rule the Fashion World,” and in New York Daily News’ “Top 50 Most Powerful Women in New York.” Business Insider named Licht one of the “Top 20 Most Innovative Career Coaches,” and she offers motivational keynotes about the importance of shaping your narrative in a world where personal and professional lines are blurred and how you position yourself can determine the opportunities presented to you or handed to someone else. In demand for events with groups like LinkedIn, TEDx, SXSW, Salesforce, Facebook, and more, Licht shares her empowering message: the most important thing you can have is a strong sense of self. Her upcoming book, ON BRAND: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception (Union Square & Co.) is a comprehensive roadmap to building your personal brand online, in real life, and at work. 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JOHN MACK

  • Senior Advisor, Former CEO & Chairman of Morgan Stanley

Respected Wall Street leader and acclaimed author John Mack has shaped history with his legendary career in finance. Now a Senior Advisor of Morgan Stanley, Mr. Mack is the former Chairman of the Board of Morgan Stanley and served as Chief Executive Officer from June 2005 until December 2009. Mr. Mack first joined Morgan Stanley in May 1972 as a member of the Firm's bond department and rose steadily to positions of increasing responsibility. During his thirty-four years at Morgan Stanley, his goal was to build the strongest and most productive team on Wall Street. Mr. Mack previously served as co-CEO of Credit Suisse Group and CEO of Credit Suisse First Boston. Mr. Mack distills his visionary leadership and unmatched strategic insights in revelatory speaking engagements.

A consummate leader, Mr. Mack has perfected the ability to motivate his employees to do their best work, especially in times of crisis. He serves as a non-executive director of New Fortress Energy, the Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Tri Alpha Energy. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital and the University Hospital of both Columbia and Cornell. Mr. Mack is the author of Up Close and All In: Life Lessons from a Wall Street Warrior, and shares advice on both business and life in sought-after events.

 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

STACY LONDON

  • Style Expert and Media Maven

Beloved style expert, TV host, and author Stacy London is one of America’s foremost style experts and a pop culture icon. Best known as the co-host of TLC’s iconic show What Not to Wear for ten seasons, Stacy also hosted and executive produced Love, Lust, or Run. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Dress Your Best and The Truth About Style, and has served as a style correspondent for the Today Show, Access Hollywood, Rachel Ray, and The View. Throughout her career, Stacy has made her mark by raising the confidence of others through empowering and uplifting projects and speaking events.

In 2021, Stacy became the Founder and CEO of State of Menopause – a holistic product line for women which addresses the symptoms associated with menopause and perimenopause. By tackling this topic – which is wrapped in shame and stigma – Stacy is leveraging her expertise as a brand leader and continuing to help people from suffering silently, raising their confidence and self-esteem. In 2023, she sunset the company in favor of a long-term educational and advocacy platform about the culture of mid-life, aging, and menopause which she will debut in 2024. She currently advises several other brands on menopause and mid-life.

She previously hosted the mental health podcast Could Be Better, tbh, in collaboration with the Crisis Text Line and The Jed Foundation (JED). Stacy has spoken for groups including Harvard University, Meijer, Vassar College, The Global Wellness Conference, and Women in Retail Summit on the topics of style, self-esteem, and giving menopause the makeover it deserves!

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ERIC KUHN

  • Producer, Social Media Virtuoso, Media Innovator, and Entrepreneur

Social media virtuoso, media innovator, and successful entrepreneur Eric Kuhn has brought some of the world’s largest and most prestigious organizations into the new age while working at UTA, CNN, the NBA, and CBS News. Most notably, he was a Co-Founder and CMO for Layer3TV, a next generation cable provider spearheading a new era of home entertainment. Kuhn subsequently joined United Talent Agency and was dubbed “Hollywood’s first social media agent,” harnessing the power of social media for top industry talent. He is a renowned bridge-builder between Silicon Valley and Hollywood, advising emerging technology companies and Fortune 500 corporations on how to harness content, technology, and social media to accelerate business.

In sought-after and engaging keynotes speeches, Kuhn shares fresh ideas and actionable data that inspire listeners to re-think the way they understand and utilize innovation and technology. He provides real, practical takeaways — in the form of raw industry data, anecdotes, and actionable strategies — that organizations and leaders can readily apply to their own entrepreneurial goals. Kuhn has keynoted and moderated numerous industry conferences and events around the world and regularly speaks with companies and private equity funds to help them better understand technology and innovation.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

PHILLIP PICARDI

  • Award-Winning Journalist and Editor of Teen Vogue, them, and Allure

Award-winning journalist, editor, and author Phillip Picardi is known for his role in revolutionizing Teen Vogue, Allure, and Out Magazines. Under Picardi’s leadership, the digital audience of Teen Vogue grew from just 2M unique visitors per month to over 12M, making the Condé Nast title the fastest-growing women's magazine in America for two years running. He was then appointed by Anna Wintour to oversee the digital operations of Allure, where he concepted “The End of Anti-Aging,” an industry call to action for brands to eradicate the shame and stigma around getting older. Dubbed “the prince of Condé Nast” by The New York Times, Picardi went on to launch a community-driven platform for LGBTQ+ youth called them. From building empowered and diverse teams to generating disruptive and out-of-the-box ideas, Picardi’s speaking engagements offer an abundance of insights.

Picardi went on to rebrand and relaunch Out Magazine, the largest and most influential publication for the queer and trans community. An expert in building empowered teams, he assembled and led the most diverse staff in the brand’s history. During Picardi’s career, he has been a sought-after consultant for clients like Levi's, Ralph Lauren, Lego, Burberry, and Nike. He is also the recipient of multiple awards, including Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People, the Forbes 30 Under 30, the AdWeek Hot List, a GLAAD Award, and more. Picardi recently graduated from Harvard Divinity School, where he was one of eleven students selected for the inaugural Masters of Religion and Public Life program. His studies inspired a podcast about religion and spirituality from Crooked Media called Unholier Than Thou, and his Substack newsletter Religiously Blonde. He is currently working on his forthcoming memoir based on his thesis, “Is Jesus Kinda Hot?” In motivational events, Picardi shares his expertise that resonates with corporate leaders as well as college audiences, and moderates powerful conversations with cultural luminaries.

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MERRYL TENGESDAL

  • First and Only African American Woman USAF U-2 Pilot

Groundbreaking aviator, author, and retired Colonel Merryl Tengesdal made history as the first and only African American woman USAF U-2 Pilot. For over two decades, Tengesdal served as a Naval Aviator and Air Force Combat Pilot, deploying worldwide in support of combat and military operations and piloting the “Dragon Lady” high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. She has extensive command and senior leadership experience, most recently serving as the Director of Inspections for the Air Force Inspector General overseeing a program for 860K Airmen, and was the first woman selected to be Commander of Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Detachment 2, overseeing a multi-billion-dollar testing program. Tengesdal’s remarkable journey is chronicled in her memoir, Shatter the Sky: What going to the stratosphere taught me about self-worth, sacrifice, and discipline, and her riveting storytelling leaves audiences feeling motivated, inspired, and ready to reach new heights.

Tengesdal starred on CBS’ Tough as Nails, promoting increased minority involvement in the Trades. She has also appeared as a commentator on PBS’ UNLADYLIKE2020: The Bessie Coleman Story, as a technical consultant on Bridge of Spies, and as a featured contributor for Smithsonian Channel’s Air Warrior. Tengesdal was inducted into the 2019 Gathering of Eagles Foundation as an aviation pioneer and is a dedicated advocate for increasing women and children of color in STEM. In sought-after events with groups like Lockheed Martin, Women Impacting Storebrand Excellence, the Transportation Leadership Forum, and more, Tengesdal shares her experiences and insights on leadership as a woman and person of color in spaces where women and people of color are underrepresented, maximizing physical and mental health, and applying military leadership to business enterprises and everyday life.

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SETH MATLINS

  • Managing Director, Forbes CMO Network

Seth Matlins is an award-winning brand marketer and renowned expert on purpose- and values-driven marketing. For over 20 years, Seth has designed brand, human, and culturally-driven solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing global brands – his ideas have shaped brands, businesses, and the cultural landscape itself. He is an intrepid innovator, and as Managing Director of Forbes' CMO Network, has insight and access to the challenges facing the world's biggest brands, and the people who lead them. 

He's served as President of Rock the Vote, founded the marketing division for CAA, was the first Global CMO for Live Nation, launched his own double-bottom-line women’s brand and company, and was the former Head of Cultural Strategy and Insights at Endeavor’s 160over90 agency. As a thought leader on the role of ‘purpose’-driven marketing, Seth invigorates audiences with focused insights on leveraging ‘purpose’ as a strategic and financial driver for companies across industries.

Seth is the author of both federal legislation, The Truth in Advertising Act (HR 4341), which called on the FTC and advertising industry to consider the unintended consequences of photoshopped ads and images, and The Scratch & Sniff Book of Weed, now in its 7th printing. An in-demand authority on marketing, cultural and brand strategy, and creativity, Seth is passionate about tailoring unique and indelible talks that will generate long-lasting change.

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JACLYN JOHNSON

  • Founder and CEO, Create & Cultivate

Serial entrepreneur, author, investor, and podcaster Jaclyn Johnson is a powerhouse innovator rewriting the rules for women in business. Johnson is the Founder and CEO of Create & Cultivate, a high-impact media company uniting female entrepreneurs and CEOs through education and community, hosting over 100 events with celebrity speakers and panelists sponsored by top Fortune 500 companies. With two million-dollar exits behind her, Johnson understands first-hand what it takes to create your own space in the market, and recently launched New Money Ventures – a venture capital firm and brand incubator seeking to fund and mentor the next generation of female-led brands. In electrifying keynote speeches and conversations, Johnson shares practical takeaways for cultivating determination, finding your innovative niche, and elevating workplace equality that impact individuals and organizations alike.

Johnson has been profiled in Forbes, Ad Week, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, The Los Angeles Times, Entrepreneur, and more, and was recognized as an Ad Week Disruptor and named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30,” among other accolades. She is the author of WorkParty: How to Create & Cultivate the Career of Your Dreams, a rallying cry for women in the workplace, which Bustle called “one of the most informative and practical advice books for millennial women.” The book’s accompanying podcast, WorkParty, features compelling guests and was named to Forbes’ “21 Podcasts to Listen to in 2021” list. A gifted speaker as well as an insightful moderator, Johnson is a leader in conversations about women in the workplaces, building companies from the ground up, and creating community as a values-driven leader.

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MARC LASRY

  • Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Avenue Capital Group

Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Avenue Capital Group Marc Lasry is a renowned financial strategist and a Co-Owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA franchise. Lasry founded Avenue Capital Group with his sister, Sonia Gardner, as a global alternative investment manager focused on distressed and undervalued debt and equity opportunities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and it has grown to one of the largest distressed debt investors globally, managing assets of approximately $11.9B. He is heralded as a pioneer in distressed investing, which has been the focus of his career, and his insights are sought-after for speaking events with Reuters Global Investment Summit, the SALT Conference, the Young President’s Organization, and more.

Lasry has a background in law, and previously worked as the Director of the private debt department at R. D. Smith, the Co-Director of the bankruptcy and corporate reorganization department of Cowen & Company, and with the Robert Bass Group, managing over $100M. He is currently a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and serves on numerous boards of advisors and directors for both for-profit and non-profit private and public companies. Lasry shares takeaways for high-level investing, the impacts of current events and policy on businesses and individuals, and strategies for carving your own path across industries to cultivate an eclectic portfolio in events that will make an impact with audiences of all kinds.

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JONATHAN NEMAN

  • Co-Founder and Co-CEO of sweetgreen

Jonathan Neman is Co-Founder & Co-CEO of sweetgreen, the destination for simple, seasonal, healthy food. Jonathan and his co-founders, Nathaniel Ru and Nicolas Jammet, started sweetgreen in 2007, opening their first location in Georgetown, DC – just three months out of college. The brand’s strong food ethos, embrace of passion and purpose, and investment in local communities has enabled sweetgreen to grow into a national brand with more than 70 locations across the East Coast, Midwest and California.

Jonathan has been recognized as a key innovator in food and business, named to Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business,” Inc’s “30 Under 30,” Forbes’ “30 Under 30” and Food & Wine’s “40 Big Food Thinkers 40 and Under.” In 2016, sweetgreen was named one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies.”

Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Jonathan graduated from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, where he met Nathaniel and Nicolas.

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ROBERT RODRIGUEZ

  • Screenwriter, Filmmaker, and Producer

Robert Rodriguez is a film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor and musician.

While a student at the University of Texas at Austin in 1991, Robert Rodriguez wrote the script to his first feature film, El Mariachi, which went on to win the coveted Audience Award at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival, and became the lowest budget movie ever released by a major studio. Rodriguez wrote about these experiences in Rebel Without a Crew, a perennial guide for the independent filmmaker.

Rodriguez went on to write, produce, direct and edit a series of successful films including Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn, The Faculty, the Spy Kids franchise, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Frank Miller’s Sin City, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3D, Grindhouse, Machete and Sin City 2: A Dame To Kill For, and embarked on a collaboration with iconic film director James Cameron on the film adaptation of Alita: Battle Angel which Cameron is producing alongside Rodriguez directing.

In 2000, Rodriguez founded Troublemaker Studios, an Austin, Texas based production facility of which he is co-owner and president. The studio includes a world-renowned visual effects house, music and publishing arms and has played a primary role in making Austin a vibrant filmmaking hub.

In 2017, Rodriguez, alongside his sons Racer and Rebel, formed Double R Productions, a development and production company with capabilities to produce media projects across film, television, gaming, and interactive platforms. In addition to Red 11, Double R produced a state of the art VR live-action short called the The Limit as well as as a new feature film, We Can Be Heroes, in partnership with Netflix. We Can Be Heroes has become one of Netflix’s most popular films of all time.

He recently directed the Lady Gaga/Ariana Grande video "Rain on Me," and an episode of The Mandalorian which led to him currently producing the new Star Wars series The Book of Boba Fett.

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CHRISSY TEIGEN

  • Model and Television Personality

New York Times #1 bestselling author, TV personality, and the Founder of Cravings, Chrissy Teigen shares insights from her multi-faceted career with humor and authenticity. Teigen is best known for Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want To Eat, which debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and marked the first time a cookbook debuted at #1 on USA Today’s bestseller list. Her highly anticipated second cookbook, Cravings: Hungry for More, paired with the launch of her kitchen and tabletop collection Cravings by Chrissy Teigen. Teigen’s third cookbook Cravings: All Together: Recipes to Love became an instant New York Times bestseller. Previously seen as a judge on NBC’s comedy competition show Bring the Funny and co-host of Paramount’s Lip Sync Battle, she founded Huntley Productions, through which she executive produced Roku’s Chrissy’s Court, HBO Max’s The Way Down, and Fries! The Movie, a documentary which premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival.

Teigen has been listed as one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People,” as well as The Hollywood Reporter’s “20 Most Powerful Players in Food Media.” She was also recognized on the Variety500 list as an influential business leader, and has been a voice for social justice, women’s rights, and diverse representation in the media. Teigen is a philanthropist, fundraising $1M for the ACLU in two days, and receiving the “Heart of the City” award from City Harvest for her fundraising efforts for the food rescue non-profit.

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TONY HAWK

  • Famed Professional Skateboarder

The most recognized action sports figure in the world, Tony Hawk was just nine-years old when his brother changed his life by giving him a blue fiberglass Bahne skateboard. By 14 he’d turned pro, and by 16 he was widely considered the best skateboarder on earth. He was world champion 12 years in a row and is a 16-time X Games medalist. In 1999, he became the first skater to ever complete a 900, the holy grail of vert skating. Shortly thereafter, he teamed up with Activision to launch Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, now a billion dollar video game franchise. He has created a Tony Hawk brand that includes Birdhouse Skateboards, Hawk Clothing, and the Tony Hawk Signature Series sporting goods and toys. His speaking engagements draw huge crowds, inspiring everyone from media savvy millennials to corporate veterans.

Tony served as a correspondent at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games for NBC when skateboarding became an Olympic sport for the first time. An intuitive marketer with social networking, Tony’s fan base numbers in the millions on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. And he recently launched a new podcast co-hosted by Jason Ellis called Hawk vs. Wolf. Tony authored a New York Times bestseller, the bio HAWK—Occupation: Skateboarder, and his book How Did I Get Here? The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO, covers the business side of his career. And in 2022, a biographical documentary film titled Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off by award-winning director Sam Jones debuted on HBO, giving an in-depth look at Tony’s legendary career and personal life. Tony also oversees his own film, television and commercial production company, 900 Films. In 2002, Tony founded The Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation), which has given away over $10M to help fund over 650 public skatepark projects throughout the United States that serve over six million visitors a year.

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SOPHIA AMORUSO

  • Serial Entrepreneur in Fashion & Culture

Sophia Amoruso is a serial entrepreneur and New York Times Bestselling Author who has forged an unprecedented path in building iconic brands. Sophia has evolved from one of the most prominent figures in fashion to a cultural thought leader, inspiring a new generation of founders, professionals, freelancers, and creatives.

In 2017, Sophia founded Girlboss, a community for ambitious women. In 2019, at the 5th Girlboss Rally, which hosted 1800 attendees, she unveiled the new Girlboss.com, a digital professional network that Fast Company dubbed “The LinkedIn for Women.” Sophia also hosted Girlboss Radio, which garnered over 20 million downloads. In December 2019, it was announced that Girlboss had been acquired by Attention Capital.

Her 2014 New York Times Bestseller #GIRLBOSS, which chronicled her early life as well as her experience as the founder of fashion empire Nasty Gal, was adapted into a scripted TV series that premiered on Netflix in 2017 and was produced by Charlize Theron. Sophia has also authored two other books: Nasty Galaxy and the Girlboss Workbook. Her ebook, The Side Hustle Bible, is a guide to navigating the tricky world of professionalizing your side business.

Sophia made her mark when she founded Nasty Gal and bootstrapped it to $30 million on profitably, raising $60 million in venture capital and scaling the business to over $100 million in revenue. Sophia became a member of the CFDA in 2016. 

Sophia has been featured on the cover of Forbes magazine and featured in the Fortune 40 under 40, Forbes 30 under 30, Inc. 30 under 30, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business lists, named one of Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Women, and her podcast, Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso, was named to Forbes' 21 Podcasts To Listen To in 2021 list

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MARY CHILDS

  • Financial Journalist

Journalist and author Mary Childs is a co-host for NPR’s award-winning Planet Money podcast known for balancing in-depth analysis of the most pressing financial topics with tenacious clarity, and offering accessible insights and takeaways for individuals and organizations. Previously, Childs worked as a senior reporter for Barron’s magazine, where she covered the alternatives industry, the bond market, and capitalism; a correspondent for the Financial Times; and a contributor to Bloomberg News. Her forthcoming book The Bond King: How One Man Made a Market, Built an Empire, and Lost it All was listed as one of LitHub’s most anticipated of the year. She's reported deeply about the pioneering of new asset classes, proposals to solve inequality, and diversity in the finance industry.

Named a 2015 Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Honoree, Childs’s award-winning work has been chosen as The New Yorker’s “Best Business Reporting” and highlighted on The Daily Show. Childs has appeared as a commentator for Bloomberg TV, Fox Business, Yahoo TV, and Nikkei TV, as well as consulting for HBO on a finance-related program. Her writing has appeared in Quartz, The New York Times, and New York Magazine.

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PRIYA KRISHNA

  • Renowned New York Times Food Writer

Renowned New York Times food writer, author, and YouTube personality Priya Krishna is a beloved and esteemed food journalist as well as a champion of diverse storytelling in food media and beyond. Priya is the bestselling author of Indian-ish: Recipes and Articles from a Modern American Family, which she wrote with her mother. Indian-ish was named one of the Best Cookbooks of Spring 2019 by The New York Times, New York Magazine, Eater, Food & Wine, and Bon Appétit. She is also the co-author of the New York Times bestseller Cooking at Home: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Recipes (And Love My Microwave): A Cookbook. Co-written with Momofuku Founder David Chang, Cooking at Home was nominated for a James Beard Award and was named one of the Best Cookbooks of the Year by New York Post and Taste of Home. Priya is the host of NYT Cooking’s YouTube series, On the Job with Priya Krishna, among numerous other video pieces that have racked up millions of views. In sought-after events, Priya offers insightful commentary about representation in the workplace, the importance of identity and family, and championing diverse voices.

Priya has been named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list, and has been nominated for an International Association of Culinary Professionals award for her journalism. She is a regular contributor to The New York Times as well as Bon Appétit. Priya’s career began at David Chang’s Lucky Peach, a groundbreaking food magazine. Two of her essays on food, written for The New York Times, were included in the 2019 and 2021 editions of The Best American Food Writing. Priya has been in-demand for groups including Microsoft, Antares Asian Association, Spotify, Hudson Library and Historical Society, the University of Southern California, and more, offering interactive and engaging live cooking demos and speaking about representation in the workplace, the importance of family and identity, and her latest successful projects.

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BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD

  • Acclaimed Actress, Director, and Producer

Multi-hyphenate creator Bryce Dallas Howard brings decades of experience in the entertainment industry to her insights about creativity and collaboration in all areas of life. An actor, director, writer, and producer, Howard taught the Nine Muses Lab as part of the faculty at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. In addition to her weekly lectures at NYU, she has spoken at the 2022 TED Conference, SXSW EDU 2020, Harvard University, DGA Awards, AFI Fest, and the Environmental Media Association Honors.

As an actor, Howard is known for Universal’s Jurassic World franchise, Rocketman, the “Nosedive” episode of Black Mirror, and HBO’s As You Like It, for which she earned a Golden Globe nomination. She next stars in Matthew Vaughn's spy thriller Argylle. As a filmmaker, Howard directed episodes for The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett and directed and produced the feature documentaries DADS and PETS. The Founder of Nine Muses Entertainment, she has received numerous accolades for her directing work and has directed multiple commercial campaigns for Canon, Moroccan Oil, Volkswagen, and more. Howard’s motivational keynotes encompass an empowering message about mentorship, collaboration, creative chemistry, women’s empowerment, and more.

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EMMA GREDE

  • CEO and Co-Founder of Good American

Self-made mogul, CEO, and Founder Emma Grede is a groundbreaking and globally successful executive known for building incredible teams and beloved brands. Emma is the CEO and co-Founder of Good American, the first fully inclusive fashion brand that celebrates all dimensions of female power. She launched Good American alongside Khloé Kardashian and they engineered the largest denim launch in history. Their brand is now an iconic inclusive fashion line, and has expanded to ready-to-wear, swim, shoes, and activewear. Emma is also a founding partner of SKIMS, a solutions-oriented brand creating the next generation of underwear, loungewear, and shapewear, and co-Founder of Safely, the plant-powered cleaning brand delivering chemical-free cleaning products to the masses. Emma’s passion for bettering the world through socially responsible and conversation-advancing decisions is consistently reflected in the culture of her teams and the businesses she builds, and she shares her actionable insights in sought-after keynotes and conversations.

Emma is a recurring Shark on ABC’s critically acclaimed Shark Tank, making history as the first Black woman to serve as an investor on the show. As an activist as well as an investor, Emma has used her wealth of experience to identify and invest in groundbreaking entrepreneurs and start-ups rooted in inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability. She was recently named one of “America’s Richest Self-Made Women” and “America’s Richest Self-Made Women Under 40” by Forbes, and sits on the Glamour Women of the Year Advisory board. Emma serves as Chairwoman of the Fifteen Percent Pledge and also as a board member of Baby2Baby. As an immersive leader, she continues to advocate for inclusive representation across industries, while finding opportunities to foster real change. Emma’s leadership perspective is in-demand at notable events such as Forbes Women’s Power Summit, Hubspot INBOUND, MediaSlopes, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Summit, Stanford Black Leadership Conference, among others.

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RACHEL HOLLIS

  • Founder and CEO of RISE Personal Development Conference

Rachel laid the foundation for her lifestyle brand and media company with the same unfiltered honesty and staunch inclusivity that made her a three-time New York Times bestselling author of Girl, Wash Your Face; Girl, Stop Apologizing; and Didn't See That Coming. Hollis connects with a highly engaged and growing global audience of women who treasure her transparency and optimism.  She is one of the most sought-after motivational speakers, is the founder of #1 personal development conference focused entirely on women, plays host to some of today’s top podcasts (Rachel Hollis and Your Fave's Faves), and is a proud mama of four who uses her platform to empower and embolden women around the world.

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CHRISTINE SIMMONS

  • Strategist | Impact Maker | Operator | Speaker | Entrepreneur | Creator

Trailblazing leader, entrepreneur, and executive Christine Simmons brings vast experience in some of the most prominent organizations in the world to her spellbinding keynote presentations. Simmons is the Founder of consulting firm Alis Volat Propriis, LLC – which means “she who flies with her own wings” in Latin – advising businesses at every scale on operational excellence, strategic planning, business development, and representation initiatives, and more. Her clothing and merchandise line, Unapologetically™ Christine, encourages everyone to live UNAPOLOGETICALLY™ - which she defines as “Being Bold, Attacking Life’s Challenges in Extraordinary Fashion, & Loving Oneself – Flaws and All!” In 2019, Christine was named Chief Operating Officer at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – the first Woman and Black person to hold the position. Prior to this role, Simmons was President & Chief Operating Officer of the three-time WNBA Champion Los Angeles Sparks, and was an Executive Vice President with Magic Johnson Enterprises, where she evaluated investment opportunities and was responsible for business development. Speaking globally on topics including business, strategy, leadership, inclusion, and empowerment, Simmons has been sought after by groups including the Bank of America Women’s Conference, UCLA Velocity Conference, and The Black Employee Network from Blue Shield of California, among others.

With over two decades of leadership experience in creating strategic alliances, leading business development, and driving corporate initiatives, Christine has worked with many Fortune 500 corporations and multi-million-dollar companies including Disney and NBCUniversal. A proud UCLA graduate, Simmons currently holds seats on UCLA Foundation Board of Directors and the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Advisory Board. Previously, she served on the UC Board of Regents, where she served on the Finance and Capital Strategies, Public Engagement and Development, Investments & Basic Needs committees. She is a Past President and Director on the Board of the UCLA Alumni Association representing all 500,000 global Bruins. Simmons is on the Advisory Council for Playbook Makers, Spry, Next Play Capital, Shared Harvest Fund, and MyCOVID MD. She also volunteers for Better Futures for Thomazeau – a small, grassroots nonprofit that provides aide and is currently building a vocational school in Haiti. A huge advocate of mentoring, Christine formally mentors the next generation of Black and Brown women through Cari Champion’s foundation, Brown Girls Dream, and has informally mentored countless others.

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ALEXIS MCGILL JOHNSON

  • President & CEO, Planned Parenthood

Respected political and cultural organizer Alexis McGill Johnson is the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Planned Parenthood, which provides vital health services to 2.4M people each year through more than 600 health centers across the country, offers a vision of a world of equity: where sexual and reproductive rights are basic human rights; where access to health care doesn’t depend on who you are or where you live; and where every person has the opportunity to choose their own path to a healthy and meaningful life. Alexis, a researcher by training, co-founded and co-directed the Perception Institute, which creates solutions that reduce bias and discrimination and drive equity and belonging. Alexis is a thought leader on brain science and narrative change, has written and spoken extensively on equity, race, and culture, and is sought-after for events with groups like Viacom, SXSW, MAC World AIDS Day, the United Nations Global Compact Gender Equality Summit, and more.

A tireless advocate for reproductive freedom, Alexis has served in Planned Parenthood’s leadership for more than a decade. She also serves on the boards of Color of Change and is the Founder of The Culture Group. Alexis is uniquely positioned to offer in-depth analysis, actionable insights for individuals and organizations, and shares an affirmative vision of protecting and expanding reproductive health care.

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SEEMA HINGORANI

  • Founder and Chair, Girls Who Invest

As Founder and Chair of Girls Who Invest and Managing Director at Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM), Seema Hingorani is a powerhouse in the investing sphere who is revolutionizing the industry by creating opportunities and increasing representation and diversity. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Hingorani was the Founder and CIO of SevenStep Capital, an opportunistic investment platform focused on seeding women portfolio managers, as well as serving as CIO for the New York City Retirement Systems, which had assets of $160B, and Head of Public Equities & Hedge Funds for the pension funds, which was named Hedge Fund Manager of the Year (Large Public Pension Plans) by Institutional Investor under her leadership.

While working at the highest levels in the public and private sector, Hingorani saw few faces like her own, and leveraged her experience and industry connections to solve this ‘pipeline’ problem by founding Girls Who Invest, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women in portfolio management and executive leadership in the asset management industry. Since founding the organization in 2015, she has raised over $10M to fund summer programs for over 1,400 diverse college women across the U.S. that offer training, mentorship, and internships with over 100 leading asset management firms in the U.S., U.K. and Canada, creating the next generation of leading investors.

Hingorani has worked with several organizations focused on issues concerning women and girls, and has garnered numerous accolades for her groundbreaking work: receiving the insignia of the Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honor from France in 2021, listed as one of Barron’s“100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance” as well as The Bloomberg’s 50’s “Ones To Watch,” and Traders “Wall Street Women Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2015. She served as a member of the National Finance Committee of Secretary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential Campaign, is an active member of The Economic Club of New York and 100 Women in Finance, and is a prolific speaker on the topic of a more robust inclusion of women in the corporate sector.

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IDDRIS SANDU

  • Architectural and Social Application Technologist, Innovator, and Thought Leader in Digital Realities

Creative architect, visionary technologist, and entrepreneur Iddris Sandu has revolutionized the intersection of entertainment, technology, and humanity. Hailed as a ”tech wunderkind” by The New York Times, Sandu taught himself programming at the local library in South Central LA, and his career started with an internship at Google at age 13. In addition to consulting for some of the biggest tech companies in the world (Google, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), Sandu is the Founder and Creative Director of impact-driven blockchain-based tech incubator spatial LABS (sLabs), and collaborated with the late Nipsey Hustle to conceive the world’s first smart retail experience, The Marathon Store. He is a highly sought-after speaker, giving impactful keynotes at Google, the Tesla Foundation, ComplexCon, TED, and more, offering insights about the future of technology, virtual realities, and the Metaverse, the dynamic benefits of diversity in the tech industry, and cultivating a solution-based mindset as an individual and an organization.

Sandu has been featured in Entrepreneur, which called him “one of the most gifted futurists of our time,” The New York Times, Forbes, Essence, CNBC, Dazed, and many others. He has been honored with a commendation certificate from President Obama and was recognized with the Culture Creators Innovation in Technology Award, for which he gave an exhilarating acceptance speech. As a multi-hyphenate, Sandu defies tech mogul stereotypes, focusing on the democratization of technology in Africa and the U.S., bridging the divide between the tech industry and marginalized communities and empowering consumers to become creators. His global influence as an innovator and thought leader is significant, and audiences are ignited by his vision for a diverse and sustainable future.

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RENEE MONTGOMERY

  • Co-Owner & Vice President of the Atlanta Dream - The First WNBA Player to Become an Owner and Executive of a WNBA Team

Two-time WNBA Champion, sports analyst, and ground-breaking entrepreneur Renee Montgomery made her mark as a player and is continuing to make history. During her eleven-year career as a professional basketball player, Montgomery led her team to two WNBA Championship wins, was named an All-Star, and the 6th Woman of the Year. As Montgomery turned her focus to social justice reform, she retired from the league and pivoted to team ownership, becoming the first WNBA player to become an owner and executive of a WNBA team. She is known for her TED Talk How to Turn Moments into Momentum, sharing her journey taking a leap of faith to stand up for what is right. Montgomery is sought-after for her insights about leadership, entrepreneurship, and diversity and social justice, making an impact on audiences of all kinds.

Montgomery is also an acclaimed sports analyst, working as a studio analyst for the NBA/WNBA with Turner/NBA TV and most recently covering the 2022 NCAA Final Four with CBS. Montgomery is host of her own podcast on the LeBatard & Friends network titled Montgomery & Co. In addition to her role as Co-Owner and Vice President of the Atlanta Dream, she is also a part-owner of the FCF Beasts indoor football team, and General Partner of Valor VC. A committed philanthropist, her Renee Montgomery Foundation strives to promote positivity, teamwork, and make dreams come true along the way.

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BUDDY VALASTRO

  • TV Personality and Host, 'The Cake Boss'

Celebrity baker from numerous hit TV shows and New York Times bestselling author Buddy Valastro is best known as the beloved Cake Boss. Buddy – a fourth-generation baker – learned the ins and outs of his family’s bakery working alongside his father, Buddy Sr. His incredible cakes and entrepreneurial spirit are showcased on his numerous shows, including Cake Boss – the #1 hit TLC series that skyrocketed him to international acclaim. An outrageously affable and uplifting speaker, Buddy is an audience favorite for his inspiring family-centered message, his light-hearted baking demos, and his impeccable business insights.

Buddy is also the New York Times bestselling author of Cake Boss: Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia, Baking with the Cake Boss, Cooking Italian with the Cake Boss, and The Essential Cake Boss, and more – sharing his passion for food that brings families together to make lasting memories. From the beloved Hoboken bakery, Buddy and the famiglia have expanded the business to a 100,000 square foot baking facility, over a dozen bakeries in the U.S. and several more abroad, Buddy V’s – a string of Italian family restaurants, and 50 automated retail machines – offering 30-day shelf-life for a piece of cake. A world-renowned CEO, Buddy motivates audiences to embrace challenges, take innovation to the next level, and stay connected to purpose and passion.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

KATICA ROY

  • CEO and Founder of Pipeline

Award-winning gender economist and former Global 500 global executive Katica Roy is a programmer, data scientist, and the CEO and founder of an award-winning SaaS company, Pipeline. Pipeline uses advanced technology to enable companies to realize the economic opportunity of intersectional gender equity and launched the first gender equity app on Salesforce's AppExchange. Pipeline, which is backed by both Accenture and Workday, was named one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2019 and awarded Fast Company’s: 2023 and 2020 World’s Most Innovative Companies, 2021 Next Big Things in Tech, and 2022 World Changing Ideas.

CNN, MSNBC, CBS, Bloomberg, Cheddar, MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance, Wharton Business, Newsy, and NBC have sought Katica for her sharp and unconventional take on the day’s headlines.  She has interviewed President Biden, Vice President Harris, Senators Booker and Gillibrand, Secretary Pete, Canadian Pay Equity Commissioner Karen Jensen, Sophia Bush, Eve Rodsky, Gretchen Carlson, and Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings.

She has spoken on over 100 stages across the world including major stages at SXSW, CES, Web Summit, The Atlantic, and for major corporations such as JP Morgan, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, Cisco, Edelman, BNP Paribas and more. Katica Roy is disrupting the business world with data-driven content that dynamically changes the audience. Ultimately compelling them to take action!

Katica’s high-octane, visionary articles have been published by the World Economic Forum, Fast Company, Fortune, Forbes, Bloomberg, NBC, Entrepreneur, The Hill, The Advocate, Harvard Business Review, and Morning Consult, garnering over 2.9 billion impressions. She has received numerous accolades, including being named a 2019 Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business and awarded the 2019 Stevie Entrepreneur of the Year—Gold Award, the 2020 Colorado Entrepreneur of the Year as well as one of LinkedIn’s Top Influencer for gender equity in 2022. She is a member of Fast Company’s Impact Council and Bloomberg’s New Economy Forum. Katica offers illuminating insights into fixing the leaky talent pipeline, the economic opportunity of gender equity, engineering gender equity into the future of work, AI and the future of revenue, the intersection of gender equity and climate change, and more.

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ED MYLETT

  • World-Class Entrepreneur and Life & Business Strategist

Globally recognized entrepreneur, bestselling author, and performance coach Ed Mylett is an expert at inspiring his audiences to live life at the highest level. Mylett began his career in the financial services industry, achieving incredible success that earned him a place on Forbes’ “50 Wealthiest Under 50” list. He has expanded his portfolio into technology, real estate, health, food & nutrition, and more. Mylett describes himself as a “team-made millionaire,” and a glowing profile in Forbes describes his “passion for mentoring and coaching others on what it takes to become a champion in all areas of life.”

Ed is the bestselling author of #MaxOut Your Life, which offers no-nonsense, step-by-step strategies to become an elite performer, and his latest book The Power of One More: The Ultimate Guide to Happiness and Success. His online audience has grown to more than 3M followers in a few short years, and his weekly podcast The Ed Mylett Show features diverse thought leaders and peak performers including Megyn Kelly, Barbara Corcoran, Martin Luther King III, Vivica A. Fox, and many more. In his books, podcast, and speaking events – which range from intimate gatherings to mega-venues of 50K attendees to online audiences of hundreds of thousands – Mylett offers high-octane inspiration and actionable, motivational takeaways engineered to make a major impact.

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CATHERINE COLEMAN FLOWERS

  • Internationally Recognized Advocate for the Human Right to Water and Sanitation

Internationally recognized environmental activist, author, and MacArthur “genius” grant recipient Catherine Coleman Flowers has dedicated her life’s work to advocating for environmental justice. Founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ), Flowers has spent her career promoting equal access to clean water, air, sanitation, and soil to reduce health and economic disparities in marginalized, rural communities. Her leadership and fervor in fighting for solutions to these issues led her to one of her most notable appointments yet — Vice Chair of the Biden Administration’s inaugural White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Flowers is the author of the acclaimed and award-winning book Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret, in which she shares her inspiring story of advocacy, from childhood to environmental justice champion. Whether addressing equal access to water, the effects of climate change on different communities, or the effect of history on today's inequities, Flowers' lens of leadership in environmental justice and climate change engages and inspires attendees with tangible solutions and ways to take action.

Flowers serves as Rural Development Manager for Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), is a Board Member for the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, and sits on the Board of Directors for the Climate Reality Project and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Flowers is also Co-Chair of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Commission on Accelerating Climate Action and Practitioner in Residence at Duke University. She has written powerful pieces for the New York Review of Books, The Guardian, The New York Times, and Frontline Magazine, and has been profiled by 60 Minutes. Thought-provoking and informative, Flowers’ talks have left lasting impressions at the American Institute of Architects, the Triple Bottom Line Americas Conference, the Bloomberg Green Festival, the Global Philanthropy Forum, Georgetown University, Wheaton University, and more.

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KEVIN GRIFFIN

  • Singer, Songwriter, and Producer Known as the Frontman for Better Than Ezra

Hit songwriter, Better Than Ezra front man, bestselling author, and philanthropist Kevin Griffin has produced, written, and co-written albums and songs that have sold over 30M copies and songs that have been streamed over a billion times. Griffin has produced and written songs performed and recorded by artists such as Taylor Swift, Train, Dierks Bentley, Barenaked Ladies, and James Blunt among others. He is the founder of the Better Than Ezra Foundation, which has raised more than $4M for charities, many of which are devoted to children and the arts around New Orleans and the gulf coast. Griffin is the author of The Greatest Song: Spark Creativity, Ignite Your Career, and Transform Your Life, a bestselling, creative nonfiction book with lessons for every profession and industry. Griffin has also served as adjunct professor and writer-in-residence at NYU’s Clive Davis School of Recorded Music.

In addition to songwriting and performing, Griffin is involved in artist management, publishing, and lectures on the subject of keeping a creative and competitive edge to groups and companies such as Live Nation, Disney, Nike, WPO, and Salesforce. He is a founder and partner along with Justin Timberlake in Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, which is a two-day event located in Franklin, TN. After its inaugural year, Rolling Stone commented that Pilgrimage had “an A-list lineup (arguably the best curated of the year)” and “established itself as a festival to watch.” An in-demand and entertaining keynote speaker, Griffin has spoken for groups including NovationWhichWichGoogle, and Young Presidents’ Organization on topics of investing in your potential, sparking creativity, and leadership.

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LINSEY DAVIS

  • Two-Time Emmy Award-Winning Journalist

Linsey Davis is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, ABC News and ABC World News Tonight Radio correspondent, and bestselling author whose timely and balanced reporting have earned her many honors including two Emmy Awards and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award. Davis is renowned for her tough but fair moderating skills in the arena of political debate, as well as insightful interviews with major influential figures, including Hillary Clinton, Mike Pence, and Dr. Anthony Fauci. She is a sought-after moderator, having led the first roundtable discussion with Black female mayors of Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Baton Rouge, and Tacoma, as well as a series of interviews with the spouses of presidential candidates in a series called Running Mates. In addition to her wave-making reporting, Davis is the bestselling author of books for children: The World is AwakeOne Big HeartStay This Way Forever, and How High is Heaven. As a speaker and moderator, Davis’ voice is in-demand on a dynamic array of subjects and audiences are energized by her presence.

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ALANIS MORISSETTE

  • Award-Winning Musician and Singer-Songwriter

Award-winning musician, singer-songwriter, actor, and activist Alanis Morissette is an enduringly popular artist whose celebrated body of work stems from a fierce commitment to authenticity. Her breakthrough album Jagged Little Pill – which earned four Grammys and sold more than 30M records – spawned a worldwide fanbase and became a hit Broadway musical, earning fifteen Tony Award nominations. As an actor, Alanis’s film and TV projects include Dogma, Sylvia, De-Lovely, Sex and the City, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Weeds, among others. On stage, she has starred in The Vagina Monologues and The Exonerated.

Beyond the entertainment world, Alanis is an avid supporter of mental health, women’s empowerment, as well as spiritual and physical wellness. She supports numerous causes that focus on empowerment, art, and environmental causes, and touches on these important issues in her insightful events. Alanis is the recipient of the Global Tolerance Award from the United Nations and Rock the Vote’s Patrick Lippert Award for her dedication to making the world safer for young people. Her uplifting keynotes have connected with audiences at events including the Wisdom 2.0 Festival, UCLA, The Embodiment Conference, and the Engendering Love Summit, where the host raved, “It was a delightful conversation, and I got tons of good feedback how much people appreciated it and Alanis’s insights. Please pass my deep heart felt gratitude to Alanis.”

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MAYSOON ZAYID

  • Acclaimed Comedian

Renowned comedian, actress, writer, and disability advocate Maysoon Zayid jokes that if there were an ‘Oppression Olympics’, she would win gold: “I’m Palestinian, I’m Muslim, I’m a woman of color, I’m divorced, disabled, and I live in New Jersey.” Zayid has performed around the world, headlining the Arabs Gone Wild Comedy Tour and The Muslims Are Coming Tour, in which comedians toured the U.S. in an effort to counter Islamophobia. She is the co-founder and co-executive producer of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival and The Muslim Funny Fest. In her New York Times bestselling memoir Find Another Dream, Zayid shares her hilarious and poignant journey of failures, successes, and insights about what it takes to make your dream a reality. Known for her famed TED Talk I got 99 problems… palsy is just one, which has over 11M views, Zayid is a highly sought-after speaker for events with groups like the Ralph Lauren Foundation, Fidelity, Veeam, the Asia Society, Salesforce, and many more.

Zayid served as a full-time on-air contributor for Countdown with Keith Olberman, and has been featured on The Nick Cannon Show, including Cannon’s Comedy ClubLet’s Kiki with Miz Cracker, CNN, The Wall Street Journal’s Secrets of Wealthy Women podcast, in The New York Times, and Glamour, which hailed her as “the most fearless comic alive.” Her writing has been featured in Refinery29,  The Daily Beast, among many others, and Zayid is currently working on her second book and first middle grade graphic novel, Shiny Misfitswhich is slated to be published in 2023. A current Princeton University Arts Fellow, she teaches in-demand courses on comedy, brand messaging, and collaboration. Hilarious, disarming, and sharing a message of inclusion that matters, Zayid’s comedy and commentary resonate with audiences of all kinds.

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SABRINA IONESCU

  • Basketball Player for WNBA's New York Liberty

Professional basketball player Sabrina Ionescu plays for the New York Liberty of the WNBA and has been called the future of New York basketball. Before making the move to New York Liberty, Sabrina played for the University of Oregon where she accumulated numerous accomplishments including being unanimously voted the 2020 AP Women’s Basketball Player of the Year. She is also the first player, female, or male, in NCAA history with 2,000 career points (2,562), 1,000 career rebounds (1,040), and 1,000 career assists (1,091). Sabrina was selected first overall in the 2020 WNBA Draft, which was also the first number one overall draft pick in New York Liberty’s history. 

On May 18th, 2021, Sabrina became the youngest player in the WNBA history to record a triple double. Most recently in July 2022, Sabrina set multiple WNBA records by notching the league’s first-ever triple-double while scoring more than 30 points all while matching the current record for most all-time career triple-doubles at three. Additionally, she was voted by fans to the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game as a starter. Sabrina earned her first Gold Medal as a member of the U.S. Women’s Team during the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Australia. An engaging and inspirational speaker, Sabrina shares a message of empowerment and excellence in her motivational talks.

Sabrina is much more than just a basketball player; the 24-year-old star guard has quickly become one of the most marketable and successful names and brands in all of sports. In March of 2021, Sabrina was featured on the cover of SLAM Magazine for “The Future Issue” where she was penned as the future of New York basketball. Additionally, Sabrina is continuing her mission of inspiring the next generation to pursue athletic excellence, which led to her creating “SI20” youth basketball camps. A few of her brand partners include Nike, BodyArmor, Autograph, Division Street and The Boardroom. Offering major inspiration about teamwork, overcoming obstacles, and making a difference, Sabrina’s programs resonate with corporate audiences, organizations, and young people.

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SARAH BROOM

  • New York Times Bestselling Author, 'The Yellow House'

National Book Award Winner and instant New York Times bestseller Sarah M. Broom is the author of The Yellow House – a brilliant, haunting, and unforgettable memoir. The Yellow House, is about the inexorable pull of home and family, set in a shotgun house in New Orleans East. Heralded as “an instantly essential text, examining the past, present and possible future of the city of New Orleans, and of America writ large” (cover review of the New York Times Book Review), Sarah’s debut has been dubbed a must-read book in over 15 publications including the LA Times, the Washington PostVanity Fair, NPR, and TIME. Sarah is currently working on her next three books, which will take readers on a collective journey, as she does in her poignant talks about her writing, reflections, the creative process, and lessons from the past we carry into the future.

Sarah’s work has appeared in the New YorkerThe New York Times MagazineThe Oxford American, and O, The Oprah Magazine, among others. She was awarded a Whiting Foundation Creative Nonfiction Grant in 2016 and was a finalist for the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Creative Nonfiction in 2011. She has also been awarded fellowships at Djerassi Resident Artists Program and The MacDowell Colony. Sarah has been sought-after for events with Princeton University, The East Baton Rouge Parish Library, Adelphi University, Tulane University, Millsaps College, Stanford University, and the National Association for Law Placement, among others.

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JUDY MURRAY OBE

  • Tennis Coach

Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray OBE is one of the most influential and inspiring voices in the sport. A former captain of Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team, Judy was the tartan Chris Evert of her time, winning 64 Scottish titles. She is also the mother of two World No. 1 tennis players – capturing Grand Slam and Olympic titles along the way. For a decade, Judy was the National Coach of Scotland, and was the first woman to pass the Lawn Tennis Association’s Performance Coach Award. Judy offers expert insights and inspiration on building teams, developing resilience, nurturing talent, creating a champion mindset, and the parallels between sport and business.

Judy has created several initiatives to grow grass roots tennis globally and has played a pivotal role with many governing bodies in encouraging more girls to play, as well as increasing the number of female coaches and developing female leaders. In 2017, Judy was awarded an OBE for her services to tennis, women in sport, and charity. In addition, she is known for her appearance on the reality TV show, Strictly Come Dancing and is the presenter of the Driving Force docuseries - which explores the back stories of 20 of Britain's most successful female athletes. Highly respected for her creativity and insight, Judy shares her inspirational story with groups including Brodies LLP Solicitors, HSBC, JP Morgan, WTA, IBM, Salesforce, Deloitte, Peugeot, PayPal UK, among others.

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JOEL BERVELL

  • 'Medical Mythbuster' - Over 760K Followers and 120M+ Views

Ghanaian-American medical student and science communicator Joel Bervell is known as the ‘Medical Mythbuster’ for creating viral medical content on social media that is at the forefront of conversations about racial disparities in healthcare, the hidden history of medicine, and overlooked biases in the healthcare industry. After entering medical school, Bervell became a highly respected TikTok and Instagram creator, with over 760K combined followers and 120M+ views. In his videos, as he does in speaking engagements, he breaks down complex topics about how healthcare fails to serve marginalized groups. A gifted educator and engaging speaker, Bervell has been sought after to share his unique and inspiring perspective with groups like Meta, Google, TikTok, the Clinton Foundation, General Electric, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and on behalf of the Congressional Black Congress, among others.

Bervell has been featured on Good Morning America, Business Insider, NPR, YahooNews, WebMD, and more, and has advised organizations like TikTok on efforts to increase Diversity & Inclusion. The Medical Mythbuster serves on councils including the White House Office of Public Engagement’s Health Care Leaders in Social Media, the Council for Responsible Social Media, and the World Health Organization’s ‘Operation Fides’. He has collaborated with brands including Neutrogena, Google, Samsung, Listerine, Gushers, and the American Medical Association. Bervell’s work earned him the honor of being named a Smithsonian Channel ‘Cyclebreaker’, a Scientific American ‘Revolutionary’, a 2022 National Minority Quality Forum “40 Under 40 Leader in Minority Health,” and the 2022 recipient of the American Medical Student Association’s Racial Justice in Medicine Award.

For leaders and organizations looking to understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare, increase understanding of overlooked stories, or examine the changing landscape of social media, Bervell offers an unparalleled perspective that will resonate with audiences.

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DAVID SINCLAIR

  • World's Foremost Expert on Human Longevity

Leading researcher on aging and bestselling author, Professor Dr. David Sinclair is regarded as the world’s foremost expert on human longevity. A professor in the Genetics Department at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Sinclair heads a leading research lab that has discovered why we age and how to control it. He is the inventor on more than 50 patents, has published over 180 papers that have been cited 83,000 times, and is the author of the New York Times bestseller Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don't Have To, which The Wall Street Journal called “brilliant and enthralling.” Dr. Sinclair is a serial entrepreneur who has co-founded more than a dozen successful companies including MetroBiotech, EdenRoc Sciences, Tally Health, and Life Biosciences. An expert communicator of complex medical and scientific material, Dr. Sinclair is a highly sought-after speaker for his cutting edge innovations, insights about the influence of science on our lives and lifespans, and more.

Dr. Sinclair and his work have been featured on 60 Minutes, Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fortune, and Newsweek, among others, and has been named to TIME’s lists of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” as well as the “Top 50 People in Healthcare.” He has received more than 40 awards for his research and scientific breakthroughs, including Innovator of the Year, NIH’s Pioneer Award, and an appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia – the equivalent of a knighthood – for his work in scientific communication and national security. His podcast Lifespan is one of the world’s most popular in the health and fitness category. Dr. Sinclair holds board seats on for-profit and non-profit organizations, is Co-Director of the Paul F. Glenn Center at Harvard Medical School, co-founded the scientific journal Aging, as well as Full Aligned LLC, which works to democratize access to knowledge and tools to enhance mind and body wellbeing.

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IULIIA MENDEL

  • Former Press Secretary and Spokesperson for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Journalist, political advisor, and author Iuliia Mendel rose to international prominence when she served as the press secretary and spokesperson for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mendel worked previously for ICTV, Espresso TV, 112 Ukraine, and Inter, and served as a Communications Consultant for the World Bank. She produced the documentary Shell-Shocked: Ukraine’s Trauma, the first documentary focused on post-traumatic stress disorder. Mendel’s first book, The Fight of Our Lives: My Time with Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s Battle for Democracy, and What It Means for the World, received immediate critical acclaim and has been acquired for development into a limited TV series. In her writing as well as in her speaking engagements, Mendel brings incisive analysis, insider context, and an unparalleled point of view to the most vital issues facing the world today.

Mendel is a regular op-ed columnist for The Washington Post, and her work has appeared in Politico Europe, The New York Times, the Atlantic Council, VICE, Spiegel Online, and Forbes. She became the first Ukrainian journalist to win the prestigious World Press Institute fellowship, and was named to Focus magazine’s “100 Most Influential Women in Ukraine” and Novoe Vremya magazine’s “100 Most Successful Women in Ukraine.” Sought after for her frank and moving insights, Mendel’s commentary about the war in Ukraine – as well as the international impacts of this crisis – offer a deep background on the interconnected issues playing out on the world stage.

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NATHAN CHEN

  • 2022 Olympic Gold Medalist

Gold Medal Olympic figure skater Nathan Chen is setting records and redefining men’s figure skating, one extraordinary win at a time. With his inspiring performances at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Chen cemented his position as ‘Quad King’ – landing multiple quadruple jumps in both his programs and setting Olympic records. Starting on the ice at age 3, he built an impressive competitive resume, and in 2017 he became the youngest man to win the U.S. Championship in more than five decades. Chen has earned numerous titles, winning three World Championships, six Grand Prix events, two Grand Prix Finals, and six U.S. titles, with flawless technique, fearless programs, and exuberant performances. With his second trip to the Olympics, Chen is the first Asian American man to win an Olympic title, and the first Asian American male skater to win U.S., World, and Olympic titles. An expert on developing a winning mindset, Chen offers insights about cultivating focus, harnessing the power of positive self-talk, and enjoying the moment, that have a major impact on audiences of all kinds.

Chen has been featured in GQ, Vox, The New York Times, The New Yorker, Teen Vogue, Forbes, and many more. Following his historic win, Chen thanked figure skating legend Michelle Kwan for being a role model and dedicated his gold medal to his mother for “her never-ending support.” In addition to accolades on the podium, he was named the 2019 Team USA Male Olympic Athlete of the Year, and was included on Forbes’ 2019 “30 Under 30: Sports” list. In captivating conversations, Chen shares his strategies for overcoming obstacles and his triumphant journey to winning Olympic gold.

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SEAN MCVAY

  • Head Coach of Super Bowl LVI Winning Los Angeles Rams

NFL Head Coach of the LA Rams Sean McVay has been making history with his collaborative leadership style and unparalleled offensive strategy, becoming the youngest Head Coach in NFL history to win a playoff game, make multiple Super Bowl appearances, and win, leading his team to victory in Super Bowl LVI. Following a college football career as a wide receiver at Miami University in Ohio, McVay became the youngest person in recent NFL history to be hired as a coach when he joined the Rams at age 30. He went on to revitalize the franchise, earning a reputation for what The Ringer calls a “rare brand of collaborative genius” and “the most advanced offensive mind in the game.” McVay has cultivated an expertise in strategic leadership as well as contagious enthusiasm and shares practical takeaways for those looking to create advantages out of adversity in work and in life.

The AP NFL Coach of the Year is also a powerful advocate for his colleagues, prioritizing conversations about mental health and wellness, and seeking compromises that include all points of view. For McVay, communication is the most important element of his leadership style. He shared his philosophy of the role of a coach in an interview with FOX Sports, “that’s one of the most important things a coach can do is provide support, and the best leaders make people, in any situation they are part of, better." While McVay is certainly an expert in strategy, his impact as a leader is felt in his ability to set his team up for success through open communication, humility, and compromise – and his insights are sought after by individuals and organizations seeking to improve their teamwork and achieve success.

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TAYLOR ROOKS

  • Sports Journalist, Anchor, and Interviewer

Emmy Award-nominated sports journalist Taylor Rooks is an acclaimed interviewer whose probing questions give rise to some of today’s most pressing discussions beyond the game. Rooks is the Host and Executive Producer of Take It There With Taylor Rooks, her interview show for Bleacher Report, among other duties for Turner Sports. Previously, she worked as a host, reporter, and correspondent for the Big Ten Network and as a sideline reporter for CBS Sports Network. Rooks has recently been tapped to join Amazon's Thursday Night Football as a Feature Reporter. She is known for asking daring questions that lead to revelatory conversations with some of sports’ biggest stars.

Praised in a profile by the New York Times: “Taylor Rooks gets the interviews that go viral.” She shares meaningful insights about succeeding in her industry by focusing on making connections and honoring the humanity of the players, as well as understanding the larger context behind the game. With her incomparable coverage of the NBA season during the pandemic, Rooks was tapped as featured writer for GQ’s “Men of the Year” issue. She offers unparalleled analysis based on her expertise in media as a keynote speaker, host, or interviewer to amplify meaningful events for audiences.

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SASHA DIGIULIAN

  • Most Decorated Female Professional Rock Climber in the World with 30+ First and First Female Ascents

The most decorated and arguably the best female climber in the world, Sasha DiGiulian is constantly pushing the boundaries of what most thought possible. Over the course of her career, she has been Female Overall World Champion twice, the undefeated Pan-American Champion for a ten-year span, three-time U.S. National Champion, and traveled to over 50 countries while accomplishing 30+ First and First Female Ascents. As a woman making a career within a traditionally male dominated space, she stands for equality in sport, access, pay, and treatment of female athletes. Sasha founded Female Focused Adventures, a production company that centers around storytelling in the female adventure space and empowering female content creators, striving to bolster the access and experiences of other women in the outdoors.

DiGiulian’s accomplishments have garnered her global attention, including gracing the cover of 27 magazines and features that include OprahGood Morning America, The Today Show, 60 Minutes Sports, Nightline, CNN, BBC, Vogue, and TIME. She is the recipient of the Golden Piton Award, Arco Rock Legend Award, and the American Alpine Club Robert Hicks Bates Award, which honors young climbers who show “outstanding promise for future accomplishment.” When she’s not conquering the crag, DiGiulian believes in the transformative power of sports on youth and female development. She is also deeply rooted in philanthropy, sitting on the board of the Women’s Sports Foundation and Ascend Afghanistan, and is an ambassador for Protect Our Winters and Right to Play International. In motivational talks, DiGiulian offers inspirational and actionable strategies for setting and achieving courageous goals for individuals, teams, and organizations.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

EDEN GRINSHPAN

  • Chef and Restaurateur

Eden Grinshpan is a chef, funny mom, Host of Top Chef Canada and the author of Eating Out Loud: Bold Middle Eastern Flavors for All Day Every Day. With her relatable, sincere, and humorous personality, Eden is loved for her approachable cooking and entertaining videos. She has built a strong connection with her dedicated followers through her positive, inclusive, and high-energy approach, spreading joy and laughter while showcasing delicious food and fun lifestyle content.

Eden has gained widespread recognition, as she was featured on the Forbes "30 Under 30" List, and has been highlighted by various media outlets, including Elle, Cosmopolitan, Cherry Bombe, parents.com, Glamour, The Daily Mail, and many others. While pregnant with her daughter, Ayv, Eden created a viral social media trend by posing with outrageous food stacked on her baby belly. She became an advocate for women, mothers, and breastfeeding, posting multiple videos of dancing while pumping breast milk. These pictures and videos continue to be shared and emulated to this day.

After attending Le Cordon Bleu in London and earning her “Grand Diplome” in Pastry and Cuisine, Eden found herself chasing big flavors around the world. She cooked in restaurants and indulged in culinary offerings across Europe, India, Southeast Asia, and Israel. Upon her return, Eden moved to New York City and enrolled in a management program at The Institute of Culinary Education to further enhance her culinary expertise.

Eden’s television career began with the creation of Eden Eats, a Cooking Channel show she developed with Samantha Schutz that delved into the global culinary food scene. The show gained popularity and served as a steppingstone for Eden’s television career. A year later, she launched Log On & Eat with Eden Grinshpan on the Cooking Channel, where she traveled the country in search of the most adventurous and renowned food bloggers and social media influencers. Since then, Eden has hosted and judged several television shows, including Chopped Canada, Sugar Showdown, Donut Showdown, Dean & Deluca Prince St. Podcast and more. Currently, she serves as the Host of Top Chef Canada.

Eden teamed up with Samantha Wasser, the found of by Chloe, in May 2018, to open DEZ (since closed), a Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant in the heart of NYC. The menu was inspired by Eden’s Israeli heritage.

Eden’s debut cookbook, Eating Out Loud, was published by Clarkson Potter on September 1, 2020 and she is currently working on her second cookbook set to release in the spring of 2025.

Eden splits her time between NYC and Toronto, where she resides with her husband, Ido, and their two daughters, Ayv and Romi.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

RON FINLEY

  • The Gangster Gardener

A renowned rebel with a green thumb, Ron Finley is widely known as the Gangster Gardener. After growing up in the South Central Los Angeles food prison – a geographic location where access to healthy food options is extremely limited or nonexistent – Finely is intimately familiar with the impacts of a lack of fresh produce. In 2010, he set out to fix the problem by planting vegetables in neglected dirt patches, and after being cited by the city of Los Angeles for gardening without a permit, he fought back and won – starting a petition with fellow green activists and demanding the right to garden and grow food in his neighborhood. Finley has shared his bold and tender vision for communities – and a world – transformed through gardening at events with groups like Netflix, Chase, Cornell University, Google, Salesforce, and Amazon.

Finely has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Vogue, Oprah Daily, on The Ellen Show, and more, as his passion for agriculture and food equity continues to resonate with audiences of all kinds. In 2020, he created one of the most popular classes on the Masterlass platform – with over 9M views, it was the most-watched course of the year. The Gangster Gardener founded the Ron Finley Project, an organization that spreads the movement for urban gardening and turning food deserts into food sanctuaries. Heralded for his humor and his profound message, Finley leaves audiences feeling empowered to explore new knowledge and increase their wellbeing, togetherness, and freedom through gardening.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

KWAME ALEXANDER

  • New York Times Bestselling Author of 38 Books

Internationally renowned poet, New York Times bestselling author of 38 books, educator, and publisher Kwame Alexander was the Founding Editor of VERSIFY – a publishing imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt whose mission is to “change the world one word at a time.” His latest book, The Door of No Return, is planned as the first of trilogy. Kwame has led cultural exchange delegations to Brazil, Italy, Singapore, and Ghana, where he opened the Barbara E. Alexander Memorial Library and Health Clinic in Ghana, as a part of LEAP for Ghana – now LEAP Global – an international literacy program he co-founded. He is the Writer and Executive Producer of the Disney+ series The Crossover, based on his bestselling novel of the same name, is the founder of Big Sea Entertainment, and is the Executive Producer and Host of the groundbreaking reality TV series America’s Next Great Author. In sought-after engagements, Kwame offers inspiring insights and his powerful storytelling resonates with audiences of all kinds.

Twice long-listed for the National Book Award, Kwame is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including The Newbery Award, The Coretta Scott King Author Honor, three NAACP Image Award Nominations, the Inaugural Pat Conroy Legacy Award, The Dominion Energy Strong Men and Women of Virginia, and the Penn State Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award. A regular contributor to NPR’s Morning Edition and NPR’s Poet in Residence, he has appeared in or on: The Today Show, Comedy Central, BET, The New York TimesThe Washington PostParade Magazine, and ESPN’s TheUndefeated.com. Kwame has delivered hundreds of riveting keynote speeches for corporations, educational institutions, commencements, and annual organization conferences such as Hallmark, Qualtrics, Kidscreen, Teachers College Columbia University, OpenText, and The International Literacy Association.

His forthcoming memoir Why Fathers Cry at Night and the companion podcast debuts in May 2023.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

VAL DEMINGS

  • U.S. Representative (D-FL, 2017-2023)

Former Congresswoman and Orlando Police Chief Val Demings is a rising political star who has made an impact with her message, “everyone counts, and everyone is accountable.” A lifelong public servant, Demings broke numerous glass ceilings in her rise through the Orlando Police Department, her election to Congress, her appointment to prosecute the first impeachment of former president Donald Trump, her campaign for Senate in Florida, and her consideration as a potential running mate to President Joe Biden. She is heralded as a tireless champion for public safety, civil rights, the rule of law, and the American Dream – Demings shares her perspective and insights as a riveting keynote speaker.

Demings served as the U.S. Representative for Florida’s 10th District from 2017-2023, and held positions on numerous House Committees including Judiciary, Intelligence, Homeland Security, and Oversight and Government Reform. Demings was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Women’s Caucus, and New Democratic Caucus, as well as a member of the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Review Board and the Elections Security Taskforce, to name just a few. At sought-after events with groups including the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, the Orlando Economic Partnership, League of Women Voters, 92nd Street Y, and many others, Demings shares her uplifting and inspiring vision for the promise of what America could be, if we have the courage to fight for it.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JEFF BENEDICT

  • Expert on Leadership and the Mindset of a Champion

New York Times bestselling author, producer, and commentator Jeff Benedict is a sports journalist and expert on leadership and the mindset of a champion, whose storytelling power has captivated audiences across mediums. Jeff has written seventeen non-fiction books and many feature stories about some of the most iconic figures in sports history. He has been tapped as executive producer and writer for documentary adaptations his books, including a 10-part series based on his bestseller The Dynasty, the definitive inside story of the New England Patriots, with Imagine Entertainment for Apple TV. In 2021, he co-produced a documentary for HBO based on his #1 bestselling biography Tiger Woods. He is an executive producer on a Netflix documentary for his book Poisoned, co-produced the feature film adaptation of his book Little Pink House, and was a writer for the NFL Films documentary based on Steve Young’s biography QB. Jeff is a sought-after commentator for his unmatched ability to get to the heart of a historic moment or figure, sculpt a narrative, and look for the untold story.

Jeff has been a special-features writer for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, and The Hartford Courant, and his essays have appeared in The New York Times. His stories have been the basis of segments on 60 Minutes, CBS Sunday Morning, HBO Real Sports, Discovery Channel, The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, NFL Network, and NPR. His latest book is the instant New York Times bestseller LeBron, the definitive biography of basketball superstar LeBron James.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

BRANDON MARSHALL

  • 13 Year NFL Veteran

Legendary NFL wide receiver, entrepreneur, Emmy-nominated TV personality, and philanthropist Brandon Marshall is a dedicated mental health advocate who continues to lead conversations promoting awareness, ending stigma, and sharing inspiration. After 12 years shattering records and collecting countless awards and accolades, Marshall is now a two-time Emmy-nominated sportscaster with Showtime’s Inside the NFL and FS1’s First Things First. Amassing over 30M views and 500K YouTube subscribers, he is also the creator and host of I AM ATHLETE podcast, moderating authentic conversations that make an undeniable impact. After winning his own battle with mental illness, Marshall has become the face of mental health awareness, sharing his personal experiences and struggles, and offering a message of resilience and hope that enables audiences of all kinds to unleash their full potential.

As the Founder and CEO of House of Athlete, a lifestyle wellness brand, Marshall leverages his years as a peak athlete and champion for mental fitness to support athletes at every level. As Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of PROJECT 375, a non-profit dedicated to unlocking human potential through conversation, education, and inspiration, Marshall embodies his commitment to the mental health community. He has appeared on The View, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and more, and has been featured in The New York Times, People, Forbes, and many others. Marshall has participated in hundreds of speaking engagements, speaking to Fortune500 organizations, the Forbes Healthcare Summit, The Kennedy Forum, before the U.S. Senate, the Vatican, to NFL Owners & Coaches, and school kids, among others. In addition to championing conversations in the mental health space, Marshall is an in-demand speaker for his insights on teamwork, cultivating resilience, and developing values-based leadership within organizations and as individuals.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JOHN CENA

  • WWE Superstar

Actor, producer, entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, record-setting philanthropist, and WWE Superstar John Cena delivers high-octane star power and an empowering message of motivation and hope. Cena has been the face of WWE for more than a decade, building a $100M brand for the organization and earning the moniker “the Babe Ruth of the WWE.” He executive produced and narrated the Peacock docu-series WWE Evil, which explores impact of WWE villains on modern culture. As an actor, Cena is known for blockbuster roles in Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad, F9: The Fast Saga, Vacation Friends, and upcoming credits including Argylle, The Independent, Coyote v. Acme, and more. Cena hosts Wipeout on TBS alongside Nicole Byer, which premiered as 2021’s highest-rated new unscripted cable series. With his focus on finding the positive, maximizing opportunities, and making a difference, Cena makes an impact on audiences of all kinds.

Cena has hosted Saturday Night LiveThe ESPYs, The Today Show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, American Grit, Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?, and the 2017 and 2018 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. He is the author of Do Your Best Every Day to Do Your Best Every Day, Be A Work in Progress, and the #1 New York Times bestselling Elbow Grease series inspired by lessons he learned about hard work, perseverance, and teamwork growing up with four brothers. Cena is Make-A-Wish’s most-requested wish granter and only celebrity to grant more than 600 wishes, a long-time supporter of the U.S. military and promoter of the FitOps Foundation, which empowers veterans through fitness and community, and the recipient of USO Metro’s Legacy of Achievement Award. An in-demand speaker, Cena brings major energy and insights and leaves audiences feeling uplifted and inspired.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SIMON WINCHESTER

  • Journalist, Broadcaster, and Foreign Correspondent

Simon Winchester, bestselling author, journalist, and broadcaster, has worked as a foreign correspondent for most of his career and lectures widely at universities, geological and historical societies, and libraries. His current book, Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World, explores the notion of property—bought, earned, or received; in Europe, Africa, North America, or the South Pacific—through human history, how it has shaped us and what it will mean for our future.

The author of 30 books, Winchester specializes in eccentric, obsessive geniuses. In The Perfectionists: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World, Winchester traces the development of technology from the Industrial Age to the Digital Age to explore the single component crucial to advancement—precision—in a superb history that is both an homage and a warning for our future. The New York Times bestseller The Man Who Loved China: The Fantastic Story of the Eccentric Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdom, is the remarkable story of Joseph Needham, the eccentric and adventurous scientist who fell in love with China and whose own work there unveils the epic story of that magisterial country.

Simon Winchester's many books include Pacific, The Men Who United the States and Atlantic, as well as the New York Times bestsellers The Professor and the Madman, an account of the men behind the Oxford English Dictionary, A Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906, and The Map that Changed the World, about the nineteenth century geologist William Smith. Winchester has also penned books for young adults, The Alice Behind Wonderland and When the Earth Shakes. He is praised for his skills as a masterful and riveting storyteller both on the page and in lectures.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

GRETCHEN RUBIN

  • Happiness Expert

Happiness expert, podcaster, and five-time New York Times bestselling author Gretchen Rubin relentlessly explores human nature to understand how we can create happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative lives. Rubin started her career in law and was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor when she realized she wanted to be a writer. She is the author of several books including the blockbuster NYT bestsellers Outer Order, Inner Calm, Better Than Before, The Happiness Project, Happier at Home, and The Four Tendencies, which have sold more than 3.5M copies worldwide in more than thirty languages. One of today’s most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature, Rubin is known for her ability to distill and convey complex ideas with humor and clarity, in a way that’s accessible to a wide audience.

Rubin has addressed corporate audiences at places such as GEGoogleLinkedIn, Accenture, Procter & Gamble, as well as university audiences such as Yale Law School, Harvard Business School, and Wharton. She has appeared at numerous conferences as a featured speaker or keynoter, including SXSW, World Domination Summit, the 92nd Street Y, 5×15TEDxBlogHerthe Atlantic, Alt Design, Q Cities, Behance’s 99u, Mom 2.0, West Point, Lucid, and the Texas, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania Conferences for Women. Rubin is a regular contributor to CBS News, writes a blog with millions of yearly readers, and hosts the top-ranking, award-winning podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin, alongside her sister Elizabeth Craft. Her weekly emails reach more than one million readers. Rubin provides surprising insights and practical strategies that resonate with individuals and organizations in the pursuit of happiness.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

CATHY O'NEIL

  • Big Data Scientist

Data skeptic and New York Times bestselling author Cathy O’Neil is a thought leader exploring the realities and dangers of social networking, the consequences of algorithm design, and defending human dignity in the context of predatory capitalism. A prolific voice in academia and the private sector, O’Neil is the New York Times bestselling author of Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy, which was a semifinalist for the National Book Award. She is also a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, a renowned blogger, and her expertise was featured in the critically acclaimed documentary The Social Dilemma. O’Neill is the Founder of ORCAA, a consultancy providing algorithmic auditing services focused on safety, fairness, and principled use of data, and launched the Lede Program in Data Journalism at Columbia University. Her latest book, The Shame Machine: Who Profits in the New Age of Humiliation, investigates how shame functions as a tool across sectors including government, the healthcare system, and the wellness industry. With a mathematics Ph.D. and background in finance and AdTech startups, O’Neil offers unparalleled insight and analysis about the challenges that lie ahead for individuals and businesses in our increasingly algorithmic world.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

WILL HURD

  • U.S. Representative (R-TX) (2015 - 2021)

Cybersecurity expert, former Congressman and CIA officer, and author Will Hurd is a leading voice for bipartisanship, inclusivity, and finding unity in the face of divisive issues. While serving in Congress, Politico called Hurd “the Future of the GOP,” and he was renowned for his ability to put policy ahead of politics – getting more substantive legislation signed into law in three terms than most achieve in decades. Prior to his work in politics, Hurd served as an undercover officer in the CIA, honing an in-depth analysis of current national security concerns and the future of cybersecurity as the next domain of conflict. In his new book, American Reboot: An Idealist’s Guide to Getting Big Things Done, Hurd provides a bold political playbook for today’s most pressing issues and a vision for leadership that is values-based and inspiring for audiences of all kinds.

A renowned cybersecurity expert, Hurd is currently a managing director at Allen & Company, working with entrepreneurs on the cutting edge of technology to anticipate the shockwaves of the future. He is also a trustee of the German Marshall Fund, a board member for OpenAI, and served as a fellow at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. Hurd is an in-demand expert on the future of politics, national security, foreign affairs, and cybersecurity. Offering insights informed by his time in the CIA and the government, Hurd helps organizations and individuals put threats into context and direct our focus toward unifying strategies for policy, economic empowerment, and America’s technological future.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

KAITLIN CURTICE

  • Award-Winning Author, Poet, Storyteller, and Public Speaker

Award-winning author, poet, and storyteller Kaitlin Curtice speaks to the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives. An enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation and inter-spiritual advocate, she participates in conversations on topics such as colonialism in faith communities, and she has spoken at many conferences on the importance of inter-faith relationships. Her first book, Glory Happening: Finding the Divine Everyday Places, has been called “a stunner… every sentence is a feast for the senses” by author Rachel Held Evans. Curtice’s book Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God won the Foreword INDIES 2020 Book of the Year Award, and the 2021 Georgia Author of the Year Award and Midwest Book Award. In her writing as she does in compelling speaking engagements, Curtice shares how reconnecting with her Potawatomi identity both informs and challenges her Christian faith.

Curtice’s writing has been featured in Sojourners, Religion News Service, Apartment Therapy, On Being, SELF Magazine, and more. She also writes at The Liminality Journal, a Substack subscriber newsletter featuring essays, poetry, and more. Curtice and her work have been featured on CBS and in USA Today, and she is a regular contributor to Oprah Daily. Her latest book, Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day, explores the roles we each have to play in the world right where we are, and empowers audiences to seek wholeness in whatever spheres of influence they inhabit.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

STEVEN T. MNUCHIN

  • 77th Secretary of the Treasury (2017-2021)

Steven Terner Mnuchin was sworn in as the 77th Secretary of the Treasury on February 13, 2017.

As Secretary, Mr. Mnuchin was responsible for the U.S. Treasury, whose mission is to maintain a strong economy, foster economic growth, and create job opportunities by promoting the conditions that enable prosperity at home and abroad. He was also responsible for strengthening national security by combating economic threats and protecting our financial system, as well as managing the U.S. Government’s finances.

Secretary Mnuchin played a pivotal role in advancing the Administration’s economic agenda, including the passage and implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the bipartisan CARES ACTs . He also led the Treasury Department’s regulatory reform efforts. Secretary Mnuchin chaired the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and was a member of the National Security Council. He was responsible for using economic tools to combat terrorist financing and other threats to the United States and our allies.

Prior to his confirmation he also served as Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Dune Capital Management. He founded OneWest Bank Group LLC and served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until its sale to CIT Group Inc. Earlier in his career, Secretary Mnuchin worked at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. where he was a Partner and served as Chief Information Officer. He was recently named as non-executive Board Chair of Satellogic, a satellite imagery provider to government and commercial sectors. He has extensive experience in global financial markets and investments.

 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

THAI RANDOLPH

  • Award-Winning Marketer, Entrepreneur, Business Leader, and Architect of NextGen Entertainment Companies

Thai Randolph is CEO of Kevin Hart’s global media company HARTBEAT, most recently leading a $100M fundraise to fuel growth. As an award-winning marketer, business leader and architect of NextGen media companies, Thai has been honored on Variety and Entrepreneur's "Women of Impact" lists and AdAge's "40 Under 40," to name a few.

She has built her career at the intersection of content, commerce, and community and led the launch of Women Write Now – a first-of-its-kind screenwriting fellowship developed in partnership with the Sundance Institute and HARTBEAT to champion the next generation of Black women in comedy through mentorship, advocacy, production, and exhibition. Continuing her mission to carve out spaces for overlooked – yet influential – voices in the industry, Randolph and co-founder/actress Tika Sumpter also launched Sugaberry, an audio-first media company for and by Black women – and co-host the Gracie-award winning podcast, The Suga.

Thai’s leadership perspective is in demand at high profile events such as Advertising Week, CES, Sundance, SXSW, Cannes Lions Festival, The Wrap’s TheGrill, Variety’s Inclusion and Entertainment Summits, Future of Television Conference, Digital Entertainment World, Adobe’s Digital Marketing Conference, YouTube's Publisher Summit, Cynopsis’ Big TV Conference, and Streaming Media East, among others. As a result-focused and empathetic leader, she continues to advocate for inclusive representation in entertainment and advertising, pay equity across industries and maternal and mental health for women and people of color.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JOHN LEGEND

  • EGOT Winner: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony

EGOT-winning, critically acclaimed, multiplatinum singer-songwriter John Legend has garnered 12 Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Tony Award, among others. Legend is the first African-American man to earn an EGOT and one of only fifteen people in the prestigious EGOT club. Legend has released seven celebrated albums over the course of his career and is also a coach on The Voice.

Beyond his music career, John, along with partners Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius, is a principal of Get Lifted Film Co. Most recently, Get Lifted produced David E. Talbert’s acclaimed holiday film Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey for Netflix, the HBO, IDA Award-winning docu-series Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children, the IFC and AMC comedy series Sherman's Showcase and Sherman's Showcase: Black History Month Spectacular, and Rhythm + Flow for Netflix. Get Lifted and Erik Feig’s PICTURESTART formed Picture LIFT, a joint venture focused on developing, producing and financing multiple films in the $10M range, featuring diverse filmmakers and inclusive casts. 

From a young age, Legend aspired to use his position in the entertainment industry as a platform for social change. Throughout his career, Legend has committed his time, energy, and resources to social justice and equality. His philanthropy and advocacy has focused on building just, equitable, and thriving communities. Legend initiated the #FREEAMERICA campaign in 2015 to change the national conversation surrounding our country’s misguided criminal justice policies and to end mass incarceration. In 2007, Legend started The Show Me Campaign, to give every child access to a quality education as well as address systemic issues in our criminal justice system that disproportionately impact the poor, minorities, and disadvantaged.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SUSIE WOLFF

  • Former F1 Test Driver

Former professional racing driver, motorsport executive, and entrepreneur Susie Wolff has spent more than 20 years at the forefront gender diversity and representation internationally. At the 2014 British Grand Prix, she made history by becoming the first woman to take part in a Formula One race weekend in 22 years by driving for 16-time World Champions Williams Racing. After retiring from competition, Susie continued to be the driving force of change in the sport by founding Dare To Be Differenta mission to inspire the next generation and increase female participation in all levels of motorsport.

Susie took her first steps into management and ownership as Team Principal and shareholder of Venturi Racing in Formula E. After building the series’ most gender-diverse team, she became the marque’s Chief Executive Officer and secured two vice World Championship titles before leaving in 2022. Now, as the Managing Director of the all-female driver category, F1 Academy, Susie continues to inspire the next generation of female talent by creating opportunities and improving accessibility.

For her services and contribution to women in sport, Susie was awarded an MBE in 2017 and received an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Edinburgh and continues to be an inspirational role model for women across the world.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

NATE BERKUS

  • Award-Winning American Interior Designer

Nate is one of the world’s most influential designers. Since his first appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2002, his elevated yet deeply personal approach to design has cultivated a loyal following. Nate’s expertise, approachability and signature style have made him a beloved household name and a trusted authority for almost three decades.

Nate’s design philosophy has inspired popular product collections and his work has been featured in Architectural Digest, New York Times, WSJ, Harper’s BazaarVOGUE, and People, among many others. He is included on the ELLE DÉCOR “A-List” of the world’s top designers and the AD100 list. Audiences have followed Nate through his own TV shows, including The Nate Berkus ShowAmerican Dream Builders on NBC, and most recently The Nate & Jeremiah Home Project on HGTV. He is the author of two New York Times bestselling books, Home Rules and The Things That Matter

Throughout his career, Nate has used design to truly empower people to live beautifully. He is also sought after for his insights on entrepreneurship, his incredible 30 year career journey, as well as his inspirational perspective on love, grief, and life. Berkus has engaged and uplifted audience across the globe for groups including Soaring Spirits International, American Express and more.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ANDREW REA

  • Chef and YouTube Personality, 'Babish's Culinary Universe'

Andrew Rea is the creator and star of the hit YouTube show, Binging with Babish. Despite only being online since 2016, the show has an astounding 4.8 million fans and counting, making it one of the most popular web-based cooking shows of all time. New videos routinely receive 1 to 3 million views, with some being watched a staggering 12 million times. He is one part chef, one part filmmaker, and a generous dash of irreverent YouTube personality. His passion for teaching and experimenting in the kitchen is rivaled only by his love of film and television, both of which he endeavors to share from his New York City kitchen. Rea is also the author of Eat What You Watch and the New York Times Bestseller, Binging With Babish.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

RICK RUBIN

  • 9-Time Grammy Award-Winning Record Producer

Few individuals have affected as many corners of the musical universe for as long as Rick Rubin. He has collaborated with artists from Jay-Z to Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers to Johnny Cash, Adele to Slayer, Imagine Dragons to Lana Del Rey, Kevin Abstract to Black Sabbath. Rubin founded Def Jam recordings while studying fine art at New York University. Working from his dormitory, his first recordings with LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, and Run DMC took hip-hop music out of the underground and into the mainstream. His success in selling tens of millions of albums worldwide was a shock to the established recording industry.

Since that time, Rubin has produced and guided the most popular and cutting-edge musicians on the planet, in addition to owning and operating his own label, American Recordings. From 2007 to 2013, he moonlighted as the Co-Chairman of Columbia Records to revamp their artist roster and help the company transition from the traditional record business to the new digital model. Rubin was named a TIME "100 Most Influential People in the World.” He has won nine Grammys and two CMAs. In 2021, he interviewed Paul McCartney for the Emmy-nominated documentary series McCartney 3,2,1, which Rubin also executive produced. He recently released his first book The Creative Act which was an immediate #1 New York Times Bestseller and launched a global conversation about creativity, causing #RickRubin to trend on TikTok and receive over 39M views. Rubin is the host of the Broken Record podcast featuring conversations about life, inspiration, and craft.

In addition to being one of the most honored and prolific producers in the world, he is a renowned host and interviewer known for his incredible insights, attention, and curiosity.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DAVID GRUTMAN

  • Hospitality Innovator, Entrepreneur, and Venture Capitalist

Acclaimed innovator, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist David Grutman is a Miami-based mogul whose investments span the hospitality, technology, wellness, consumers goods, and food and beverage industries. Grutman is the Founder of the world-renowned Groot Hospitality, which owns and operates numerous high-profile restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels in Miami and Miami Beach (with imminent expansion across the U.S. and internationally). Grutman is also the Co-Owner and Creative Director of Prince, an Atlanta-based athletics and lifestyle label. There, he oversees everything from product collaborations to new product launches.

An adept and leading-edge venture capitalist, Grutman has built a substantial portfolio highlighting popular and universal objectives and cross-industry symbioses, focusing on maximum synergy and optimal returns. From the consumer arena to public-facing platforms to the nascent world of cryptocurrency, Grutman embraces dynamic diversification and openly shares his expertise, insights, and motivating takeaways in events that make an impact with both organizations and individuals. A leader in both conceptualization and portfolio management, Grutman is a guest professor at Florida International University and has also guest lectured at the prestigious School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, the University of Miami and Harvard Business School. His work has been profiled by GQ, Paper Magazine, Vogue, and many more. In his keynotes and conversations, Grutman emphasizes the importance of relationships – looking beyond the product to value the team and people behind it.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

FAWN WEAVER

  • Serial Entrepreneur

Serial entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and groundbreaking business mogul Fawn Weaver is an expert in crafting compelling stories; as a writer, powerhouse investor, and values-driven leader. Weaver leverages 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, from founding and serving as CEO of Grant Sidney, Inc., a privately held investment company, to launching the fastest-growing whiskey brand in U.S. history, Uncle Nearest, Inc. The brand boasts significant accolades as the most awarded American whiskey, including bourbon, of 2019, 2020, and 2021, sweeping 16 of the top 18 award competitions in the world. Weaver also built the $50M Uncle Nearest Venture Fund, investing in minority founded, owned, and led brands with the greatest potential to grow into legacy brands. A multi-hyphenate and popular TED speaker, Weaver is a highly sought-after voice in conversations about accelerating growth without sacrificing values, inclusive organizational strategy, and leadership, making an impact with audiences of all kinds.

The first Black American woman to build a $1B+ company from the ground up (founded, majority-owned and led) who is not a celebrity, Weaver has been featured in The New York TimesBloomberg, The Washington Post, CNBCFast CompanyOprah MagazineLos Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, and more, and she has appeared on FOX Business, the TODAY Show, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, among countless others. She is a regular contributor to Inc. Magazine, and her revelatory segment on NPR’s How I Built This with Guy Raz had the internet abuzz for weeks. A committed philanthropist, Weaver is the Founder of the Nearest Green Foundation, which offers full scholarships to every descendent of Nathan ‘Nearest’ Green, the world’s first known African American master distiller. She is certified as a Corporate Director by Harvard Business School and sits on the Endeavor Group Holdings board of directors, where she also serves on its audit committee. In riveting conversations, Weaver offers key insights and impactful takeaways about cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and what it takes to succeed across industries in business and in life.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

TOTO WOLFF

  • Co-Owner, CEO and Team Principal of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team

Motorsport executive, VC investor, and former racing driver Toto Wolff delivers star power balanced with expertise in high-performance leadership and organizational culture. Toto is the Co-Owner, CEO, and Team Principal of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. A former racing driver turned investor, Toto started his career by founding a tech-focused venture capital firm in Austria. He entered F1 with an ownership stake in the Williams F1 Team in 2009, before acquiring a 30% stake (now 33%) in the Mercedes-Benz works team in 2013. Toto has since led the team, featuring the most successful F1 driver of all-time, Lewis Hamilton, to unprecedented heights, winning eight Constructor World Championships and seven Driver World Championships.

Toto’s high-performance leadership philosophy was the subject of a Harvard Business School Case Study in 2022, “Number One in Formula 1.” He regularly visits Harvard to work with MBA students and teach the case study, leading discussions on high-performance leadership and organizational culture. In 2024, Toto will help teach a Harvard Business School course alongside professor Anita Elberse, focusing on how he has led the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 team to historic success. Toto is also an Associate Fellow at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School where he imparts lessons on entrepreneurship and innovation, as well holding an Honorary Doctorate from Cranfield University. In sought after talks, Toto leverages his understanding of winning culture, team leadership, and personal effectiveness.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

GINNI ROMETTY

  • Former Chairman, President, and CEO of IBM

Ginni Rometty is a leader, innovator, and convener who believes that how we work and lead is as important as what we achieve. As the ninth Chairman, President, and CEO of IBM, Ginni transformed the 100-year-old company, reinventing 50 percent of its portfolio, building a $25B hybrid cloud business, and establishing IBM’s leadership in AI and quantum computing. She drove record results in diversity and inclusion and supported the explosive growth of an innovative high school program, P-TECH, to prepare the workforce of the future in more than twenty-eight countries. Ginni is the author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Good Power: Leading Positive Change in Our Lives, Work, and World (Harvard Business Review Press). In the book, as she does in sought-after events, Ginni shares milestones from her life and career while redefining power as a way to drive meaningful change in positive ways for ourselves, our organizations, and for the many, not just the few – a concept she calls “good power.”

Through her work with the Business Roundtable, Rometty helped redefine the purpose of the corporation. She has been named Fortune’s #1 Most Powerful Woman three years in a row, is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and has been honored with the designation of Officier in the French Légion d’Honneur. Today, Rometty serves on multiple boards including J.P. Morgan Chase, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and co-chairs OneTen, a coalition committed to upskilling, hiring, and promoting one million Black Americans without four-year degrees by 2030 into family-sustaining jobs and careers. She offers unparalleled insights on leadership, organizational and societal transformation, DEI, the future of work and education, and more, and is in-demand for events with groups including the World Economic Forum at Davos, The Milken Institute, Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit, the Consumer Electronics Show, and Grace Hopper, to name a few.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

RON KLAIN

  • Chief of Staff to President Biden (2021-2023)

Ron Klain was the longest serving first Chief of Staff for any Democratic President (2021-2023). As Chief of Staff to President Biden, Mr. Klain oversaw the Biden-Harris White House staff and served as a member of the Cabinet. President Biden called Ron Klain “a once-in-a-generation talent with fierce intellect and heart.” Mr. Klain has been praised for his bipartisan legislative achievements, a historic focus on judicial nominations, and guiding the White House to an unexpected victory in the midterm elections. A frequent guest on TV news shows, Mr. Klain was a well-known spokesperson for the administration. Mr. Klain was selected for the TIME 100 list of global leaders while serving as Chief of Staff.

Mr. Klain held senior posts in private law practice and spent more than a decade as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Revolution LLC, an investment firm launched by AOL Co-Founder Steve Case in 2005. He is now a partner in global legal giant O'Melveny's Litigation Department and serves on the firm's Executive Committee. In addition, Mr. Klain has devoted many years to public service. He has served as on the Executive Council of TechNet, the Democracy Forward Foundation, and a member of the external advisory boards of the World Economic Forum’s Global Health Security Project and the Ending Pandemics Project. Mr. Klain has worked on eight Presidential campaigns, serving as a top debate preparation advisor to Presidents Biden, Obama and Clinton, and Democratic Presidential nominees Al Gore, John Kerry, and Hillary Clinton.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

TAMARA KEITH

  • NPR White House Correspondent

NPR White House correspondent Tamara Keith is the co-host of the NPR Politics podcast – the top political news podcast in America. Keith joined NPR in 2009 as a Business Reporter on topics spanning the business world, from policy debates to technology trends. Serving as the White House correspondent for NPR since 2014, she chronicled the final years of the Obama administration, covered Hillary Clinton’s failed bid for president, and documented the Trump administration. Keith is a sought-after speaker for events with groups including the National Association of State Retirement Administrators, Stable Value Investment Association, Johns Hopkins University, and many others.

Keith serves on the board of the White House Correspondents' Association and is the association's president through the middle of 2023. Her mission for the year of her presidency is to demystify the White House beat for the public, in an effort to help restore trust in the press, an essential pillar of American democracy. She also serves on advisory boards for the University of California Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement and the UC Berkeley J-School. Keith consistently receives glowing reviews for her events, such as: “It was honestly one of our best events (probably our best). She received a standing ovation and I’ve received non-stop kudos to and for her. Fantastic.” (Drury University)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

AMNA NAWAZ

  • Peabody and Emmy Award-Winning Broadcast Journalist

Peabody and Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist Amna Nawaz currently serves as co-anchor of PBS NewsHour. Her diligent reporting and skillful moderation have shaped coverage of some of the most important events in recent history. Amna’s portfolio is broad, delving into politics, foreign affairs, education, climate change, culture, and sports to great acclaim, with her NBC News Special ‘Inside the Obama Whitehouse’ earning her an Emmy Award. From her distinguished position as NBC’s Islamabad Bureau Chief & Correspondent to her Peabody Award-winning work for NewsHour’s 'Global Plastic Problem', Amna’s signature thoughtful and thorough analysis establish her as one of the foremost voices in journalism today.

Leading notable panels such as the Aspen Ideas Festival and the RespectAbility #ADA30 Summit 2020, Amna’s insightful moderation elevates conversations. In a ground-breaking moment, she co-moderated a 2019 Democratic Primary Debate, becoming the first Asian American and first Muslim American to do so. Amna has interviewed international newsmakers, influential voices in the arts, and travelled from border towns to Appalachia covering vital issues and enriching national and international dialogue.

Amna’s work has appeared on ABC NewsNightlineNBC NewsNBC Nightly NewsThe Today ShowDateline NBCMSNBC, and MSNBC.com. Nawaz was a Fall 2021 Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service and she is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Asian American Journalists Association, the South Asian Journalists Association, and the Inter-American Dialogue. Amna consistently receives rave reviews for her speaking engagements, such as: “Amna was outstanding! Gracious, delightful, simply perfect. The tone of her speech hit the spot. Everyone loved it.” (Greenwich Academy)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

VICTORIA EADY BUTLER

  • Award-Winning Master Blender, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey

Award-winning whiskey master blender Victoria Eady Butler is one of the key women behind the fastest-growing whiskey brand in U.S. history, Uncle Nearest, Inc. A relatively new face in the spirits world, whiskey is definitely in her blood. Butler is the great-great-granddaughter of the first known African American master distiller Nearest Green and carries on her family’s legacy first-hand. An Imbibe 75 alumnus, Butler was concluding a successful career as an analytical manager for the Regional Organized Crime Information Center in Nashville when Uncle Nearest Whiskey Founder and CEO Fawn Weaver invited her onboard. Butler quickly transitioned to master blender after curating a definitive batch of whiskey for the brand, which sold out immediately and won numerous awards, including two double-golds at international competitions.

Butler is a member of the executive team, and oversees the blending process of the core and Master Blend portfolios for the many-time award-winning Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. Butler has been sought after to speak for groups including the Bourbon Women Association, the Vibe Conference, The Mercantile Library, Tennessee Whiskey Festival, the Black Bourbon Society, to name a few.

Butler is one of Imbibe Magazine’s “75 People to Watch,” and has been featured in Wine Enthusiast Magazine, The New York Times, Garden & Gun, Food & Wine, and many more. Butler currently oversees the Nearest Green Foundation, a 501(s)(3) non-profit organization that provides scholarships to Nearest Green’s descendants, which is funded by the sales of Uncle Nearest whiskeys. An industry trailblazer, she was the first female to be awarded Master Blender of the Year at the American Icons of Whisky Awards and in 2022, she became the first person in history to win that title back-to-back. In compelling keynotes, moderated conversations, and Q&As, Butler shares her incredible journey to the top of her industry and her insights about building a purpose-drive and profitable brand.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DEMI-LEIGH TEBOW

  • Miss Universe and Miss South Africa

Entrepreneur, influencer, model, and philanthropist Demi-Leigh Tebow utilizes her platforms as Miss South Africa and Miss Universe to educate and inspire on a global scale. While traveling the world and representing South Africa on an international stage, she witnessed the universal need for every individual to be heard, loved, and valued. Always a community-minded leader, Tebow aims to leverage her platform to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. After surviving an attempted carjacking, she founded the #Unbreakable Campaign to educate, uplift, and empower women by equipping them with the skills and knowledge to be able to handle dangerous situations. Tebow shares her passion for living a values-driven life, her purpose inspired by her faith in God, and her insights about making an impact in sought-after keynotes and conversations.

Demi-Leigh lends her philanthropic vision to the Tim Tebow Foundation, working to raise awareness for the fight against human trafficking, providing support to children with medical needs, among other impactful mission work. Demi currently serves on the board for several organizations worldwide focused on supporting survivors of human trafficking and empowering them to find lasting independence. She is also an entrepreneur with a passion for supporting businesses that have ethical practices and use their platforms for impact. Tebow offers practical takeaways for those entering the entrepreneurial space, navigating their current careers, and audiences of all kinds looking to combine their business ventures with moral excellence.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

ISHA SESAY

  • Peabody Award-Winning Journalist and Former Host for CNN

Award-winning journalist, media executive, and author Isha Sesay has been covering global events and major breaking news for over a decade, with a focus on stories of social injustice and their impact on women and girls. Sesay is the CEO of OkayMedia, a media company dedicated to Black culture and uplifting Black voices, and serves on the board of directors. Previously, the celebrated journalist spent more than a decade with CNN International as an anchor and correspondent. Sesay led the CNN team that covered the kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian girls from their school in Chibok in 2014. CNN’s in-depth reporting was recognized with a Peabody Award, and Sesay received a Gracie Award for her coverage. Her painstakingly detailed account, Beneath the Tamarind Tree: A Story of Courage, Family, and the Lost Schoolgirls of Boko Haram, is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Whether offering insights about the intersections of race and gender in the media, global events, or her significant advocacy work, Sesay’s perspective makes an impact with audiences of all kinds.

Sesay is the Founder and President of W.E. (Women Everywhere) Can Lead, a non-profit organization working in her native country of Sierra Leone to nurture and empower teen girls to become Africa’s next generation of dynamic female leaders. She serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN’s reproductive health and rights agency. As the host of the podcast The Accidental Activist, Sesay moderates riveting conversations with cultural icons who are united by their motivation to make a difference in the world. In addition, she has moderated and hosted events with groups such as the Gates Foundation, Coca Cola, The Obama White House, The World Bank, MasterCard Foundation, Women Deliver, and Brilliant Minds. She has been sought-after for talks with groups like Untitled Future, The Brookings Institution, the Global Citizen Festival, among many others.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JUDGE VICTORIA PRATT

  • Internationally Recognized Expert in Criminal Justice Reform

Dynamic. Captivating. Relevant. These are just a few words used to describe Judge Victoria Pratt. She is recognized nationally and internationally for her commitment to reforming the criminal justice system. She’s been called a pioneer in procedural justice­­ – a simple, proven approach to transforming our court system using the power of dignity and respect. Her respectful approach has had a transformational impact on court participants, the community, and court practitioners. Her highly viewed TED Talk “How judges can show respect” has been listed as one of the Top 15 Most Viral Motivational Talks on Facebook, with over 37M views. Pratt is the author of The Power of Dignity: How Transforming Justice Can Heal Our Communities, which the Los Angeles Review of Books called ”mandatory reading,” among other rave reviews.

Considered a global expert, Pratt has worked in Dubai, Ukraine, England, Scotland, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mexico. She’s been featured in media outlets such as The GuardianForbes, and PBS, to name a few. She champions criminal justice reform through her consulting firm Pratt Lucien Consultants, LLC, by sharing her skills and approach with corporations such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Prudential, as well as other institutions and organizations. In sought after motivational keynotes, Pratt offers unparalleled insights on procedural justice, transforming justice, DEI work, and leadership that make an impact with audiences of all kinds. She regularly receives rave reviews for her events, such as: “"Judge Pratt does not disappoint. She is a dynamic speaker with a passionate message that applies universally. Her words made the audience members reflect long after her presentation. I highly recommend her if you want your audience to be informed and inspired!" (Prudential Financial)

HWA EXCLUSIVE

YOGI ROTH

  • Coach and Sports Analyst

Coach, sportscaster, Emmy Award-nominated filmmaker, podcaster, and New York Times bestselling author Yogi Roth is known for his relentless positivity, vital insights about the role of masculinity in sports, and powerhouse motivational keynotes. After coaching college football, he co-authored the New York Times bestseller Win Forever with Pete Carroll and his memoir From PA to LA. He is currently the lead analyst for the Pac-12 Network and has also worked as host and analyst for ESPN, FOX, and as a correspondent for CBS’ Entertainment Tonight, and has hosted the Elite 11 on ESPN, Bleacher Report, the NFL Network, and YouTube. A gifted storyteller, he has executive produced and hosted The CW’s All American Stories, and produced and directed numerous documentaries with the NFL Films, Bleacher Report, and ESPN, as well as the docuseries ProtectHer. A prolific creative, Roth has produced or directed numerous documentaries, including the Emmy-nominated Keep Climbing: 2013 Elite 11 and the LA Emmy Award-winning feature Fight On: A Jackson Family. He was the co-founder of Win Forever, which was dedicated to developing coaches hone their coaching philosophy. He is a gifted speaker, sharing insights about how finding our unique story can help us make an impact in our lives, communities, and the world.

Roth is an in-demand speakers for events with Nike, World Surf League, JC Penny, Dignity Health, IMG College, Capital One, the TEDx Austin Women’s Conference, and many more, and he spoke at the SXSW Festival addressing masculinity in sports. He hosts the podcast The It Factory: Pac-12 Football, where he interviews esteemed guests about their journeys to success, and co-hosted Season of Sam. He partnered with One World Play Project as a Story Ambassador, celebrating teams that demonstrate resiliency, and is the cofounder of Win Forever, which is dedicated to developing coaching philosophy. Roth inspires individuals and organizations to explore their potential, and maximize it by striving together to achieve goals.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

PAOLA RAMOS

  • Correspondent, VICE News

Author, Emmy-winning journalist, and Latinx advocate Paola Ramos is sought after for her informative, relatable, and engaging programs. Ramos uses multi-media platforms – in both English and Spanish – to uplift the voices of marginalized communities, break down stereotypes, and mobilize people toward civic engagement. She was the former Deputy Director of Hispanic Media for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential Campaign, a political appointee during the Obama Administration, and also served in President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. Ramos is a host for VICE News, as well as a contributor for MSNBC and Telemundo News. An in-demand voice for making sense of the latest headlines as well as meaningful shifts in culture and politics, Ramos has been an impactful speaker for groups such as Comcast, Planned Parenthood, UTA, Athena Health, Syracuse University, Orrick, and more.

Ramos is the author of Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity, an empowering cross-country travelogue for which she embarked on a journey to find the communities of people defining the controversial term, “Latinx.” Ramos and her work have been featured in Forbes, Washington Post, The Cut, Hola!, among many others. Ramos is a Hauser Leader in the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School, where she received her Masters in Public Policy, and recently joined her alma mater Barnard College’s Board of Trustees. With every speaking engagement, Ramos receives rave reviews, such as: “We had an incredible fireside chat with Paola Ramos. She was informative, relatable, and engaging. Our audience learned about different Latinx communities and shared their own experiences during the event.” (Athena Health)

 

HWA EXCLUSIVE

JULIA IOFFE

  • Renowned Journalist

Renowned journalist Julia Ioffe is a leading authority on Russian-U.S. relations, showing us precisely what is at stake. Ioffe is a Founding Partner and the Washington correspondent for Puck, a new media company covering power, money, and ego. She previously served as Senior Editor for The New Republic, was a staff writer at The Atlantic covering politics and world affairs, and a correspondent for GQ Magazine. As a highly sought-after keynote speaker, Ioffe conveys Russian-American relations from both sides with clarity and insight. In her talks, as in her Atlantic cover story “What Putin Really Wants," Ioffe provides colorful, character-rich discussions of Russia’s socio-political structure, its tempestuous historical relationship with America, and how Russia will effect U.S. politics – and policy – moving forward.

Ioffe’s work has been featured in Politico, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, Slate, Puck, and many more. Born in Moscow, Ioffe’s family moved to the U.S. when she was seven years old. She studied Soviet history at Princeton with Stephen Kotkin, and later won a Fulbright Scholarship to return to Russia, where she worked as the Moscow correspondent for The New Yorker as well as Foreign Policy. Ioffe’s area of expertise, built on years of in-depth reporting in Russia for publications that include The New Republic, acknowledges Russia’s threat against American democracy, while placing emphasis on the way the media, right and left, can both over- and-underestimate Russia’s strategic coherence and capabilities. Ioffe’s talks provide a clear-eyed view of the situation, showing us that Russia is a non-partisan issue that every American, whether Democrat or Republican, must think hard about, regardless of political affiliation.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

KATIE STURINO

  • Body Acceptance Advocate & Creator of #SuperSizeTheLook and #MakeMySize

Entrepreneur, author, and body acceptance advocate Katie Sturino is the founder of Megababe Beauty. Katie lends her voice and personal style to raise awareness for size inclusivity, empowering women of all sizes to find their confidence and celebrate their style. Her regular content series #SuperSizeTheLook and #MakeMySize have gone viral, reaching millions of people and attracting global media attention. Katie’s firsthand experience in life and business makes her the perfect person to speak to being a female founder, breaking down barriers, body positivity, and the work it takes to change societal norms.

Katie is the author of Body Talk, an illustrated workbook that tackles how women everywhere have a bad relationship with their body, though in the end, that’s not their fault. She is also the host Boob Sweat, a podcast that delves into often “taboo” topics such as dating in your 30s, Botox, and divorce. Katie has participated in panels such as the Goldman Sachs Small Business Summit, Harvard Business School Luxury Retail & Fashion Panel, WSJ’s The Future of Everything Panel, Women’s Wear Daily Panel, and more.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SCOTT DREW

  • Head Coach, Baylor Bears Men's Basketball

Two-time Big 12 Coach of the Year Scott Drew has transformed the Baylor basketball team as their Head Coach, leading them to nine NCAA Tournaments and winning the 2021 National Championship. The unprecedented renewal of the Baylor team is a testament to Drew’s passion, positivity, and relentless pursuit of excellence, and he shares his strategies for team-building success with audiences who are invigorated by his authenticity and humility.

In rebuilding the team from the ground up, he has earned an array of individual accolades, including back-to-back Big 12 Coach of the Year awards and being named the 2020 NBC Sports National Coach of the Year. Drew has intentionally cultivated an unrivalled organizational culture and championship mindset, and is a celebrated expert in perseverance and servant leadership through faith, offering takeaways that will benefit every industry.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

SAHAR ZAND

  • Award-Winning Investigative Journalist

Award-winning investigative journalist, producer, and documentarian Sahar Zand is highly regarded for her work on some of today’s most pressing topics: the Iran Nuclear Deal, mental health in Afghanistan, the refugee crisis, climate change, and many more. Zand has worked for the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Vice News, and numerous other international media outlets, and her report “The Moroccan warrior women beating men at their own games” was chosen as one of the best reports by BBC reports in 2016. Her documentary Britain’s Virginity Clinics for ITV Exposure was nominated for many awards including the Royal Television Society Programme Awards, Amnesty Media, the BAFTAs, and a True Honour Award from the Iranian and Kurdish Women Rights Organisation, where she will also serve as their patron. Zand’s creative and disruptive style of journalism has earned her high praise within the industry, and she is a highly sought-after speaker on the nuances of major global issues of conflict and human rights.

Zand was born in Iran, fled the country to avoid political persecution, and overcame adversity once she found asylum in the U.K., which has given her an insight into marginalized communities that enables her to report from a unique perspective rarely seen in mainstream media. She has been personally affected by poverty, racism, and identity issues, and is a passionate advocate for raising awareness and championing the most marginalized. Zand is a prolific storyteller, and her immersive and impact-driven work connect with a global audience. Her insights about the role of journalism in the rising disinformation epidemic, her personal experience overcoming adversity, and finding strength and resilience are impactful for audiences of all kinds.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

DANIEL GERMAIN

  • Philanthropist and Social Entrepreneurship Visionary

Philanthropist Daniel Germain, CM CQ MSM, is a true social entrepreneurship visionary who has dedicated his life to helping underprivileged children. Germain is the Founder of the Breakfast Club of Canada, a charity that promotes and assists the establishment and maintenance of school breakfast programs in Canada. After growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood, he went on humanitarian trips abroad and returned to Canada with the dream of breaking the circle of poverty. With the goal of helping children who were deprived of a vital element for their academic and social success – a nutritious breakfast – he founded the Quebec Breakfast Club. In 2005, the Quebec Breakfast Club was recognized by the United Nations as one of the best school meal programs in the world. Germain then founded Breakfast Clubs of Canada, launched an international co-operation project for young people in Quebec, and established the Montreal Millennium Summit – an international forum that puts forward ideas and projects related to the well-being of children in the world.

A true social visionary, Daniel has received numerous awards for his body of work, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Quebec YMCA Peace Medal for his commitment to youth. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec. Daniel is the founder of the Children’s Hour World Campaign launching on November 20, 2023. Children’s Hour is a world-wide movement to address global child poverty, climate change and food insecurity, the plight of young girls and women, and Indigenous people. He has been in-demand with groups like McDonalds, Walmart, Staples, Cirque De Soleil, Coca Cola, and more to share his vision.

HWA EXCLUSIVE

KATE SCHATZ

  • New York Times Bestselling Author, 'Rad American Women A-Z', 'Do the Work!', and More

New York Times bestselling author, activist, educator, and consultant Kate Schatz has been talking, writing, and teaching about race, gender, social justice, and equity for many years. Her “Rad Women” books – Rad American Women A-Z, Rad Women Worldwide, and Rad American History A-Z – have sold over 300,000 copies and been translated into four languages, and her book Rid of Me: A Story is part of the cult-favorite 33 1/3 series. Schatz is the co-author of the New York Times bestseller Do the Work: An Anti-Racist Activity Book, with W. Kamau Bell, the comedian and Emmy-winning host of CNN’s United Shades of America. An accessible and engaging keynote speaker, Schatz has given talks at hundreds of events including: ComicCon, United Nation’s GirlUp! Summit, the American Library Association, Facebook, Spotify, Pixar, and more.

Schatz’s writing has been featured in Buzzfeed, LENNY, Oxford American, and the San Francisco Chronicle, and she has appeared on Conan, MSNBC, NPR, WNYC, WBUR, and Minnesota Public Radio, and on podcasts like Nerdette, Sibling Revelry, Inflection Point, and Politically Reactiv