For more than twenty-five years, Bill Maher has set the boundaries of where funny, political talk can go on American television.  First on Politically Incorrect (Comedy Central, ABC, 1993-2002), and for more than twenty years on HBO’s Real Time, Maher’s combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 42 Emmy nominations. After naming him the 6th most influential person in media for 2023, Mediaite noted, “Maher is one of the few people in media to achieve true multi-platform success.”

One of the wittiest satirists today, Maher builds on his distinctly perceptive, occasionally politically incorrect humor live from the podium, touching on his esteemed career across comedic mediums. Most recently, Maher released his blockbuster, New York Times bestselling book What This Comedian Said Will Shock You, a brilliantly astute and acerbically funny vivisection of American life, politics, and culture. His podcast, Club Random with Bill Maher, is recorded at the bar on his property in Los Angeles and features free flowing, long-form conversations about anything and everything with a wide range of eclectic guests. Just like his work, Maher’s talks are uproarious, edgy, and unforgettably fun.

After a celebrated career spanning three decades, Sue Bird left her mark on the WNBA, women’s basketball, and the broader world of women’s sports.

Bird retired in 2022 after a historic run as the world’s premier point guard, during which she won five Olympic gold medals, four World Championship medals, two NCAA championships, and four WNBA titles. She is also a five-time EuroLeague champion, a thirteen-time WNBA All-Star, the 2021 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year, the WNBA’s all-time leader in assists, and was voted by fans as one of the WNBA’s Top 15 Players of All Time.

In 2024, Sue’s jersey was retired by the Seattle Storm (making her only the second player in franchise history to receive that honor) and she officially joined the team’s ownership group. Bird will be inducted into both the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this year and it was recently announced that she will serve as the first-ever Managing Director of USA Basketball for the upcoming Olympic cycle.

In 2021, Bird co-founded TOGETHXR—a women-centered media and commerce company—alongside Alex Morgan, Simone Manuel, and Chloe Kim, to further the progress, culture, representation, and coverage of all women and girls in sport. Through TOGETHXR, Sue produced Power of the Dream, a documentary by director Dawn Porter on the WNBA’s fight for social justice, which had a significant impact on U.S. politics in 2020; Row of Life, a feature documentary following Angela Madsen—a former Marine, three-time Paralympian, and renowned ocean rower—on her attempt to solo row unsupported from Los Angeles to Hawaii; and the six-part podcast series Summer of Gold, which chronicled the American female athletes who dominated the 1996 Atlanta Games. It was recently announced that Summer of Gold will be adapted into a television limited series, with Bird serving as one of the executive producers.

Last year, Sue hosted Sue’s Places, a basketball-focused take on Peyton Manning’s signature ESPN+ original series, where she explored the history and traditions of college basketball. Over the past several years, she and best friend Diana Taurasi have co-hosted the popular ‘alterna-cast’ The Bird & Taurasi Show during coverage of the Women’s Final Four and Sue Bird: In the Clutch, a documentary chronicling her groundbreaking career, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is currently streaming on Netflix.

At the end of 2022, Sue and her fiancée, soccer legend Megan Rapinoe, launched A Touch More, a production company focused on elevating stories about revolutionaries who move culture forward. The company champions narratives centered on identity, activism, and underrepresented communities. Their first scripted TV series, Playing the Field—based on the bestselling novel Cleat Cute—is currently in development. The ensemble series is set in the world of women’s soccer and follows a young player navigating life as a rookie, her dream of making the national team, and a budding romance with the team captain.

Bird and Rapinoe re-launched their podcast, A Touch More: The Podcast, last year. Originally an Instagram Live series that began during the height of the pandemic, the show quickly gained a large following for its candid and wide-ranging conversations, which has continued since the re-launch of the show. Sue and Megan serve as executive producers of the podcast through their A Touch More banner. The show was recently named one of Apple’s “Shows We Love” for 2024 and won the Webby Award for Best Sports Podcast this year. Bird just launched her first solo podcast, Bird’s Eye View, focused on the upcoming WNBA season.

Sue has quickly established herself as a trailblazer among former athletes transitioning into mainstream media. Her sharp perspective and vocal advocacy for racial, gender, and LGBTQIA+ equity have made her a cornerstone in athlete representation and allyship. She continues to be a visible and outspoken activist for Black lives, LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, health and wellness, and expanding opportunities for girls and marginalized communities.

Bird currently resides in both New York and Seattle.

Two-time World Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Megan Rapinoe is a true soccer legend. 

A vocal leader in every aspect of her life, Megan helped lead the US Women’s National Team to the 2019 Women’s World Cup Championship, where she took home the tournament’s two top honors – the Golden Boot for top scorer, and the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament. Megan retired in 2023 and among numerous soccer accolades, is also a New York Times Best-Selling author, one of Time100’s Most Influential People, and a recent Presidential Medal of Freedom award recipient. Rapinoe had her jersey retired by the OL Reign (the first player in franchise history and the second player in the entire NWSL to have this honor) and was inducted into the University of Portland Hall of Fame.  

At the end of 2022, Megan and her fiancé, basketball icon Sue Bird, launched A Touch More, a production company focused on elevating stories about revolutionaries who move culture forward. The company champions narratives centered on identity, activism, and underrepresented communities. Their first scripted TV series, Playing the Field—based on the bestselling novel Cleat Cute - is currently in development. The ensemble series is set in the world of women’s soccer and follows a young player navigating life as a rookie, her dream of making the national team, and a budding romance with the team captain.

Rapinoe and Bird re-launched their podcast, A Touch More: The Podcast, last year. Originally an Instagram Live series that began during the height of the pandemic, the show quickly gained a large following for its candid and wide-ranging conversations, which has continued since the re-launch of the show. Megan and Sue serve as executive producers of the podcast through their A Touch More banner. The show was recently named one of Apple’s “Shows We Love” for 2024 and won the Webby Award for Best Sports Podcast this year.

Megan is renowned for her advocacy in LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, and gender equity and has been able to intersect her passion for humanity and authenticity. 

Steven Bartlett is a cultural force inspiring entrepreneurs to think big, act boldly, and innovate fearlessly. Whether on stage, on screen, or through his hit podcast The Diary of a CEO, Bartlett’s insights and energy make him a must-see figure for anyone passionate about the future of business and leadership.

As the youngest-ever “Dragon” on BBC’s Dragons’ Den (since 2021), Bartlett brings a bold, modern perspective to this iconic show, which inspired the American hit Shark Tank. His ability to connect with emerging business leaders and younger audiences has redefined the role of a Dragons’ Den investor, making him a standout figure in the UK business community.

Bartlett is also the host of Europe’s leading podcast, The Diary of a CEO, where he engages in candid conversations on entrepreneurship, mental health, and personal growth with some of the world’s most influential figures. His raw, insightful storytelling resonates with millions, making the podcast essential listening for aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike.

His influence extends into the health and wellness sector with investments in groundbreaking companies like Huel, the UK’s fastest-growing e-commerce brand, and Zoe, a personalized nutrition program created by top scientists. His diverse portfolio also includes ventures in biotech, blockchain, space exploration, and Web3 technologies, demonstrating his visionary approach to innovation.

As the co-founder of Flight Group, a media, marketing, and investment powerhouse, Bartlett drives growth across industries through companies like Flight Fund, Flight Ventures, and Flight Story. His entrepreneurial journey began with Social Chain, a digital marketing agency that revolutionized how global brands like Apple and Coca-Cola engage with audiences.

Born in Botswana to a Nigerian mother and an English father, Bartlett’s rise from humble beginnings to becoming a multimillionaire entrepreneur is a story of grit, innovation, and authenticity. He embodies the next generation of leadership, empowering others to embrace challenges, disrupt industries, and build meaningful impact.

NASCAR Icon, Trailblazing Athlete & Resilient Champion

Jimmie Johnson is more than a motorsports legend. He’s one of the most decorated and dynamic athletes of our time. A seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and the only racecar driver ever named The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, Johnson's career is defined by grit, vision, and an unrelenting pursuit of greatness. From his record-breaking run of five consecutive championship wins to his successful crossover into INDYCAR and endurance racing, Johnson’s story is one of fearless reinvention and lasting impact.

Now a NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee and majority owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, Johnson continues to shape the future of motorsports while inspiring audiences with powerful lessons in perseverance, peak performance, and purpose-driven leadership. With a legacy that transcends the track, Johnson brings an authentic, motivating presence to every stage, sharing hard-earned insights from a career built on pushing limits, embracing change, and always racing forward.

Johnson and his wife, Chandra, are co-founders of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation (JJF), which focuses on K-12 public education. The JJF has contributed more than $13M to organizations and schools in need across the U.S., since its inception in 2006. Johnson has published two books throughout his career; On the Road and One More Lap: Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48. Johnson is a podcast host, (Never Settle with Jimmie Johnson and Marty Smith), co-owner of Happenstance Media Co.; investor in various businesses; and enjoys fitness, skiing and art.

Chelsea Handler is a powerhouse entertainer who brings her razor-sharp wit and fearless perspective to every stage she steps on. In her Las Vegas residency Chelsea at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan, Handler delivers electrifying, laugh-out-loud stand-up that captivates audiences with her unfiltered humor and magnetic energy. But she’s not just a comedian—Handler shines as a dynamic speaker, leading bold, no-topic-is-off-limits town hall events that ignite meaningful conversations about social activism, politics, and modern culture. Known for breaking barriers as the first woman to dominate late-night TV with Chelsea Lately and crafting globally acclaimed Netflix shows, Handler’s ability to blend humor with hard-hitting truths makes her a standout choice for any event. As the three-time Critics Choice Award host, Handler is an adept host and moderator. Whether she’s making audiences roar with laughter or inspiring them to take action, Handler guarantees an unforgettable, high-impact experience that leaves people buzzing.

Handler is a writer, comedian, producer, TV host, activist, and the author of seven consecutive New York Times bestsellers. She hosted the late-night talk show Chelsea Lately on the E! network from 2007 to 2014 and released a documentary series, Chelsea Does, on Netflix in January 2016. In 2016 and 2017, Handler hosted the talk show Chelsea on Netflix. Her Netflix comedy special, Revolution, was released in 2022 and is now streaming. Her beloved advice podcast, Dear Chelsea, is in its fifth season and her fourth stand-up special, The Feeling, was released by Netflix in 2025.

Handler’s best-selling books include My Horizontal Life (2005), Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea (2008), Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang (2010), Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me (2011), and 2014’s Uganda Be Killing Me, and Life Will Be the Death of Me: . . . and you too! Her latest, the instant #1 New York Times bestseller I'll Have What She's Having, is an earnest exploration of the antic-filled, exhilarating, and joyful life she’s built.

Handler has been honored by TIME magazine as one of its annual “TIME 100”; Glamour magazine as one of its 2011 Women of the Year; and the Human Rights Campaign, which gave her its Ally for Equality Award in 2009. Handler’s wide appeal and multiplatform success have been highlighted by publications all over the world. 

As a former mayor of Chicago, U.S. congressman, ambassador to Japan, and White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel has a wealth of experience navigating high-stakes environments and tackling complex issues. As a speaker, Ambassador Emanuel offers unique insights into leadership, governance, and decision-making.

Ambassador Emanuel was confirmed in a bipartisan vote as the 31st United States Ambassador to Japan on December 18, 2021. Previously, Ambassador Emanuel was the 55th Mayor of the City of Chicago, a position he held until May 2019. During that time, he made the critical choices necessary to secure Chicago’s future as a global capital. Prior to becoming Mayor, from November 2008 until October 2010, Ambassador Emanuel served as President Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff. In addition to being the President’s top advisor, the Ambassador helped the Obama administration secure the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Ambassador Emanuel was elected four times as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois’s 5th Congressional District (2002-2008). As Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Emanuel helped pass legislation to raise the minimum wage and authored the Great Lakes Restoration Act. From 1993 to 1998, Ambassador Emanuel was a key member of President Bill Clinton’s administration, rising to serve as Senior Advisor to the President for Policy and Politics. During this time, Emanuel served as a legislative liaison to Congress and spearheaded efforts to pass several of President Clinton’s signature achievements, most notably the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, and the historic Balanced Budget Act, which created the Children’s Health Insurance Program that expanded health care coverage to 10 million children. The Ambassador also worked closely with President Joseph R. Biden Jr., then a U.S. Senator, to shepherd the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 through Congress.

Ambassador Emanuel has expertise on a variety of subjects relevant across both the public and private sectors, including leadership, crisis management, urban policy, politics, negotiation, and the intersection of business and government. Blending high-level insights with an engaging and candid speaking style, Ambassador Emanuel engages audiences with both his content and delivery.

Writer, editor, and speaker Katherine Martinko strives to empower parents, teens, and other adults to limit screen time using the philosophy of “digital minimalism.” She is the author of Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance (2023) and creator of a fast-growing Substack newsletter called The Analog Family. Her approach is not anti-tech but strives to put digital media in its rightful place—as a tool, not a toy. Martinko offers smart guidance on tough topics like when to give a kid a smartphone, how to handle social media, how to say no and deal with a teen’s FOMO, how to get comfortable with giving kids more independent play, and why we all have a responsibility to help solve this collection action problem.

A former senior editor at Dotdash Meredith, Martinko is a speaker participating in Jonathan Haidt's Anxious Generation campaign. She is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, Canada’s largest newspaper, and appears regularly on national radio, TV, talk shows, and podcasts, including CBC, The National, and Global TV. Her editorial experience spans notable brands such as Martha Stewart, Allrecipes, Angi, Discovery, Treehugger, Huffington Post, Motherly, and The Toronto Star.

Martinko is well-equipped to speak on the vital issues of an anxious generation and the need for childhood unplugged. Her knowledge, practical advice, and genuine passion for improving mental well-being make her a powerful voice for those seeking to reclaim balance in the digital age.

Multiple Emmy, Peabody, and DuPont Award-winning journalist Suzanne Malveaux is the CEO and President of Malveaux Global Media. Malveaux spent two decades at CNN, bringing ground-breaking journalism to the network. There, she covered the White House for 10 years, interviewed 5 U.S. Presidents, embedded with U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and reported on the war in Ukraine from the front lines. Malveaux was recently recognized by Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism for covering "One of the Top 50 Stories of the Century" for her reporting on then-Senator Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Malveaux is also a profound advocate for ALS patients, winning a Gracie Award for her work documenting her mother’s journey with the condition.

Malveaux is Co-Chair of the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF), sits on the Board of Trustees for HBCU Xavier University, and is a former board member of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. She has been named “Journalist of the Year” by Essence Magazine and one of “America’s Most Powerful Players under 40” by Black Enterprise. Malveaux has been named an Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellow as well as an Aspen Global Leadership Network fellow and has participated in numerous panels at the Aspen Institute Ideas Festival.

Former U.S. Senator and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Ambassador Jeff Flake’s experience representing America overseas, combined with nearly two decades of knowledge and experience on Capitol Hill, make him a truly unique asset to companies and organizations trying to navigate through complex global developments, topics, and trends. Known for his genial nature while in Congress, Ambassador Flake was confirmed unanimously by his former colleagues for his current ambassadorial post. Before his Ambassadorial appointment, Ambassador Flake served on the Advisory Board of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University, as a Distinguished Fellow at Arizona State University, and at the Sorensen Center for Moral and Ethical Leadership at Brigham Young University. He also served on the board of Directors of Taylor Morrison, the nation’s fifth-largest homebuilder. Ambassador Flake is the author of the New York Times best-seller Conscience of a Conservative: A Rejection of Destructive Politics and a Return to Principle. He is also the recipient of the Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage from the University Philosophical Society at Trinity College, Dublin. He offers a timely and unique perspective on U.S. foreign policy and the geopolitics of Europe and the Middle East.

A sought-after speaker, Ambassador Flake has guest lectured at Stanford, Princeton and Yale, and he was a Resident Fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics. He has been a frequent guest on NBC’s Meet the Press, ABC’s This Week, CBS’s Face the Nation, FOX News’ Sunday, and CNN’s State of the Union. Ambassador Flake currently serves as the Director of the Institute of Politics (IOP) at Arizona State University, and as Chairman of the Board of World Trade Center Utah. He also serves as a Visiting Fellow at Brigham Young University. Ambassador Flake engages with audiences without partisan rancor or vitriol, making him capable and competent without being controversial.

Lily Kanter is a dynamic entrepreneur, conscious business leader, and inspiring voice at the intersection of meaning, purpose, and business success. As the co-founder of Serena & Lily, the iconic lifestyle and home brand known for its fresh take on American coastal design, Lily has built a career defined by innovation, integrity, and bold reinvention.

Before launching her own business, Lily spent 18 years in the corporate world — rising through the leadership ranks at Microsoft and Deloitte — where she honed the strategic, operational, and leadership skills that would later fuel her entrepreneurial success. Her story is one of vision, resilience, and conscious pivot: leaving the security of the corporate path to create something entirely her own.

Today, Lily speaks powerfully to audiences about the journey from success to significance — challenging leaders and entrepreneurs to think not just about what they build, but why they build it, and what legacy they will leave behind. She shares real-world insights into building purpose-driven businesses, fostering conscious leadership cultures, and embracing meaningful growth over empty achievement.

Lily's key speaking topics include:

• The intersection of meaning and purpose in business: how companies can drive profit while staying true to human values.

• Conscious business leadership: lessons on building companies that serve employees, communities, and customers with integrity.

• Women in business and leadership: inspiring stories and strategies to break barriers and lead with authenticity.

• Taking Success to Significance: shaping your personal and professional legacy.

• Pivoting with Purpose: how to leave the corporate world and create your own impactful path.

With her warm, candid style and proven track record, Lily Kanter leaves audiences not just inspired — but ready to lead with greater clarity, courage, and purpose.

Columbia Business School professor Dr. Sheena Iyengar is a world expert on choice and decision-making. Her book The Art of Choosing received the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year and inspired an eponymous TED Talk.  Her subsequent book, Think Bigger, was a Gold Medal Winner of the 2024 Axiom Business Book Award. Her research is regularly cited in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and The Economist as well as in popular books, such as Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink and Aziz Ansari’s Modern Romance. Dr. Iyengar has also appeared on television, including The Today Show, The Daily Show, and Fareed Zakaria’s GPS on CNN. Her TED Talks have collectively received 7M views and her research continues to inform markets, businesses, and individuals around the world.

Dr. Iyengar has been named a member of Thinkers50, a global ranking of the top 50 management thinkers. She won the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Core Teaching from Columbia Business School in 2012 and was named one of the World’s Best B-School Professors by Poets and Quants. She has also given keynotes and consulted for companies as wide-ranging as Deloitte, Google, Bloomberg, Blizzard Entertainment, J.P. Morgan & Chase, and The North Face.

Grammy-Award winning R&B artist Ciara is a multi-platinum musician, songwriter, philanthropist, entrepreneur, mom of 4 children, and force of fashion. Over her two decades in music, she has sold over 23M records and 30M singles worldwide. Ciara was recently honored an NAACP Image award for her role as Nettie in 2023 adaptation film of The Color Purple. Ciara is an entrepreneurial female founder with brands launched both independently and with her husband Russell Wilson. She is the CEO of Beauty Marks Entertainment, Ten To One Rum, and OAM (On A Mission) skincare.

Ciara is also a philanthropist who co-founded the Why Not You Foundation with husband Russell Wilson, which is dedicated to fighting poverty through education and empowering today’s youth. This cause is close to her heart as a working mom and wife. Onstage, Ciara shares her perspectives on achievement, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.

Governing Through Crisis: Lessons in Global Leadership

David Miliband—former UK Foreign Secretary and current President of the International Rescue Committee—is one of the most respected voices in global leadership today. Drawing on a remarkable career at the intersection of government, diplomacy, and humanitarian action, Miliband offers a sweeping and deeply informed perspective on what it takes to govern through crisis in a rapidly changing world.

As Foreign Secretary, Miliband helped shape UK foreign policy during an era of profound global volatility. Today, as the leader of the IRC—founded by Albert Einstein—he oversees one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, delivering life-saving aid across 40 countries and guiding refugee resettlement efforts throughout the United States. Under his stewardship, the IRC reached more than 38 million people last year alone.

In his compelling talks, Miliband explores how institutions—whether governmental, financial, or humanitarian—must evolve to meet 21st-century challenges. He speaks to the critical need for international cooperation, the moral imperatives of leadership, and the strategic thinking required to navigate conflict, displacement, public health emergencies, and climate-related crises. His TED Talk, "The Refugee Crisis is a Test of Our Character," has garnered more than 1.5M views, and his book Rescue: Refugees and the Political Crisis of Our Time offers timely insights into leadership, ethics, and global responsibility.

A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Grammy Award-winning narrator, Miliband is a gifted communicator with rare moral clarity and strategic depth. President Bill Clinton called him “one of the ablest, most creative public servants of our time.”

Whether addressing business executives, policymakers, or global citizens, Miliband challenges audiences to think bigger, lead boldly, and act with purpose in a world that demands nothing less.

With a pragmatic approach to governance and a reputation for fostering bipartisan dialogue that leads to bipartisan results, U.S. Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has been instrumental in shaping policies that drive innovation and economic growth. McHenry gained national prominence as Acting Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives during a critical period of legislative transition in 2023.

McHenry served as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, providing oversight of the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, Securities and Exchange Commission and other federal financial regulators. He was also previously a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. As a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, McHenry has focused on modernizing financial regulations to keep pace with technological advancements. He introduced the landmark "FIT (Financial Innovation and Technology) for the 21st Century Act" and "Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act" to create a balanced regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. McHenry’s leadership in this space reflects his dedication to ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of global financial innovation while safeguarding investors and maintaining market stability.

Congressman McHenry is a seasoned legislator and a leading voice in U.S. economic and financial policy, with expertise spanning key areas such as banking, financial regulation, and Crypto-currency, bitcoin, and other technologies, making him a sought-after voice on the future of economic policy. With years of experience navigating complex economic and legislative challenges, McHenry offers strategic advice on leading during a crisis, connecting business and finance with Washington policymakers, and addressing fiscal policy issues.

An iconic figure in entertainment, Selma Blair is known for her impact on screen, in fashion, and as an activist. Blair’s film career began with her comedic roles in pop culture classics Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde. Her film credits include Todd Solondz’s Storytelling, Roger Kumble’s The Sweetest Thing, Robert Benton’s Feast of Love, and John Water’s A Dirty Shame. Selma has reprised her role as “Liz Sherman” in Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy II: The Golden Army, after starring in the original Hellboy. On television, Blair played “Kris Jenner” in FX’s The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story. On stage, Blair starred in Gruesome Playground Injuries and was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Spoken Word Recording” for her reading of The Diary of Anne Frank. On Season 31 of Dancing with the Stars, Blair won the award for The Competition Contestant of 2022 at the People’s Choice Awards. She released her first memoir to critical acclaim, The New York Times bestseller, Mean Baby. Blair can also be seen on screen as the subject of the award-winning documentary feature Introducing, Selma Blair.  In 2024, Blair was celebrated as one of British Vogue's 40 “Megastars.” Beloved by audiences globally, Blair’s work across several high-profile projects has solidified her reputation in Hollywood.

Today, Blair is the Chief Creative Officer of Guide Beauty, a multi-award-winning cosmetics company, and a tireless advocate for the causes close to her heart such as disability justice and diversity in media. For her advocacy, Blair was honored with the Equity in Entertainment Award by The Hollywood Reporter, the SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award, and the Media Access Visionary Award. She has also been honored with Glamour's esteemed Women of the Year award for her courageous commitment to challenging norms and shattering barriers. Blair has been recognized as one of TIME Magazine’s People of The Year, further solidifying her impact on social change. Blair has shared her vision for a better world with hosts including the Massachusetts Conference for Women, TBC United Nations, the University of Buffalo, and many more.

Jack Lew is a distinguished attorney, diplomat, and policymaker with a remarkable career spanning both public service and the private sector. As the 76th Secretary of the Treasury (2013–2017) and United States Ambassador to Israel, Lew played a pivotal role in shaping global economic policy and U.S. foreign relations. He also served as White House Chief of Staff (2012–2013) and Director of the Office of Management and Budget under both the Clinton and Obama administrations.

Lew’s extensive experience extends beyond government service. Prior to 2010, Lew served as managing director and chief operating officer for two different Citigroup business units. Lew was tapped by Citigroup for his work as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of New York​ University, where he was responsible for budget, finance, and operations, and served as a professor of public administration. From 2004 through 2008, Lew served on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service and chaired its Management, Administration, and Governance Committee. As Special Assistant to President Clinton from 1993 to 1994, Mr. Lew helped design Americorps, the national service program.

Lew began his career in Washington in 1973 as a legislative aide. From 1979 to 1987, he was a principal domestic policy advisor to House Speaker Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr, when he served the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee as Assistant Director and then Executive Director. He was the Speaker's liaison to the Greenspan Commission, which negotiated a bipartisan solution to extend the solvency of Social Security in 1983, and he was responsible for domestic and economic issues, including Medicare, budget, tax, trade, appropriations, and energy issues. With deep expertise in public finance, policy, and international relations, Lew offers invaluable insights into leadership, economic strategy, and governance, making him an ideal speaker for audiences seeking perspectives on global economics and public service.

Lael Brainard is one of the leading economic policymakers, shaping the financial landscape through her expertise in monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and economic governance. As one of the foremost voices on the U.S. and global economy, Brainard has played a pivotal role in navigating financial crises, guiding regulatory frameworks, and fostering economic cooperation.

As the Director of the U.S. National Economic Council (NEC) from 2023 to 2025, she led the administration’s economic policies on growth, tax, investments in semiconductors and clean energy, labor markets, and trade. Before that, she served on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB) from 2014 to 2023, including as Vice Chair starting in 2022. Throughout her tenure, Brainard was instrumental in shaping U.S. monetary policy, and stabilizing financial markets in cooperation with financial officials in the US and globally.

A seasoned policymaker, Brainard’s experience spans multiple administrations. She has operated at the highest levels of economic diplomacy, including in negotiations with China. She served as Undersecretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Treasury (2009-2013), representing the U.S. in G-20 and G-7 financial negotiations, and was a key player in global economic recovery efforts following the 2008 financial crisis.

Brainard’s global perspective is rooted in her unique upbringing as the daughter of an American diplomat in Cold War-era Poland and Germany. She earned a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University and has held influential roles in academia, including at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and as Director of the Global Economy and Development Program at The Brookings Institution.

Brainard’s contributions to economic policymaking and strategy have earned her widespread recognition, including Treasury’s Alexander Hamilton Award and Harvard’s Centennial Medal. Whether advising presidents, shaping Federal Reserve policy, or guiding international economic strategy, Lael Brainard remains one of the most respected and influential voices in economic policy today.

Kurt M. Campbell was confirmed by the Senate on February 6, 2024, and sworn in as the 22nd Deputy Secretary of State on February 12, 2024. Prior to assuming this position, Deputy Secretary Campbell served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the National Security Council. He was previously founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Asia Group, LLC, a strategic advisory and capital management group. From 2009 to 2013, Campbell served as the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Earlier, he was the CEO and Co-Founder of the Center for a New American Security and concurrently served as the Director of the Aspen Strategy Group and Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Washington Quarterly.

Among the other positions he has held during his distinguished career, Campbell served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs, White House Fellow at the Treasury Department, and as Director of the Democracy Office at the National Security Council during the Clinton Administration. Campbell was an Associate Professor of Public Policy at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and served in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

He is the author or editor of ten books including The Pivot: The Future of American Statecraft in Asia, Difficult Transitions: Why Presidents Fail in Foreign Policy at the Outset of Power, and Hard Power: The New Politics of National Security.

He received his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego and his Doctorate in international relations from Brasenose College at Oxford University where he was a Distinguished Marshall Scholar. Campbell is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award.

Curtis Stone is a Los Angeles-based Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, author and culinary entrepreneur. In addition to several Michelin-starred restaurants, Curtis operates Curtis Stone Events in Los Angeles and Australia, a full-service events and catering company that crafts personalized occasions for guests. Outside his restaurants, Curtis is widely known for his appearances on television programs such as the NBC Top Chef franchise, Field Trip with Curtis Stone on PBS, Crime Scene Kitchen on FOX, Netflix’s Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend, and his show/podcast Getting Grilled with Curtis Stone. A New York Times bestselling author, Curtis has authored six cookbooks including his most recent, Good Food, Good Life. Curtis developed Kitchen Solutions, a sleek and functional cookware collection, which has become the best-reviewed brand and top-selling culinary line on the Home Shopping Network. Curtis was recognized with the Medal of the Order of Australia for his outstanding achievement and service in tourism and hospitality. As a beloved TV personality and successful restaurateur, Curtis’s engaging storytelling and infectious enthusiasm make him a standout speaker for culinary events, corporate gatherings, and any audience who loves to eat.

As a public figure, Curtis has dedicated himself to giving back. In 2016, Curtis began a new pledge to give back through his #Commit2One initiative. Each year he partners with a charity, devoting the majority of his time and resources to the cause. Through these efforts, he has raised funds and awareness for The National Young Farmer’s Coalition, Chrysalis, AdoptTogether, and Share Our Strength, which aims to end childhood hunger through their No Kid Hungry campaign. Curtis brings his passion for food to the world stage, captivating audiences with his culinary journey and impact work.

Jake Sullivan most recently served as the 28th Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (National Security Advisor). He is now the inaugural Kissinger Professor of the Practice of Statecraft and World Order at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Sullivan helped lead U.S. national security through a period of historic geopolitical change and challenge and established enduring strategic advantages for the United States. In the Obama-Biden Administration, he served as National Security Advisor to then-Vice President Biden, Director of the Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. Department of State, and Deputy Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. With a career spanning high-stakes diplomacy, national security decision-making, and technology and economic policy, Sullivan offers unparalleled insights into the forces driving the global landscape today. He is one of the most influential and well-respected voices on U.S. foreign policy and world affairs.

His unique insights include: 

• The direction of consequential and complex relationships with global powers like China, India, and Saudi Arabia.  Sullivan managed these relationships as National Security Advisor.
• Trends in a fast-moving landscape of technology, artificial intelligence, and national security. Sullivan pioneered groundbreaking policy at this intersection.
• The future of trade, investment, and industrial policy, which he first outlined in a landmark speech at the Brookings Institution that shaped the global debate.
• Complex multi-stakeholder negotiations, as a leading player in the secret negotiations that led to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
• Lessons learned from crisis management in the White House Situation Room during crisis and conflict from Ukraine to the Middle East.
• Qualities needed to build and lead successful cross-disciplinary teams.

Known for his clarity, pragmatism, authenticity, and deep understanding of global trends, Sullivan engages audiences with thought-provoking analyses and actionable ideas for shaping a more stable and prosperous world. 

Rostin "Russ" Behnam served as the 15th Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission from 2021 to January 2025. Behnam was nominated by President Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate in December 2021. Before serving as Chairman, Behnam served as a CFTC Commissioner from 2017-2021, having been nominated by President Trump in July 2017 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate the following month.

Since leaving the CFTC in February 2025, Behnam continues to be a sought after voice among global financial market experts both in the United States and globally. As CFTC Chairman, during a time of significant technological transformation and disruption in financial markets, Behnam focused on implementing rules and dedicating agency resources to enhancing risk management and resilience, strengthening customer protections, improving data policy, and promoting international comity. 

While Chairman, Behnam was at the center of the crypto policy debate in the U.S., directly influencing multiple legislative efforts to authorize the regulation of digital assets, and also overseeing the expansion of CFTC licensed crypto exchanges, intermediaries, and new financial derivatives products directly within the agency’s authority. 

Behnam is also globally recognized for his work on climate finance and examining the relationship between climate change and financial market risk. Behnam led the publication of the Managing Climate Risk in the U.S. Financial System report in September 2020, and subsequently led the passage of the CFTC’s Guidance in the voluntary carbon markets, in September 2024. 

Behnam now serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy at Georgetown University. In his new role, he is expected to leverage his extensive experience in financial regulation to contribute to academic discussions and policy development related to financial markets.

De Kai is a pioneering AI scientist who is widely regarded as “the Statesman of AI.” A founder of the contemporary AI field as known today, three decades ago De Kai invented and built the world’s first global-scale online language translator. De Kai continues to push boundaries in AI research, alongside speaking to philosophical questions about the fears and possibilities of humanity's new technology and how we can be empowered to shape our future. In his book Raising AI, De Kai brings decades of experience to help audiences make sense of our interactions with AI at both personal and collective levels—ethically and responsibly. De Kai is Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST and Distinguished Research Scholar at Berkeley’s International Computer Science Institute. His cross-disciplinary works relating AI, cognition, language, music, creativity, media arts, ethics and society centers on enabling cultures to relate, and stems from a liberal arts perspective emphasizing creativity in both technical and humanistic dimensions.

De Kai’s groundbreaking projects have spurred the paradigm shift toward today’s state-of-the-art statistical natural language processing technologies. He has done research at Berkeley, UCSD, University of Toronto, Bell Laboratories, Columbia University, TU Munich, and Toronto. He founded HKUST's internationally funded Human Language Technology Center which launched the world's first global-scale online language translator over twenty years ago.

De Kai is among only 17 scientists worldwide named by the Association for Computational Linguistics as a Founding ACL Fellow and has been named one of the 100 most influential figures of Hong Kong. His TEDx Talk was named an editor's pick. He serves on the board of AI policy think tank TFS (The Future Society), which is heavily involved in drafting the European Union’s forthcoming AI Act. In 2018, Google named De Kai as one of eight inaugural members of its AI Ethics council, ATEAC (Advanced Technology External Advisory Council). Over the past decade, De Kai has given hundreds of talks worldwide on AI ethics, society, and safety.

As a third-generation Montana farmer, Tester doesn’t just talk about rural America—he lives it. His stories about growing up on his family’s farm, working with his hands, and navigating the changing landscape of American agriculture make him a powerful voice on perseverance, self-reliance, and the importance of small-town values in a fast-changing world. From butchering meat on his farm to chairing the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Tester’s journey embodies the promise of hard work and dedication. His speeches remind audiences that leadership doesn’t come from privilege but from persistence, grit, and the willingness to stand up for what’s right. Whether he’s telling a story about fixing a fence in a Montana snowstorm or wrangling votes in the Senate, Tester’s storytelling is infused with humor, honesty, and no-nonsense wisdom. He connects with audiences by speaking plainly, making complex issues feel personal, and leaving listeners with memorable takeaways they can apply to their own lives.

Senator Tester is more than just a politician—he’s a storyteller who embodies the resilience, determination, and integrity that audiences crave. Whether speaking to corporate leaders, educators, or community advocates, his stories inspire action, remind us of our shared humanity, and prove that leadership is about rolling up your sleeves and getting to work. Known for his authenticity, ability to connect with people from all walks of life, and unwavering focus on results, Senator Tester exemplifies the values of America’s heartland while addressing the complex challenges facing the nation. His straightforward, no-nonsense approach to governance, paired with his ability to bridge divides, makes him a compelling speaker for any organization looking to inspire, educate, and foster meaningful dialogue. Whether protecting the land for future generations, advocating for responsible governance, or finding common ground on divisive issues, Senator Tester remains a powerful voice for practical, principled leadership.

A Visionary Leader in Healthcare Innovation and Healthcare Policy

Dr. Francis Collins is one of the most influential scientists and healthcare policy leaders of our time, recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to genomics, precision medicine, and national healthcare initiatives. As the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2009 to 2021, he played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s biomedical research agenda under three U.S. Presidents—Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. His leadership was instrumental in advancing critical research on diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, neuroscience, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Revolutionizing Medicine: The Human Genome Project and Beyond

Before his tenure at NIH, Dr. Collins led one of the most significant scientific efforts in modern history—the Human Genome Project. Completed in 2003, this international collaboration successfully mapped the entire human genetic code, revolutionizing genetic medicine, diagnostics, and targeted therapies. His leadership in genomics has had a lasting impact on precision medicine, transforming the way diseases are prevented, diagnosed, and treated.

Physician and geneticist Dr. Francis Collins' life story is one of curiosity, discovery, and deep human connection. His journey from a small-town upbringing to leading the Human Genome Project and serving as Director of the National Institutes of Health is a testament to the power of perseverance, intellectual courage, and ethical leadership.

Guiding National Healthcare Policy and Research

As NIH Director, Collins secured bipartisan support for major healthcare initiatives, fostering public-private partnerships to accelerate biomedical innovation. Under his leadership:

• The Cancer Moonshot Initiative was launched to advance cancer research and treatment.

• The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative pushed the frontiers of neuroscience.

• The All of Us Research Program paved the way for precision medicine by collecting diverse genetic and health data to drive personalized treatment strategies.

• NIH-led COVID-19 vaccine and treatment research played a crucial role in the rapid development of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics.

A Lifelong Commitment to Science and Innovation

Following his tenure as Acting Science Advisor and Special Projects Advisor to President Biden (2022-2023), Collins returned to his NIH research laboratory to continue investigating genetic factors in diabetes and premature aging. His research remains at the forefront of translating genetic discoveries into real-world medical applications.

Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall has tackled the world’s most pressing global and domestic challenges for four decades. Leading in top public roles, including as White House Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor (2021-2025), Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Energy (2014-2017), White House Coordinator for Defense Policy, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Arms Control (2013-2014), Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European Affairs (2009-2013), and at the Pentagon as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia (1994-1996), Sherwood-Randall has worked on the most complex and consequential global challenges, participating in the highest levels of international and domestic decision-making. Sherwood-Randall’s expertise spans a broad range of topics that are highly relevant today, including leading through crises, securing critical infrastructure, driving energy innovation, and conducting international diplomacy with both allies and adversaries.

Offering unique insights and unparalleled expertise across a spectrum of issues, from homeland security to national security, Sherwood-Randall presents the threats and opportunities that lie ahead through a compelling insider’s lens. Her work in both the top levels of the American government and with private sector partners highlights her ability to bring innovative solutions to complex challenges. She offers insights on reducing threats, navigating uncertainty, managing emergencies, and making tough decisions under pressure in the media spotlight. With first-hand experience as a defense and energy policy leader, global crisis manager, and proven female executive, Sherwood-Randall has inspired numerous teams to achieve ambitious goals, facing dynamic times with courage, steadiness, and grace under pressure.

Peter Crone is often described as the "Mind Architect," known for his work in mental freedom, peak performance, and personal transformation. His approach focuses on rewiring subconscious patterns, breaking free from limiting beliefs, and cultivating a mindset of empowerment and possibility.

Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, and spiritual principles, Crone helps individuals—including elite athletes, high-performing executives, and everyday people—liberate themselves from self-imposed limitations and live with greater clarity, purpose, and fulfillment. His philosophy revolves around shifting one’s relationship with stress, fear, and past conditioning to unlock true freedom and potential.

Crone’s work has resonated widely due to his ability to blend deep insight, practical wisdom, and a compassionate yet direct approach to personal transformation. Whether speaking on stage, coaching clients, or appearing on podcasts, his message is about breaking free from mental constraints and stepping into the limitless nature of human potential.

Crone has worked with elite executives and groups such as YPO, Twitter, and FedEx. He is often invited as a headlining speaker or panelist to conferences such as Aubrey Marcus'sFit for Service Summit, Dave Asprey's Biohacking Conference, the GAIA HEAL Conference and more, where his talks routinely fill every seat in the room. Twitter "highly recommend[s] that all companies who want to bring mindfulness and mental fitness into their companies leverage Peter as an advisor and facilitator for their leaders and teams." For FedEx, he "directed motivational discussions about being our best self and this has accelerated our growth," and CBS commended Peter to "help anyone have a better, happier, and healthier life."

From UCSB Gaucho to UCLA Head Coach – A Journey of Passion and Leadership

Cori Close ’93 has woven basketball into every part of her life, from her days as a student-athlete at UC Santa Barbara to her current role as head coach of UCLA Women’s Basketball. Close was named The Michael Price Family UCLA Women’s Head Basketball Coach on April 21, 2011, and is the winningest coach in UCLA Women’s Basketball history with 305 wins, after surpassing Billie Moore’s record of 296 wins. She was named the 2025 Naismith Coach of the Year and AP Coach of the Year after leading UCLA to their first-ever Final Four appearance and Big 10 championship in the 2024-2025 season, their first conference tournament title since 2016. Her dedication on the court set the stage for a 30-year coaching career that has shaped the lives of countless athletes. With years of coaching experience, Close offers insights on building high-performing teams, fostering resilience, and developing a winning mindset. 

As a Gaucho, she embraced the work-hard, play-hard mentality, balancing academics, athletics, and beachside moments. Close’s journey began immediately after graduation when she joined UCLA as an assistant coach (1993-1995). She then returned to UCSB for nine seasons, helping build a competitive program before spending seven years at Florida State. In 2011, she returned to UCLA as head coach, where she led the Bruins to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances while prioritizing player development and mentorship. While winning championships and coaching NCAA Tournament games has been rewarding, Close finds the most fulfillment in mentoring young women, watching them grow, graduate, and face life’s challenges beyond basketball. Close's talks emphasize personal and professional growth, sharing strategies on how to push past limits, embrace challenges, and develop self-discipline. 

From Underdog to National Champion: The Meteoric Rise of Coach Todd Golden

In just three seasons, Todd Golden has transformed Florida Gators basketball—rekindling championship glory and rewriting the record books. At only 39 years old, Golden led Florida to an extraordinary 36–4 season and the 2025 National Championship, becoming the youngest head coach in over four decades to achieve college basketball’s ultimate prize.

Golden took the reins in 2022 after turning heads at the University of San Francisco, where he ended a decades-long drought by earning the Dons their first NCAA Tournament bid since 1998. His innovative coaching style and winning mentality quickly followed him to Gainesville.

In his first season at UF, he did what no Florida coach had done before—earning a postseason berth and multiple top-25 wins right out of the gate, including a landmark upset over #2 Tennessee. That momentum only built as Golden guided the Gators back to the NCAA Tournament in 2024, tallying 24 wins—their highest since 2017—and a run to the SEC Championship game.

Now, just a few short years into his Florida tenure, Todd Golden has delivered not just a new era, but a golden one, making him one of the most exciting and respected young leaders in college sports today

Tyler Mathisen is the perfect choice to elevate your next event, bringing unparalleled expertise and credibility to any stage. With over 27 years of experience as a top news anchor and co-anchor at CNBC, the world’s leading business news network, Mathisen has hosted and co-hosted virtually every major program on the network, including the flagship Power Lunch. His distinguished career includes covering historic events like the burst of the tech bubble, the 9/11 attacks, the financial crisis, and the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As former Vice President of Events Strategy at CNBC, Mathisen has a unique ability to shape live and virtual event strategies that captivate and engage audiences. His extensive experience as Managing Editor of CNBC Business News and Vice President for Strategic Editorial Initiatives also highlights his expertise in curating high-impact content that resonates with a wide range of viewers. Mathisen's ability to seamlessly guide discussions, ask insightful questions, and engage thought leaders makes him an ideal host for any event—whether it's a panel, keynote, or special feature.

Beyond his work at CNBC, Mathisen has also co-anchored the award-winning Nightly Business Report and hosted the CNBC series How I Made My Millions and High Net Worth, further solidifying his status as a seasoned, dynamic host. With his deep understanding of business news and engaging on-screen presence, Tyler is the ideal choice to bring your event to life and ensure that your audience has an unforgettable experience.

Prince Harry is a humanitarian, mental health advocate, environmentalist, and military combat veteran. His work is dedicated to creating positive and lasting change for communities and the planet, particularly in advancing conversations around resilience and healing.

Since 2021, he has served as Chief Impact Officer at BetterUp, the largest mental health and coaching startup in the world, and along with his wife, has become an investor in Ethic, a sustainable investing platform. In that same year, he was asked to join a panel of experts at the Aspen Institute's Commission for Information Disorder. In 2023, he was named a New York Times best-selling author for his memoir, Spare, which became the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time on its release date. Prince Harry is a respected voice on global issues, and in recent years has delivered impactful keynote addresses at the United Nations General Assembly and the Clinton Global Initiative.

Alongside his wife, Meghan, he co-founded The Archewell Foundation whose mission is: ‘show up, do good,’ reflecting the ways in which they work to support communities, offline and online, in ways big and small. The Archewell Foundation focuses on social impact initiatives, including digital safety and education, all under the umbrella of protecting our collective mental health.

Prince Harry is also the founder of the Invictus Games, an international adaptive sporting event that celebrates wounded service members and veterans from 25 nations, and Travalyst, a global coalition of the biggest travel and technology brands focused on promoting sustainable travel practices to protect both people and places. He serves on the Board of African Parks, supporting critical wildlife conservation and community-led initiatives across Africa. His leadership in both environment and mental health advocacy has earned him recognition from TIME Magazine’s "100 Most Influential People" alongside his wife in 2018, 2021, and for his climate work in 2024.

Prince Harry resides in California with his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and their two children, Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. Together, they remain dedicated to building a more compassionate, equitable world for future generations.

Recording artist, actor, author, and Founder and CEO of Rock The Bells, LL COOL J is a two-time Grammy® Award-winning Hip-Hop icon, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, NAACP Image Award winner, and Kennedy Center Honoree. LL COOL J began in the nascent, burgeoning rap and Hip-Hop scene of the 80’s when he signed to Def Jam at age 16, quickly proving himself with outstanding musical talent and business acumen. He was the first rap artist to amass 10 consecutive platinum-plus selling albums. Over the past three decades, LL COOL J has created one of the most multifaceted careers and enduring brands in entertainment.

In 2018, LL launched Rock The Bells Radio on SiriusXM (Ch.43), garnering millions of daily listeners. LL personally curates and programs the timeless Hip-Hop channel with music, interviews, and in-depth retrospectives. Whether discussing the intersection of art and commerce or the keys to personal and professional success, LL COOL J captivates with his authenticity and wisdom. 

A Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden, Anita Dunn has played a significant role in shaping modern political strategy and public policy. Previously, Dunn served as White House Communications Director under President Obama, where she managed messaging during critical moments of his presidency. President Joe Biden called her “an invaluable part of our White House.”

Named one of Washingtonian’s “Most Powerful Women,” Dunn has broken barriers and holds a unique role in Washington, having been the only person who has served as a senior advisor of the winning campaigns for two different presidents. Dunn currently serves as an advisor to Future Forward. Dunn’s expertise in managing communications during high-stakes situations, especially from her time in the White House, provides a rich source of lessons for organizations in any field.

Academy-Award winning writer, director, and renowned playwright Aaron Sorkin brings a wealth of creative insight and storytelling mastery to any speaking event. Sorkin made his Broadway playwriting debut at the age of 28 with the military courtroom drama A Few Good Men, for which he received the John Gassner Award as Outstanding New American Playwright. Sorkin made the jump to feature films with his 1993 adaptation of his play A Few Good Men, nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture followed by Malice, The American President, and Charlie Wilson’s War. In 2011, Sorkin won the Academy Award, Critics’ Choice Award, British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award, and Writers Guild Award in the Best Adapted Screenplay category as well as the USC Scripter Award for The Social Network. The following year, Sorkin adapted Moneyball for the big screen and won Critics’ Choice Award and New York Film Critics’ Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and went on to receive four Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. For television, Sorkin created and produced NBC’s renowned series The West Wing, which earned nine Emmy nominations in its first season. The series went on to win a total of 26 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series for four consecutive years. For his work on the series, Sorkin twice received the Peabody Award and Humanitas Prize, as well as three Television Critics Association Awards, three Producers Guild Awards, and a Writers Guild Award.

For his many other popular works, Sorkin has also received nominations for a Broadcast Film Critics’ Association (BFCA) Critics’ Choice Award, BAFTA Awards, Writers Guild Awards, and multiple regional critics’ association awards. As one of the most highly-lauded writers of our time, Sorkin’s conversations blend entertainment industry insights with broader lessons about leadership, integrity, and creative innovation.

Multiple #1 New York Times bestselling author Angie Thomas is a beloved voice on both the page and the screen. Her award-winning, acclaimed debut novel, The Hate U Give, is a #1 New York Times bestseller and major motion picture. Her second novel, On the Come Up, is a film on Paramount Plus. In 2021, Angie returned to Garden Heights with Concrete Rose, a prequel to The Hate U Give. Her latest bestselling work, Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy, is Angie’s first foray into the fantasy genre. Thomas speaks on the importance of finding your voice, representation in media, and how communities unite through storytelling.

Thomas is the namesake behind the Angie Thomas Writer’s Scholarship, a fully-funded BFA in Creative Writing at Belhaven University. Thomas was the inaugural winner of the Walter Dean Myers Grant 2015, awarded by We Need Diverse Books. She is a William C. Morris Award Winner, a National Book Award Longlist, a Printz Honor Book, and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. She is also a former teen rapper with a profile feature in Right-On Magazine and can still rap if needed. Thomas has headlined the Mississippi Book Festival, FOLD Kids Book Fest, and many more.

Conor Grennan is Chief AI Architect at NYU Stern School of Business, where he builds generative AI fluency across the institution, including MBAs, faculty, and administration. Prior to that role, he served as Dean of Students for the past 10 years. Outside of NYU, Grennan is the CEO and Founder of AI Mindset, an AI consulting company that trains professionals, leaders, and organizations on a new and effective framework for generative AI. Grennan is also the Head GenAI Trainer for the Chief Executive Group and LinkedIn Learning’s instructor for AI for Business. He has keynoted on generative AI at the Generative AI World Conference, Generative AI Week, PWC’s Trust Leadership Academy, MetTel’s Innovation Conference, Correlation One’s CHRO Insights event, the Franchise CEO Summit, the Chief Executive Annual Summit, and many other large-scale events.

Grennan is also a New York Times #1 bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and executive coach.  His AI insights have been featured in Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Vox, and other media outlets. He co-hosts the AI Applied podcast (top 20 in Business News) and is a Top Voice in Public Speaking on LinkedIn, where he has over 65k followers that track his generative AI insights. Grennan is singularly primed to bring audiences insights on AI usage and applications.

After 12 Years in Office, Gov. Jay Inslee Leaves a Legacy of Climate Action and Crisis Leadership

Jay Inslee is a fifth-generation Washingtonian who has lived and worked in urban and rural communities on both sides of the state. Governor Inslee worked his way through college and graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in economics before earning his law degree at Willamette University. He and his wife, Trudi, then moved to Selah, a small town near Yakima where they raised their three sons. Jay worked as an attorney and prosecutor.

Governor Inslee first became involved in public service in 1985 when he and Trudi helped lead the effort to build a new public high school in Selah. Motivated to fight against proposed funding cuts for rural schools, he went on to represent the 14th Legislative District in the state House of Representatives. Governor Inslee continued serving communities in the Yakima Valley when he was elected to Congress in 1992. The Inslees later moved back to the Puget Sound area where Governor Inslee was elected to Congress in 1998, serving until 2012 when he was elected governor. He was re-elected in 2016 and 2020.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s tenure ended in 2025 after three consecutive terms marked by bold leadership on climate change and crisis management. First elected in 2012 after serving in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Washington State Legislature, Inslee joins Republican Dan Evans (1965–1977) as one of only two Washington governors to serve three consecutive terms.

In his 12 years in office, Inslee transformed Washington into a national leader in climate policy, spearheading groundbreaking initiatives like the Climate Commitment Act, which positioned the state at the forefront of clean energy and carbon reduction. Under his leadership, Washington implemented one of the most ambitious cap-and-invest programs in the country, driving investment in renewable energy, green jobs, and carbon reduction efforts that will have a lasting impact for generations. His work was honored with the TIME Earth Award in 2025. 

Beyond climate and public health, Inslee’s administration also delivered historic investments in transportation, education, and housing. His efforts led to the passage of Washington’s first long-term care program, expansion of apprenticeship programs, and reforms that increased fairness in the state’s tax system, including the voter-backed capital gains tax. His leadership on homelessness included the successful Rights of Way initiative, which moved thousands of individuals off highways and into permanent housing with critical support services.

A Championship Coach, Trailblazer, and Program Builder

A veteran of 19 NCAA Tournaments and a former Houston Rockets coach, Kelvin Sampson has cemented himself as one of the most accomplished and respected figures in college basketball. Since taking over as head coach of the University of Houston Men’s Basketball program in 2014, Sampson has transformed the Cougars into a national powerhouse, leading them to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, a 2021 Final Four berth, and multiple conference championships. His coaching career is defined by his ability to rebuild programs, develop NBA-caliber talent, and instill a winning culture.

Sampson is a proud member of the Lumbee Native American Tribe, making history as one of the most successful Native American coaches in the sport. His roots in Pembroke, North Carolina, a community deeply tied to Lumbee traditions, have shaped his relentless work ethic, leadership style, and deep commitment to mentorship. His journey from a small-town upbringing to leading some of the nation's top programs is an inspiration to aspiring athletes and coaches from underrepresented backgrounds. A trailblazer in basketball, Sampson has shattered barriers for Native Americans in the coaching ranks, demonstrating that success comes from perseverance, innovation, and an unwavering belief in one's abilities. His achievements have made him an influential role model, particularly for Indigenous youth who see him as proof that they, too, can reach the highest levels of competition.

With over 35 years of coaching experience and a career record of 764-349, Sampson is one of only 15 coaches in NCAA history to lead four different programs to the NCAA Tournament and one of just 16 to take multiple schools to the Final Four. He has been named National Coach of the Year 12 times and has earned eight conference Coach of the Year awards across five leagues. Before Houston, Sampson led Oklahoma to the 2002 Final Four, coached Indiana to back-to-back 20-win seasons, and spent six seasons in the NBA as an assistant with the Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks. His ability to adapt, evolve, and build winning teams at every level speaks to his coaching brilliance.

Beyond the wins, Sampson is a leader who invests in his players' futures, ensuring they succeed both on and off the court. His teams have excelled academically, with numerous players earning degrees, and many of his former athletes have gone on to have successful careers in the NBA and beyond. His impact extends into the community, where he leads service initiatives such as providing meals for local families, supporting Special Olympics events, and mentoring young athletes. His leadership philosophy emphasizes character, discipline, and giving back, making him more than just a coach—he is a mentor, role model, and difference-maker in the lives of his players and those around him.

Sampson’s career is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of strong leadership. From his Native American roots to his success on the national stage, he has consistently elevated every program he has touched while inspiring the next generation of coaches and players. With his continued success at Houston, Sampson remains one of the most influential and respected minds in college basketball today.

Jennifer Granholm is an American lawyer, educator, author and politician who served most recently as the 16^th United States Secretary of Energy, and previously as the two-term governor of Michigan. As governor, she spearheaded Michigan’s economic recovery after the Great Recession by diversifying the state’s economy to focus on clean energy and revitalizing the auto industry to build electric vehicles. 

As Secretary of Energy (2021-2025), Granholm restructured the U.S. Department of Energy to focus on research and development of advanced clean energy solutions and, importantly, deployment of zero-carbon technologies. She oversaw $200 billion of U.S. DOE investments into companies and projects to accelerate the clean energy transition. During her tenure as Secretary, thanks to the policies and laws that she helped to shape, the country saw record deployment of clean energy — adding the equivalent of 30 Hoover Dams of zero-carbon energy to the nation’s electricity grid in 2024, more than twice as much solar power deployed as ever before. Due to incentives to manufacture in America, businesses announced almost 1,000 factories were coming or expanding in the U.S. to build clean energy products -- solar panels, EVs, batteries, small nuclear reactors, clean hydrogen, geothermal and more. Thanks to DOE’s work, the nation’s transmission grid is seeing an 11X expansion of new transmission miles.

During her tenure as Secretary, DOE with its 110,000 employees was ranked among the Top 10 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government. Secretary Granholm was named in 2024 to the "TIME 100 Most Influential People" list, and Forbes’ list of "Top Climate Leaders."

Secretary Granholm taught law and public policy at UC Berkeley from 2011-2020, specializing in clean energy and public leadership. A former Attorney General of Michigan (1998-2002) and an honors graduate of Harvard Law School (1987), she is the author of A Governor's Story: The Fight for Jobs and America’s Economic Future, has penned scores of articles and opinion pieces on clean energy, and continues to play a leading role in shaping America’s energy future. Heralded for her forward-looking insight, Granholm brings a balanced and nuanced perspective sorely needed in today's divisive times. 

Deborah E. Lipstadt was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 30, 2022, as the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, with the rank of Ambassador.  In that position, from 2022-2025, Ambassador Lipstadt lead efforts to advance U.S. foreign policy to counter antisemitism throughout the world. Ambassador Lipstadt has had a storied career as a historian, academic, and author. Prior to joining the State Department, she served as the Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University’s Tam Institute for Jewish Studies, which she helped to found. At Emory University, where she has taught for 30 years, she currently holds the position of Distinguished University Professor. Her messages are grounded in fighting hate, ensuring justice, and standing up to those who distort history for ideological purposes. With years of experience as a public speaker, Ambassador Lipstadt's ability to blend scholarship with compelling narratives makes her speeches engaging and impactful.

She has written seven books including: Golda Meir: Israel’s Matriarch; The Eichmann Trial; Denial: Holocaust History on Trial; Denying the Holocaust: The Growing Assault on Truth and Memory; Beyond Belief: The American Press and the Coming of the Holocaust, 1933-1945. She received the National Jewish Book Award three times, most recently in 2019 for Antisemitism: Here and Now.

Ambassador Lipstadt is known for having been sued for libel by David Irving, one of the world’s leading Holocaust deniers. The case, which lasted for six years and was heard in court in a twelve-week trial, resulted in Irving being declared by the court to be “a right-wing polemicist,” who engages in antisemitism, racism, and misogyny. That trial was depicted in the 2016 film Denial, which was based on her book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier.

She was named as one of TIME 100’s "Most Influential People" of 2023. In April 2024, Ambassador Lipstadt was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the oldest learned societies in United States. Ambassador Lipstadt inspires deep reflection on the importance of preserving historical truth and fostering a more just and inclusive world. Her message encourages action, making her not only a speaker but a catalyst for meaningful change.

Contemporary family influencers Jett and Campbell (aka Pookie) Puckett have taken the social media world by storm with their authentic love story, infectious positivity, and "absolutely fire" style, engaging and inspiring a vast audience. Their viral TikTok catchphrase, "Pookie is looking absolutely fire," has resonated with millions, making their content a favorite on the internet. Love is the at the forefront of all the Puckett family’s content, organically weaving their shared love of fashion, beauty, food, travel, sports, and lifestyle into their modern-day love story.

The Puckett family’s in-person live Q&A with Rent The Runway sold out and had a line around the venue well after the session had ended. They have also worked with brands including Armani Beauty, Aritzia, Formula 1, Target, and Summer Fridays. Their instant popularity has been chronicled in People Magazine, Paper Magazine, The Cut, and more.

Olivia Munn is an actor, activist, and mother who was recently named to 2024’s "TIME: 100 Most Influential People." Earlier that year, Munn posted the story of her ongoing battle with breast cancer; urging women to advocate for early detection by taking a Breast Cancer Lifetime Assessment risk test. The National Cancer Institute said that Munn’s outreach “led to a surge in visits to the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool site.” The rate of women taking this formerly little-known test increased 4000%. For her advocacy, Munn was honored with the Woman of Impact Award at InStyle's Imagemaker Awards. 

Best known for her brilliant work across three seasons of Aaron Sorkin’s The Newsroom, Olivia Munn also starred in such iconoclastic films as Magic Mike, The Predator, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Office Christmas Party.  Munn was then hired as the first East Asian Correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and appeared on the show for two Emmy-winning seasons. Olivia Munn was an early and active Silence Breaker in the #MeToo movement. She exposed predatory behavior in Hollywood and championed other victims who came forward to share their stories. For her efforts to shed light on abusers and give voice to victims, Munn was honored by the United Nation Foundation. After a startling rise in Anti-Asian violence following the COVID-19 outbreak, Munn, who is half Chinese-Vietnamese, tackled the issue on multiple fronts. She became a leader in the #StopAsianHate movement; raising money, filming public service announcements, and coordinating with mayors and police departments throughout the United States. She was invited to the White House by President Biden to be in attendance when he signed the COVID 19 Hate Crimes Act into law. Whether discussing the challenges of Hollywood, the power of authenticity, or her advocacy work, Munn’s discussions resonate deeply and provide valuable perspectives that inspire positive change.

During his tenure as NASA’s longest-serving Administrator, The Honorable Dan S. Goldin transformed America’s aeronautics and space program. He is credited with the re-emergence of NASA after the Cold War. Despite lower budgets, his “faster, better, cheaper” approach enabled the Agency to deliver programs of high value to the American public without sacrificing safety. Prior to his tenure at NASA, Mr. Goldin served as a leading national security executive, producing systems of high national priority. As the founder of Cold Canyon, an innovation advisory company, and as a senior advisor to Cerberus Capital Management, his career spans space exploration and science, aeronautics, air traffic management, national security systems, semiconductors, advanced sensors, hypersonic, communications, and artificial intelligence. With his accumulated experience, Mr. Goldin is a highly sought-after leader in advancing American technologies and businesses. Mr. Goldin has recently spoken at SXSW, the Space Symposium, Purdue University, the International Aviation Women’s Association, and many more.

Mr. Goldin is a Member of the National Academy of Engineering, and the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy. He is a Fellow of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics and the American Astronautical Society, and an Honorary Board Member of the Explorers Club.  Mr. Goldin has received the Goddard Memorial Trophy, the premier award from the National Space Club and Foundation, and the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Space Foundation. Mr. Goldin holds 18 Honorary Doctorates from the world’s great universities. As a deep tech champion, Mr. Goldin brings firsthand expertise to the stage, empowering audiences to navigate and harness cutting-edge technologies for transformative business growth and innovation. 

Tracee Ellis Ross is an award-winning actress, producer, founder, and CEO.  

For eight seasons, Ross starred in ABC’s SAG and Critics Choice Award-nominated and Emmy, Golden Globe, NAACP Image Award, and Peabody-winning comedy series “black-ish.”  She also starred in the Emmy and GLAAD Award-nominated and NAACP Image Award-winning series “Girlfriends” for eight seasons. Ross has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including a Golden Globe Award, nine NAACP Image Awards, and the 2020 People’s Choice Awards “Fashion Icon Award.” She was also named a Disney Legend for making an extraordinary contribution to The Walt Disney Company. 

Ross is the owner, founder, and co-CEO of PATTERN Beauty, the global multi-million dollar brand she created for the curly, coily & tight-textured community in 2019. PATTERN is the #1 BIPOC brand and #2 curl brand sold at ULTA Beauty. PATTERN is also sold at Sephora, Nordstrom, Target, Macy’s, and Amazon, in the US; Sephora in Canada; and Boots, Look Fantastic and Cult Beauty in the UK. With PATTERN, Ross is changing the paradigm of how the textured hair community is marketed to and supported. The company's content and messaging are a celebration of Black beauty & joy. PATTERN proudly supports organizations and programs that empower women and people of color. 

Ross will next be seen in season 7 of the critically acclaimed Netflix series “Black Mirror.” In addition to Ross, the new season also features Paul Giamatti, Jesse Plemons, Rashida Jones, Chris O’Dowd and Emma Corrin, among other returning cast favorites. The new season will stream on April 10th. 

Ross is currently in post-production on her Roku original series “Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross.” The series will chronicle Ross as she meticulously, laboriously, and sometimes ridiculously prepares for and travels solo to spectacular locations. Ross will serve as an Executive Producer on the docu-series under her banner Joy Mill Entertainment. Joy Mill Entertainment has a deal with 20^th and is dedicated to telling joyful, fun, and grounded stories exploring how we see ourselves and how we connect to one another. “Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross” will premiere later this year. 

Ross recently wrapped production on “Blow The Horn,” an indie psychological drama from Nacho Arenas. The project is an adaptation of “Bajo Terapia,” the acclaimed Argentinian play by Matias del Federico, which has previously been adapted by Spanish filmmaker Gerado Herrero. Others in the cast include Lake Bell, Wrenn Schmidt, Dallas Roberts, Joshua Boone and Ken Leung. In addition to starring in the film, Ross also serves as an Executive Producer. 

Ross was last seen opposite Jeffrey Wright in the Oscar-winning drama “American Fiction,” directed by Cord Jefferson. It was nominated for Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Independent Spirit Awards, and was named one of AFI’s movies of the year. Last December, Ross was seen starring opposite Eddie Murphy in Amazon’s holiday film, “Candy Cane Lane.” The film became the most-watched Amazon movie debut in the U.S. and among the top 10 worldwide film debuts ever on the service.  

Earlier this year, Ross starred in the thriller “Cold Copy” and is currently lending her voice to Amazon’s animated comedy “The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy,” alongside Keke Palmer, Kieran Culkin, Maya Rudolph, and Natasha Lyonne. 

Ross advocates for joy, self-acceptance, inclusivity, and equity. In 2017, Ross gave a powerful speech about claiming your own life at Glamour’s Women of the Year Summit that went viral. In 2018, Ross opened the TED Conference, the first Black woman to do so, with a speech about the wisdom of women’s fury. 

In 2022, Ross was given the “Racial Justice Trailblazer” Award by The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law for her demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice and upholding values that promote an inclusive democracy. She has also moderated stops on both of Michelle Obama’s book tours. Ross recently received a 2023 Webby Special Achievement Award for her ingenious use of the Internet to share multidimensional stories of belonging, increasing Black representation in the beauty industry, and serving as a constant, positive force on the Internet, and was named a 2023 Cosmetic Executive Women Female Founder honoree. She was recently honored with the Trailblazer Award by 15 Percent Pledge, as a 2024 CNBC Changemaker, and was given the 2024 Achievement Award for Excellence in the Arts by the National Museum of Women in the Arts for being a leader in the entertainment industry and a passionate advocate for gender equity. 

Ross received honorary Doctorate degrees from Spelman College in 2023 and Brown University, her alma mater, in 2015. 

Many-time bestselling author, columnist, and commentator John Avlon has been called “a trusted, grounded, and welcome voice” emphasizing bipartisanship and real solutions. He currently hosts a solutions journalism podcast on The Bulwark called How to Fix It and serves as the Chairman of Citizens Union, New York’s oldest good government group. Avlon was a Senior Political Analyst and Anchor at CNN, known for his “Reality Check” segments across the network. He is an award-winning columnist and the author of Independent Nation, Wingnuts, Washington’s Farewell, and Lincoln & the Fight for Peace, which was praised by The New York Times as “a Lincoln for our polarized times…powerful and affecting” and named one of the best books of the year by Vanity Fair and Foreign Affairs. He was the editor-in-chief and managing director of The Daily Beast (2013-8) and served as chief speechwriter for the Mayor of New York. Avlon’s essay, “The Resilient City” was selected to conclude Empire City: New York through the Centuries and won acclaim as “the single best essay written in the wake of 9/11.”

Avlon has appeared multiple times on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Real Time with Bill Maher, The Daily Show, PBS, and C-Span. He has spoken at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, the National Constitution Center, and other civic organizations around the nation. Avlon is also a co-founder of No Labels – a group of Democrats, Republicans and Independents dedicated to the politics of problem-solving and making government work again. Highly regarded for his shrewd analysis of the headlines of the day, offering historic perspective on the current political climate of the U.S., and the role of journalism in politics, Avlon offers reasoned discourse that focuses on real solutions.

Ambassador Daniel B. Shapiro is a distinguished diplomat and foreign policy expert with over two decades of experience in senior U.S. government positions. Most recently, he was the top Middle East policy official at the Pentagon, serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, where he coordinated the Department of Defense's response to the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks and the multi-front war that followed. 

Shapiro served as U.S. Ambassador to Israel for over five years during the Obama Administration. Under President Biden, prior to joining the Pentagon, he was the U.S. State Department's Senior Adviser on Middle East Regional Integration, the first senior official dedicated to expanding the Abraham Accords. His government tenure has also included two tours of service on the National Security Council. 

In addition to his government service, Ambassador Shapiro served as a Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council, where he spearheaded the N7 Initiative focused on regional integration and as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. He has spoken to groups such as AIPAC, Tablet Magazine, UC Berkley, and more. A sought-after speaker and media commentator, Ambassador Shapiro engages global audiences on critical issues concerning U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East.

William J. Burns is one of the most experienced and respected foreign policy minds of the modern era, with a career spanning nearly four decades in diplomacy, intelligence, and global security strategy. Having served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2021 to 2025, Deputy Secretary of State from 2011 to 2014, and a career diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service for 33 years, Burns has been at the forefront of U.S. national security, geopolitical strategy, and high-stakes international negotiations.

His tenure as CIA Director coincided with some of the most consequential geopolitical challenges of the 21st century, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, escalating tensions with China, cyber warfare threats, and the evolving landscape of Middle Eastern security. His deep understanding of foreign intelligence, diplomatic statecraft, and global power dynamics positioned him as a key architect of U.S. security strategy during an era of unprecedented global instability.

Burns’ has also served as President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2015–2021), where he shaped global policy discourse on great power competition, nuclear security, and diplomatic conflict resolution. His bestselling 2019 book, The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for Its Renewal, provides an insider’s perspective on some of the most critical foreign policy decisions of the last 30 years.

Having spent decades in direct negotiations with world leaders—including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese officials, and Middle Eastern heads of state—Burns offers an unmatched perspective on how global power players think and operate. His ability to assess political motivations, anticipate strategic moves, and navigate diplomatic crises has made him one of the most sought-after voices on international security, intelligence strategy, and geopolitical risk assessment.

His leadership in intelligence and diplomacy has earned him three Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and the highest civilian honors from the Pentagon and the U.S. Intelligence Community.

Dambisa Moyo is a member of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords sitting as Baroness Moyo of Knightsbridge . She is a principal of Versaca Investments - a family office focused on growth investing globally. She serves on a number of global corporate boards including Chevron, and the Oxford University Endowment Investment Committee. She is a member of The American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Moyo is respected for her unique perspectives, her balance of contrarian thinking with measured judgment, and her ability to turn economic insight into investible ideas. 

Dr. Moyo is the author of five bestselling books on the global macroeconomy and geopolitics. She holds a PhD in economics from Oxford University and a Masters degree from Harvard University. Dr. Moyo was named to the list of TIME’s "100 Most Influential People" in the world; writes for the Financial Times, WSJ, Barron's, and Harvard Business Review. Dr. Moyo is a pre-eminent thinker whose insights empower key decision-makers in strategic investment and public policy.

Harvard University professor of philosophy Michael Sandel has been described as a “philosopher with the global profile of a rock star,” known across the globe for his lively Socratic debates that aim to restore the lost art of respectful discussion. Sandel is the bestselling author of books on justice, ethics, democracy, and markets that have been translated into over 30 languages. Sandel has been a visiting professor at the Sorbonne, delivered the Tanner Lectures on Human Values at Oxford, served on the U.S. President’s Council on Bioethics, and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. A graduate of Brandeis University, he received his doctorate from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.

Sandel’s books—on justice, democracy, ethics, technology, and markets—have been translated into more than 30 languages. They include Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?; What Money Can’t Buy, and The Tyranny of Merit: Can We Find the Common Good?, which seeks a way beyond our polarized politics. A new edition of his classic book Democracy’s Discontent has been described as “essential--and ultimately hopeful--reading for all those who wonder if our democratic experiment will survive in the twenty-first century.”

Sandel’s legendary course “Justice,” one of the most popular in Harvard’s history, is freely available online and has been viewed by tens of millions. His BBC series The Global Philosopher engages participants from around the world in discussing the ethical issues lying behind the headlines. In this and other television, radio, and online programs, Sandel explores tech ethics, robots and AI, markets and morals, climate change, free speech, and other topical issues.

Sandel’s renowned interactive public lectures on the big civic questions of the day show how reasoned debate, leavened with humor and mutual respect, can produce dialogue across our differences.

A “master of life’s big questions” (Guardian), Sandel’s live events have packed St. Paul’s Cathedral (London), the Sydney Opera House (Australia), the Delacorte Theater in New York’s Central Park, and an outdoor stadium in Seoul (S. Korea), where 14,000 came to hear him speak. 

Composer Jeanine Tesori has had an undeniable impact on the culture of musical theatre, opera, and film. Her musicals include Kimberly Akimbo; Soft Power; Fun Home; Shrek The Musical; Caroline, or Change; Thoroughly Modern Millie; and Violet. She is a two-time recipient of the Tony Award for Best Score and a two-time Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and in 2015, she and Lisa Kron became the first all-woman team to win the Tony for Best Score of a Musical for Fun Home. Her operas include A Blizzard on Marblehead Neck; The Lion, The Unicorn and Me; and Blue, which received the MCANA Award for Best New Opera. For her opera, Grounded, she became one of the first two women to be commissioned by The Metropolitan Opera - and the first woman in the 139-year history of the Met to open a season. Tesori also served as Supervising Vocal Producer on Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Tesori brings a wealth of creative insight and industry expertise to any event.

Tesori is the Founding Artistic Director of New York City Center’s Encores! Off-Center series and a lecturer in music at Yale University. Jeanine has been the recipient of many honors, including the New York Drama Critics Circle Award and the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, as well as Drama Desk and Obie awards, and was cited by ASCAP as being the first woman composer to have “two new musicals running concurrently on Broadway.” Tesori offers a wealth of inspiration and practical advice, drawing from her experiences in composing, storytelling, and collaboration.

Renowned conductor James Conlon has cultivated a vast symphonic, operatic, and choral repertoire and is one of today’s most versatile and respected conductors and educators. Mr. Conlon has spoken internationally about the power of creativity, the enduring importance of classical music, and leadership insights that resonate across industries.

Since his 1974 debut with the New York Philharmonic, Mr. Conlon has conducted virtually every major American and European symphony orchestra. He is Music Director of LA Opera, with whom he has won four Grammy Awards and led more performances than any other conductor in the company’s history, and also serves as Artistic Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Through worldwide touring, an extensive discography and videography, numerous writings, television appearances and guest speaking engagements, he is one of classical music’s most recognized and prolific figures.

Mr. Conlon is an enthusiastic advocate of the role music plays in our shared humanity and civic life. He has worked to call attention to the works of composers silenced by the Nazi regime – which led to the creation of The OREL Foundation, the Ziering-Conlon Initiative for Recovered Voices, and his popular TEDx Talk “Resurrecting Forbidden Music.” Mr. Conlon has received numerous honorary doctorates and accolades including the Legion d’Honneur – France’s highest honor – and was personally inducted by then-President Jacques Chirac.

Steve Inskeep: A Voice of Clarity in a Fast-Paced World

Steve Inskeep is a trusted and seasoned journalist, best known as the host of NPR’s Morning Edition and the morning news podcast Up First. With a career spanning decades, Inskeep has built a reputation for bringing depth, nuance, and clarity to the news, guiding millions of listeners through the most pressing events of our time.

While he has conducted in-depth interviews with presidents and congressional leaders, Inskeep is equally dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday Americans—from Pennsylvania truck drivers and Kentucky coal miners to Yemeni refugees and California firefighters. His reporting is not just about power, but about the people affected by it, giving listeners a more complete and humanized understanding of the world.

Inskeep is a firm believer in “slowing down the news”—cutting through the noise of a relentless media cycle to offer thoughtful analysis and historical context. This philosophy was powerfully demonstrated in the 2008 presidential campaign when he and NPR’s Michele Norris launched The York Project, a groundbreaking series of conversations about race in America, which earned high praise and industry recognition. During the 2008 financial crisis, when panic and uncertainty dominated the news, Inskeep made it a priority to not only inform but also offer perspective, humor, and resilience. “Laughter is a sign that you're not defeated,” he reflected in an interview with Nuvo magazine.

A journalist with a global perspective, Inskeep has reported from Iran, Pakistan, and the U.S.-Mexico border, delving into the intersection of geopolitics, human migration, and economic shifts. His investigative work has earned numerous accolades, including a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for his reporting on conflict in Nigeria and multiple Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Silver Batons for excellence in broadcast journalism. He has also authored two critically acclaimed books: Instant City: Life and Death in Karachi, which explores the rapid urbanization of one of the world’s most volatile megacities, and Jacksonland, an intricate history of Andrew Jackson’s conflict with Cherokee Chief John Ross during the 1830s.

Beyond radio, Inskeep is a frequent guest on television programs including Meet the Press, This Week, and PBS NewsHour, and has contributed to leading publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic. With his signature blend of insightful journalism, deep curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to thoughtful storytelling, he continues to help audiences make sense of a complex and rapidly changing world.

A celebrated Food Network Star, chef, and entrepreneur, Damaris Phillips brings an irresistible blend of warmth, humor, and culinary expertise to the stage. Phillips is a speaker who inspires others to live their best, most fulfilling lives. Known for her modern takes on Southern comfort food, Damaris has become a Food Network favorite, hosting shows like Outrageous Pumpkins and Summer Baking Championship, and appearing as a judge on Beat Bobby Flay and Chopped. She’s passionate about health, wellness, and the power of food to bring people together. With a passion for innovation, diversity, and mentorship in the culinary world, she offers inspiring insights on breaking barriers, building a personal brand, and reimagining food as a storytelling tool.

A champion for female entrepreneurship, Phillips co-founded Bluegrass Supper Club, a catering company that celebrates Kentucky’s local farmers, and Pixilation Productions, a media company specializing in social media marketing. Through Pixilation, Phillips helps brands build their digital presence and engage with audiences in creative ways, empowering women in the media and marketing space.

Damaris also co-hosts the podcast That’s Fun with Nikki Dinki, where they explore how to embrace more joy and adventure in your 40s. Her message is simple: live with intention, cultivate meaningful connections, and make room for fun.

As a guest speaker, Phillips brings a refreshing perspective on health, business, and personal growth, offering actionable advice on entrepreneurship, building strong relationships, and living a vibrant, purposeful life.

Dr. Daniel Amen is a pioneer in optimizing mental health for longevity and peak performance. As a physician, adult and child psychiatrist, and founder of Amen Clinics—with 11 locations across the U.S.—he has dedicated his career to helping people achieve sharper cognition, enhanced mental resilience, and overall vitality. Amen Clinics houses the world’s largest database of brain scans for psychiatry, with more than 260,000 SPECT scans from patients in 155 countries, providing unparalleled insights into brain function and aging.

Dr. Amen is also the founder of BrainMD, a rapidly growing, science-backed nutraceutical company focused on cognitive enhancement and long-term wellness, and Amen University, which has trained thousands of medical and mental health professionals in his brain optimization methods.

Dr. Amen has built a global following, using cutting-edge science to help high performers—including Olympic and professional athletes, top executives, and entertainers—sustain peak cognitive and physical performance. His podcast, Change Your Brain Every Day, is a top-rated Health Show in the US with over 16M streams. Additionally, he has produced 18 national public television specials on brain health. Dr. Amen is the most-followed expert in mental health. His online content has been viewed over a billion times.

A 12-time New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Amen has written groundbreaking books, including Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, You, Happier, and The Brain Warrior’s Way, offering actionable strategies to enhance focus, memory, energy, and longevity. His mission is clear: to empower people to take charge of their brain health, extend their lifespan, and live with purpose and vitality.

Gary Gensler, former Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serves at MIT Sloan School of Management as a Professor of the Practice in both the Global Economics and Management Group and the Finance Group. His work focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, financial technology, and public policy. With experience in private industry, academia, and the public sector, Gensler has deep expertise in economic policy, financial markets, and regulatory frameworks. His insights into the complexities of markets, the use of artificial intelligence in finance, and corporate governance are invaluable to audiences in the financial, legal, tech and business sectors.

Gensler led oversight of the $120T U.S. capital markets as SEC Chair in the Biden Administration from 2021-2025. He also served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) under President Obama, where he spearheaded the post-2008 financial crisis reforms in the $400 trillion swaps market. Earlier in his career, he was a senior U.S. Treasury official in the Clinton Administration and played a key role in drafting the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002). Gensler has had long-term involvement in shaping the future of financial markets. His ability to address pressing, current topics makes him a relevant figure for discussions on both short- and long-term industry trends.

Before entering public service, Gensler spent 18 years at Goldman Sachs, becoming a partner and holding leadership roles in mergers and acquisitions, fixed income, and currency trading. He first joined MIT in 2018, earning the MIT Sloan Outstanding Teacher Award. He is also a recipient of the 2014 Tamar Frankel Fiduciary Prize and has co-authored a book on personal finance, The Great Mutual Fund Trap.

Former Chairman and CEO of CNN, author, and veteran executive producer Chris Licht is a titan of the television landscape. Licht joined CNN after serving in senior, transformational positions at CBS, CBS News, and MSNBC. Licht previously served as Executive Vice President of Special Programming at CBS and Executive Producer and Showrunner for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – the most-watched show in late night television. Licht was also an Executive Producer on Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out the News on Paramount+. Prior to that, he served as Executive Producer of CBS’ critically acclaimed morning news program, CBS This Morning, which became the network’s most successful morning newscast in more than two decades. was the co-creator and original executive producer of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and was at the helm as the show garnered critical acclaim for its interviews with newsmakers and perspective on the top news stories. Drawing on his depth of experience, Licht shares key insights about building resilient teams, change management, and leading transformative large-scale organizations by leaning into innovation and empathy.

Licht has received numerous honors for his work. During his tenure as executive producer, CBS This Morning earned a prestigious Peabody Award, two News and Documentary Emmys, and one Daytime Emmy. Also, the broadcast and Licht were honored with an Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Award as part of CBS News’ division-wide coverage of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Licht’s first book, What I Learned When I Almost Died, tells the story of what happened after a near-deadly brain hemorrhage left Chris in a hospital bed over eight long days to think about how his life had almost been cut short. With warmth and candor, Licht shares the lessons he learned overcoming adversity, surviving a health crisis, and creating more balance in his life in motivational talks.

Amos Hochstein is a leading national security leader, energy and infrastructure expert, and experienced negotiator. He is also a frequent and highly sought-after public speaker who regularly appears on leading media outlets from CNBC and Bloomberg to CNN and Fox, and is featured in leading publications around the world.

Hochstein was the lead negotiator in securing the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, ending the post October 7th war between Israel and Hezbollah. Previously, he negotiated several global economic and diplomatic agreements including the Israel-Lebanon maritime border agreement, a landmark diplomatic and first of its kind political and economic agreement that resolved a decades-long dispute that also enabled significant investment opportunities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In his years at the White House, Hochstein regularly met with the leaders of countries around the world from the Arabian Gulf to Asia and Africa on behalf of the President of the U.S.

Dubbed by the Washington Post as the “energy whisperer” or the “energy czar” by others, Hochstein is well known to the global energy, mining and infrastructure sectors.  He has held leadership positions in both the private sector and government, shaping the future of energy policy.

In his expansive leadership role, Hochstein played a leading role shaping and negotiating the US global policy on artificial intelligence (AI) and AI infrastructure. Chairing the AI investment taskforce with Saudi Arabia and other countries while accelerating investment in data centers in the U.S. and around the world.

As the 16th Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Michael S. Regan has broad expertise in Environmental Policy. While head of the EPA, Regan played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. environmental policies, including addressing pressing issues such as climate change, air and water quality, toxic chemical regulations, and environmental justice.

As EPA Administrator, Regan was the Chief Executive Officer of a federal regulatory agency with more than 16 thousand employees and an annual operating budget north of 10 billion dollars. With an additional historic funding boost from the United States Congress beyond the annual budget, Regan designed and led an investment strategy of more than 100 billion dollars in the health, equity, and resilience of American communities, while providing the private sector with regulatory certainty to ensure job growth, global economic competitiveness, and investor confidence.

Throughout his career, Regan has been guided by a belief in forming consensus, fostering an open dialogue rooted in respect for science and the law, and an understanding that environmental protection and economic prosperity go hand in hand. In his live engagements, Regan explains how these systems work together, often in surprising ways. 

Actor and filmmaker Kevin Costner’s esteemed career has been critically recognized with two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. With past roles across comedy, action, and drama, most movie lovers have seen Costner’s work. He has appeared in box-office hits including Silverado, No Way Out, Bull Durham, JFK, The Untouchables, Field of Dreams, The Bodyguard, and Wyatt Earp, among many others. In addition, he starred in and executive produced the Paramount Network’s hit-drama, Yellowstone, a role for which he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Drama. Costner’s exceptional filmmaking abilities were showcased in Dances with Wolves, which he produced, directed and starred in, and which won seven Academy Awards including “Best Picture” and “Best Director.” Costner also produced and co-authored the New York Times bestselling adventure novel The Explorers Guild. Costner captivates audiences not only as a legendary figure in the entertainment industry but as a remarkable storyteller. Whether discussing his experiences in film, the demands of creativity, or the enduring value of hard work, Costner leaves audiences entertained, inspired, and deeply connected to his story.

When Costner is not working on films, he sings lead vocals and plays lead guitar in his band, Modern West, and can be seen playing venues across the country. The band’s song "The Angels Came Down" was adopted by the Gold Star Moms and Gold Star Wives organizations, which support the mothers, wives, and families of fallen soldiers. Costner also fundraises for first responders through hosting appearances and charity concerts.

When a handsome young senator showed up at her door in the seventies, Jill Biden never imagined that it would be the start of a love story that would one day take her to the White House—twice. She had no idea how quickly she would have to learn how to balance life as a political spouse, a lifelong educator, and a mother, then a grandmother, and now a great-grandmother.  

Jill Biden, Ed.D, served as First Lady of the United States from 2021-2025. She also served as Second Lady of the United States from 2009-2017. She worked as a full-time community college professor as Second and First Lady, making her the first presidential spouse to maintain a career while living in the White House. 

She was a leading messenger for the Biden-Harris Administration’s most urgent priority of navigating out of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic: urging communities to get vaccinated, safely reopening schools, and supporting President Biden’s agenda to rebuild a shuttered economy. 

As First Lady, Dr. Biden championed the causes that have defined her public life: supporting military families like her own; advocating for workforce development programs, community colleges, and the teaching profession; ending cancer as we know it through the Biden Cancer Moonshot; and galvanizing overdue investments and structural changes to women’s health research. She traveled to more than 40 states, 200 towns and cities, and 19 countries. By adding interactive technology and educational content to the White House public tour route, Dr. Biden reimagined the visitor experience and made the People’s House open and accessible to more Americans than ever before.

A proud and self-described Philly girl, Dr. Biden published her New York Times Bestselling memoir, Where the Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself, in 2019, and has published three children’s books, most recently in 2024, WILLOW the White House Cat.

Christopher T. Sununu served four terms as the 82nd Governor of the State of New Hampshire and after choosing not to seek a fifth term, he returned to the private sector in January 2025. At the conclusion of his tenure in office, the Granite State is the fastest-growing state in the Northeast, has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, and has the lowest child poverty rate of any state in America. Governor Sununu is recognized as a national leader in “common-sense” governance and balanced navigation of otherwise polarized political waters.

Serving during America’s most politically charged period and in conjunction with both the Trump and Biden administrations, Governor Sununu brings an insider’s perspective and unabashed transparency that few politicians can deliver.  As chief executive of the First In The Nation Primary state, Governor Sununu was front and center of our country’s two most heated elections in history and offers insights in how to decode political fact from fiction.

Whether discussing his five-month through-hike of the Appalachian Trail or work cleaning up hazardous waste as an environmental engineer, Governor Sununu delights audiences with a mix of inspiring true stories and seasoned political acumen. With experience speaking to groups such as SXSW, Harvard University, The Aspen Institute, and more, Governor Sununu offers audiences an informed, practical, and engaging perspective on leadership and governance.

Founder, chief creative officer, best-selling author, and philanthropist, Kendra Scott, started her company in 2002, just three months after her first son was born. With only $500 and a tea box to carry her collection, she went store to store selling her designs. Her dedication to innovation, quality, customer service, and attention to detail has since transformed her small startup into a billion-dollar brand. Today, with over 2,600 employees and more than 140+ standalone stores, Kendra Scott is celebrated for its design and material innovation, vibrant use of color, and signature shapes. The lifestyle brand offers a diverse range of products, including fashion, demi-fine and fine jewelry, watches, engagement rings, home accessories, a men’s collection (Scott Bros. by Kendra Scott), and a western-inspired brand (Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott).

 As the brand continues to grow, Kendra and her company remain true to their founding philosophy of “Family, Fashion, and Philanthropy,” benefiting both customers and employees. Since 2010, Kendra Scott has donated over $70 million to local, national, and international causes supporting women and youth.

Driven by a deep-rooted passion for empowering the next generation of leaders, Kendra founded the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (KS WELI) at The University of Texas at Austin in 2019 to empower women and creatives looking to change the world through entrepreneurship. This interdisciplinary program, involving the College of Fine Arts, the McCombs School of Business, the College of Natural Sciences, the Cockrell School of Engineering and School of Undergraduate Studies, empowers, equips, and builds a community for creatives, founders and leaders.

 In 2023, Kendra furthered her commitment to philanthropy by launching the Kendra Scott Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to empowering women and youth in the areas of health and wellness, education, and entrepreneurship. Notable programs supported by the foundation include initiatives around breast cancer research and awareness, pediatric hospitals, and early education literacy.

Kendra is a reoccurring investor/guest Shark on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning show “Shark Tank”. Kendra also serves on the board of directors for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, while maintaining her role as Executive Chairwoman and Chief Creative Officer of Kendra Scott, LLC. Today, the company continues to operate out of Austin, Texas, where Kendra resides with her family.

Chris Appleton, celebrity hairstylist and visionary behind iconic looks for stars like Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and Ariana Grande, is redefining beauty standards and inspiring creativity on a global scale. He is a regular contributor on The Today Show, a lifestyle contributor for The Drew Barrymore Show, and a correspondent for E! Red Carpet events including the Met Gala. He was recently invited by Anna Wintour to be a contributor for VOGUE across VOGUE social platforms and their digital app. Dubbed a “Hair Star” by Vogue UK, Appleton's work has been showcased on covers and major features for top-tier magazines across the globe, including VOGUE, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. With a career marked by innovation, artistry, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, Appleton has become a trusted name in fashion and beauty. Appleton speaks on his self-made success, embracing opportunity, and the joys of following your passion. 

As an award-winning stylist and industry trailblazer, Appleton's unique approach to personal branding, resilience, and creative expression resonates far beyond the salon chair. Whether sharing the story of his success through perseverance, creativity, and risk-taking, inspiring audiences to turn perceived challenges into strengths, or offering transformative lessons in creativity and confidence, Chris inspires audiences to embrace their unique style and harness their full potential.

Mathematics professor, hedge fund manager, and blackjack player Dr. Edward O. Thorp is a pioneer in quantitative finance and the quantitative revolution in investing. As founder of the first quantitative hedge fund, Dr. Thorp is an expert in the fields of game theory, functional analysis, probability & statistics, and mathematical finance. To beat roulette, he and the father of information theory, Claude Shannon, invented the first wearable computer. Dr. Thorp is also the New York Times bestselling author of Beat the Dealer, the first book to mathematically prove that the house advantage in blackjack could be overcome by card counting. Dr. Thorp's ability to blend academic rigor with real-world application ensures that his presentations are both intellectually stimulating and practically relevant.

Seen on Science News, Forbes, Bloomberg, Business Insider, and more, Dr. Thorp is a known and respected voice in any community concerned with numbers, probability, and strategic thinking. He has spoken at AQR Capital Management, UCI Libraries, MIT, and more. Dr. Thorp's engaging speaking style will leave a lasting impression, inspiring attendees to think differently about risk and opportunity.

Emmy-nominated late-night writer and Netflix featured comedian Nimesh Patel has risen through the ranks to some of comedy’s biggest stages due to his unassailable joke writing, prolific output, and innovative marketing. He has self-produced three specials, amassing millions of views on YouTube alone: Lucky Lefty, Thank You China, and Jokes to Get You Through Quarantine. Named as one of Variety’s prestigious “10 Comics to Watch” of 2023 and hailed by Vulture as “a Comedian You Should and Will Know,” Patel has charted a path from sold-out comedy clubs to major theaters with the business acumen imbued by his degree from the NYU Stern School of Business. A fast-rising star who can create a bespoke set tailored to audiences in a variety of industries from FinTech to Healthcare to charity, Patel infuses his events with a perfect blend of laughter and thought-provoking conversation, fostering engagement and leaving a lasting impression on attendees.

Patel’s first writing job came after Chris Rock saw him perform standup and hired him directly to write for The Academy Awards as well as tour with him. Since then, Patel has written for Saturday Night Live with Vanity Fair hailing him as the show’s “most intriguing new hire,” A Little Late with Lilly Singh, The White House Correspondents Dinner, and was a producer for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. He is a favorite on the late-night circuit with multiple appearances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Patel brings his charm, wit, and expertise to events of any size, tuning his talking points to each audience.

Former NBCUniversal executive Imani Ellis is the CEO and Founder of CultureCon and The Creative Collective, a community dedicated to facilitating brave spaces for Black and Brown creatives. Founded in Ellis’s one-bedroom apartment, The Creative Collective has grown into the largest community devoted to creatives of color. In addition to community events, The Creative Collective provides countless resources and workshops. The Creative Collective’s marquee event, CultureCon, is the first-of-its-kind ideas conference that caters to all aspects of creative and young professional life. Past CultureCon speakers have included Tracee Ellis Ross, Will Smith, Regina King, John Legend, Spike Lee, Lena Waithe, and more.  As a leader in talent development in media and creative industries, Ellis’s perspectives are crucial for organizations seeking a creative spark.

Ellis is regularly invited to speak at high-profile events and conferences, including Amazon, Jordan Brand, Pinterest, Advertising Week, Meta, the Women of Power Summit, Columbia Business School, and many more. Named a "Breakthrough Creative" by Ebony, a “Visionary” by Forbes, “One to Watch” by Black Enterprise, and a “Diversity Champion by AdWeek, Ellis shares invaluable insights on cultural competency and innovation.

Film producer, Founder of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), and CEO of 1Community Scott Budnick is a pioneer of impact-first entertainment. Perhaps best known for producing the highest-grossing R-rated comedy trilogy in film history, The Hangover, as well as Old School and Due Date, Budnick became internationally renowned as the Executive Vice president of Todd Phillips’ Green Hat Films. Leveraging his platform for good, Scott has been a fierce advocate for social justice and a fairer judicial system by stepping continuously and gracefully between the entertainment industry and his community work. In 2003, he began volunteering with InsideOUT Writers (IOW), which brings creative writing into juvenile halls. In 2014, he founded ARC, whose mission is to reduce incarceration, improve the outcomes of formerly incarcerated individuals, and build healthier communities. Inspiring positive global change through a media co-financing model, 1Community created Just Mercy with Michael Jordan. Budnick’s work shows the ability of creatives and investors alike to make a positive impact on the world.

Budnick’s advocacy work has made a profound impact on social wellness. For his work with youth in the criminal justice system, Gov. Jerry Brown named Scott the 2012 California Governor’s Volunteer of the Year. He sits on the Board of State and Community Corrections and serves as a Board Member for President Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. Budnick has been invited to speak at the United Justice Coalition, the Impact Guild Global Forum on Democracy, and the nationwide Corrections Leaders Associations Conference, among many more.

Former professional basketball player Rex Chapman’s compelling journey from the court to the screen has made him a beacon of positivity and humor. Chapman was a standout basketball player at the University of Kentucky. He played twelve seasons in the NBA and served in the front offices of several NBA teams. With an illustrious basketball career spanning over a decade, Chapman transitioned seamlessly into his new role as a leading voice in the media, where he has amassed millions of followers.

Chapman has worked as a broadcaster for both professional and college basketball. He has hosted the CNN+ show Rex Chapman as well as the iHeart podcast Charges with Rex Chapman. He currently hosts the Smartless podcast Owned. His memoir, It’s Hard for Me to Live With Me, tells the story of his addiction and recovery in unflinching detail. Chapman’s speeches are a dynamic mix of personal anecdotes, motivational insights, and thoughtful reflections on overcoming adversity, making him an ideal speaker for audiences seeking inspiration and empowerment.

Public relations operative Phil Elwood has worked for some of the top – and bottom – PR firms in Washington. Elwood has worked across various industry sectors including tech, energy, health, and financial services. He has provided communications and media support for executive visibility initiatives, corporate reputation and recovery campaigns, corporate milestone announcements, and enterprise-level issues. Elwood is also an experienced media trainer who can work with clients on message development and help prepare for high-profile interviews, speaking events, and congressional testimonies. But as he moved up the ranks, he felt worse and worse about the sleaziness of it all—until he received a shocking wake-up call from the FBI. His experiences are detailed in his instant Amazon #1 New Release, All the Worst Humans: How I Made News for Dictators, Tycoons, and Politicians. Elwood’s disarmingly funny and entertaining voice reveals all the industry-secret tactics that led to his rise as a political PR pro.

Elwood is also an experienced media trainer who can work with clients on message development and help prepare for high-profile interviews, speaking events, and congressional testimonies. An experienced communications professional, Elwood leads corporate communications engagements, providing strategic counsel and media relations expertise for a range of clients spanning corporations, brands, governments, and organizations. Whether addressing corporate executives or emerging leaders, Elwood’s expertise and mastery of strategic communication make him an invaluable addition to any event.

Veteran journalist Dylan Byers is a founding partner and senior correspondent at Puck, a news media startup and C-suite must-read covering Hollywood, Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and Washington. Before Puck, Byers served as the senior media reporter at NBC News, where he authored the “Byers Market” newsletter and hosted the Byers Market podcast. He has also worked at CNN, where he served as the senior media reporter and authored the Pacific newsletter, and Politico, where he authored the "On Media" blog. As a speaker, Byers draws from his extensive experience covering technology, media, and business to offer a unique blend of industry analysis, journalistic rigor, and engaging storytelling to captivate audiences and spark thought-provoking discussions.

Byers will ensure your event receives timely, relevant, and impactful perspectives on the pressing issues shaping our digital world. Byers has brought unparalleled expertise and insights to the stage for SXSW, Cannes Lions, Collision, the Global Financial Leadership Conference, and many more.

MIT-trained engineer and tech entrepreneur Krisztina “Z” Holly, curator of the first ever TEDx event, has been at the forefront of innovation throughout her career. She started her career as a serial tech entrepreneur in Boston and Silicon Valley before spending over a decade building pioneering innovation centers at MIT and USC. The White House subsequently invited her to help spread her novel model across the United States. Today, she invests in early-stage complex science and technology startups as an operating partner at Good Growth Capital and is a sought-after advisor and speaker to organizations around the world. She has been recognized by Rolling Stone, Forbes, WIRED, and Entrepreneur Mag for her ability to scout and cultivate talent and catalyze global initiatives. With a proven track record of fostering innovation, Z’s insights come from real-world experience.

Z has spoken at Davos, the White House, YPO Entrepreneurial Energy, NBC Universal, and the National Academy of Sciences Innovation Summit; she has facilitated numerous sessions for the World Economic Forum with heads of state and CEOs of Fortune 100 companies. She regularly appears as a public expert and interviewer, leading conversations with tech “rockstars” such as Biz Stone and Tim O'Reilly, interviewing world-famous extreme athletes, and facilitating panels with university presidents and global leaders. Z’s authentic style and tailored messages resonate with a wide range of audiences, from students and aspiring entrepreneurs to academics and top executives. 

Women’s health expert Dr. Sharon Malone has been active in advocating for reproductive rights, reducing teen pregnancy, and eliminating health care disparities. She is the Chief Medical Advisor at Alloy Women’s Health, a telehealth company focusing on women over 40. Before joining Alloy, Dr. Malone was a partner at one of the oldest and most successful OB/GYN medical practices in Washington, D.C. She is board-certified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and certified by the North American Menopause Society as a Certified National Menopause Practitioner. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller Grown Woman Talk, called a “must-read” by Michelle Obama. Dr. Malone’s speeches are informed by her extensive clinical experience, advocacy work, and commitment to improving health outcomes for all women.

Dr. Malone believes that all women should be able to make decisions regarding their health and quality of life based on facts – not fear. Dr. Malone serves on the D.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Board and the regional panel for the White House Fellows Program selection. She was appointed to the selection committee for the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction awarded by the University of Alabama School of Law. In addition, Dr. Malone has consistently been voted one of Washingtonian Magazine’s “Best Doctors" and named to Forbes' "50 Over 50" list. Dr. Malone’s compassionate approach to patient education and care allows her to make any audience feel welcome, comfortable, and informed.

Tracy McGrady, affectionately known as "T-Mac," is a legendary former NBA superstar and a Hall of Famer who made an indelible mark on the league. A seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time scoring champion, McGrady was known for his versatility and scoring prowess. Drafted 9th overall in the 1997 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors, over his profound career, McGrady also played for the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Atlanta Hawks. McGrady is a captivating speaker who brings the same passion and determination to the stage as he did the court.

McGrady’s lifelong dedication to the NBA is a testament to his commitment to community. His influence extends beyond the court, with a significant social media following, philanthropic connections, and widespread appeal in the sports community. Since retiring, McGrady has remained active in the basketball world by founding the Ones Basketball League (OBL), a competitive platform that celebrates the best one-on-one players. Whether discussing his NBA career, sports culture, or his focus on youth mentorship, McGrady’s story inspires audiences to pursue excellence, embrace leadership, and find purpose beyond their circumstances.