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Jeff Flake
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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, Senator 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. Senator Flake engages with audiences without partisan rancor or vitriol, making him capable and competent without being controversial.
A sought-after speaker, Senator Flake delivered a commencement address at Harvard Law School. 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. He has guest lectured at Stanford, Princeton, and Yale, was a Resident Fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics, and is the board chair for World Trade Center Utah.
Russell Wilson
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A Super Bowl champion and one of his generation’s most influential athletes, Russell Wilson continues to inspire through his unwavering commitment to excellence, not only on the field but also through his community work and entrepreneurship. Signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wilson is entering his 13th year in the NFL. Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler, currently ranks fourth all-time in career passer rating, and his 115 career wins rank second among active quarterbacks, exemplifying his dominance and establishing his place as one of the league’s premier players and champions. Known for his exceptional achievements on the field and his unwavering commitment to excellence, Wilson captivates audiences with compelling stories of perseverance, leadership, and community impact. Wilson’s conversations resonate with a wide range of topics, including mindset, performance under pressure, teamwork, and philanthropy.
Off the field, Wilson’s commitment to cause work led him to create the Why Not You Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating real and lasting change in the world by motivating and empowering today’s youth. In recognition of his philanthropic impact, Wilson earned the 2020 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and the 2022 Bart Starr Award. Wilson’s engaging speaking style and authenticity leaves audiences motivated and equipped with practical strategies to overcome challenges, build strong teams, and make a meaningful difference in their personal and professional lives.
Ciara
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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.
John Boehner
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Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner has spent his political career working towards a smaller, less costly, and more accountable federal government. He took the gavel as Speaker of the House following a historic election in which Congressional Republicans, under Speaker Boehner’s leadership, picked up 63 seats in the U.S. House. Speaker Boehner represented the Eighth Congressional District of Ohio in the U.S. House for over two decades, serving as Chairman of the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, House Minority Leader, and House Majority Leader during his tenure. Boehner led the government through many pivotal historical moments, giving him a holistic view of politics, leadership, and decision-making.
For insight into what is happening behind closed doors in the current political landscape, turn to Speaker Boehner's firsthand perspective. His book, On the House: A Washington Memoir, recalls Boehner’s five years as Speaker of the House. Hosts such as Stanford University, Edison Electric Institute, the National Restaurant Association Public Affairs Conference, BMO Financial Group have sought his expert remarks.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
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Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has inspired millions on her path to become a top track and field athlete. The youngest U.S. Olympian to compete in track and field since 1972, McLaughlin set both junior world and NCAA records before winning two gold medals at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Named the Gatorade National Girls Athlete of the Year two years in a row, McLaughlin-Levrone is known for her dedication both to sports and her ability to inspire. Her her status both as an athlete and a cultural icon. She expands on her uplifting story in her book Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith and through her work as a brand ambassador for New Balance. In her motivational talks, McLaughlin-Levrone helps us see that our dreams are possible with hard work, perseverance, and determined pursuit.
Touching both on her faith and the obstacles she has faced on her way to success, McLaughlin-Levrone offers empowering and inspiring remarks on perseverance, learning and evolving from your mistakes, staying open to new experiences, and the pursuit of success. When recognized by TIME Magazine as an emerging leader, her teammate and world-record holder ALLYSON FELIX described her as someone with “a quiet confidence that demands your attention...[and] the potential to impact lives.”
Damar Hamlin
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NFL player, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Damar Hamlin inspires audiences with his vision for making an impact through his life and work. Hamlin has always put his family and his community first. As he told the Point Park Globe, "I wanted to give my city bragging rights, bring my city something and just give the city another reason to smile." While playing football at the University of Pittsburgh he was named first-team All-State and the Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year. Hamlin plays starting safety for the Buffalo Bills, standing out as a leader on the team early in his NFL career. While still in school, Hamlin launched his popular Chasing M's clothing brand – which “tells the story of your come up through clothing and puts a community of like-minded people behind you to help achieve the life you want.” While expanding his portfolio as a fashion entrepreneur, he created The Chasing M’s Foundation – a vehicle to bring lasting impact to his community supporting toy drives, back-to-school drives, kids’ camps, and more, and recently launched a charity weekend featuring a youth football camp, charity softball game, and an All-Star game. Hamlin shares his perspective on leadership and standing up for those who need it the most in sought-after speaking engagements.
During a Monday Night Football game on January 2nd, 2023, Hamlin completed what looked like a routine tackle, only to collapse on the field moments after. He had suffered a cardiac arrest – and received swift medical attention as teammates and fans looked on in shock. His heartbeat was restored on the field, and he was rushed to emergency care. In the coming days, Damar’s teammates and fans were relieved to hear he was making progress. Communicating by writing on a clipboard due to his breathing tube, Damar asked, “did we win?” His trauma surgeon replied, “Yes, Damar, you won. You won the game of life.”
In his first public comments since his cardiac arrest, Hamlin shared on social media that he is thankful for the love he has received and asks for continued prayers for the long road ahead. In a massive show of support, fans donated to Hamlin’s 2020 GoFundMe campaign for The Chasing M’s Foundation’s annual toy drive. Dozens of NFL players, coaches, and executives donated to the campaign, which has raised over $9M so far. Hamlin has received the Variety Sports and Entertainment Social Impact Award, the 2023 Alan Page Community Award, the 2023 George Halas Award, presented the Pat Tillman Award at the ESPY Awards to the Bills training staff, and has been honored by the city of Pittsburgh with Damar Hamlin Day on July 9th. A gifted and motivational speaker, Hamlin illuminates how his faith and gratitude have helped him overcome obstacles, and offers motivational insights about entrepreneurship, community impact, and authentic leadership.
James Brown
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James Brown (also known as JB) is the host of THE NFL TODAY on CBS. A five-time Emmy Award-winner, he has hosted the Super Bowl a record-breaking 11 times. Brown was the long-time host of INSIDE THE NFL on Showtime and Paramount +.
He is also a Special Correspondent for CBS News, contributing across all News platforms.
Brown’s numerous honors include:
Brown is also an ordained minister, and enjoys speaking at churches and conferences around the country. Additionally, he is involved in a number of charitable organizations including:
Austin Channing Brown
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New York Times bestselling author, media producer, and sought-after speaker Austin Channing Brown is a leading and inspired voice on racial justice in America. Austin is known for her New York Times bestseller I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness, which was a Reese’s Book Club pick, and her adaptation with new stories for young readers, I’m Still Here: Loving Myself in a World Not Made for Me. I’m Still Here shot to the top 20 of Amazon’s bestsellers list, has been featured in all major publications, and received acclaim from Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and more. Austin’s workshops and talks are incisive, fun, disarming, and above all, transformative. She’s been sought-after by groups including Wells Fargo, Elon University, the Coalition of Black Social Workers, and many more.
Austin is also the Founder and CEO of Herself Media, and creates content that centers the experiences of Black women, dismantling the foundations of white supremacy. She is also the Executive Producer and Host of The Next Question – a web series that imagines how expansive racial justice can be. Her nationally-celebrated first season of TNQ featured MacArthur Genius Nikole Hannah-Jones, NYT bestselling authors Brené Brown, and Jasmine Guillory. In addition, Austin is a co-host of the Full Reset podcast. By using an intentional mix of humor, pop-culture, story-telling, and audience engagement, she awakens people to the current realities of systemic racism and the everyday actions which allow racism to thrive. Austin evokes thought, feeling, and action as she celebrates Blackness and the possibility of justice in our organizations and communities.
Tyler Perry
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Tyler Perry is an established American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, playwright, and author. Born into poverty and raised in a household scarred by abuse, Tyler fought from a young age to find the strength, faith and perseverance that would later form the foundations of his work.
Tyler started his career writing plays, many of which later became the inspiration for his film projects and included the introduction of the now-legendary Madea character, played by Tyler himself. Tyler’s first feature film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, debuted at number one nationwide. His ensuing films include Madea's Family Reunion, Daddy's Little Girls, Why Did I Get Married?, Meet The Browns, The Family That Preys, I Can Do Bad All by Myself, Why Did I Get Married Too?, For Colored Girls, Madea's Big, Happy Family, Good Deeds, Madea's Witness Protection, The Single Mom’s Club, Boo! and Boo! 2: A Madea Halloween, A Madea Family Funeral, Gone Girl, Vice and more.
With the historical official opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Perry is the first African American man to ever be at the helm of a major studio.
In conversation, Perry touches upon all of his experiences, ranging from his work in film and television to his activism on behalf of others and the journey it took for him to get where he is today.
Demi-Leigh Tebow
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Entrepreneur, influencer, model, and philanthropist Demi-Leigh Tebow utilizes her platforms as Miss South Africa and Miss Universe to educate and inspire on a global scale. While traveling the world and representing South Africa on an international stage, she witnessed the universal need for every individual to be heard, loved, and valued. Always a community-minded leader, Tebow aims to leverage her platform to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. After surviving an attempted carjacking, she founded the #Unbreakable Campaign to educate, uplift, and empower women by equipping them with the skills and knowledge to be able to handle dangerous situations. Tebow shares her passion for living a values-driven life, her purpose inspired by her faith in God, and her insights about making an impact in sought-after keynotes and conversations.
Demi-Leigh lends her philanthropic vision to the Tim Tebow Foundation, working to raise awareness for the fight against human trafficking, providing support to children with medical needs, among other impactful mission work. Demi currently serves on the board for several organizations worldwide focused on supporting survivors of human trafficking and empowering them to find lasting independence. She is also an entrepreneur with a passion for supporting businesses that have ethical practices and use their platforms for impact. Tebow offers practical takeaways for those entering the entrepreneurial space, navigating their current careers, and audiences of all kinds looking to combine their business ventures with moral excellence.
Tim Tebow
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Tim Tebow is a two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, First-Round NFL Draft Pick, and a former professional baseball player. Tebow currently serves as a speaker, college football analyst with ESPN and the SEC Network, and is the author of four New York Times Bestsellers. But, most importantly, he is the founder and leader of the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF) whose mission is to bring faith, hope, and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. TTF is currently fighting for people who can’t fight for themselves in over 60 countries and counting.
Glennon Doyle
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A Phenomenon of Courage, Connection, & Change
Glennon Doyle isn’t just a speaker; she’s a phenomenon. With electrifying authenticity and unshakable honesty, she transcends traditional labels to become a voice of hope, empowerment, and transformation for millions. Doyle doesn’t merely tell people they can “do hard things”—she shows them how, using raw vulnerability, sharp wit, and deeply resonant stories that touch audiences across all walks of life. Her meteoric rise to global influence is no accident—it’s a testament to the power of her message and her extraordinary ability to connect on a profoundly personal level.
Doyle’s influence stems from her unique courage, relatability, and multi-platform presence. Her personal journey is a testament to resilience and authenticity, inspiring millions to live unapologetically. Her bestselling book UNTAMED, which sold over 2M copies, sparked a global movement, encouraging readers to break free from societal expectations and embrace their truest selves. Glennon doesn’t just speak about bravery—she lives it, becoming a living example of what it means to lead with heart and truth.
Her themes of authenticity, vulnerability, mental health, relationships, and social justice are not only timely but vital in today’s complex world. Glennon captures the spirit of the moment with unmatched clarity, offering solace, guidance, and inspiration in times of uncertainty. Her words are universal yet deeply personal, making her a beacon of hope for those navigating personal challenges, seeking social change, or striving for clarity amidst life’s noise.
Beyond the stage, Glennon’s impact extends through her bestselling books (UNTAMED, LOVE WARRIOR, and CARRY ON, WARRIOR) and her acclaimed podcast, WE CAN DO HARD THINGS. She is one of the 40 Most Powerful People in Podcasting. Her massive social media following and ability to trend with every new release have solidified her status as one of the most influential voices of our time. Whether making audiences laugh, cry, or feel seen, Glennon Doyle’s transformative impact is undeniable.
Glennon is more than a speaker—she’s a global movement. She’s the trusted friend, fearless leader, and relentless advocate for truth the world needs. Whether inspiring a room of 50, reaching thousands at a conference, or connecting with millions through her books and podcasts, Glennon leaves her audiences braver, stronger, and ready to embrace their own “hard things.” It’s no wonder she’s one of the most sought-after voices in the world today.
Jemar Tisby
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Dynamic, significant, and prophetic, Jemar Tisby is a public historian with the ability to explore racial justice solutions and cultural conversations that compel listeners to action. Tisby is the founder of The Witness, Inc. and a Professor of History at Simmons College of Kentucky. He is the author of the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller, The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the Church's Complicity in Racism. He is also the author of How to Fight Racism, which won the 2022 ECPA Christian Book Award for Faith & Culture and is an Editor’s Pick for “Best Nonfiction” on Amazon. His latest book, How to Fight Racism Young Reader's Edition: A Guide to Standing Up for Racial Justice, was published in January 2022. In addition, Tisby is a co-host of the Pass The Mic podcast, and writes the Footnotes Substack newsletter, and helps audiences across mediums become lifelong advocates for racial justice.
Tisby received his PhD in History at the University of Mississippi studying race, religion, and social movements in the twentieth century, and in his sought-after engagements he brings history to bear with contemporary relevance. His writing has been featured in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and The New York Times, among others. He is a frequent commentator on outlets such as NPR and CNN's New Day program. Tisby provides audiences with richly-informed explorations, unflinching moral insight, and clear paths forward to meaningful conversation and action for more anti-racist workplaces and communities. He has spoken for groups including Cisco Systems, Lakeside Chautauqua, and Alteryx, a data analytics software company, where attendees raved: “This is the best approach I’ve experienced yet on digging into deeper feelings and perceptions – Dr. Tisby is gifted” and “Thank you for this incredible and forever impactful session.”
Reba McEntire
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The “Queen of Country Music,” Reba McEntire, is a true multi-media mogul. From the top of the Country charts to the Broadway stage, she has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to inhabit any endeavor with the authority and passion that has made her a household name from stage to screen.
Recognized as a powerhouse vocalist whose talent transcends musical boundaries, Reba has scored 35 No. 1 singles and sold more than 56M albums worldwide to be deemed one of the most successful recording artists in history. The Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry and Hollywood Bowl member has also won 16 ACM Awards, 15 American Music Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards and 6 CMA Awards. Reba is also an acclaimed actress with 11 movie credits to her name, who has also been a leading lady on Broadway in Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun, a judge on The Voice, and eponymous star of the six-season television sitcom Reba. She was also the first female and musician to portray KFC’s iconic founder Colonel Harland Sanders. Reba’s phenomenal career has been characterized by her sharp business sense, indelible wit, and commitment to excellence – the same values she brings to inspirational speaking engagements.
With faith and family as Reba’s foundation, her legacy extends beyond the stage. Her leadership and philanthropic endeavors have been recognized with the Andrea Bocelli Foundation Humanitarian Award, the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award, the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award, the Music Biz Chairman’s Award, the National Artistic Achievement Award from the U.S. Congress and induction into the Horatio Alger Association. Reba was also named Billboard magazine’s first-ever Woman of the Year. Reba’s impact can be felt worldwide, and audiences everywhere look to the country superstar not only as a musical genius, but also philanthropist, entrepreneur, and aspirational icon.
Lecrae
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A multi-Grammy Award-winning, platinum selling artist, Lecrae has evolved into a New York Times best-selling author, entrepreneur, speaker, thought leader, philanthropist, and Co-Owner/President of Reach Records. Referring to himself as a ‘social anthropologist,’ Lecrae seeks social change through authentic connections and calls for redemption through positive change. This year, he’ll also release his second book, I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion, But Found My Faith, a follow-up to his New York Times best-seller, Unashamed.
A catalyst for restoration in faith, music, and popular culture, Lecrae's viral TED Talk helped the public see beyond his music and focus on his message: what we say and do in hip-hop - and in the world - matters, so we should be thoughtful, careful, generous and respectful. In countless interviews, in his music and in his writings, Lecrae continues the message in hopes of restoring faith. “We can change the narrative, empower the disenfranchised, and close wealth gaps and can restore the dignity stripped from us, but we can’t do that by separating ourselves. We need to connect with each other and lean on God to restore our sense of purpose and worth,” shares Lecrae.
To date, he has sold more than 3 million copies and been nominated for 5 Grammy Awards including a win for Best Gospel Album, 15 Dove Awards, one Billboard Music Award, and received both a Soul Train Music Award and BET Hip-Hop Nomination. From his 2017 album, All Things Work Together, his single “I’ll Find You” ft. Tori Kelly, is now certified platinum by the RIAA (sold over 1 million copies) and “Blessings” ft Ty Dolla $ign is now Gold (sold over 500k).
Sara Evans
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Multi-platinum entertainer Sara Evans is at the top of her game. As one of the top five most-played female artist on country radio in the last two decades, she has five No. 1 singles including “No Place That Far,” “Suds In The Bucket, “A Real Fine Place To Start,” “Born to Fly,” and “A Little Bit Stronger,” which spent 2 weeks in the top spot and was certified platinum by the R.I.A.A. She has garnered such honors as ACM's Female Vocalist of the Year, CMA's Video of the Year, named one of People Magazine's ""50 Most Beautiful People,"" and the first country star to compete in ABC's Dancing with the Stars.
Sara continues to forge a bold, creative path with the launch of her label Born to Fly Records, and as the bestselling author of her memoir Born to Fly, as well as a series of entertaining novels. Those who know Sara as a storyteller through music connect with her personal and humorous stories in Born to Fly, in which she tells the narrative about her life and how faith and music brought her through some of her darkest hours.
Sara has been honored for her philanthropic work and was presented the NAB Education Foundation’s Service To America Leadership Award. A Red Cross ambassador, Sara received the national Crystal Cross award for her work with the disaster-relief organization.
Sara is praised for her humorous, real and inspiring talks in which she reminds us of the important things that matter: faith, love and family.
John Rich
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John Rich is an American dream chaser. Armed with confidence, ambition and determination, John Rich is a multi-platinum hit generator, lifestyle-brand entrepreneur, and host of The Pursuit! with John Rich on Fox Business Network. John speaks with authority on entrepreneurism, the music industry, politics, current events, and the importance of family and God.
Whether through a raucous party anthem or a sober reflection on hard times in the heartland, Rich’s ability to capture the American zeitgeist in song has made him one of the most successful and prolific entertainers in the music business today. John is a 3 time consecutive ASCAP Songwriter of the Year winner and has penned over 2,000 songs in his career. In 2011, Rich impressed Donald Trump and American TV audiences with his business acumen and leadership skills, winning NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice and raising $1.5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Rich is the founder of a national lifestyle brand called "Redneck Riviera" which celebrates 'Work hard, play hard' Americans. The brand boasts a successful national whiskey, Redneck Riviera Whiskey, a beef jerky line and a full-blown honky-tonk on the famed Lower Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee, with several more set to open across the US. The Redneck Riviera brand supports Folds of Honor and has now funded over 100 college scholarships for kids who have lost a parent in combat.
In addition to hosting his own show, Rich makes regular appearances on such top-rated shows such as the Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox News Channel’s The Five, Hannity, Fox and Friends and many more.
Chonda Pierce
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Emmy®-nominated and best-selling comedian Chonda Pierce, or “the country comic” as Billboard Magazine dubbed her, has been making audiences laugh for more than three decades with her winning combination of fierce wit and southern charm. A stand-up comedian, television hostess, author and actress, Pierce has channeled her life experiences into positivity, bringing laughter to audiences around the country. As the RIAA’s number one selling female comedian of all time, her hilarious take on life is easily relatable as she publicly opens up to her listeners about times of darkness and depression in her own life, drawing humor and good from every situation.
Pierce is a frequent guest at the famed Grand Ole Opry and has served as host of the Inspirational Country Music Awards and Christian Music Hall of Fame Awards and also co-hosted the GMA Dove Awards in 2012. She has also appeared on Entertainment Tonight, The View, Fox News Channel, Wanda Sykes, Hallmark Home & Family, NY1, CNN’s History of Comedy, How The States Got Their Shapes, and her comedy is regularly featured on XM and Sirius satellite radio. Variety raved about her ability to draw audiences for an encore performance for Chonda Pierce: Laughing in the Dark.
In addition to her comedic work, Pierce has used her success to help others, and in 2006 founded Branches Recovery Center, which offers counseling and treatment to those with depression, anxiety, addiction, regardless of their ability to pay. She has also raised millions of dollars for international relief organizations Compassion International, WorldVision, Food for the Hungry and Feed the Children.
Today, as the RIAA’s best-selling female comedian, Pierce continues to bring the laughs with her unique blend of music and comedy.
Granger Smith
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Award-winning country music singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Granger Smith has always had the power of music in his hands. A proud Texan, American, father, husband, and Christian, Smith has produced countless hit records and is also the co-author of the bestseller If You’re City, If You’re Country, under the name Earl Dibbles Jr. – his comic alter-ego. Alongside his brothers, Smith founded Yee Yee Apparel – a Texas-based, patriotic, outdoor apparel company. Fans gain insight into his family and country life through the mega-popular YouTube channel The Smiths, as well as Granger’s channel – which features impactful sermons about his journey through grief and the role of Faith in his life. He’s the host of the Granger Smith Podcast, a weekly advice show praised for his captivating storytelling, positive outlook on life, and the profound connection he makes with his audiences.
In 2019, while Smith was at work on his 10th studio album, tragedy struck – he and his wife Amber lost their 3-year-old son River in a drowning accident. After several months of mourning, he started to find healing through his music, and realized it could have the same impact for others going through grief as well. Through his music, beloved podcast, and speaking engagements, Granger inspires hope – showing people the way out of a tough spot and offering the connection that they are not alone.
Smith’s new book, Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward after Loss and Heartache, will be published August 1st, 2023 and focuses on his family’s journey of grief after the loss of River, and lessons learned along the way.
Rick Santorum
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A passionate champion of America’s founding principles, Senator Rick Santorum's impressive presidential campaign positioned him as a leading voice of the Republican Party. Senator Santorum began his first presidential campaign as a dark-horse candidate, but with a victory in the Iowa caucuses, he became a center-stage challenger who went on to win another ten states, over 3 million votes, and claim the mantle of conservative alternative to the front-runner. In four years in the U.S. House of Representatives, 12 as U. S. Senator, Rick Santorum earned a reputation as a passionate fighter for conservative values and a vocal advocate for smaller government, cutting wasteful spending, a strong national defense, and a return to our country’s founding principles.
Peggy Noonan
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Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and bestselling author Peggy Noonan has provided unique and thoughtful analysis of our nation and its leaders to millions of readers worldwide. Her Wall Street Journal column, Declarations, has run weekly since 2000. Forbes Magazine hailed her column as “principled, perceptive, persuasive, and patriotic.” She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary in 2017. Noonan has also served as a Special Assistant and speechwriter to President Ronald Reagan. In the Reagan White House, she worked alongside the President on speeches that span the 40th anniversary of D-Day, the Challenger disaster, and his Farewell Address. Noonan’s speeches are filled with humorous anecdotes and political insight, as entertaining as they are thought-provoking.
A current political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, Noonan provides unique and thoughtful analysis of our nation and its leaders. Noonan has spoken to groups as diverse as the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, World Affairs Council, the University of Charleston, the 92Y, and more.
Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire
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Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire was the scientific lead of the Vaccine Research Center’s coronavirus team at the U.S. National Institutes of Health where she studied coronavirus biology and vaccine development. Those 6 years of research led to the groundbreaking discovery that a stabilized version of a spike protein, which is found on the surface of all coronaviruses, would be a key target for vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her colleagues were central to the development of the Moderna mRNA vaccine and the Eli Lilly therapeutic monoclonal antibody, both of which were first to enter clinical trials in the world. As a result, her work is having a substantial impact on ending the worst respiratory-disease pandemic in more than 100 years. Dr. Corbett-Helaire is now an assistant professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her work now extends beyond the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines to the outlook of this pandemic and future viral pandemics.
Perhaps just as important as her scientific accomplishments, Dr. Corbett-Helaire has burst onto the public stage as the face of a diverse and rising generation of talented scientists who will transform the world. She is a stellar science communicator, explaining the vaccine and the virus in highly accessible ways to media outlets, two U.S. presidents, and audiences around the globe.
Bill Courtney
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Football coach and entrepreneur William B. Courtney is renowned for his inspirational lessons on teamwork and resiliency.
Bill began volunteering at Memphis’ inner city Manassas High School in an effort to turn its underperforming football team around. When Bill started, the team had 19 players with a dismal 4-95, 10-year record. Within five years, the team’s record improved to 18-2, with 75 players. The story was so compelling that a Hollywood film—Undefeated—was produced about it. It won an Academy Award for Best Feature Length Documentary. Bill's book, Against the Grain: A Coach's Wisdom on Character, Faith, Family, and Love, shares his convictions on the fundamental tenets of character, commitment, service, leadership, civility, and others that, in his decades of success as an entrepreneur and educator, have proven to be the keys to a winning and meaningful life and career.
Inducted into Bridge Builders for leadership in diversity, community, and justice, Bill is the recipient of numerous awards including the Liberty Bowl’s Harry Zinn Spirit of 1776 award for distinguished citizenship, the Carnival Memphis’ King’s award for outstanding achievement in Business and Industry, and the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Memphis chapter’s award winner for The Distinguished American for Contribution to Amateur Athletics.
Bill is also the founder of Classic American Hardwoods, Inc. Today he serves as the company's President and CEO. The company employs 120 people with a 45 acre manufacturing facility and domestic sales offices in Memphis, TN and international sales offices in Shanghai, China, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A winner of the Memphis Business Journal’s Small Business of the Year Award, Classic American Hardwoods is based on a commitment to community service.
Jana Kramer
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Actress, entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author Jana Kramer is beloved by her fans for her honest vulnerability. She is best known for her TV appearances in One Tree Hill, Friday Night Lights, 90210, and Entourage. Kramer regularly stars in films such as 20th Century Fox’s Heart of the Country, Hallmark Channel's Love at First Bark, and Lifetime’s Christmas in Mississippi. A multi-hyphenate creative, Kramer’s musical career took off with her eponymous debut album, Jana Kramer. Seven of her singles charted on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay. She won the Academy of Country Music’s “New Female Vocalist of the Year” award for her work.
In 2019, Kramer launched her award-winning iHeartRadio podcast, Whine Down with Jana Kramer, where she shares advice on love, life, and more. Audiences connect with the candid but uplifting transparency she carries through her work. Authenticity, vulnerability, and care are all central to her New York Times bestseller, The Good Fight: Wanting to Leave Choosing to Stay, and the Powerful Practice for Loving Faithfully and latest book, The Next Chapter: Making Peace with Hard Memories, Finding Hope All Around Me, and Clearing Space for Good Things to Come. Drawing on her personal relationships and experiences, Kramer provides spiritual guidance and practical advice to audiences worldwide.
Kramer’s wonderful stage presence, authenticity, and ability to connect with the crowd leaves audiences dazzled at every engagement.
Kay Bailey Hutchison
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For more than four decades, Kay Bailey Hutchison has leveraged her expertise in the public and private sectors. She served in the U.S. Senate for twenty years representing the state of Texas. As a member of Senate leadership, she was elected Vice-Chairman of the Republic Conference and later Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, the fourth-highest ranking Republican Senator. Then in 2017, she became the permanent Representative of the U.S. to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, where she held the alliance together and strategized the U.S. working relationships with Russia, China, and the rest of the world. Highly regarded for her commitment to bipartisan solutions, Ambassador Hutchison offers an insider’s perspective and practical, non-partisan insights to issues central to the national economy, homeland defense, and foreign affairs in her engaging talks.
Kay Bailey Hutchison was named one of the world’s 100 most powerful women by Forbes. She served two terms as Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and previously worked as a prominent attorney at Bracewell, LLP, an established international law firm in Dallas, Texas. She is a Senior Adviser to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges, and is the namesake for the KBH Center for Energy, Law and Business at the University of Texas. Ambassador Hutchison is the New York Times bestselling author of three books, including Unflinching Courage: Pioneering Women Who Shaped Texas, Leading Ladies: American Trailblazers, and American Heroines: The Spirited Women Who Shaped Our Country. With her breadth of experience, she is a masterful, knowledgeable speaker on national security, foreign policy and America's agenda on the world stage.
Lena Waithe
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Lena Waithe is an award-winning writer, creator, producer, actor and CEO establishing herself as a Hollywood powerhouse, who expertly taps into emerging cultural sensibilities with a sharp wit and unique perspective, challenging audiences to think outside conventional norms. Lena became the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for her work on the critically acclaimed Netflix series Master of None. She continues to grow her body of work with diversity, charisma, and comedy.
Beyond the screen, Lena’s production company Hillman Grad Productions has partnered with Indeed to launch Rising Voices, a $1.35M investment in BIPOC filmmakers to fight against the status quo by giving marginalized storytellers the opportunity to access the industry and tell their stories. A tireless advocate for representation, Lena was honored at the 2020 Essence Black Women in Hollywood event, took home a Gracie Award for her Showtime series The Chi, and was featured on the 2018 TIME 100 list in a tribute written by Vice President Kamala Harris. Lena is a sought-after leader in the entertainment industry, speaking to the endless possibilities of intentional collaboration that centers under-represented voices.
Ashley Judd
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Actor, activist, and New York Times bestselling author Ashley Judd is heralded for her unforgettable performances and tireless advocacy work. From starring roles in box office hits and award-winning independent films, Judd’s films tell very personal stories that tap into larger issues, and she brings this gift for storytelling to all her speaking engagements. A voice for the often voiceless, she shines an illuminating light on the vulnerable and the at-risk. Judd has traveled the world with her international public health work, from maternal health to child survival, human rights to disease prevention and treatment. She has been working with NGO’s, grass roots organizations, governments, and supranational bodies since 2004, and detailed her experience in her New York Times bestselling book, All That Is Bitter and Sweet. For her sought-after speaking engagements, Judd regularly receives glowing praise such as: “Ashley Judd walked onto the Ford Hall Forum stage and hit it straight out of the park from her first word to her last. She is not only incredibly intelligent and a top-notch presenter, but also thoroughly knowledgeable and committed... It was clear that the audience found Judd completely captivating and a true inspiration.” (Ford Hall)
Judd was named one TIME’s “Persons of the Year” for her role as a silence-breaker and change-maker of the #MeToo movement, shifting the culture and conversation around sexual abuse and harassment. She is a sought after public speaker and frequent OpEd author on topics as diverse as conflict mineral mining and child marriage. She serves as the Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNFPA, the Global Ambassador for Population Services International, and is Chairperson of the Women’s Media Center Speech Project: Curbing Abuse, Expanding Freedom. She has received the Muhammad Ali Kentucky Humanitarian Award and her alma mater, the University of Kentucky, established the Ashley T. Judd Distinguished Gradate Fellowship in the Office for Policy Studies on Violence Against Women. Judd illuminates topics of women’s rights, mental health, the environment, and more with her indelible storytelling and global experience, and hosts rave about her impact: "Ms. Judd was the perfect choice for the closing keynote. She had obviously done her homework on the ATHENA leadership principles because she connected her remarks directly to them. She was intelligent, thought provoking, humorous, sincere, warm and extremely engaging. Conference attendees raved about her and she and her staff were delightful to work with. I would highly recommend her as a speaker." (Güd Marketing | Marketing That Matters)
Please visit ashleyjudd.com to learn more about Judd's latest projects and advocacy work.
Aliyah Boston
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Rising WNBA star Aliyah Boston is a trailblazer in the new generation of athletes. From an early age, Aliyah has courageously pursued her dream of a future in basketball. At the age of 12, Aliyah and her sister Alexis moved to Massachusetts from their hometown St. Thomas, USVI to live with their aunt and pursue more basketball opportunities. Aliyah joined USA’s national basketball team, was a McDonald’s All-American in high school, and led the University of South Carolina’s program to their 2nd national championship – winning both the SEC Player of the Year and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year as the most decorated player in program history.
Aliyah was the #1 overall draft pick in the 2023 WNBA season, joining the Indiana Fever as the team’s centerpiece. A celebratory New York Times profile declared that Boston “has already become the face of the WNBA just months into her professional career.” She is the only player ranked in the top 20 in both offensive and defensive win shares, demonstrating her dominance on both ends of the court. And Boston is the youngest player and only the eighth rookie ever to start a WNBA All-Star game. Aliyah’s outgoing personality is showcased in everything she does, including her role as NBC Sports’ lead women’s college basketball studio analyst for the network’s Big Ten women’s basketball coverage. Sought-after for her motivational story, Aliyah speaks about staying true to yourself, focusing on faith and family, and how to apply teamwork on and off the court.
Karl Rove
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Iconic campaign strategist Karl Rove is one of the most sought-after political pundits of our time, widely respected for his robust knowledge of major political issues. Rove served as Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush overseeing the Offices of Political Affairs, Public Liaison, Intergovernmental Relations, Strategic Initiatives and as Deputy Chief, the White House Policy process. Before the White House, he ran Rove + Co., a public affairs firm that consulted on over 75 GOP campaigns for Senator, Governor, Congress, and statewide office. Rove writes a weekly op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, appears frequently on Fox News, and is the author of the New York Times bestseller Courage and Consequence and The Triumph of William McKinley. Conservative editor and columnist Fred Barnes called him “the greatest political mind of his and probably of any generation.”
From major international conferences and association meetings to college campuses and corporate events, Rove's shrewd analysis resonates with audiences. Diverse organizations including the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Sinai Health System, Cigna, Yahoo!, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, and more have sought out Rove as a speaker. Sponsors hosting Rove have reported his remarks "were extremely insightful and very helpful to our industry leaders"(Edison Electric Institute) and "provocative, lively and thoughtful" (Nomura) with audiences" often erupting in applause" (Wabash College) and for presentations praised as "one of the highest-rated" (The TriZetto Group).
Mario Lopez
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Two-time Emmy Award-winning host, actor, author, producer, and philanthropist Mario Lopez is a consummate entertainer across mediums, using his platform to promote health for the whole family and inclusivity in Hollywood. As the beloved host of NBC’s Access Hollywood, Lopez has won two Daytime Emmy Awards, and hosts iHeartRadio’s nationwide radio show “Countdown with Mario Lopez,” as well as the iHeartMedia podcast On with Mario Lopez and The 3 Knockdown Rule for UFC's Fight Pass. He has licensees in over fifteen categories. Lopez has written bestselling books on fitness and inspiration, a memoir Just Between Us and several children’s books, engaging audiences with personal anecdotes, inspirational values of health and perseverance, and devotion to family. His easy humor, captivating storytelling, and winning congeniality make him an outstanding choice as host or emcee for any event.
A dedicated partner of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Lopez was recently named the Alumni Ambassador of Fitness for the organization’s BE GREAT campaign. Through philanthropy and as a producer, he advocates for today’s young people and for inclusive positive images, particularly for Latinx communities. He co-created and executive produced the Netflix series The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia, and appeared in and produced the Saved by the Bell reboot for NBC’s Peacock, reprising the role that made him a household name in the hit 90’s teen series. He hosts Triller TV’s Fight Club, will host the upcoming new GSN show Blank Slate, and has appeared on NBC’s This is Us, Jane the Virgin on The CW, and Disney’s Elena of Avalor with his daughter Gia, to name a few. Lopez has starred in numerous Lifetime holiday films including the upcoming Holiday in Santa Fe, and was recently inducted to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Kelsey Plum
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Back-to-back WNBA Champion and 2022 All Star Game MVP Kelsey Plum brings motivational insights from her stellar career and commitment to mentorship to uplifting events. The “un-guardable” Kelsey graduated as the NCAA Division I women’s basketball all-time scoring leader, and went on to be named the AP, John Wooden, Naismith, and USBWA College Player of the Year, and went No. 1 overall in the 2017 WNBA Draft. Despite a huge setback with a torn Achilles injury during her 2020 season, Kelsey went on to lead the inaugural USA Olympic 3x3 Team to an Olympic gold medal, earned the WNBA 6th Woman of the Year and All-Star MVP awards, and was named to the All-WNBA First Team. Kelsey led her Las Vegas Aces to its first WNBA championship in franchise history.
Beyond her championship athleticism, Kelsey is a passionate advocate for family & faith, mental health awareness, and giving back to her community. She introduced her inaugural Dawg Class Camp with Under Armour that will work on and off the court with nine of the top women’s college basketball guards to navigate the transition to a professional career. Kelsey is known for her passion for philanthropy, working with Safe Haven NV and coaching several youth basketball clinics. Her meteoric rise to the top of her game has generated major social media capital and given her a platform she uses to share a positive message about being part of a winning culture, navigating life’s transitions, and leaving your legacy.
Scott Drew
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Two-time Big 12 Coach of the Year Scott Drew has transformed the Baylor basketball team as their Head Coach, leading them to nine NCAA Tournaments and winning the 2021 National Championship. The unprecedented renewal of the Baylor team is a testament to Drew’s passion, positivity, and relentless pursuit of excellence, and he shares his strategies for team-building success with audiences who are invigorated by his authenticity and humility.
In rebuilding the team from the ground up, he has earned an array of individual accolades, including back-to-back Big 12 Coach of the Year awards and being named the 2020 NBC Sports National Coach of the Year. Drew has intentionally cultivated an unrivalled organizational culture and championship mindset, and is a celebrated expert in perseverance and servant leadership through faith, offering takeaways that will benefit every industry.
Ryan Bergara
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Actor and media entrepreneur Ryan Bergara is a self-described “ghost hunter,” known for creating beloved viral content across platforms for years. Bergara is the co-Founder of Watcher Entertainment, a digital media studio that creates television-caliber, unscripted series that aim to bring joy, inspire curiosity, and genuinely connect with our audience. Bergara hosts shows such as Ghost Files, Mystery Files, Puppet History, and Are You Scared. He is the creator and host of the BuzzFeed Unsolved franchise – which has amassed over 998M views and 187M hours (over 2,140 decades) watched. Bergara leverages a wealth of experience at every level in the media industry to share insights on creativity, creating viral content, and how to connect with your ideal audience.
Bergara is a sought-after speaker for groups including University of Pittsburgh, Chapman University, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, University of California – San Diego, University of California – Riverside, University of California – Irvine, and more. Bergara brings star power and entertaining insights to any audience.
Linsey Davis
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Linsey Davis is an award-winning journalist, ABC News Live "Prime with Linsey Davis" and ABC World News Tonight Radio correspondent, and bestselling author whose timely and balanced reporting have earned her many honors including two Emmy Awards, a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, and multiple Gracie Awards. Davis is renowned for her tough but fair moderating skills in the arena of political debate, as well as insightful interviews with major influential figures, including Hillary Clinton, Mike Pence, and Dr. Anthony Fauci. She is a sought-after moderator, having led the first roundtable discussion with Black female mayors of Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Baton Rouge, and Tacoma, as well as a series of interviews with the spouses of presidential candidates in a series called Running Mates. In addition to her wave-making reporting, Davis is the author of six books, including The New York Times bestsellers Girls of the World and The Smallest Spot of a Dot, and the titles How High Is Heaven, Stay This Way Forever, The World Is Awake, and One Big Heart. As a speaker and moderator, Davis’ voice is in-demand on a dynamic array of subjects and audiences are energized by her presence.
Jeannie Mai
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Emmy-Award winning host Jeannie Mai can be seen each weekday on the nationally syndicated talk show The Real. Mai and her fellow The Real co-hosts received a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host, received multiple Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Talk Series, and received an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Talk Series. Mai also serves as a sideline correspondent for ABC’s extreme mini-golf competition series Holey Moley, and competed on season 29 of the hit series Dancing with the Stars. Mai’s presentations are both inspiring and relatable, offering insight into building resilience, embracing cultural identity, and harnessing personal strength to achieve success.
Deeply committed to charities that advance women’s interests, Mai serves as a board member for various organizations, including Dress for Success and Same Sky. Mai has served as an advocate to fight human trafficking and has been an ambassador for the Pacific Links Foundation, Step Up, Nightlight International, Not For Sale, and Heartbeat Vietnam. Mai has been honored for her activism work in the AAPI community as a part of the A100 list, highlighting the most influential Asians within their respective industries. Audiences leave Mai’s talks feeling motivated to take control of their lives with renewed passion and purpose.
Andrew Young
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Ambassador, Congressman, Mayor, and Civil Rights icon Andrew J. Young has been serving and shaping our country for almost 70 years. Ambassador Young became active in the Civil Rights movement as leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to teach non-violent organizing strategies. Considered the diplomat among Dr. King’s community, he was a key strategist and negotiator in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Now a Patriarch in the Civil Rights movement, audiences look to Ambassador Young as a powerful voice honoring the legacy of Dr. King’s work and the future of human rights.
Ambassador Young became the first African American representative from the Deep South to serve in Congress since Reconstruction, and was appointed to serve as the first African American U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. He served as Mayor of Atlanta, worked with GoodWorks International to facilitate sustainable economic development in the Caribbean and Africa, and produced and hosted the Emmy Award-nominated docu-series Andrew Young Presents, exploring contemporary issues. He is the author of several books, including An Easy Burden: The Civil Rights Movement and the Transformation of America, which is being updated and re-released in a special edition commemorating his 90th birthday.
The veteran civil rights leader received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and France’s Legion d’Honneur, each representing the highest civilian honor for that nation, and was awarded the NAACP Springarn Medal, an Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award, and his portrait is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. The Andrew J. Young Foundation, Inc. supports and promotes education, health, leadership, and human rights in the U.S., Africa, and the Caribbean, building on his legacy and developing new generations of innovative leaders to tackle this era’s global challenges. Ambassador Young has been a powerful and active voice in the movement for Civil Rights for more than half a century, honoring the past and shaping the future, and shares a message of hope and humanity that uplifts and inspires audiences of all kinds.
Martin Sheen
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Multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winner Martin Sheen is a national treasure, endeared to audiences nationwide for his seven-year run as President Bartlet on NBC’s award-winning series The West Wing. Mr. Sheen has been a prolific actor since the late 1960’s. He has played over 100 roles, including such films as Badlands, Catch Me If You Can, The Departed, Bobby, and The Way a film written and directed by his son, Emilio Estevez. Their published father/son memoir Along the Way, which was released to critical acclaim. With a captivating blend of storytelling and insight, Mr. Sheen offers audiences both entertainment and a powerful call to action on issues that matter.
Both a celebrated actor and lifelong advocate for social justice, Mr. Sheen uses his dynamic presence and celebrity status to lend an inspired voice to peace and social justice issues such as nuclear weapons, the treatment of immigrants, the alleviation of poverty and homelessness, and the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars where he gives a voice to those he feels need it most. Mr. Sheen is a Special Envoy to the Front-Line International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. For over four decades, Mr. Sheen has been an ardent supporter of causes that advocate peace and encourage justice throughout the world. Mr. Sheen’s inspiring speeches share his journey through Hollywood, his advocacy for civil rights, and his reflections on leadership, morality, and personal responsibility.
Allyson Felix
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Athlete icon, entrepreneur, and advocate Allyson Felix is the most decorated Track & Field Olympian in U.S. history. An eleven-time Olympic medalist. Seven-time Olympic Champion. World Record Holder. She has won a mind-blowing thirty-one global medals at the Olympics and World Championships. Felix has redefined athletics as she continues to cement her iconic status on and off the track. She is an investor in multiple companies, serves as an advisor to a female-led and focused venture fund, and is the Founder of her own shoe company for women, Saysh. Sought after for her empowering insights about striving for greatness in business and in life, Felix has captivated audiences across industries.
Felix has been featured in major publications including Forbes, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Glamour, Essence, Self, O Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and Elle. She is passionate about her community and serves on the Board of Directors for &Mother, Right to Play, and others, and through partnerships with Voice in Sport, the Women’s Sports Foundation, and more. Felix has received numerous accolades for her athletics and her advocacy, including being named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People of the Year” in both 2020 and 2021 as well as the Sports Illustrated ‘Unrelenting List’. In demand with groups such as Trellance, Princeton University, Paypal, and World 50, Inc., to name a few, Felix consistently receives rave reviews for her speaking engagements: “The event with Allyson Felix was a great success! She presented such a genuine, focused, inspirational story that displayed her journey of ups and downs; her great lessons and appreciation of what teamwork can bring. A true champion.” (ATG Global Entertainment)
Troy Aikman
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Troy Aikman is one of the most recognizable and accomplished personalities in sports and beyond, as a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, Emmy nominated broadcaster, philanthropist, and serial entrepreneur. Aikman is the new voice of ESPN's Monday Night Football alongside Joe Buck. Together with Buck, Aikman is part of the second-longest broadcast tandem in NFL history — his voice has become synonymous with the game. Aikman harnesses his tenacity, drive, and likeability from the field and brings it to every project and partnership off the field.
An empowering and insightful speaker, Aikman engages audiences with conversations about how to identify (and maximize) the individual assets of members on any team, how to use unexpected change and setbacks to grow, what he learned from the struggles and triumphs of his football career, and more.
Bob Stoops
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The winningest coach in Oklahoma history, Bob Stoops has become synonymous with success as he firmly etched his indelible stamp upon college football. Stoops is the former legendary head football coach at the University of Oklahoma, a position he held from 1999 until he announced his retirement June 7, 2017. After briefly coming out of retirement in 2020 to coach the Dallas Renegades in the XFL, he now serves as a special assistant to the athletics director at OU. He appears on FOX's Big Noon college football pregame show as a college football studio analyst. Stoops was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
In his 18 years as head coach of the Sooners, no head coach in school history produced more victories than Stoops. Stoops accumulated an impressive home winning streak of 39 consecutive games from 2005 to 2011. He also has the most wins of the decade of any BCS school. Stoops is one of four coaches to win over 100 games at the University of Oklahoma, reaching the feat faster than any coach in college football history. Add it all up, and it’s easy to see why ESPN the Magazine in 2012 named Oklahoma the top college football program of the BCS era.
Ryan Tannehill
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Ryan Tannehill is a current Pro-Bowl NFL Quarterback for the Tennessee Titans.
Following an exceptional high school career in Big Spring, TX, Tannehill committed to Texas A&M. Tannehill’s collegiate career began in earnest as a record-setting wide receiver in 2008, before ultimately making the switch back to his natural position of quarterback in 2010. He shattered the program single-game passing record in his first start against Texas Tech and made his mark with victories against Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas. Tannehill concluded his Texas A&M career with a total of 5,450 passing yards and 42 touchdown passes in nearly two full seasons as quarterback.
In the 2012 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Tannehill with the 8th overall pick, becoming the first quarterback selected by the Dolphins in the first round since Dan Marino in 1983. In his rookie season, Tannehill set franchise rookie records for passing yards, attempts, and completions. Following seven years in Miami, Ryan was traded to the Tennessee Titans prior to the 2020 season.
During his first season in Tennessee, Ryan took over at the helm after six games and reinvigorated the Titans franchise, leading the team to a 7-3 record and a wild card berth in the 2019-20 NFL playoffs. Tannehill went on to lead the Titans to the AFC Championship after impressive victories over defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots and the top seeded Baltimore Ravens. Ryan accumulated a NFL-best 117.5 passer rating, a 70.3 percent completion percentage, an NFL-high 9.6 yards per attempt. To cap off the monumental season, Ryan was named to the Pro Bowl and awarded the 2019 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Ken Langone
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Iconoclastic entrepreneur and business legend Ken Langone is renowned as the co-founder of The Home Depot, where he was lead director and a member of the executive committee of its board since the company's founding, helping it expand to a national chain with over 2,000 locations and 400,000 employees. A pillar of corporate America for decades, Langone is the Founder and CEO of investment banking firm Invemed Associates LLC, served as CEO and President of Geeknet, Inc. (2011-2013), and was a director of the New York Stock Exchange.
Langone's New York Times bestseller, I Love Capitalism!: An American Story, tells his compelling personal story rising up from a low-income family to becoming one of America's most successful businessmen. A passionate defender of the American Dream, Langone demonstrates that everyone is entitled to dream big and reach their maximum potential. Langone provides on-the-nose business insights, sharp analysis on the current political and economic climate, and real-life, empowering, inspiration on success and leadership.
A world-class philanthropist, Langone's many contributions include a major gift to NYU's Medical Center, resulting in its renaming as the NYU Langone Medical Center. He also serves on the boards of Unifi, Inc., Micell Technologies, Relationship Sciences and Juice Press.
Urban Meyer
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One of the most prolific coaches in football history, Urban Meyer’s accomplishments have cemented his legacy in college football history. With one of the highest winning percentages of all time, Meyer boasts an incredible 187-32 overall record and three national championship wins. He has brought his expertise to his role as an analyst for both ESPN and most recently FOX Sports, appearing weekly on their Big Noon Kickoff pre-game show, and went on to coach in the NFL as Head Coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. A New York Times bestselling author of Above the Line: Lessons in Leadership and Life from a Championship Program, Meyer engages audiences across industries with profound insights on leadership skills, team building, the keys to empowering people to achieve things they never thought possible, and turning setbacks into victories.
Meyer has become one of the most decorated college football coaches in history, receiving such honors as “Coach of the Decade,” and several “Coach of the Year” awards, among others. Faith and philanthropy are key tenets in Meyer’s life and have contributed to his successes on and off the field. Joining the fight against cancer, Meyer and his wife, Shelley, founded the Urban and Shelley Meyer Fund for Cancer Research in 2012, a support fund dedicated to advancing research for all cancers. Their fund helps recruit experts in the field to Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. Meyer is an expert at empowering people to achieve things they might never have thought possible, and inspires audiences to create clear goals and a winning strategy to execute them. Audiences consistently share positive feedback about his motivational keynotes, like his address at Grambling State University: “Anytime you get someone of his caliber to spend an evening, an entire day with you, it’s an honor and truly amazing” and ”Anybody that can make you better in a matter of minutes is someone that you want to be around.”
David Pollack
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College football analyst and former NFL linebacker David Pollack is an empowering speaker on the importance of faith, family, and community in building a successful career and life. Pollack played college football for the University of Georgia, where he was a three-time All-American, and was recognized as the top college defensive player in the nation. Pollack had 36 sacks during his collegiate career, third most in NCAA history. He was a first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft and played professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals. After suffering a career-ending neck injury in his second season with the Bengals, Pollack transitioned to a new path as a college football analyst for ESPN. For over a decade, he has connected with sports fans through his engaging presence and passion for what he does.
Pollack launched the Pollack Family Foundation to positively impact communities by empowering families in Athens and the Greater Atlanta area. The Foundation provides not only for basic needs but also creates opportunities for the community to flourish through unique fundraising experiences and intentional acts of community service. The organization’s work reflects Pollack’s personal values, which he shares in uplifting and motivating talks: Love, Integrity, Family, and Excellence (LIFE).
LeVelle Moton
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Renowned head basketball coach, philanthropist, and activist LeVelle Moton is a community-focused leader and expert in developing values-based missions, strategies for meaningful teamwork, and finding your purpose. Moton graduated from North Carolina Central University as the school’s third all-time leading scorer, having earned the nickname ‘Poetry ‘n Moton’. He returned as Assistant Coach, eventually becoming the school’s Head Coach, and lead his team to 8 championship titles. He has received 11 different “Coach of the Year” awards and numerous nominations, and is highly sought-after for his insights about leadership, inspiring your team, and making a difference in your community.
Moton is the CEO and Founder of the Velle Cares Foundation, whose mission is to serve and assist community-based organizations that promote health, education, and life skills for children and family in at-risk situations. He hosts notable annual events such as the ‘Back to School Community Day Event’ and the ‘Single Mother Salute’, among others, to enrich and give back to his community. Moton presents awards of Courage, Strength, Perseverance, and a “Single Mother of the Year” award named after his mother Hattie McDougald. Moton is an in-demand speaker who shares personal stories, humor, and takeaways that make an impact on audiences of all kinds.
Kaitlin Curtice
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Award-winning author, poet, and storyteller Kaitlin Curtice speaks to the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives. An enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation and inter-spiritual advocate, she participates in conversations on topics such as colonialism in faith communities, and she has spoken at many conferences on the importance of inter-faith relationships. Her first book, Glory Happening: Finding the Divine Everyday Places, has been called “a stunner… every sentence is a feast for the senses” by author Rachel Held Evans. Curtice’s book Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God won the Foreword INDIES 2020 Book of the Year Award, and the 2021 Georgia Author of the Year Award and Midwest Book Award. In her writing as she does in compelling speaking engagements, Curtice shares how reconnecting with her Potawatomi identity both informs and challenges her Christian faith.
Curtice’s writing has been featured in Sojourners, Religion News Service, Apartment Therapy, On Being, SELF Magazine, and more. She also writes at The Liminality Journal, a Substack subscriber newsletter featuring essays, poetry, and more. Curtice and her work have been featured on CBS and in USA Today, and she is a regular contributor to Oprah Daily. Her latest book, Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day, explores the roles we each have to play in the world right where we are, and empowers audiences to seek wholeness in whatever spheres of influence they inhabit.
Karen Hughes
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One of the world's foremost communication strategists, Karen Hughes specializes in strategic messaging, crisis communications, and executive positioning with clients ranging from global corporations to Fortune 500 CEOs. She was inducted into the PR Hall of Fame for her work as worldwide vice chair of BCW Global. Hughes has also served as counselor to President George W. Bush and Under Secretary of the State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. As counselor to the President, she managed the White House Offices of Communications, Media Affairs, Speechwriting, and Press Secretary. As Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, she oversaw three bureaus at the Department of State: Educational and Cultural Affairs, Public Affairs, and International Information Programs, and participated in foreign policy development at the State Department. In the private sector, Hughes has served on the Microsoft Advisory Council for Policy and Politics (MAC) since 2011, as Principal of Message Matters, and as former Worldwide Vice Chair of global communications firm BCW (2008-2022). Hughes’ diverse expertise at the highest levels of communication across the public and private sectors imbues her with a compelling ability to tailor presentations to provide a directed expert perspective.
Hughes has spoken at Boston College, Merril Lynch, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, and many more. The Union League Club of Chicago, yet another happy host, said, “It was obvious from her remarks that she had given a great deal of thought to her address, and she touched upon all the right notes... A big home run!”
Deion Sanders
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Sports world legend Deion “Prime Time” Sanders proves his commitment to excellence through both his storied career and his authentic connection with audiences as a speaker. The first athlete in professional sports history to play in both the World Series and the Super Bowl, Sanders is a once-in-a-generation talent and incredible asset to any team. As an eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion over 14 seasons in the NFL, Sanders makes waves in college football as he returns to the field as “Coach Prime.” From 2020-2022, as head coach at Jackson State University, Sanders led the team to back-to-back SWAC Championships and won back-to-back SWAC “Coach of the Year” honors. As current head coach of University of Colorado, Sanders rallies the community with his highly motivational coaching style, which has resonated beyond the locker room to press conferences and viral videos inspiring audiences everywhere. A high-impact speaker with the experience to back up his strikingly candid perspectives, Sanders is one of the most exciting and respected leaders in the sports world.
Off the field, Sanders is a highly sought-after voice in sports media. He has produced and/or appeared in a variety of television shows, including Tiny House Nation, Grandfathered, Moesha, Running Wild with Bear Grylls, Lip Sync Battle, The League, 30 for 30: Deion's Double Play, Deion's Family Playbook, and, most recently, Coach Prime, a docuseries on Prime Video following Sanders and his college football journey. Also an analyst with appearances on CBS Sports, NFL Network, and Barstool Sports’ Pro Football Football Show, audiences are eager to hear Sanders’ takes on both football and life. He has spoken at global organizations such as IBM, Verizon, the National Auto Association, and more, consistently delighting audiences with his signature charisma and dynamic speaking with a principled dedication to true leadership.
J.R. Martinez
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J.R. Martinez is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, advocate, wounded U.S. Army veteran, and actor who has been featured on All My Children, Dancing with the Stars, SAF3, and more.
While deployed to Iraq, J.R. hit a roadside bomb while driving and became trapped in his burning vehicle. He suffered smoke inhalation, severe burns, and had to undergo 34 different surgeries, including skin grafts and cosmetic surgery, in the years following his injury. During his recovery, after a brief visit with another burn patient, J.R. realized that he'd made a positive impact on this individual and decided to use his own experiences to help others. He continued to visit patients every day, sharing his story and listening to theirs. He learned that inspiration is often a two-way street.
A highly sought-after motivational speaker, Martinez travels the world spreading his message of resilience and optimism. He has spoken to troops at various bases around the world, as well as to groups such as the Clinton Global Initiative, the Red Cross, and dozens of universities, non-profits, and Fortune 500 companies. His New York Times best-selling memoir, Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength and Spirit, details how he was able to take his personal tragedy and turn it into an inspiration for others, a message he also brings to worldwide organizations. In May 2020, he launched his podcast, REBIRTH with J.R. Martinez, an ode to reinvention and the spirit of human resilience. In each episode, with his joyful effervescence, quick wit, and curious nature, J.R. takes listeners on a journey through conversations that explore what defines us, the moments that changed us forever, and the hope that propels us forward.
J.R.’s story is unique, but his message is universal: your path in life is decided by your own ability to adapt and overcome.
Joe Theismann
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The most successful quarterback in the history of the Washington Redskins, Joe Theismann is also a world-class entrepreneur whose positive, high-energy presentations provide audiences with expert strategies for handling trying circumstances and dealing with unforeseen change. Voted the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and twice named both the Pro Bowl’s Most Valuable Player and the NFL’s Man of the Year, Theismann led his team to the Super Bowl XVII championship. After a serious injury abruptly ended his football career, Theismann learned firsthand how to think, analyze and reinvent in the face of adversity and change. An Emmy award-winning analyst for two decades on ESPN’s critically acclaimed, Sunday Night and Monday Night NFL broadcasts, Theismann challenges audiences to recognize the potential that lies within—as individuals and as members of a team. He always goes the extra mile to inspire your team to excellence, showing how passion, leadership and teamwork all combine to create a comprehensive game plan for success.
Martin Luther King, III
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As the oldest son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King III has seized the torch lit by his parents and is continuing their quest for equality and justice for all people. Whether speaking to an audience in Mozambique or Mississippi, Israel or Indiana, his vision of the future has touched thousands. Motivating audiences around the world with his insightful message of hope and responsibility for nearly twenty years, Mr. King's dedication to creating and implementing strategic nonviolent action to rid the world of social, political, and economic injustice has propelled him to the forefront as one of the nation's most ardent advocates for the poor, the oppressed, and the disillusioned.
Michael Steele
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As former chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), Michael Steele was charged with revitalizing the Republican Party. He is an expert on political strategy, fund-raising, PACs, and election reform. Steele made history in 2003 as the first African American elected to statewide office in Maryland, and again with his subsequent chairmanship of the RNC. A self-described "Lincoln Republican," he also served as Chairman of the GOPAC. Under Steele's leadership, the RNC broke fundraising records in the 2010 cycle by raising more than $192 million and Republicans won 63 House seats, the biggest pickup since 1938.
John Hope Bryant
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John Hope Bryant is an American entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and prominent thought leader on financial inclusion, economic empowerment and financial dignity. Referred to as the Conscience of Capitalism by Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines and James Herbert, Chairman and CEO of First Republic Bank, most recently Bryant was named one of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Most Influential Atlantans”, one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s “Notable Georgians” and one of LinkedIn’s “Top Voices” in 2020. Bryant was also recognized as one of the “Most Admired CEOs” in 2018, American Banker magazine 2016 "Innovator of the Year”, INC.’s “The World’s 10 Top CEOs” (honorable mention), and one of Time magazine’s “50 Leaders for the Future” in 1994.
Mr. Bryant is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, Inc. the largest non-profit, best-in-class provider of financial literacy, and economic empowerment services in the United States for youth and adults. He is also the Chairman and CEO of Bryant Group Ventures and Founder and Principal of The Promise Homes Company, which is the largest minority-controlled owner of single-family rental homes in the United States. Both Operation HOPE and The Promise Homes Company have experienced explosive growth under Bryant’s leadership, 553% from 2014-2018, and 303% from May 2017 to present, respectively. Five former U.S. presidents have recognized his work, and he has served as an advisor to three sitting U.S. presidents from both political parties. He is responsible for financial literacy becoming the policy of the U.S. federal government. In January 2016 Bryant became the only private American citizen to inspire the renaming of a building on the White House campus, when the U.S. Treasury Annex Building was renamed the Freedman’s Bank Building. The Freedman’s Bank was founded by President Abraham Lincoln. Its legacy has become the narrative of the work of Operation HOPE—to help all people in the "Invisible Class" become fully integrated into our nation’s economy.
Mr. Bryant has received hundreds of awards and citations for his work, including Oprah Winfrey’s Use Your Life Award, and the John Sherman Award for Excellence in Financial Education from the U.S. Treasury.
He is the author of bestselling books Up From Nothing, The Memo, How the Poor Can Save Capitalism and Love Leadership.
Lauren Bush Lauren
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Lauren Bush Lauren is the Founder and CEO of FEED, a social business and impact-driven lifestyle brand whose mission is to “create good products that help FEED the world”. In 2004, Lauren had the opportunity to travel with the UN World Food Programme as a Student Spokesperson. While visiting communities in Central America, Asia, and Africa, Lauren witnessed firsthand the realities of poverty and hunger that so many face all over the world. Using this experience as an inspiration, Lauren conceptualized the idea for FEED by designing the initial FEED 1 bag which, when purchased, feeds one child in school for one year. She founded FEED in 2007 and since then FEED has helped provide over 120 million meals globally through non-profit giving partners globally and in the US.
For her work with FEED, Lauren has received multiple awards including Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs in 2009 and one of Inc. Magazine’s 30 Under 30 in 2010. Lauren also routinely speaks at global conferences that focus on business, philanthropy, and the issues of hunger and poverty. Examples include Forbes 400 Summit on Philanthropy, Forbes Women, Women in the World, Atlantic Ideas, and Aspen Ideas.
John Ashcroft
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As Attorney General during one of the most turbulent times in American history, John Ashcroft is a uniquely positioned expert on leadership, and other issues currently facing the nation.
Steve Largent
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A four-term Congressman, Steve Largent is as talented in the Capitol as he is on the football field. He speaks forcefully as a supporter of family values and strengthening America’s basic social unit. His seven year voting record reflects his consistent fight for lower taxes, less regulation, personal accountability, individual freedoms, and his belief in free markets.
Carl Lewis
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As one of only four Olympic athletes to have won nine gold medals, Carl Lewis is widely recognized as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Mr. Lewis was part of five American Olympic Teams, winning 10 medals overall. His five Olympic appearances are a record for a male athlete, and many of his Olympic performances were in world or Olympic record time. His impressive track and field performances earned him the title of “Athlete of the Century.” Mr. Lewis was also voted "World Athlete of the Century" by the International Association of Athletics Federations and "Sportsman of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee, "Olympian of the Century" by Sports Illustrated and "Athlete of the Year" by Track & Field News in 1982, 1983, and 1984. As a man who has achieved the highest athletic awards in the world and operated a successful business environment, Mr. Lewis is prepared to speak on success, business development, and leadership.
Since retiring from active competition, Mr. Lewis has devoted a great deal of his time and energy to charity, founding The Carl Lewis Foundation, which serves as an umbrella for the many charities that Lewis supports including the Best Buddies organization, The Wendy Marx Foundation (for organ donor awareness), Ronald McDonald House Charities and many youth fitness groups. Mr. Lewis is also a United Nations Ambassador for the Food and Agricultural Organization and a coach at the University of Houston.
Michelle Gielan
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Michelle Gielan has spent the past decade researching the link between happiness and success. She is the bestselling author of Broadcasting Happiness: The Science of Igniting and Sustaining Positive Change and was named one of the Top 10 authors on resilience by the Harvard Business Review.
Michelle is an Executive Producer of “The Happiness Advantage” on PBS and a featured professor in Oprah’s Happiness course. She formerly served as anchor of The CBS Morning News, and her research has received attention from dozens of media outlets including The Washington Post, FORBES, and The New York Times.
Kevin McCarthy
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55th Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy is described as a man exuding “true American grit.” Prior to his election to Congress, McCarthy served as the fastest rising Minority Leader in the California State Legislature. In Congress, he held nearly every elected leadership position in the House Republican conference and served under four Presidents, during two economic crises, and through consistent political upheaval while always maintaining his approach to governing as a Happy Warrior. After his election to Speaker, McCarthy went on to secure $2T in deficit reduction. McCarthy’s decade and a half at the pinnacle of U.S. government has imbued him with powerful insights into politics, leadership, and values.
Throughout his career, McCarthy fought for a more effective, efficient, and accountable federal government. McCarthy’s invaluable perspective as a Washington insider, as well as his sharp insights and analysis, make him the ideal voice on the future of the U.S.
Jen Hatmaker
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New York Times bestselling author, award-winning podcaster, and community creator Jen Hatmaker inspires audiences to show up genuinely for their own lives – and believes this will change the world. Jen is the author of 14 books including the NYT bestsellers For the Love, Of Mess and Moxie, and Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire. Her latest book, Feed These People: Slam Dunk Recipes for Your Crew, is jam-packed with easy recipes, big flavors, and Southern wit. Jen is the founder and delighted curator of the Jen Hatmaker Book Club, host of the award-winning For the Love podcast, and she leads a tightly knit online community where she reaches millions of people each week.
A highly sought-after motivational speaker, Jen shares uplifting messages about leadership, well-being, authenticity, and finding yourself that resonate with an audience of millions.
Jimmy Darts
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Content creator and philanthropist Jimmy Darts always felt drawn to a hospitality mindset and a love of people. While traveling the world after high school, he fell in love with serving others. Today, he partners with companies to showcase their generosity and use the power of social media to inspire all generations to live selflessly across the street and around the world. Boasting over 17M followers across platforms, Jimmy overwhelms his viewers with kindness and generosity, combining his lifelong passions of serving others and creating compelling content.
Jimmy created The Jimmy Darts Foundation to showcase love through larger acts of giving. The Foundation’s mission strives to uplift those facing homelessness, combat the impact of childhood bullying, and empower children with resources to live better childhoods to empower the next generation. The foundation offers not just immediate help but a path to lasting restoration through impactful grants and partnership with effective organizations in each space through practical aid, and diverse, lasting support. In uplifting events, Jimmy motivates his audience to make a difference through kindness on an immediate and personal scale and through their capacity to create worldwide change for the better.
Damon West
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Damon West, M.S. Criminal Justice, is a college professor, internationally known keynote speaker and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change, which Forbes’ listed in the “Top Twenty Books You Need to Read to Crush 2020.”
His autobiography, The Change Agent: How a Former College QB Sentenced to Life in Prison Transformed His World, vividly tells how he transformed the pot of boiling water that is a Texas maximum-security prison into a pot of coffee.
At 20 years old, he was a Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas, when he suffered a career ending injury. He turned to hardcore drugs to cope with disappointments of life. After graduation, he worked in the United States Congress, was a national fundraiser on a U.S. Presidential campaign and eventually trained to be a stockbroker for United Bank of Switzerland (UBS). One day at UBS, he was introduced to methamphetamines; he became instantly hooked—and the lives of so many innocent people would forever be changed by the choices he made in order to feed his insatiable meth habit.
After a fateful discussion during his incarceration with a seasoned convict, Damon had a spiritual awakening. He learned that, like a coffee bean changing with the application of heat and pressure, he was capable of changing the environment around him. Armed with a program of recovery, a renewed faith, and a miraculous second chance at life, Damon emerged from over seven years of prison a changed man. His story of redemption, grit and determination continues to inspire audiences today.
The Coffee Bean message has inspired thousands. Damon’s clients include such companies as Walmart, AIG, Chick-fil-A, Southwest Airlines, and sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Timberwolves, Clemson, Alabama and Georgia. The U.S. Army has even incorporated the #BeACoffeeBean mindset into their resilience training. Damon’s story has been featured both nationally and globally.
He is passionate about the Coffee Bean message and loves sharing how it changed his life and how it can change yours, too.
Denise Grace Gitsham
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Denise was born and raised at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. Her mother is a Chinese immigrant who escaped communism in 1949, as the daughter of a two-star general who served under the command of President Chiang Kai-Shek. Her father is a Canadian immigrant who enlisted and served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. As a member of a proud military family, Denise has a special appreciation for the liberties that enabled her parents to achieve the American Dream. She also recognizes the personal significance of her favorite Bible verse: To whom much is given, much is required. This verse underlies Denise’s life-long commitment to public service.
Denise is a graduate of Bowdoin College and the Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to starting her own public affairs consulting firm, she practiced law at K&L Gates; worked for a San Diego-based renewable energy company; and served as a presidential appointee at the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as a law clerk in the U.S. Senate. In 2016, Denise ran for Congress, and as a first-time candidate, earned the designation of an NRCC “Young Gun,” along with 43% of the vote in California’s then-52nd Congressional District.
Denise writes and speaks on topics ranging from business to leadership, politics and faith. In 2018, Denise spoke as part of a six-city tour with Propel Activate, a national faith-based conference focused on developing leadership skills in women. She has spoken on the main stage at CPAC, delivered keynote addresses at political, religious, and business conferences, and written op-eds that have been published by local, national, and faith-based media outlets.
Denise is a regular contributor to Propel Women, an online outlet which reaches over 1,000,000 women. She is a political contributor for NewsNation. This fall, Baker Publishing Group will release her first book, titled Politics for People Who Hate Politics: How to Engage without Losing your Friends or Selling your Soul.
Souad Mekhennet
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Souad Mekhennet is an award-winning journalist and book author who defies simple characterization. Her significant contributions to public discourse and global understanding are uniquely forged through a combination of her professional acumen and pathbreaking determination as a German woman of Moroccan and Turkish parentage. Souad’s immense cultural fluency sheds light on the evils of our time, but also support justice. Her dangerous encounters read like scenes from an action thriller, but also portray unparalleled humanity. Whether in the remote tribal regions of Pakistan, attending global gatherings in Dubai or Switzerland, on the streets of European capitals, or visiting mosques and synagogues across the United States, Souad’s reporting consistently challenges assumptions and breaks down barriers between people.
Based in Washington and Frankfurt, Souad Mekhennet is a national security Staff writer for The Washington Post where she was part of the reporting team recognized as Pulitzer Prize finalists in 2019. Souad first reported for The Post in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, delving into the background of the Hamburg cell and writing on the threat al-Qaeda posed in Europe, North Africa and the Gulf. She was part of The Post’s coverage of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. In 2004, she began a long interlude at The New York Times where she produced some of the most defining insights into the Bush administration’s war on terrorism, most notably the CIA’s botched rendition of Khalid el-Masri, a German citizen. Souad returned to The Post in 2014 and helped unmask the identity of terrorist Jihadi John. Known for closely monitoring activity within terror networks, she has many times been the first to break news and publish front page stories, such as reporting the death of Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the leader of the group behind the 2015 Paris attacks, 15 hours before government confirmation and other media.
In her deeply reported memoir, I Was Told to Come Alone: My Journey Behind the Lines of Jihad, Souad recounts how she went to jihadi strongholds to interview the leaders of and the converts to terrorist organizations like al Qaeda and the Islamic State. A product and champion of liberal democracy who is culturally and linguistically at home across the Arab world, Mekhennet is fair-minded and fearless as she seeks to find out who these people are and what motivates them. The book provides offers unique access and insight across countries.
Michele Rigby Assad
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Michele Rigby Assad began her career in the government relations department of an international relief and development organization in Washington, DC, in 1995. She joined the CIA in January 2002 to work as an intelligence officer in the Directorate of Operations, the covert arm of the agency. Specializing in counterterrorism and counterintelligence issues, Michele worked in Iraq and other secret Middle Eastern locations. After a decade of government service, Michele left the undercover life to serve as a public speaker, author, trainer, and international security consultant focused on the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.
Her book, Breaking Cover: My Secret Life in the CIA and What It Taught Me about What's Worth Fighting For, released in 2018, is currently in production to be made into a major motion picture.
Michele holds a master's degree in contemporary Arab studies from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and a political science degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Michele credits student-led mission trips to Egypt, Russia, and Ukraine and a study abroad program in Egypt, Israel, and the West Bank as being the catalysts for her passion for foreign cultures and international travel. The year she spent studying in the Middle East changed the course of her life, taking her from rural central Florida to the front lines of the war on terror.
Michele is motivated to use her unique platform to educate and inspire, showing how critical courage is to live a life of impact and purpose. Michele writes about her many passions at her website, where she features articles on counterterrorism, personal security, the Middle East, faith, and inspiration.
Katara McCarty
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Katara McCarty is an organizational coach, speaker, entrepreneur and author. She is a fierce woman driven by a passion that is exuded in everything she does and contagious to those around her.
For 25 years, Katara has led women of all ages in both non-profit and for-profit sectors of business. In 2000, at just 22 years old, Katara partnered with her husband to open God’s House, a non-profit organization, in Marion, Indiana, where she served as an executive and co-pastor, growing the congregation from 40 to more than 600 members over 16 years while simultaneously founding and leading the development of God’s House and Ceelelo School in Zambia, Africa.
Katara then went on to co-found and direct The Center for Success, a community center for at-risk children in Marion, Indiana, which has since expanded into Detroit and Pontiac, Michigan.
Branching into the corporate world, from 2016-2018, she served as the director of culture for Carmel, Indiana-based TCC, the nation’s largest Verizon Authorized Wireless Retailer. She led all of TCC’s cultural initiatives for over 3,000 employees at 1,200 store locations across 43 states.
Led by passion and inspired by the strength of women, Katara left the corporate world to live and execute her “Why” through public speaking, coaching and writing. She currently works with companies and individuals to look for opportunities where they can improve their cultures and enable women to grow, advance, thrive and succeed.
Justin Forsett
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Undersized and overmatched, at 5'8" Justin Forsett had plenty of reasons to give up on becoming a full-time NFL starter. It wasn't until 2014 at age 29 that Forsett "came out of nowhere" and proved them all wrong.
Forsett spent parts of four seasons (2008-11) with Seattle and the 2012 season with the Texans. He played in nine games for the Jaguars in 2013 before injuring his foot, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. Forsett spent more than two seasons with the Ravens, including one Pro Bowl year in which he took the league by storm in 2014. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015 following his most successful season in the NFL, and ranked #65 on the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2015.
After breaking his arm midway through the 2105 season, recovering, and playing just nine more games with the Ravens, the Detroit Lions, and the Denver Broncos, Forsett announced his retirement from the NFL on May 3, 2017.
Justin, however, will be defined by much more than his stats. Justin was a cherished fan favorite and big part of the community. He spent much of his time spreading advice and encouragement to his teammates and anyone he worked with. A Christian man of integrity, he was extremely active in volunteering to help those in need, the Baltimore community in particular, who embraced him back.
When speaking to audiences, Justin has a genuine desire to positively impact others with his message of perseverance through life’s disappointments. His witty and down-to-earth personality engages audiences from corporate environments to youth groups as he shares his inspirational journey of hope, focus, determination, and the importance of legacy.
John O'Leary
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John O'Leary was nine years old when he accidentally set a massive explosion in his home and was only given a one percent chance to live. Today, he is an award-winning motivational speaker. He is consistently given industry-defying gold stars across the board for his emotional storytelling, genuine humor and ability to empower his audiences to take back their lives and change their world. John intimately illustrates how the greatest challenges can be transformed into outstanding growth. His presentations are described as “captivating, amazing and life-changing.”
Doc Hendley
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Doc Hendley is founder and president of Wine To Water, a non-profit promoting clean water resources in poverty stricken countries worldwide. His is a captivating story of an ordinary bartender who's changing the world through clean water. He never set out to be a hero. In 2004, Hendley launched a series of wine-tasting events to raise funds for clean-water projects and to bring awareness to the world's freshwater crisis. He planned to donate the proceeds through traditional channels, but instead found himself traveling to one of the world's most dangerous hot spots: Darfur, Sudan. He braved tribal warfare and natural disasters, and encountered fascinating characters in far-flung regions of the world. He gives an authoritative account of a global crisis and his inspirational tale proves how ordinary people can improve the world. Today, Doc and Wine to Water continue to help stricken peoples repair and maintain water- containment systems in places like Darfur, Cambodia, Uganda, and Haiti.
Bruce Feiler
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Bruce Feiler is an in-demand speaker on a variety of topics–work, family, transitions; health, wellness, and meaning. Drawing on insights from his seven New York Times bestsellers, including Life is in the Transitions, The Secrets of Happy Families, and Council of Dads, Bruce has given three TED Talks that have been viewed more than four million times and teaches the TED Course HOW TO MASTER LIFE TRANSITIONS. His work on transitions, begun with his 2020 bestseller book Life is in the Transitions, has created a global movement exploring how we can navigate life’s growing number of changes with purpose and skill. His latest book, The Search: Finding Meaningful Work in a Post-Career World (2023), extends that movement to the future of work, offering a bold new roadmap for how leaders and workers can adapt to the rapidly changing workplace.
Bruce tailors all his appearances to meet the specific needs of clients. Bruce has a zeal for life and a humorist’s ability to tell a good story. He leaves audiences both entertained and uplifted, with practical takeaways that prompt discussion and action in communities, businesses, and institutions he visits.