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

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

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.

A Visionary Leader in Healthcare Innovation and Healthcare Policy

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

Revolutionizing Medicine: The Human Genome Project and Beyond

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

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

Guiding National Healthcare Policy and Research

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

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

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

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

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

A Lifelong Commitment to Science and Innovation

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