Wendy Belzberg’s third child, Leigh, was born with developmental and cognitive delays. This triggered a lifelong commitment to ensuring that every person lives a meaningful life in a community of their choosing. She advocates for the empowerment of every person with a disability to obtain educational, vocational, and social equity.  She is focused on educating C-suite executives on the business case for disability inclusion, and is working with organizations to learn and to share best practices.

Wendy grew up on the west coast of Canada and moved to the United States to attend Barnard College. She spent the first decade of her career in broadcast journalism at ABC News. She worked as a researcher and a producer for live, breaking news broadcasts with Peter Jennings; Nightline with Ted Koppel, and Our World with Linda Ellerbee.

While living briefly in Los Angeles, Wendy spent three years at Hearst Entertainment developing comedy and drama series for network television. When she moved back to New York, she returned to work in print journalism as a reporter and editor for the Forward, before becoming a syndicated advice columnist for five years.

Wendy holds a Master's degree in Negotiation and Conflict resolution from Columbia University. She helps to facilitate civil divorce cases and child custody agreements and has mediated felony cases for the Brooklyn court system.

Sam Bloom is a two-time World Para Surfing champion, global keynote speaker, bestselling author and inspiration behind the #1 Australian box-office and international global Netflix hit movie Penguin Bloom starring Naomi Watts as Sam.

The movie is adapted from the international bestselling book, Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family. Published in 13 languages, Penguin Bloom is a collaboration between Sam’s husband Cameron, a professional photographer, and New York Times bestselling author Bradley Trevor Greive. A second book, Sam Bloom: Heartache & Birdsong, picks up the story where Penguin Bloom ended, and shares Sam’s personal perspective on facing and overcoming adversity.

Jarring, beautiful, and real, Sam’s presentations are unlike anything your audience has seen or heard before. A refreshingly honest and deeply engaging speaker, Sam takes you on an intimate, visual journey against the backdrop of her husband Cameron’s stunning video and imagery, leaving audiences deeply moved and truly inspired.

Sam shares the extraordinary highs and painful lows of life before, during and after the accident that changed her life forever, leading us on the journey back from the edge of a deep depression that almost claimed her life.

Purposeful and raw, Sam speaks from the heart and delivers her powerful message with clarity and purpose, reminding her audience that we must make the best of the present as we never know what tomorrow will bring.

We all face challenges and obstacles in pursuit of our personal and business dreams. For most of us, those are day to day frustrations to which we often attribute far more weight than we should. For others, like Dan Cnossen, those adversities can be life threatening and life changing. A mountaintop bomb in Afghanistan nearly took his life, forcing him to endure over 40 surgeries to survive. His life and dreams turned upside down in an instant. In this not-to-be-missed session, Dan shares the lessons learned amidst brutal Navy SEAL training, fighting for his life after the accident, and representing Team USA on the world’s biggest sporting stage. This inspiring and powerful presentation of persistence, perspective and passion will redefine how you perceive disability.

Brian Eisch grew up in the state of Wisconsin and joined the Army in 1992 at the age of 17 as an infantryman. He served in various duty positions over his 20 year career including Scout, Senior Scout, Radio Telephone Operator, Team Leader, Squad Leader, Instructor, Drill Sergeant, and Platoon Sergeant.

In 2010, The New York Times and Netflix began a 10 year journey following Brian throughout his deployment during the war in Afghanistan and filming the effects it had on him and his young sons back home in Wisconsin. While in the field in Kunduz Province Afghanistan, Brian was shot 3 times in his legs while attempting to save a wounded Afghan policeman.

Brian will be the first to say “this is not the worst thing that has ever happened to me.” After enduring debilitating pain and eventual amputation of his leg, Brian suffered an even greater loss when, in 2015, Brian’s son Joey, aged 12, was killed by a truck while riding his bike. Throughout this decade on film, we see Brian navigate pain, love and loss, and the rebuilding of a new normal.

In his speeches, Brian epitomizes the strength, perseverance, and humor it takes to not only pull a team through combat, but also a family through tragedy. His outstanding military record reflects his innate ability to lead, communicate through crisis, and inspire teams. Brian’s story not only inspires other veterans, but anyone else who has found themselves needing to find new purpose, inspiration out of tragedy, and the strength to overcome.

Renowned for their personal documentation of their experience in gender transition, Chella Man is celebrated for their motto, "be your own representation." As a deaf, genderqueer, Chinese, and Jewish individual, Chella found they didn’t have role models to look up to, and so they became a voice and a true representation for himself and for others. With over 257K subscribers and many millions of views on their YouTube video entitled "One year on testosterone: voice updates," Chella is normalizing the conversation around gender issues for disabled and LGBTQ+ youth. 

A New York-based artist, director, and author, Chella's work features the continuums of disability, race, gender, and sexuality. They blend the genres of painting and performance art while simultaneously exploring sculpture, writing, and live workshops. They are currently a mentor and resident at Silver Art Projects located in The World Trade Center. Man has shown at institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum, Mana Contemporary, and will be exhibiting at The Pacific Design Center, and The Abrons Arts Center this coming year. They were an artist-in-residence at the Palazzo Monti in Brescia, Italy in 2020. Man published their first book, Continuum, with Penguin Publishing, highlighting how to heal from systemic oppression and the revelations they have come to growing up. 

Award-winning actor, director, speaker, and activist, Aaron Wolf uses his creative voice to tell stories from the heart, that entertain and matter. He is co-founder of Howling Wolf Productions. Some of his work includes the Academy Award® shortlisted film Restoring Tomorrow, award-winning films Guest House, starring Michael Gross and Heather Lind, and The Walk, starring Wolf and Emmy nominee Peter Riegert.

Having toured around the country with his feature, Restoring Tomorrow, Wolf’s personal journey of rediscovery comes alive in this extraordinary story of a treasured Hollywood landmark and local temple built by the original Hollywood moguls, near demise, and a community’s determination to achieve the impossible. "Sharing his story to build his dream was so inspirational and informative, with some big laughs to go with it. He got us all on our feet...His unique innovative and new vision of how he develops engaging stories stimulated us to further ours’." (Adobe Systems)

The film received extensive coverage in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Tablet Magazine, Guideposts and The Times of Israel. Wolf was featured on everything from CNN to Fox News. The film became a movement, inspiring other communities, to set out to recognize and rebuild their places that matter. "Aaron’s voice and work are changing this country for the better. His strong beliefs about bringing communities together are the same as the core values of our company. We’ve never had a standing ovation in this setting for anything, but Aaron got it and deserved it. Powerful can’t even describe the evening we spent with him." (Home Depot)

Based on the hit film, Wolf will launch the original television series Restoring Your Tomorrow, continuing his personal journey overcoming tragedy while chronicling the revitalization of other important communities across the world.

Currently, Wolf is in production on the comedy LD University and its companion documentary entitled We Are All (dis)ABLED, drawing from his personal experiences, allowing audiences insight into his struggle to tackle the urgent topic of learning disabilities and de-stigmatize people deemed disabled. For Wolf, this is one the most critical civil rights issues currently being overlooked and misunderstood by society and he is on a quest to use his voice and work for positive change.

“Isaac Lidsky may possess the most eclectic resume in business,” according to Inc. Magazine. He is the CEO and co-founder of ODC Construction (Florida’s largest residential shell contractor) and author of the New York Times best-selling book Eyes Wide Open: Overcoming Obstacles and Recognizing Opportunities in a World That Can’t See Clearly (March 14, 2017, Penguin Random House). A dynamic speaker whose viral TED Talk reached more than 1 million views in 20 days, and a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School (magna cum laude), Isaac is the only blind person to serve as a Law Clerk for the U.S. Supreme Court. As a child actor, he played “Weasel” on NBC’s “Saved By The Bell: The New Class.” 

Dispelling any notion of disability, or the acceptance of self-imposed limitations among any of us, Isaac has forged a true vision for leading and living Eyes Wide Open and mastering your own reality. In his talks to corporate audiences, entrepreneurs and associations around the world, Isaac provides his philosophy and actionable principles for individuals and leaders to build more accountability and courage into how they interact and engage with themselves, others, the world and their highest aspirations.

After suffering years of sexual abuse and rape as a child Erin Merryn she broke her silence and found her mission in life. Erin began a crusade her senior year of high school in 2004 to end the silence and shame around sexual abuse by publishing her childhood diary into a book. She has overcome many obstacles from child abuse, a learning disability, and living daily with epilepsy. In 2010 she became the force behind Erin’s Law. A law that requires public schools to teach children on age appropriate sexual abuse prevention curriculum. More than half the country has either passed or are voting on Erin’s Law.

In November 2012 Glamour Magazine named her Woman of the Year and she was honored in Carnegie Hall before 3,000 people. People Magazine named her a HEROES Among Us in April 2013 and listed her as one of fifteen women changing the world in June 2014. She has made numerous media appearances including, Oprah, Oprah Winfrey’s Network, Katie Couric, CNN, Good Morning America, MSNBC, Fox, Jane Velez Mitchell, Montel, and Al Jazeera. She has appeared in People Magazine, Time Magazine, USA Today, London Times, Glamour Magazine, Huffington Post, Cosmo Girl Magazine, among others.

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.” 

Aimee Mullins revels in the continuous exploration of what is possible—both for herself and those whose lives she touches. Aimée has developed her own unique formula for creating the “invented life,” fashioned from her undeniably unique combination of life experiences as on Olympic athlete, ground-breaking high fashion model, a beacon for design tech, dedicated advocate and avant-garde actor. Aimée has spoken multiple times at the world-famous TED conference, is a TED All-Star and her talks have been viewed nearly 5 million times. She delights in sharing what she has learned to help others shatter perceived limitations and reinvent themselves. In a warm, engaging and approachable style, Aimée offer insightful, actionable and powerful guidance to corporate and consumer audiences worldwide. Aimée is a born story-teller, Renaissance woman, and inspirational icon for achieving the “impossible.”

An influential voice in today's culture, she is regularly invited to share her ideas at various corporations and global conferences like TED and TEDMED. In addition to her professional career, Aimee serves on numerous boards and spends much of her time assisting various non-profit organizations, most notably the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF). She is a founding member of the Leadership Board to SPIRE Institute, the world’s largest and most diverse athletic development center.

Izzy Ezagui, a decorated squad commander in the Israel Defense Forces, is the only soldier in the world who lost an arm in combat and returned to the battlefield.

In 2011, former President Shimon Peres awarded him one of Israel's highest military honors. While he continues to serve in an elite unit in the reserves, Izzy delivers inspirational talks across the United States and internationally.

He has appeared on Huffington Post Live, Al Jazeera America, and Fox News.

The Algemeiner chose Izzy as one of 100 people positively influencing Jewish life. He also raises millions of dollars for hospitals, rehabilitation programs, and other charities, such as the Birthright Foundation.

He has worked with amputee organizations, schools, colleges, universities, hedge funds, and corporate events for companies such as Nike and Apple. 

Irish tenor, recording artist, physician, and champion disabled athlete Ronan Tynan moves audiences like few others can. His stirring performances and personal story of triumph have brought him international fame. The New York Times called him “the closest thing this country has to an official Meistersinger.”

Tynan has performed at historic events including Ronald Reagan’s funeral and the Inaugural Prayer Service at the National Cathedral. His memorable renditions of “God Bless America” have been heard at the World Series, The Belmont Stakes, and other momentous events.

Profiled by ABC’s 20/20, People magazine and CBS Sunday Morning, Tynan was born with a lower limb disability and had his legs amputated at age 20. Within a year, he was competing in the Paralympic Games, both in track and field and as an equestrian. He won 18 gold medals and set 14 world records, nine of which are still in place today.

The first disabled person ever admitted to Limerick’s National College of Physical Education, Tynan became a physician specializing in orthopedic sports injuries and was the subject of the BBC documentary, Dr. Courageous.

In 1992 less than one year after he began studying music, Tynan won the John McCormack Cup for Tenor Voice. He shot to stardom two years later after winning the BBC talent show, Go For It. A recording contract with Sony Music and sold-out concerts around the world soon followed. His debut album, My Life Belongs to You, released in 1998, jumped to number five on the charts. That same year, Tynan joined Anthony Kearns and John McDermott as The Irish Tenors, an instant worldwide sensation.

Tynan’s album Ronan debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover Chart. He put out Sing Me an Irish Song, a collection of Irish favorites in 2009 and his latest album, All Kinds Of Everything, features classic performances from his musical career. Tynan captivates audiences with his humor, lively spirit and inspirational message about overcoming obstacles and living life to the fullest.

Before Roger Crawford inspired others as a bestselling author and Hall of Fame speaker on center stage, he achieved phenomenal success on center court—despite a physical challenge.

Although born with ectrodactylism, a rare birth defect, Roger not only became the only athlete with four impaired limbs to compete in a NCAA Division I sport, he also became a Hall of Fame Division I athlete. His compelling story of how he became a tennis champion communicates and demonstrates the power of an “I Can!” attitude to redefine the possible!

Roger has been inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame in recognition of his highly successful speaking career spanning two decades. As an in-demand Hall of Fame speaker, Roger Crawford uses his remarkable journey and inspirational keynote speeches to empower audiences to redefine what is truly possible! Named by Sports Illustrated as “one of the most accomplished physically challenged athletes in the world,” Roger’s message has instant credibility because he has lived the power of “I Can.”

Roger’s presentations can help create an “I Can” culture in your organization. Such a culture increases the level of performance individually, collectively and as a result, increases the bottom line.

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

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