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, genetic diseases, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Revolutionizing Medicine: The Human Genome Project and Beyond

Before his tenure as Director of 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 vision, 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 on close to a million Americans, 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.
• Global health research was a major priority for NIH, including launching the H3Africa Project and assisting in the design of an African Centers of Excellence Program.
• The Sound Health Program, co-led with Renée Fleming, brought together music therapists, neuroscientists, and performers to identify new ways for music to be used for healing.

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. He retired from NIH on March 1, 2025, but continues to be a leading voice advocating for the importance of support of biomedical research. 

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

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

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

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

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

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