Megan Phelps-Roper is an educator on extremism, bullying, and empathy. As a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church, an extremist group against a variety of communities including LGBT, Jewish, and the military, Phelps-Roper turned away from her radical life to share her story. Now, Phelps-Roper speaks to universities, faith groups, and law enforcement agencies around the world regarding empathetic... read full bio
Melissa Ben Ishay is the founder of ‘Baked by Melissa’, a chain of bakeries that specializes in miniature cupcakes. Currently, Baked by Melissa has over 14 locations in the New York City area. Ishay has also released her first cookbook titled, “Cakes by Melissa: Life Is What You Bake It”. Ishay grew up hoping to have her own business some... read full bio
Olivier Jean Blanchard is a French economist who has spent most of his professional life in Cambridge, MA where he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He taught at Harvard before returning to MIT as the chair of the economics department. Blanchard then went on to be the economic counselor and director of the Research Department at the International... read full bio
Dr. Omékongo Dibinga is an international UPstander who is dedicated to empowering people everywhere to resist injustice in all of its manifestations. His varied abilities have sparked positive change as a renowned motivational speaker, trilingual poet, TV talk show host, rapper, and acclaimed professor of cross-cultural communication at American University. The artistry of Dibinga surpasses limitations. Nikki Giovanni has praised his... read full bio
Pauline Brown is an advisor, lecturer, author, and former chairman of North America LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton. While working at LVMH she provided leadership for around 70 brands in sectors that include fashion and leather goods, watches and jewelry, perfume and cosmetics, wine and spirits, and retail. Brown is currently working on a book about aesthetic intelligence and how... read full bio
Ray William Johnson is a blogger, producer, and actor. He is best known for his commentary on viral YouTube videos, which he posts in a YouTube series called Equals Three. His videos became some of the top most watched videos on YouTube. Equals Three is one of the most subscribed video channels on YouTube. The channel has a combined viewing... read full bio
Robert Hannigan was the director of signals intelligence and cryptography at the Government Communications Headquarters in Britain. Hannigan has experience working in the private sectors of government in Northern Ireland. Hannigan played a role in the Northern Ireland peace process, but has never mentioned his role in the process. Hannigan later became the Prime Ministers Security Advisor and Head of... read full bio
Ryan Higa, known as nigahiga on YouTube, is a comedian, YouTube personality, and actor. His YouTube channel has over three billion combined views. Currently, his channel has over 20 million subscribers and is ranked the 20th most subscribed channel on YouTube. Higas YouTube career blossomed as he collaborated with his friend Sean Fujiyoshi, posting lip-syncing videos and parodies. Since, Higa... read full bio
Sarah Parcak is an archaeologist, Egyptologist, and remote sensing expert. She works in the field of archeology, and mainly uses satellite imagery to identify archeological sites in Egypt, Rome, and other European areas. With her husband, Greg Mumford, Parcak explores and excavates sites in the Faiyum, Sinai, and Egypts East Delta. She is also an associate professor of Anthropology and... read full bio
Sayeeda Warsi is a lawyer, businesswoman, and baroness. She is known for her role as the first Muslim to be a part of the British cabinet. With values of freedom and responsibility in her heart, Warsi was inspired to involve herself in the Conservative Party. There, she became Vice Chairman, and later, a candidate for the Parliament in her hometown.... read full bio
Scott Evans is a Purdue graduate, who eventually became an emcee for the Indiana Pacers, and the WNBAs Indiana Fever and more. During high school, Evans learned about directed and producing for television when he worked on the television show 360 Degrees which aired on MTV-2 affiliate in his town in Indianapolis. His start as an emcee led him on... read full bio
Smosh is a comedy duo. Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox began to post videos under the name Smosh on YouTube and became one of the most popular channels on the site. Smosh has more than 20 million subscribers and 4.4 billion total views. Finding huge success with YouTube, the duo decided to expand into a larger team, creating animated, other... read full bio
Sophie Scott is a London-based speaker who explores the neuroscience of sound, voices, speech, and laughter. She classifies herself as a standup scientist, as her approach to science is quite humorous. Scott has appeared on TED Talks, BBC Radio Fours program The Life Scientific, and has toured science fairs and exhibitions as part of the Laughter_lab project. She has also... read full bio
Suki Kim is a journalist, author, and speaker. She has travelled to North Korea as a writer, viewing Kim Jong-ils birthday celebrations and his death. Giving insight into the life of North Koreas elite, Kim authored an investigative memoir titled Without You, There Is No Us, My Time with the Sons of North Korean Elite. Her memoir hit the New... read full bio
Together with her husband Phil, Susan Ershler made international headlines when they became the first couple to summit the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. Their outstanding accomplishment attracted a lot of media interest. Ershler encourages audiences by sharing her motivational tale today and exemplifying how effort, tenacity, and unshakable dedication can result in the accomplishment of apparently... read full bio
Tanika Ray began her career as a dancer and actress. While dancing, she performed for huge artists like Will Smith, The Backstreet Boys, Peter Andre, and the late Aaliyah. She was featured on NYPD Blue, Lois & Clark, Living Single, Family Matters, and Wayans Brothers. Ray then moved on to provide voice and moments for shows like Cyber Lucy, Wheel... read full bio
Taryn Southern is a writer, producer, digital strategist, singer, and YouTube personality. She was launched into fame through the release of her YouTube video Hot4Hill during the Presidential race. Her YouTube channel, TarynSouthern, is updated weekly with comedic and musical content. Southerns success led her to develop a comedy album, as well as release more than 30 different songs and... read full bio
Former NFL quarterback, Tom Flick, is a highly sought-after leadership speaker. Mr. Flick specializes in helping organizations develop leaders and effective change as well as accelerate personal and team performance. Recognized as an authority on leadership, Mr. Flick has worked with notable companies including the likes of Microsoft, Starbucks, Google, Boeing, American Express, Amazon, NASA, MercedesBenz, and the Pentagon. Leadership... read full bio
Adam Penenberg is a professor of journalism at New York University and the editor of PandoDaily. As a highly regarded name in journalism, Penenberg has experience editing for publications like Forbes.com and has appeared on a variety of well-known television programs like CNNs American Morning, FoxNews, and NPR. His knowledge about media and technology is received by audiences worldwide. In... read full bio
Barb Stegemann is a social entrepreneur, author, advocate, and founder and CEO of The 7 Virtues Perfume line. Stegemann started her perfume line with the focus of rebuilding the economy of war-torn countries. She started off becoming the first woman from Atlantic Canada to receive a venture-capital deal on the television series “Dragons’ Den” for her idea of The 7... read full bio
