Twelve-time All-American swimmer Riley Gaines won five SEC championships and was a talented female swimmer at the University of Kentucky who planned to become a dentist. When she was made to share a locker room and subsequently compete against a male swimmer, Lia (previously Will) Thomas, at the NCAA Women's Swimming Championship, her entire life—including her post-graduate dream—was turned upside... read full bio
Jeff Sessions was raised as the son of a rural shop owner and was born in Selma, Alabama. Sessions was raised in a rural upbringing where he was taught the fundamental principles that still characterize him today: integrity, diligence, faith in God, and deference to parents. He joined the Eagle Scouts in 1964 and was later awarded the Distinguished Eagle... read full bio
Nathan's experience spans over two plus decades, during which he has masterfully combined the roles of coach, educator, and thought leader, dedicating his life to enhancing the realms of leadership, employee coaching, and cultural development. His expertise has been sought after by a diverse array of industries, including financial services, technology, military, manufacturing, and hospitality, to name just a few. As... read full bio
Tamsen Fadal is a menopausal advocate, documentary filmmaker, and journalist who has won an Emmy. The M Factor, Shredding the Silence on Menopause, a PBS documentary that is the first of its kind to address the underappreciated menopause crisis, challenge medical and societal inadequacies, and promote a revolutionary approach to women's health, was created, produced, and executive produced by Tamsen.... read full bio
Chris Duffy is a radio and podcast host, comedian, and television writer. Chris is presently hosting the second season of the popular TED podcast, How to Be a Better Human. Duffy is a fervent supporter of mental health and the value of interpersonal relationships in our life. He emphasizes the sometimes-overlooked effects of fleeting encounters on our wellbeing in his work,... read full bio
Brett Crozier, a former Navy combat fighter pilot and current top corporate and nonprofit leader, has extensive knowledge of operational risk management, military culture, and how to lead large, diverse, and high-risk companies. When COVID-19 spread like wildfire throughout the USS Theodore Roosevelt, the most prestigious nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the US fleet, Crozier was also its commanding officer. As a... read full bio
A visionary leader committed to promoting financial opportunity for everyone is Thasunda Brown Duckett. She serves as the president and CEO of TIAA, a prominent provider of outcome-focused investing solutions and safe retirement plans to thousands of institutions and millions of individuals. Duckett's illustrious career is defined by her unwavering dedication to empowering communities and increasing access to financial resources.... read full bio
Kate Bowler, PhD, is a professor of American Religious History at Duke University, the host of the acclaimed Everything Happens podcast, and a four-time New York Times bestselling author. She is also the epitome of humanity. After several years of being told her disease was incurable, she was certified cancer-free. However, Kate's life cannot be returned to its previous state.... read full bio
Dr. Luana has become a formidable presence on the international speaking circuit thanks to her dynamic combination of scholarly depth and personal charm. She is renowned for her enthralling presence and compelling storytelling, which skillfully combines the elements of her professional experience and personal journey to motivate her listeners to change. Dr. Luana's message gains authenticity and depth from her personal... read full bio
Well-established in his post-playing career, Allan Houston is in his tenth season in the Knicks front office. He has been the general manager of the Westchester Knicks from the team's founding and is currently in charge of all operations for the G League franchise in New York. After serving as the president's assistant and later as assistant general manager, he... read full bio
Jordan Zimmerman founded and serves as chairman of Zimmerman Advertising, one of the biggest advertising firms globally, with over $4 billion in annual revenue. His modest beginnings began with a small office in a strip mall with a few staff members. Today, he has thousands of people working at his iconic 135,000-square-foot headquarters in South Florida and regional offices across... read full bio
As the President and Founder of Utility Strategic Advisors, Johnny DeStefano guides a wide range of customers through Washington's growing complexity. Over the past 20 years, DeStefano has been at the forefront of every major change in Washington, and he is respected for his ability to "gravitate towards the unmanageable and unwinnable – and managing to win." As one of President Trump's... read full bio
William Kamkwamba's journey goes well beyond his incredible windmill and is a monument to human potential. In addition to being an entrepreneur and TED Fellow, this self-taught inventor and Dartmouth College alumnus has worked with the WiderNet Project and design powerhouse IDEO.org. As a seasoned farmer and fervent supporter of human-centered design, William has provided consulting services for projects involving... read full bio
In England, Ruzwana Bashir was raised in a tight-knit, traditional Pakistani immigrant community. She didn't know any ladies who went on to further their education or get employment, and her father worked as a fruit vendor. Bashir, however, continued to win. She was accepted to Oxford University, where she was elected president of the esteemed debating society. A Fulbright scholar,... read full bio
Susie Wolff, a former professional racer, is a businesswoman with more than 20 years of experience pushing for female diversity and representation throughout the world. She created history at the British Grand Prix when, while driving for 16-time World Champions Williams Racing, she became the first woman to compete in a Formula One race weekend in 22 years. Susie continued... read full bio
At university, MJ Petroni, a Cyborg Anthropologist, studied television series like Star Trek, but not (only) for fun. Their research focuses on the intricate interactions between people and technologies, examining how we influence technology and how it changes us. In order to prepare for emerging technologies, they assist organizations in becoming more digitally literate by addressing not only the tools... read full bio
Kay is a former judge with expertise in human rights law and a British barrister by training. She is the 2024 recipient of the TIME 100 Impact Award. She has written works about modern slavery, AI, and human rights. She became interested in the effects that technology will have on people worldwide. Kay has been researching and concentrating on the... read full bio
Alondra Nelson, the Harold F. Linder Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study, an independent research institute in Princeton, New Jersey, is an expert on the nexus of science, technology, policy, and society. She also holds a renowned position at the Center for American Progress as a senior fellow. Dr. Nelson formerly served as acting head of the White House Office... read full bio
General Timothy D. Haugh is the 19th Director of the National Security Agency and the Chief of the Central Security Service at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. He is also the 4th Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command. General Haugh, a native of Hughesville, Pennsylvania, was commissioned in 1991 after graduating with honors from Lehigh University's ROTC program. At the squadron, group,... read full bio
Charles Frank Bolden Jr. is a former NASA administrator, retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General, and a former astronaut who has flown on four Space Shuttle missions. Bolden was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and he earned his B.S. degree in Electrical Science from the U.S. Naval Academy and went on to earn his M.S. degree in Systems Management from... read full bio
