The group Room to Read, founded by John Wood, holds the motto "World Change Starts with Educated Children." John founded Room to Read after resigning from his role as Microsoft's Greater China region's Director of Business Development. After serving more than 30,000 schools and communities over the course of 17 years, John's choice to assist a headmaster in Nepal in... read full bio
Tabatha Coffey has devoted her entire professional life to achieving excellence in hair design and education. From the beginning of her career when she was 14 in her native Surfer's Paradise, Australia, to her appearance as the ""Fan Favorite"" on Bravo's hit series, Shear Genius, Coffey has been completely devoted to the art of hair. As host of the... read full bio
Dan Abrams is a well-known lawyer, author, ABC News legal commentator, and replacement anchor for Good Morning America. Abrams has a distinguished media career that spans many platforms, and he is well known for his intelligent commentary and hosting duties. By anchoring shows like The Abrams Report and Verdict with Dan Abrams, Abrams attracted a lot of attention. His coverage of... read full bio
"Designer, lifestyle expert and television host Monica Pedersen grew up in the world of home repair and remodeling, absorbing her father's handyman skills, as well as her mother's talents with a sewing machine. This self-taught designer developed a passion for beautiful textiles while traveling the world as a successful fashion model and incorporates what she calls her ""fabric obsession"" into... read full bio
Robin L. Smith is a national television personality, best-selling author, ordained minister, keynote speaker, and licensed psychologist. Her relationship book, Lies at the Altar-The Truth about Great Marriages was a New York Times bestseller. Whether on television, addressing one of her convention or seminar audiences or preaching a sermon, Dr. Robin," as she is affectionately called, is best known for... read full bio
Jennie Finch is one of America's best-known female athletes. She won a Gold Medal in Athens in 2004 as a member of the US Olympic Softball Team, and is a two-time Honda Award winner. She was named Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA and WCWS, and still holds the NCAA all-time winning streak for softball with 60 wins. Finch was... read full bio
With an acting career in film, television, and theater spanning almost thirty years, Plana currently stars on the hit series Ugly Betty. A former teacher, he maintains his passion for education, serving the Latino community through educational outreach programs to schools. Plana disclosed that his mother is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and speaks out about the personal struggles he endures... read full bio
Dr. Ian K. Smith, M.D. is an American physician and author. He has made many television appearances including The View, Larry King Live and Anderson Cooper 360. Dr. Ian has been featured and wrote for many mainstream publications like Time, People, Newsweek and Men’s Health. Dr. Ian also hosts a national daily news feature called Health Watch with Dr. Ian... read full bio
Judith Jamison - American dancer, Choreographer and Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - is a legendary icon in the world of the performing arts. Ms. Jamison, who as a dancer with the troupe, from 1965 to 1980, became the most stellar of modern dance's female performers, was appointed Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance... read full bio
A passionate environmentalist, oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earles love of the oceans combined with her intellectual awareness of the fragile sustainability of the seas has compelled her to become a conscience for an often-shortsighted global business community. Earle has led more than 50 expeditions worldwide, and set the record for the deepest solo untethered dive at 3,000 feet into the Pacific.... read full bio
Nilaja Sun is a dramatist, performer, and arts educator. The critically praised solo work Pike St., which was commissioned and produced by Epic Theatre Ensemble and presented at the Abrons Arts Center, was recently given an extended run by her. The show began its tour this year at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., and has since moved... read full bio
Laura Ling is a journalist who worked for Current TV as a correspondent and vice president of its Vanguard Journalism Unit, which produced the Vanguard TV series. There, she reported on issues regarding Cuba, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkey, the West Bank, and the Amazon River, as well as about shantytowns in Sao Paulo, Brazil, gangs and homeless teens in Los... read full bio
Cedric Jennings was a bright and ferociously determined honor student at Ballou, a high school in one of Washington, D.C.'s most dangerous neighborhoods, where the dropout rate was well into double digits and just 80 students out of more than 1,350 boast an average of B or better. At Ballou, Cedric had few friends. Cedric Jennings's driving ambition - which... read full bio
Liz Smith is a syndicated columnist read by approximately 70 million readers across the U.S. in more than 70 newspapers, including Daily Variety. She is also the bestselling author of Natural Blonde, Jottings and Dishing: Great Dish and Dishes. The Landmarks Conservancy of New York City named her a Living Landmark" in 2000."... read full bio
Jim Stanway, Senior Director - Global Supplier Initiatives, has recently assumed responsibility for Wal-Mart's climate change strategy. This involves business development activities aimed at profitable greenhouse-gas measures for customers and the supply chain. Stanway also serves on the board of Texas Retail Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wal-Mart that buys wholesale power for use at its stores and distribution... read full bio
Lenedra Carroll is an accomplished businesswoman, visionary, singer, artist and author who grew up on a homestead in rural Alaska in the 1950s. Of Ms. Carrolls achievements, three that stand out are her successes as an author and as a successful music manager, and her work as a humanitarian. Her unique management style and business intuitions led her to enjoy... read full bio
David Shenk is an American writer, lecturer, and filmmaker. He is author of six books, including The Genius in All of Us. With his signature blend of facts, reason, and great storytelling, Shenk presents dazzling new scientific research showing how the potential for greatness is not restricted to an elite few, but is instead a universal part of human code.... read full bio
Drs. Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt and George Jenkins, fondly known as The Three Doctors serve as an extraordinary model of leadership for anyone whos been through any kind of life challenge or major hardship. As teenage boys growing up on the tough inner-city streets of Newark, New Jersey these three kindred spirits made a pact: they would stick together-go to... read full bio
Valentino Achak Deng's life has been described by The New York Times as a testament to human resilience over tragedy and disaster." Born in the village of Marial Bai, in Southern Sudan, he was forced to flee in the 1980s, at the age of seven, when civil war erupted. As one of the so-called Lost Boys, he trekked hundreds of... read full bio
Shaun is a recognized authority on leadership and gives frequent lectures on the Code Method, a powerful and revolutionary self-improvement curriculum that harnesses the power of purpose to raise wellbeing, engagement, and productivity. As an entrepreneur, he developed two successful, global apparel brands: Instinct in the 1980s and Solitude in the 1990s, which he co-founded with his wife Carla. As one of... read full bio
