The PINC Experience Announces Full Lineup of 12 International Speakers
The popular gathering returns to the Sarasota Opera House with 12 innovative speakers, exceptional food, and a performance by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Sarasota Contemporary Dance. SARASOTA, Fla. - November 30, 2023 - Dubbed the most creative day of the year, PINC returns to the Sarasota Opera House on Thursday, December 7 bringing an impressive lineup of 12 international speakers, artistic intermezzos including Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Sarasota Contemporary dance, and exceptional food.
From a “childhood conservationist” who brings play to children in refugee camps around the world to rising tech stars, NASA researchers, authors in magnificent magician's coats, artistic activists, foster care champions, educators, Guinness World Record-holding athletes and more, PINC’s thought-provoking speakers span every imaginable discipline and bring their unique experiences and expertise to the Sarasota community.
2023 speakers include:
● Karine Aigner is an award-winning wildlife photographer whose love for Africa was ignited during her initial visit to the continent - fostering her passion for visual storytelling with a particular focus on animals and their relationship with the world. Karine’s remarkable achievements include being the fifth woman in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition’s fifty-eight-year history to be awarded the Grand Title for her captivating image of cactus bees. Her work has been featured in prominent publications such as National Geographic Magazine, GEOLino, Nature Conservancy Magazine, and BBC Wildlife.
● Camille Bergin, better known as The Galactic Gal, is a science communicator dedicated to the advancement of STEAM (STEM & art) education. Her impressive career has seen her actively involved with cutting-edge space technologies, including commercial artificial gravity space stations, in-space spacecraft refueling architectures, and contributions to the Orion crew capsule for NASA's Artemis program. Her own journey, growing up in rural North Carolina with limited exposure to STEAM careers and role models, motivated her to bridge this gap. Leveraging the power of social media, she connects with individuals worldwide, introducing them to the exciting world of STEAM and space exploration, and igniting their passion for these fields, regardless of their background.
● Michael Bonner is a disruptive educator. When he first started teaching at South Greenville Elementary School in North Carolina he was faced with a seemingly impossible challenge: His students had started kindergarten without knowing how to hold a pencil or spell their names and wore the same clothes for days. One boy cried from hunger. Through unique teaching methods like music and dance and his dedication to his students, Michael quickly transformed his students’ lives and touched countless others.
● Zion Clark is an All-American wrestler, MMA fighter, author, the subject of an EMMY Award-winning documentary, and Guinness World Record holder. Born with a rare birth defect that left him without legs, Zion’s challenging early childhood was marked by a series of foster homes and a system that gave up on him. He picked up wrestling and music at a young age, providing outlets for self-expression and building confidence while living in abusive living situations.
● Reema Datta is an author, singer, mother, and speaker. She has been teaching yoga and Ayurveda internationally for over 20 years, guiding others to move through negative emotions and recover from trauma.
● Christopher Lloyd revolutionized history education by writing books that zoom out and tell big stories in simple ways. A UK-based author, lecturer, and non-fiction storyteller, Christopher specializes in creating connections between knowledge using giant narratives, visual timelines, and interactive workshops. With a history degree from Peterhouse, Cambridge, and a background as a former Sunday Times science correspondent, he combines his academic expertise and storytelling skills to captivate audiences.
● Chase Pettey is the founder of Adventure For All, a nonprofit that works alongside individuals with exceptionalities, empowering them to overcome societal limitations and celebrate their unique strengths. Through their adventure program and community events, Chase and Adventure For All provide inclusive and independent opportunities to challenge and inspire personal growth. Chase has helped hundreds conquer goals they thought impossible, from simply riding a bike to climbing the Adirondack mountains.
● Ash Perrin, also known as Bash the Clown, is a renowned childhood conservationist and the founder of The Flying Seagull Project charity. For over a decade, Ash has brought laughter and play to more than 130,000 children in challenging environments, such as orphanages, refugee camps, and hospitals. He firmly believes that every child deserves a happy childhood and has made it his mission to bring smiles and laughter to those who need it most.
● Robert Scheer is the co-founder of Comfort Cases®, an organization on a mission to eliminate trash bags from the foster care system by providing children with backpacks filled with comfort and personal care items. To date, over 220,000 Comfort Cases and Comfort XL duffel bags have been given to children entering the foster care system across the US, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom. Rob's advocacy has garnered widespread recognition, with appearances on major platforms like CNN's Heroes. He hosts the highly-rated podcast Fostering Change addressing foster care, adoption, and LGBTQ+ issues, and is the author of A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time, Rob shares his incredible journey and his commitment to reforming the foster care system.
● Sir Robert Swan is a climate change activist who has earned his place in history by being the first person to walk to both the North and South Poles. After seeing the effects of climate change firsthand, Robert dedicated himself to protecting Antarctica and our planet at large. As a leader in energy innovation, Robert works closely with many of the world’s leading organizations on their ESG practices. As the founder of the 2041 Foundation, Robert Swan has spent the last 30 years supporting the preservation of Antarctica through the engagement of industry and business, young people, and the promotion of renewable energy. He’s a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Youth, a Visiting Professorship of the School of Environment at Leeds University and in 1994 he became Special Envoy to the Director General of UNESCO.
● Joanne Tawfilis is a renowned "artivist" and inspirational speaker on a mission to promote peace and human rights through art. Over the past two decades, she’s led the Art Miles Mural Project, a global initiative that has united over 500,000 individuals from 125 countries to create thousands of murals. These murals serve as powerful symbols of unity and healing, with one remarkable project involving orphans in Bosnia using a bedsheet riddled with bullet holes to create art that helped them overcome their past traumas.
● Angelina Tsuboi is the youngest PINC speaker to ever grace the stage. As a rising tech innovator, Angelina began her coding journey at the tender age of 7. Fluent in 18 programming languages (some of which she wrote herself), Angelina leverages technology and engineering to deliver pragmatic solutions to life's pressing challenges - from developing groundbreaking cybersecurity tools to applications for pollution monitoring or social services. As the winner of Apple’s 2022 Swift Student Challenge, Angelina is the creative force behind apps that tackle real-world issues.
● In addition, attendees will be delighted with a special partnered performance by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Sarasota Contemporary Dance.
“PINC gives our community the opportunity to come together for one day to witness a host of inspirational experiences,” said Anand Pallegar, founder of DreamLarge. “At PINC, we gather some of the world’s most forward-thinking innovators and do-gooders to enliven and inspire us to view our lives in unexpected ways. This year’s speakers are all designed to focus on our community’s state of mind, advancing our understanding of the collective trauma we’ve all faced in the past few years.”
The experience runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with several breaks throughout on Dec. 7 and includes breakfast, lunch, and unique snacks provided by Innovative Dining. An afterparty will be held for PINC attendees at the Sarasota Modern Hotel directly following PINC.
The PINC Experience is presented by All Star Children’s Foundation and Ringling College of Art & Design. It is generously supported by the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Michael Saunders & Company, Parkside, Project Pride, Sarasota Magazine, SRQ Magazine, The Sarasota Modern Hotel and WUSF Public Media. With special thanks to Shawn O’Malley, Victoria Blooms, and Wonder Cake Creations.
For more information, contact Julia Groom at Julia@DreamLarge.org or by calling 941.786.8732
About PINC
PINC is People, Ideas, Nature, Community. PINC is an inspiring cascade of new ideas, great stories, and impressive visual presentations that culminate in a day-long experience delivered by a superb selection of international speakers from every imaginable discipline. The PINC Experience aims to bring together thought leaders, innovators, creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, specialists, designers, artists, scientists, and people looking to stimulate their mind, heart, and brain.
The PINC Experience is on Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 8am to 6pm. The all-day event includes 12 international speakers, artistic intermezzos and exceptional food.
About DreamLarge
DreamLarge is a changemaking organization. As the first registered benefit corporation on the Gulf Coast of Florida, we work to inspire, impact and enrich the local community by cultivating thoughtful and creative solutions for nonprofits and purpose-driven brands. Our vision is simple: We're dedicated to fostering a greater future for generations to come. We partner, plan, invest, and strive towards building a better community. Why? At the heart of our being, we truly believe in one thing. This sentiment is our guiding light and the cornerstone of everything we do: Wherever we are, whatever we do, we have a duty to serve our community. For more information, visit www.DreamLarge.org.
