Meet Our Speakers
-
SONITA ALIZADEH
Voice for Freedom
Sonita Alizadeh, an Afghan rapper and activist known for her viral video 'Daughters for Sale,' passionately advocates for women’s rights and the fight against child marriage, and is currently a Rhodes Scholar pursuing a master's degree in politics at Oxford. -
SAROO BRIERLEY
The Real-Life Lion
Saroo Brierley, separated from his brother at age five in India and later adopted by an Australian family, used Google Earth to reunite with his birth mother in 2012, a journey that inspired his bestselling autobiography, "A Long Way Home," and the film "Lion." -
LAURA KRANTZ
Pop Science Journalist
Laura Krantz, a journalist and co-founder of Foxtopus Ink, is known for her acclaimed podcast "Wild Thing" and has authored middle-grade non-fiction books like "The Search for Sasquatch," leveraging her experience from NPR and KPCC. -
PHIL KLOTZBACH
Hurricane Forecaster
Phil Klotzbach, a Senior Research Scientist at Colorado State University, leads the field of hurricane forecasting with precise seasonal predictions and significant contributions to tropical meteorology, shaping our understanding of storm events. -
BOB DELANEY
PTS Advocate & NBA Cares Ambassador
Bob Delaney, a former New Jersey State Trooper and one of the NBA’s highest-rated crew chiefs, has spent over 40 years providing trauma resiliency training worldwide, drawing from his own experiences with post-traumatic stress after infiltrating the Mafia, earning numerous accolades including the President’s Volunteer Service Award and featuring on HBO and ESPN. -
ANDREW QUITMEYER
Digital Naturalist
Andrew Quitmeyer, a digital naturalist and creator of interactive wildlife experiences, merges technology with nature to inspire a deeper connection to the wild, as seen in his work with PBS and Hacking the Wild on the Science Channel. -
REUBEN MARGOLIN
Kinetic Sculptor
Reuben Margolin, a renowned kinetic sculptor, transforms engineering into mesmerizing art, creating large-scale installations that mimic the rhythms of nature and have captivated audiences worldwide. -
YASMIN KEATS
Adaptive Designer
Yasmin Keats, CEO of Open Style Lab, is revolutionizing fashion by making it accessible for everyone, collaborating with top institutions like Parsons and MIT to blend style with inclusivity. -
JORDAN DRESSER
Cultural Curator & Filmmaker
Jordan Dresser, a cultural advocate from the Northern Arapaho Nation, uses storytelling and filmmaking to preserve Indigenous narratives, bridging tradition and innovation to highlight his heritage. -
LORI NIX & KATHLEEN GERBER
Dystopian Artists
Lori Nix and Kathleen Gerber, acclaimed dystopian artists with over two decades of collaboration, create intricately detailed dioramas that explore a post-apocalyptic world devoid of humans, showcasing their work in exhibitions across the U.S. and Europe and collaborating with brands like Cadbury and Mini Cooper.