Meet the Changemakers
Our Speakers are the dreamers, builders, makers, problem solvers and wizards among us. These changemakers share insights about the world around us, help us move forward thoughtfully, strive to solve big problems, bridge the distance between us, and lift us up, one story at a time.
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Conflict Photographer.
MacArthur Genius Grantee.
Pulitzer Prize Winner.
Why would anyone willingly plunge headfirst into the war-torn areas of Afghanistan, Darfur, or Ukraine? For this Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, the simple answer is also the title of her memoir: It’s What I Do.
Paleoanthropologist.
Proudly 2% Neanderthal.
Nerdy Stand-Up Queen.
Driven by a desire to understand who journeyed here alongside us, Ella is undeterred by war zones, pirates, and politics in her quest to unearth the fossil record before it’s too late.
Pioneer.
Bridge Builder.
Rule Breaker.
The answer “No” is merely a rejection of the status quo and an opportunity to reinvent your world. This is one of the many lessons that fleeing Iran as a young girl during the revolution taught Sheila.
Battle-tested.
Chief Medical Officer.
Emergency Physician.
This ER surgeon launched Italy’s first pediatric trauma center, but it’s his most recent role—guiding Walgreens through COVID—that required him to draw on everything he’s learned.
Rocketman.
Space Engineer.
Optimism Personified.
Driven by the pursuit of knowledge and an insatiable curiosity, NASA’s Chief Engineer for the ambitious Europa Clipper Mission is convinced he has the best job on Earth.
Scientist.
Trillion Tree Campaign Advisor.
Problem Solver.
Our natural ecosystems are the best technology we have to help cool the planet. This British scientist, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, has a plan we can all get behind.
Documentarian.
Compassionate Witness.
Explorer.
Born in Zimbabwe, raised in Australia, and based in Istanbul and NY Michael brings a global perspective to documentary filmmaking. His work for Nat Geo has earned him some of filmmaking's highest honors.
Nuclear Engineer.
Clean Energy Visionary.
Queen of Possibility.
Leslie Dewan spent the first ten years of her career redesigning nuclear reactors to make them safer and more efficient. Now she's set her sights on a bigger obstacle in the race towards a carbon-neutral future: us.
Wolf-Whisperer.
Wildlife Biologist.
Natural History Filmmaker.
This wildlife biologist-turned-photographer is working on a long-term study, exploring the relationship between humans and wolves around the world. His ambitious goal? Peaceful coexistence.
Hero for the Planet.
Oceanographer.
Her Deepness.
By showing how every breath of air we take and every drop of water we drink depends on the health of our Oceans, Dr. Sylvia Earle makes marine conservation everyone’s concern.
Travel Writer.
Digital Nomad.
Black Penguin.
Andrew invites us to move beyond the tourist selfie to open ourselves to the rich kaleidoscope of humanity, adventure, and experience the world offers, to become a more evolved version of ourselves.
River Runner.
Man of Letters.
Conservationist.
Leading adventure writer Kevin Fedarko brings to life the wild places we share and the adventurers who find their solace in nature.
Pulitzer Prize-winner.
Eyewitness.
Trailblazer.
For 20 years, Deanne served as a photojournalist for the San Francisco Chronicle, documenting the AIDS crisis, pivotal SCOTUS rulings, sports, and pop culture.
Organic Architect.
Thought Leader.
Fixer.
His deep passion and commitment to making “every building a green building” inspires audiences of all types to change how they look at their buildings, their facilities and the world at large.
Sports Photographer.
Grassroots Baseball Founder.
Heavy Hitter.
Instead of a seat at the table, she’ll take the spot behind the diamond with a straight shot down the third base line. Meet baseball’s biggest fan and top sports photographer.
Storyteller.
Global Women’s Champion.
Revolutionary.
With National Geographic and at the creative helm of her nonprofit, Ripple Effect Images, Annie travels the planet to show the vibrant tapestry of human experience, and how much we share—oceans apart.
Visual Explorer.
Pathfinder.
Culture Whisperer.
Highly decorated photojournalist David Guttenfelder is celebrated for his thorough study of geopolitical conflict, conservation, culture, and technology, with a keen and curious eye to the future.
Himalayan Mountaineer.
Global Philanthropist.
Climbing Royalty.
The name Hillary is synonymous with Himalayan mountaineering and philanthropy. Peter Hillary has been on 40 expeditions around the world, including five to the top of the world—Mount Everest.
Adventure Photographer.
Daredevil.
Flow Guru.
This dynamic photographer refuses to be labeled, producing award-winning editorial work, creating magic for blue-chip brands, and starring in the global TV series, Extreme China.
Master Vintner.
Cult Winery of the Year Founder.
Forbes 30 Under 30.
This darling of the California wine scene found his passion traveling with his father to the top wineries of Europe. Weaving together art and alchemy, Jesse Katz makes magic at Aperture Cellars.
Environmental Hero.
Visual Artist.
Goodwill Ambassador.
Photographer Mattias Klum is an eloquent defender of biodiversity. Whether addressing the World Economic Forum or students, Mattias brings his A-game and nobody leaves his show unchanged.
Rising Phoenix.
Disney's Photo Mom.
Believer.
Find out why Oprah, Kelly & Ryan, and Disney can’t get enough of Me Ra Koh, a serial entrepreneur who understands what it takes to stand out in a cluttered market and grow a unique business.
Mama Bear.
Community Builder.
Visual Storyteller.
Whether documenting her journey through depression or celebrating the world through the eyes and words of her two boys, Photographer Marvi Lacar is the consummate creator.
First Ascent Junkie.
Global Explorer.
Reality Bender.
Mike Libecki is a man on a mission—to climb 100 first ascents in his lifetime. Guess what? He’s nearly there. If enthusiasm, dedication, and extreme skill could be bottled inside a human, this would be the man.
4-Time Olympian.
Breast Cancer Survivor.
Champion.
Chaunte trained for 28 years to keep her edge as one of the world’s best, but it wasn’t until a breast cancer diagnosis inspired her to champion self-care, that she tapped into an unexpected source of strength.
Her Wildness.
Anthropologist.
Curious Mind.
Who says you can’t have it all? This primatologist, TV Host, university executive, O mag Insider, National Geographic Explorer, and mother of six begs to differ.
Master Storyteller.
Thru-Hiker.
Naturekeeper.
To see the natural world through Pete’s eyes is to fling open your arms to the sky and dance in the rain. This gifted creator tells some of the most important stories of our time with passion, wit, and curiosity.
Globetrotter.
Blue Zones Documentarian.
Brand Wizard.
In his longest-running project, Photographer David McLain travels alongside author Dan Buettner to document the diet and lifestyle habits shared by the longest-lived people in the world.
Futurist.
Polymath.
Ironman.
Author of the bestseller, Hacking Darwin, Jamie is a leading technology and healthcare futurist who has served in the U.S. National Security Council, the State Department, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Conservation Photographer.
Ocean Advocate.
Enough.
Cristina’s commitment to conservation extends beyond the Ocean to what it means to be human...understanding that the history of every living thing that has ever existed on this planet also lives within us.
Special Correspondent.
Eyewitness.
Pulitzer Prize Winner.
Getty Images Special Correspondent John Moore bears witness through photography to the most pressing stories of our time, from conflict, to immigration reform, climate change, and COVID-19.
Blue Mind Thinker.
Marine Biologist.
Turtle Nerd.
J pioneered the concept of Blue Mind, a flow-state that acknowledges the physical, ecological, economic, cognitive, emotional, psychological, physical, and social benefits of being on, in, or near water.
Chief Wagon Officer.
Brand Evolution King.
Big Kid.
Robert’s grandfather started Radio Flyer in 1917—naming it after two of the most important inventions of its time. Today, Robert has reimagined the brand in ways his grandfather never could have dreamed.
Environmental Hero.
Entrepreneur.
Visionary.
Meet CNN Hero of the Year and the founder of the world's only "environmental-strength" river clean-up organization—the personification of optimism and sheer will.
Audacious Explorer.
Man Out of Eden.
Chief Listener.
To get a fresh perspective of humanity today, this two-time Pulitzer Prize winner is on a 24,000-mile walkabout around the entire planet. He calls it the Out of Eden Walk.
Serial Entrepreneur.
Brand Accelerator.
Multitasker.
Moms are the original multitaskers, this is why former attorney and Brown grad, Jill Salzman decided to build her third company as an accelerator for this untapped juggernaut of talent.
Photo Ark Founder.
Wildlife Photographer.
Man on a Mission.
Joel Sartore is on an epic quest to save nature through his sweeping Photo Ark Project. Already 12,000 portraits strong, this project aims to document every living species in captivity, while there's still time.
Chief Innovation Officer.
Biomedical Engineer.
World’s Best Minister.
A Bill Gates Hero in the Field, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Education and Chief Innovation Officer strives to improve lives through reforming, and redesigning healthcare and education systems.
Underwater Photographer.
Whale Whisperer.
National Geographic Fellow.
This Emmy Award-winner brings into sharp focus the pivotal moment at which we find ourselves in history—when we understand the problems, know the solutions, and simply need to summon the will to act.
Adventure Filmmaker.
Wilderness Explorer.
Risk Embracer.
This extreme filmmaker talks about 360-degree leadership, risk management, and why he aims to work at the edge of failure to produce authentic and memorable content.
Nature Whisperer.
Illuminator of the Invisible.
Mad Scientist.
In biologist/photographer Anand Varma’s hands, a camera is not just a tool to capture what he sees—it’s a way to illuminate the layers of beauty and complexity that are otherwise hidden from the naked eye.
Astronaut.
Fighter Pilot.
Entrepreneur.
Commanding U.S./Italian/and Russian crews on the ISS for 200 days during the Russian invasion of Crimea showed Terry Virts that anything is possible with diplomacy and constant innovation.
Elephant Whisperer.
Wildlife Advocate.
Badass Woman.
In the hands of Nikon Ambassador, Nat Geo photographer, and nonprofit Chief Ami Vitale, the camera is a tool for change. Her work celebrates how and where we are learning to coexist with wildlife.
Left Seater.
Trailblazer.
Afghan Refugee.
What if the first Afghan woman to earn a commercial pilot’s license went on to break the world record as the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single-engine plane? Meet Shaesta.
Chief Innovator.
Time Capsule Creator.
Photographic Visionary.
One of the most iconic and innovative photographers of our time, Stephen Wilkes constantly pushes the boundaries of what is possible.
Culture Keeper.
Far East Expert.
Early Adopter.
Photographer Michael Yamashita has trained his lens on Asia for more than 40 years. His body of work is a photographic time capsule and a compass forward.