College & Theater Events

<p>Alex Sheen inspires audiences to make a positive impact on the world, simply by keeping their promises and honoring their commitments.</p><p>Alex is the founder of because I said I would, a global social movement and nonprofit dedicated to bettering humanity through promises made and kept, created in memory of his father, whose word was his bond. To help others remember the importance of their goals and commitments, Alex and his organization send “promise cards” to anyone anywhere in the world at no cost.</p><p>Alex embodies the meaning of commitment.

<p>Maria Contreras-Sweet is an expert in economic growth, job creation, corporate governance (ESG) and competitiveness.</p><p>Internationally acclaimed for her insights on growth, innovation, and corporate governance, or Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG), Contreras-Sweet serves on multiple boards of directors, including infrastructure firm Sempra Energy, TriNet, Regional Management Corp., and Zions Bancorporation.

<p>Damon Young is a writer, critic, and satirist.

<p>MILCK appeared in TOMS' apparels 2024 spring "Wear Good" campaign and launched a brand partnership with Girl Up, a UN foundation for supporting and uplifting global female youth leadership.

<p>Tara Setmayer is a former CNN political commentator, contributor to ABC News, and former GOP Communications Director on Capitol Hill. She is currently a Senior Advisor with the Lincoln Project. </p><p>She has appeared on ABC&#39;s <em>The View</em>, ABC’s <em>Good Morning America</em>, and on HBO&#39;s <em>Real Time with Bill Maher</em>. On January 9, 2020, Setmayer was named as a Harvard Institute of Politics Spring 2020 Resident Fellow.

<p>One of Forbes’ “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” and <i>TIME’s</i> “100 Most Influential People in the World,” Ertharin Cousin leads the fight to end global hunger – and inspires others to join this critical humanitarian relief effort.</p><p>A globally respected voice on a range of national and international political and humanitarian issues and operations, Ertharin is widely sought for her expertise on food, hunger, community development, and resilience strategies.

<p>Dr. Frank Leon Roberts is an activist, professor, and political organizer based in Harlem, New York. The proud son of two formerly incarcerated parents, he is currently an Assistant Professor at Amherst College.</p><p>Roberts is the founder of Black Lives Matter Syllabus—the nationally acclaimed, open access curriculum that provides resources for teaching BLM in classroom and community settings.

<p>As the creator of the viral hashtag-turned-movement, #OscarsSoWhite , April Reign has been challenging the lack of representation of marginalized communities in Hollywood and beyond since 2015. </p><p>April practiced law for nearly twenty years, honing her talent for public speaking, persuasive writing and effecting policy change, but it wasn’t until she walked away from her legal practice that she found her true passion.

<p>Jim Obergefell draws from his unique experience at the heart of the Supreme Court marriage equality ruling to move and empower audiences to stand by their beliefs—and prove that love always wins. </p><p>A self-described accidental activist, Jim found himself in the role of caregiver for his partner of more than 20 years, John, as he neared the end of his life due to ALS. An unexpected series of events led to their decision to marry, eventually taking Jim to the Supreme Court and the landmark decision in Obergefell v.

<p>Tina Tchen shares hope, ideas and strategies that inspire others to recognize the power of diverse teams and keep equality on the forefront of the global agenda.</p><p>Now the Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Policy Officer for the Obama Foundation, Tina Tchen served previously as Chief of Staff to the First Lady, Special Assistant to President Barack Obama and Executive Director of the Council on Women and Girls. She led the first-ever White House Summit on Working Families as well as the first-ever United State of Women Summit.