Leadership (U)

<p>Angela Rye delivers thoughtful yet incisive commentary and real talk about the power of activism, advocacy, and politics, and stokes much-needed conversation about the state of America.</p><p>Politico, lawyer, and self-described empowermenteur, Angela Rye is one of America’s most influential voices for positive change in the political process. As the principal and CEO of IMPACT Strategies, she advocates for economic empowerment, civic engagement, and political involvement among young professionals.

<p>Sarah Thomas changed the game in the world’s most quintessential male-dominated sport—football—when she became the first female NFL official. Now she’s inspiring others to dream big and believe anything is possible.</p><p>She officiated her first game September 13, 2015, between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans. Today, Sarah Thomas’s hat, whistle, and flag are on display at the NFL Hall of Fame and serve as a testament to this historic achievement.

<p>Zeke Thomas is a renowned Open Format DJ and Producer.

<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>Ertharin Cousin currently serves as the Managing Director and CEO of FSF Ventures, an impact investment fund, and as the CEO of Food Systems for the Future Institute, the Fund’s sister nonprofit. Each organization supports her vision of a world without hunger and malnutrition. Ambassador Cousin also serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the Chicago</p><p>Council on Global Affairs; a Bosch Academy, Robert Weizsäcker Fellow; and as a Visiting Scholar at the Stanford University, Center on Food Security and Environment.

<p>Retired Marine Staff Sergeant Eric Alva shares his powerful story of coming out as a gay man in the armed forces as well as his ardent advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.</p><p>The first American soldier injured in the Iraq War, Eric was hailed as an American hero. While he lost his leg in combat, his spirit remained stronger than ever — upon retirement, Eric came out as gay.

From the pages of her #1 New York Times best-selling book and the critically-acclaimed recently released film, Jeannette Walls moves you to realize the power of the human spirit as she inspires courage in the face of new and longstanding fears, and reveals how our weaknesses can be our greatest strengths.

<p>Celebrated for her compelling storytelling and in-depth reporting, Soledad O’Brien shares with audiences thought-provoking insights drawn from a career covering major news events, conducting high-profile interviews, and producing acclaimed documentaries. </p><p>One of our nation’s most respected voices in journalism, Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning documentarian, author, and founder of Soledad O’Brien Productions, a media production company dedicated to telling empowering and authentic stories.</p><p>Soledad’s most recent projects include the She was als

<p>Jennifer Thompson is the Founder and President of Healing Justice, which aims to address the collateral human damage of wrongful convictions to all involved. Jennifer founded Healing Justice based on her experience with a failed criminal justice process that sent an innocent person to prison and left the true perpetrator free to commit additional crimes. </p><p>Jennifer’s ordeal with the criminal justice system began in 1984, when she survived a brutal attack as a college student in North Carolina.

<p>Bob Zellner brings to life the victories, struggles and heartbreaks of the Civil Rights era in a way that empowers and instructs audiences and the modern-day movement. </p><p>Bob is one of the most influential leaders in the Civil Rights Movement, from the 1960s to today. The son and grandson of Ku Klux Klan members, he risked his life – and nearly lost it – many times in the fight to achieve The Second Emancipation.