Distinguished Speakers

Entrepreneur, influencer, model, and philanthropist Demi-Leigh Tebow utilizes her platforms as Miss South Africa and Miss Universe to educate and inspire on a global scale.

On February 8, 2025, after 491 days in Hamas captivity, Eli Sharabi emerged from the tunnels of Gaza, a shadow of his former self, and finally made his way home…

Mayim Bialik is the permanent co-host of Jeopardy! with Ken Jennings..

Thomas Friedman is the bestselling author of The World is Flat and New York Times foreign affairs columnist.He is renowned for his direct reporting and accessible analysis of complex issues shaping the world. According to Foreign Policy magazine, “Friedman doesn't…

Actor, writer, science advocate, and director are just a few of Alan Alda’s many job titles.

One of the most admired women in journalism, Meredith Vieira offers a candid, in-depth conversation about the stories she has covered and the lessons they have taught her.

Jennifer Grey is an author and actress. She made her acting debut with the film "Reckless" (1984), and had her breakthrough with the teen comedy film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"…

One of the world's most respected journalists, Christiane Amanpour transports us to the front lines, putting conflicts into context from the world's most dangerous places.

The first elected official in modern times selected to serve in a President's cabinet of an opposing party, William Cohen assesses the state of world affairs and the relationship between…

Tony Blair works passionately to address some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Tony® and Emmy Award®-winning comedian, actor, producer, writer and director BILLY CRYSTAL is known to audiences around the world as the star of such feature films as When Harry Met Sally…, City Slickers and Analyze This; as…

Bette Midler grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she began singing at an early age. After appearing in the film, Hawaii, she finally earned enough money to move to New York…

Guillermo del Toro is among the most creative and visionary artists of his generation, whose distinctive style is showcased through his work as a filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, and author.

Julián Castro has distinguished himself as a strong leader and successful public servant for nearly two decades.

What is the Ann Curry difference? She is more than a highly esteemed, award-winning journalist. Ann brings stories to life. Her reporting is raw, bold, and deeply personal, because she…

An entrepreneur, activist, politician and a philanthropist, Dr. Joyce Banda is the former president of Malawi, making her the country's first female president and Africa's second. Voted as Africa's most powerful…

Chrissy Teigen is a New York Times #1 bestselling author, TV personality and the founder of Cravings.  In 2019 Teigen was included on TIME Magazine’s prestigious annual list of the “100 Most Influential People” as…

Martin Short, a celebrated comedian and actor, has won fans and accolades in television, film and theater since his breakout season on Saturday Night Live almost 30 years ago and…

Steve Forbes is Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, and an internationally respected authority in the worlds of economics, finance, and corporate leadership. With the economy at the forefront of…

Rami Malek won an Oscar for his ground-breaking performance as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody.

Julia Gillard was the 27th Prime Minister of Australia.

Dolly Parton is the most honored female country performer of all-time and, according to Nielsen, is country music’s #1 most marketable, recognizable and beloved artist in the world. Additionally, Parton’s…

A New York Times bestselling author and global fashion icon with a remarkable rags to riches story, Dapper Dan pioneered streetwear in the early 1980s with his eponymous store on 125th Street.

For the past two decades, Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei has played a key role in the most high-stakes conflicts of our time.

Deval Patrick served two terms as the 71st governor of Massachusetts. An accomplished executive, passionate leader and gifted orator, Deval Patrick will capture—and hold—the attention of any audience.

Mark Wahlberg earned both Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominations for his standout work in the family boxing film, The Fighter, and Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed drama, The Departed. He has played diverse…

Hillary Rodham Clinton served as the 67th Secretary of State of the United States from January 21, 2009 until February 1, 2013, after nearly four decades in public service as…

A visionary leader with a deep understanding of the economic and social challenges facing Latin America, President Vicente Fox is one of the world’s most important voices on the contemporary…

Academy Award-Winning Actor Matthew McConaughey's impressive career has spanned 40 feature films that have grossed over $1 billion dollars. A Texas native heralded for his constant career reinvention, McConaughey is…

12th President of the World Bank Group Jim Yong Kim is a global visionary devoted to improving the lives of people in developing countries and championing the cause of global health. Renowned for…

Heralded for starring in both box office hits and for her unforgettable performances in independent films, Ashley Judd is a renowned actress, humanitarian, and political activist.  

Barack H. Obama is the 44th President of the United States. Few presidents have walked a more improbable path to the White House.

Ban Ki-Moon was the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 2007 to December 2016. Before becoming Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations.

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is one of the most accomplished athletes of the past two decades. With 18 Division Titles and ten Super Bowl appearances.

Bradley Cooper produced, wrote and directed the critically acclaimed remake "A Star is Born" (2019) which earned him 3 Oscar nominations.

Alex Blumberg is the CEO and co-founder of Gimlet Media. Blumberg is an award-winning radio journalist known for his work as a producer on the wildly popular podcasts This American…

Andy Garcia has been honored for his work as an actor, director and both film and music producer. His most recent productions include the critically acclaimed Rob the Mob, which he starred…

Academy Award winning actress Nicole Kidman first came to the attention of American audiences with her critically acclaimed performance in Phillip Noyce’s riveting 1989 Australian psychological thriller Dead Calm. Kidman has since…

Multi-talented actress/producer/writer and singer Rita Wilson first donned her producers cap for the record breaking box-office hit, My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, one of the most iconic names in racing and pop culture, joined FOX NASCAR in 2016 as a full-time race analyst.

In a career spanning over five decades, legendary actor Al Pacino has received many accolades, including an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming one of the few performers to…

Pierce Brosnan is a legendary Irish-American actor, film producer, environmentalist, philanthropist, artist and two-time Golden Globe Award nominee known for his rich and extensive career in front of the camera…

Kim Strobel is the secret to re-energizing classrooms, businesses, and organizations across the country. (Just ask the Texas Google Summit, who hired her to give a keynote).  

Sandra Bullock is one of Hollywood’s most sought after leading ladies and has received universal acclaim for her work. Over the course of her career Bullock’s films have grossed over…

Tom Selleck's versatility in both television and film has won the attention of audiences and critics worldwide. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Thomas Magnum in the…

Tommy Caldwell is widely recognized as one of the best big-wall rock climbers in the world, known for his death-defying free ascents of some of the world’s hardest climbs.

Sacha Baron Cohen is an actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, and film producer known for creating and portraying fictional satirical characters, including Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev, Brüno Gehard and Admiral General…

An eighth-generation Texan, actor Tommy Lee Jones, born September 15th, 1946, attended Harvard University, where he roomed with future U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Though several of his less-knowledgeable fans have…

Uma Thurman is an actress best known for her starring roles in Pulp Fiction and the two-part Kill Bill films.

Uri Levine is a passionate serial entrepreneur and disruptor. He co-founded Waze, the world's largest driving traffic and navigation app, with more than 200M drivers around the globe. Which was acquired by Google on June…