​​D’Lo (he/they) is a queer/transgender Tamil-Sri Lankan-American actor/writer/comedian whose work range includes stand-up comedy, solo theater, plays, films and music production, poetry and spoken word. Rooted in social justice, D’Lo brings the fierce with the funny through his stories and stand-up comedy.

Kimberly Seals Allers is an award-winning journalist, author of five books, international speaker, strategist, and advocate for maternal and infant health. A former senior editor at Essence and writer at Fortune magazine, Kimberly is a leading commentator on birth, breastfeeding and motherhood and the intersection of race, policy, and culture.

Rebecca Altamirano has dedicated her professional life to working within underrepresented communities to open up access to the culture of power. Her professional path has given her deep hands-on experience on working with the underserved and underrepresented. Many of these experiences she has shared as a co-author of “Be The Change: Reinventing Schools for Student Success”

Ivelyse Andino is an Afro-Latina health equity innovator born and raised in The Bronx. She is the founder and CEO of Radical Health and a Commissioner on the New York City Commission on Gender Equity. In 2015 she founded the first Latina owned Public Benefit Corp in New York State.

Kwame Anku is the CEO and Chairman of the Black Star Fund, an early-stage innovation fund. Kwame has worked extensively in business development and media marketing for over two decades, entering into the tech industry after being personally recruited by the late legendary rock star Prince to develop his mobile app, overseeing business and development teams on Africa, Asia, and the US.

A sought after voice of inspiration, Mandy is a columnist, founder, and prolific influencer. Her breadth of work in mind+body connection and unwavering optimism has earned her global attention and positioning alongside elite social leaders and sports figures around the world. Mandy now travels the globe inspiring resilience through her recent and personal triumph in mental and physical wellness.

Brian Banmiller is a national business journalist and public speaker who has spent more than 40 years in the news industry, covering business, politics and the economy on television, radio and in print. Currently, his “Banmiller on Business” reports and speeches are delivered to an audience of millions nationwide.

Chris is a master of transformation. His unique energetic approach challenges businesses to embed a dynamic creative culture within their company ethos. Brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Unilever, Sony, and WPP come back time and again as his results produce tangible returns on investment.

Chris Bertish is a professional speaker, big wave surfing Mavericks champion, stand up paddle board Guinness World Record holder, best-selling author, award-winning film director, philanthropist, conservationist, ocean pioneer and entrepreneur.

He was recently recognized as one of the Top 5 Speakers in South Africa and selected as one of the Genius 100-Global Visionaries for the future, by the Einstein Institute, both for excellence in his disciplines and universal global positive influence. Together, Chris and his fellow visionaries, Deepak Chopra, Sir Ken Robinson, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Shimon Peres are collaborating with the intent to inspire the next generation of geniuses.

Emily Best is the founder and CEO of Seed&Spark. An advocate for equity inclusion in the entertainment industry (and the entire working world), Best regularly speaks at conferences and events about leveraging entertainment to build equity and sustainability for everyone, crowdfunding, and pitching, building equitable startups, and serves as an advisor and mentor to dozens of early-stage companies.

Aubrey Blanche-Sarellano is The Mathpath (Math Nerd + Empath), VP of Equitable Operations at Culture Amp, and a startup investor, and advisor. She questions, reimagines, and redesigns the systems that surround us to ensure that all people access equitable opportunities.

Jennifer Brandel is an award-winning journalist, founder and organizer whose work spans journalism, civic engagement, democracy and entrepreneurship. She’s a dynamic, sought-after keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. Brandel began her career in journalism reporting for outlets including NPR, CBC, WBEZ, The New York Times, and Vice. She is the founder of Hearken, which helps institutions better listen and respond to their stakeholders.

Cindi Bright is the President of The Bright Group, a management consulting firm focusing on the ecosystems of corporate America impacting and impeding progress for brown and black people.  She is the Producer and Host of HeartBeat radio. Cindi serves on the board of the Urban League, Metropolitan Seattle. Additionally, she is sitting on the Advisory Board to Opportunity PAC.

Mike Brown, a pro-athlete turned self-taught coder, transitioned from tackling to tech and went on to be the founder and CEO of Win-Win, a platform powered by gaming and giving. Win-Win enables pro athletes and influencers to monetize their fanbase and help brands engage with end consumers.

Madison Butler is a Black, queer woman, and a survivor. Her work is focused around designing spaces and creating scalable strategies to achieve psychological safety. An outspoken advocate for mental health, she is passionate about facilitating hard conversations through storytelling, data, and tough empathy, removing stigma around trauma, and advisor for being “human at work”.

Cheryl Campos is a serial maverick, aligning her passions to achieve success across multiple arenas. As the CEO of a leading financial nonprofit and a professional model and actress, Cheryl possesses a unique and powerful dual perspective that bridges the analytical and creative worlds. Her dynamic career embodies innovation, resilience, and the limitless potential of following one's diverse passions.

Kanika Chadda Gupta is a seasoned CNN television journalist turned podcaster and mother of three (including twins). As a television personality and seasoned journalist, Kanika knows how to deliver as a live speaker, moderator, and emcee. She speaks on topics including modern motherhood, women’s empowerment, DEI, guiding corporations to better serve their employees who are parents (parental leave, benefits, etc), living a life of purpose (discovering your dharma), AAPI & South Asian heritage, lifestyle and entertainment.

Ugwem Eneyo is co-founder and CEO of SHYFT Power Solutions, specializing in the use of IoT software and big data to improve access to clean, reliable and affordable energy solutions in markets that struggle with grid resiliency. Ms. Eneyo explores how we use tech to create ‘grids of the future’ but particularly in emerging markets. She’s given talks on the nexus of energy and sustainable development to global thought leaders, including the World Bank.

Melinda Briana Epler has over 25 years of experience developing business innovation and inclusion strategies for startups, Fortune 500 companies, and global NGOs. As CEO of Empovia, Melinda works with the tech industry to solve diversity and inclusion together. Using her background in storytelling and large-scale culture change, she is a strategic advisor for tech companies, tech hubs, and governments around the world.

Michael “Manny Faces” Conforti is an award-winning journalist, podcast professional, public speaker and independent scholar. Much of his work focuses on advocating for the use of Hip Hop music and culture as a tool to improve lives, livelihoods and communities throughout the nation and the world, in areas including education, science and technology, health and wellness, politics and social justice, business and entrepreneurialism, the fine arts, spirituality and self-help, and more.

Amy Feldman is an experienced lawyer and lifelong learner dedicated to making the law accessible to everyone. As the General Counsel of The Judge Group, she advises on a wide range of legal matters while also being a trained mediator, author, and media commentator. Amy combines her legal expertise with storytelling to explain complex issues simply. She offers entertaining and informative resources on various legal topics to help you navigate everyday legal concerns.

Dr. Jen Fry (she/her) is a Sports Geographer, tech founder, and sought-after speaker and educator. She owns JenFryTalks, a social justice education firm that explores the intersection of conflict and DEI. Jen facilitates conversation and skill-building with organizations, leadership and C-suite groups, small and large teams, affinity groups, and more. She advises on best practices that create more equitable organizations, communities, and teams, where each person feels a sense of belonging.

Teresa Goines is a visionary entrepreneur and social activist who founded Old Skool Cafe, a 1940s-style supper club in San Francisco that empowers at-risk youth through employment. Inspired by her work as a corrections officer, Teresa launched the cafe in 2004 to help young people break the cycle of poverty and violence. Her innovative efforts have earned her recognition as a CNN Hero and features in outlets like Forbes and The Huffington Post. As a speaker, Teresa shares her story and offers practical insights on social justice and community change, making her a powerful voice on youth empowerment and restorative justice.

‍

Andrea Guendelman is a writer, speaker, and entrepreneur who specializes in Expansive Leadership—helping individuals and organizations unlock potential through openness. She is a leading force in creating platforms for minority professionals and the tech industry. Through her own experiences as a Harvard-trained corporate lawyer and an entrepreneur, she co-created Bevisiblelatinx, Wallbreakers, and most recently, Speak_.

Arlan Hamilton is a remarkable entrepreneur who built a venture capital fund from the ground up, while homeless. She is the Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital, a VC firm dedicated to minimizing funding disparities in tech by investing in high-potential founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBTQ+.

Jim Harris is one of North America’s foremost thought leaders, management consultants, and authors on disruptive innovation. With 20 years experience as a professional speaker and consultant, Jim Harris speaks internationally at more than 40 conferences a year on and is ranked as one of the nation's top ten speakers by Association magazine.

Chante Harris is a climate tech strategist and Founder and Managing Partner of Eunoia Group. She is also Co-Founder of Women of Color Collective in Sustainability (WOC/CS), a champion of social and finance innovation, and ACEEE Champion of Energy Efficiency. Throughout her career, she has successfully scaled nationwide campaigns, technologies, and ideas for the Obama Administration, Fortune 500 companies, and startups. Chante is at the helm of driving climate innovation and advancing the energy transition across cities.

Denise Love Hewett is the host of the podcast, Do the Work, which focuses on redefining leadership to be more holistic. This was birthed out of her time as a founder of Scriptd, an entertainment tech company working to dismantle the inefficient and exclusionary practices of Hollywood. She comes from the world of entertainment, fashion, and hospitality, starting her career as the Director of Sales and Marketing at famed nightclub The Box.

Mazin Jamal is the founder of Holistic Underground: a leadership & organizational development agency for social movements & businesses. He honed his craft working with leaders and teams around the world. He has coached, consulted, and presented for executive leaders and teams from Apple, Google, Postmates, Atlassian, and more. He is also the creator of the PurposePlace™ Methodology.

Yelitsa Jean-Charles founded Healthy Roots after recognizing a need for more diverse toys and representation in children’s publishing. She has been recognized as Essence’s 50 Founders to watch and frequently speaks about entrepreneurship, social justice, and cultural competency.

Dr. Clarence B. Jones served as legal counsel, strategic advisor, and speechwriter to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He contributed to the first seven paragraphs of the iconic "I Have A Dream" speech. Dr. Jones is an accomplished author, lawyer, civil rights leader, and business executive. He has received prestigious honors, such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and is actively involved in social advocacy, fostering Black-Jewish relations through Spill the Honey Foundation.

Jonas is a New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, and storyteller, and an award-winning writer & producer of books, documentaries, and branded entertainment at storytelling boutique Koffler Pictures. Jonas regularly presents at conferences, organizations, and events on topics spanning personal innovation and unconventional thinking, the future of work, creativity and learning, community building, wellness, and resilience.

Russell Ladson is a creative technologist whose work sits at the intersection of emerging technologies, purposeful design, and visual art. His work investigates the use of emerging technologies like AR/VR (XR) to heighten the human-to-human experience through experimental concepts around information discovery in a post-smartphone world.

Max Lenderman has a pulse on the future so that you and your business can win today. As founder and chief creative officer, he is a pioneering authority on purpose-led brand building, experiential marketing, and large-scale advertising campaigns.

Mark Levy is a seasoned globally-minded Employee Experience Leader who has chosen to work for big-hearted companies and focus on how he can unleash the talents and passions of a company’s employees. Mark was the pioneer of designing the Employee Experience at Airbnb and most recently at Allbirds, showing organizations what is possible when you empower employees and rethink HR.

As the national political correspondent for NPR, Mara Liasson’s voice is unmistakable and her words memorable. Her reports can be heard regularly on NPR's award-winning newsmagazines All Things Considered and Morning Edition.

Mita Mallick is a corporate change-maker with a track record of transforming businesses and cultures. Mita is a passionate storyteller who believes in the power of diversity to spur creative strategic thinking which can ultimately transform brands.

Josh Miller is a queer changemaker, public speaker, photographer, and outdoor explorer who believes that being visible and sharing our stories can shift culture and enhance people's well-being. As a 2x TEDx speaker who has engaged Fortune 500 and international audiences from Colorado to Salzburg. He is the co-founder & CEO of IDEAS xLab, and was honored with the 2022 Nonprofit Visionary Leader Award from Louisville Business First.

‍

Muta’Ali is an award-winning director renowned for his documentaries like MoviePass and Cassius X. Nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn, he also produced notable TV work and entertainment segments. His storytelling, centered on "Love, Art & Activism," has garnered widespread media coverage. Currently, he’s directing a new documentary on an Oscar-nominated artist.

Julian Newman is the founder and CEO of Culture Creative, an international award-winning leadership development and diversity & inclusion consulting firm. Julian is a certified and Anthem Award-winning Diversity & Inclusion leader based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a cultural intelligence strategist, author, and motivational speaker, Julian has spoken to more than 100,000 people nationally and internationally during the past 20 years.

Whether as a keynote or interactive workshop leader, Tina’s focus is on creating more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplaces. Using her Shared Sisterhood framework and proven approaches for unearthing blind spots within individuals and organizations. Tina serves as a catalyst for new thinking and needed change.

Erica Orange is Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of The Future Hunters, one of the world’s leading futurist consulting firms. She evaluates emerging social, technological, economic, political, demographic and environmental trends – and identifies the strategic implications of those trends for several of the most influential Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and public sector clients.

A survivor, entrepreneur, and international keynote speaker – Norliza is a force globally recognised for her achievements and accolades. She is Founder of Mind Hub Directory, improving mental health is a passion and commitment for Norliza and her team. She is a qualified psychotherapist, transformation executive coach, entrepreneur, storyteller, and keynote speaker, inspiring individuals to live their best possible life. Norliza presents an impassioned and compelling story of true grit and resounding resilience. A story of overcoming impossible adversities, triumphing against all odds, and becoming a self-made, highly successful entrepreneur.

Damian Pelliccione (they/them) is the CEO and Co-Founder of Revry, the world’s first LGBTQ Global Content Streaming Network. With over 15 years of experience in the digital and new media world and as an avid speaker, passionate about supporting the LGBTQ community in both authentic representation and entrepreneurship, Damian has spoken at more than over 250 conferences and film festivals around the world.

Milagros Phillips designs strategic learning initiatives for clients seeking to enhance their diversity and inclusion programs by adding race literacy to their initiatives. With more than 25 years of experience in learning and development, Milagros has consulted with, designed and delivered customized programs across many industries and services, including financial/insurance, healthcare, higher education, and national and political leaders.

Christie Pitts is an investor, operator, and activist. Formerly VP of Operations at Mahmee and investor at Backstage Capital, she co-founded the VCs for Repro initiative, focused on the intersection of the economy and reproductive justice, and hosts the Moms at Work liveshow to build community, raise awareness, and advocate for better experiences for working moms.

Hanli Prinsloo is a multiple South African freediving record holder and Founder of I AM WATER Ocean Conservation. Growing up on a horse farm in rural South Africa her love of nature and the need for wilderness experiences were instilled at an early age. With a background in social-political documentary filmmaking, Hanli has traveled the world seeking and telling stories of transformation, hope, and inspiration.

TEDx Speaker, writer, and life coach Ranbir Puar helps adults and children break free of their limiting beliefs by providing the tools to tap into their inner strength and silence their inner critics.

Ryann Richardson made history when she became the 50th Anniversary Miss Black America. The tech marketer-turned-founder and Diversity & Inclusion advocate spent 10 years building brands and culture for companies spanning early-stage startups to billion-dollar "unicorns" to the Fortune500. Her work earned her a spot as the youngest honoree on Savoy Magazine’s list of Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America, and set her on the path to discovering her unique purpose as a champion for underrepresented voices.

Neil Sahota (萨冠军) is an IBM Master Inventor, United Nations (UN) Advisor, Artificial Intelligence (AI) subject matter expert, Faculty at UC Irvine, and author of Own the A.I. Revolution. With 20+ years of business experience, he works with organizations to create next-generation products/solutions powered by emerging technology.

Rodney Sampson, of Opportunity Hub, is heralded as the leading inclusive startup ecosystem builder and is passionate about reducing poverty and wealth gap by advancing the cause of innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and investment as a way of life for all, with an emphasis on socially disadvantaged and under-estimated and sponsored communities in America and beyond.

Dr. Astrid J. Scholz is a serial entrepreneur in social innovation and systems change. As a recovering nonprofit executive turned tech entrepreneur, Astrid is Co-Founder and CFO/COO of Armillaria, and Co-Founder of Zebras Unite. Astrid’s work focuses on democratizing innovation and capital to solve today’s wicked problems.

Dr. Kryss Shane, a renowned LGBT+ expert, boasts over 25 years of experience in guiding leaders globally. Featured in The New York Times, ABC News, and more, she specializes in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, helping businesses navigate these areas effectively. Holding a doctorate and multiple master’s degrees, Dr. Shane is an esteemed educator, serving at Columbia University and other institutions. Author of impactful books, including "The Medical Professional's Guide to LGBT+ Inclusion," she advocates for LGBT+ rights and inclusivity on various fronts.

As one of the world’s foremost experts on accountability and commitment, Alex is a five-time TEDxTalk speaker, author, podcast host, internationally-recognized humanitarian, social entrepreneur & innovator, author, and Founder of the because I said I would movement. His work, featured on shows like The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Steve Harvey Show, CNN, Fox News, and many other programs, inspires people to honor their commitments.

Arian Simone is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, investor, best-selling author, and international speaker. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Fearless Fund, the First Venture Capital Fund built for WOC by WOC. She has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the “100 Women of Impact".

Dedren Snead seamlessly blends the realms of art, technology, industry, and education in a way that very few can. Snead believes in creating inclusive, interactive storytelling that weaves together every culture and background possible. His creative endeavors encompass an amalgamation of Afrofuturistic graphic novels, animation, gaming, and augmented reality. Snead was recently chosen for a Ford Foundation Fellowship, where he will exercise his thought leadership fusing gaming, artificial intelligence, and the future of work. His work is a transformative journey, ushering executives, educators, and students into a future where creative and technical careers are not just possibilities but achievable realities, with Artificial Intelligence acting as a collaborative ally. Dedren Snead is not just an artist and developer but a pioneer in harnessing the power of gaming as a transformative educational tool.

Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years and has written about California and its politics for a number of publications, including the Sacramento Bee and The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Walters frequently appears on CNN, Fox, and other networks, commenting about political developments in California.

Jared is Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer of The Future Hunters, one of the world’s leading futurist consulting firms. His work is industry-agnostic, and covers trend activity in the realms of science & technology, economics, politics, demographics and environmental issues.

Aniyia Williams is a systempreneur, creator, inventor, tech changemaker, and investor. She is a principal on the Responsible Technology team at Omidyar Network, and works to help the tech world live up to its promise of changing lives for the better. She served as Executive Director of Black & Brown Founders, co-founder of Zebras Unite, and founded and led the fashion tech company, Tinsel.

Ramona Wright, a TEDx speaker, author, tech investor, producer, tech investor, and philanthropist, has more than 15 years of strategic communication expertise. She’s a trailblazer who taught public relations and social media marketing to more than 200. Ramona is an accomplished speaker who has spoken on behalf of the American Heart Association, Google, and Microsoft. She worked with Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar Award-winning talent.

Mara Zepeda is a co-founder of Cola Love, a catalytic community and economic development design studio in Columbia, South Carolina. She is also the Co-Founder of Zebras Unite, an international and intersectional hybrid cooperative and non-profit creating a more ethical, inclusive, collaborative, and sustainable approach to building businesses. She is a systempreneur and serial social entrepreneur and she speaks about and leads workshops on education, trust, social networks, and the future of business internationally.