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Global thinkers and political watchmen

James Stavridis is a retired U.S. Navy four-star admiral who currently serves as partner and vice chair of global affairs for The Carlyle Group and chair of the board of trustees for the Rockefeller Foundation. He has published 13 books and authored hundreds of articles in leading journals. Fareed Zakaria hosts the Peabody Award-winning show Fareed Zakaria GPS for CNN. He is a best-selling author, journalist, Emmy award winner, and political commentator named a “Top 10 Global Thinker of the Last 10 Years” in 2019 by Foreign Policy magazine.

World-renowned ethologist and activist

Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and a United Nations Messenger of Peace, is known for groundbreaking studies of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park. This transformative research continues today as the longest running wild chimpanzee study in the world. Her trailblazing efforts advance community-led conservation through the institute’s Tacare approach, empowering local communities to own the process of sustainable development and conservation, and through Roots & Shoots, the institute’s international youth program. In 2021, Goodall received the Templeton Prize and published The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times.

Revolutionary entrepreneur turning passion into profit

Candace Nelson is a serial entrepreneur, author, and expert in turning a passion into a profitable business. She revolutionized the baking industry with Sprinkles, the world’s first cupcake bakery and cupcake ATM. Following Sprinkles’ success, she launched Pizzana, a growing chain of Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded pizzerias. A New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author, Nelson continues to expand her portfolio, co-founding the children’s sensory learning centers Play 2 Progress and launching, with her husband, CN2 Ventures to invest in early-stage consumer companies.

Hero of extraordinary circumstances

Nando Parrado is the hero of the 1972 Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 rescue. His extraordinary experience, in which he and 15 rugby teammates survived for 72 days in the frozen Andes Mountains after their plane crashed, has been called the greatest survival story of all time.

In the decades since, Parrado has shared his story of survival, resilience, and determination with audiences worldwide. After a successful career in television and entrepreneurship, Parrado now enjoys early retirement, focusing on spending time with his family.

Retired Marine Corp Major General and Astronaut, Former Administrator of NASA.

Major General Charles Bolden, Jr. served 34 distinguished years with the United States Marine Corps, including 14 years at NASA’s Astronaut Office. He has traveled to orbit four times, logging over 680 hours in space and piloting the mission that deployed the Hubble Space Telescope. In 2009, after a nomination from President Barack Obama, he became the 12th Administrator of NASA – only the second astronaut to hold the position. Today, Bolden serves as founder and CEO Emeritus of The Charles F. Bolden Group LLC, which specializes in aerospace exploration, national security, leadership, education, and health initiatives.

Former United States Secretary of State

Condoleezza Rice served as the 66th secretary of state under President George W. Bush – the second woman and first Black woman to hold the post. She also served on President George H.W. Bush’s National Security Council. Currently, she is the director of the Hoover Institution and a senior fellow on public policy; a professor of global business and economy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business; a founding partner of Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC; and part-owner of the Denver Broncos. Rice has authored and co-authored numerous books and has been awarded over fifteen honorary doctorates.

Trailblazing journalist and award-winning documentarian

Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning documentarian, journalist, speaker, author, philanthropist, and founder of Soledad O’Brien Productions, a media production company dedicated to telling empowering and authentic stories on a range of social issues. Her reporting, op-eds, social media presence, speeches, and books – including her critically acclaimed memoir The Next Big Story – make an impact nationwide. In 2011, O’Brien founded the PowHerful foundation to help young women get to and through college, and she connects with thousands of others through regional mentoring conferences.

Award-winning actor, author, director and producer

Perhaps best known for his role as Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli on Happy Days, Henry Winkler remains in demand as an award-winning actor, producer, director, and best-selling author. Always concerned with the quality of children’s programming, Winkler has produced countless projects for young audiences, including a series of novels inspired by his struggles throughout his education due to learning challenges. Passionate about children’s welfare, Winkler brings awareness and support to children who learn differently by advocating for changes in the education system and by informing parents and teachers about learning challenges.