Social Issues Speakers

Dr. Bertice Berry has been stirring academic and corporate audiences to action for over 25 years. An accomplished sociologist, Dr. Berry has expertise in several areas including statistics, race relations, and gender, but it is… Full Profile

Social entrepreneur, Jane Chen and her team have helped save the lives of 300,000 babies and counting. As a grad student at Stanford University, Chen and a few of her classmates set out to develop… Full Profile

Social justice warrior Jesse Jackson has been fighting for racial equality and human rights for sixty years. Jackson’s legacy began with his arrest at a 1960 civil rights action at the Greenville Public Library in… Full Profile

Investigative journalist Sam Quinones is the best-selling author of Dreamland, the eye-opening chronicle of the causes underlying the American opioid crisis. Quinones’ work brought national attention to the topic, helping to breaking the silence and… Full Profile

Emmy-nominated Padma Lakshmi may be best-known for her role as host on Top Chef, but offscreen she has had far reaching influence as a societal changemaker. Lakshmi is the co-founder of The Endometriosis Foundation of… Full Profile

TOMS founder, Blake Mycoskie rewrote the rules of for-profits and philanthropy by creating and following the "one for one" business model. As a social entrepreneur and enthusiastic speaker, Blake shows that using business to improve… Full Profile

As CEO and Co-founder of MBAs Across America, Casey Gerald has spent his recent years helping young entrepreneurs use their businesses to solve their communities' problems and revitalize the nation at a grassroots level. Named… Full Profile

Described as “one of our most insightful culture critics and one of our finest young writers,” Courtney Martin is a storyteller, feminist, social problem solver, and a provocative speaker. She is the author of six… Full Profile

Social entrepreneur Mallory Brown represents a new generation of philanthropy. At age 24, she founded World Clothes Line, an online business that donates one article of clothing for every article sold. Mallory and her numerous… Full Profile

Co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen, Hugh Evans is on a mission to end extreme poverty in the world by 2030. His organization's flagship event, the Global Citizen Festival recruits millions to the war against… Full Profile

Business strategist Connie Duckworth transferred her skill set from Wall Street to war-torn Afghanistan. The retired Partner and Managing Director of Goldman, Sachs, & Co. set up Arzu Hope Studios, a rug-weaving co-op, to give… Full Profile

Paul Shoemaker is a mastermind at knocking down the barriers and curtailing social problems. As the Founding President of Social Ventures Partners International and SVPI's former Executive Connector, he's brought together social changers, researchers, and… Full Profile

Screen legend, political activist, and fitness guru, Jane Fonda has inspired people around the world promoting a greater understanding of our common humanity through her acting and philanthropy. The Academy award-winning actress is recognized for… Full Profile

At age 26 social entreperneur, Anne Mahlum launched Back on My Feet, a nonprofit organization that aims to foster self-sufficiency in homeless participants through the discipline and therapeutic empowerment of running. Over the years Anne… Full Profile

Joshua Tetrick was named Rookie of the Year as a linebacker with West Virginia University. He went on to graduate from the University of Michigan Law School and Cornell University as a Fulbright Scholar. Since… Full Profile

Bill Toliver grew up in the developing world with a deep understanding of the real work required to make change. He spent 20 years creating successful communications programs for Fortune 500 clients, like Westin Hotels… Full Profile

Sheila C. Johnson is a successful entrepreneur and impassioned philanthropist. As CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, a hospitality company she founded in 2005, Ms. Johnson oversees a growing portfolio of luxury properties, including three… Full Profile

One of the most influential philanthropists and human rights activists to come out of media, Tavis Smiley is a driving force for political justice, youth empowerment, and the end of poverty. He is the author… Full Profile

Veteran reporter and CNN’s chief business correspondent, Christine Romans delivers the day’s top business news every morning nationwide. An award-winning reporter known for her decades of trustworthy analysis of Wall Street and economic affairs, she… Full Profile

Passionately involved with philanthropic concerns in Africa, Peter Thum is CEO and co-founder of Fonderie47, a social venture concerned with mitigating the effects of the widespread availability of assault rifles on that continent. Having worked… Full Profile

Named one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders, Rachael Chong is an exceptional young woman who has truly committed herself to making the world a better place through her personal life and the… Full Profile

Few individuals choose to walk away at the height of their corporate career to dedicate their life to a social cause. At age 35, John Wood did just that—quitting his position as Microsoft's Director of… Full Profile

Social entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, and syndicated columnist Craig Kielburger likes to give back to the world in as many ways as he can. It’s a trend he’s followed since co-founding Free The… Full Profile

Leadership expert and youth guru, social entrepreneur Marc Kielburger is a New York Times bestselling author and co-founder (with his brother Craig) of Free The Children. This international charity and educational partnership aims to assist… Full Profile