Groundbreaking Athlete, Fashion Icon, Actor, TED All-Star, and Design Innovator
Preeminent Polar Explorer
Ann Bancroft is one of the world's preeminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader who is dedicated to inspiring women, girls and audiences around the world to unleash the power of their dreams. Through her various roles as an explorer, educator and sought-after speaker, Bancroft believes that by sharing stories related to her dreams of outdoor adventure, she can help inspire a global audience to pursue their individual dreams.
Child Welfare Activist, New York Times Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker
Ashley Rhodes-Courter is the quintessential American success story. Born in 1985 to a single teen mother, by the age of 3 she was in Florida's foster care system where she spent almost ten years being shuttled between 14 homes”some quite abusive”before being adopted from a Children's Home at the age of twelve.
In the first 27 years of his life, Austin Hatch has survived two separate plane crashes, leaving him with the tremendous loss of his immediate family, as well as a severe list of injuries that nearly took his life. Austin shares his life experiences with others, providing a variety of organizations with a message of overcoming adversity, grit and hope.
Star, MTV show The Buried Life
Ben Nemtin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of What Do You Want To Do Before You Die? and the star of the MTV show The Buried Life. As the co-founder of The Buried Life movement, Ben’s message of radical possibility has been featured by major media outlets including The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, Inc., ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC News.
Musician, Composer, Speaker
Billy McLaughlin is recognized internationally as a world-class guitarist, composer and inspirational performer who has appeared on Billboard's TopTen Chart.
Bringing Joy Through The Journey and Laughter With a Message
This highly funny, energetic woman was voted Twin Cities Funniest Person by Acme comedy club in Minnesota, Newsmaker of the year by the Women's Press and has received the Golden "Mic" (Mike) award from the American Cancer Society and the Advocacy to action award by (GYRIG) Get Your Rear in Gear organization.
First American woman to win an Olympic gold at a fully attended Olympic Games (2004); Nominated for an ESPY Award in the “Best Olympic Performance” category, Author of autobiography Be Strong; involved in Special Olympics, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Taylor’s Gift, Children’s Miracle Network