Volunteerism Speakers

Rye Barcott

The founder of an NGO & a former Marine, Rye Barcott has the distinction of being both a warrior & a peacemaker, a juxtaposition he explores in It Happened on the Way to War, a memoir.

Geoffrey Canada

Profiled on 60 Minutes, Canada has achieved great success as President and CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone, an agency that fuses community building with academic achievement to improve the futures of inner city youth. Recently, President Obama launched an initiative to create “Promise Neighborhoods” around ...

Joseph P. Kennedy II

The founder of Citizens Energy Corporation, Joseph P. Kennedy II has served as Chairman and President of the company since 1998, following 12 years of service in the US House of Representatives. Establishing the nonprofit company to provide low-cost heating oil to the poor and elderly, Kennedy grew the organization to ...

Lee Woodruff

After her husband, ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff, sustained a critical brain injury in Iraq, they together penned In an Instant: A Family’s Journey of Love and Healing, The New York Times best-selling book about their family’s difficult journey through Bob’s recovery. Now, in her latest book, ...

Ralph Nader

Former Green Party candidate for president and one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential Americans of the 20th Century," Ralph Nader has always been a voice fighting for the people on the issues that matter most: healthcare, safety, environment, ethics, education, economic and social equality. As a keynote ...

Victoria Rowell

Emmy-nominated Rowell has been honored with 12 NAACP Image Awards and is a staunch advocate for foster children. Her memoir, The Women Who Raised Me, reveals the transformational power of mentoring, love, art, and womanhood that inspires and empowers women and families. Her novel, Secrets of a Soap Opera ...

Richard Carmona

As the 17th Surgeon General, Dr. Carmona developed comprehensive knowledge of the environmental influences on healthy living today. He offers a close look at the epidemic of asthma in young children as well as other issues directly related to the state of our environment and how we can work towards not only a healthy body, ...

George P. Bush

The eldest son of former Florida governor Jeb Bush, George P. Bush is a practicing lawyer who started his own private equity fund. Bush is the co-founder of Hispanic Republicans of Texas, which works to recruit, elect, support, and defend Hispanic Republican officeholders and political candidates.

Dan Pallotta

A leading expert on innovation in the nonprofit sector and a pioneering social entrepreneur, Pallotta has written the popular Uncharitable, a thoughtful book probing the issue of whether or not charity and capitalism should remain divided. A distinguished lecturer, he speaks on many societal issues including AIDS, ...

America Ferrera

Best known for her Emmy-winning starring role in Ugly Betty, America Ferrera - an artist ambassador for Save the Children - is also an activist committed to issues surrounding education & children.

Lou Gossett Jr.

As one of the most sought after veteran actors, Oscar winner Gossett has reached the heights of success. His unique talent for portraying powerful and charismatic characters has charmed audiences worldwide. As Founder of the Eracism Foundation, he is dedicated to fighting racism, ignorance, and social apathy.

Jonah Edelman

One of the most inspiring leaders of his generation and one of the country’s leading education reformers and voices for children, Edelman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Stand for Children. In his inspirational presentation, he teaches advocacy skills to child serving professionals, students, and civic leaders and shares a ...

Mike Farrell

Even before becoming popular for his roles on the hit television series M*A*S*H and Providence, Farrell was dedicated to the belief that being a responsible citizen meant working for the ultimate benefit of all citizens. As spokesperson for CONCERN/America, an international aid and development organization, ...

Sonia Manzano

Those who grew up learning their ABC's with Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Kermit and the Cookie Monster will immediately recognize Manzano as the bilingual "Maria" on Sesame Street. Manzano attributes her appeal to the fact that she acts the same toward children as she does toward adults - honestly and directly. She is ...

Malaak Compton-Rock

A graceful and inspirational force, Compton-Rock is devoted to volunteerism and focuses on such issues as youth, women’s empowerment, and education. Founder of The Angelrock Project, she works to promote social responsibility and encourages us all to live a life of service. A judge on Oprah’s Big Give, a ...

Steve Wozniak

Steve Wozniak changed the world of computers when he designed Apple's first line of products: The Apple I and the Apple II. He currently serves as Chief Scientist for Fusion-IO and is a published author with the release of his New York Times best-selling autobiography, iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon.

Edward Asner

Best known for his Emmy Award-winning portrayal of the gruff but lovable "Lou Grant," Asner is as engaging in person as the characters he plays. In his presentations, he speaks from his perspective as a social and political activist on a variety of issues.

Holly Robinson Peete

For nearly two decades, Peete has been a television star with high-profile roles that cross over between comedy and drama. Married to Carolina Panthers quarterback Rodney Peete, the Peetes have formed a foundation HollyRod, with the mission to help improve the lives of people plagued with devastating life circumstances. ...

Roslyn M. Brock

Roslyn McCallister Brock was recently named Chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Over the past 25 years, she has served the NAACP in several leadership roles. She is the youngest person and the fourth woman ever in the organization's history to serve as Chairman.

John Wood

At age 35, John Wood left an executive career track at Microsoft Corporation to form Room to Read, a nonprofit organization that "combines the heart of Mother Theresa with the scalability of Starbucks" to help children across the developing world break the cycle of poverty through the power of education. Razor-sharp ...