Volunteerism Speakers

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 ...

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 ...

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.

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. Wozniak is also the founder of Wheels of Zeus, a company which created wireless GPS technology. He is a philanthropist who contributes large amounts to schools for state of the art technology ...

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 newest book, Secrets of a Soap Opera ...

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 ...

Bruce Jenner

Jenner captivated the world when he broke the world record in the decathlon at the 1976 Olympic games. In the years since his athletic achievements made him world famous, he has become a highly respected motivational speaker, sports commentator, entrepreneur, commercial spokesperson, television personality, actor, ...

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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

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. ...

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, ...

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, ...

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.

Betty Williams

In 1976, Williams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to help end the decades of violence that permeated Northern Ireland. As President of the World Centers of Compassion for Children, she works with other fellow Nobel Laureates in trouble spots throughout the world where the cause of peace and safety of ...

Jimmy Carter

Thirty-ninth President of the United States, Carter now serves a global constituency, monitoring elections and mediating wars in other nations. Through his work with Habitat for Humanity and his nonprofit Carter Center, he continues to serve his country and humanity by promoting peace and well-being thoughout the world.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

The first female Lt. Governor of Maryland, Kennedy Townsend has carried the Kennedy legacy in serving the people of our nation. With faith and religion consistently crossing over into the political realm, she has written Failing America’s Faithful: How Today’s Churches are Mixing God with Politics and Losing Their ...

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 ...

Jennifer Jako

AIDS Activist. Ten years AIDS survivor. Award-winning director of MTV's "True Life: It Could Be You". Certified AIDS educator. Infected with HIV as a teen, Jako channels her insight, high energy and humor into an honest personal discussion of AIDS in the media, choices and the meaning of life.