Ai-Jen Poo is a labor leader and MacArthur Fellow transforming the care economy. She organizes for dignity, accessibility and justice for domestic workers while building broad coalitions that uplift caregivers and families nationwide.
President, National Domestic Workers Alliance & Co-Founder, Caring Across Generations
Sara Bleich is Vice Provost for Special Projects and Professor of Public Health Policy at Harvard University. An expert in diet-related diseases, food insecurity and accessibility, she served as Director of Nutrition Security and Health at the USDA. Bleich is a White House Fellow and National Academy of Medicine member.
Vice Provost for Special Projects at Harvard University
Yoo-Jin Kang is a communication scholar exploring storytelling, culture and representation. Her research examines how participatory media empowers communities, strengthens identity and drives meaningful social change.
Assistant Professor of Communication, University of Maryland
Marjan Safinia is an Iranian documentary filmmaker exploring identity, community and justice. She co-directed the acclaimed series And She Could Be Next. An Academy member, she serves on several boards, including Chicken & Egg Pictures and co-hosts The D-Word podcast.
Founder & Creative Director, Empathetic Media
Ross Kauffman is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker telling human-centered stories that inspire empathy and social awareness. Known for Born Into Brothels and E-Team, he explores resilience, justice and transformation through visual storytelling.
Documentary Filmmaker & Director
John Passacantando, former Executive Director of Greenpeace USA, has over two decades of experience in environmental protection. He founded Ozone Action, led groundbreaking climate change campaigns and now runs the Eco-Accountability Project. Known for nonviolent civil disobedience, he holds a master’s in economics and teaches global strategy.
Former Executive Director of Greenpeace USA
Amy Simon, founding partner at Goodwin Simon Strategic Research, brings 30 years of political experience as a pollster and strategist. She specializes in public opinion research for public policy, ballot measures and campaigns in over 40 states. She is known for her expertise on complex social issues and effective messaging for progressive causes.
Partner at Goodwin Simon Strategic Research
David Morse is a cultural insights leader guiding brands on connecting authentically with all audiences. His research and consulting empower organizations to communicate inclusively and thrive in an increasingly multicultural marketplace.
CEO & President, New American Dimensions
Tom Shroder is an award-winning writer and former Washington Post Magazine editor, crafting stories that reveal the human experience. Author of several acclaimed nonfiction books exploring memory, conflict and creativity.
Author, Journalist & Editor
Chad Boettcher is a strategic communications and social impact expert helping organizations tell stories that inspire purpose and action. Former ABC and Univision executive driving authentic storytelling at the intersection of media and change.
Founder & CEO, True North Media
Viviane Seyranian is a social psychologist specializing in leadership, social identity and communication. Her research explores how group dynamics and collective identity can inspire positive behavioral and organizational change.
Associate Professor of Psychology, Cal Poly Pomona
W. Kent Fuchs is a higher education leader and engineer dedicated to advancing research excellence, innovation and student success. As UF’s former president and Cornell provost, he fostered global collaboration and elevated academic distinction.
President Emeritus, University of Florida
Anat Shenker-Osorio is a political strategist, author and founder of ASO Communications. She advises progressive movements on effective message framing that inspires action and unity. Host of the Words to Win By podcast and author of Don’t Buy It, her Race-Class Narrative work has shaped campaigns worldwide.
Principal and Founder of ASO Communications
Yael Lehmann is a veteran nonprofit leader driving partnerships, health and food-system innovation. With experience at The Common Market and now at Families USA, Yael builds cross-sector coalitions and mobilizes resources for accessible, community-centred impact.
Chief Administrative Officer, Families USA
Sivan Sherriffe is a creative communications specialist focused on social policy and access. At CLASP, Sivan integrates design, digital strategy and outreach to amplify research and stakeholder engagement around children, families, labor and justice.
Graphic Design / Digital Specialist, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
Joel Simon is a seasoned press freedom educator and communications leader with over 20 years in nonprofit journalism protection. He is the founding director of the Journalism Protection Initiative at CUNY and was Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists for 15 years. Joel has negotiated with world leaders, led international press freedom campaigns and authored award-winning work on global policy and journalist safety.
Founding Director of the Journalism Protection Initiative at CUNY
Jenn Weber is a communications strategist with 18+ years of experience advancing progressive change. She specializes in awareness, coalition building, messaging and campaign strategy. Known for clear, diplomatic guidance, she helps organizations plan, fund and mobilize. She leads Jennifer Weber Public Affairs.
Principal at Jennifer Webber Public Affairs
Jim Ross is the founder of Telegraph, a national strategic communications firm with 20+ years of experience in public affairs and campaign strategy. A recognized expert, he’s managed political campaigns and shaped communications for all clients. He studied at Saint Mary’s College of California.
Founder and Owner of Telegraph LLC
Matthew C. Sheehan, journalist and MBA, is on the journalism faculty at the University of Florida and managing director of the Center for Public Interest Communications. A former Washington Post editor and media executive, he teaches storytelling, engagement, leadership and emerging media innovation.
Managing Director of the University of Florida Center for Public Interest Communications
Jenny Lawson is a four-time New York Times bestselling author and creator of The Bloggess. Known for her irreverent humor and candid writing on human-nature, she also owns Nowhere Bookshop in San Antonio. Lawson’s work has earned her numerous awards and a devoted following for blending humor with honesty.
Senior Director, Corporate Communications at Lendin Club
Carlos Roig is a strategist and communicator with 20+ years of experience leading communications in health, science, tech, finance, higher ed and digital media. He’s directed high-performing, multi-platform teams and built strong partnerships to drive impactful initiatives.
Founder and Principal of Clear Hill Strategies
Bobby Jones is a bestselling author, international speaker and social impact entrepreneur. As co-founder of Good is the New Cool and Conspiracy of Love, he helps global brands harness business and culture as forces for good. His work inspires purposeful leadership and creative action to drive social and cultural change.
Co-Founder of GOOD IS THE NEW COOL
Diane McFarlin led UF’s College of Journalism and Communications for eight years, overseeing 100+ faculty and 3,000 students. Under her leadership, the College grew enrollment and expanded research and interdisciplinary classes, launched The Agency, earned major awards and advanced strategic initiatives in communication innovation.
Dean Emeritus, Univeristy of Florida College of Journalism and Communications
Erin Birx Hart is the founder and president of Hart Strategies, a San Francisco-based firm driving social change through strategic communications in health, environment, education and justice. Formerly of Spitfire Strategies and the Moore Foundation, she teaches at the University of Oregon and is a leader in public interest communications.
Founder and President at Hart Strategies
Ai-Jen PooPresident, National Domestic Workers Alliance & Co-Founder, Caring Across Generations
John PassacantandoFormer Executive Director of Greenpeace USA