Commencement Speakers

Tim Cook has served as CEO of Apple since 2011, leading the company to become one of the most valuable businesses in history with a market cap exceeding $3 tril...

Eight-time Grand Slam champion, Olympic gold medalist, and one of sport's great paradoxes — a man who admits he hated tennis in his autobiography 'Open' but bec...

EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) and the first Black man to achieve this distinction, co-founder of Show Me Campaign for education advocacy, and a passio...

Founder and CEO of Citadel, one of the world's most successful hedge funds, and Citadel Securities. A major philanthropist who donated $300 million to Harvard, ...

Steve Harvey is a multi-talented entertainer, comedian, television host, and author known for his humor, charisma, and motivational messaging. His career spans ...

Coach K, whose real name is Mike Krzyzewski, is a renowned basketball coach, mentor, and inspirational speaker....

Two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion, and widely considered the greatest female soccer player of her generation who inspired...

'The Science Guy,' mechanical engineer, comedian, author, and passionate science educator who has spent decades making science accessible and exciting for young...

Lawrence Summers is Harvard President Emeritus, former Treasury Secretary under Clinton, and former NEC Director under Obama. He has been involved in key econom...

Sir Ken Robinson was an educator and creativity expert whose TED Talk 'Do Schools Kill Creativity?' is the most-watched TED Talk in history with over 70 million...

will.i.am is a Grammy-winning musician, tech entrepreneur, and founding member of the Black Eyed Peas. He founded i.am+, a technology company, and has been a vo...

Stanford psychologist and author of 'Mindset' who developed the foundational concept of growth mindset versus fixed mindset that has transformed education, pare...

BBC presenter, University of Manchester physicist, and author of 'Wonders of the Universe' who has become the world's most recognizable science communicator sin...

Bestselling YA author of 'The Fault in Our Stars' and host of Crash Course educational YouTube with billions of views. He speaks on writing, education, mental h...

British celebrity chef and food activist who has campaigned for healthier school meals and better food education worldwide. He speaks on food education, childho...

US Senator from Vermont whose two presidential campaigns energized a progressive movement around healthcare, education, and wealth inequality. He speaks on demo...

Grammy and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter known for her soulful guitar work who advocates for music education in schools. She speaks on creativity, music educa...

Mark Pollock is an inspirational speaker and athlete who became the first blind person to trek to the South Pole and continues to push the boundaries of human p...

An iconic television host, author, and literacy advocate best known for Reading Rainbow, LeVar Burton is a passionate speaker on education, literacy, and the po...

An Olympic swimmer and record-breaking distance swimmer, Diana Nyad is an inspirational speaker on perseverance, pushing human limits, and never giving up. Her ...

Mayim Bialik is an acclaimed actress, neuroscientist, and author with a PhD in neurobiology from UCLA. Beyond her entertainment career, she is a passionate advo...

Ashley Judd is an acclaimed actress, humanitarian, and advocate who has been vocal on issues including gender equality, human rights, and personal resilience. S...

Laura Bush is a former First Lady, teacher, and literacy advocate who has championed education and women's rights globally. Her decades of advocacy work and lea...

Bestselling author and speaker on motivation, work, and human behavior. Pink's research-based insights on what motivates people have influenced business and edu...

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a basketball legend and NBA's all-time leading scorer who has leveraged his platform for social activism, education, and cultural comment...

Legendary author with numerous bestsellers and cultural impact, Stephen King is one of the most prolific and influential writers of our time. His insights into ...

Philanthropist and advocate for global development, Melinda Gates has spent decades focused on improving health, education, and economic opportunity globally. H...

Malala Yousafzai is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and global advocate for education and women's rights who survived a targeted attack by the Taliban. Her powerfu...

Jill Bolte Taylor is a renowned neuroanatomist, author, and inspirational public speaker....

Jerry Linenger is a retired NASA astronaut, medical doctor, retired US Navy flight surgeon, and author who has become an inspirational speaker....

Ursula Burns became the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company when she was named CEO of Xerox in 2009, where she led a major transformation of the bus...

Verne Harnish is the founder of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and CEO of Scaling Up, a global executive education and coaching company. His bestselling book ...

Nido Qubein arrived in the United States as a teenager with no English, no money, and no contacts, and built a remarkable career as a business leader, philanthr...

Peter Senge is a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and author of 'The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization,' ...

David Kelley is the founder of IDEO and the Stanford d.school (Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford), two institutions that together have had an outsi...

Andrew Ng is one of the world's leading AI educators and researchers, co-founding Coursera, Google Brain, and deeplearning.ai and serving as a former Chief Scie...

Serial entrepreneur, multiple NY Times bestselling author, real estate investor, and America's most successful infomercial personality for over two decades. He ...

Co-host of the beloved show 'MythBusters,' maker, and storyteller who has become one of the most enthusiastic advocates for science, curiosity, and hands-on lea...

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of the 1619 Project at The New York Times who sparked one of the most significant debates about American history i...

Russell Wilson is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback known for his mental toughness, preparation, and community involvement. He co-founded the Why Not You Foundat...

Arne Duncan served as U.S. Secretary of Education under President Obama and as CEO of Chicago Public Schools. He is now a managing partner at the Emerson Collec...

Sal Khan is the founder of Khan Academy, the free online education platform that has served over 100 million students worldwide. Starting with YouTube math tuto...

Tara Westover authored the memoir 'Educated,' which sold over 8 million copies and chronicles her extraordinary journey from a survivalist family in Idaho to ea...

The first African American woman in space, physician, engineer, and founder of the 100 Year Starship project to make human interstellar travel possible. She spe...

Professor of animal science at Colorado State University, autism advocate, and the subject of an acclaimed HBO biopic who revolutionized livestock handling and ...

Author of 'Rich Dad Poor Dad,' the #1 personal finance book of all time with over 40 million copies sold, which changed how millions think about money, assets, ...

Theoretical neuroscientist, AI entrepreneur, and co-founder of Socos Labs who is one of the most fascinating thinkers at the intersection of AI and human potent...

Author of 'Me and White Supremacy' which began as a 28-day Instagram challenge and became an international bestseller used in corporate and educational settings...

World-class entertainer and comedian known for high-energy performances, Jeff Civillico combines comedy with motivational messaging. His unique blend of enterta...

Inspirational duo whose remarkable friendship and cross-country journey demonstrated extraordinary perseverance and human connection. Their story of overcoming ...

Michael D Rich is a leading expert on urban policy, education, and social equity at the RAND Corporation. His research informs policy discussions on improving o...

Steve Gleason is a former NFL player who has become an inspirational speaker and advocate after being diagnosed with ALS. His remarkable story of perseverance, ...

Charles Best is the founder of DonorsChoose, a nonprofit platform that has empowered millions to support education in America. His insights on social entreprene...

Scotty Smiley is a retired U.S. Army officer and the first blind active-duty officer in U.S. military history, known for his extraordinary resilience and inspir...

Richard Gerver is an education innovator and organizational change specialist who has transformed schools and businesses through visionary leadership. His exper...

William Bennett is a former U.S. Secretary of Education, bestselling author, and political commentator with decades of expertise in education policy, values, an...

Rick Rigsby is an inspirational speaker and author who has overcome personal tragedy to become a motivational force for audiences worldwide. His powerful messag...

Hasard Lee is an inspirational speaker and author who has overcome quadriplegia to become a powerful voice on resilience and human potential. His authentic stor...

The inspirational figure behind the iconic film 'Rudy,' Rudy Ruettiger is a motivational speaker who embodies the power of perseverance and determination. His s...

An actor, producer, and faith-based speaker, Kirk Cameron is known for his work on family values, personal development, and inspirational topics. His motivation...

A former SEAL team member and combat veteran, Jason Redman overcame severe combat injuries to become an inspirational speaker on resilience, leadership, and ove...

An internationally recognized education leader and author, Todd Whitaker specializes in school leadership, teacher motivation, and organizational culture. His p...

Bestselling author and motivational speaker, Jon Acuff helps people pursue their passions and define success on their own terms. His energetic talks focus on pu...

Bestselling author and education expert, Doug Lemov is known for his work on teaching excellence and instructional techniques. His research-based approach to im...

Former NBA player and recovery advocate, Chris Herren speaks candidly about his journey through addiction and redemption. His powerful story of survival and tra...

Hall of Fame baseball player and comeback story icon, Darryl Strawberry has overcome personal challenges to become an inspirational speaker. His experiences in ...

Daughter of Malcolm X and civil rights advocate, Ilyasah Shabazz carries forward her father's legacy of empowerment and social justice. Her work with youth and ...

Theoretical mathematician and tech entrepreneur, Olympia LePoint brings scientific expertise to discussions of artificial intelligence and innovation. Her uniqu...

Professor and cultural critic, Mark Anthony Neal explores hip-hop, race, and popular culture. His scholarly yet accessible analysis of contemporary culture make...

NASA astronaut and aerospace physician, Yvonne Cagle brings space exploration expertise and visionary thinking to her speeches. Her unique perspective on innova...

Young inventor and TIME's first-ever 'Kid of the Year,' Gitanjali Rao is revolutionizing how we think about young innovators and problem-solving. Her work in us...

Former Enron CFO turned ethics speaker, Andrew Fastow provides insider perspective on corporate fraud and ethical failure. His cautionary tale and commitment to...

Anti-racist educator and author, Tim Wise addresses issues of racial justice and white privilege with academic rigor and accessibility. His work has influenced ...

Ron Clark is an award-winning educator and founder of the Ron Clark Academy, known for innovative teaching methods that transform student engagement and achieve...

Aly Raisman is an Olympic gymnast and advocate for abuse survivors who spoke out against sexual assault in sports. She is an inspirational speaker on resilience...

Michelle Gielan is a researcher, bestselling author, and speaker specializing in resilience science and positive psychology in the workplace. She conducts resea...

Erik Weihenmayer is a blind mountaineer who has summited Mount Everest and the tallest peaks on all seven continents, earning him the title of National Geograph...

Freeman Hrabowski is a renowned educator and president of UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County), known for his groundbreaking work in STEM education a...

Alex Guarnaschelli is a renowned chef, restaurateur, and TV personality known for her appearances on Food Network and as a judge on cooking competition shows. S...

A civil rights pioneer and children's advocate, Ruby Bridges is the first African American child to attend an all-white elementary school in the American South....

Mark Rober is an engineer, inventor, and YouTube creator with millions of followers who create engaging science and engineering content. His ability to make com...

Hulk Hogan is a legendary professional wrestler and entertainer whose charismatic personality shaped wrestling and pop culture. His motivational talks on overco...

Bell Hooks is a groundbreaking author, educator, and cultural theorist known for her work on race, gender, and class. Her intellectual contributions to feminist...

Michele Borba is an educational psychologist and bestselling author specializing in child development, emotional intelligence, and character development. She is...

Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic figure skating champion and philanthropist dedicated to youth education and health. She speaks on athletic excellence, perseveran...

Former NASA astronaut and current Director of the Johnson Space Center, Ellen Ochoa is a pioneering engineer and leader in space exploration. Her groundbreaking...

Jeremy Utley is an innovation strategist and design thinking expert who teaches and consults on creative problem-solving and innovation methodology. His experti...

Tania De Jong AM is an Australian singer, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker who has overcome significant health challenges to build a successful career and...

Mike Rayburn is a comedian, musician, and motivational speaker known for his high-energy programs combining humor, music, and inspiration. He has performed for ...

John Kriesel is a former U.S. Army officer and combat veteran who lost both legs in Afghanistan. He is an inspirational speaker on resilience, recovery, and ove...

Kyle Maynard is a motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur, and athlete who has become an inspirational figure for many around the world....

Liz Murray is a renowned motivational speaker, author, and advocate for education who has transformed her life from homelessness to Harvard....

Mick Ebeling is an award-winning producer, author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, renowned for his captivating and inspirational speeches....

Richard Montañez is an inspirational speaker, author, and former janitor turned executive at PepsiCo....

Dorie Clark is a marketing strategy consultant, executive coach, and professional speaker who teaches executive education at Duke University's Fuqua School of B...

Barry Posner is the Accolti Endowed Professor of Leadership at Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business and co-author, with Jim Kouzes, of 'The Leader...

Bestselling author of 'On Fire' who survived burning 100% of his body as a nine-year-old child and chose to inspire others with his story. Named the #1 Inspirat...

Known as 'Flo-Jo,' Florence Griffith Joyner set world records in the 100m and 200m at the 1988 Seoul Olympics that still stand today, and became a global fashio...

Reshma Saujani is the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, which has reached hundreds of thousands of girls and closed the gender gap in computer science. Her TED...

Pat Flynn founded Smart Passive Income, building it from a blog into a multimillion-dollar media and education company. He has helped thousands of entrepreneurs...

Wendy Kopp founded Teach For America in 1990 and Teach For All, expanding the model to 60+ countries. She turned her Princeton senior thesis into one of the mos...

Geoffrey Canada is the founder of the Harlem Children's Zone, a pioneering anti-poverty initiative that has become a national model for comprehensive community-...

British polar explorer who completed the longest polar journey in history — a 105-day, 1,800-mile return trip to the South Pole. His TED Talk on why bother leav...

Co-author of 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' with Robert Kiyosaki and author of 'Think and Grow Rich for Women' who has dedicated her career to financial literacy education...

Former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford and author of 'How to Raise an Adult' who challenged helicopter parenting culture with evidence and compassion. She speaks o...

Author of 'A Long Way Gone,' a memoir about his experience as a child soldier in Sierra Leone who was rehabilitated and eventually educated at Oberlin College. ...

Founder of Room to Read who left a senior position at Microsoft to build an international nonprofit that has impacted over 40 million children in the developing...

Gerry Brooks is a motivational speaker and personal development coach who focuses on empowerment and goal achievement. He brings practical and inspirational per...

Technology and innovation leader who has served in senior roles focused on advancing digital literacy and educational technology. Culatta is a sought-after spea...

The Evasons are a dynamic speaking duo known for their engaging presentations on personal development and motivation. Their interactive approach resonates with ...

Ariel Waldman is a space technologist and entrepreneur who has worked with NASA and developed innovative approaches to citizen science and space exploration. Sh...

Greg Gadson is a retired U.S. Army officer and motivational speaker who lost both legs in combat and has become an inspiration for resilience and perseverance. ...

Marc Prensky is an author and innovator who coined the term 'digital natives' and explores how technology is transforming learning and society. His forward-thin...

Chantel Prat is a neuroscientist and researcher studying brain plasticity and cognitive development in the context of technology. Her scientific expertise provi...

Andre Norman is an inspirational speaker and author who transformed his life from incarceration to becoming a motivational force and advocate for criminal justi...

Anne Curzan is a linguist and scholar specializing in language evolution, grammar, and communication. Her engaging perspective on language, culture, and meaning...

Allie K. Miller is a motivational speaker and author focused on personal empowerment and positive psychology. Her dynamic presentations inspire audiences to tak...

An education leader and superintendent, Joe Sanfelippo is passionate about school leadership, innovation in education, and organizational transformation. His wo...

Dr. Adolph Brown is an educator, speaker, and author focused on empowerment, motivation, and personal transformation. He works with students, educators, and cor...

An author and speaker, Pam Tebow shares wisdom about faith, family, and resilience drawn from her experience as the mother of NFL player Tim Tebow. Her inspirat...