Global economics by Morton Shapiro, Ph.d, President of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, USA

Professor of economics, President Schapiro is the President of Northwestern University and among the nation’s leading authorities on the economics of higher education. He has written more than 100 articles and nine books including: Cents and Sensibility. Prior to Northwestern he was the president of Williams College and the Chair of the Economics Department at the University of Southern California. Morton is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Education. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Hofstra University and his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. Click HERE to watch President Shapiro’s talk.

on leadership by Bob Whelan, Head of School at Greens Farms Academy (GFA) in Wesport, CT, USA

Bob is the Head of School at Greens Farms Academy, a coeducational independent school pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade serving 715 students in Wesport, CT.. Previously, Bob served as the Head of School at Lake Forest Country Day School in Lake Forest Illinois. Prior to working in Independent Schools, Bob was the Director of the Parents Leadership Program at Brown University. Bob holds a Master’s Degree in Education, Policy, and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a BA in Philosophy from Brown University.

Click HERE to watch Bob’s talk.

BRAND BUILDING by KELLY COVENY, MFA, Creative DIRECTOR of MILK Advertising agency, in CT, USA

Kelly is an award-winning advertising executive, poet, essayist, writer, and musician. She has written and published a number of book titles including Empire of Disruption: The Circuitous Path to Human Connection, and she publishes a blog called Curious Pilgrim. Kelly has written, sang and co-produced two CD’s, and she is also the creator, producer and host of Evolve The Conversation salon series. Kelly received her BA in Creative Writing from Northwestern University and her MFA in Poetry and Nonfiction from Fairfield University.

Click HERE to watch Kelly’s talk.

ON PUBLIC SPEAKING, a 4-part series by Stephen Stout, Director of Theater Programs at Greens Farms Academy in westport, CT, USA.

Stephen, a veteran of the professional stage as both actor and director, is currently the Director of Theatre Programs at Greens Farms Academy in Westport. He teaches grades 8-12 with a full curriculum of theatre studies and directs all the upper school productions.  Former Artistic Director of Passage Theatre in New Jersey, founding Artistic Director of Fairfield Theatre Company, and actor on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in many regional theaters across the country are among his credits, along with a smattering of TV, film and commercials. Click HERE to hear Stephen talk about his personal passion.  

 Click HERE to watch Professor Stout’s talk about public speaking, part 1. Click HERE to watch part 2 about public speaking. Click HERE to watch part 3 about public speaking.Click HERE to watch part 4 about public speaking.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE by Jennifer Boyd, P.A., Founder of Boyd Wellness in westport, ct, USA

Jennifer is a licensed Physician Assistant and a certified Reiki Master. She is the Chairwoman of the Board of Epidemic Answers and on the medical advisory board of Documenting Hope. Jennifer has completed extensive post-graduate education and certifications in Functional and Biological Medicine, Somatic Movement Therapy. She received her B.A. in International Relations from Syracuse University; her post-graduate training in reproductive health technologies at the Brooklyn Hospital Center/Long Island University; and her P.A. and B.S. from The University of Rochester. Jennifer is also a Master's candidate in EcoPsychology and Somatic Movement Instructor. Click HERE to watch Jennifer’s talk.

on Pre-Med Passion by northwestern student Nathalie Boadi.

Nathalie, 18, is a Sophomore at Northwestern University with an intended major in either Neuroscience or Biology. Nathalie is on the pre-medical track and has the goal of working in underserved communities of color. Nathalie was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She continues to spread her love for medicine and health equity by volunteering with a group called Peer Health Exchange, in which she teaches students in Chicago Public High Schools about their health rights and informs them about health resources within their communities. Outside of the classroom, Nathalie enjoys spending time with her loved ones, exploring Chicago, dancing, and conducting research. 

Click HERE to watch Nathalie’s talk.

For the love of biology by Jack Owen, a pre-med student at Northwestern University in evanston, illinois, usa

Jack is a sophomore at Northwestern University, studying Theatre and Biological Sciences. Jack has always been inspired by the complexity of life, and how that complexity compounds upon itself over time through the process of evolution. Jack is always trying to find the intersection between art and science, particularly interrogating the question "what makes us human", both physically and symbolically! Jack is excited to share his passion for biology, and to talk about how our knowledge of our bodies has propelled society forward, and how it will continue to do so in the future! Click HERE to watch Jack’s talk. Click HERE to watch Jack’s talk about biochemistry.

Entrepreneurship for teens by Charlotte OXNAM, Biomedical Engineering Student in Evanston, ILlinois, USA

Charlotte is a biomedical engineering student at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She is also the Founder of Breaking the Barrier, an online secondary language learning curriculum aid that uses video chats to help students with learning a second language, as well as Cue the Curves, an online platform designed to support young plus size women.
Click HERE to watch Charlotte’s talk.

On listening & Decision Making by Randy Paris, CEO, of BrewBike in austin, texas, usa

Randy is the Chief Operating Officer of BrewBike, a company that exists to empower young people with a coffee company they can start at their college. Prior to BrewBike, Randy served at the Obama White House, where he worked on personnel, operations, and innovation policy. He started his career in 2007 as a volunteer on the Obama campaign when he was 19 years old. He got his B.A. from Wake Forest University, with a focus on political science and religion, and got is M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, with a focus on entrepreneurship and finance.

Click HERE to watch Randy’s talk about the importance of listening.

Click HERE to watch Randy’s talk about decision making.

Environmental eDUCATION by Shaaban Fundi, Ph.D., founder of Kibogoji experiential learning CENTER, Inc. in Tanzania.

Dr. Fundi has 16 years of professional and academic experience focusing on marine research techniques, environmental research and education. He is the founder of Kibogoji Experiential Learning Center, Inc (KELI), a non-for-profit whose mission is to bridge technological and instructional quality gap between urban and rural students of all levels in Tanzania. Dr. Fundi earned his M.S. in Education from the Johns Hopkins University; M.S. in Environmental Science from the Towson University both of Baltimore, Maryland; and a B.S. degree in Marine Biology and Microbiology from the Dar Es Salaam University of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. He successfully defended his PhD in Education at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia concentrating on curriculum design, educational research methodologies, evaluation and assessment. Click HERE to watch his talk and HERE for PART II and Dr. Fundi’s academic challenge.

on Giving Back to the Community by Zawadi Sakapalla-Ukondwa

Zawadi Sakapalla-Ukondwa is the founder of M&R Construction Group Inc. in the U.S., as well as the Founder of Sakapella Comunity Center in Mtoni Kijichi, Tanzania. She has spent her life giving back to those in need and has extensive experience working in the philanthropic sector. Click HERE to watch Zawadi’’s talk.

On abundance and the importance of giving back by Felista Kemilembe Tirutangwa

Felista is the Managing Director of Holistic Business Management and Consultancy Co. LTD and the Founder and Director General of Mercy Foundation in Tanzania. She is passionate about loving others and helping solve challenges facing the vulnerable group of people and community at large. Click HERE to watch Felista’s talk.