Erik Weihenmayer is a world-class adventurer, the first blind man to summit Mount Everest, and one of only 150 mountaineers to climb the Seven Summits. His latest and most demanding adventure is kayaking the 277 miles of the Grand Canyon. One of the most exciting and well-known athletes in the world, he never let his lack of vision interfere with his quality of life. Weihenmayer’s feats have earned him incredible press coverage and dozens of awards. He is also the author of two books and addresses leadership, teamwork, overcoming adversity, motivation, and inspiration.

As the highest-ranking Asian American in the history of the U.S. Navy, Ambassador Harry B. Harris Jr. oversaw all military operations for more than half of the world’s geography as Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM). Widely regarded for his leadership, Amb. Harris was selected to serve by two presidential administrations – first to lead in one of the military’s most challenging roles at a critical time when the U.S. confronted the rise of new world powers and nuclear threats, and later as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

Doug Rauch, a legendary former president of Trader Joe’s, was instrumental in leading the company’s transformation from a 7/11 knockoff to what Fortune magazine called the “hottest retailer in the U.S.” In eye-opening presentations, he shares insights on building a great business based on culture, innovation, leadership, and teamwork. He shows leaders how to push for new and better ways to perform, and audiences walk away with knowledge of how to create a self-sustaining culture of innovation, build a brand in a competitive marketplace, and lead with a purpose.

A 21-year veteran of the United States Air Force, Colonel Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) wanted to fly military jets from the moment she saw them at her first air show when she was five years old. She achieved that goal – and then some. A leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, an instructor, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame, Nicole’s Air Force career exceeded her wildest dreams.

At the complex intersection of global politics, economics, investment, and financial markets sits Jeffrey Garten. Few experts can boast such high-level experience in both government and business, as well as a deep knowledge of the global economic picture. He has earned an unparalleled reputation. His experience, from the emerging markets to the dean’s office at the Yale School of Management, has made him a hot commodity for organizations whose survival depends on a clear picture of the state of the global economy and the underlying implications of America’s policies.

Throughout his action-packed, hair-raising combat career, retired Navy SEAL Commander Rorke Denver successfully led his troops through unforgiving special forces missions in challenging, do-or-die environments in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and other international hot spots. Having overseen every phase of training for the U.S. Navy SEALs, Denver has lived what it takes to succeed in fast-moving environments where chaos is all around you and there’s no guarantee that you’ll live to fight another day. Denver’s own experiences provide the basis for the sough-after lessons he shares with audiences as he helps teams and individuals live and perform at their highest level, even when it seems like everything is working against them. The principles he shares are also featured in his New York Times bestseller Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior and in his second book, Worth Dying For: A Navy SEAL’s Call to a Nation. He is also widely recognized as one of the stars of the Hollywood action film “Act of Valor,” and has also been featured alongside John Cena on FOX’s hit show, “American Grit.”

Ambassador Ken Adelman is the former arms control director for President Ronald Reagan and the author of Reagan at Reykjavik: Forty-Eight Hours that Ended the Cold War. He offers a dramatic, first-hand look into the president’s character and leadership, showing executives what they can learn from the president during one of his finest and most challenging moments. With its cliffhanger plot, powerful personalities, and sweeping significance, this summit was the key turning point in the Cold War, and Adelman is a superb storyteller as he provides an honest and up-close portrait of Reagan.

Adam von Gootkin is a globally recognized innovator and risk-taker who has revolutionized the spirits industry with his unique approach to traditional business principles. Carrying on his family’s entrepreneurial legacy in the spirits industry, which began in the 1800s and continued through the prohibition era and into the present day, von Gootkin is the co-founder and CEO of Highclere Castle Spirits and the co-founder of Highclere Castle Cigar Co. A visionary in every sense of the word, von Gootkin has built an empire on foundations of authenticity and has re-written the rules for how organizations can spark innovation on the path to radical success.

A geopolitical strategist and forecaster, Mr Zeihan combines topography, economics, demographics, history and culture to craft the future. He approaches the world from his clients' points of view, distilling global complexities into actionable items, leaving audiences with clear concepts of what cannot happen, what must happen eventually, and what will happen very soon.

John Foley creates an experience that transcends the traditional keynote. He has been recognized as one of the top ten most in demand speakers because of his high energy content and delivery. Using footage from inside the cockpit of the Blue Angels F-18 and behind the scenes documentary video, John creates an audio visual experience along with his deep knowledge of leadership and high performance.

A leading expert on practical solutions for closing 'skills gaps' that deter organizational performance, the strategic impacts of changing workforce demographics, the leader’s critical role in managing talent, and how to accelerate the transfer and retention of critical knowledge, Dr. David DeLong has helped leaders in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, aerospace and defense, utilities, government, technology, and finance build a smarter workforce for almost two decades. Through customized presentations, he reveals strategies for building a Millennial-friendly culture, maximizing the value of veteran workers approaching retirement, developing new leaders faster, improving knowledge transfer across generations, and effectively managing organizational changes to build tomorrow’s workforce. He is the president of consulting firm, David DeLong & Associates, which helps clients solve the challenges created by a changing, and aging, workforce: Aging baby boomers, restless Gen-Xers, and promising Millennials. David has spoken for and consulted with numerous different organizations such as MetLife, American Council of Life Insurers, the Federal Reserve Bank, Farm Credit System, Microsoft, MasterCard, Lockheed Martin, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Ernst & Young, and Accenture. He has written numerous books and his work has been widely cited in major publications such as the New York Times, Fortune Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, Harvard Business Review Blog, CIO Magazine, US News & World Report, and The Boston Globe.

Kevin Asbjörnson is a composer, pianist, inspirational speaker, and author. He focuses on the areas of global leadership, creativity and innovation in the workplace, and coaching for performance and potential. With the idea that high-impact leaders have a lot in common with artists, he explores the artistry of leadership while demonstrating techniques through live piano performances. His presentations are fresh and entertaining, with solid content and messaging.