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.

In an eminent career dedicated to public service and built on fighting “impossible” battles, Doug Jones has often been the voice for those who did not have one. He turned the tide in his home state of Alabama when, in 2017, he became the first Democrat from the state to win a U.S. Senate seat in 25 years — making national headlines and shocking the establishment in the process. While on Capitol Hill, he solidified his reputation as a legislative force and consensus builder who played a key role in passing more than two dozen bipartisan bills into law in just three years. During his tenure, he was a member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee; the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Committee on Aging. He also served on the Homeland Security Committee for one year prior to joining the Armed Services Committee. Jones is widely respected for his commitment to common-sense “kitchen table” politics that seeks to tackle the toughest issues of the day and drive America forward.

Michael J. Durant is the best-selling author of In the Company of Heroes and the inspiration for the movie Black Hawk Down. He was the sole survivor of the helicopter crash caused by a Somali-fired grenade and held as a prisoner of war for 11 days. Prior to his time in Somalia, Durant had participated in combat operations in the Persian Gulf, Panama, and Kuwait. A highly-decorated soldier, his awards include the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Medal. He addresses leadership, teambuilding, growth, and his experience as a soldier and as a hostage.

One of the brightest minds in economics, Matthew Slaughter addresses the near-term challenges facing the economy with an eye on the future. He is a member of the Congressional Budget Office’s Panel of Economic Advisors and was a member on the White House Council of Economic Advisors. Approachable and enthusiastic, he makes practical sense of economic data and shares insights on opportunities, emerging markets, trade, investments, and policy – offering organizations the numbers they need to put the economic situation in the right perspective.

Dr. Lior Zoref is a researcher, advisor, TED speaker, and author of the best-selling book, Mindsharing – the art of crowd sourcing everything about the power of collective intelligence. His book was translated to many languages and was listed by Inc. magazine as one of the best books for entrepreneurs along with books by Richard Branson, Elon Musk, and Tony Hsieh. Dr. Zoref has been invited to speak at some of the world’s most innovative organizations, including Google, MIT Media Lab, Columbia University, The White House, Nike, Microsoft, and LinkedIn.

Peter Sheahan is the former CEO of Karrikins Group – a global growth-oriented consulting firm focused on elevating their clients to be the obvious choice in the hearts and minds of their customers, communities, and employees. Peter is known internationally for his innovative business thinking and thought leadership. With staff in more than 23 cities across 7 countries, he knows firsthand the challenges of growing a business in these rapidly-changing times. Peter has advised leaders from companies as diverse as Apple, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Hyundai, IBM, Pfizer, Wells Fargo, and Cardinal Health.

Steve Baskis is an inspirational blind veteran and adventurer. Just eight months into his deployment to Iraq, his squad was attacked. A roadside bomb severely wounded Baskis, but, despite his injuries, he amazed his doctors with his recovery and attitude. An “adrenaline junkie,” he was eager to test his potential and push the boundaries of what disabled people are perceived capable of doing. He has since competed in athletic competitions and summited mountains. Baskis addresses motivation, inspiration, overcoming adversity, humanitarian efforts, and pushing the limits of human potential.

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.

Pat Toomey represented Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate from 2011 to 2023. Sought out by his colleagues for his views on economic and tax policy, financial regulation, and budgetary issues, Senator Toomey was labeled by the Philadelphia Inquirer as "a leading voice on money matters." As a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Toomey successfully led the 2017 tax reform effort culminating in the passage and enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—the most sweeping tax reform in over 30 years. Capping his twelve-year service on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Senator Toomey served as the committee’s senior-most Republican from 2021 through 2023. In that post, he helped recruit and confirm many highly qualified nominees to the nation’s most powerful regulatory bodies. When necessary, he also blocked ill-suited nominees. He focused on restoring disciplined monetary policy post-Covid; overseeing all Federal financial regulators; and he developed a blueprint for the regulation of stablecoins, among other things. Senator Toomey previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives for six years. Honoring his pledge to limit himself to three terms, he did not seek re-election to the House in 2004. In addition to his public service, the senator has also worked in the financial services industry, trading and managing a portfolio of fixed income derivatives. He served as president of the Club for Growth and owned and operated a small restaurant chain in the Lehigh Valley, PA with his brothers. Senator Toomey has been a frequent guest on CNBC, NBC, Bloomberg, FOX and FOX Business. His editorials have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer, among many other publications. He has over 190,000 Twitter followers. A 1984 graduate of Harvard University, he lives in the Lehigh Valley, PA with his wife, Kris, and their three children.

Shaun Rein is the author of the best-selling book The End of Cheap China: Economic and Cultural Trends That Will Disrupt the World and the managing director of the China Market Research Group. He is one of the preeminent thought leaders on strategy consulting in China. Millions read his regular column in Bloomberg Businessweek. In an engaging and informative presentation, he details the cultural and economic trends that affect doing business in China, the U.S.-China relationship, and the opportunities arising in one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

Michael A. Smerconish is the nationally-syndicated SiriusXM Radio talk show host of The Michael Smerconish Program, the host of CNN’s Smerconish on Saturday mornings, a newspaper columnist, and a New York Times best-selling author. He has often been recognized for his radio work. Talkers magazine has consistently named him one of America’s most important talk show hosts. Using the perfect blend of analysis and humor, he delivers an engaging, thought-provoking, and balanced dialogue on today's political arena and the long-term implications of the polarization in politics.