Speakers
The Social Innovation Summit program elevates, inspires, and mobilizes cross-sector action spanning the corporate, philanthropic, investment, policy, cultural, civil society, and innovation landscape. Our diverse mix of speakers help frame the conversation.
Please see our latest 2026 speakers below and check back for updates on the 2027 lineup!
2026 Speakers
Aisha Glover
Al Roker
Alex Quian
Alexis Roe
Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble
Andre Dickens
Andrea Avtjoglou
Andrea Wood
Anjali Verma
Ann Marie Chock
Asha Varghese
Aylin Oncel
Barbara Bouza
Ben Weigher
Dr. Bernice King
Bonnie Barczykowski
Callie Majors
Casey Ryu
Catherine LaCour
Celia Moreno
Chad Houser
Christopher Henry
Cindy Nguyen Thomas
Claire Casey
Claire FitzGerald
Dakota Ortiz
Dale Strange
Dale Winkler
Daniel Boyd
Danielle Bedasse
Dr. Dave Dimmett
Deborah Leiter
Debra Feinberg
Debra Whitman, PhD
Diana Blankman Roberts
Diana Fischer
Don Howard
Emily Blum
Emily Musil
Emma Bloomberg
Emma Macan Roberts
Dr. Eric Goodman
Erika M. Smith
Erin Izen
Ezekiel Brooks
Francesca de Quesada Covey
Gerry Rodriguez
Greg Wise
Hana Haile-Mariam
Hannah Cassimere
Heather Meloy
Holly MacDonald
Ingrid-Saunders Jones
Irisaida Méndez Iriarte
Jackie Martin
Jake Wood
Dr. Jamie Rife
Jean Accius
Jennifer Sirangelo
Jenny Lawson
Jesse Feister
Jessica Pliska
Jim Balfanz
Jo Christine Miles
Joel Pollick
Chef José Andrés
Jordan Boger
Julia Backon
Julia Furnari
Julian Fitzgerald
Julie Hirshey
Justin Hall
Kaeden Rowland
Kalisha Dessources Figures
Kasumi Quinlan
Kate Nack
Katie Ray-Jones
Katrina McGhee
Keefe Harrison
Kelly McGraw
Kenrick Fraser
Kevin Martinez
Khalil Hayes
Larry Miller
Lauren Coape-Arnold
Lauren Lake
Lauren Stovall
Lex Chalat
Lidia Soto-Harmon
Lisa Burgess
Lyndsay Harris-Kyei
Mana Purdy
Margaret Mitchell
Matt Smith
Maya Moore
Meg Fosque
Mel Ochoa
Melanie Salas
Meredith Seacrest Leach
Dr. Michael Lomax
Michelle Grogg
Mike Marriner
Mohammed AL Samawi
Monique Baptiste
Nandana Menon
Nicole Mead
Nina Prakash
Odessa Jenkins
Oliver Libby
Otiti Uwagbai
Patricia McLoughlin
Rainn Wilson
Randevyn Piérre
Rembrandt Flores
Reuben Ogbonna II
Rick Whitted
Robert “Kool” Bell
Rosalyn Kennedy
Sam Glassenberg
Sara Huston
Saskia Levy Thompson
Shabnam Mogharabi
Shana Douglass
Sharisse Kimbro
Sharon McMahon
Shayon Green
Shebani Patel
Shruti Sehra
Sophie Rifkin
Sonya Passi
Stacey Abrams
Stephanie Smith
Stephanie Wizorek
Steve Harvey
Steve Max
Mayor Steven L. Reed
Sultan Shakir
Susan Murray
Tessa Eddy
That Quirky Bird Girl, Steph
Tramaine EL-Amin
Utaukwa Allen
Uthra Ramaswamy
Wazhma Wesa
Dr. Wendy Mihm-Herold
Wm. Jahmal Miller
Xian Horn
Yannick Doumde
Yvette Renteria
Zeev Klein
Dr. Zeinab Hijazi
Speaker Inquiries
Social Innovation Summit year-round events feature blockbuster speakers and industry thought leaders in a variety of formats, including main-stage keynotes and panel discussions, interactive breakouts, roundtable discussions, experiences, and VIP social events.
Please note that while we will continue to accept submissions for this year’s program, we will be unable to respond to each one.
Nominate a Speaker
Meet Our Speakers
The Social Innovation Summit program elevates, inspires, and mobilizes cross-sector action spanning the corporate, philanthropic, investment, policy, cultural, civil society, and innovation landscape. Our diverse mix of Speakers help frame the conversation.
Previous Social Innovation Summit speakers include…
Nomination FAQ
Throughout the year, the SIS Programming team curates the most compelling content, elevating top industry thought leaders and luminaries, CSR, ESG, & DEI executives, social impact practitioners, cultural icons, and other special guests to fill our speaking roles.
We invite you to review the following FAQs ahead of submitting an application:
Speaker Guidelines
Who can I nominate?
We welcome all types of nominations, whether a colleague, client, or yourself. You may nominate a particular individual, or even a group of individuals for an entire proposed session. Regardless of the nature of your nomination, please be sure to clarify your relationship to the proposed speaker in your application.
Who are you looking for?
Everyone! Our speakers range from the most influential and well-known business leaders and cultural icons, to the undiscovered kid-scientist who will one day change the world. The only key parameter is that we are looking for individuals who are mission-driven and passionate about social impact.
Are speakers compensated?
While we are unable to offer speaker honorariums, we are from time to time able to assist with travel and accommodation for speakers in demonstrated need.
Nomination Process
How do I suggest a speaker?
Please use our Nomination Form and provide the speaker’s essential details: bio/background, content focus, and links to website profiles, news articles, or past engagements. This information goes directly to our programming review team, who will follow up with each applicant.
Is there an application deadline?
When can I expect to hear back?
Our programming committee reviews nominations on a rolling basis. Please note that we are no longer able to respond to each inquiry for this year’s program.
Can I become a speaker via SIS partnership?
Yes and No. While many of our SIS partners also contribute thought-leadership as a speaker, our Partnerships team does have a set of parameters to validate and ensure the content and messaging is relevant, mission-oriented, and authentic for our audience. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a partner in addition to a speaking role, please just let us know inside your speaker application.
Additional Questions?
We want to hear from you!
For any additional questions, or to follow-up on an existing application, don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our SIS Programming Team, who will be happy to assist:
Zak Miller














