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















