2025 Conference Keynotes
Adam Grant has been Wharton’s top-rated professor for seven years. He has been recognized as one of the world’s 10 most influential management thinkers and Fortune’s 40 under 40. He is the author of multiple #1 New York Times best-selling books that have sold millions of copies and been translated into 45 languages—including Hidden Potential, Think Again, Give and Take, and Originals. His viral piece on languishing was the most-read New York Times article of 2021 and the most-saved article across all platforms.
Adam’s TED talks on givers and takers, languishing, and original thinkers have been viewed more than 35 million times. He received a standing ovation at TED, and his speaking and consulting clients include Google, the NBA, the Gates Foundation, and the World Economic Forum, where he has been honored as a Young Global Leader. He hosts the TED podcasts Re:Thinking and WorkLife; writes on work and psychology for The New York Times; and has served on the Defense Innovation Board at the Pentagon. He has over 8 million followers on social media and shares monthly insights in his newsletter, GRANTED.
Adam received his B.A. from Harvard and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He is a former magician and junior Olympic springboard diver.
Yemi Penn is a fearless thought leader who empowers individuals to create their own memo—taking charge of their lives by writing their own scripts. An engineer by profession, an entrepreneur by passion, and a Curious Rebel by mission, she has successfully built and run three businesses. Now, through her PhD research at La Trobe University, Yemi explores the alchemy of transmuting pain into power, driven by her desire to challenge the status quo and discover new ways of being.
Yemi’s journey is one of inspiring leaders to embrace transformation, curiosity, and resilience. She believes that in today’s ever-evolving landscape, true leadership comes from those willing to step into the unknown and rewrite outdated narratives. By blending the creative art of filmmaking with her analytical mind, Yemi shifts her life’s purpose to raising the vibration of acknowledging and healing individual and collective trauma. In a world that has faced profound challenges over the past few years, she shares practical tools for igniting rebellious curiosity—empowering leaders and communities to inspire, transform, and foster collective well-being.
After battling depression, suicide, and drug addiction, Justin Wren experienced a life-changing journey living with the Mbuti Pygmy people of the Congo Basin Rainforest. When he returned he founded Fight For The Forgotten, to knockout the world water crisis, which today has expanded its impact to serve the Batwa Pygmies of Uganda. Justin has a deep-seated belief & ability to empower people to stoke the fire that is within us all.
Justin "The Big Pygmy" Wren is a 10 time State Champion, 5 time All American, and 2 time National Champion Wrestler, UFC veteran,and has been inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame. His MMA record is 15-2.
As a humanitarian he's the Founder and CEO of the non-profit Fight for the Forgotten, also authoring a bestselling book with the same name through Simon & Schuster publishing.
Justin's transformative storytelling Ignites a fire in the human soul that inspires and empowers us to take action that leads deeper purpose, high performance, and long-lasting change and impact.
Justin has inspired millions through his appearances on the Joe Rogan Experience (9x), Mike Tyson's HotBoxin', the Ed Mylett Show, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and TEDx Talks, along with his book, Fight for the Forgotten. Today he is the host of his own inspirational podcast, Overcome with Justin Wren and a globally recognized keynote speaker.