our 2026 lineup
Meet the speakers.
Sixteen Columbia changemakers across four sessions. Tap any face to watch their talk on YouTube.
Watch the full playlistLaying the Groundwork
Elise Partin
Mayor of Cayce
"One Thing That Can Make All Cities and Towns Better"
Why communities thrive with more women leaders and the practical approach needed to elect and support them.
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Tyson Keon Brown
Executive Director, Project OneWay
"Grow Up and Grow Old: Creating Cities of Lifelong Belonging"
Transforming cities by connecting young talent to real opportunities so they build and stay in the community long-term.
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Ivan Segura
Director of Multicultural Affairs, SC Commission for Minority Affairs
"Find Your Passion: Become a Pioneer"
Inspiring Latinos to use passion for advocacy to build stronger communities and expand representation.
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Shannon Ivey
Author, Founder of #whatshesaidproject
"Elephants Don't Ghost: What Colorectal Cancer Taught Me About Care"
What elephants and ring theory teach about centering and protecting vulnerable people and building stronger caring cultures.
Watch talkChallenging the Status Quo
Andrew Nye
Founder and CEO, Qatalyst Health
"Nowhere to Go: The Coming Nursing Home Crisis"
The looming workforce shortage in long-term care and how tech and policy must work together to protect aging Americans.
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Kimberly Smith
CEO, Health Evolve Technologies
"Reclaiming America's Birth Story"
Why maternal health outcomes improve when care moves beyond hospital walls into homes by blending devices, digital navigation, and social supports to close deadly gaps.
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Fabio Matta
Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, USC
"From the Ground Up: Hazard-Resistant Homebuilding with Dirt"
Using reinforced local soil to create affordable, sustainable homes that outperform traditional structures in extreme weather.
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Melissa Boylan, MD
Family Medicine Physician, Noreta Family Medicine
"The Doctor Will See You Now, For Real This Time"
Why direct primary care strengthens doctor-patient trust, improves access, and reduces system burnout.
Watch talkBuilding Belonging
Alvin King
Founder & Executive Director, Range Fore Hope Foundation
"FORE! Changing the Course of Community Healing"
How golf builds connection, restores identity, and supports healing for veterans and loved ones.
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Christina Jones
Licensed Professional Counselor, University of South Carolina
"When the World is Too Loud, Creating Spaces for Belonging"
Practical sensory environment changes — sound, light, and layout — that transform exclusion into belonging for neurodivergent people and everyone.
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Risdon Nichols Slate
Professor Emeritus of Criminology, Florida Southern College
"The Criminalization of Mental Illness"
Personal disclosure and systemic reform to reduce stigma and divert individuals with mental illness from incarceration toward treatment.
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Majd Abdallah
Founder, Foster Friendz
"Are We Doing Enough for Kids in Foster Care?"
A simple blue stuffed bear as a tool to raise awareness, ignite empathy, and mobilize community support for foster youth.
Watch talkStaying Aligned With Your Mission
Kevin Williams
Co-Founder, Drawbridge Solutions
"The Struggle is The Cure"
Generative AI is derivative, which is why human creativity is more crucial than ever for original solutions and careers.
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Tyler Robertson
Founder and CEO, Diesel Laptops
"Leading When You Are Not in Charge"
A practical leadership formula built on clarity, competence, character, and connection for influence without authority.
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Jordan Thomas
Co-Founder, share ONE love
"The Sport Remedy"
How sport biology and rhythm build regulation, connection, and resilience for youth on the margins.
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Matt Vaadi
CEO, guHRoo Payroll and HR
"Giving is the Most Selfish Thing You Can Do"
Giving early and often builds stronger companies, loyalty, and community impact.
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