The Promise of Tomorrow

Leigh-Ann A. Buchanan, Esq., is a writer, facilitator and strategic advisor. Her body of work leverages over 15 years of experience as an attorney, DEI and social impact practitioner to explore how equity intersects with tech, innovation and social investment to transform organizations and communities. Leigh-Ann’s insights and ideas have been featured in NY Times, Inc. Magazine, NPR, PBS, Bloomberg, the American Psychological Association, ABA Law Journal and others. She works with public, private and philanthropic organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies, family offices to private foundations to improve internal culture and social investment outcomes by helping their leaders build their capacity to accelerate equity.

Jen Fisher is a leading voice on workplace well-being and creating human-centered organizational cultures. She’s a sought-after speaker and writer on the importance of mental health and social connection to workforce resilience, happiness, and productivity. Jen is the Life-Work Integration Editor-at-Large for Thrive Global and the host of WorkWell, a podcast series on the latest well-being trends. She’s also the co-author of the book, Work Better Together: How to Cultivate Strong Relationships to Maximize Well-Being and Boost Bottom Lines. As Deloitte’s first chief well-being officer, Jen evolved the US organizations health and wellness program into a first-of-its-kind holistic and inclusive well-being strategy. In her role, she pioneered the conversation around mental health at work that launched Deloitte’s Mental Health program focused on creating positive and meaningful behavior change for Deloitte’s people. Jen is a healthy lifestyle enthusiast and seeks to infuse aspects of wellness in everything she does. She believes self-care is a daily pursuit and considers herself an exercise fanatic, sleep advocate, and book nerd! As a breast cancer survivor, she is passionate about advocating for women’s health and sharing her recovery journey. Jen lives in Miami with her husband, Albert and dog, Fiona.

Landolf Rhode-Barbarigos is a Civil and Architectural Engineering Assistant Professor at the University of Miami with secondary affiliations in the Ocean Sciences and the School of Architecture. He is an expert in structural morphology investigating the relationship between structures, their form, function, material and forces. He focuses on lightweight structures, such as tensegrity systems, as well as coastal applications, including ecofriendly solutions for shoreline protection.

Gina Chavez is a multi-ethnic, Austin native is a queer, Catholic, internationally-acclaimed Latinx pop artist who is redefining Latin music in Texas and beyond. A 12-time Austin Music Award winner—including 2015 Musician of the Year and 2019 Best Female Vocals—Chavez is an Austin icon. And word is getting out. With more than a million views on her NPR Tiny Desk, an hour-long PBS special, and a 12-country tour through Latin America, the Middle East and Central Asia as a cultural ambassador with the U.S. State Department, Chavez is ready for a bigger stage. One glance at the cover of her new bilingual album and you’ll understand why.

Romero Britto, founder of the Happy Art Movement, is an internationally renowned artist who has created an iconic visual language of happiness, fun, love, and hope all its own inspiring millions worldwide. Brazilian-born and Miami-made, Romero has made it to the top and is considered one of the most famous and celebrated living visual artists in the globe.

Charles Renfro joined Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) in 1997 and became a Partner in 2004. He led the design and construction of the studio’s first concert hall outside of the US - The Tianjin Juilliard School in China - as well as the studio's first public park outside of the US - Zaryadye Park in Moscow. Charles has also led the design of much of DS+R's academic portfolio, with projects completed at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Brown University, the University of Chicago, and the recently completed Columbia Business School. Charles is also leading the design of two projects in his native Texas: the renovation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Kalita Humphreys Theater in Dallas, and Sarofim Hall, a new home for Rice University’s Visual Arts department in Houston. Charles is the Co-President of BOFFO, a nonprofit organization that supports the work of queer LGBTQ+ BIPOC artists and designers. He has twice been recognized with the "Out100" list, and also distinguished as a notable LGBTQ leader by Crain's New York Business. He is a faculty member of the School of Visual Arts.

Dr. Radlauer-Doerfler is a leading expert in the social influences of mental health and uses her experience to create impact within communities, systems, organizations, and individuals. Her approach is collaborative, creative, and curious as she strives to educate utilizing unique avenues including media, stage production, video production, podcasting and writing. She has extensive experience in behavioral health, public health, and organizational development for more than 25 years. She is a national expert in behavioral health, Wraparound, social support, and social connectedness and uses this knowledge to further mental wellness. Her research on structural racism in the behavioral health field has led to the development of a national curriculum designed to create more equitable systems. She is passionate about addressing behavioral health challenges in communities and speaks widely on the topic.

Ralph Echemendia is a world-renowned cyber security expert, known internationally by his alter ego “The Ethical Hacker.” For over 20 years, Ralph has delivered training on hacking and other security information to corporations including the US Marine Corps, NASA, Google, Microsoft, Oracle, AMEX, Intel, Boeing, Symantec, and IBM.

Karen Guggenheim is a pioneer in the global happiness movement, a leader in promoting the science behind wellbeing to an international audience, and a motivational speaker inspiring people about how to grow post trauma and rebuild a life focused on meaning, purpose, and happiness. She the creative force behind the World Happiness Summit®, the leading wellbeing conference promoting the benefits of an evidence-based approach to increase happiness in all areas of life. She is also CEO of WOHASU®, the comprehensive wellbeing ecosystem named after the Summit that is inspiring a fast-growing movement sending a positive rippling effect around the world.