Kevin O’Leary was born on July 9th, 1954. As the son of a United Nations ILO official, he had the opportunity to live and be educated in Cambodia, Cyprus, Tunisia, Ethiopia, France and Switzerland.
Kevin attended the University of Waterloo where in 1977 he received an Honors bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and Psychology. He attended the Ivey Business School where he received his MBA in 1980. After working briefly as an assistant product manager at Nabisco Brands, he left to pursue a career in television production and became a founding partner in Special Event
Television, an independent production company that produced original sports programming such as “The Original Six”, “Don Cherry’s Grapevine” and “Bobby Orr and the Hockey Legends”.
Kevin co-founded SoftKey Software in 1986. SoftKey was the first software company to apply the principles of consumer goods marketing to the software industry. SoftKey grew quickly as the price of personal computers declined and millions of North American families began to buy software for family education and entertainment.
In January of 1994, SoftKey became a catalyst of consolidation in the software industry, raising over $ 1 billion in a series of debt and equity financings and completing the first trans-border three-way pooling, merging with Spinnaker Software and WordStar International. As a result of this merger the company moved its headquarters to Boston, Massachusetts. In late 1995, SoftKey acquired Compton’s New Media and The Learning Company. In early 1996, SoftKey completed the acquisition of the Minnesota Educational Computer Company. In late 1997 and early 1998, the company acquired three more of its competitors, Creative Wonders, Mindscape and Broderbund making Softkey the world leader in the development of educational, reference and home productivity software and the world’s second largest consumer software company with annual sales over $800 million, two thousand employees and subsidiaries in 15 countries.
In 1996 SoftKey changed its name to The Learning Company. In early May 1999, The Mattel Toy Company acquired The Learning Company for $4.2 billion. In 2003 he became co-investor and a director in Storage Now, a leading developer of climate-controlled storage facilities. Through a series of development projects and acquisitions, Storage Now became an owner/operator of storage services with facilities located in eleven cities serving such companies as Merck and Pfizer when it was acquired by the In-Storage REIT in March 2007 for $110 million.
In July of 2007 Kevin became a founding SPAC investor and Director of Stream Global Services Inc., focused on the growing outsourcing business services market.
Kevin O’Leary is the Chairman of O’Shares ETF Investments and Beanstox, an automated internet-based investment advisory service. He also holds investments in over 30 private venture companies across a wide range of sectors. He is a member of Boston’s 120-year-old Hamilton Trust, the oldest investment club in the US. He is a contributor to CNBC, ABC News and Good Morning America and an entrepreneur/investor co-host for the Discovery Channels Project Earth series that explores innovative ways man could reverse global warming implementing large scale geo-engineering infrastructure projects. He is also an investor/host of ABC Television’s four-time Emmy Award winning venture capital reality programs “Shark Tank” and “Beyond the Tank” produced by MGM/Sony/ABC.
Kevin O’Leary is an active photographer, watch collector, guitarist and author of three number #1 bestselling books “Cold Hard Truth”, “Men, Women and Money” and “Family Kids and Money”.
H.E. Ambassador Dame Didi Wong is a globally recognized business leader, angel investor, venture capitalist, and serial entrepreneur who has spoken at the United Nations for the Global Entrepreneurship Initiative. Knighted by the Royal Order of Constantine the Great and St. Helen of Spain, she is featured in Oprah Magazine as a “Woman Who Means Business” and has been honored with the Women Economic Forum’s “Woman of the Decade” Award in Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital. As an executive producer, she has worked alongside Hollywood icons such as Larry King, Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, and Oscar-winning filmmakers, and was a key figure in the multiple award-winning documentary “Impact.”
A guest judge and investor on the #1 digital business show “Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch,” H.E. Ambassador Dame Didi Wong has also been recognized by Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles for her contributions to women entrepreneurs, named a leading entrepreneur by both The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, and featured in Forbes, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox. She is the best-selling co-author of “Success Breakthroughs” with Jack Canfield and has served as executive producer of “SpeakUP” on Amazon Prime Video.
An acclaimed philanthropist, she co-founded the Minard Wong Foundation, sits on multiple boards including Cedars Sinai’s OB, Labor, Delivery & Postpartum Departments, serves as Ambassador for The Unstoppable Foundation, leads the Los Angeles Chapter of the International All Ladies League Women Economic Forum, and presides over the Western USA-India Chamber of Commerce. H.E. Ambassador Dame Didi Wong’s national and international accolades include a certificate of recognition from the City of Los Angeles, an award of Achievements, Recognition and Excellence from the National Council of Women under the Egyptian Government, and Ethiopia’s Victory of Adwa Medal for her support of the Ethiopian Crown Council.
Acknowledged by Forbes Magazine amongst the world’s youngest and most impactful individuals in the field of science, Kenneth F. Harris II is known for delivering thoughtful and dynamic leadership on programs of critical national and international importance.
Kenneth is a Senior Project Engineer for The Aerospace Corporation contributing to both DoD and NASA payload missions. In this role, Dr. Harris is responsible for developing procedures and implementing processes to defend on orbit satellites from physical and cyber threats.
Prior to this role, Dr. Harris served as the Deputy Lead Integration Engineer for the James Webb Space Telescope’s (JWST) Integrated Science Instrument Module Electronic Components (ICE). Dr. Harris led a team to successfully integrate, the main electronic payload of JWST, to the Backplane of the Optical Telescope Element (OTE) Primary Mirror. This was performed in North Americas largest cleanroom, the Space Systems Development and Integration Facility (SSDIF). Dr. Harris’ leadership on the JWST program ranks him as one of the youngest African Americans in NASA’s history to lead an integration effort on a multi-billion-dollar satellite mission.
Since joining NASA in 2008 as an intern, Dr. Harris has held positions of increasing responsibility including; Rocket Scientist, Senior Mechanical Engineer, and Integration & Testing Lab Manager. Dr. Harris’ honors and awards extend beyond his professional service to recognition of his tremendous leadership in the STEM field and international community. He served as the Vice Chair and District 7 Member of the Board of Education in his hometown of Prince George’s County Maryland from 2020- 2024. Through which he champions the importance of early STEM exposure and engagement. In 2018 Dr. Harris delivered a TEDx Talk. He was internationally recognized in the Project Management Institute Future 50 in 2020 for his incredible leadership at NASA on the local and international level. In 2023, Kenneth helped initiate the “PMI Chapter Student Clubs” program, fostering connections between industry professionals and local universities worldwide to cultivate the next generation of Project Managers, particularly from underrepresented groups. This initiative has impacted over 1600 students across Singapore, Kenya, Mumbai, Melbourne, and parts of North America. Dr. Harris also served as a host and correspondent for PBS Nova, The Smithsonian, and other science media sources.
Dr. Harris graduated with honors from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering; he then completed a Master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University in Engineering Management and a Doctor of Engineering degree at George Washington University.
A lifelong Maryland resident Dr. Harris, his wife, and two children reside in Maryland. When not leading space programs or impacting scholars, Dr. Harris enjoys fine cuisine, traveling internationally, and reading Science-Fiction.
Mexican-born director Wes Walker grew up in the border town of El Paso, Texas. Early promise in academics and track brought Wes to Stanford University on a scholarship at age 17 where he earned degrees in Psychology and Neuroscience. Chance then placed a camera in Wes’ hands and he has since taken the same high-achieving attitude and curiosity toward filmmaking. Upon leaving Stanford, Wes managed marketing internally and created films for Adobe & Tesla, and has since signed bold commercial work for Gatorade, Ford, Under Armour, Nike, Wrangler, Shiseido, BMW, and many others.
His 2024 SuperBowl commercial for Audi was Audi’s first ever Hispanic market advertisement and was met with strong success. Wes also shook the film industry with his pioneering Under Armour film on 2-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer Anthony Joshua – the world’s first AI-powered sports advertisement.
Led on by his passion for the outdoors, running, and backcountry skiing, Wes’ work in commercials takes on a signature intensity and visceral lens. His Afro-Latin heritage has led him to create work centered on the African Diaspora exploring the shared cultural roots of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa.
He also created music videos for the Bob Marley Estate, Joey Bada$$, Buju Banton, and Jidenna as part of Janelle Monae’s Wondaland Arts Society. His spot for Root Insurance, starring controversial NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, was hailed as “striking and powerful” by publications like AdWeek, AdAge, ESPN, and Fast Company.
AICP honored Wes with a ‘2022 Best New Director’ award. He was also named to the AdWeek Creative 100 as one of only ten film directors globally that year alongside Academy Award winners “The Daniel’s” and featured in the SHOOT 20th Annual 2022 New Director Showcase. Shots honored Wes with the 2021 ‘New Director of the Year’ award, along with Sound Design and Cinematography awards for his Root Insurance work. Other awards and shortlists include YDA Awards, AICP, ADC, Webby, Clio, Clio Sports, and Berlin Commercial awards.
Wes is currently Maui & Paris-based and represented by Bwgtbld, Gang, and Primo – world leading production companies.
Ms. Nichols is a New York Times best-selling author of No Matter What! and Abundance Now, and a contributing author to the iconic “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series. She gained international recognition as a featured teacher in the transformational film “The Secret”. Her influence has been spotlighted on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, The Today Show, The Steve Harvey Show, Extra, and NBC’s Emmy Award-winning Starting Over. Additionally, she has served as life coach to Steve Harvey, a globally renowned entertainer, best-selling author, and Emmy Award-winning TV host best known for hosting the iconic game show Family Feud and for building a multimillion-dollar media empire spanning comedy, television, radio, and philanthropy.
Ms. Nichols has received a Humanitarian Award in South Africa, the Ambassador Award for her global impact, the LEGO Foundation’s Heart of Learning Award for groundbreaking work in personal growth, and the Emotional Literacy Award for championing emotional intelligence. Cities across the United States have proclaimed “Motivating the Teen Spirit Day” and “Lisa Nichols Day” in honor of her tireless dedication to service, philanthropy, and healing. Ms. Nichols is a Founding Member of the Transformational Leadership Council, collaborates with major philanthropic organizations like Junior Achievement and Habitat for Humanity, and continues to transform lives by helping thousands of high school dropouts return to school and reunite with their families.
Ms. Nichols founded and leads Motivating the Masses, Inc.—one of the world’s foremost training companies—alongside her non-profit, Motivating the Teen Spirit, LLC, which has empowered over 270,000 teens and prevented more than 3,800 suicides.
Ms. Starland is an internationally acclaimed music producer, songwriter, and philanthropist whose groundbreaking work has earned her a Grammy nomination and recognition from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Best known for discovering and developing Lady Gaga, she has also collaborated with legendary artists including Moby, Snoop Dogg, and Sheryl Crow. Ms. Starland’s music has been featured in multi-platinum albums, hit television shows, and films, solidifying her as a force in the entertainment industry.
A United Nations speaker on global youth initiatives, Ms. Starland is also a model and entrepreneur, having represented luxury brands such as Morreale Paris and Barollo. She has graced the pages of top publications like Glamour and People, and her philanthropic efforts support arts education for underserved communities. Among her many accolades, she was named VH1’s “Best Emerging Artist” and remains a celebrated voice for creativity, empowerment, and innovation.
Mr. Claypool is the founder and managing partner of the Claypool Law Firm, a nationally recognized practice dedicated to representing victims of sexual abuse, civil rights violations, and social injustice. A former defense attorney for large corporations and government entities, he found his true calling in advocating for the voiceless after a life-changing case in 2006. With over 100 jury trials and an impressive 90% success rate in both state and federal courts, he has become a trusted champion for justice.
A survivor of the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, Mr. Claypool turned his personal trauma into advocacy, representing over 40 victims and helping secure an $800 million settlement with MGM Resorts. He has also been at the forefront of high-profile cases, including the Miramonte child sexual abuse case and advocacy efforts for victims such as Gabriel Fernandez. His groundbreaking work has earned him national attention and cemented his reputation as a tireless defender of victims’ rights.
In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Claypool is a sought-after media commentator, regularly appearing on Fox News, CNN, and Good Morning America to provide expert legal analysis. He is also the author of Break the Code of Silence: Raising My Voice to Protect Our Kids, a compelling book addressing child sexual abuse and the need for systemic reform.
A single father, Mr. Claypool brings a deeply empathetic and personal perspective to his work, inspiring others through his unwavering commitment to justice, accountability, and the protection of the vulnerable.
Jessica Nabongo is a global citizen, master storyteller, and travel expert, who is the first black woman to have traveled to every country in the world. Named one of the 50 Most Notable People in Travel, by Travel and Leisure, Jessica uses her platforms to educate and inspire others to experience the world around them and build a global community, with an emphasis on bringing untold stories to the world. Her first book, The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World, published by National Geographic, was an instant bestseller. She is currently working on her second book, Catch Me In the Kitchen, a cookbook to be published by National Geographic in 2026.
Jessica works as a public speaker and moderator which has led to speaking engagements across the globe including keynotes in the Maldives, Peru, and across the U.S. She has spoken for numerous Fortune 500 companies and moderated conversations for conferences, the Oscars as well as interviewing Madame Vice President Kamala Harris.
A first generation American, Jessica was born and raised in Detroit by Ugandan parents. She attended St. John’s University in New York where she earned a degree in English Literature, later completing a graduate degree at the London School of Economics. When she’s not on a plane, she is home tending to her plants in Detroit.
Mr. Garfin is a rising star in Hollywood, best known for his role as Jordan Kent in the critically acclaimed CW series Superman & Lois. An accomplished actor and voice artist, he began his career with appearances in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and The Peanuts Movie, where he brought Linus Van Pelt to life.
Beyond acting, Mr. Garfin is a passionate environmental advocate and a proud holder of United Nations ECOSOC credentials. His commitment to global youth and sustainability has been highlighted by his performance at COP27 in Egypt, where he championed environmental awareness. A graduate of the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, he is also an accomplished musician. Mr. Garfin continues to inspire audiences worldwide with his talent, advocacy, and dedication to creating a better future.
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