Meet our Keynote Speakers

Marlee Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her film debut in Paramount Pictures’ Children of a Lesser God, for which she received the Academy Award for Best Actress. At 21, she became the youngest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar and only one of four actresses to receive the honor for her film debut. And in 2022, her Apple TV+ film CODA swept every category it was nominated in at the 2022 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. In 2021, Marlee was nominated once again as Executive Producer for the Live Action Short, Feeling Through.

Marlee has also starred in numerous television projects, including Seinfeld, The West Wing, Law and Order SVU, The L Word, Switched At Birth, The Magicians and Quantico, garnering four Emmy nominations along the way. In 2022, Marlee made her first foray into directing, being the first network television director who is Deaf for the Fox TV anthology drama, Accused.

In addition to her film, TV and stage work, Marlee broke barriers when she starred on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and in 2012, Marlee released her first app, appropriately titled Marlee Signs, teaching American Sign Language to millions of smart phone users. She has also penned three novels for children, as well as her New York Times best-selling autobiography, I’ll Scream Later.

In 1994, Marlee was appointed by President Clinton to the Corporation for National Service and in 2010, Marlee joined President Barack Obama at the White House in ceremonies celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In June 2022, Marlee was elected to the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, representing the Actors Branch.

Despite the odds, Marlee’s journey is an inspiration to everyone, regardless of the barriers they face and she has refused to let the naysayers get in the way of her dreams of success. As she so aptly stated, “The only thing I can’t do is hear. The rest is there for the taking.”

Tara Roberts spent the last seven years following, diving with, and telling stories about Black scuba divers as they search for and help document slave shipwrecks around the world. Her journey was turned into an award-winning National Geographic-produced podcast called “null” and featured in the March 2022 issue of National Geographic magazine. Tara became the first Black female explorer ever to be featured on the cover of the magazine. That same year, she was also named the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year. Currently, Tara is an Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society. Her book “Written in the Waters: A Memoir of History, Home and Belonging” hit stands in January 2025.
Tara is also a former magazine editor and indie publisher, a nonprofit communications director and editor of several non-fiction books for girls. 
She calls Atlanta home but loves to hit the road ... Her motto is - have suitcase, will travel.

Steve Young is a former NFL quarterback best known for his time with the San Francisco 49ers, where he earned three Super Bowl titles and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXIX. He was a 7-time Pro-Bowl selection, 2-time NFL league MVP, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005. Steve’s #8 jersey was retired by both the 49ers and the BYU Cougars and he remains one of the most celebrated figures in football history.

Beyond the field, Young is an accomplished author, broadcaster, and businessman. His book, The Law of Love, offers a heartfelt exploration of how unconditional love can transform relationships and communities. He is passionate about philanthropy through his Forever Young Foundation and is active in business as managing partner of HGGC.

Young and his wife, Barbara, are the proud parents of four children.

NASA engineer José M. Hernández wanted to fly in space ever since he heard that the first Hispanic-American had been chosen to travel into space. "I was hoeing a row of sugar beets in a field near Stockton, Calif., and I heard on my transistor radio that Franklin Chang-Diaz had been selected for the Astronaut Corps," says Hernandez, who was a senior in high school at the time. "I was already interested in science and engineering," Hernandez remembers, "but that was the moment I said, 'I want to fly in space.' And that's something I've been striving for each day since then." And now that hard work has paid off. He was selected to begin training as a mission specialist as part of the 2004 astronaut candidate class.

One of four children in a migrant farming family from Mexico, Hernandez -- who didn't learn English until he was 12 years old -- spent much of his childhood on what he calls "the California circuit," traveling with his family from Mexico to southern California each March, then working northward to the Stockton area by November, picking strawberries and cucumbers at farms along the route. Then they would return to Mexico for Christmas, and start the cycle all over again come spring

"Some kids might think it would be fun to travel like that," Hernandez laughs, "but we had to work. It wasn't a vacation."

After graduating high school in Stockton, Hernandez enrolled at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering and was awarded a full scholarship to the graduate program at the University of California in Santa Barbara, where he continued his engineering studies. In 1987, he accepted a full-time job with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory where he had worked as a co-op in college.

While at Lawrence Livermore, Hernandez worked on signal and image processing applications in radar imaging, computed tomography, and acoustic imaging. Later in his career, Hernandez worked on developing quantitative x-ray film imaging analysis techniques for the x-ray laser program. Hernandez applied these techniques in the medical physics arena and co-developed the first full-field digital mammography imaging system. This system has proven useful for detecting breast cancer at an earlier stage than present film/screen mammography techniques. Hernandez has won recognition awards for his work on this project. He has also worked in the international arena where he represented Lawrence Livermore and the U.S. Department of Energy on Russian nuclear non-proliferation issues.

During the astronaut application process, Hernandez had to meet with a review board. That's where he came face-to-face with his original inspiration: Franklin Chang-Diaz.

"It was a strange place to find myself, being evaluated by the person who gave me the motivation to get there in the first place," Hernandez says. "But I found that we actually had common experiences -- a similar upbringing, the same language issues. That built up my confidence. Any barriers that existed, he had already hurdled them."

Hernandez smiles. "Now it's my turn!

The Gardiner Brothers are five-time World Champion Irish dancers, viral content creators, and keynote performers who have captivated audiences worldwide. With over 8 million followers and 1 billion views on social media, they fuse traditional Irish dance with modern music and creative storytelling, earning recognition from global brands, media outlets, and celebrities.

Through high-energy corporate entertainment, keynote experiences, and brand collaborations, they inspire individuals and businesses to embrace innovation, teamwork, and the power of social media. As former principal dancers with Riverdance and stars of their own touring show, Unleashed, they bring world-class performance and innovation to every stage—both online and in person.

Jessica Soho is the most celebrated and most-awarded Filipino broadcast journalist in the Philippines.  Born on March 27,1964 and proudly Ilocano, she has forged an indelible legacy in the field of journalism.

Celebrating her 40th year in the Philippine broadcast industry, Soho has built a remarkable career marked by unparalleled achievements and widespread recognition both nationally and internationally. She made history as the first Filipino to win the esteemed GeorgeFoster Peabody Award, and is a two-time recipient—first in 1999 for her documentaries Kamao and Kidneys for Sale, and again in 2014 for her in- depth coverage of the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban.

She also became the first Filipino to be nominated for—and to win at the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards, and has been inducted into the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Awards Hall of Fame, having been named “Most Trusted TV Host for News and Current Affairs” for 13 consecutive years.

Soho holds the distinction of being the first alumna of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication to receive the prestigious Gawad Plaridel Award for Journalism.

A highly recognizable figure on Philippine television, Soho began her journalism career  in 1988 as a news reporter. She rose to become the First Vice President for News Programs at GMA News, playing a pivotal role in elevating the network to its position as the Philippines’ most trusted and dominant news organization, until her retirement in GMA News in 2014.

Known for her compelling storytelling and steadfast commitment to journalistic integrity, Soho continues to be a defining voice in Philippine media. She currently hosts Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho - GMA Network’s highest-rated, most-awarded, and the Philippines' No. 1 television show in 2024.

Her body of work spans investigative reporting, human interest features, and coverage of landmark events. With empathy, insight, and an unwavering dedication to  truth, Jessica Soho remains a pillar of credibility and excellence in journalism.

Arthur Antunes Coimbra, universally known as Zico, was born on March 3, 1953, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Zico earned the nickname “White Pelé” for his dazzling technical skills, vision, and prolific goal-scoring ability. His career as an attacking midfielder spanned over two decades, during which he became a symbol of excellence and creativity in football.

Zico began his professional career with Flamengo in 1971, where he quickly rose to prominence. He led the club to multiple domestic and international titles, including the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup in 1981. His club career also included successful stints with Udinese in Italy and Kashima Antlers in Japan, where he became a revered figure and earned the nickname “God of Football” among Japanese fans.

Internationally, Zico represented Brazil in three FIFA World Cups (1978, 1982, and 1986), scoring 48 goals in 71 appearances, making him the fifth-highest scorer in Brazilian national team history. Although Brazil did not win the World Cup during his tenure, the 1982 squad he led is still considered one of the most iconic teams in football history.

Renowned for his free-kick mastery, Zico is believed to have scored over 100 goals from direct free kicks, with 62 verified in official matches. His ability to bend the ball with precision and power remains unmatched, and he is often cited among the greatest set-piece specialists in football history.

After retiring from playing in 1994, Zico transitioned into coaching and football management. He notably coached the Japan national team, leading them to victory in the 2004 Asian Cup and a strong showing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. His managerial career also included roles with Fenerbahçe, CSKA Moscow, Olympiacos, and Iraq, among others.

In recent years, Zico has continued to contribute to football as a technical adviser for Kashima Antlers and as a global ambassador for the sport. He played a pivotal role in the development of beach soccer in Brazil during the 1990s, helping to formalize the sport and inspire a new generation of players.

Zico’s legacy is defined not only by his achievements but also by his humility, sportsmanship, and enduring influence on the global football community. His story remains a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes and fans around the world.

Stephen T. Rockwood er administrerende direktør i FamilySearch International, en verdensomspennende ideell organisasjon som drives av Jesu Kristi Kirke av Siste Dagers Hellige. Før han begynte i FamilySearch, spesialiserte Rockwood seg på å skape unike servicetilbud til kunder over hele verden, for varemerker som MasterCard International, AT&T, Disney, Office Depot og Citibank, blant andre. Han startet også to selskaper som senere ble kjøpt opp av større selskaper. Den siste tiden har Steve vært direktør for den internasjonale avdelingen i FamilySearch.