KARITH FOSTER

Monday Opening Keynote

Lessons in Leadership, Listening, and Laughter

 

For over a decade, Karith Foster has given presentations and training at top companies like Estée Lauder Companies, Berkshire Hathaway companies, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and top law firms like Fenwick & West. She has spoken at academic institutions including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Brown University and Emerson University. Her expertise is also sought after by industry associations like SHRM, CTIA, the US Chamber of Commerce, and the US Institute for Legal Reform. Karith has also shared a stage with Brené Brown at SHRM's 2019 national conference, emceed SHRM's 2022 conference, introducing Arianna Huffington and former President George W. Bush, and has been a repeat lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business for nine years. 

Before founding INVERSITY's groundbreaking diversity and belonging programs, Karith worked in Human Resources at Estée Lauder's corporate headquarters for a decade after a career in broadcast journalism at ABC’s The View. Notably, Karith co-hosted MSNBC’s Imus in the Morning nationally syndicated show, was featured in two hit documentary films, and her TEDx talk "The Art of Defying Stereotypes," received accolades in The Washington Post and TIME Magazine. Her 25-year passion for stand-up comedy led to TV and radio appearances on Oprah, The Today Show, and Comedy Central. Karith is an alumna of Stephens College and Oxford University.

As a speaker, humorist, diversity expert and bestselling author of You Can Be Perfect or You Can Be Happy, Karith creates seismic shifts in DEIB through INVERSITY's methodology. Her blend of wisdom and humor inspires audiences to commit to inclusion and belonging. As CEO of INVERSITY Solutions and founder of non-profit F.R.A.M.E., Karith leverages her background in media, HR and comedy to transform challenging conversations into opportunities for growth, embracing her motto: "If you can laugh at it, you can get through it" – an invaluable lesson she seeks to instill in others.

RUBEN GONZALEZ

Tuesday AM Keynote

Becoming Unstoppable:  Success Secrets of an Unlikely Four-Time Olympian

 

Why would ANYBODY in his right mind want to jump on a sled and hurl himself down an icy mountain at over 90 miles per hour?

When Ruben was 21 years old, he took up the sport of LUGE and started training for a dream.

Four years... and a few broken bones later, Ruben realized his quest by competing in the Olympics.

But he didn’t stop there...

When Ruben raced in Vancouver at the age of 47, he became the first person to ever compete in four Winter Olympics in FOUR different DECADES.

As he says: “It doesn’t mean he’s good, it just means he’s OLD!” Ruben’s the author of the best selling book, “The Courage to Succeed.”

Ruben speaks around the world about how to become unstoppable on the way to your goals.

Get ready to be inspired to “Go for the Gold.”

JOHN REGISTER

Wednesday Closing Keynote

   Amputate Fear:  Transform Adversity       into Advantage         

 

John Register failed to clear a hurdle as he trained for the Olympic Games—a move that led to a tragic accident and altered his life forever.  He shifted his focus and embraced a “new normal mindset.”  The decorated Persian Gulf War combat U.S. Army veteran world champion became a two-time Paralympic Games Silver Medalist, professional speaker, and global influencer. 

Register “amputated his fears” and founded the U.S. Olympic Committee Paralympic Military Sports Program.  He authored 10 Stories to Impact Any Leader: Journal Your Way to Leadership Success in Spring 2020 and works with business leaders to hurdle adversity, amputate fear, and embrace a new normal mindset to win life's medals.

The artificial leg he used to win the silver medal is displayed in the Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado.