Bradley Tusk is an American businessman, venture capitalist, political strategist, and writer. He is the founder and CEO of Tusk Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on investing in early-stage startups in regulated industries. His foundation Tusk Philanthropies, is working to bring mobile voting to the United States. He is also the chairman of IG Acquisition Corp, a SPAC planning to acquire a business in the leisure, gaming, and hospitality industries. Tusk is the host of the podcast Firewall, a columnist for Fast Company, and author of The Fixer: My Adventures Saving Startups from Death by Politics.
He previously served as the campaign manager for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's successful 2009 re-election bid, as Deputy Governor of Illinois, as Communications Director for US Senator Chuck Schumer, and as an early political advisor to Uber. Bradley Tusk was raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and Nassau County, Long Island. Tusk graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where he received his BA in 1995. He has a JD from the University of Chicago Law School, which he received in 1999.
Tusk began his career in politics as an undergraduate student working for the former Mayor of Philadelphia, Ed Rendell. After graduating from college, Tusk became the spokesperson for the New York City Parks Department and helped run various divisions of the agency, most notably launching a successful campaign to change the way New Yorkers obey the leash law. Tusk later returned to serve as Senior Advisor to New York City Parks Commissioner Henry Stern,
Tusk then joined U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer as Communications Director from 2000-2002, handling communications, strategy, and policy for the Senator, most notably in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks on New York City. In 2009, Tusk was named campaign manager for Michael Bloomberg's bid for a third term as Mayor of New York City. While the campaign kept to internal deadlines and made no serious missteps, he believed that the large staff was becoming complacent. The staff was reportedly unhappy about him requiring them to work until 8 pm every night.
&nbsp;After Bloomberg's re-election, Tusk joined his administration Michael Bloomberg, as special advisor to the mayor. He led a successful effort to rewrite the New York City Charter to allow Bloomberg to serve a third term. He also assisted with creating the Mayor's campaign promise index, making Bloomberg the nation's first public official to report each campaign promise's status publicly.
Tusk returned to New York City politics a decade later as an advisor and strategist for Andrew Yang's campaign in the 2021 New York City mayoral election, playing a unique role as both co-campaign managers were employees of his firm. After referring to Yang as an "empty vessel" in a March interview, critics warned that “Tusk could essentially be the shadow mayor for New York, while he is representing the interests of big corporate clients.”&nbsp;
Tusk responded to the allegations, declaring, “if we win, I will not lobby or talk with the new mayor — nor anyone in a Yang administration — on any matter that intersects with our work” in a statement. After Yang lost by an unexpectedly wide margin, Yang's former advisers criticized Tusk Strategies for avoiding freewheeling press conferences that were a feature of his Presidential campaign.&nbsp;
After serving as Deputy Governor of Illinois, Tusk was hired as a senior vice president at Lehman Brothers, where he created the lottery monetization group and headed all of its efforts regarding U.S.-based lotteries. Combining his background in finance and politics, Tusk developed a successful framework to help states monetize their lotteries.
In 2015, Tusk ran a public affairs campaign for Uber that included television, radio, and digital ads as well as direct mail and grassroots organizing in opposition to a cap on rideshare vehicles proposed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The campaign argued that "the company was good for the city, providing jobs and transportation for less affluent residents in the outer boroughs." The bill was dropped before it reached a vote.&nbsp;
After the campaign's success in New York City, Tusk moved on to other places like Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Denver, and Washington, D.C. For his representation of Uber, Tusk was compensated with equity in the company, estimated to be worth $100 million. The experience also provided him with exposure to the world of venture capital, and Tusk Ventures was launched two weeks after the New York City victory.

Bradley

Steve Harvey is an American actor, comedian, television host, author, and radio personality who has had an incredibly successful career in entertainment. He is best known for his work on The Steve Harvey Show, Family Feud, and Little Big Shots.
Harvey was born in Welch, West Virginia, in 1957 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1984, he got his start as a stand-up comedian. That same year, he was a finalist in the Johnnie Walker National Comedy Search. In 1990, Harvey was cast in The Steve Harvey Show, a hit situation comedy that aired on the WB Network.
Harvey became a household name in 2000 when he began hosting the long-running game show Family Feud. For his work, he won seven Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host. In 2015, he began hosting Little Big Shots, a show that showcases the talents of children, which also earned him an Emmy nomination.
Harvey has also had a number of acting roles in television and film, including a recurring role on the sitcom The Parkers and a starring role in the movie Johnson Family Vacation. In addition, he has written multiple books, including the New York Times Best Seller Act Like a Lady and Think Like a Man.
Throughout his career, Harvey has been active in charitable works. He created the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation, which focuses on empowering youth and families, and he is an ambassador for the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign, which provides life-saving bed nets to families in Africa.
Harvey is an incredibly successful entertainer, and his influence can be seen in many different areas of entertainment. His work has been recognized by multiple Emmy Awards and other accolades, and he continues to be an important figure in the industry.
Harvey is also well-known for his ability to make people laugh. He has performed comedy shows across the country and is often featured on late-night talk shows. He is a frequent guest on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and has also hosted the BET Awards and the Miss Universe Pageant.
In addition, Harvey is a regular contributor to the radio show The Steve Harvey Morning Show, which is broadcast in over 70 markets in the United States and around the world. He is also the host of Steve Harvey’s Funderdome, a competition show on ABC that gives inventors the opportunity to pitch their products to a live audience.

Steve

Chris Anderson is the Head of TED, a non-profit organization devoted to spreading ideas through short, powerful talks. He is also the founder of TEDx, a program that allows communities and organizations to host TED-like events.
Anderson has been involved with TED since 2001 and took over as Head of TED in 2002. Under his leadership, TED has grown into a global phenomenon, with talks being viewed by millions of people in more than 100 languages. He has also been instrumental in expanding the reach of TED by making the words available for free online and by launching the TEDx program.
In addition to his work with TED, Anderson is also an entrepreneur and author. He is the founder of several successful companies. In addition, he has written several books, including "The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More" and "TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking."
Anderson is a firm believer in the power of ideas to change the world, and he has dedicated his career to promoting this idea through TED. He is a charismatic and dynamic speaker and has been praised for his ability to bring together diverse groups of people to share their thoughts and inspire change.
Anderson is also known for his innovative approach to curation, which has helped to make TED one of the most respected and widely-watched platforms for ideas. He has a keen eye for identifying new and emerging trends and is always looking for ways to bring fresh perspectives and voices to the TED stage.
He has also been a champion of using technology to democratize knowledge and ideas, making them more accessible to people worldwide. In addition, he has been an early adopter of new technologies, such as online video and social media, to help spread TED's message and reach new audiences.
Various organizations and publications have also recognized Anderson's work with TED. He has been honored with numerous awards for his contributions to the field of communications and education and has been named one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.
In addition to his role at TED, Anderson is a sought-after speaker and advisor and has been invited to speak at conferences and events worldwide. In addition, he is a regular contributor to various publications, where he shares his insights on the future of technology, business, and culture.
Overall, Chris Anderson is a respected leader and a thought leader in the field of ideas and education, and he continues to inspire and innovate in his role as Head of TED. His work has helped make TED one of the most critical and influential platforms for sharing knowledge and ideas, and his contributions to the field will continue to be felt for years.

Chris

Reid Hoffman is a venture capitalist and entrepreneur. He co-founded LinkedIn, a business-oriented social networking service, and was an executive at PayPal, an online payment company. Hoffman is also a partner at Greylock Partners, a venture capital firm. In addition, he is a board member or advisor to several technology companies and is the host of the podcast "Masters of Scale."
Reid Hoffman is also an author; he has written two books, The Startup of You: Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform Your Career and Blitzscaling: The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies. In "The Startup of You," Hoffman writes about how to create a career and life adaptable to change and position oneself to take advantage of new opportunities.
In "Blitzscaling," Hoffman shares his experiences as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist and provides insights on how to scale a business quickly while maintaining a solid company culture and sustainable growth. Both books have been well-received by critics and praised for giving practical advice for entrepreneurs and career-minded individuals.
Reid Hoffman co-founded LinkedIn in 2002 and served as its Executive Chairman until Microsoft acquired the company in 2016. Under Hoffman's leadership, LinkedIn became one of the most popular social media platforms for professionals, with over 700 million members as of 2021.
He was also instrumental in the company's initial public offering (IPO) in 2011 and its growth and expansion in the following years. He has also been recognized for his role in developing LinkedIn as a pioneer in social networking for professionals and for his contributions to the technology industry as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist.

Reid

Michael K. Carroll is an assistant professor of History at Grant MacEwan University. He is also the author of Pearson's Peacekeepers: Canada and the United Nations Emergency Force, 1956-1967.

Michael

Tim Ferriss is an American author, entrepreneur, and public speaker. He is best known for his bestselling book, The 4-Hour Workweek, and for his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show. Ferriss has been featured in the Time 100 Most Influential People list and has been recognized as one of Fast Company's "Most Innovative Business People."
Ferriss was born in East Hampton, New York, in 1977. He attended St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, and graduated from Princeton University with a degree in East Asian Studies in 2000. After college, he worked in sales and marketing for a data storage company before starting his own business, BrainQUICKEN, which he eventually sold.
In 2007, Ferriss wrote The 4-Hour Workweek, which became an international bestseller. The book proposed a new way of working that focused on efficiency and productivity and encouraged readers to pursue their dreams and passions. The book was credited with launching the "lifestyle design" movement and has been translated into 35 languages.
In 2010, Ferriss launched his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, which is now one of the most popular podcasts in the world. He interviews high-profile guests from various fields, including business, sports, and entertainment. Ferriss has also written several other books, including The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef, Tools of Titans, and Tribe of Mentors.
Ferriss has been an active investor, advisor, and board member for a number of companies, including Uber, Evernote, Shopify, and Duolingo. He is a founding member of the Silicon Valley investment firm K9 Ventures and is also a venture partner at the venture capital firm Collaborative Fund.
Ferriss is active in the philanthropic community and has been involved with a number of charities, including DonorsChoose.org, The International Rescue Committee, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. He is also a member of the Clinton Global Initiative.

Adam Grant is an American psychologist and author widely known for his work on the science of giving, creativity, and organizational psychology. He is the top-rated professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a former professor at the University of Michigan. His first book, Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success, was a New York Times bestseller.
Grant is a leading authority on the science of giving, creativity, and organizational psychology. He has written or co-written six books, including Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World and Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy. He has also written for The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, Harvard Business Review, and other publications.
Grant's research focuses on how giving, taking, and exchanging advice affects an individual’s success. He has studied how to maximize the benefits of giving, how to encourage more successful collaborations, and how to foster an environment of innovation and creativity. He has also explored how to assess and develop leadership potential within organizations and how to build workplace cultures where employees are empowered to do their best work.
Grant has received numerous awards and honors, including being named one of the world's 40 most influential management thinkers by Thinkers50 in 2015, one of the world's 50 most influential management thinkers by Thinkers50 in 2018, and one of the world's most influential management gurus by The Observer in 2018. He is a recipient of the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Mentoring and was named the Most Influential Thinker of the Decade by Poets &amp; Quants in 2020.
In addition to his academic and writing career, Grant is a frequent speaker for organizations, universities, and conferences around the world. He has presented to audiences of thousands at TEDx events, and he has been featured on television and radio programs such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, 60 Minutes, and NPR’s Fresh Air. He has also served as a visiting professor at Stanford, Cornell, and INSEAD, and he is currently a visiting professor at the London School of Economics.

Adam

Henry M. Paulson, Jr. is a businessman, China expert, conservationist, and author. He is the founder and chairman of the Paulson Institute. He also serves as executive chairman of TPG Rise Climate. Paulson is dedicated to the advancement of free markets, environmental protection, the rule of law, and upholding the basic rights of democracy. Throughout his professional life, he has worked around the globe to support these ideals. His career spans two stints in the public sector, a career in the private sector, and the founding of his own not-for-profit.
Paulson served as the 74th Secretary of the Treasury under President George W. Bush from July 2006 to January 2009. As Treasury Secretary, Paulson led the nation’s response to the financial crisis of 2008, helping to stabilize the global financial system and avoid a second Great Depression. He also designed the Strategic Economic Dialogue to revitalize US-China relations, achieving major breakthroughs in currency manipulation, trade flows, the environment, food and product safety, and global financial stability.
Prior to that, he had a thirty-two-year career at Goldman Sachs, serving as co-chairman and co-CEO in 1998 and as chairman and CEO beginning in 1999. As a banker, he grew the Goldman Sachs presence in China, believing that it was important to bring best-in-class practices and standards to China. Earlier in his career, he was a member of the White House Domestic Council and a Pentagon staff assistant.
Today, he is chairman of the Paulson Institute, which aims to foster a US-China relationship that maintains global order in a rapidly evolving world. A “think and do” tank founded in 2011, the Institute operates at the intersection of economics, financial markets, environmental protection, and policy advocacy, in part by promoting balanced and sustainable economic growth. The Institute’s approach is an outgrowth of Paulson’s overarching commitment to engage with purpose and promote US-China ties in ways that help keep America strong and safe.
In 2021, Paulson helped launch and became executive chairman of TPG Rise Climate, the climate investing platform of the global private equity firm TPG. His leadership of TPG Rise Climate reflects his belief that there is an urgent need to accelerate action against climate change and that innovative vehicles for private-sector financing will be essential for meeting the challenge.
Paulson is co-chair of the Aspen Institute’s Economic Strategy Group, along with former US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. The Economic Strategy Group convenes, in a non-partisan spirit, a diverse range of distinguished leaders and thinkers to address significant structural challenges in the US economy.
Paulson also co-chairs the Advisory Board of the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, a conference of global leaders focused on emerging economies and technologies. The New Economy Forum is committed to promoting the smooth transition from the old economy—one based on labor-intensive manufacturing and trade in goods—to a new one focused on industrial automation, digital services, and data exchanges.
A lifelong conservationist, Paulson was Chairman of The Nature Conservancy Board of Directors and founded and co-chaired the organization’s Asia-Pacific Council. In 2011, he founded the Latin American Conservation Council, comprised of global business and political leaders, which he co-chaired until 2017. He also co-chaired the Risky Business Project from 2013 to 2017, a non-partisan initiative that quantified and publicized the economic risks of climate change in the United States.
Paulson is the author of the bestsellers On the Brink and Dealing with China. He is also the co-author of two books with Ben Bernanke and Tim Geithner: First Responders and Firefighting. Paulson graduated from Dartmouth College in 1968 and received an M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1970. He and his wife, Wendy, have two children and four grandchildren.

Henry

Ori Brafman is a Distinguished Teaching Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, an internationally renowned New York Times bestselling author, defense leadership strategist, and business culture visionary. Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel, Ori moved to El Paso, Texas, with his family in 1984 at the age of nine.&nbsp;
Experiencing this stark cultural and geographical change at such a young age gave Ori a unique capacity to view the world from different perspectives and anticipate shifting paradigms. It was this ability that led to his seminal work, The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations, which predicted changes that were about to unfold in the business and societal landscape. Ori later teamed up with his brother, a psychologist, to explore cutting-edge psychological research in the bestselling Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior, and still later he joined forces with the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Martin Dempsey, to author Radical Inclusion: What the Post–9/11 World Should Have Taught Us About Leadership.&nbsp;
What interests Ori most is the human element and its hidden potential. He works with organizations on culture, leadership, and effective teamwork to help them become a transformative force in the lives of their employees.&nbsp;

Christopher M. Schroeder (born July 28, 1967) is an American entrepreneur, advisor, and investor in interactive technologies and social communications. He wrote the first look at startups in the Arab World, “Startup Rising -- The Entrepreneurial Revolution Remaking the Middle East,” released in August 2013 with a new edition in 2015 and one in Arabic in 2016. It was published by MacMillan/Palgrave, with a foreword by Marc Andreessen.
Schroeder was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and raised in Scarsdale. His parents are Edmund R. Schroeder (formerly of Cadwalader) and Elaine Diserio Schroeder. Edmund Schroeder is the founder of Education Through Music, which offers music programs to inner-city schools. Elaine Schroeder began college at age 14 and Fordham Law School at 18 and practiced law in New York City. His mother was active in and chairman of the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, New York.
Schroeder graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in American and Ancient History (where he studied with Lincoln scholar David Herbert Donald) and international diplomacy historian Ernest R. May. He subsequently graduated with Honors from Harvard Business School. Schroeder worked in finance for Salomon Brothers and the private equity firm Thayer Capital Partners and was Treasurer and head of business development for The Washington Post Company.
Schroeder became CEO and President of Legi-Slate, Inc., a leading online B2B provider of information on federal and state legislation and regulation. Backed by The Washington Post Company, he successfully sold the enterprise in 1999. He was then named CEO and Publisher of the Washington Post. Newsweek interactive. Upon attaining rapid growth and profitability, he joined an investor group including Polaris Ventures, Sequoia Capital, The Carlyle Group, Allen &amp; Company LLC, and Interactive Corp (IAC) to become Co-founder and CEO of HealthCentral, among the largest collection of condition and wellness-specific interactive experiences focused on people finding and sharing real-life experiences related to their health needs. HealthCentral was named one of the Inc 500/5000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States. HealthCentral was sold to Remedy Health in 2012.
Schroeder has been an active angel investing and advising. He is a limited partner in a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm and has invested in and advised many start-ups in his related areas, including most recently Vox Media, Skift Media, iBotta, and the fintech enterprise in mobile money in Africa Segovia, on whose board he sits. He is on the investment committee of Wamda Capital, one of the largest venture capital firms in the Middle East and North Africa.
Schroeder has been a thought leader and organizer in various internet organizations. He was one of the first board members of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, a co-founder of the Online Publishers Association, now called Digital Content Next, and a founding member of the Digital Health Coalition. He was one of the first interactive executives named to the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Hall of Achievement. He was among the top tech business executives to watch by Business Forward Magazine, Media Magazine, and Washingtonian Magazine. He was named PharmaVOICE’s Top 100 Most Inspiring People in Life Sciences and one of the first 50 Influencers on Linkedin.
Schroeder has also recently been engaged in exploring more global trends towards entrepreneurship, with a special focus on the developing world and the Middle East and North Africa, while expanding interests in South East Asia and Latin America. He has been a speaker on trends in global entrepreneurship for many years, such as the COE 2010 gathering of regional entrepreneurs and investors in Dubai, Endeavor’s gathering of global entrepreneurs, and the Abraaj Capital annual meeting. He has addressed the IMF, and the World Government Summit in Dubai on these issues and recently gave a TED-related talk in New York City. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the American University of Beirut, the American Council on Germany, and the German Marshall Fund. The board of Advisors of the American University of Cairo School of Business, The American University School of International Service, Endeavor Global, and The Global Entrepreneurship Network and advises the Inter-American Development Bank on issues of technology and entrepreneurship. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
He has written and spoken extensively on trends in media, the internet, and the global environment for The Washington Post, Newsweek, Wall Street Journal, AllThingsD, Fortune Magazine, C-SPAN and TechCrunch. He has appeared on Charlie Rose and Fareed Zakaria's 360 to talk about the Middle East and global startups.

Christopher

Ryan Holiday is an American author, marketer, media strategist, and entrepreneur. He is the author of several bestselling books, including his most recent, Perennial Seller, as well as popular titles such as The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, Conspiracy, and Growth Hacker Marketing. Holiday has written for the New York Times, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and other publications. He has also been featured in Time, The New Yorker, and The Washington Post.
Holiday is the founder of Brass Check, a creative consulting agency that specializes in marketing, media strategy, and creative consulting. He has worked with some of the world’s most successful authors, entrepreneurs, and public figures, including Tony Robbins, Tim Ferriss, Robert Greene, and Tucker Max. His clients also include media companies such as VICE, MTV, and Complex. He has also served as a consultant to brands such as American Apparel, Google, and Gillette.
As an author, Holiday has written nine books, three of which have become New York Times bestsellers. His books focus on topics such as personal and professional development, marketing, and media strategy. His most recent book, Perennial Seller, is a guide to creating and sustaining success in business, publishing, and life.
As a media strategist and consultant, Holiday has helped launch and reinvigorate several brands and campaigns. His work spans from creating marketing campaigns for startups and Fortune 500 companies to working as a creative consultant for media companies and major brands.
Holiday's work has been featured in major publications, including the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and The Washington Post. He has also appeared on television shows such as the Colbert Report, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and podcasts such as the Tim Ferriss Show and the Joe Rogan Experience.&nbsp;
In addition to his work as an author, media strategist, and consultant, Holiday is a frequent public speaker. He has been a keynote speaker at events such as SXSW, the World Business Forum, and the Inc. 5000 Conference. He also teaches marketing and media strategy classes at the University of California, Berkeley.
Holiday is passionate about helping others achieve their goals and dreams. He has created several online courses and resources to help entrepreneurs, creatives, and marketers better understand the media landscape, marketing, and creative strategies. He also serves as the Managing Director of the media startup, Contently and is an adviser to several startups and companies. He is also a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs and creators.

Ryan

Muhammad Yunus is a Bangladeshi social entrepreneur, banker, economist, and civil society leader who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for founding the Grameen Bank and pioneering the concepts of microcredit and microfinance. These loans are given to entrepreneurs too poor to qualify for traditional bank loans. Yunus and the Grameen Bank were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for their efforts through microcredit to create economic and social development from below."&nbsp;
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said that "lasting peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty" and that "across cultures and civilizations, Yunus and Grameen Bank have shown that even the poorest of the poor can work to bring about their development."
Yunus has received several other national and international honors. He received the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2010. In 2008, he was rated number 2 in Foreign Policy magazine's Top 100 Global Thinkers list.
In February 2011, Yunus, Saskia Bruysten, Sophie Eisenmann, and Hans Reitz co-founded Yunus Social Business – Global Initiatives. YSB creates and empowers social businesses to address and solve global problems. As the international implementation arm for Yunus' vision of a new, humane capitalism, YSB manages incubator funds for social businesses in developing countries and provides advisory services to companies, governments, foundations, and NGOs.
In 2012, he became Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland, a position he held until 2018. Previously, he was a professor of economics at Chittagong University in Bangladesh. He published several books related to his finance work. In addition, he is a founding board member of Grameen America and Grameen Foundation, which support microcredit.
Yunus also served on the board of directors of the United Nations Foundation, a public charity to support UN causes from 1998 to 2021. In addition, Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Grameen Bank, for their efforts to create economic and social development.
In the prize announcement, The Norwegian Nobel Committee mentioned: "Muhammad Yunus has shown himself to be a leader who has managed to translate visions into practical action for the benefit of millions of people, not only in Bangladesh but also in many other countries. Loans to poor people without financial security appeared to be impossible. From modest beginnings three decades ago, Yunus has, first and foremost through Grameen Bank, developed micro-credit into an ever more important instrument in the struggle against poverty".

Muhammad

Stephen Key is an award-winning inventor, renowned intellectual property strategist, lifelong entrepreneur, author, and columnist. He has over 20 patents in his name, and the dozens of concepts he has brought to market have been retailed in Walmart, 7-Eleven, and Disney stores and parks worldwide. Michael Jordan and Alex Trebek have endorsed his patents; he has defended his patents in federal court against the largest toy company in the world, Lego; and he cofounded invent Right to teach others his unique process for harnessing the power of open innovation and the licensing business model. McGraw-Hill has translated one Simple Idea, his bestselling book about how to license an idea, into six languages.
Stephen Key has written over 1,000 articles about intellectual property strategy, product licensing, and entrepreneurship for online publications, including Forbes, Inc., and Entrepreneur. Universities and governmental organizations around the world regularly invite him to teach them inventRight's unique processes for commercializing new product ideas. Key has won over 20 industry awards, including two Edison Awards and the Most Influential and Inspiring Leader Of All Time by the WorldIP Forum in 2022.
&nbsp;In 2018, he was recognized as an AAAS-Lemelson Invention Ambassador. In 2020, he became a founding United States Intellectual Property Alliance member. Currently, he is part of the team responsible for launching a new sustainable packaging innovation that replaces the need to use plastic to carry beverages called Fishbone.

Stephen

William N. Thorndike, Jr. is the founder and managing director of Housatonic Partners, a private equity firm. He is a graduate of Harvard College and the Stanford Graduate School of Business and has been a guest lecturer at the Harvard and Stanford business schools. He is a director of eight companies and two not-for-profit organizations and lives in the Boston area with his wife and two children. Prior to founding Housatonic, Will worked with T. Rowe Price Associates and Walker &amp; Company, where he was named to the Board of Directors.&nbsp;
Will has over two decades of experience investing in recurring service companies across a wide variety of industries. He is a Director of Carillon Assisted Living, QMC International, and ZircoDATA. Outside of Housatonic, he is a Director of WGBH, the College of the Atlantic (Chair), as well as a founding partner at FARM, a social impact investing collaborative. He is the author of The Outsiders.

William

Antonio García Martínez is an entrepreneur, investor, writer, and tech industry veteran. He has had a long and varied career, beginning in the early days of the dot-com boom and continuing today. Early in his career, Antonio worked in a variety of roles at companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Goldman Sachs.
At Apple, Antonio held a variety of positions, including working on the retail side of the business, developing software, and helping to launch the Apple Store. At Microsoft, Antonio was involved in the development of a number of products, including Windows 95 and Windows 98. After leaving Microsoft, Antonio founded Adify, a venture-backed ad network that WPP eventually acquired.
More recently, Antonio has become an investor, author, and thought leader in the technology and venture capital industries. He has invested in a variety of startups, including Twitter, Uber, and Stripe. He is also the author of the book Chaos Monkeys: Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley, which chronicles his experiences in the tech industry.
In addition to his work as an investor and author, Antonio is a sought-after speaker and thought leader. He has appeared on the TED stage, as well as at conferences including SXSW, DLD, and TechCrunch Disrupt. Antonio is often called upon to provide his expertise and insight into the tech industry, as well as his views on the current state of venture capital and startups.
Overall, Antonio García Martínez is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, author, and thought leader. His wealth of experience and knowledge from working in and around the tech industry, combined with his excellent communication skills, make him a highly sought-after individual in the industry.

Antonio García

Timothy F. Geithner was the 75th Secretary of the Treasury for President Barack Obama’s first term. He was the principal architect of the president's successful strategy to avert economic collapse and reform the financial system.
Between 2003 and 2009, Mr. Geithner served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He first joined the Treasury Department as a civil servant in 1988. He held a number of positions in three administrations, including Undersecretary for International Affairs under Secretaries Robert Rubin and Lawrence Summers.
Mr. Geithner is the author of STRESS TEST: Reflections on Financial Crises. He Chairs the Program on Financial Stability at the Yale University School of Management, where he is also a visiting lecturer. He is Chairman of the Board of Overseers of the International Rescue Committee. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is a member of the Group of Thirty. Mr. Geithner is currently President of Warburg Pincus, a global private equity firm.

Timothy

In The Starfish and the Spider, authors Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom argue that organizations fall into two broad categories: traditional “spiders,” which have a rigid hierarchy and top-down leadership, and revolutionary “starfish,” which rely on the power of peer relationships.

Simon Sinek is a British-American author, motivational speaker, and marketing consultant. He is best known for his TED Talk on the "Golden Circle," which explains why some individuals and organizations can inspire while others are not.&nbsp;
Sinek's TED Talk is one of the most-viewed TED Talks of all time, and he has since written several books, including "Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action."&nbsp;
In "Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Action," Sinek explains that successful companies and leaders start by clearly communicating their "why" - their purpose or belief - and then work backward to define their "how" and "what." He argues that this approach inspires others to believe in and support their vision. The talk has been viewed over 60 million times and is among the most popular TED Talks.
Sinek has also worked with various organizations and companies to help them better understand and communicate their purpose. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and other events, and business leaders and entrepreneurs have widely adopted his ideas.

Simon

Changpeng Zhao, also known as CZ, is a software developer and entrepreneur in the cryptocurrency industry. He is the founder and CEO of Binance, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world.
CZ began his career in finance, working as a software developer at various companies before becoming the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of OKCoin, a Chinese bitcoin exchange. In 2017, he founded Binance, which quickly became one of the most popular and successful cryptocurrency exchanges.
Under CZ's leadership, Binance has expanded to serve customers in over 180 countries and launched several innovative products, including its cryptocurrency, Binance Coin (BNB). Binance has also made strategic acquisitions, such as purchasing mobile wallet provider Trust Wallet and launching Binance Launchpad, an initial exchange offering (IEO) platform.
CZ is known for his strong vision for the future of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology and is a vocal advocate for the industry. He is also a regular speaker at industry events and conferences and is highly active on social media.
In addition to his work at Binance, CZ is a member of the Bitcoin Foundation and the founder of the Binance Charity Foundation, which uses blockchain technology to provide transparent and efficient charitable giving, to use blockchain technology to provide transparent and efficient philanthropic giving.
BCF was created in 2017 and aims to use blockchain technology to create a transparent and efficient way of distributing funds to those in need. It uses a donation platform that utilizes smart contracts to ensure that donated funds are directed to their intended recipients and that the distribution of funds is transparent. The platform also allows users to track the distribution of funds in real time.
BCF has been involved in several charitable initiatives and partnerships, including providing aid to victims of natural disasters, such as the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami, and supporting education programs for children in developing countries.
As the founder of BCF, CZ is actively involved in the organization and has been vocal about the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize the way charity and philanthropy is done. He believes that using blockchain technology can increase transparency and efficiency in the distribution of funds and help build trust between donors and recipients.
CZ's involvement in the foundation shows his commitment to positively impacting society through technology. His leadership and support have been instrumental in the success and growth of the Binance Charity Foundation.
Overall, Changpeng Zhao is a highly influential figure in the cryptocurrency industry, known for his innovative leadership and a strong vision for the future of blockchain technology.

Changpeng

Pierre Omidyar

Jack Welch

Craig Newmark

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In 'The Starfish and the Spider', Ori Brafman explores the concept of decentralization. He shows how organizations without a clear leader can still thrive and be successful. This is a key takeaway because it challenges traditional ideas about leadership and hierarchy.

Understanding the Power of Decentralization

Brafman digs into the impact of leaderless organizations, showing how they can adapt and grow in ways that traditional organizations can't. This is a fascinating look into a different way of running a business or group.

The Impact of Leaderless Organizations

The book uses the starfish as a metaphor for these decentralized organizations. Just like a starfish, which can regrow its limbs, these organizations can regenerate and even multiply when faced with challenges. This is a powerful concept to explore.

The Strength of a Starfish

On the other hand, Brafman also discusses the limitations of centralized organizations, represented by the spider. If you remove the head of a spider, it dies. Similarly, traditional organizations can struggle when they lose their leader. This is a great insight into the vulnerabilities of hierarchical structures.

The Limitations of a Spider

Finally, 'The Starfish and the Spider' isn't just about business. It's also about how you can apply these lessons to your own life. By understanding the power of decentralization, you can become more resilient and adaptable. So, why not check out the book and see what changes you can make?

Applying the Lessons to Your Life

The Starfish and the Spider

Rod A. Beckstrom is a former CEO who founded CATS Software Inc, which he took public. Since his "retirement," Rod has served on various private and nonprofit boards. He holds a BA and MBA from Stanford and was a Fulbright Scholar.
He is co-author of the best-selling book The Starfish and the Spider, which lays out a new organizational theory for considering all organizations as existing on a continuum from centralized to decentralized, with different implications and strategies for each firm based upon their position on that axis. In interviews with The Washington Post and USA Today, Beckstrom explains how, using the 'Starfish' concept illustrated in The Starfish and the Spider, the U.S. Government can take a different approach in their dealings with Al-Qaeda.&nbsp;
Beckstrom is also the formulator of an economic model for valuing networks, Beckstrom's law, which was presented at BlackHat 2009 and Defcon 2009. Beckstrom, a pioneer in the field of derivatives trading and firm-wide risk management, was coached by Nobel Laureate William F. Sharpe, which resulted in the first book on a new theory, "Value at Risk."

Discover the Best Books Written by Rod A. Beckstrom

Best author’s book

The Starfish and the Spider

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The Starfish and the Spider

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