Ed Viesturs is America’s leading high altitude mountaineer, having climbed many of the world’s most challenging summits, including ascending Mount Everest six times. He recently completed a 16-year quest to climb all 14 of the world’s highest mountains (above 8,000 meters) without the use of supplemental oxygen. In doing so, he became the first American and the 5th person in the world to accomplish this. He reached the summit of his 14th peak, Annapurna, on May 12, 2005.
Keith Ferrazzi : Never Eat Alone
Keith Ferrazzi was previously Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Sales at Starwood Hotels, where he oversaw marketing activities for global brands including Sheraton, Westin, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, and W Hotels. Ferrazzi also served as Chief Marketing Officer for Deloitte Consulting, a leading global management consulting firm, where he developed and managed the industry’s first globally integrated marketing organization.
Zoë Keating : Artist Empowerment
Zoë Keating is a one-woman orchestra. She uses a cello and a foot-controlled laptop to record layer upon layer of cello, creating intricate, haunting and compelling music. Zoë is known for both her use of technology – which she uses to sample her cello onstage – and for her DIY approach, releasing her music online without the help of a record label.
William Danko : Accumulating Wealth
After 31 years on the marketing faculty – nine as chair – Bill Danko achieved emeritus status in 2007 at the School of Business, State University of New York at Albany. During his tenure, he studied consumer behavior, and in particular the topic of wealth formation. He is the co-author of The Millionaire Next Door, a research--based book about wealth in America that has been ranked as a bestseller by The New York Times for more than three years.
Melanie Notkin : Marketing Expert
Melanie Notkin uncovered the growing demographics of childless women and given them a voice. To celebrate modern aunthood, in 2008, she founded SAVVY AUNTIE®, the multiplatform lifestyle brand for cool aunts, great aunts, godmothers and all women who love kids. In 2014, Notkin introduced Otherhood, the modern, growing demographic of women who, despite their deepest yearnings, remain single and childless as their fertile years wane.
Dan Buettner : Live Longer
Dan Buettner is an internationally recognized researcher, explorer, New York Times best-selling author, and National Geographic Fellow. He founded Blue Zones®, a company that puts the world’s best practices in longevity and well-being to work in people’s lives.