Corporations & Associations

Less than two weeks after stepping down as president at Combs Enterprises, APB speaker Dia Simms has made a solo move into the cannabis industry. Her distribution firm, called BRN Group, will be a “first of its kind, privately-held, global brand development, management and distribution company that licenses, manages and distributes superior cannabis brands worldwide.”

Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, APB speaker Gina McCarthy, recently sat with WBUR to discuss climate change with youth activists. McCarthy, who is currently Professor of the Practice of Public Health in the Department of Environmental Health and the Director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment (C-CHANGE) at Harvard, revealed that an inability to make climate change a part of everyday discussion will lead to irreversible consequences. When asked how she stays positive despite not holding “the keys” to running environmental health, McCarthy said, “You can’t be unrealistic about the challenge, but you have to be hopeful for the future...” She went on to say, “I want to make sure that anybody your age recognizes that when an administration like this may not be paying attention, it’s not the end of the discussion. It’s not the end of your opportunity to make progress...”

From offices to naval ships, today’s workplaces are doing more with fewer people. The trend will continue with the advancement of AI. “As complexity increases, as technology spins the world into vaster webs of interconnected systems in which each only sees a small part, organizations will need a different kind of employee,” says David Epstein. “They’ll need people with range.”

“I want my kids to know when you’re chasing big dreams, you may fail, but if you get back up again — that’s how you fly.” Thirteen-time best-selling author and APB speaker Brad Meltzer appeared on Good Morning America to discuss the release of his two new children’s books: I am Walt Disney and I am Marie Curie. “I was tired of my kids looking at people who are famous for being famous and thinking that’s our hero,” said Meltzer, on what inspired him to write the children’s biography of Walt Disney.

The Jeopardy! record holder for most correct responses on average and longest winning streak, APB speaker Ken Jennings, is launching  Half-Truth, a trivia game that transcends rote recall and makes trivia accessible to everyone.

STEM advocate and founder of The Magic Cool Bus Justin Shaifer is changing the world of science and how we learn about it. Says Forbes, "His kid-friendly, science loving alter ego Mr. Fascinate, who makes science look cool, is more so the “science bro” than the science guy."

Speaker Ray Lewis, former linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, NFL hall-of-famer, entrepreneur and activist, has a new venture: becoming America’s dancer. He is joining the cast of Dancing With the Stars for Season 28. Now, his famous pregame “Squirrel Dance” will take center stage on September 16^th at 8 p.m. EST.  

Speaker and Verizon IndyCar Series Driver James Hinchcliffe will compete in the final race of the 2019 IndyCar Series on Sunday, September 22nd. A sought-after motivational speaker and Dancing with the Stars alum, Hinchcliffe shares his incredible story of surviving a horrific accident in 2015 that left him clinging to life. Recounting how he overcame several obstacles through sheer strength and determination, he empowers audiences and challenges them to think outside the box.

APB speaker John Quiñones and his hit ABC show What Would You Do? returns for its 13^th season on August 9th at 9 p.m. EST. What Would You Do? reveals how people behave when they think no one is watching, by using hidden cameras to record real reactions to thought-provoking scenarios created by actors.

A beloved Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank, entrepreneur and speaker Daymond John is ranked #16 on a list of the world’s top 50 keynote speakers by Real Leaders magazine. Daymond lands ahead of Oprah Winfrey and is celebrated for his business accomplishments, including turning a $40 budget into FUBU, a $6 billion fashion brand, and his successful investments on Shark Tank.