Combining a moving life story, an exceptional career, incomparable insights, and a powerful presence, John Quiñones has emerged as one of the most inspiring keynotes in the speaking world today. His moving presentations focus on his odds-defying journey, celebrate the life-changing power of education, champion the Latino American Dream, and provide thought-provoking insights into human nature and ethical behavior.

A lifetime of “never taking no for an answer” took Quiñones from migrant farm work and poverty to more than 30 years at ABC News and the anchor desk at 20/20 and Primetime. Along the way, he broke through barriers, won the highest accolades, and became a role model for many.

Known for truly connecting with audiences and leaving them uplifted and inspired, Quiñones delivers a powerful message of believing in one’s self, never giving up, and always, always doing the right thing. As host and creator of What Would You Do?, the highly-rated, hidden camera ethical dilemma newsmagazine, Quiñones has literally become “the face of doing the right thing” to millions of fans. It’s a role that he has enthusiastically embraced off camera, with a popular book and keynote presentations that challenge both business and general audiences to examine the What Would You Do? moments we face every day. This work and his many achievements were recently recognized with honorary Doctorate degrees from Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia and Utah Valley University.

Dr. Grenita Lathan was named interim superintendent of the Houston Independent School District in March 2018, becoming the first African-American woman to serve as superintendent in HISD.

In 1991, Dr. Lathan began her career in education as a teacher at Morehead High School in Eden, N.C. While in North Carolina, she also served as both assistant principal and principal at other campuses. In 2008, she was named chief elementary school improvement officer of the San Diego Unified School District and then interim deputy superintendent in 2009.

Dr. Lathan was then named the superintendent of Peoria Public Schools in 2010, where she oversaw approximately 14,000 students and 2,700 staff members. Five years later in 2015, Dr. Lathan moved to Houston and served as HISD’s chief school officer over elementary transformation schools for a year. During this time, she led more than 20 schools out of an “improvement required” state rating to a “met standard” rating. During the 2016-2017 school year, she served as HISD’s chief academic officer.

Dr. Lathan holds a bachelor’s degree in business education from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s degree in business education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a doctoral degree from Southern Illinois University.

Geoffrey Canada has worked with Harlem Children’s Zone®(HCZ) for more than 30 years. Canada is renowned around the world for his pioneering work helping children and families in Harlem, and as a thought leader and passionate advocate for education reform.

From 1990 to 2014, Mr. Canada served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Harlem Children’s Zone, which The New York Times called “one of the most ambitious social-policy experiments of our time.”

Canada has written two books: Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence in America (1995; reissued as a graphic novel in 2010) and Reaching Up for Manhood: Transforming the Lives of Boys in America (1998). A strong voice in public debates on education, he also has written for several publications, including op-eds for The New York Times and Daily News.

In 2011, Mr. Canada was named TIME 100 list of most influential people in the world and, in March 2014, was named one of Fortune’s 50 greatest leaders in the world. In 2014, Canada stepped down as CEO but continues to serve as President of the HCZ and Promise Academy Boards.

Canada grew up in the South Bronx in a poor, sometimes violent neighborhood. Despite his troubled surroundings, he was able to succeed academically, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowdoin College and a master’s in education from the Harvard School of Education.

Elisa’s passion for educational equity and excellence comes from personal experience. She grew up in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas and developed a deep commitment to Teach For America’s mission as a student at DePauw University, where she was one of just a few Mexican American students. Her journey with Teach For America started 20 years ago in Phoenix, as a 1998 corps member.

Elisa joined staff in 2001 to lead the organization’s work in her hometown as executive director of the Rio Grande Valley region. Four years later, she became chief operating officer, leading Teach For America’s field operations as the organization expanded from 22 to 48 regions, growing its network from 12,500 to more than 43,000 leaders in 2013 while improving student outcomes each year.

In 2015, Elisa became the sole chief executive officer of Teach For America, after serving as co-CEO alongside Matthew Kramer for two years. Today, under her leadership, Teach For America impacts hundreds of thousands of students each year in more than 2,300 schools across 53 regions and encompasses a network of 53,000 leaders working from every sector to ensure that all children have the access and opportunity to reach their full potential and achieve their dreams.

Elisa holds a B.A. in sociology from DePauw University. She sits on the boards of the Holdsworth Center, Leadership for Educational Equity, and Leading Educators. She lives in Houston with her husband, Jeremy, and their four sons.

Berry Elementary School
Makerspace for Kindergarten

Mark Twain Elementary School
Afterschool Coding Club

Kolter Elementary School
STEM and Makers Space

McReynolds Middle School
Robots and Literature:Rolling in the Genres

Attucks Middle School
Advancing Thinking Through Engineering and Robots

Sharpstown High School
Sharpstown Story Telling Projects

Baylor College of Medicine at Ryan
STEMergistic Learning Center

Reynolds Elementary School
Maker Space

Energy Institute High School
Audibox

Harvard Elementary School
Inside Out

Roosevelt Elementary
Coins for Kinder

Horn Elementary School
STEM-ulate the Minds of Tomorrow, Today!

Parker Elementary School
Promoting Genius Hour

Sinclair Elementary School
Physical Computing withRaspberry Pi

Austin High School
Mobile Maker Space

Cook Elementary School
Assistive Technology for Dyslexic Students

Durham Elementary School
Brain-Based Classroom Re-Design

Community Services K-12
STEM-In