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Keynote Speakers

 

 

 

Brandon Farbstein
Global Empowerment Speaker 

Brandon Farbstein is a 24-year-old Gen Z activist, author, and speaker. He inspires millions of people across the globe with his universal message of living life on your own terms and building the framework for self-acceptance. Born with an extremely rare form of dwarfism (metatropic dysplasia), Brandon has turned his life experience of suffering, isolation, and victimhood into one marked by empowerment, impact, and influence.

After a severe battle with cyberbullying in high school, Brandon decided to share his story to both offer hope and enact change. He was the driving force behind two pieces of legislation signed into law in Virginia by the time he turned 18. The first addresses bullying prevention; the other requires that empathy and emotional intelligence be taught in all K-12 classrooms throughout the state.

Whether sharing his message with thousands of students at a time, empowering readers with his books Ten Feet Tall: Step Into Your Truth and Change Your Freaking World and A Kids Book About Self-Love, or working with Fortune 100 companies like Meta, HP, and Marriott, Brandon consistently delivers tools to audiences of all ages to shatter limiting beliefs, elevate their mindset, and create an amplified life. He frequently advises foundations, boards, and large-scale organizations on their DEI/social impact efforts, especially toward the disability community. The largest minority group in the world, the disability community comprises 15% of the global population.

Brandon is a young man who continues to break barriers and pave the way for people who often feel invisible. In 2020, he made his runway debut at New York Fashion Week wearing Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive and has become a sought-after voice for inclusion. With his mission to Elevate Empathy®, Brandon was named Instagram’s #19 under19 as one of the most influential young people in the world.

Robert Kelty
Head of Outreach, Government Relations, and Development
International Baccalaureate, North America

Robert Kelty embarked on his career journey in Crownpoint, New Mexico, nestled within the Navajo Nation, when he joined Teach For America in 2001. Over the years, Robert has assumed various roles, including head of school, school superintendent, senior manager for Teach For America, and an elected official as the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools. In this capacity, he collaborated closely with governmental entities at all levels including six Indigenous nations.

Currently, Robert holds the position of Head of Outreach, Government Relations, and Development for the International Baccalaureate (IB) North America. The IB, renowned globally as an esteemed education foundation, operates across more than 6,000 schools worldwide and 2,000 schools within the United States. In his role, Robert spearheads strategy, communications, government relations, and new initiatives to increase access for students across the U.S. and Canada. 

Robert earned his doctorate from Northern Arizona University (NAU) and received an honorary doctorate from NAU in 2008. He is a former Arizona Teacher of the Year, published in the Journal of American Indian Education, and was a lead author of “On Indian Ground: The Southwest (2021),” one of ten regionally focused texts that explore American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian education in depth. He also was a signatory on an amicus brief presented to the U.S. 9th Circuit advocating for federal obligations in Native American education.

Holly Robinson Peete
Actress, Author, Activist, and Philanthropist

Philadelphia-born actress, author, TV host, wife, mother, and philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete has an entertainment career that spans over five decades. At the age of five, Holly made her professional debut alongside her father, Matthew Robinson, who portrayed the original Gordon on the iconic children’s program “Sesame Street.”

In 1986, Holly landed a starring role opposite Johnny Depp on the wildly popular FOX police drama “21 Jump Street.” She went on to star in the hit ABC sitcom “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” and “For Your Love” on NBC/The WB. She has had major recurring roles and appearances on a string of hit TV shows like “One on One,” “Mike & Molly,” “Chicago Fire,” “Law & Order SVU,” and “American Housewife.” Holly is also a beloved Hallmark Channel leading lady, starring in over 13 movies for the network, in addition to hosting her second season of “Queens Court” on Bravo with her husband, Rodney Peete.

In 1997, inspired by Holly’s father (diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease) and the Peetes’ son RJ (diagnosed with autism), Holly and her husband, a former 16-year NFL quarterback, launched the HollyRod Foundation to provide compassionate care and advocacy for both Parkinson’s and autism.

The Peete family have shared their experiences caring for a loved one with autism on their acclaimed docuseries “For Peete’s Sake” and “Meet the Peetes.”

Holly has published several books, including My Brother Charlie, Scholastic’s bestselling children’s book co-written with her daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete, and Same But Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express, co-authored by her twins Ryan Elizabeth and RJ.

Holly resides in Los Angeles with Rodney; they are the proud parents of four children.