Past Speakers

Entrepreneurs, political leaders, athletes... Legends, icons, superstars... all right here at UAlbany.

 

2021

  • Ibram X. Kendi - Author, professor, anti-racist activist and historian of race and discriminatory policy

2020

  • Abby Wambach - Olympic medalist, FIFI World Cup Champion
  • Glennon Doyle - author
  • Dan Rather - journalist, author

2019

  • Terry Crews - actor, athlete, activist

2018

  • Aly Raisman - Olympic medal gymnast and author
  • Tyler Oakley - pop culture phenomenon

2017

  • Captain Scott Kelly - engineer, U.S. navy captain & retired astronaut
  • Octavia Spencer - Academy-award winning actress
  • Sonia Sotomayor - U.S. Supreme Court Justice

2016

  • Brandon Stanton - photographer and creator of Humans of New York
  • Daymond John - celebrity entrepreneur, FUBU founder, 'Shark Tank' investor
  • Venus Williams - tennis legend

2015

  • Bill Nye the Science Guy - need we say more? 
  • Common - king of conscious hip hop

2013

  • David Axelrod, David Plouffe & Jon Favreau - Obama campaign advisors 

2011

  • President Bill Clinton - 42nd President of the United States
  • Magic Johnson - basketball legend, entrepreneur & philanthropist 

2010

  • Barbara Walters - broadcast journalist, author, television personality
  • Howard Dean & Karl Rove - political icons

2009

  • General Colin L. Powell - former U.S. Secretary of State