Entrepreneur, International Best-selling Author, and an Award-winning Film Producer.
Chris Gardner is an entrepreneur, international best-selling author and an award-winning film producer. Gardner’s autobiography, The Pursuit of HappYness became a New York Times #1 best seller and has been translated into over forty languages, including six (6) dialects of Chinese and recently into Arabic. Gardner’s book, The Pursuit of HappYness was the inspiration for the critically acclaimed film in which Will Smith received the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award nominations for his performance. His second book, “Start Where You Are” also a best seller was published in 2009. Gardner’s new book “Permission to Dream” was selected as “Book Of The Month” by the Wall Street Journal upon its publication.
Gardner has been quoted as saying "though the film 'The Pursuit of HappYness' was released close to 18 years ago, the film is probably more relevant and timely today than when it was released". I say that because since 2020 we've all had our own 'Pursuit of HappYness' 'moments' and 'experiences'. If nothing else 2020 has confirmed to us all globally the importance of being able to accept, adapt, embrace and expect change. Change is here to stay. One of the ways that Gardner has changed is doing less lecture type presentations to more fireside chat formats. Here
the idea of 'in conversation with Chris Gardner' was conceived. This format includes an 'informal' presentation of thoughts, ideas and experiences called from Gardner's life and forty years of entrepreneurial experiences. Frequently asked questions (FAQ's) are combined with questions submitted in advance by the host/corporation/association and audience. Answering these questions openly and transparently often with 'movie bites' combined and included create a genuine conversation. This format we've discovered allows something very important to happen 'everybody gets to hear first hand what is important to their audience.'
Salil Parekh
CEO & MD, Infosys
Salil Parekh, as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, sets and evolves the strategic direction for the company and its portfolio of offerings, while nurturing a strong leadership team to drive its execution. Salil has nearly three decades of global experience in the IT services industry with a strong track record of driving digital transformation for enterprises, executing business turnarounds and managing successful acquisitions. He is a member of the National Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Salil topped the IT services ranking in Brand Finance's Brand Guardianship Index (BGI) 2024 for the role of CEO as brand custodian and steward of long-term shareholder value.
Martina Navratilova
18 Time Singles Grand Slam Champion & Tennis Legend
The most successful female tennis player of the Open era, Martina Navratilova amassed an unmatched number of professional records over the course of a career that spanned an amazing four decades. She won 59 grand slam titles, including a record 9 Wimbledon singles championships, and overcame the odds to become a champion both on and off the court.
Over the course of her tennis career, Martina was distinguished as the WTA's "Tour Player of the Year" seven times, named the Associated Press's "Female Athlete of the Year" and declared one of the "Top Forty Athletes of All-Time" by Sports Illustrated. After being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, she continued to take part in WTA events as well as the 2004 Olympics Games. As she approached her 50th birthday in 2006, she decided to leave the tour circuit behind after her final Grand Slam, a mixed-doubles championship with Bob Bryan at the U.S. Open. Still in phenomenal shape on the verge of 50, she became the oldest player to ever win a Grand Slam title.
Inderpreet is the Group General Counsel and the Chief Compliance Officer of Infosys. In this role she leads the legal and compliance function for the Company. She is a strategic business partner ensuring success for Infosys in legal and regulatory matters, while spearheading its compliance and ethics program. Inderpreet also has additional responsibility for Privacy and Data Protection at Infosys.
Sumit Virmani
EVP & CMO, Infosys
Sumit heads marketing and communications at Infosys, with responsibility for realizing Infosys’ brand ambitions globally.
A transformative marketing leader, Sumit has, for over 25 years, shaped brand experiences and narratives across industries and geographies. He joined Infosys in 2004 and has since helped navigate Infosys into the league of the world’s Top 100 brands, and to evolve into the fastest growing IT services brand globally.
He champions the role of brand purpose, brand promise and brand performance as the foundational pillars that position the business for short-term growth and long-term market share gains. Sumit is also the Trustee at Infosys Foundation and serves on the Board of WongDoody – Infosys’ experience design company. Prior to joining Infosys, Sumit worked with Polaris Software and the Tata Group where he honed his skills in business development, brand strategy, marketing effectiveness and corporate communications. Forbes ranked Sumit among the top 50 most influential CMOs globally in 2023. CNBC Storyboard 18 recognized him as a global marketing visionary in 2024.
He serves on the steering committees of The Drum, International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences and the Association of National Advertisers to help further the marketing agenda in boardrooms.
Eva Saha
Master of Ceremonies
Eva Saha is a professional host, emcee and moderator. She is best known for having worked as a TV personality on the Emmy Award winning entertainment show ‘190 North’ on Chicago’s ABC7. Her natural, warm and commanding presence – both on and off-camera – has also made her the host of choice for a variety of in-person and virtual-event clients, from Fortune 500 companies to associations and nonprofit organizations. Eva is known to bring out the best in people. She has interviewed the likes of political consultants James Carville and Mary Matalin; professional athletes Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Venus Williams, Eli Manning and John Cena; award-winning actors Tom Hanks, Viola Davis and Michael J. Fox; author and activist Glennon Doyle, and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Eva’s ability to relate to all personalities and people of different backgrounds and cultures enables her to effectively interview and moderate discussions among Fortune 500 CEOs and customers of those companies alike.
A formerly practicing accountant for an international energy company and corporate attorney for a world-renowned firm, Eva brings focus, dedication and depth to the job. Eva is an active volunteer and advocate for a plethora of causes, working to advance literacy and improve the welfare of disadvantaged women, children and victims of abuse and human trafficking. When she’s not working, you’ll find Eva laughing, playing and traveling with her favorite people on earth (her husband and two daughters), sampling the culinary treasures of Chicago or lounging on her couch reading a good book, watching a crime drama or cheering on (sometimes screaming at) the University of Michigan football team.
