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.
Vineet Khosla
CTO, The Washington Post
Vineet Khosla is a renowned AI engineer whose career has been marked by groundbreaking achievements. As CTO at The Washington Post, Vineet drives the company’s overall vision for its technology goals and innovation. Previously, Vineet created Uber's Global Maps Routing System, using cutting-edge AI tools to revolutionize navigation. He was the first engineering hire for Siri’s natural language engine. As a Senior AI Engineer, he also played a central role in developing the core Natural Language Understanding engine and the architectural framework that allowed Siri to operate on devices. Vineet also crafted a visionary five-year plan for Siri, enabling Siri to learn from various applications. He has been working with AI since 2005 and is the holder of 2 patents and multiple white papers published on the subject. His career exemplifies a commitment to advancing AI technology, establishing Vineet as a prominent figure in the field.
Johanna Mayer-Jones
Chief Advertising Officer, The Washington Post
Johanna Mayer-Jones is the Chief Advertising Officer at The Washington Post, where she leads the Global Advertising business teams. In this role, Johanna is responsible for formulating and executing strategy across client partnerships including products, audience segments (B2B, B2C, Policy Maker, Global & Regional), partnership marketing and live events.
Before her tenure at The Washington Post, Johanna was Senior Vice President of Partnerships at The Atlantic, leading global sales and account management teams. Prior to that, Johanna held senior sales and marketing positions at The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones in New York and Hong Kong where she led The Journal's integrated marketing team, the global sales team, and was elevated to Vice President of Live Journalism. Johanna started her career at The Financial Times and the BBC in London.
Johanna’s global experience spanning strategic product development, live journalism, integrated marketing and sales brings a particularly unique perspective. In her role at The Washington Post, Johanna is focused on elevating the power of news—leveraging data and technology to build trust with our critical audiences and developing results-driven solutions for our clients.
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.
