Mike Krzyzewski

Wednesday November 8, 2023 7:00 pm

Presented by: Wells Fargo

The passionate, dynamic, and inspiring coach of Duke University men’s basketball team, Mike Krzyzewski, is the NCAA Division 1 men’s all-time leader for wins with 1,200 games in the W column. Coach K has compiled an incredible record of success with 35 NCAA tournament appearances, 13 Final Fours, and five National Championships over 46 seasons as a head coach. He also coached the U.S. men’s national basketball team from 2005 to 2016, leading Team USA to three Olympic gold medals in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

The Naismith Hall of Fame coach is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, including “Beyond Basketball: Coach K’s Keywords for Success.” His most recent book is “The Gold Standard: Building a World- Class Team.” A 12-time National Coach of the Year, Sports Illustrated named Krzyzewski its Sportsman of the Year in 2011. Krzyzewski has also been honored by USA Basketball as the recipient or co-recipient of the USA Basketball National Coach of the Year Award.

Steve Wozniak

Wednesday January 17, 2024 7:00pm

Presented by: Landstar

A Silicon Valley icon, technology entrepreneur, and philanthropist for more than 40 years, Steve Wozniak helped shape the computing industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products, the Apple I and II. In 1976, Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer Inc. with Wozniak’s Apple I personal computer. The following year, he introduced his Apple II personal computer, featuring a central processing unit, keyboard, color graphics, and floppy disk drive. The Apple II was integral in launching the personal computer industry. He is listed as the sole inventor on four Apple patents.

Wozniak was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1985, the highest honor bestowed on America’s leading innovators. In 2000, he was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame and was awarded the prestigious Heinz Award for Technology, The Economy and Employment for singlehandedly designing the first personal computer and for then redirecting his passion for mathematics and electronics toward lighting the fires of excitement for education in students and their teachers. His autobiography, “iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon,” was a New York Times bestseller. He continues to pursue philanthropic and entrepreneurial interests and recently co-founded Efforce, a blockchain-based energy saving trading platform.

Adm. James Stavridis (USN Ret.)

Monday February 26, 2024 7:00 pm

Presented by: Florida Blue

Four-star Admiral James Stavridis, retired, received numerous U.S and international medals and decorations while serving for 37 years in the U.S. Navy. The international security expert is currently vice chair, global affairs and managing director of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. He chairs The Rockefeller Foundation board.

A U.S. Naval Academy graduate, he also earned a Ph.D. from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and was the school’s 12th dean. He served as senior military assistant to the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of Defense.

Among his commands, he served from 2009-2013 as the 16th Supreme Allied Commander at NATO, overseeing operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and the Balkans. He also led the U.S. Southern Command, responsible for military operations through Latin America from 2006-2009. He has published 12 books on leadership, the oceans and maritime affairs. His most recent book, “2034: A Novel of the Next World War” in 2021, was a New York Times bestseller.