Special Events

Recognized globally as one of America’s foremost journalists, authors and entertainers, Hoda Kotb is best known as the former co-anchor of NBC News’ “TODAY,” co-host of “TODAY with Hoda & Jenna” and host of the popular podcast “Making Space with Hoda Kotb.” She recently left “TODAY” after 17 successful years with the show and founded the new wellness community and platform, Joy 101.

Kevin Olusola creates art at a nexus between styles, cultures and perspectives. His signature sound reimagines classical musicianship through an ambitious modern sonic and lyrical lens, while balancing his dynamic background of Nigerian and Grenadian heritage. He showcases his ability to captivate as a solo artist or as one-fifth of three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum a cappella phenomenon Pentatonix. As such, all of these energies and elements comprise his ever-evolving artistic vision as vocal powerhouse, songwriter, beatboxer, cellist and producer.

Native Coloradan Pete McBride has spent two decades studying the world with a camera. An award-winning photographer, filmmaker, author and public speaker, he is a Sony Artisan of Light and has traveled on assignment to more than 75 countries for the National Geographic Society, Smithsonian, Google, The Nature Conservancy, and many others. He has spoken on stages for TEDx, The World Economic Forum, Pixar, Nat Geo Live, and more. His feature documentary, “Into the Canyon,” was nominated for an Emmy in 2020, and his books “Between River and Rim,” “Seeing Silence” and “Chasing Water” have all won National Outdoor Book Awards. 

A Florida native, Jim Stavridis attended the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and spent 37 years in the navy, rising to the rank of 4-star admiral. Among his many commands were four years as the 16th supreme allied commander at NATO, where he oversaw operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, the Balkans, and counter piracy off the coast of Africa. He also commanded U.S. Southern Command in Miami, charged with military operations through Latin America for nearly three years. He was the longest serving combatant commander in recent U.S. history. Following his military career, he served for five years as the 12th dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.