2025 Keynote Speakers
Charlie Ward, Motivational Speaker, Heisman Trophy Winner, Former NBA Player
Charlie Ward Jr. is a husband, father, mentor, and coach who exemplifies integrity, hard work, and faith. A celebrated two-sport athlete, he made history at Florida State University (FSU) as a standout quarterback and point guard, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading FSU to its first National Championship. Despite his football success, he pursued a career in professional basketball, becoming a first-round NBA draft pick and playing 11 seasons with the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets.
Following his playing career, Charlie transitioned into coaching and mentoring young athletes. As the head basketball coach at Florida State University High School, he has led his team to multiple championships and earned consecutive All-Big Bend Coach of the Year honors. His leadership, both on and off the court, has made him a sought-after speaker, inspiring audiences worldwide with his “Chalk Talk” keynotes and workshops on perseverance, preparation, and faith.
Beyond sports, Charlie and his wife, Tonja, are passionate about giving back. They founded The Charlie and Tonja Ward Family Foundation, dedicated to supporting youth character development through sports, education, the arts, and wellness, as well as disaster relief initiatives. His incredible journey and impact are chronicled in the biography The Athlete: Greatness, Grace and the Unprecedented Life of Charlie Ward and the ESPN documentary Twice As Nice – The Legend of Charlie Ward. Through his work, Charlie continues to leave a lasting legacy as a coach, mentor, and role model.
Jessica Harvey, CEO of the Guy Harvey Foundation
Jessica Harvey is the CEO of the Guy Harvey Foundation, an organization dedicated to conserving our oceans through marine science research and education. An 11th generation Jamaican, Jessica was raised in the Cayman Islands and grew up traveling with her father, renowned artist and conservationist, Guy Harvey, on fishing and research expeditions around the world. She holds numerous fishing world records, has SCUBA dived on the planet’s most pristine coral reefs and with some of the ocean’s biggest sharks.
Jessica earned her degree in Zoology from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and spent several years working for the Cayman Islands Department of the Environment before joining the Guy Harvey Foundation full-time. As leader of the Guy Harvey Foundation, Jessica Harvey uses her everlasting passion for our oceans to better understand the wonders of the undersea world and engage students and the public in efforts to save our seas.
Ramon Ray, Entrepreneur & Author
Ramon Ray is a serial entrepreneur and small business expert, who is an in-demand thought leader on personal branding as a tool for small business success. He inspires and educates thousands of business owners a year through his articles, podcasts, and in-demand media interviews. He's a contributor to Entrepreneur.com, BlackEnterprise.com and publisher of ZoneofGenius.com.
He is a successful entrepreneur, in-demand, motivational speaker, and event host. Ramon has started 5 businesses and sold 3 of them. Ramon has authored five books, including "Celebrity CEO". Audiences around the world are inspired by his high energy and ability to connect and care.