Damon Langlois is an internationally recognized sand sculptor, creative director, and industrial designer known for shaping large-scale narrative environments in a medium designed to vanish. He was Creative Director of the Remal International Sand Art Festival in Kuwait — one of the largest thematic sand art events ever staged — leading an international team in the creation of a monumental story-driven sand art installation that spanned the scale of a city block. Langlois recently authored the book Stories in Sand, chronicling the narratives of the Arabian Nights and the artworks and the Remal Festival.

In 2015 Langlois co-designed and directed, with Ted Siebert, the Guinness World Record tallest sandcastle at 45 ft 10 in — a record pursued in full acceptance that the achievement could be erased by wind or rain at any moment, and nearly was.

erased by wind or rain at any moment, and nearly was.

Langlois is a multi-time world champion in both solo and team sand sculpting, with top finishes at elite competitions across Europe, North America, and Asia. In parallel, he maintains an active career in industrial design, shaping products and user experiences — a discipline that directly informs the precision, workflow, and narrative clarity of his sand work.

What survives the sand sculpture is not the shape itself but the experience.

Dr. Robert “Neal” Mills is a board-certified physician executive and a distinguished graduate of the University of Tennessee’s Physician Executive MBA program. With over two decades of experience spanning healthcare strategy, population health, and innovative delivery system transformations, Dr. Mills is an accomplished leader dedicated to advancing quality initiatives that align with the quadruple aim.

At the Inspiring Children Foundation, Dr. Neal leads efforts to create and sustain the organization’s groundbreaking endowment, leveraging his extensive expertise in healthcare finance, strategic partnerships, and value-based designs to support youth and families in achieving their fullest potential.

Prior to this, Dr. Neal served as Managing Director and Global Chief Medical Officer at Goldman Sachs, where he developed global clinical governance structures and mental health strategies across diverse regions. He has also held prominent leadership roles at Aon and Moda Health Plan, where he pioneered transformative solutions in virtual care, pharmacy coalitions, and evidence-based population health strategies, delivering multimillion-dollar cost savings and enhancing patient outcomes.

Dr. Neal has been a sought-after speaker across nearly all 50 states, known for his ability to translate complex healthcare innovations into actionable strategies for diverse audiences. His professional affiliations include leadership positions with the National Business Group on Health, the Oregon Healthcare Leadership Council, and various advisory boards.

Dr. Neal is also deeply committed to community service, having served on multiple nonprofit boards, including the Inspiring Children Foundation, where he combines his healthcare expertise with a passion for mentorship and youth empowerment.

Josiah Alipate is a digital evangelist, storyteller, and social media influencer known online as “The Real Coach Josiah.” With over a million followers, he inspires people around the world through faith-based motivation, fitness, and personal growth. Josiah uses his powerful short videos to share messages about hope, purpose, and living with passion — reminding students that with faith and discipline, anything is possible.

Ms. Yarbrough is Professor of Government and Gary M. Pendy, Sr. Professor of Social Sciences, with teaching responsibilities in political philosophy and American Political Thought. She was a Woodrow Wilson Dissertation Fellow and has twice received research fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Her first award as a Bicentennial Fellow resulted in the publication of American Virtues: Thomas Jefferson on the Character of a Free People (Kansas, 1998). Following up on this research, she has edited The Essential Jefferson (Hackett, 2006). Her second N.E.H. grant was part of a "We the People" initiative that supported research on Theodore Roosevelt and the American Political Tradition (University Press of Kansas, 2012), which won the Richard E. Neustadt Award for 2013 (awarded annually by the American Political Science Association (APSA) for the best book on the Presidency). Ms. Yarbrough is the author of numerous articles and essays in American political thought and public policy, as well as other topics in political philosophy. Her current research involves a study of the political thought of Alexis de Tocqueville in relation to major American political figures. She has served on the editorial boards of The Review of Politics and Polity and currently serves on the editorial board of American Political Thought. She was President of the New England Political Science Association in 2005, and recently completed a Senate-confirmed appointment to the National Council of 
the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 2021, Ms. Yarbrough was awarded the Henry Salvatori Prize for her scholarly work and public service in upholding the principles of the American Founding.

Senior Vice President, Post Production — Universal Television / NBC

Richard Winnie is a media production executive with more than 25 years of experience in television, film, and post-production. At NBC/Universal, he oversees large-scale post production workflows, creative editorial teams, and project delivery for network and streaming content.

Throughout his career, Richard has led high-profile series, collaborative cross-department initiatives, and complex post pipelines, working with editors, visual effects teams, and producers to bring stories to life. He’s passionate about mentoring emerging talent, pushing creative boundaries, and building efficient, high-quality workflows in a fast-paced industry.

When he’s not working, Richard loves exploring new storytelling formats, staying current on editing and post-tech trends, and sharing insights with students and professionals.

Jacob Bourgault is a corporate associate whose practice includes advising clients on securities transactions, corporate governance, financial restructurings, out-of-court workouts, and Chapter 11 bankruptcies.

Prior to joining White & Case, Jacob graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School and was inducted into Order of the Coif.

During law school, he was Managing Editor for Minnesota Law Review, Student Director of the Bankruptcy Clinic, externed for a bankruptcy judge, and served as President of the professional student body. He also had six legal articles selected for publication.

Matteo Curseri is a 22-year-old actor from Brescia, Italy. Acting is his life: since childhood he dreamed of cinema, exploring other lives beyond his own. A former Mater Academy Dual Diploma student, Matteo went on to study acting in Milan and began working on short films and movie sets. In 2025, he starred in his first leading role in the film "Le Vie dell’Acqua", directed by Fabio Masi and presented at the Venice International Film Festival. Alongside his artistic path, he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Cinema Engineering in Turin, combining creativity with technical knowledge to become a well-rounded actor in the evolving world of storytelling.

Born in 1961, Alexis d'Hérouville is a direct descendant of Alexis de Tocqueville, the renowned French philosopher and historian. Raised at the Château de Tocqueville, he graduated from the Institut d'Études Politiques (SciencesPo Paris) and works as a banker in Paris at the Banque Publique d’Investissement. Committed to preserving and transmitting Western cultural and intellectual heritage, Alexis d'Hérouville works closely with his brother, Jean-Guillaume, to perpetuate their mother's legacy, MarieHenriette de Tocqueville, the last direct descendant bearing the Tocqueville name.

 
Links with the United States 
The Tocqueville family has maintained close ties with the United States for many years. 
The Tocqueville Prize, established in 1979, has recognized prestigious American laureates, including: 
- David Riesman (1980) 
- Daniel Bell (1999) 
- Colin Powell (2006) 
- Zbigniew Brzezinski (2010) 
- Henry Kissinger (2018) 

The prize jury consisted of prominent figures, including Stanley Hoffmann and Lawrence Wylie, and 
was successively chaired by Raymond Aron, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (former French President), and 
Alain Juppé (former French Prime Minister). 

The Tocqueville Conversations 
Since 2018, Alexis d'Hérouville has participated in organizing The Tocqueville Conversations, an 
annual event that brings together 300 participants from around the world at the Château de 
Tocqueville. This event, co-organized by the Tocqueville Foundation, Le Figaro, and the Atlantic 
Council, aims to discuss the challenges facing Western democracies. 

Lectures and projects 
Alexis d'Hérouville gives lectures on Alexis de Tocqueville and other prominent figures in French 
history. He also proposes travel projects to the United States, focusing on analyzing American 
democracy in light of Tocqueville's work, Democracy in America. 

US Travel Project 
This project consists of a series of lectures and meetings with Americans from diverse backgrounds, 
aiming to provide a French perspective on current American democracy. 
The objectives are to: 
- Analyze the evolution of American society since Tocqueville 
- Reflect on the challenges facing American democracy 
- Establish links between the French and Americans 

The "outputs" of this project could include: 
- Filmed debates broadcast in episodes 
- A book to be written at the end of the trip 
This project will provide a deeper understanding of the issues facing American democracy today and 
strengthen ties between the two countries

Dr. Quinton is an Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is also a board-certified forensic pathologist and a medical examiner for the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office. Prior to 2019, he was the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner and Director of Forensic Pathology fellowship training program for the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Quinton has published and lectured extensively in the field of forensic pathology, with a focus on child fatality and forensic pathology education. He is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) and Chair of the NAME Educational Activities Committee.

Charles de Lusignan is the Global Communications Director at the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), a role he assumed in September 2022. A British-Belgian-Italian national and graduate of the College of Europe, Charles brings over a decade of experience in industrial and policy communications — most recently as Head of Communications & Public Affairs Europe for a major steel technology company. At IFRA, he leads internal and external communications efforts aimed at enhancing the fragrance industry’s reputation, advancing sustainability, regulatory clarity and global stakeholder engagement. Based in Brussels and Geneva, Charles plays a pivotal role in communicating how fragrance underpins consumer wellbeing, innovation and responsible growth worldwide.

As chief storyteller and podcast host at the Science History Institute, Alexis oversees our award-winning Distillations digital content platform, which includes building out a strategic vision for our magazine, podcasts, and social media storytelling. She is also cohost of the Distillations podcast.

Alexis also served as director of Innate: How Science Invented the Myth of Race, a National Endowment for the Humanities-funded podcast and magazine project that explores the historical roots and persistent legacies of racism in American science and medicine.

She completed her undergraduate degree at Temple University, studying psychology and European history, and earned her master’s degree in humanities from Arcadia University, where her focus was history, philosophy, and religion.

Alexis is known for her lively history talks and tours in Philadelphia. She previously served on the boards of Young Involved Philadelphia and the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. In 2015 she was nominated for Geek of the Year by the Philadelphia Geek Awards.

Alexis is a member of the Science History Institute’s Leadership Team.

Ms. Judith Marty is the President of Doral College, a school known for giving high school students the chance to earn real college credits and even associate degrees before graduation. She has spent her career helping students succeed and supporting teachers and principals so schools can be the best they can be.

Before becoming President of Doral College, Ms. Marty served as the Chief Academic Officer for Mater Academy. In that role, she helped oversee dozens of schools, trained school leaders, managed academic programs, and worked directly with principals to make sure students had strong learning opportunities. She also helped guide major decisions on curriculum, testing, transportation, reading programs, and crisis management.

For 15 years, Ms. Marty was the Principal of Mater Academy Charter Middle/High School, where she helped the school become one of the top-performing public schools in the nation. Under her leadership, Mater earned an “A” rating for many years and was recognized by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, and The Washington Post. She also played a major role in the school’s performing arts expansion and academic growth.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Marty worked in several leadership positions across Miami-Dade County Public Schools, including Curriculum Assistant Principal at Miami Senior High and Miami Beach Senior High, and Coordinator of Special Programs at Henry H. Filer Middle School. Even before becoming an administrator, she began her career as an elementary school teacher, where her passion for helping students first came to life.

Ms. Marty has dedicated her entire professional life to supporting students, expanding access to college opportunities, and building schools where young people can discover their talents and achieve their goals. Her leadership continues to inspire thousands of students every year.

Ms. Yarbrough is Professor of Government and Gary M. Pendy, Sr. Professor of Social Sciences, with teaching responsibilities in political philosophy and American Political Thought. She was a Woodrow Wilson Dissertation Fellow and has twice received research fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Her first award as a Bicentennial Fellow resulted in the publication of American Virtues: Thomas Jefferson on the Character of a Free People (Kansas, 1998). Following up on this research, she has edited The Essential Jefferson (Hackett, 2006). Her second N.E.H. grant was part of a "We the People" initiative that supported research on Theodore Roosevelt and the American Political Tradition (University Press of Kansas, 2012), which won the Richard E. Neustadt Award for 2013 (awarded annually by the American Political Science Association (APSA) for the best book on the Presidency). Ms. Yarbrough is the author of numerous articles and essays in American political thought and public policy, as well as other topics in political philosophy. Her current research involves a study of the political thought of Alexis de Tocqueville in relation to major American political figures. She has served on the editorial boards of The Review of Politics and Polity and currently serves on the editorial board of American Political Thought. She was President of the New England Political Science Association in 2005, and recently completed a Senate-confirmed appointment to the National Council of the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 2021, Ms. Yarbrough was awarded the Henry Salvatori Prize for her scholarly work and public service in upholding the principles of the American Founding.

Taylor Smith is the President and founder of Project Finance & Development Investments (PFDI), a company that helps build and finance important community projects across Florida and the United States. Since 1998, he has helped develop more than $1 billion worth of schools, housing, roads, and other facilities that support students, families, and local communities.

A major part of Taylor’s work is focused on charter schools. He has helped create, build, or support dozens of schools, including Mater Academy, Pinecrest Academy, Somerset Academy, River City Science Academy, and many more. His work often requires him to bring together city leaders, school districts, state agencies, and private partners—all working toward the shared goal of giving students a better place to learn.

In addition to leading PFDI, Taylor serves on several important boards. He is a Governor-appointed Board Member and Treasurer of the Florida Development Finance Corporation, a Trustee of Doral College, and a Board Member of Somerset Schools, a nationwide charter school network. He also helps oversee Building Faith, a nonprofit that owns more than $250 million in charter school facilities in Florida.

Taylor grew up in Florida and graduated from Spruce Creek High School. He attended Princeton University as a Truman Scholar and later studied at the Australian National University as a Fulbright Scholar. Today, he continues to work in Florida and volunteers as a leader and teacher in his Jacksonville community. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, Kathi, who is a children’s author and illustrator.

Taylor Smith’s work has helped thousands of students access high-quality schools and opportunities, making a lasting difference in education across the country.

Tony Morales is the Co-Chairman of N2Growth Executive Search in Miami, FL. He advises boards and senior executives on talent strategy, leadership selection, organizational design, performance management, succession planning, and executive transitions.

Through his leadership of N2Growth’s executive search practice, Tony oversees engagements across all industries, functions, ownership structures, business models, and geographies. Whether a multinational, multibillion-dollar enterprise, a sovereign government, or a startup in hypergrowth, Tony helps our clients answer three fundamental questions:

• • Who do we need on our leadership team?
  • How do we all succeed while they’re here?
  • How do we all succeed when they’re gone?

Prior to N2Growth, Tony’s career involved leadership through consultative, interim, and industry roles. After exiting a technology-enabled service startup, Tony held a leadership role at the ACE Foundation, a private foundation supporting social and public sector innovation. Before this, he was an executive for Academica, the nation’s largest educational services firm, leading strategic and administrative functions for its virtual and emerging technologies business.

Tony is active in philanthropy and community service, especially in his native South Florida. He serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Somerset Academy Foundation, Inc., Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Under A Tree, Inc., and a Trustee for Doral College, where he teaches anthropology each fall. He serves in a volunteering or advisory capacity for other private and public organizations, including the Center for Education Reform, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner Department. Tony is a member of YPO.

Tony holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and philosophy, politics, and economics, a master’s degree in anthropology, and graduate credentials in neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as programmatic faculty at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, teaching through its Undergraduate Division and Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the undergraduate and executive levels, respectively.

Dr. Greer joined the University on June 1, 2020 with the goal of establishing an innovative mid-21st Century, Las Vegas-based medical school that will align students, educators, and community in designing and delivering an inclusive and collaborate environment for learning, healthcare and research. Previously, Dr. Greer served as Professor of Medicine, Founding Chair of Humanities, Health, and Society; and Associate Dean for Community Engagement at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami, Florida.

Working with various FIU colleges, Dr. Greer spearheaded the nationally recognized Green Family Foundation Neighborhood Health Education Learning Program (NeighborhoodHELP). This program prepares medical students and other health professions students to address the social determinants of health through a hands-on longitudinal experience caring for underserved households in Miami-Dade County. Better known as “Joe,” Dr. Greer has been an advocate for health equity by engaging communities to create effective health and social policies and accessible health care systems.

He established Camillus Health Concern, Inc. and Saint John Bosco, health centers for underserved populations in Miami-Dade County, Florida. He has received numerous recognitions, including: one of the 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in Life Sciences listed on the Florida Trend 2019; June 2019 AMA Foundation Pride in Profession Award; Bob Graham Center for Public Service 2017 Citizen of the Year; 2014 National Jefferson Award in the category of Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged; 2013 Great Floridian Award; the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom; and in 1993, was honored as a MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” Fellow. He has published more than 30 articles and book chapters and wrote Waking Up in America, a book about his life experiences, including caring for homeless individuals and advising Presidents Bush Sr. and Clinton on health care policy. Dr. Greer is currently a Trustee at the RAND Corporation (America’s oldest and largest think tank) and is the Chair of the Pardee RAND Graduate School Board of Governors. He served as Chair for the Hispanic Heritage Awards Foundation from 2002 to 2012, and is an independent board member of American Funds 2016 to present.

He completed his medical studies at La Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic. ]He trained in Internal Medicine, served as Chief Resident, and completed two post-doctoral fellowships (Hepatology and Gastroenterology) at the VA/University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida. Before joining FIU, Dr. Greer ran a successful private practice and was Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mercy Hospital in Miami.

Jedidiah Collins, a former NFL player turned Certified Financial Planner, faced financial challenges in his sports career, leading him to pursue financial education. He founded Money Vehicle, an education technology company, with a mission to provide engaging financial literacy curriculum, empowering individuals, including professional athletes and young professionals.

Glenn Jacobs is currently serving his second term as Mayor of Knox County, TN. Prior to becoming Mayor in 2018, Jacobs enjoyed a successful career in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)—most notably under the stage name “Kane”—culminating in his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2020. A staunch fiscal conservative and fierce advocate for limited government, during his first term, Jacobs delivered on his campaign promise of no tax hikes as well as pushed back against government overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his second term, he is prioritizing workforce and economic development to make East Tennessee even more competitive in a rapidly evolving innovation-based global economy. Glenn and his wife, Crystal, have two daughters and two grandchildren.