2024 Speakers

MIKE WALLZ

DREW JOINER

"Living the Free Life: Turning Setbacks into Superpowers"

What Does it mean to be yourself?

Drew Joiner is a multifaceted fashion-centric content creator. Since 2020, Drew has grown his online platforms by speaking authentically to and sharing his insights with his ever-growing audience. The topics of his videos range from uncovering the nuances of Japanese Denim to discussing the changes in fashion trends. Through the unpretentious nature of his tone and the clarity in which he is able to convey his ideas, Drew teaches and inspires others to use fashion as a positive tool in their lives. Drew has partnered with companies such as Google, Ralph Lauren, eBay, ESPN, the Colorado Rapids, Nike, Motorola, StockX, and more. His work has been featured in publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Courier.

Mike Wallace is a creative entrepreneur, hip-hop artist, and executive producer, known for his dynamic work across entertainment, brand engineering, and wellness. After a devastating injury as a Division 1 athlete, he transitioned his rap hobby into a thriving career in entertainment and entrepreneurship, leading a lifestyle movement called "The Free Life." He has toured the world as a musician and content director, and has played a pivotal role in creating cultural phenomena that elevate his community. With a strong foundation in business from his Executive MBA at Penn State, Mike has co-founded multiple ventures, including Socanomics, a global dance fitness brand, and BRiDGE, a platform designed to foster meaningful connections and build stronger communities. His work bridges the gaps between culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Passionate about giving back, Mike frequently speaks to student-athletes and creative entrepreneurs, encouraging them to build personal brands and pursue their goals with resilience and innovation.

In his talk, "Living the Free Life: Turning Setbacks into Superpowers," he will share how losing his football future became the catalyst for a resilient journey as a world-touring artist and startup founder. He will provide a blueprint for turning adversity into opportunity, empowering others to embrace their passions, align with their purpose, and create a life of lasting impact.

 

SAVYA Kumar AGARWAL

 

“Confidence is a Scam: Rewriting the Path to Achievement”

 

Hi, I’m Savya. My passion for biology and engineering drives me to explore how the natural world can inspire innovative solutions to improve life for all organisms on the planet. In my free time, I love immersing myself in fiction books, playing video games like Elden Ring, and beating my friends in Blood on the Clocktower during game nights.

This talk breaks down the common belief that confidence is needed for success, showing instead that courage is the real driving force behind growth. Using psychology and real-life examples, it explains how the confidence-competence process is often misunderstood, and that the first step toward a goal is harder and more complex than it seems. By highlighting the realistic steps needed to achieve difficult goals, the talk offers a new perspective on building resilience and making lasting progress.