Eboo Patel is a civic leader, speaker, and author advancing the notion that diversity is a treasure and cooperation across our difference is the key for everybody to thrive. Recognized as “one of America’s best leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, he is the founder and president of Interfaith America, the nation’s leading interfaith organization. Under Patel’s leadership, Interfaith America has grown into a $20 million-per-year organization that partners with governments, universities, businesses, and civic organizations to transform faith into a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. His impact extends to serving on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council, delivering hundreds of keynote addresses, and authoring five influential books, including We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy. A Rhodes Scholar and Ashoka Fellow, Patel earned a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University.

Abigail Wiebenson became a leadership coach more than a decade ago following her 19 year headship of Lowell School in Washington, DC. Her practice includes coaching individual school leaders as well as leading Mastermind Groups across the country comprised of department chairs, administrative teams, heads and middle managers. For the past two years she's been one of the coaches-in-residence at NAIS' Annual Conference. 

Josh Chuck is a fourth-generation resident of San Francisco's Chinatown, where his family has deep roots, including doctors, merchants, teachers, and pastors. With over 25 years of experience as a youth worker, self-taught filmmaker, and fundraiser, he is deeply committed to his community. He co-directed his first feature documentary, CHINATOWN RISING, alongside his father, Rev. Harry Chuck, and has presented the film to over 300 audiences, as well as national broadcast and streaming. More recently, he co-directed the film Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America, which premiered in March 2025 at SXSW EDU in Austin, TX. Chuck takes great pride in the rich history of activism in his community and is passionate about sharing these vital stories. He is currently in production on two other documentary projects sharing unique and important community stories taking place in San Francisco. 

Sean LaPorta works on a broad array of litigation matters, including work before State and Federal Courts as well as before various boards and governing bodies. LaPorta is an associate in the Education Law Practice Group at McLane Middleton and focuses on serving the needs of both students and educational institutions as they navigate legal and practical issues. He has extensive experience working with small to large educational institutions, where he provides advice and analysis on a wide variety of issues, including employment and board of trustee policies. He provides services regarding employment contracts, waivers, severance agreements, compliance, risk analysis, and navigating state and federal laws.