Roy F. Baumeister is one of the world’s most prolific and influential psychologists. He has published well over 500 scientific articles and more than 30 books. In 2013, he received the highest award given by the Association for Psychological Science, the William James Fellow award, in recognition of his lifetime achievements. He is currently the Eppes Eminent Scholar and a professor of psychology at Florida State University, and he holds distinguished visiting professorships at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia and VU University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Although Roy made his name with laboratory research, his recognition extends beyond the narrow confines of academia. His 2011 book Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength (with John Tierney) was a New York Times bestseller. He has appeared on television shows such as Dateline NBC and ABC’s 20/20, as well as on PBS, National Public Radio, and countless local news shows. His work has been covered or quoted in the The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, The Economist, Newsweek, TIME, Psychology Today, Self, Men’s Health, Businessweek, and many other outlets.

Senator William W. Bradley, 73, is a Managing Director of Allen & Company LLC. From 2001-2004, he acted as chief outside advisor to McKinsey & Company’s nonprofit practice. He was a Senior Advisor and Vice Chairman of the International

Council of JP Morgan & Co., Inc. from 1997-1999. During that time, he also worked as an essayist for CBS evening news and was a visiting professor at Stanford University, University of Notre Dame and the University of Maryland. Senator Bradley served in the U.S. Senate from 1979 – 1997 representing the state of New Jersey. In 2000, he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Prior to serving in the Senate, he was an Olympic gold medalist in 1964 and a professional basketball player with the New York Knicks from 1967 – 1977 during which time they won 2 NBA championships. In 1982, he was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Senator Bradley holds a BA degree in American History from Princeton University and an MA degree from Oxford University where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He has authored seven books on American politics, culture and economy, including his latest book We Can All Do Better. Currently, Senator Bradley hosts American Voices, a weekly show on Sirius XM Satellite Radio that highlights the remarkable accomplishments of Americans both famous and unknown.

Betty Sue Flowers, Ph.D., is a writer, editor, and international business consultant, with publications ranging from poetry therapy to human rights, including two books of poetry and four television tie-in books with Bill Moyers. She has served as a moderator for executive seminars at the Aspen Institute, consultant for NASA and CIA, Visiting Advisor to the Secretary of the Navy, Public Director of the American Institute of Architects, and editor of scenarios for Shell International in London and the Hague, the OAS, the OECD, Eskom in South Africa, the University of Oxford, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development in Geneva (on global sustainable development, on the future of biotechnology, and on global water issues). She was the series consultant for the PBS television series, “Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth” and on-air consultant for the nationally broadcast “The Mystery of Love.” Before moving to New York City in 2009, Flowers served as Director of the Johnson Presidential Library and Museum and as a professor, Director of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program, Director of Creative Writing in the English Department, and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Her most recent publications include the complete edition of Christina Rossetti’s poetry for

the Penguin English Poets Series, Presence: Human Purpose and the Field of the Future (co-authored), and “The American Dream and the Economic Myth” (Huffington Post).

Vice Chairman of Eisenhower Fellowships, Former President of The Fox Companies, Trustee and/or Director of Multiple Non-Profit Companies.

Scott Barry Kaufman is the Scientific Director of the Imagination Institute and a researcher and lecturer in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where he investigates the measurement and development of intelligence, imagination, and creativity. Kaufman has authored/edited seven books, including Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind (with Carolyn Gregoire), Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined , The Complexity of Greatness: Beyond Talent or Practice , and The Philosophy o f Creativity (with Elliot Samuel Paul). Kaufman is also co – founder of The Creativity Post, host of The Psychology Podcast, and he writes the blog, Beautiful Minds, for Scientific American. Kaufman completed his doctorate in cognitive psychology from Yale University in 2009 and received his master’s degree in experimental psychology from Cambridge University in 2005, where he was a Gates Cambridge Scholar.

Rabbi Darren Levine is the founding rabbi of Tamid, The Downtown Synagogue (tamidnyc.org) in New York City and the leading voice of Positive Judaism – a new vision for Jewish life in the 21st Century which seeks to impact humanity through positive Jewish values. (positive-judaism.org). He is currently writing a book titled, Positive Judaism: The Jewish Way to Happiness and Well-being.

A dynamic speaker, author, and caring pastor, Darren holds ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and a Doctorate in Ministry from the Post-Graduate Center for Mental Health. He has two sons, ages 9 and 12, and has served at Temple Shaaray Tefila in New York City and as a Chaplain Officer in the US Army. He is a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the International Positive Psychology Association and works closely with the Interfaith Community of New York.

Chikako Matsumoto is the founder and CEO of Sorraia Consulting, Inc., a strategic and financial consulting firm serving corporate and non-profit organizations. She also serves as an advisor to the interdisciplinary doctoral program of the University of Tokyo, and to a boutique investment bank specializing in M&A and private equity placement. Chikako formerly held the position of Senior Financial Officer at both the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. She played a leading role in various high profile international initiatives including natural disaster management finance, green finance, the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, and the financial crisis management of Brazil. Chikako holds a Masters in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a MA from Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and is fluent in both Japanese and English.

She credits her meditation practice of more than 30 years as having a significant influence on her career advancement in finance and consulting.

Naomi Shihab Nye was born in St. Louis to a Palestinian immigrant father and an American mother, grew up in Jerusalem and San Antonio, and has been a wandering educator for more than 40 years. She has written or edited more than 30 books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, for adults and young readers. Her books include Sitti’s Secrets, Habibi, The Turtle of Oman, Fuel, Transfer, Red Suitcase, You & Yours, A Maze Me, and Come with Me: Poems for a Journey.

Naomi continues to live in old downtown San Antonio near the river with her photographer husband, Michael Nye (michaelnye.org) – they have one son and one grandson. She has never been anywhere in the world that poetry and inspiration did not live. This will be her first trip to Australia, and she is honored to join the group.

Arthur Schwartz is Professor of Leadership Studies and Founding Director of the Oskin Leadership Institute at Widener University. He came to Widener from the United States Air Force Academy where he served as that institution’s Senior Scholar. Prior to his Air Force Academy appointment, Arthur served 14 years as a senior executive at the John Templeton Foundation. He is widely known for collaborating with Dr. Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania in catalyzing the field of positive psychology. He also worked closely with the Higher Education Research Institute at U.C.L.A. to develop a longitudinal study on spiritual development during college. Arthur’s current research focuses on the antecedents of ethical leadership and the components of the courageous mindset. Most recently, he edited the Jossey-Bass volume Developing Ethical Leaders and his chapter on courage is featured in the new book Developing Leaders for Positive

Organizing. Arthur proudly serves on the boards of the International Leadership Association (ILA) and Character.org. He received his doctorate from Harvard University where he studied adolescent moral development.

Martin Seligman is the Director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania and Executive Director of the Imagination Institute. Commonly known as the founder of Positive Psychology, he is a leading authority in the fields of Positive Psychology, resilience, learned helplessness, depression, optimism, and pessimism. He is also a recognized authority on interventions that prevent depression, and build strengths and well-being. He has written more than 250 scholarly publications and 20 books. Dr. Seligman’s books have been translated into more than twenty languages and have been best sellers both in America and abroad. Among his better-known works are Flourish, Authentic Happiness, Learned Optimism, The Optimistic Child, Helplessness, and Abnormal Psychology. His book Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification, was co-authored with Christopher Peterson.

In 1998, Dr. Seligman was elected President of the American Psychological Association. His primary aim as APA President was to join practice and science together so both might flourish – a goal that has dominated his own life as a psychologist. Since 2000, his main mission has been the promotion of the field of Positive Psychology. Dr. Seligman is expanding Positive Psychology to education, health, and neuroscience, and has applied his research to groups like teachers and students, the U.S. Army, athletes, and every-day people. His goal is to make the world happier.

Dr. Seligman was born in Albany, NY and received his B.A. from Princeton University, Summa Cum Laude (Philosophy), 1964; Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (Psychology), 1967; Ph.D., Honoris causa, Uppsala University, Sweden, 1989; Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, Massachusetts College of Professional Psychology, 1997; Ph.D., Honoris Causa, Complutense University, Spain, 2003; and Ph.D., Honoris Causa, University of East London, 2006.

Krista Tippett is a Peabody Award-winning broadcaster and New York Times bestselling author. She created and hosts the public radio program and podcast On Being and curates the Civil Conversations Project., an emergent approach to the differences of our age. She received the 2013 National Humanities Medal at the White House for “thoughtfully delving into the mysteries of human existence. On the air and in print, Ms. Tippett avoids easy answers, embracing complexity and inviting people of every background to join her conversation about faith, ethics, and moral wisdom.” Krista was a journalist and diplomat in Cold War Berlin and holds a Masters of Divinity from Yale University. Her books are Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living, Einstein’s God — Conversations about Science and the Human Spirit, and Speaking of Faith — Why Religion Matters, and How to Talk about It. In 2013, Krista took On Being and The Civil Conversations Project into independent non-profit production.

Stuart Warren graduated Princeton in 1965 with an AB degree in the Department of Art and Archaeology, magna cum laude, and Harvard Law School in 1968 with a LlB degree cum laude. He practiced corporate and securities law in New York City before moving to Los Angeles in 1970 to work for The Flying Tiger Line Inc., an international cargo airline. He left Flying Tigers in 1984 but continued to specialize in aircraft related transactions representing US and foreign airlines, US and foreign leasing companies and persons in the US and abroad purchasing and selling executive aircraft. He has lectured and written on aviation related matters.

Stuart Warren was one of the first members of Kehillat Ma’Arav, the Westside Congregation, in Los Angeles, a synagogue affiliated with the Conservative Jewish movement. He served on its board, was chair of its Ritual Committee, wrote articles about holidays and ritual matters for its newsletter and served as its president for two years. Before and since his retirement, he has attended classes and study groups on Jewish topics.

David B. Yaden is a Research Fellow and PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania who works in both The Positive Psychology Center and The Center for Cognitive Neuroscience. His research focus is on the psychology and neuroscience of spiritual, self-transcendent, and other positively transformative experiences. Specifically, he is interested in understanding how these experiences can result in long-term changes to well-being and how they alter fundamental faculties of consciousness such as the sense of time, space, and self. He is the editor of Being Called and is currently writing a book called The Varieties of Spiritual Experiences: A Twenty-First Century Update for Oxford University Press. His work has been covered by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and NPR.