2018–2019 Speakers
Featured voices from UNITE's second year
Richard Kuo
Richard Kuo is a youth inspirational speaker, mentor, and Youtuber with over 1 million video views. He has been featured at TEDx and has also been invited to speak at over 100 schools across the United States to help students realize their significance. Growing up with very low self-esteem, a negative self-image, depression, and other teenage problems, Richard understands the challenges many students face today. He uses his own life story of overcoming negative self-talk to empower students to take ownership of their lives today.
Viet Mai
An educator, poet, and entrepreneur from San Diego who found his voice through spoken word poetry. He connects with community leaders throughout San Diego to inspire young people, promote civic engagement, and elevate social consciousness, and currently serves with the Village of Promise Collective Mentoring Program.
Jennifer Purdie
Author of the bestselling Growth Mindset for Athletes, Coaches and Trainers, a freelance writer, endurance athlete, TEDx speaker, and certified personal trainer. An Ironman finisher and one of the first Americans to complete marathons on every continent, she has written for the LA Times, Washington Post, and more.
Chris Hamilton
Began teaching 18th and 19th Century British Literature at UCLA before moving into SAT/ACT instruction in 1998. Over the last decade he has founded or co-founded three education companies devoted to skills-based test prep and college consulting, helping students earn admission to Harvard and other top schools.
Sofia Perri
A senior at Canyon Crest Academy involved in Associated Student Body, Varsity Soccer, and ADL's No Place for Hate Club, among many other activities. She continued her education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, studying Sport Management.
Alexander Simone
A San Francisco-based entrepreneur, inventor, and designer who grew up in San Diego and attended Canyon Crest Academy. Alexander founded Pronto Concepts Inc in 2016 and appeared on Season 9 of Shark Tank pitching ProntoBev, a 30-second wine chiller.
Featured on CCATV
UNITE's 2019 event was featured on CCATV (timestamp 5:07).
2017–2018 Speakers
The very first UNITE lineup
Sonja Bruzauskas
Born and raised in Germany, mezzo soprano Sonja Bruzauskas was trained on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Besides her expansive stage career in musical theater, opera and operetta, Sonja is a well-established concert singer and recitalist, focusing on oratorio, Art Song and contemporary music. Sonja has performed and lectured at institutions such as Vanderbilt, LSU, Rice University, Cal Arts, the University of Houston, and the Philosophical Society at Rice University. Sonja is the founder and director of pARTnerschools, a project that connects students through the Arts to empower diversity and strengthen communities.
Lex Gillette
Lex Gillette is a globally recognized Paralympic track and field athlete who competes for Team USA. Competing primarily in the long jump, Lex has acquired four Paralympic medals, three world champion titles, and 18 national championships. He is the current world record holder in the long jump for totally blind athletes with a leap of 22 ft 1 in, making him the only totally blind athlete on the planet to ever eclipse the 22 ft barrier in the event. When he is not competing, Lex is a motivational speaker who has presented to Fortune 500 corporations, pro sports teams, trade associations, and universities.
Annie Reilly
A senior at Canyon Crest Academy who completed her yoga teacher certification (RYT 200) over the summer of 2017 and volunteers on campus teaching yoga to students and staff, aiming to bring awareness and presence to her students in an energizing, fun, and relaxing way.
Theo Zelkind
A 17-year-old junior at CCA, born and raised in San Diego, passionate about making positive change in the world. Theo has spoken about his experience as a member of the LGBT+ and Jewish communities, sharing a message of love and unity with CCA UNITE.
Kacee Jensen
Founder of Let's Talk Teens, a resource hub helping parents and teens navigate the modern world. A youth advocate, speaker, writer, and mom of four, Kacee has spent 16 years helping families, schools, and communities across the country, and speaks nationally on behalf of Rachel's Challenge.
