Impossible is Nothing Speaker Series
Our Impossible is Nothing Speaker Series, a monthly motivational lecture series instituted in 2005 for our middle school students. Guest lecturers represent some of the most accomplished individuals in the fields of the fine and performing arts, education, science and technology, medicine, sports, and philanthropy. Lecturers share their words of wisdom, obstacles and accomplishments, and truly inspirational life stories with our community. Inspired by Northern Light School's mission and vision, as well as its children, many of the guest lecturers choose to adopt Northern Light School as their cause, and continue to mentor students long after their initial visit during the lecture series.
We are pleased and honored to welcome these hometown heroes and "larger-than-life" luminaries to our Northern Light School campus, and into our educational family. Take a look at the speakers that have graced our presence over the years:
2019-2020
George Zimmer Founder & Former CEO of the Men's Wearhouse
Robin Hauser Award Winning Film Producer/Director
Trevor Martin Co-Founder and CEO of Mammoth Biosciences
Arun Sarin Former CEO of Vodaphone
Vitka Eisen CEO of HealthRight 360
Earl Smith Death Row Chaplain
Susan Reynolds Co-Founder of LookUp.Live
Josh Johnson NFL Quarterback
2018-2019
Menbere Aklilu Former Owner/Restauranteur, Salute E. Vita Ristorante
Tom Brady, Sr
Titan Gilroy CEO of TITANS of CNC
Mark Speckman Running Back and Assistant Head Coach at UC Davis
Jennifer Cabalquinto CFO, Golden State Warriors
David Hindawi Co-Founder of Tanium; CEO and Chairman of the Board
Cornell Maier CEO of Kaiser Aluminum (Retired)
2017-2018
Clint Hill Secret Service Agent (Retired)
David Johnson Photographer/Historian
Jennifer Azzi Naismith Trophy Winner, NCAA and Olympic Champion and Role Model
Elyse Lipman
Mickey Ganitch Pearl Harbor Survivor
Kevin Briggs CHP Officer (Retired), “Guardian of the Golden Gate” - Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Speaker
The “Rosies” WW2 Heroes
Bill Cartwright Retired NBA Player, Former Head Coach Chicago Bulls
2016-2017
David Vogelstein Attorney, High School Mock Trial Coach (Former)
Michael Brooks Stanford University Alumni
Hamid R. Moghadam CEO of Prologis
Zach Singleton NLS Alumni, Uber Senior Product Manager
Libby Schaaf Mayor of Oakland
Lauren O’ Neill Anorexia Survivor
2015-2016
Ahmed Rahim Co-Founder of Numi Organic Tea; CEO and Chief Alchemist
David Hindawi Co-Founder of Tanium; CEO and Chairman of the Board
Karae Lisle & Mauricio Valencia CEO of Peninsula Volunteers & Director of Corporate Relations at Stanford's School of Engineering
Honorable Carol Corrigan Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court
Peter Coyote Emmy Award-Winning Actor
Guy Jaquier Retired CEO of Prologis Capital Inc.
Titan Gilroy Founder and Owner of Titan America MFG
Janet and Clint Riley Real Estate Investor; Political Consultant in San Francisco & President of the Board of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District
2014-2015
Alex Bernstein Co-Founder North Venture Partners; Former NFL Lineman
Elaine Taylor The Taylor Family Foundation; President and Chairman of the Board
Don Moseman Wildlife Photographer
Sami Inkinen and Meredith Loring Founder of Trulia
Tyson Ross Pitcher for San Diego Padres
Gary Sitzmann Founder of Sitzmann, Morris and Lavis
Heidi Rozen Stanford Lecturer
Cornell C. Maier CEO of Kaiser Aluminum (Retired)
2013-2014
Peter Coyote Emmy Award-Winning Actor
Linda Oubre Dean of San Francisco State University
Doug Hendrickson Sports Agent for Octagon Football
Chip Heath Professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business
Dana Carvy Actor and Stand-Up Comedian
Sam Williams Former Oakland Raider Linebacker
David Johnson Professional Photographer
Josh Tetrick CEO of Hampton Creek Foods
Vitka Eisen CEO of Healthright 360; Former CEO of Walden House
2012-2013
Menbere Aklilu Owner of Salute Ristorante
Honorable Carol Corrigan California Supreme Court Justice
Donald Knauss CEO of The Clorox Company
Nancy Hult Ganis Producer of Akeelah and the Bee
Mark Speckman Former Head Coach of Menlo College and Wilamett University
Val Sinckler Performance Artist
Dick Evans Former CEO of Alcan
Murray Gordon
Arvind Jain
Joe Martin
2011-2012
Dr. Eleanor Mason Ramsey President of Mason Tillman and Associates
Dr. Coyness Enix Thoracic and Cardiac Surgeon
Bob Blackburn Civil Rights Activist
Ray Gallagher Owner of Scott's Seafood Restaurant
Xander Hamman Marine Corps Combat Veteran
2010-2011
Holland Reynolds Runner for San Francisco University High School Cross Country Team
Chris Johns President of PG&E
Jennifer Azzi Head Coach of USF Women's Basketball Team
Tim Westergren Founder of Pandora
Peter Coyote Emmy Award-Winning Actor
Dorell Wright Forward for Portland Trailblazers
Vitka Eisen CEO of Walden House
William E. Gagen Jr. Senior Trial Counsel at Gagen McCoy
Walter Newman Former Captain of Commanding Company C of the Army's 35th Division