True Literary

• Executive Director of the Life Design Lab, Stanford
• Adjunct Professor in Mechanical Engineering – Design at Stanford
• Founder and Managing Director – the Designing Your Life Institute, Singapore
• An educator at Stanford since 1984, a popular public speaker (TEDx talk has over 7 million views) and three-time entrepreneur.

Bill Burnett is an Adjunct Professor and the Executive Director of the Life Design Lab at Stanford. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering – Product Design at Stanford and has worked in industry and academia ever since.  He teaches in the undergraduate and graduate program in Design as well as classes at the d.school, Stanford’s innovation Institute.  In addition, he has worked in startups and Fortune 100 companies, including seven years at Apple designing award-winning notebook computers and several years in the toy industry designing Star Wars toys.  He advises several startup technology companies started by his students.  He is the founder and Managing Director of the Designing Your Life Institute, an educational non-profit that promotes life design skills in Singapore and across South-East Asia.

Bill is also the co-author of Designing Your Life, a New York Times #1 best-seller and a book that captures the lessons from 16 years of teaching the Stanford class of the same name.  In 2020 he co-authored Designing Your New Work Life – the second edition published to address work after the global COVID pandemic – a book that helps you reimagine your life and your job. Both books are based on design thinking and positive psychology and attempt to help people answer the age-old question, “What do I want to be when I grow up?”

Co-Author of NYT #1 Bestseller, Designing Your Life and Designing Your New Work Life (both Knopf)
Co-Founder, Life Design Lab & Lecturer, Stanford Design Program
Co-Founder, Electronic Arts
Early Apple Computer: 1^st Mouse & 1^st Laser Printing Product Mgr

From saving the seals to solving the energy crisis, from imagining mice to redefining software — Dave’s been on a mission, including helping others to find theirs. Starting at Stanford in the 70’s with dreams of following Jacques Cousteau as a marine biologist, Dave realized (a bit late) that he was lousy at it and shifted to mechanical engineering with an eye on the energy problem. After four years in alternative energy, it was clear that this idea’s time hadn’t come yet. So while en route to biomedical engineering, Dave accepted an invitation to work for Apple, where he led the mouse team and introduced laser printing to the masses. When Dave’s boss at Apple left to start Electronic Arts, Dave joined as the company’s first VP of Talent, dedicated to making “software worthy of the minds that use it.”

Having participated in forming the corporate cultures at Apple and EA, Dave decided his best work was in helping organizations build creative environments where people could do great work and love doing it. So he went out on his own working with start-up teams, large corporate executives, non-profit leaders, and countless young adults. They were all asking the same question. “What should I do with my life?” Helping people get traction on that question finally took Dave first to Cal and then Stanford, where Dave is co-founder of the Life Design Lab in the Stanford Design Program. 

Dave and his partner Bill Burnett made their popular Stanford course Designing Your Life into a New York Times #1 Bestselling book of the same name, released in September 2016, followed by Designing Your New Work Life in October 2021.

Dave holds a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford and a graduate diploma in Contemplative Spirituality from San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Even if you don’t know her name, Nilofer Merchant’s ideas have already shaped your world.

Her TED Talk, “Sitting is the Smoking of Our Generation”, has been referenced 400 million times, and is the reason the Apple watch has a “stand” feature. She shipped the first internet server (Apple) and the first WYSIWIG web-authoring software (GoLive), and coded the first media website (Time). During her 25 years in technology, she personally launched more than 100 products and services—many of which you use daily—netting $18 billion in revenues. 

These results reflect the way Merchant thinks: always ahead, always building the shifts that lead to greater value, individually and at scale. She is ranked one of the most influential management thinkers in the world by Thinkers50 and a top 10 HR thinker by HR magazine. Fast Company named her one of the “25 Smartest,” and CNBC called her “visionary.” 

As co-founder of The Intangible Labs (TIL), she’s defining new metrics for modern work. Today, just 20% of market value is measurable; everything else is “intangible”. TIL is developing the missing metrics—leading indicators so we can know (and thus, manage) just how well we’re working together to do what needs to get done: create more and better value. 

Merchant’s three books establish her as a leading thinker on value creation. In New How (Oreilly, 2010), she showed how to close the false gap between strategy and execution, so the collective focus is on how to turn nascent ideas into new realities. In Social Era Rules (Harvard Business Review, 2012), she defined the critical shift from “competitive advantage” to co-creating value. And in The Power of Onlyness (Viking, 2017), she didn’t just argue that each of us matter but decoded exactly how to enable each of us to add the value that only one can. Because now, connected people can do what once only large organizations could.

Merchant developed and proved her insights as a leader at major tech companies. She grew division performance at Autodesk by 50 percent, and created product and pricing strategies for Adobe that grew the company from $2 billion to $5 billion. She waged and won a competitive battle with Microsoft, saving Symantec’s Anti-Virus $2.1 billion annual business. 

Many seek Merchant’s advice to construct their futures, including the CEOs of IBM, Nokia, and Walmart, as well as mid-line managers at Indeed, L’Oréal, and Société Générale. She’s been invited to hundreds of prestigious leadership events including Google, Gartner, and GE,  and headlined alongside Bono, Gladwell, Simon Sinek, Amy Edmondson, and Brené Brown. 

An MBA graduate of Santa Clara University and Bachelors of Science in Applied Economics at the University of San Francisco, Merchant has taught strategy, management, and leadership at Stanford University and guest-lectured at Yale. She has also served on corporate boards for Nasdaq-traded and private companies, as well as on public governance boards. She was a twice-invited Fellow for the Prosperity Institute out of Rotman in Canada.

Elayne Fluker is author of Get Over ‘I Got It’: How to Stop Playing Superwoman, Get Support and Remember that Having It All Doesn’t Mean Doing It All Alone – published by HarperCollins Leadership and named a Forbes Book of the Month. She blends compelling research, practical exercises and inspiring stories of dynamic women who share how learning to accept support changed their lives. Get Over ‘I Got It’ teaches unapologetically ambitious women how to view support as a superpower – not a weakness – and embrace it as a key to success and fulfillment at work and in life.

Known as a subject matter expert on confidently enlisting support and making your Empowered Ask™, Elayne provides executive coaching, keynotes and leadership development training to help Fortune 500 companies, such as Hewlett-Packard, Bain & Company and Seagen develop programs that attract, support and retain high-performing women.

Through her website, badbitchsoftlife.com, she works with high profile women to help them learn to embrace the #softlife and balance unapologetic ambition with radical self-care.

Elayne has been an expert guest on CNN, TODAY, Nightline, NPR, BET and Sirius XM, and she has been featured in Forbes, Essence, Martha Stewart Living, Black Enterprise, Philadelphia Tribune and more than 100 podcasts. 

As host and executive producer of her own popular podcast, Support is Sexy, Elayne has interviewed more than 500 diverse women leaders and reached more than one million downloads with listeners around the world.

Photo by Lamar Gantt

Evy Poumpouras is multi-media journalist and host who frequently appears on NBC, MSNBC, CNN, and ABC. She covers a wide range of topics, such as national security, law enforcement, personal protection, behavioral analysis, situational awareness, and how to live life fearlessly.

As a former Secret Service Special Agent she was part of the protective details for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as former Presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton and George H. Bush.  She worked complex criminal investigations and undercover operations, executed search and arrest warrants, and investigated both violent and financial crimes. Additionally, Evy was an interrogator for the agency’s elite polygraph unit and trained by the Department of Defense in the art and science of lie detection, human behavior, and cognitive influence.

Outside of her role as a journalist, Evy is a TEDx speaker and international advisor whose expertise is sought worldwide. She has been a keynote speaker for NASDAQ, SOCOM, Yankee Stadium Series, United Technologies, Corcoran Group, Tyco, Skanska, Red Door Spa, amongst many others. She is an Adjunct Professor for The City University of New York where she teaches criminal justice and criminology. Evy was also cast on CBS’s TV series “The Hunted.”

Evy holds a Master of Science from Columbia University in Journalism, a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs from Hofstra University. She is also a former New York City Police Academy recruit, and a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Secret Service Academy, and the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute.

Evy is the recipient of the Secret Service Medal of Valor Award for her heroism on September 11^th.

Evy is the author of the international bestseller (Becoming Bulletproof, Atria 2020).  Her second book, INTELLIGENT LIVING FOR A STUPID WORLD, is in development with True Literary.

Crystal Hefner has worked diligently over the years transitioning from playmate and model to a Real Estate and travel expert. Her recent travels have led her to such diverse locations as Botswana, Dubai, Indonesia, China, Uganda and Tanzania.

In addition to her successes in those arenas, Crystal is a strong advocate for First Amendment Rights and she has established herself as a trendsetter and role model for young women who aspire to broaden their horizons beyond their own boundaries.

It was during her last semester at SDSU when Crystal, challenged by friends submitted her picture on a whim to Playboy to attend a party. She was thereafter invited to the famed Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills where as a 21 year old she met the legendary Hugh Hefner. Ultimately after their courtship, Crystal moved into The Mansion and eventually married Hugh Hefner on New Years Eve 2012. Their 10 year romance was highlighted by the life education Crystal received while living at The Mansion. 

When she’s not working, Crystal can be found at home with her dog Lady or out somewhere in nature enjoying the sunset over the ocean, or a good view from a mountaintop… she really appreciates nice views. She is a down to earth woman, a minimalist, mature but loves being silly and childlike, and prefers cozy nights at home over crowds. 

Jane Chen is a globally recognized entrepreneur, inventor and speaker. She is the co-founder & CEO of Embrace Innovations, which developed a ground-breaking infant incubator. The Embrace incubator costs ~1% of a traditional incubator and has saved over 300,000 babies across 22 countries. Embrace has been featured in global media including the New York Times, CNN, Newsweek, the Guardian and ABC’s 20/20.

Jane is a TED speaker and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum. She has been selected for Forbes’ Impact 30, and is a recipient of the Economist Innovation Award and Fast Company Innovation Award. Jane has also been recognized as Social Entrepreneur of the Year by the World Economic Forum. She is a Board member of the Center for Humane Technology, and teaches design thinking, mindfulness & leadership at universities and corporations.

Jane received her MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, and her Masters in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She received her BA from Pomona College. She is an avid surfer and meditator, and writes a personal blog about life lessons learned through surfing and entrepreneurship.

Karen Sparks is a survivor of filicide. After the murder of her only two children by her soon-to-be ex-husband in 2015, she spiraled into debilitating depression and grief. There is no word in the English language for a mother without children.

Karen’s discovery of ultra running led to a new realization of her faith, healing, hope, and purpose. In 2020, on the 5th anniversary of Reagan and Grant’s deaths, she set out to run a solo 100-mile race to reclaim the legacy of her children and her own identity.

Whether it’s in everyday life or on the trails, she runs at her own pace. To date, Karen has over 30 race finishes. In memory of Reagan and Grant, she founded “The Great Root Movement,” a non-profit created to help others with domestic violence and grief, and she also established the “Reagan and Grant Small Endowed Memorial Scholarship” fund for high school seniors in local districts. She is the race director for the first annual “Love Never Ends Trail Run” in 2022, with proceeds going to her non-profit and scholarship fund.

Karen hopes that by sharing her story, the reader will find encouragement and strength even in the darkest of circumstances.

Renford Ligon is a US Army Special Forces “Green Beret” Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (MSG Ret.) with 25 years of experience. A proven track record during many national level crisis events while serving as a US Army Special Operations Senior Operator and Military advisor (Contractor) previously assigned Central and South America worked years supporting the Global War on Terror (GWOT). Ren is currently working as supporting effort for 1st IO Command’s mission that provides Information Operations and Cyberspace Operations support to the Army and other Military Forces through deployable teams, reach back planning and analysis, and specialized training.

Ren has worked in the government contract world from 2012 to present. Ren completed several military schools during his 20 year tenure as a Special Operator some to include: US Army Ranger School, Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis, and Exploitation Techniques Course (SFARTAETC), Special Operations Target Interdictions Course (SOTIC), Basic/ Advanced Antiterrorism and Force Protection, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) CAT III, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat, Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant (18F) Course, Gryphon Group Tactical Driving Course.

Ren is working on a memoir centering around his experiences growing up, his time as a Green Beret, and mental health in the military.

A writer and sought after public speaker on the topics of at-risk youth advocacy, effective criminal justice rehabilitation and turning around ‘toxic’ masculinity, Eldra brings clarity of purpose, mission focus, and inspiration to his role at Inside Circle. He was an inmate at New Folsom Prison when he found Inside Circle and began the inner personal journey that eventually led to his release in 2014 and his current leadership role. A living example of successful rehabilitation and re-entry, Eldra has dedicated his free time on the outside to serving at-risk youth, and acting as a facilitator, trainer, and mentor.

Represented through Idea Architects.

Silvia Vásquez-Lavado is a humanitarian, adventure mountaineer, social entrepreneur, and technologist. In 2016, Silvia became the first Peruvian, openly gay woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal and by 2018 she completed climbing 7 Summits (otherwise known as the tallest mountain in each continent). Each adventure tells a new story, filled with tragic loss, incredible resilience, courage and healing. In 2015, Silvia went on to create a non-profit called Courageous Girls in which she coordinated mountain climbing excursions to Everest for girls who survived sexual abuse.  Her achievements led her to be recognized as an Ambassador in Peru and a symbol of women empowerment around the world. She is currently a North Face ambassador, public speaker, mentor and is gearing up for skiing the South Pole in Antarctica.

Represented through Idea Architects.

Emma Nadler is a writer and psychotherapist. In her private practice she helps people better understand and tolerate emotions, build deeper relationships and find meaning in life’s challenges. She enjoys working with people from various walks of life, from exhausted parents to iconoclastic artists, powerhouse executives and everything in between. She is passionate about transforming her own struggle as a parent of a child with multiple disabilities into empathy, compassion and, of course, stories.

Emma is a nature enthusiast, advocate and cheerleader (without pompoms) for a more just and peaceful world. She lives in Minnesota with her wild, sweet family, including Benny, who is arguably the cutest little dog this side of the Mississippi.

Represented through Idea Architects.

Reverend Ben McBride is a native of San Francisco, spiritual leader and longtime activist for peace and justice in the Bay Area. Ben is an expert at fostering belonging and serves as a national leader around reconstructing public safety systems and gun violence prevention work, including a background of training over 100 law enforcement departments and executives. He founded the Bring the HEAT campaign, a peacemaking initiative to address police violence, and serves as the Co-Chair of California’s Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board focusing on ending racial profiling in California. He was featured in the Sundance Film Festival Award winning film, THE FORCE, focusing on his peacemaking work. Ben is also an experienced trainer around equity, diversity and inclusion; working with companies and values based organizations across the country. His book, WADE IN THE WATER will be about how we heal the troubled waters we find ourselves in and how to bridge, build, belong and become. Ben says the question is not what do we need to do now, but who do we all need to become.

Represented through Idea Architects.

Dr. Benjamin Gilmer is a Family Medicine physician in Fletcher, North Carolina. A former Albert Schweitzer Fellow, he is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the UNC School of Medicine at Chapel Hill and at MAHEC, the Mountain Area Health Education Center. A former neurobiologist turned rural family practitioner, he is committed to teaching, advocating for social justice in medicine, and using the latest brain science to understand and heal crime. Dr. Gilmer has lectured extensively about medical ethics, bias in medicine, and criminal justice reform all across the country.

Represented through Idea Architects.

Mark Daley is a communications, advocacy, and business strategist whose personal experience as a foster parent has reshaped his work and his life. 

Daley has co-founded and sold two successful marketing agencies; Propper Daley, a Social Impact Agency and Digital BrinQ, an online marketing firm.  He has worked with major movie studios, television networks, Fortune 500 companies as well as top celebrities to develop holistic strategies to earn public support and trigger action for social causes. 

A former Communications Director and spokesperson for then-Senator Hillary Clinton’s 2008 Presidential Campaign, Mark Daley has nearly two decades of experience in message development, communication strategy and public policy.  He has worked with more than 30 members of Congress, numerous governors and other elected officials.   In 2015, he was recognized at the Media for Social Impact Summit at the United Nations for his leadership in the field and his work has been honored with four Cynopsis Social Good Awards. 

In 2016 when he and his husband, Jason Daley Kennedy, began opening their hearts and their home to children in the Child Welfare System, he woke to the challenges and vulnerabilities of this forgotten population. With a renewed purpose he developed a campaign to recruit foster parents for the hardest to place youth in Los Angeles County, which has subsequently brought thousands of interested residents into the process and most importantly, created homes for teenagers who have experienced abuse or neglect. 

In 2005, Mark founded One Iowa, the Hawkeye state’s largest LGBT equality organization.  He is credited with spearheading the communications strategy that drove public support in advance of the landmark 2009 court ruling that made Iowa the third state to recognize same-sex marriage.  He is a graduate of Bridgewater State University and serves on the Advisory Board for the University’s Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice. Additionally, he has served on the Board of Directors for the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation and the Social Impact Fund, which he co-founded.