Keppler

Dr. Paul Farmer, the founding director of Partners in Health (PIH), has long been one of Haiti’s staunchest allies. Dedicated to providing direct healthcare services to the sick and underprivileged, he has spent his life embedded with some of the world’s poorest populations, fighting disease and infection. The focus of the documentary Mountains Beyond Mountains and a prolific author, Farmer stands out as one of global health’s greatest assets.

Partners in Health is not only a landmark nonprofit, but an impressive training ground for ambitious doctors seeking to improve quality of life for those in need. Dr. David Walton is one of these doctors, and he works alongside Dr. Farmer in Haiti. A Global Health Equity resident for a prominent Boston hospital, he splits his time evenly between the US and Haiti, making a huge imprint on the tiny nation, helping to change viewpoints and eventually, eradicate disease.

Doctors in the trenches do their part to make a difference, but great journalists bring attention to their causes. CNN’s acclaimed special investigations correspondent Soledad O’Brien has reported from Haiti and across the globe, sharing incredible stories of resilience and the human spirit. Also an active humanitarian, O’Brien serves not only as a voice of the news, but for the otherwise voiceless people she meets.

The face of Google Health and the international reporter known as “Dr. Danger,” Dr. Bob Arnot is a physician-journalist who has covered everywhere from war zones to ground zero of various health crises. He emphasizes the small changes individuals can make to impact the health and well-being of themselves and others.

One of Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 Agents of Change,” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is one of the most important leaders in the environmental movement. Promoting clean technology and green jobs, Kennedy demonstrates how sustainable business and a well-crafted energy policy can improve America’s economy, environment, and the health of future generations. Kennedy helps students realize the many opportunities they have to become actively involved in changing the world.

Grandson of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau and son of filmmaker Jean-Michel Cousteau, Fabien Cousteau is dedicated to continuing his family’s legacy of protecting the oceans. Cousteau is a strong advocate for public policy reform that preserves these precious habitats for future generations, using innovative ideas such as eco-tourism. One of the stars of PBS’ acclaimed series Ocean Adventures, Cousteau allows people to see the beauty of the ocean and shows students the importance of environmental conservation and advocacy.

National Geographic explorer-in-residence and TED Prize-winner Sylvia Earle has led more than 50 expeditions worldwide, spending more than 6,000 hours underwater. The chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the face of Google Oceans, Earle promotes the necessity of nurturing the sea and preventing pollution from entering the life-sustaining oceans. Earle calls on students to advocate for conservation and end pollution.

Jerome Ringo is one of the leading voices of the “green power” movement, and, as the first African America to run a major conservation organization, a groundbreaking leader in increasing minority participation in the environmental movement. As the former president of the Apollo Alliance, Ringo outlined the green job creation strategy that has heavily influenced Obama’s policies. Listening to Ringo’s call to action, students today can become the environmental leaders of tomorrow.