2022 Navigate Summit

We’re all travelers. Each of us finding our way, hoping to achieve big things, dream big dreams, make a difference, or sometimes just make it through the day. Everyone’s path is different, as are the challenges they’ll face along the way. And sometimes we need a little guidance, we need direction – a map to help us get there. Because when we have the tools to help us when the roads get windy or the weather turns, the days feel more manageable and our hopes, more achievable. Our purpose more clear.

You all are already doing big things. You're already leaving the world a better place. But none of us should have to travel alone. That’s why we’re here. It’s in our name, it’s who we are. We Navigate this world together–sparking one incredible moment after another –igniting change.

At this year’s Summit, our purpose is to give you a wellbeing atlas. A collection of maps to guide you when life’s roads get windy. Because they will, and because we’re in this together.

Session topics

Marine, Medal of Honor Recipient, NationSwell Council Member, Public Speaker, Author, World Traveler, 3x Marathoner, Lifelong learner

While serving as a Marine rifleman in Afghanistan at age 20, on the morning of November 21st, 2010, Lance Corporal Kyle Carpenter’s squad was attacked by Taliban forces. During the attack, a live grenade landed between Kyle and a fellow Marine. In a courageous act to save his fellow Marine, Kyle threw himself on the grenade.

Kyle’s injuries were severe – he was unconscious for five weeks and spent over two and a half years recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He had lost his right eye, most of his lower jaw and teeth, and his right arm was broken in 30 places. He went through roughly 40 surgeries during his recovery. During this grueling recovery process, Kyle’s spirit remained strong. He set several post-recovery goals for himself: run a marathon, earn a college degree, backpack through Europe, and go skydiving. After nearly three years of recovery, Kyle was released from the hospital at age 24 and has since been able to accomplish every post-recovery goal and many more. And on June 19, 2014, Kyle was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama for his self-sacrificing act of valor. Kyle is the youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor, our country’s highest military honor.

In 2019, Kyle published his autobiography, You are Worth It: Building A Life Worth Fighting For. It not only tells the story of the events leading up to November 20, 2010 and the recovery period which followed, but it is also a story of rebirth and overcoming adversity, of how Kyle battled back from the gravest challenge to forge a life of joyful purpose. In the words of General Jim Mattis “Kyle Carpenter’s memoir of gallantry beyond the call of duty provides a vivid reminder that grit and valor remain American hallmarks.”

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Kyle’s military awards include a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, NATO Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Combat Action Ribbon and a Purple Heart, the award for which he is most proud.

Professor of Management and Organizations at the Kellogg School of Management

Loran is one-part behavioral scientist, one-part lecturer, and one-part practitioner. As a behavioral scientist, his research explores the psychological forces that propel and prevent the adoption of new ideas and actions. His research has been published in leading journals such as Science, and is regularly discussed in prominent forums such as the Harvard Business Review. In recognition of his work, Professor Nordgren has received the Theoretical Innovation Award in experimental psychology. Loran’s book, The Human Element (coauthored with David Schonthal) describes his research on Friction Theory.

Loran teaches Leading Organizational Change. Its mission is to teach people how to create change in their organizations. A former Fulbright scholar, he has twice received Kellogg’s Management Teacher of the Year award. He was one of Poets & Quants’ 40 under 40 business school professors. Starting October of 2020, he became the Academic Director for Kellogg’s Executive MBA programs. As a practitioner, Loran has worked with companies throughout the world on a wide-range of behavior change problems, a process he calls Behavioral Design.

Fun Fact: Loran has a giant pet tortoise named Icarus that he hopes will be an intergenerational pet.

Click here to learn more about Loran’s research Kellogg Profile Page.

Head of North America Partner Sales at Amazon Web Service

Rachel is the Head of North America Partner Sales at AWS, evolving the organization to be the new customer- and revenue-scaling engine for AWS by leveraging Partners to accelerate growth, drive innovation and shape the future. She is a customer-obsessed global leader with 25 years of experience developing, implementing and selling technology. Throughout the twists and turns of her career, one constant has been a deep commitment to inclusivity, diversity and equity. She is passionate about creating high-performing work environments where all employees feel represented, respected, valued and empowered.

Rachel is an expert speaker on topics ranging from technology and business to women in leadership, and has been featured in Forbes Magazine, Wall Street Journal Live and NBC Press. She has received top industry accolades including being named among CRN’s 2022 Channel Chiefs, Chain Store Age’s Top Ten Women in Technology, and Women’s Wear Daily’s Top Industry Transformers.

Follow Rachel on LinkedIn and Twitter.