As we count down to the inaugural 2026 Mattering Summit taking place May 12–14, we’re excited to introduce a few of the remarkable voices who will be part of this global conversation. Each week leading up to the summit, we’ll highlight a few speakers in this incredible community of experts, advocates, and storytellers who will be leading our sessions so you can learn about their unique perspectives to the practice of human significance.
Each speaker brings research, lived experience, and deep commitment to one essential idea: Helping people feel seen, valued, and connected matters.
Meet a Few of Our Speakers
Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and author of the best-sellers The How of Happiness and The Myths of Happiness, Sonja Lyubomirsky is a leading expert on the science of lasting well-being. A Harvard and Stanford alumna, her pioneering research explores how gratitude, kindness, and connection can increase happiness—topics she recently shared on the TED mainstage and in her latest book, How to Feel Loved. She is a Fellow of the AAAS and a recipient of numerous honors, including an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Basel.
Author of the national bestseller HumanKind, Brad Aronson is dedicated to sharing stories of how small acts of service can change the world. A passionate advocate for youth entrepreneurship in Philadelphia and Camden, he focuses on the transformative power of kindness and the simple deeds that uplift and strengthen our communities.
An award-winning former BBC journalist and editor, Emily Kasriel is the author of Deep Listening and a Senior Visiting Fellow at King’s College London. Her evidence-based, eight-step approach to listening fosters genuine understanding and psychological safety, even across profound social and political divisions. A visiting scholar at Columbia University and an upcoming TED speaker, she collaborates with global leaders and communities to transform polarization into meaningful connection.
CEO of Grateful Living and a graduate of Yale Divinity School, Joe Primo is a leading expert on building resilience through gratitude and joy. A former hospice chaplain and bereavement executive, he is the author of What Do We Tell the Children? and a featured commentator for outlets like The New York Times and CNN. His work, including his viral TED Talk, provides a transformative model for navigating loss and finding meaning in the face of adversity.
Executive Director of the Young 9 Foundation and a faculty member at Temple University, Leslee Frye is a school psychologist with over 20 years of experience in youth mental health and resilience. A certified yoga and meditation teacher, she integrates positive psychology and mindfulness to promote emotional well-being and the mind-body connection. She is dedicated to empowering students and their support systems through accessible resources and holistic wellness practices.
One of the first 100 people in the world to earn a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, Louis Alloro is a facilitator and coach specializing in positive change science. Since 2008, he has trained thousands of leaders and organizations to shift conversations and behaviors at scale. Based in Chicago, he brings an evidence-informed lens and an inspiring, calm spirit to helping campuses, corporations, and cities reach their highest potential.
The wisdom and heart these speakers bring to the stage are exactly what the world needs right now, but the conversation is even more powerful when our community grows. You already know how vital this mission is.
Help us spark a global awakening by inviting others to join you in the virtual front row. Whether it’s a colleague who leads with heart or a friend who could use a reminder of their own worth, please share the Mattering Summit with them today.
To make it a bit easier to spread the word, we’ve put together this promotional toolkit with words and graphics you can use to ensure that every person has the chance to hear these life-changing messages.
Summit Details
- When: May 12-14, 2026
- Where: Online! You can join us from your computer or phone, no matter where you are in the world.
- Cost: 100% Free. This event is our gift to the community.
The 2026 Mattering Summit is hosted collaboratively by You Matter Marathon and The Flourishing Center.
