Robert Fogarty

Robert X. Fogarty is the founder of Dear World, an initiative that started as an art project in 2010 to document people's love for New Orleans and has grown to gain international recognition for its unique storytelling through photography. He also co-founded evacuteer.org after assisting the City of New Orleans in evacuating 18,000 residents without cars in advance of Hurricane Gustav, the largest hurricane evacuation in U.S. history. Evacuteer.org, established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2009, helps fill critical staffing needs during City-Assisted Evacuations in New Orleans.

Fogarty’s Dear World began capturing photographic "love notes" to New Orleans and has evolved to include subjects from diverse backgrounds, regardless of religion, race, or language. He has developed the Dear World's Brain Tattoo™ Storytelling Method, which he has delivered to top organizations including UBS, Accenture, Genentech, AstraZeneca, and the Duke Men's Basketball Team. His work has extended to various communities globally, including Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting survivors, Boston marathon bombing survivors, South Sudanese civil liberties activists, COVID ICU nurses, and Syrian refugees. His photographs have featured notable figures such as Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees, Academy Award Winner Susan Sarandon, and NBA All-Star Chris Paul.

Fogarty's influence and the impact of Dear World have been highlighted by major media outlets like CNN, The Today Show, The Guardian (UK), L'Express (France), The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Adding to his diverse speaking engagements, he was the commencement speaker at the University of Oregon in 2014 and 2016. A graduate of the University of Oregon School of Journalism in 2005, Fogarty's keynotes often include an innovative alternative to traditional book signings, complete with on-site photo editing and a closing slideshow of attendees' portraits.