Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner is an entrepreneur, an international bestselling author, and an award-winning film producer. His autobiography, "The Pursuit of Happyness," became a New York Times #1 bestseller and has been translated into over forty languages; he is also the inspiration for the critically acclaimed film. Gardner's story of overcoming struggles of homelessness, domestic violence, and foster care has resonated with audiences worldwide.

Gardner founded his own brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co., in 1987. This firm's success led to the establishment of Christopher Gardner International Holdings, with offices spanning from New York to San Francisco. Gardner's rise to prominence in the business world was not without struggle, as he once navigated through homelessness while attempting to establish a career as a stockbroker. Despite these challenges, he passed the Series 7 Exam on his first try in 1982 and became a full employee at Dean Witter Reynolds before being recruited by Bear Stearns & Company.

After selling his minority stake in Gardner Rich & Co. in 2006, Gardner found a new avenue to share his experiences and inspire others. He published his memoir, "The Pursuit of Happyness," which was soon adapted into a widely recognized motion picture starring Will Smith. This film, which Gardner had a significant role in producing, brought his life story to a wider audience. In addition to his memoir, he has written other books, including "Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be" and "Permission to Dream." Gardner additionally won a Peabody Award for producing "And Still I Rise," a documentary about the life of his dear friend and mentor, D. Maya Angelou.

From his struggle with homelessness to his success in business, Gardner's life story forms the backbone of his motivational speeches. His contributions go beyond the business world, as he has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors, supporting organizations like the Cara Program and Glide Memorial United Methodist Church. He has also funded a $50 million project for low-income housing and employment opportunities in San Francisco. Recognized for his contributions, Gardner has received several awards, including the Father of the Year Award from the NFI in 2002, the 25th Annual Humanitarian Award from LACAAW, and the 2006 Friends of Africa Award from the Continental Africa Chamber of Commerce.