Dr. Alan Chong: Curator of the Collection, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Before joining the Gardner Museum, Dr. Chong was curator at the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto. Dr. Chong spoke to 2007,2008, and 2009 Scholars about how he serendipitously entered the field of art history, where he has been able to decode what successful people have accomplished, communicate with the public, and express his passion. He also encouraged the Scholars to seek out great teachers in the continual process to define their own success.

Tim Gunn: Chief Creative Officer, Liz Claiborne Inc., former Chair of the Department of Fashion Design at Parsons The New School for Design and co-host of the Bravo Channel television programs Project Runway and Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. Mr. Gunn spoke to the 2006 Scholars about seizing opportunities. The shape of his own career, he said, would have been impossible to plan, yet by making the fullest of opportunities as they serendipitously came, he found himself in the vocation that makes the most of his own abilities.

Gary Hilderbrand: Gary Hilderbrand is the Co-Founder and Principal of Reed Hilderbrand, a renowned landscape architecture firm that is one of Steamboat's newest Grant Partners. Gary hosted a visit at Reed Hilderbrand for the 2009 Scholars, starting with a talk about the role of landscape architecture in our communities from a design-oriented as well as an environmental perspective. Through a site visit to the Arnold Arboretum and lunch in Boston, Gary gave the Scholars an in-depth view into his own life as a designer, teacher, and leader.

Bob Kerrey: President of The New School, Former Governor and U.S. Senator from Nebraska, and member of the 9/11 Commission. He is a recipient of the Robert L. Haig Award for Distinguished Public Service from the New York State Bar Association and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from New York Law School. In 2002, Mr. Kerrey published a widely praised memoir, When I was a Young Man. At a 2004 Foundation Dinner, Mr. Kerrey discussed the state of national security and his political career, including his 2000 presidential candidacy.

Johann Olav Koss: President and CEO of Right To Play and four-time Olympic Gold Medalist in speed skating. He holds an MBA from University of Toronto and a Doctor of Laws Honorary Degree from Brock University. Mr. Koss told 2005 Scholars about the strength and maturity he gained through sport and what inspired him to build Right To Play, Steamboat's first Special Grantee, into a leading humanitarian organization dedicated to helping impoverished children around the globe.

Paul Massey: Former Design Director, Vineyard Vines and formerly of Perry Ellis Collection, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Phillips-Van Heusen. Mr. Massey told the 2007 Scholars about his humble beginnings and how his enthusiasm gave him a start in the fashion industry at Polo Ralph Lauren, where, after only three days as a temp, he was able to secure a permanent position.

Danny Meyer: CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group and world renowned restaurateur. Danny, his restaurants, and chefs have earned an unprecedented 17 James Beard Awards. He is a national leader in the fight against hunger, having served on the boards of Share Our Strength and City Harvest. In 2006, Danny authored Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business. At dinners for the 2007, 2008, and 2009 Scholars, he discussed his career in the industry and the power of hospitality in business and life.

Joshua Wolf Shenk: Essayist and author of the critically acclaimed biography Lincoln's Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness. Discussing Abraham Lincoln and others who have battled depression, including himself, Mr. Shenk gave 2006 and 2009 Scholars insight into how extraordinary public achievements may begin with battles to overcome private difficulties. He also spoke to the 2009 Scholars about his Atlantic article, What Makes Us Happy?

Margot Stern Strom: Founder of Steamboat's Grant Partner, Facing History and Ourselves, and an international leader in education. Margot addressed the 2009 Scholars, sharing a poignant story from her own childhood about why she started Facing History and Ourselves and why she continues to devote herself so passionately to its mission. She encouraged the Scholars to find their own passions and pursue their dreams.

Dr. James Watson: Nobel Laureate for the discovery of the double helical structure of DNA (with Dr. Francis Crick and Dr. Maurice Wilkins) and former Chancellor of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Dr. Watson has spoken to Scholars from every year, detailing the road to the discovery of the double helix and the personal values he believes are necessary for leaders and entrepreneurs. He has shared his views on the business of science, the future of cutting edge research in America, and the ways in which one's personal life can provide unexpected building blocks for one's intellectual life.

To view photographs from past Foundation Dinners, click here.