The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital announced the 2026-27 Florida Forum Speaker Series schedule, featuring tennis champion Venus Williams, former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino and political strategists David Axelrod and Karl Rove.
• Oct. 12, 2026: Venus Williams, presented by Florida Blue.
Williams is an athlete, entrepreneur and author whose achievements include seven Grand Slam singles titles, five Wimbledon championships and four Olympic gold medals. Off the court, she leads ventures across design, health and wellness while advocating for equality and leveling the playing field for athletes.
• Feb. 2, 2027: Mike Massimino, presented by Landstar.
Massamino is a veteran of two space shuttle missions and the last person to work inside the Hubble Space Telescope. The board said he would share lessons on teamwork, resilience and overcoming setbacks.
• April 7, 2027: David Axelrod and Karl Rove, presented by The Claxton Bank.
Axelrod and Rove offer a bipartisan perspective on leadership, public policy and the forces shaping America’s future.
“The Florida Forum has always been about bringing extraordinary voices and ideas to our community while supporting the life-changing work of Wolfson Children’s Hospital,” Chris Hieb, president of The Women’s Board, said in a July 14 news release.
“This year’s speakers have each challenged limits, inspired progress and transformed the world around them. Their stories remind us that when we believe in what’s possible, we can create meaningful change for generations to come.”
Florida Forum events begin at 7 p.m. at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown. Florida Forum subscriptions and sponsorship opportunities are available at TheFloridaForum.com. Individual speaker tickets, if available, will be released during the week of each event.
This year’s series cochairs are Kelly Novak, Joni Poitier and Deena Wallace.
For more than 50 years, The Women’s Board has raised funds and awareness for Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Proceeds from the Florida Forum season will support the board’s commitment to raise $1.5 million to create an outdoor play area for children receiving care in the Wolfson Children’s Behavioral Health Unit. The space will extend therapy and healing outdoors, providing an environment designed to support children’s emotional well-being and recovery.
