Speaker Series presented by TCS

The Power of Possibility: Paralympians Breaking Barriers

Join legendary broadcaster, endurance icon, and Challenged Athletes Foundation Co-Founder and Board Vice President Bob Babbitt as he moderates a candid conversation with two decorated Para sport athletes, Emily Gray and Rudy Garcia-Tolson. From the pool to the podium to the rock wall, Emily and Rudy will share what it really takes to compete at an elite level as a Para athlete — the mindset, the sacrifice, and the joy — in a conversation you won't want to miss.

About Our Panelists

Rudy Garcia-Tolson was born with Pterygium Syndrome, a club foot, webbed fingers and a cleft lip and palate. After 15 surgeries by the age of five, he told his parents he'd rather have a double above-knee amputation. He has been running, swimming, riding and paddling ever since. Rudy made his Paralympic debut in the pool in 2004 at just 16, winning gold, and going on to become a 5x Paralympian and 5x Paralympic medalist - 2 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze - with 6 World Championship performances along the way. Additionally, he became the first double above-knee amputee to complete an Ironman. His career has also earned him ESPN's ARETE Courage in Sport Award and an ESPY nomination. Today he is chasing a new discipline, racing Para Canoe at the World Championships in Poland with his sights set on gold at a sixth Paralympic Games. It's a journey that started with Challenged Athletes Foundation when Rudy was 8 years old, and he remains one of CAF's proudest ambassadors.

Emily Gray was 11 when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancer in the bone of her left leg. When chemotherapy failed to shrink the tumor, she chose to have her leg amputated at the hip so she could live. Cancer left her with a renewed perspective and a determination to live her life as fully as she could. Emily went on to represent South Africa in swimming at three Paralympic Games - Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 - with additional World Championship finals and a silver and bronze medal at the 2011 All-Africa Games also under her belt. After retiring from swimming and earning her degree in Sport Science, she traded the pool for the rock wall, placing third at US Adaptive Climbing Nationals within three months, winning three World Cup medals and becoming the first ParaClimber to represent South Africa on the world stage. Today, as a Paralympian and motivational speaker, she is chasing a fourth Games back in the water, training in Para Canoe and set to compete at the World Championships in Poland.

Event Schedule 4:00 – 4:45 PM | Happy Hour & Networking — Kick off the evening by connecting with fellow professionals over drinks and conversation.

4:45 – 5:45 PM | Panel Q&A — An engaging, moderated discussion followed by audience Q&A.

Drinks (21+) & Light Bites Included

Come network, learn, and be inspired by elite athletes!