2026 Conference Speakers

Founder of Hope + Future Foundation 

Gian Paul Gonzalez, a former NCAA All-American basketball player, became a national figure during the New York Giants’ 2011 Super Bowl run. Invited to speak at the team’s chapel service before their Christmas Eve game against the Jets, he delivered his now-famous “ALL IN” message. Handing each player a poker chip, Gonzalez urged them to write their jersey number on one side and their commitment on the other, challenging them to go “all in” both on and off the field. The Giants, inspired by his words, defeated the Jets, went on to win every remaining game, and ultimately beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Since then, Gonzalez has become a sought-after motivational speaker, addressing organizations ranging from the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers and the U.S. military to major corporations and schools. Despite opportunities to play professional basketball, he chose instead to dedicate his life to mentoring at-risk youth. He founded Hope + Future, a nonprofit in West New York, NJ, which provides health, wellness, and leadership programs for young people in underserved communities. Gonzalez emphasizes that “ALL IN” is more than a slogan, it’s a lifestyle of full commitment in every role, whether as an athlete, professional, or family member.