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Featuring Venus Williams, Mike Massimino, and David Axelrod and Karl Rove JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (July 14, 2026) – The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital proudly announces the 2026-27 Florida Forum Speaker Series schedule, featuring tennis icon Venus Williams, former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, and renowned political strategists David Axelrod and Karl Rove. The Florida Forum Speaker Series event dates are: - Oct. 12, 2026 – Venus Williams, Tennis Champion, Entrepreneur and Equality Advocate, Presented by Florida Blue. Venus Williams is a tennis champion, entrepreneur, author, and cultural icon 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 championing equality and leveling the playing field for athletes.
- Feb. 2, 2027 – Mike Massimino, Former NASA Astronaut, Author and Professor, Presented by Landstar. From overcoming repeated setbacks to becoming one of NASA's most celebrated astronauts, Mike Massimino's journey is a testament to perseverance and innovation. A veteran of two space shuttle missions and the last person to work inside the Hubble Space Telescope, Massimino shares lessons on teamwork, resilience and achieving the seemingly impossible.
- April 7, 2027 – David Axelrod and Karl Rove, Political Strategists and Commentators, Presented by The Claxton Bank. Representing two of the most influential minds in modern American politics, David Axelrod and Karl Rove offer a unique bipartisan perspective on leadership, public policy and the forces shaping our nation's future. Their conversation promises thoughtful insights into the challenges and opportunities facing America today.
All Florida Forum events begin at 7 p.m. at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts. 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. The series is made possible by partners and generous sponsors Florida Blue, Landstar, and The Claxton Bank. This year’s Florida Forum Speaker Series co-chairs are Kelly Novak, Joni Poitier, and Deena Wallace. "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," said Chris Hieb, president of The Women's Board of Wolfson Children's Hospital. "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." For more than 50 years, The Women's Board has raised funds and awareness for Wolfson Children's Hospital. Proceeds from the 2026-2027 Florida Forum season will support The Women's 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 innovative space will extend therapy and healing outdoors, providing opportunities for movement, connection and healing in an environment designed to support children's emotional well-being and recovery. For more information, visit Women's Board of Wolfson Children's Hospital. Photography: - Tennis icon Venus Williams, Oct. 12, 2026
- Former NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino, Feb. 2, 2027
- Political strategists David Axelrod and Karl Rove, April 7, 2027
About The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital
Established in 1973 by Ellen Cavert, the ongoing mission of the all-volunteer Women’s Board is to raise community awareness and fund state-of-the-art infrastructure, programming and services for Wolfson Children’s Hospital—the only dedicated children’s inpatient healthcare facility in the region. Since its inception, The Women’s Board has raised more than $37 million in support of Wolfson Children’s Hospital to ensure the advancement of first-rate medical care for all children. Two annual fundraisers, the First Coast Design Show (formerly the Art & Antiques Show) and the Florida Forum speaker series, enable The Women’s Board to donate over $1 million a year to Wolfson Children’s Hospital. About Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville
Nonprofit Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, is a part of Baptist Health, Northeast Florida’s most comprehensive health system serving every stage of life which was named by Newsweek as one of “America’s Greatest Workplaces in Health Care.” Wolfson Children’s is the only children’s hospital in Northeast Florida and serves as the pediatric referral center for North Florida, South Georgia and beyond. Staffed 24/7 by pediatric nurses and other healthcare professionals specially trained to work with children, the 281-bed, patient- and family-centered hospital features the latest pediatric medical technology in a welcoming, child-friendly environment. At Wolfson Children’s, nationally recognized pediatric specialists representing nearly every medical and surgical specialty work with pediatricians to provide care for children of all ages with congenital heart conditions, cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and endocrinology disorders, orthopedic conditions, behavioral health conditions, traumatic injuries and more. Wolfson Children’s collaborates with pediatric organizations, including Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, Emergency Resources Group, Mayo Clinic Florida and the University of Florida College of Medicine — Jacksonville. A Magnet™-designated hospital since 2010, Wolfson Children’s Hospital has been named among the U.S. News & World Report 50 Best Children’s Hospitals year after year, and in 2025, was selected as one of only fifteen children’s hospitals in the country as a Leapfrog Top Children’s Hospital, a recognition of patient quality and safety. For additional information, please visit wolfsonchildrens.com. ###
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