![\"Mike](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Massimino_Mike_Credit_Jeffrey_Schifman_for_Columbia_Engineering_t850.jpg\" "\\"Mike")
<\/p>\nThe Women\u2019s Board of Wolfson Children\u2019s Hospital\u00a0announced the 2026-27 Florida Forum Speaker Series schedule, featuring\u00a0tennis champion Venus Williams, former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino and political strategists David Axelrod and Karl Rove.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Oct. 12, 2026: Venus Williams, presented by Florida Blue.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0while advocating for\u00a0equality and leveling the playing field for athletes.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Feb. 2, 2027: Mike Massimino, presented by Landstar.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mike Massamino<\/p>\n
Courtesy of the Women\u2019s Board of Wolfson Children\u2019s Hospital<\/p>\n
\u2022 April 7, 2027: David Axelrod and Karl Rove, presented by The Claxton Bank.<\/p>\n
Axelrod and Rove offer a bipartisan perspective on leadership, public policy and the forces shaping America\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Florida Forum has always been about bringing extraordinary voices and ideas to our community while supporting the life-changing work of Wolfson Children\u2019s Hospital,\u201d Chris Hieb, president of The Women\u2019s Board, said in a July 14 news release.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year\u2019s speakers have each challenged limits, inspired progress and transformed the world around them. Their stories remind us that when we believe in what\u2019s possible, we can create meaningful change for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"David](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Axelrod_David_t850.jpg\" "\\"David")
<\/p>\n
David Axelrod<\/p>\n
Courtesy of the Women\u2019s Board of Wolfson Children\u2019s Hospital<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s series cochairs are Kelly Novak, Joni Poitier and Deena Wallace.<\/p>\n
For more than 50 years, The Women\u2019s Board has raised funds and awareness for Wolfson Children\u2019s Hospital.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Proceeds from the Florida Forum season will support the board\u2019s commitment to raise $1.5 million to create an outdoor play area for children receiving care in the Wolfson Children\u2019s Behavioral Health Unit. The space will extend therapy and healing outdoors, providing an environment designed to support children\u2019s emotional well-being and recovery.<\/p>\n
![\"Karl](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rove_Karl_t850.jpg\" "\\"Karl")
<\/p>\n
Karl Rove<\/p>\n
Courtesy of the Women\u2019s Board of Wolfson Children\u2019s Hospital<\/p>\n
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