GRETCHEN CARLSON is a fierce, fearless, and internationally recognized advocate for women’s rights, whose bold actions against Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes helped pave the way for the global #MeToo movement. A former CBS News and Fox News journalist, author, TED talk alum, and champion for workplace equality, Carlson was named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World.”

She’s the co-founder of the non-profit Lift Our Voices and the author of the two bestsellers “Be Fierce” and “Getting Real.” Carlson’s story of harassment and retaliation at Fox News has garnered international attention, including the Showtime mini-series “The Loudest Voice” and the major motion picture “Bombshell.”

Her advocacy has been honored by numerous organizations, including the New York Women in Communications’ Matrix Award; the Radio Television Digital News Association’s First Amendment Leadership Award; the National Organization for Women’s Women of Power and Influence Award; the YWCA Phenomenal Champion of Change; and the Arizona Foundation for Women’s Sandra Day O’Connor Lifetime Achievement Award.

Carlson serves on the Advisory Board for the Michelle Clayman Institute for Gender Research at Stanford University and is also a member of the philanthropic organization Women Moving Millions.

She’s an honors graduate of Stanford University and also studied at Oxford University. A violin prodigy, she performed as a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra at age 13 and was one of her high school's valedictorians. In 1989 she became the first classical violinist to win Miss America.