Mim Eichler Rivas

Christopher Paul Gardner is a successful entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and philanthropist.

Born in 1954 in Milwaukee, he overcame a challenging childhood marked by poverty and abuse.

Gardner's life story inspired the bestselling autobiography "The Pursuit of Happyness" and a hit movie starring Will Smith.

Despite lacking formal education, he became a stockbroker and founded his own brokerage firm.

Gardner is passionate about addressing homelessness and promoting positive fatherhood.

He serves on boards of educational and fatherhood initiatives, receiving recognition for his philanthropic work.

Gardner's second book, "Start Where You Are," offers life lessons based on his experiences overcoming adversity and achieving success.