Business Session Speakers
Carlton Ward Jr.
Carlton Ward Jr is a conservation photographer, Emmy Award–winning filmmaker, and National Geographic Explorer. He founded the Florida Wildlife Corridor project in 2010 and created Wildpath, an organization dedicated to using storytelling to inspire the protection of wildlife corridors. Carlton and Wildpath spearheaded the successful campaign for the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act in 2021 and, in partnership with National Geographic, launched the Connected Planet project in 2025 to accelerate the protection of wildlife corridors globally. Carlton’s work is featured in the National Geographic film Path of the Panther, and he is currently leading a conservation project focused on the underappreciated beauty of the Gulf of Mexico. His Florida heritage dates back eight generations, including a family ranch that protects a piece of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and a childhood spent exploring the Gulf — experiences he and his wife, Suzie, share with their three children, Eldridge Ann, Nell, and Carlton III.
Arnie Bellini
Arnie Bellini is a prominent American technology entrepreneur and philanthropist best known for founding ConnectWise, a Tampa-based software firm that he grew into a global industry leader before its landmark $1.5 billion sale in 2019. Currently serving as the CEO of Bellini Capital, he focuses on investing in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence while spearheading significant philanthropic initiatives that bridge the gap between technology and the environment. Through his "Live Wildly" initiative and his leadership in passing the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, Bellini has been instrumental in securing billions in state funding to protect millions of acres of "green infrastructure." His nonprofit, Live Wildly Foundation, advances this mission by partnering with NGOs, public agencies, and local communities across Florida to amplify conservation impact, accelerate funding, and elevate awareness of the state’s critical natural resources. This commitment to the state's future is also reflected in his record-breaking $40 million gift to the University of South Florida to establish the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computing, aimed at transforming the region into a global hub for high-tech talent.