Core Program Speakers

Part I: AI and our world

Reflect on our changing world in the midst of a revolution with AI as a layer of the global economy. What are the implications on scholarship, teaching, learning and knowledge? What about societal norms, ethics and democracy? What can we hope for in longevity and health?

  • Russ Biagio Altman

    Kenneth Fong Professor and Professor of Bioengineering, of Genetics, of Medicine, of Biomedical Data Science Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI. Professor, by courtesy, of Computer Science. Read more.

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  • Michael A. Keller

    Vice Provost and University Librarian Director of Academic Information Resources. Read more.

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  • Marco Quarta

    Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, Rubedo Life Sciences. Read more.

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  • Debra Satz

    Vernon R and Lysbeth Warren Anderson Dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences Marta Sutton Weeks Professor of Ethics in Society Professor, by courtesy, of Political Science. Read more.

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  • Howard Wolf

    Vice President for Alumni Affairs President, Stanford Alumni Association. Read more.

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Part II: Journeys

We rarely live in a linear narrative anymore. Learn from the extraordinary journeys our alumni and speakers have taken in their careers and lives. Hear about their choices, commitments, resilience, setbacks and wins. Take home with you their insights on change and transitions.

  • Riccardo Di Molfetta

    Co-founder and CEO, Prelude Labs. Read more.

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  • Cassidy Krug

    Writer, Strategist, US Olympian '12 Author of "Resurface: a Guide to Navigating Life's Biggest Transitions". Read more.

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  • Justine Mattera

    TV, movie and theater freelance professional Author of "Just Me: Quante vite ci stanno in 50 anni?". Read more.

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  • Marco Pavone

    Associate Professor, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Departments of Electrical Engineering (by courtesy) and of Computer Science (by courtesy). Director, Autonomous Systems Laboratory. Read more.

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  • Marco Trombetti

    Co-founder and CEO, Translated. Co-founder and CEO, Pi Campus. Read more.

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  • Carlotta "Lotti" Siniscalco

    General Partner, Emergence Capital. Read more.

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  • Sarah Soule

    Philip H. Knight Professor and Dean, GSB. Morgridge Professor of Organizational Behavior Professor of Sociology (by courtesy), School of Humanities and Sciences. Read more.

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  • Undisclosed Speaker

Optional Events

Thursday evening,

Rothko in Florence

Join a guided tour of this unique retrospective, reconstructing Mark Rothko's special bond with Florence. During his trips in the '50s and '60s, the artist was inspired by Fra Angelico's frescoes at the Convent of San Marco and by Michelangelo's architectural vision in the Vestibule of the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana.

Partner:
IntesaSanpaolo
Time:
21:00-23:00
Location:
Palazzo Strozzi
Price:
Free
Capacity:
max 30 people
Experience guide:
tbc
Sign up

Enoteca Pinchiorri experience

Have a memorable Stanford dinner paired with wines at three-Michelin-starred Enoteca Pinchiorri, the Florentine temple of fine dining. The restaurant is world-renowned for its wine cellar, considered one of the greatest on the planet, featuring an unparalleled selection of rare labels and historic vintages. An unforgettable experience for true connoisseurs of fine food and wine.

Timing:
20:00 onwards
Price per person:
approx. €700, includes wine pairing and cellar visit

Will take place with a minimum of 8 participants.

Sign up

Friday morning,

Renaissance Masterpiece Restoration

Witness a Renaissance artwork being restored and speak with the restorer at the Museo di San Marco, world-famous for the Beato Angelico frescoes. Also visit the rare book/manuscript collection, Savonarola's cell, the refractory, and cloisters.

Time:
11:00-13:00
Location:
Museo di San Marco
Price:
Free
Capacity:
max 30 people
Experience guides:
Marco Mozzo, director of the Museo di San Marco; Simonetta Brandolini d'Adda, President of Friends of Florence; James Morton, GSB MBA '79.
Sign up

Museum of Costume and Fashion

Be dazzled by centuries of fashion at this historic museum, expanded and reopened after 4 years of restoration.

Time:
11:00-13:00
Location:
Palazzo Pitti
Price:
€19 for the Palazzo Pitti ticket
Capacity:
max 20 people
Experience guide:
Alexandria Brown-Hedjazi, Art Historian, Stanford PhD
Sign up

Friday afternoon,

Opera del Duomo Museum

Take a deep dive into Florentine spirituality and art at this exquisite museum, a concentration of faith, art and history that has no equal in the world.

Partner:
Mons. Timothy Verdon (taught at Stanford in Florence)
Time:
14:00-16:00
Price:
€15 for the Museum ticket (Ghiberti Pass; also grants access to the San Giovanni Baptistery)
Capacity:
max 20 people
Experience guide:
Mons. Timothy Verdon, Museum Director
Sign up

Roberto Casamonti Collection

Discover the coolest contemporary art collection in town, built by the founder of prominent art dealership Tornabuoni Arte. Hear about plans for the future palazzo of the Collezione Roberto Casamonti (opening summer/fall 2026).

Partner:
Casamonti Family
Time:
14:00-16:00
Price:
Free
Capacity:
max 25 people
Experience guide:
Jonathan Paonetti, Collezione Roberto Casamonti Director
Sign up

Ferragamo factory, archive and museum visit + personal shopper experience

Learn about a pillar of dolce vita fashions via an exclusive tour of their production facility and archive in Osmannoro, a short drive from Florence. Come back to Florence for a guided tour of the Ferragamo Museum, and, if you wish, a personal shopper experience at the flagship boutique, at prices reserved for Stanford alumni.

Partner:
Ferragamo family
Time:
14:00-17:00
Location:
Osmannoro and Florence
Price:
Share the cost of the shuttle bus (you may also want to budget for some shopping!)
Capacity:
max 25 people
Experience guides:
tbc
Sign up

Sunday evening,

Complete your Florentine weekend in style! Return to the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and head to the Zubin Mehta Auditorium for two Beethoven symphonies conducted by Maestro Daniele Gatti, on this night only: Symphony No. 2 in D major Op. 36 and Symphony No. 3 in E flat major Op. 55, Eroic.

Timing:
20:00
Price per person:
€30-€80 depending on seats

Buy your tickets now to ensure your preferred seat!

Follow the instructions on how to buy the best seats (section A) with a 20% discount for SIAW 2026 participants.

Sunday Activities

Make sure you book before to ensure a spot for your preferred experience. All the tour groups have English-speaking guides.

Book and pay

Please refer to SIAW26's activities document (or download it as a pdf) for a full description of each activity. Enjoy!

  • The interior courtyard of the Palazzo Portinari Salviati in Florence, Italy, which has been converted into a luxurious lounge or hotel lobby. The space features grand Renaissance architecture with large arches and columns. A central statue of a Roman figure is surrounded by elaborate floral arrangements.

    Farewell Brunch at Salotto Portinari

    Enjoy a final brunch for the weekend in the sophisticated yet relaxed setting of one of Florence's most historic palaces.

    Timing:
    -
    Price per person:
    €72

    Will take place with a minimum of 25 participants

  • The ornate Renaissance-style ceiling of the Sala dei Gigli (Hall of the Lilies) in the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Italy. It features a symmetrical pattern of gilded hexagonal panels. Each blue panel contains a golden fleur-de-lis motif, a tribute to the Anjou dynasty, protectors of the Guelph faction.

    The Medici Family

    Stroll through Florence on a historical walking tour to discover the lives, palaces, and stories of Florence's most remarkable family, the Medici.

    Timing:
    -
    Price per person:
    €129

    Will take place with a minimum of 10 participants

  • The Florence Cathedral, formally known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore.

    Duomo Tour and Skywalk Experience

    Discover the breathtaking Duomo of Florence and climb the staircase to the North terrace, not usually accessible to the general public.

    Timing:
    -
    Price per person:
    €130

    Will take place with a minimum of 8 participants

  • Hands holding a bundle of raw, fresh fettuccine noodles, dusted with flour.

    Cook with a Chef in Florence

    Learn how to knead, cut, and cook three different types of fresh pastas, and pair each one with the right sauce. Gelato or sorbet conclude your meal.

    Timing:
    -
    Price per person:
    €145

    Will take place with a minimum of 10 participants

  • View of an historic village and winery amidst rolling hills and vineyards in the Chianti region.

    Chianti Wine Trail

    Explore charming Chianti villages, followed by a private guided tour of the vineyards and cellars at a premium winery, and a leisurely lunch.

    Timing:
    -
    Price per person:
    €244

    Will take place with a minimum of 12 participants

  • Handwritten letters or documents in a non-English language. The content appears to be personal correspondence or perhaps a literary work.

    Siena Palaces and State Archives

    Discover Siena's elegant palaces and the priceless collections of its State Archives, including exclusive access to the Director's studio overlooking Piazza del Campo.

    Timing:
    -
    Price per person:
    €293

    Will take place with a minimum of 12 participants and a maximum of 24 participants

  • The medieval Italian hill town of San Gimignano with its numerous towers, located in Tuscany.

    Siena and San Gimignano

    Tour Siena and learn about its history from Roman times to today. Lunch in a typical trattoria and continue to iconic San Gimignano, the city of towers.

    Timing:
    -
    Price per person:
    €316

    Will take place with a minimum of 12 participants

  • A woman on a cross-country bike, riding on a country road on tuscanian hills.

    Chianti Bike Tour

    Bike through olive groves and enjoy superb views of the Chianti hills, then visit a winery and savor Tuscan cuisine paired with local wines.

    Timing:
    -
    Price per person:
    €374

    Will take place with a minimum of 12 participants and a maximum of 24 participants

  • A moment during a wineland safari tour in the Chianti hillside, where a woman whatches a medieval town from a Land Rover Defender.

    Chianti Safari & Vineyard Picnic

    Travel the winding country roads and see the hidden corners of Chianti with an off-road vehicle. Enjoy a picnic with fresh Tuscan foods in a vineyard.

    Timing:
    -
    Price per person:
    €389

    Will take place with a minimum of 12 participants and a maximum of 24 participants

  • The Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) in Pisa, Italy. It features the Pisa Cathedral (Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale di Santa Maria Assunta), a medieval Catholic cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

    A Day in Lucca and Pisa

    Discover Lucca and enjoy a walk on top of its massive medieval walls. Lunch in a local trattoria. On to Pisa, with the world-famous landmarks of the Piazza dei Miracoli.

    Timing:
    -
    Price per person:
    €437

    Will take place with a minimum of 12 participants

  • Gilda Beach Club, a luxury resort located in Forte dei Marmi, Tuscany, Italy. The club features typical beach chic decor with white-washed walls, wood furniture, and signature white gazebos lining the sand.

    Tuscan Riviera and Marble Quarries

    Enjoy a thrilling Jeep tour through the Carrara marble quarries, exploring hidden paths and breathtaking views. Savor an aperitivo featuring local delicacies, then continue on to Forte dei Marmi for lunch at a chic beach club, followed by leisure time on the sand.

    Timing:
    -
    Price per person:
    €455

    Will take place with a minimum of 12 participants and a maximum of 24 participants

Use the link below to sign up for these Sunday activities:

Book and pay

Please note: The Farewell Brunch is set up as the default. To choose a different activity and remove the Brunch from your Stripe cart, first choose and add another experience. Then tap 'Details' to see all chosen items, tap 'Qty 1' under Brunch, and then select 'Remove'. Proceed to payment.

Book with confidence! Cancellation policy for Sunday activities:

  • 100% refund if requested 1 month in advance
  • 50% if requested 2 weeks in advance
  • No refunds thereafter.

Issues? Need support? Contact Arno Travel: eventi@arnotravel.it

Phone/Whatsapp, office hours (9am-6pm): +39 366 3475792

Phone/Whatsapp, outside office hours: +39 344 3443549