Ben Silbermann Speaking Fee: $100,000 to $125,000

Ben Silbermann, born in 1982 in Des Moines, Iowa, is an American Internet entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Pinterest. Raised by physician parents, Jane Wang and Neil Silbermann, he developed a passion for collecting from a young age. This interest in curating items would later inspire the creation of Pinterest. In 1998, he attended the Research Science Institute at MIT and graduated from Yale University in 2003 with a degree in Political Science. After college, Silbermann worked at Google in the online advertising group. However, he soon realized his entrepreneurial aspirations and left to design iPhone apps with friends. One of their early projects, Tote, failed to gain traction. Undeterred, Silbermann teamed up with Evan Sharp to create a virtual pinboard product, which eventually became Pinterest. Launched in March 2010, Pinterest allows users to organize and share images, links, recipes, and more. The platform quickly gained popularity, becoming one of the fastest-growing social media sites by 2012. Silbermann's dedication to user experience was evident in the early days of Pinterest. He personally wrote to the first 5,000 users, seeking feedback and fostering a community. To raise capital, he entered the NYU Stern Business Plan Competition, securing funding from venture capitalists First Mark Capital. In April 2019, Pinterest held its initial public offering (IPO), valuing the company at approximately $12 billion. In June 2022, Silbermann stepped down as CEO, transitioning to the role of Executive Chairman. Google executive Bill Ready succeeded him as Chief Executive Officer and joined the Board of Directors. Silbermann's leadership and vision have left an indelible mark on the tech industry, with Pinterest standing as a testament to his innovative spirit. On the personal front, Silbermann is married to Divya Bhaskaran, a 2004 graduate of Clark University with a degree in Psychology. The couple resides in San Francisco, California, with their two children. Despite his professional achievements, Silbermann remains a family-oriented individual, balancing his entrepreneurial pursuits with personal commitments.