Serial entrepreneur Tez Steinberg has dedicated his life to exploring the unknown, both in business and the world around him. As a young child growing up without television in the Adirondack State Park, Steinberg developed a passion for nature that would continue to guide his work.
Today, Steinberg is the founder of four non-profits, as well as his own consultancy and keynote speaking business, Tez Talk. He is known for his unique blend of adventure, storytelling, and business-for-good, which he calls “Endurance Art”.
Steinberg is the only person in history to row a boat from California to Hawaii, solo and self-supported, with no prior experience, a campaign he called the United World Challenge and completed in the height of the pandemic in 2020. He shared the story live on social media to inspire others and raise funds and action to help solve issues like access to education and marine conservation.
Steinberg’s commitment to social impact began to blossom during his senior year in college when both his uncle and a close friend suffered heart attacks. Only his friend survive, thanks to resuscitation by bystanders who were train in CPR the day prior. This experience inspired Steinberg to expand access to medical care. He founded the nonprofit “A Tu Lado”, which helped establish the first university-accredited EMT training programs in Bolivia and Venezuela in 2012 and 2013.
As a keynote speaker, Steinberg has presented to a diverse range of clients and communities, including the World Economic Forum, IDEO, and Coca-Cola. He also speaks at elite conferences, such as the Ultramarine Ocean Action Summit hosted annually on Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island.
Steinberg’s mission to serve others was heavily influence by his single mother, who work hard to pay the bills by tending bar and cleaning homes and motels while putting herself through college to become a social worker. Her dedication to leaving the world a better place reinforced Steinberg’s own commitment to making a difference.
Steinberg’s mother passed away in summer 2022 by suicide after a lengthy battle with ailing physical health. However, her passing has only reinforced Steinberg’s commitment to his mission and his dedication to making the world a better place. Looking ahead to 2023, Steinberg plans to announce his next United World Challenge expedition, which will focus on helping solve the global plastic crisis.