Steve Pemberton’s triumphant life journey, now a major motion picture, is about defying the seemingly insurmountable odds of the path of the unchosen. A Chance in the World, drawn from his critically acclaimed memoir of the same title, recounts how Steve was orphaned into foster care, then abandoned and betrayed by the very individuals entrusted with his care. Yet these challenges only fueled his desire to become a man of resilience, determination and vision. He currently serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for Globoforce, a leading provider of social recognition and continuous performance development solutions. Prior to that he served as Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion and Global Chief Diversity Officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance. He was the first person in Walgreens’ 100-plus year history to hold the position of Chief Diversity Officer, and under his leadership the company reached record levels of performance in areas of representation, retention, employee engagement and supplier diversity.

Steve is a passionate champion for disadvantaged youth, serving on several boards including United States Business Leadership Network and UCAN. He established The Pemberton Fund for the Future at The Home for Little Wanderers to provide help and guidance to children aging out of foster care. Steve’s achievements have earned him national recognition, including the prestigious Horizon Award by the United States Congress, presented to individuals in the private sector who have contributed to expanding opportunities for all Americans.