Tom Darden

Tom Darden's speeches address the pressing need for sustainable, affordable and safe architecture. As the Executive Director of Make It Right, an organization dedicated to building stable homes in New Orleans, Darden has maintained that zero compromises should be made where construction is concerned, even in the face of difficult economic considerations.

Darden graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received an Honors B.A. His speeches are rooted in his commitment to community work, and he has been remembered for his spot as the first volunteer to work with Make It Right in 2006. His longstanding commitment to the organization only continued to unfold as he worked alongside Brad Pitt to create a strategic, legal and sound building plan for New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward.

The speeches delivered by Darden coincide with his evident passion and success. His involvement with the Make It Right Board has helped to raise over $40 million from the time of its foundation, resulting in the successful erection of 80 homes. His unwavering support for the environmentally devastated region brought about his receipt of Louisianna's Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2009.