Tez Steinberg

Tez Steinberg is an ocean explorer, endurance athlete, and keynote speaker recognized for his solo rowing expeditions across the Pacific Ocean. Steinberg became the first person to row alone from California to Hawaii without prior rowing experience, completing a 71-day, 2,700-mile journey. He overcame challenges including a hurricane, leaking storage hatches, and a broken rowing seat, becoming the first to complete this route as a first ocean row and only the ninth person to row solo from the Pacific to Hawaii. On a subsequent expedition, Steinberg rowed more than 5,000 miles from Hawaii to Australia in 126 days, becoming the only person to complete this route solo and nonstop.

Steinberg’s journey into ocean rowing began after experiencing depression in college. Following an invitation to participate in a triathlon, he went on to compete in two Ironman competitions, 46 marathons, a 145-mile nonstop ultramarathon, and a solo bicycle tour of the UK and Ireland. He attended the World Economic Forum as one of its youngest delegates, earned an MBA from London Business School, and became a Fellow of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and a member of the Explorers Club. The loss of his father to suicide inspired Steinberg to undertake his first ocean row, transforming a personal quest into a mission to inspire others. He has founded four nonprofit organizations and is dedicated to leveraging business for positive impact.

Steinberg’s expeditions are driven by a commitment to ocean conservation and environmental advocacy. He has raised awareness for ocean plastic pollution and contributed to scientific research by collecting data on ocean temperatures and microplastics for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Steinberg founded United World Challenge, a nonprofit organization focused on accelerating solutions for the ocean plastic crisis and inspiring global action. Through his expeditions, he has raised significant funds for organizations such as United World College and Sungai Watch, supporting the installation of river barriers in Bali to prevent plastic from reaching the ocean.

As a keynote speaker, Steinberg addresses topics including endurance, resilience, and environmental stewardship. He shares strategies for overcoming adversity and emphasizes the importance of ocean conservation, inspiring audiences to pursue their own challenges and contribute to positive change.