Leigh Anne Tuohy

OPENING KEYNOTE

INSPIRATIONAL SUBJECT OF THE BLIND SIDE, AMERICAN BUSINESSWOMAN & INTERIOR DESIGNER

Turn Around, REACH Out and Make A Difference

Leigh Anne Tuohy, the resolute matriarch and businesswoman whose family inspired the hit film The Blind Side, will challenge us all to re-think what REACHing out really means. We encounter opportunities to REACH out and REACH back to help others every single day, and what may seem like a small gesture to us may make a world of difference in someone else’s life. Hear from Leigh Anne, get inspired and make your next step one that causes you to turn around and meet a need — in your workplace, in your immediate circle, or in your community. REACH out. Make a difference. Repeat.

Q&A with

Kelly Copes-Anderson

Associate Vice President

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

Lilly

Leigh Anne's Bio

Dubbed a “warrior princess” by author Michael Lewis in his best-selling book The Blind Side, Leigh Anne Tuohy is the inspirational matriarch of the Tuohy family. While studying at the University of Mississippi, better known as Ole Miss, Leigh Anne met Sean Tuohy, her husband since 1982. Both were active and ambitious college students: Leigh Anne was a cheerleader, campus favorite, homecoming maid and an active member of her sorority, Kappa Delta; Sean became a record-breaking SEC basketball champion and still holds several SEC assist records. They are the proud parents of daughter Collins and sons Sean, Jr., and Michael Oher. In February 2013, Leigh Anne and the whole Tuohy family were on the sidelines cheering Michael and the Baltimore Ravens on to his first Super Bowl victory.

In response to The Blind Side, the Tuohy family started The Making it Happen Foundation which offers hope, love and opportunity to people who have none. They strive to help underprivileged youth from falling through the cracks.