At 63, Jill Chalsty boarded a ship alone, grieving her husband’s death and battling cancer. What began as a voyage around the world became far more than a trip. In this lecture, Jill shares the story behind her memoir Packets of Hope, inviting participants to travel alongside her through the ports she visited, the people she met, and the reflections that transformed personal adversity into strength and global impact. Jill demonstrates how one person’s courage can create ripples that span continents.

Participants are encouraged to read her memoir, available free at www.packetsofhope.com, before the presentation.

Jill Siegal Chalsty has devoted her life to the transformative power of education. As founder of Overcoming Obstacles, the nonprofit she launched in 1992, Jill pioneered life skills instruction that has now reached more than 180 million students worldwide. What began as a mission to

help young people navigate life’s challenges has evolved into a global movement for youth empowerment. Following the profound loss of her husband and her own battles with cancer, Jill embarked on a voyage of healing and reflection. That journey inspired her memoir, Packets of Hope, an exploration of resilience, love, and finding meaning through service.

She's made her book available for free at packetsofhope.com.