Laura Formentini is the Honorary Ambassador of the Garden of Peace, Ambassador of the Salima Animal Trust, and Liaison for International Cities of Peace in Tangier, Morocco. A philanthropist, nonprofit photographer, fundraiser, writer, and international speaker, she has dedicated over 25 years to “love in action” through projects supporting children, animals, and communities worldwide.
Her journey - including a moment in rural Ethiopia when a kind man held her hand through devastating loss - embodies her belief that even the smallest acts of compassion can ripple outward with immeasurable strength.
Her TEDx talk “Love in Action” has inspired millions with a message of resilience, connection, and hope.
Laura Formentini
Speaker
Love in Action
Speech
For more than 25 years, I practiced “love in action” as a nonprofit photographer and fundraiser - supporting children’s education, creating animal sanctuaries, and fostering hope in vulnerable communities.
Then, in rural Ethiopia, I received the devastating news that my son Blaise had died by suicide.
As I waited to begin the long journey back to the United States, a kind man named Assefa sat beside me, holding my hand for ten hours.
That simple gesture did not erase my grief, but it revealed something profound: even the smallest acts of care can ripple outward with immeasurable strength.
Since then, I have carried this deeper understanding into all my work, from creating peace gardens in places scarred by conflict to nurturing global projects of compassion.
The human touch, I have learned, is not only physical—it is the empathy, presence, and love we extend to one another.
This talk reflects on how the human touch - whether through a life’s mission or a moment’s kindness - can heal, connect, and transform.