Minda Dentler is a program director at AIG, polio survivor, athlete, and global health advocate. In 2013, she became the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship. This led her to be nominated for an ESPN ESPY Award and set her on course to advocate in the global fight against polio, which she contracted as a child in India.

As an infant, Dentler contracted polio, resulting in the paralysis of her legs, and was left at an orphanage. Adopted at three by an American family, she underwent a series of surgeries that enabled her to walk with leg braces and crutches. Undeterred by her disability, Dentler became an independent woman with the intention and drive to face and overcome the many obstacles she has encountered throughout her life.

Dentler is a speaker and has written for TIME and Huffington Post on the importance of global immunization efforts and polio eradication. She has served as a global advocate for Rotary International and the UN Foundation Shot at Life campaign and was a 2017 Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow.

Children with Disabilities, Disability, Sports Motivation, Motivational, Personal Motivation, Inspirational, Inspire Team Inspiration, Sports, Sports Industry, Athlete, Athletics, Award-Winning Athlete, Most influential athletes, Overcoming Adversity,