Robert Fogarty

Robert X. Fogarty is a prominent speaker, advocate, and social entrepreneur, best known as the founder of the storytelling organization Dear World. Born in 1983 in Nebraska, he graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Oregon in 2005. His career took a significant turn after Hurricane Katrina, which inspired him to move to New Orleans and engage in community service through AmeriCorps.

Career Highlights

• Evacuations and Community Service: Fogarty co-founded Evacuteer.org, a nonprofit organization aimed at training volunteers for disaster preparedness in New Orleans. He played a crucial role in creating Evacuspots, public art installations that mark evacuation sites for residents without cars.1

• Dear World: In 2009, Fogarty initiated the Dear World project, which began as a photography series capturing personal stories through messages written on people's bodies. This project evolved into a global storytelling organization that has engaged over 500,000 participants across more than 30 countries. The organization works with various clients, including Fortune 100 companies, to foster storytelling cultures within their workplaces.12

• Philanthropic Efforts: The Dear World Foundation has facilitated storytelling initiatives in diverse locations, highlighting the experiences of survivors and communities affected by crises, including terrorism and civil war.1

Fogarty's innovative approach to storytelling has earned him recognition and accolades, including being inducted into the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication Hall of Fame in 2015.1 His work has been featured in major media outlets and has had a significant impact on community engagement and resilience efforts.