WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ideagen® is dedicated to providing a global platform to foster cross-sector collaboration by the world’s leading Brands, Companies, NGOs and Public Sector to create innovative solutions via collaboration at scale while creating awareness of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Now in its third episode, Ideagen® TV’s (Powered By Azure and presented by Microsoft) new series “IMPACT NOW” with award winning actress and singer Mary Millben welcomes next guest, NBA Toronto Raptors Head Coach Nick Nurse on Thursday, July 16th, 2020 at 1:00PM EST. Interview will air live on all Ideagen TV social platforms. With the NBA season returning July 30th, Mary sits down with Coach Nurse to reflect on the Toronto Raptors epic season becoming the 2019 NBA Champions and a look at Coach Nurse’s extraordinary journey as a coach spanning 30+ years.
“We are thrilled to have Coach Nurse as our next guest! Having coached fifteen teams, in four different countries, coupled now with an NBA Championship as a first year head coach, Coach Nurse has an inspiring journey that is relevant for our times,” said Millben.
Nick Nurse is currently the head coach for NBA Toronto Raptors, 2019 NBA Champions, and the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team. During his 30+ years of coaching experience, Nurse has earned numerous championships around the world at the professional level and a reputation as one of the most innovative coaches.
Nurse was named the ninth head coach in Raptors history in June 2018 following five seasons as an assistant. In his first year at the helm, he guided the Raptors to 58 regular-season victories and the franchise’s first NBA Championship title. He became the ninth head coach in NBA history to earn a title in his first season. Nurse has been named NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month three times (January 2020, October/November 2019 and October/November 2018) and earned honor of coaching Team Giannis at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game in Chicago.
Prior to the NBA, Nurse had a successful run as a head coach in the NBA G League, where he was the only coach to lead two different teams (Iowa Energy and Rio Grande Valley Vipers) to the league championships. He was named head coach of the NBA G League All-Stars three times and was named the 2010-11 recipient of the Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year award.
Nurse coached in Europe for 11 years beginning in 1996, winning nine championships and two Coach of the Year awards while earning six All-Star head coach selections in the British Basketball League. During that time, he also gained coaching experience in Italy, Belgium and the USBL.
A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Nurse began his coaching career at the age of 23 when he became the head coach of Grand View College. He was also an assistant coach at the University of South Dakota before heading overseas. He is a native of Carroll, Iowa. He is married to Roberta and has three sons, Noah, Leo and Rocky.
“IMPACT NOW” with Mary Millben is a new, online series profiling and featuring global leaders, entertainers, influencers, sports figures, and more who have made a significant contribution in global change and currently involved in acts of global good. “IMPACT NOW” features original music from Canadian Screen Award and Grammy nominated composer Daryl Bennett.
A native Oklahoman, Mary is a celebrated voice across the globe due to her rousing arrangements of America’s patriotic music and music that inspires. Mary has performed for three consecutive U.S. Presidents (President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama, and President Donald Trump), and featured at The White House, the United States Congress, Off-Broadway, for the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), and the XLIII Super bowl Halftime Show with Bruce Springsteen. She has performed for other notables including Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Her Royal Highness Princess Basmah Bint Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Dimitrije "Dimitri" Karadordevic of Yugoslavia, His Excellency Cui Tiankai (Chinese Ambassador to the U.S.), Her Excellency Mathilde Mukantabana (Rwandan Ambassador to the U.S.), Oprah Winfrey, Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison, and at concerts halls worldwide.
Mary made history at the 40th Anniversary of U.S.-China Student Exchanges at The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Washington, D.C. - becoming the first American and African-American artist to perform the American National Anthem and the Chinese National Anthem in Chinese. Mary is a former White House Presidential Appointee to President George W. Bush and Global Ambassador for Education Africa.
“Mary Millben brings with her a heartwarming spirit and inspirational experiences that Ideagen® is so excited to share with the world! Her voice needs to be heard whether it’s on a stage in front of Presidents or in conversation with global leaders, entertainers, and influencers. She brings positivity in a time where we need it the most.” – George Sifakis Founder & CEO of Ideagen®
