Forum Network

David Brooks is one of the nation's leading writers and commentators. He is an op-ed columnist, for the New York Times, a writer for The Atlantic and appears regularly on the PBS Newshour. He is the bestselling author of 'The Second Mountain', 'The Road to Character', 'The Social Animal', 'Bobos in Paradise', and 'On Paradise Drive'.

Rachel Jamison Webster is a Professor of Creative Writing in the English Department at Northwestern University and the author of four books of poetry in addition to “Benjamin Banneker and Us.”

A global leader driving public health research, policy, and practice, Dr. Ashish Jha joined the Brown School of Public Health as dean in September 2020. An accomplished and practicing physician, Dr. Jha is recognized globally as a trusted expert on major issues impacting public health, and a catalyst for new thinking and approaches. A long-time leader on pandemic preparedness and response, from directing groundbreaking research on Ebola to serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response, he has led national and international analysis of key issues and advised local and federal policy makers around the world.

Ray Anthony Shepard’s book provides young readers with an engaging and corrective understanding of the role of race in contemporary America. He is a retired history teacher, textbook editor and author.

Professor of English at Salem State University, where his areas of interest are Victorian literature & culture, and Caribbean literature. He has written/edited five books on Victorian science, culture, religion, and the diaspora.

Dr. Susana Hancock is someone who goes to the ends of the Earth to save the climate. Literally. Every year, the Maine-native clicks into her skis and conducts research on some of the world's most vulnerable ecosystems: the polar ice caps. The poles currently harbor nine of the top 16 climate tipping points, and Susana is particularly interested in understanding and communicating the cascading planet-wide impacts of some of the most pressing ones.

John Leary is the Founder of Mother Trees, He has dedicated his life helping communities around the world to design and implement landscape restoration programs that rehabilitate farms and restore forest ecosystems.

Pam Agullo @PamGoneGreenOfficial is a passionate advocate for habitat preservation and animal conservation, serving as President of the El Paso Zoological Society and leading initiatives to raise awareness about climate change, deforestation, and sustainable living though education, youth programs, social media and community engagement. Pam serves as the Lead Ambassador for Mother Trees and is developing treecover restoration initiatives across Africa.

PENNIE OPAL PLANT (Yaqui, undocumented Cherokee and Choctaw) is a lifelong activist whose focus is on ensuring that the sacred system of life continues in a manner that is safe, sustainable and healthy.

KATHLEEN SULLIVAN says she really "woke up" to climate activism two years ago when she joined Bill McKibben’s organization, Third Act and helped found the Maine chapter.

The Director of the Center for Environment, Community & Equity, and a Professor in the School of International Service at American University. She has written several books and her latest is Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action.

Alan Palevsky grew up sailing on Great South Bay on Eastern Long Island. He started by crewing for his older brother in the Blue Jay Class in 1959, graduating to the Windmill in 1965. This boat was a Clark Mills design as the next boat up after the Optimist Pram. They took 2nd in the Windmill Nationals in 1968.