Category: Speaker Announcements (Page 3 of 29)

Ever wonder what it’s like to pilot an enormous 1,200-foot container ship into New York Harbor? Brothers Bob and Bill Blake have done it thousands of times in all kinds of weather. Join us as these maritime experts reveal the challenges of steering everything from oceangoing vessels, passenger liners, freighters and tankers in and out of the harbor in one of the busiest ports in the world.

Bob and Bill were raised in Westchester County and are second generation Harbor Pilots in New York Harbor. Bob began an apprenticeship as a Harbor Pilot in 1979 and came up through the hawse pipe — a ship’s officer who started as a Seaman and didn’t go to a maritime college — before being fully licensed in 1986. He has been a member of the Port of New York’s harbor piloting association, the Sandy Hook Pilots Association, for over 46 years and has piloted thousands of ships in and out of the ports of New York and New Jersey. Notably, he piloted the aircraft carrier, USS John F. Kennedy, into the harbor on her final call into New York and was the senior pilot on the USS Cole during “Fleet Week” in 2023 (remember that the USS Cole had been attacked by terrorists in the Persian Gulf in 2000 at a cost of 17 U.S. sailors lives and $250 million in repairs).

They will also share their thoughts about what happened on the bridge the night that the 984-foot cargo ship, Dali, crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Harbor in March 2024 and the 297-foot Mexican Navy training ship, Cuauhtemoc, that crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in May 2025.

Bob has served on the Executive and Finance Committees of the Sandy Hook Pilots Association and Bill has also served on various committees of it in addition to being a Trustee of the Association.  Bill graduated from Emory College in 1987 with a B.B.A. in Finance although he always envisioned a career being a Harbor Pilot. He has been a member of the Sandy Hook Pilots Association for 35 years, and like his brother, has piloted thousands of large ships safely into and out of New York Harbor. He also worked at BriarTek, Inc. which outfits the U.S. Navy and various other foreign navies with man overboard systems.

Political and religious ideologies are among the most pervasive forms of human thought ever developed, attracting billions of followers worldwide. These belief systems are appealing because they target our deepest hopes, fears, and desires. But don’t be fooled. They are not as beneficial as they may seem. They have had and continue to have terrible consequences.

Today, ideologies continue to be used against us. More than ever, power-hungry leaders have exploited our vulnerability to belief-based appeals to advance their personal agendas at our expense. Our failure to grasp this reality has allowed them to gain tremendous power over us. We must understand what we face as we are often bombarded by the false narratives our leaders promote.

Author John Kavanagh’s research into belief systems helps expose the myths surrounding our most popular political and religious ideologies. Using historical and current examples, he explains their true nature, what drives their success, and why they are so dangerous for us all.

John Kavanagh is the former CEO of Marketing Corporation of America (MCA), a $100 million management consulting and research company located in Westport and Chicago. He earned a B.A. degree from Yale University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Columbia University.

After MCA was acquired by the Interpublic Group, John returned to the study of history, in which he had majored at Yale. At that time, he became concerned about the growing influence of ideologies in bringing dictators to power and their role in causing immense human suffering. This motivated him to spend several years researching political and religious ideologies. Drawing on this extensive research, his proven analytical skills, and his historical knowledge, The Path to Power, Road to Ruin: The Dangers of Religious and Political Ideologies.

Video of presentation

Jeff Benedict is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 17 non-fiction books and more than 100 published stories and essays.  He is also an Emmy-winning film and television producer.

Jeff spent five years inside the New England Patriots organization and was granted extensive personal access to Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft.  During that time, he wrote The Dynasty: The New England Patriots, an instant New York Times bestseller that Colin Cowherd called “a masterpiece” and Peter King called “groundbreaking.”  His book is the definitive account of the Brady-Belichick-Kraft era.  The book is also the basis of the 10-part documentary The Dynasty: The New England Patriots that Benedict wrote and executive produced for Apple TV+.  It is currently streaming.

A former special features writer for Sports Illustrated and the Los Angeles Times, Jeff penned the landmark biographies of Tiger Woods in 2018, and LeBron James in 2023.  The New York Times praised Jeff’s book about Tiger as “a big American story … that’s nearly as sleek as a Christopher Nolan movie.”  The Wall Street Journal called his portrait of LeBron “inspiring and absorbing,” while the Los Angeles Times hailed it as “a sports opera fueled by drama and emotion.”  Both books were published in over 15 foreign languages.  Jeff also turned his Tiger Woods biography into a two-part documentary that he produced for HBO.

In 2024, Jeff won an Emmy for Outstanding Current Affairs Documentary as the producer and writer of the Netflix film Poisoned, which is based on his book by the same title about a deadly E. coli outbreak.   He is a frequent public speaker on the themes of leadership and success, as well as the art of storytelling.

Video of presentation

There are almost 100,000 people in the U.S who over the age of 100 and the percentage of people reaching centenary status is rising.  Dr. Edward Schuster will describe what will – and will not – help you achieve this goal and stay healthy while you do it.

Dr. Schuster notes that location matters.  Connecticut has the second highest incidence of centenarians in the nation (after Hawaii).  He’ll give advice on diet, exercise, social engagement, medical monitoring, stress management, vitamins and more.  He also advises: “Take vacations!  Enjoy life! This is not a dress rehearsal.”

Dr. Schuster specializes in all aspects of cardiology with an interest in preventive cardiology.  He is Medical Director of Stamford Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and its Sarner Health’s Health & Fitness Institute at the Tully Center, in addition to being a Board Member of The Stamford Hospital Foundation.  He is also a member of the teaching faculty at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and is the City of Stamford’s Police Department doctor. In addition to healthy aging and longevity, he is a strong and active advocate of children’s health and the use of defibrillators in the community.

Dr. Schuster started practicing cardiology at Stamford Hospital and St. Joesph’s Hospital in 1980 and joined Stamford Health Medical Group in 2012.  He received his Medical Degree at the Chicago Medical School and completed his Internship and Residency at Duke Hospital.  He was a Fellow in Cardiology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, has received numerous honors including Teacher of the Year at Stamford Hospital and is on lists of the best doctors in Connecticut, Westchester County and the nation.

Video Presentation 

Susan Granger will discuss “The Business of Hollywood” which will focus on the many changes facing Hollywood’s movie industry.  The pandemic completely changed the business by making people reluctant to go to movie theaters.  Streaming soared and still continues to soar today.  Blockbuster culture, the cornerstone of the business for years, is still here, but it’s different.  AI has begun to significantly impact the business of Hollywood in profound ways.  And, with the country’s more right-leaning electorate under President Donald Trump, traditionally liberal Hollywood has felt a backlash. Fear is said to be rampant in the movie industry.

Susan is a product of Hollywood.  Movies are her family’s business.  As a child, she worked with Abbott and Costello, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Margaret O’Brien and Lassie.  She later attended Mills College in California, studied journalism with Pierre Salinger, and graduated with Highest Honors in Journalism from the University of Pennsylvania.  Susan has been on radio and television as an Anchorwoman and a movie/drama critic, syndicating reviews and articles around the world, and has appeared on American Movie Classics and Turner Classic Movies.  She wrote 150 Timeless Movies and she has worked extensively doing speech and presentation coaching for top management and executives in several industries. Her articles have been published in Working Woman, the New York Times, Redbook, Playboy, Ladies Home Journal, Family Circle, Travel Agent, and Cosmopolitan, among other publications. Her reviews are syndicated through Hearst Media Group and various websites.

Video Presentation 

U.S. presidents typically get too much credit and blame for the state of the economy.  The business cycle is alive and well, determined mostly by the behavior of hundreds of millions of households and businesses both here and abroad, as well as exogenous factors such as weather, OPEC and systemic health issues.  Policy also plays a role, although monetary policy usually has a bigger influence than the Administration does.  But there are exceptions, and President Trump’s tariffs clearly fit the bill:  the changes have been so extreme that they are having significant impacts on financial markets and the economy. The plunge in immigration will also have notable effects.  The direction is clear; these policies will raise prices and reduce output and employment.  The magnitudes, however, are not: tariff changes of this size have not been experienced in our lifetimes, and where they will end up and how long they will be maintained is far from clear.

Larry Kantor draws on his many years being one of the most respected senior leaders in the financial industry and he will tackle the critical economic issues of the day.  He is consistently praised for his clear, concise and comprehensive views on national issues from an economist’s perspective. Larry was formerly Managing Director and Head of Global Research for Barclay’s Capital where he built an integrated global research team that achieved # 1 status in Institutional Investor Survey.  He managed 1,000+ researchers and transformed a $100+ revenue generating business that was sold to Bloomberg for more than 600 million pounds.  He has made numerous media appearances on many networks to discuss economic and market developments including CNBC, Bloomberg TV and radio, Fox Business News, The Nightly Business Report and CBS Evening News.  Prior to his employment at Barclay’s, he was Managing Director and Head of Global Exchange Strategy at J. P. Morgan Chase (and prior to that, he he was its Chief European Economist and Chief U.S. Economist), in addition to being Chief Economist and Strategist at Normandy Asset Management, an Economist at the Federal Reserve Board and Assistant Professor at Lehigh University.

Larry is currently an Operating Partner at Atlas Merchant Capital, a private equity firm.  He was a 2016 Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow at Harvard University following retirement at Barclay’s.  He received an A.B. in Economics (with Honors) from Rutgers University and both an M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from The Ohio State University.

Video Presentation

Rob Simmelkjaer is CEO of New York Road Runners (NYYR), the non-profit organization that “runs” one of the world’s largest marathons. This enormously successful event will be held this year on November 2^nd and has received record-breaking demand with more than 200,000 athletes from 150 countries applying to run.  Getting into one of the world’s largest marathons is hard, but more than 50,000 runners – from the world’s best professional and Olympic athletes to a vast range of runners across all experience levels and backgrounds – will compete across all five boroughs in a day that many consider to be The Best Day of the Year in the Best City in the World.

The New York Road Runners’ vision is not just to manage a world-class sports event, but to build healthier lives and a stronger community through the transformative power of running. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, in addition to its marquee event.  As a non-profit, it serves nearly a half million people annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs. Also, through the TCS New York City Marathon’s Official Charity Partner Program, athletes have raised almost $600 million for over 1,000 worthy causes; in 2025, more than 600 charities are participating.

During Rob’s tenure at New York Road Runners, the organization has experienced a large running boom with nearly every race it hosts selling out at a record pace. To continue its growth, Rob began expanding the organization’s free community programming, forming partnerships with New York City Public Schools to create middle school running teams, elevating the non-profit’s sustainability efforts by launching its NYRR Team for Climate program, highlighting the mental health benefits of running by debuting the NYRR Mindful 5K race during Mental Health Awareness Month and inspiring action among the community with a new in-house content studio dedicated to bringing the power of running to life.

Rob was formerly a Senior Vice President of NBC Sports Ventures where he was responsible for leading international business development for the NBC Sports Group.  Prior to NBC, he was Assistant to the President of ESPN where he assisted in strategic direction, programming and acquisitions with primary responsibility for the launch of a 6-year programming agreement between ESPN/ABC and the NBA.  He was then appointed Chairman of the Board of the Connecticut Lottery Corp. by Governor Lamont.  In addition to his executive roles, Rob has served as an on-air contributor for ESPN, ABC News, and all NBC platforms including NBC Sports, MSNBC (where he anchored coverage of the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics), CNBC and the Tennis Channel.

Rob is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School.  At Dartmouth, he anchored Dartmouth Sports Radio for 4 years, as well as the school’s award-winning 1992 presidential election.  He later practiced law in New York City at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and also at Cravath, Swaine & Moore.  He has two daughters who keep him very busy.

Video Presentation

In announcing Erin’s appointment last August as executive director of the DCA, the board described Erin as a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in the development of business and brand strategies, digital and communication plans, and integrated campaigns for some of the world’s most recognized and most well-loved brands. Those brands included Nike, ESPN, American Express and Pepsi. She has brought her vision and experience to bear on revitalizing the DCA for a new era.

Video Presentation

Jim Himes represents Connecticut’s 4th District in the United States House of Representatives where he is serving his eighth term. He serves as Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and on the House Financial Services Committee.

Jim grew up as the child of a single working mom in a small town. As a member of Congress, Jim works hard to provide all American children the same opportunities he had to succeed: access to a first-rate public school, affordable and effective health care, a decent and safe home, and a supportive community.

Born in Lima, Peru in 1966 to American parents, he spent the early years of his childhood in Peru and Colombia while his father worked for the Ford Foundation and UNICEF. As an American abroad, Jim grew up fluent in both Spanish and English and was raised with an awareness of the unique position of the United States in the world. At the age of ten, Jim moved with his mother and sisters to the United States.

Jim graduated from Hopewell Valley Central High School and then attended Harvard University. After completing his undergraduate work, Jim earned a Rhodes Scholarship, which enabled him to attend Oxford University in England where he continued his studies of Latin America, including research in El Salvador.

Prior to his service in Congress, Jim ran the New York City branch of The Enterprise Community Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the unique challenges of urban poverty. Jim’s team led the way in financing the construction of thousands of affordable housing units in the greater New York metropolitan region, often using new green technologies to achieve energy efficiency and reduce utility costs.

Jim’s experience at Enterprise spurred his involvement in politics. Putting his expertise in affordable housing to work, Jim served as a Commissioner of the Greenwich Housing Authority, ultimately chairing the board and leading it through a much-needed program of reforms. Jim went on to become an elected member of his town’s finance board, setting tax and budget policy for Greenwich. Jim has also served as Chair of his local Democratic Town Committee, organizing others in the community to become more active in the political process.

Jim began his professional career at Goldman Sachs & Co. where he worked his way up to Vice President over the course of a 12-year career. He worked extensively in Latin America and headed the bank’s telecommunications technology group there. Jim and his wife Mary live in Greenwich (with not frequent enough visits from their daughters Emma and Linley).

Summary
Himes Defends Democracy, Critiques Both Parties in Wide-Ranging Talk

At a packed event hosted by the Darien Men’s Association, Congressman Jim Himes delivered a sweeping, often unsparing assessment of America’s political and institutional health—criticizing both Donald Trump’s Republican Party and his own Democrats, while expressing cautious optimism that democratic norms are holding.

Himes, now in his ninth term representing Connecticut’s 4th District, opened with a reflection on America’s political evolution. He noted the shift in once reliably Republican towns like Darien, New Canaan, and Greenwich toward the Democratic column—a change he attributes to rising education levels and discomfort with MAGA populism.

“There are lots of reasons to be worried,” Himes said, citing threats to democratic norms, attacks on immigrants, and hostility toward academic and scientific institutions. But he pushed back on the notion that the U.S. is already in constitutional crisis, praising the judiciary for consistently restraining executive overreach. “The courts have held,” he said, referencing over 240 decisions that have blocked controversial policies.

Himes, who serves as the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, reserved sharp criticism for the Trump administration’s tariff policy. He argued that tariffs have worsened inflation and misunderstood basic economics. “Trump sees tariffs as a tax on China,” Himes said, “but that’s not how tariffs work.” While he predicted short-term pain—higher prices for cars and consumer goods—he called tariffs a “self-correcting” problem due to inevitable backlash from consumers and markets.

Even as he criticized the former president, Himes had tough words for Democrats. He said voters’ top complaint isn’t about “wokeness” or spending—it’s that Democrats appear incapable of delivering results. He pointed to the failure to build a single electric vehicle charging station in Connecticut after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. “People aren’t stupid,” he said. “They see that.”

He praised a new “abundance movement” emerging in Democratic circles, which seeks to streamline infrastructure approvals and deliver tangible benefits faster. As one example, he cited a small long-delayed bridge replacement project in Greenwich that has taken eight years to begin, when the Empire State building was completed in just over a year.

Turning to foreign policy, Himes was blunt: “Most of our biggest mistakes since the 1960s have been mistakes of idealism.” He critiqued America’s overreach in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, praising President Biden’s instinct to avoid new military entanglements. While he acknowledged the administration’s failures in handling Ukraine aid early in the war, he warned against full U.S. withdrawal. “If Putin comes away from this thinking it was worth it, we should brace for what comes next,” he said.

On national security, Himes criticized reports that a Qatari-donated plane might be used for presidential travel, calling it a “terrible idea” from a security standpoint, given the role Air Force One plays in providing a secure base from which a president must lead in some emergencies. It will likely have to be taken down to its rivets to rebuild as a secure and effective communications center. He also addressed the “Signal Gate” scandal, in which sensitive communications were conducted over unsecured channels. These lapses, he said, show what happens “when you put responsible people in a clown-like environment.”

During a Q&A session, Himes fielded pointed questions from a self-described MAGA Republican in the audience, who expressed concern about Connecticut’s taxes, energy prices, and population trends. Himes responded by noting economic growth in Fairfield County, but acknowledged broader state challenges. He tied high energy prices to limited natural gas infrastructure and called for modernizing Connecticut’s grid and transit systems.

He also drew a hard line on constitutional issues. “You can disagree with me on taxes and immigration,” he said. “But the Constitution isn’t optional. We don’t get to suspend it because someone is unpopular.”

Asked who leads the Democratic Party today, Himes admitted “we don’t have a figurehead.” He predicted Democrats would likely retake the House in 2026 but warned that the current leadership vacuum is demoralizing to activists.

In a closing question, Himes was asked whether the so-called “big, beautiful” Trump-backed tax bill could hurt the U.S. credit rating. He said the legislation would add $3 trillion to the deficit over 10 years and noted growing market concerns. “There may come a point,” he said, “when the capital markets finally say, ‘enough.’”

Despite his many critiques, Himes ended on a cautiously hopeful note. While he acknowledged deep polarization and rising acceptance of political violence, he expressed faith that institutions—and voters—still have the power to restore balance.

“I don’t think we’ve crossed the line,” he said. “And I don’t think we will.”

Video Presentation 

Local author Tim Manners will give a special talk about his book, Schoolboy: The Untold Journey of a Yankees Hero (University of Nebraska Press). Manners, who was a recent guest speaker at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., co-authored the book with Waite “Schoolboy” Hoyt, using a trove of records and writings from Hoyt, who passed away in 1984. Hoyt’s improbable baseball journey began when the 1915 New York Giants signed him as a high school junior, for no pay and a five-dollar bonus. After nearly having both his hands amputated and cavorting with men twice his age in the hardscrabble Minor Leagues, he somehow ended up as the best pitcher for the New York Yankees and teammate with such legends as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. You don’t have to be a fan of baseball to be fascinated by Hoyt’s astonishing life story!

Tim Manners is a writer, communications consultant and baseball fan. A magna cum laude graduate of Tufts University with a BA in history, he is a former FM-radio disc jockey, publicist and magazine publisher. Currently an essay specialist with The Manners Group, he is co-author of “Schoolboy: The Untold Journey of a Yankees Hero” (2024) with baseball great Waite Hoyt (University of Nebraska Press) and “Relevance: Making Stuff That Matters” (2008), published by Penguin/Portfolio.

Arranged by Frank DeLeo

Summary: “Schoolboy” The Life of Waite Hoyt, Yankees Hero and Forgotten Icon

Tim Manners, author and communications consultant, shared the story behind Schoolboy, a memoir he co-authored based on Hall of Fame pitcher Waite Hoyt’s personal papers. Hoyt, once the ace of the legendary 1927 Yankees, lived a life far richer and more complex than most fans knew.

Origins of the Memoir
Anders met Hoyt’s son, Chris, decades ago and only years later learned of Chris’s famous father. When Chris gifted him eight boxes of Hoyt’s writings—including unfinished memoirs, interviews, and letters—Anders unearthed a firsthand account of Hoyt’s life, ultimately crafting a memoir in Hoyt’s own voice.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Born in Brooklyn, Hoyt grew up near Ebbets Field. At 15, he was signed by the New York Giants after impressing them while pitching for batting practice as a high school ballplayer. Despite the excitement, he was sent to the grueling minor leagues where he endured poverty, violence, and exploitation—experiences that deeply shaped him.

Breakthrough with the Red Sox and Yankees
Hoyt’s major league break came with the Red Sox, where he was ironically brought in to replace Babe Ruth in the pitching rotation. He later joined Ruth again on the Yankees, though their relationship was rocky—including a two-year cold war and a dugout fistfight. They eventually reconciled.

Pitching Stardom
Hoyt became the dominant pitcher on the Yankees during the 1920s, with standout performances in the 1921 and 1927 seasons. In World Series play, he held a 1.89 ERA, cementing his reputation as a “money pitcher.” Manager Miller Huggins admired him, but Hoyt’s penchant for vaudeville in the off season and drinking occasionally jeopardized his career.

Life Beyond the Mound
Outside baseball, Hoyt was a vaudeville performer who earned three times his Yankees salary on stage. He had friendships with stars like Mae West and the Marx Brothers and even crossed paths with Al Capone.

A Complicated Family Life
Hoyt married twice, fathered children in both marriages, and astonishingly went 40 years without seeing his wife or children from his first marriage. His family only reunited decades later, following the publication of Schoolboy, which helped bridge that divide.

Radio Stardom in Cincinnati
After retiring from baseball, Hoyt became the beloved voice of the Cincinnati Reds. Known for his storytelling and warmth, he drew larger audiences during rain delays than during games. Despite a public battle with alcoholism in 1945, his sponsor and fans stood by him, a testament to his character and storytelling charm.

Later Years and Unexpected Talents
Hoyt also became a painter in retirement, selling numerous works. He was friends with famed Mexican artist Diego Rivera, who gifted him a painting—Flower Sellers—that was auctioned decades later (the day of his DMA presentation). Hoyt was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969, but even then confessed he sometimes wished he’d been a journalist instead.

Legacy and Reflection
Hoyt’s story—of fame, failure, redemption, and resilience—had been largely forgotten, but Schoolboy brought his legacy back to life. Through it, a fragmented family found healing, and fans rediscovered the man behind the stats. Hoyt was a rare figure: a pitcher, performer, broadcaster, artist, and complex human being whose voice still resonates today.

Video Presentation 

One of the basic premises of the Bystander Initiative is that there is an entire systemic framework around sexual and other abuse, which Guiora has labelled the ecosystem. Guiora’s work focuses on bystanders – individuals who witness the crime – and enablers – individuals and institutions who are in positions to prevent the crime but do not do so. He has previously written books about bystander and enabler complicity in the Holocaust and in sexual abuse in USA Gymnastics and other athletic programs.

Amos N. Guiora is Professor of Law at the S.J. Quinney College of Law, the University of Utah. He is a Distinguished Fellow at The Consortium for the Research and Study of Holocaust and the Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law, and a Distinguished Fellow and Counselor at the International Center for Conflict Resolution, Katz School of Business, University of Pittsburgh. Professor Guiora is on the Board of the Lauren McClusky Foundation.

For the past 10 years Guiora has been researching-writing-lecturing on the question of bystanders (originally in the Holocaust) resulting in his books, The Crime of Complicity: The Bystander in the Holocaust and Armies of Enablers:Survivor Stories of Complicity and Betrayal in Sexual Assaults. 

Professor Guiora’s most recent article, Holding Enablers of Child Sexual Abuse Accountable: The Case of Jeremy Bell,  addresses the role of enablers in sexual assault of children.

Professor Guiora Directs the SJ Quinney College of Law Bystander Initiative,  a publicly funded student-staffed initiative.

Professor Guiora has an A.B. in history from Kenyon College, a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and a Ph.D. from Leiden University.

Summary
Responsibility of Bystanders and Enablers in Cases of Abuse

In a powerful and deeply personal presentation, Professor Amos Guiora of the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law offered a searing indictment of societal inaction in the face of abuse, focusing not only on perpetrators but especially on the enablers and bystanders who fail to intervene. Drawing on his extensive legal scholarship, military service, and personal family history as the child of Holocaust survivors, Guiora made the case that it is no longer enough to spotlight abusers—we must also hold accountable the institutions and individuals who allow abuse to continue.

Guiora leads the Bystander Initiative, a donor-funded, student-staffed effort that researches the legal and moral responsibilities of those who witness or know of abuse but do not act. His work gained national and international attention through two books: The Crime of Complicity: The Bystander in the Holocaust and Armies of Enablers: Survivor Stories of Complicity and Betrayal in Sexual Assault. In both, he analyzes how systemic silence and protection of institutions over individuals perpetuate cycles of abuse.

Guiora shared wrenching survivor testimonies from high-profile abuse cases involving USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, Ohio State physician Richard Strauss, and others. In each, the perpetrators were enabled by coaches, administrators, and institutional cultures that prioritized reputation and funding over the safety of children. Survivors like Tiffany Thomas and Maddie Larson described the pain not just of the abuse itself, but of the betrayal by those who could have stopped it and didn’t.

Guiora’s own obsession with this topic is rooted in his family’s Holocaust history. His mother survived in hiding in Budapest, his father endured two death marches. Guiora grew up in a household where the Holocaust was never discussed, and it wasn’t until his adult years that he began exploring the topic. The revelation that bystanders played a pivotal role in his parents’ trauma inspired his academic journey to explore the legal responsibility of witnesses to atrocities.

His central argument is bold: bystanders and enablers should be held criminally accountable. In Utah, he helped pass legislation making it a misdemeanor not to dial 911 when witnessing a child or elderly person in danger—a minimal but crucial step. His advocacy is now expanding to other states and countries, although legislation criminalizing enablers—those in authority who fail to act—is more complex and faces greater resistance.

Guiora distinguishes between bystanders (those physically present and passive) and enablers (those in institutional positions who protect perpetrators by prioritizing their institutions over victims). Enablers, he argues, are often more dangerous. They betray trust not through ignorance, but by making deliberate choices to shield institutions at the cost of human life and dignity.

He referenced the tragic case of Jeremy Bell, a 12-year-old murdered in 1997 by a teacher with a long record of sexual misconduct. School administrators had received repeated warnings over decades but took no action. Thanks to private detective Dan Barber, the case was eventually solved—but the enablers faced no consequences.

Guiora also addressed the issue of racial bias in reporting abuse, citing a poignant moment during a lecture at UVA when a Black audience member challenged the presumption that calling 911 is always safe or helpful, particularly for people of color.  Guiora acknowledged the validity of this concern and worked with Utah legislators and civil rights groups to refine the law accordingly.

Throughout his talk, Guiora returned to the idea that legal accountability—not just moral reflection—is essential to changing behavior. While education and awareness are necessary, they are insufficient without laws that demand action and penalize failure.

His work is ongoing, and his message urgent: whether in schools, sports teams, religious institutions, or governments, we must stop protecting systems at the expense of the vulnerable. “All roads,” he said, “lead to the enabler.”

Guiora concluded by offering his email to attendees, encouraging further dialogue, and urging everyone to move beyond sympathy toward accountability. As he put it, “Sympathy is useless when someone is choking. You have to act.”

Video Presentation

More on the Bystander Initiative
To follow up with Professor Guiora: amos.guiora@law.utah.edu

Learn more about contributing to the Bystander Initiative’s work.

Additional information on the Bystander Initiative:

https://www.fastcase.com/product/the-complicity-of-silence-confronting-ecosystems-of-child-sexual-abuse-in-schools/

https://armiesofenablers.com

https://crimeofcomplicity.com