Category: Speaker Announcements (Page 3 of 27)

For over 40 years, Search for Common Ground has been building trust around the world, opening opportunities for collaboration between communities, and creating breakthroughs for peace. Whether global in nature, such as poverty, hunger or the environment, or closer to home, such as family or community relations, we face daily challenges to our abilities to deal with conflict constructively. Using everything from traditional diplomacy and mediation to video games and virtual exchange, we work one step at a time to change the nature of conflict – from a destructive force to a constructive one.

Stepping back from conflict enables and requires trust and provides the foundation for collaboration to solve complex problems. It allows people to look past differences, have difficult conversations, take shared risks, find common ground, and invest in pathways towards a shared future. Search for Common Ground CEO Shamil Idriss will discuss the organization’s principes, techniques and accomplishments—perhaps igniting a recognition in us for other arenas in which polarization can be bridged.

Shamil Idriss is the Chief Executive Officer of Search for Common Ground, the world’s largest dedicated peacebuilding organization. In his current capacity as CEO, and in his previous capacities as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Burundi Country Director, Shamil has led Search’s efforts to end violent conflict in more than 35 countries globally, including some of the most devastating conflict zones in the Middle East and Africa.

Shamil was appointed in 2005 by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan as Deputy Director of the UN Alliance of Civilizations. In this role, he supported high-level political and religious leaders in developing policy recommendations and action plans to improve cross-cultural relations between Western and Muslim-majority countries, before, during, and after the Arab Spring revolutions. From 2004-2005, Shamil worked with the World Economic Forum to establish the Forum’s Council of 100 Leaders.

Shamil is also a pioneer in the use of interactive media technologies for cross-cultural education and collaboration. In 2008-2014, as the CEO of Soliya, he led a coalition to create a market for virtual exchange through partnerships with public and private sector leaders across the United States, the Arab League, and the European Union. This led to the establishment of the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative announced by President Barack Obama in February 2015, and the subsequent announcement by the European Commission of their dedicated fund to expand virtual exchange in 2017.

A graduate of Swarthmore College with degrees in Economics and Philosophy.

Certainly one of the most prominent topics surrounding politics this year is the influence of social media, with its opportunity to publish every personal opinion without an editor focusing on truth, objectivity, and balance. This is a central them of the academic work of Susan Herbst.

Susan Herbst is University Professor of Political Science and President Emeritus at the University of Connecticut, having served for eight years as the 15^th president of the institution.  Herbst is author of five books, most recently, A Troubled Birth:  The 1930s and American Public Opinion from the University of Chicago Press.   Before coming to UCONN, she was Professor and Chair of Political Science at Northwestern University, Dean of Liberal Arts at Temple University, and Chief Academic Officer for the University System of Georgia.  She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Duke University and a doctorate in Communications from the Annenberg School of Communications, University of Southern California.

Marcus G. Miller is a distinguished saxophonist, composer, and Music Curator from South Orange, New Jersey, now based in New York City. He began performing professionally in his teens, later graduating from Harvard University in 2008 with a degree in Mathematics. After a stint at Bridgewater Associates, he returned to music, making a name for himself in New York’s jazz scene. Miller has performed at high-profile venues across the world, including the Obama White House, Madison Square Garden, the World Economic Forum at Davos, Carnegie Hall.

Miller has collaborated and performed extensively with Jon Batiste, including Batiste’s Grammy winning album “We Are”, his documentary American Symphony, and the nationwide Uneasy tour, which included a date opening for The Rolling Stones.

Miller’s life-long fascination with the intersection of math and music has led to residencies at the National Museum of Mathematics, Brown University’s physics department, and TED appearances. In 2022, Miller became the Music Director at Grace Farms Foundation, curating programs like “Voices of Culture,” where he invites, performs with, and interviews some of the world’s best musicians, enabling them to share their deep knowledge of their traditions; and “Beauty & Logic,” where he performs while exploring his shared wonder between mathematics and music. Marcus currently is working on a interdisciplinary project, exploring themes of beauty and humanity via music and design in the age of AI.

Amit Khanna, MD, is the Regional Director of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Bridgeport Hospital

Dr. Khanna is a New York City native and completed his undergraduate education at Johns Hopkins University. Returning to New York, he completed his medical degree from Mount Sinai/ NYU School of Medicine and completed a master’s in public health with a concentration in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University. He completed general surgery training at the University of Rochester followed by a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at The Cleveland Clinic Florida.

His special interest areas are in complex colorectal disease, colorectal malignancy, anorectal disease, and minimally invasive robotic surgery. Dr. Khanna has been named five times as a Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctor-in Colon and Rectal Surgery, and Top Doctor for Cancer. He has served as an appointed member of national committees of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons in video-based education, health economics, new technology and website development. Dr. Khanna currently holds the position of Assistant Professor of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, Regional Director of Colon and Rectal Surgery and Director of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Bridgeport Hospital.

As the daughter of a Pan Am Captain in the 60’s, Lucia Renshaw learned to navigate before she learned to drive. She had a full passport before she had a savings account. And she knew the Pan Am flight schedule better than she knew her class schedules.   What she didn’t know was the story about her father’s role in WWII.

Not that she didn’t try.  One time, while holding up a calendar of famous Pan Am “first flight” planes, she asked her father, “which ones did you fly?”  He replied simply and shortly:  “All of them.”

Four years ago, she started poking around to find his story. When she uncovered a thread of a story about her father, then Lt. C. Downer Renshaw (USAAC), flying Photo Reconnaissance in the Caribbean in 1939, she pulled the thread.  What she found launched her into the story of pre-war political intrigue, Pan Am’s roles in World War II, and the excitement of the then new field of aviation.

In elaborate deals forged by Pan Am’s founder Juan Trippe and FDR himself, the airline created a supply chain that ran from Miami all the way to the top of the world in China. And DMA member Don Loomis’ dad was one of the pilots.

Lucia, whose father also took part in this vital war effort, will tell the story of these secret missions and give history of the airline throughout its wartime operation.

Lucia Renshaw was born and raised in Westport, CT, and went to Staples High School. In 1975, she graduated with degrees in Business and Political Science from the University of San Francisco.  It’s a long way from Westport made even longer by the fact that to get there by Pan Am, she had to fly first to London or Guatemala.

After a 35-year career in Marketing Management in Financial Services, she was able to expand her hobby of family history research.  Her real passion lies in helping people discover the history of their ancestors who served in the Civil War and World War II.  She is currently using her skills to find the children of her father’s colleagues from the war years of Pan Am to share what she has learned with them. Don Loomis, Jr. was one of those treasured finds.

Lucia currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, Bruce Covill.

Don Loomis is an active DMA member, having presented recently in the Current Affairs group on Voting Rights and with Mark Nunan on the war in Ukraine.

Don Loomis is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He spent three years active duty with the US Navy concluding as CIC Officer aboard USS Hammerberg DE-1015; eight years residency in Rome, Italy while working as a consultant with Syncronamics; returning to the US in 1978 he worked in shipping and concluded as senior consultant with Fisher International in Norwalk, where acquired language skills in French, Spanish and Italian were instrumental in building a world-wide database on the pulp and paper industry.  Don has been retired since 2014.  Don, and his wife Daniela, split their time between Darien and Daniela’s family home in Formia, Italy . . .  when not visiting daughter Deborah and 3 grandchildren in Washington DC.

Both Don, and Lucia’s dads, joined Pan Am in August 1940 and went on to participate in what became a crucial logistics supply route across the South Atlantic, over Africa, out to India where supplies were then flown “Over the Hump” into China  – this vital logistics life-line became  known as . ..  The CannonBall Express!!

John Odermatt began his career in 1982 where he served as a New York City Housing Police Officer, patrolling public housing developments.  John’s promotions with the Housing Authority Police and subsequently the New York City Police Department rise to the rank of Assistant Chief.   His assignments include the Executive Officer of the NYPD’s Intelligence Division where he was the coordinator of the 55^th United Nations General Assembly, Special Session and responsible for the security and coordination with Federal Agencies of over 300 dignitaries visiting New York City.

In 2000, John was detailed to New York City’s Office of Emergency Management as the First Deputy Commissioner located in 7 World Trade Center. After surviving the 9/11 attack, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani gave him responsibility for the coordination of over one hundred agencies for disaster recovery. In April 2002, Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed John as Commissioner of New York City’s Office of Emergency Management. During his tenure he lead recovery efforts for several notable New York City emergencies including the 2003 Blackout.

Following a distinguished career of more than two decades in law enforcement and emergency management, John joined the private sector in 2004 where he led the Office of Business Continuity for Citigroup. He reengineered the program to be a leader in resiliency, crisis response and pandemic planning.   In 2011, John was named Global Head of a new Fraud Surveillance Unit. Finishing his assignment at Citi as the Global Head of Security Services where he was responsible for governance oversight for physical security at Citi facilities around the world and Citi’s crisis management program. He and his team provided centralized coordination, management, and mitigation of countless crisis events, ranging from incidents at local branches to significant international events across the globe.

Under John’s leadership, Citi has become known as a leader in resiliency, crisis response, and pandemic planning. Over the last three years, John had demonstrated that expertise in emergency management, and he had been a leader and critical partner to functions across the firm as we all navigated through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. From organizing deliveries of crucial supplies to employees impacted by the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010; supporting recovery efforts after the U.S. hurricanes in 2012, and again in the Caribbean in 2017; spearheading the company’s response to COVID and supporting our EMEA-based team’s efforts to safely evacuate Citi employees and their families from Ukraine, John and his team have literally helped save lives throughout his tenure.

In February 2023, John opened a startup firm,  Ashwood Advisors. A company to provide clients with Resiliency, Business Continuity and Security Services.   Additionally , John is concurrently the Director of Crisis & Incident management for Charter Communications in Stamford Connecticut.

John is a graduate of St. Joseph’s College.  In June 2003, he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from St. Joseph’s College.  John also holds a master’s degree in Management from New York University.  He is a graduate of Columbia University’s Police Management Institute. John has a daughter Meline and a son Thomas, both graduates of Fordham University. 

Robert Dilenschneider, a longtime Darien resident and DMA member,  is frequently called upon by the media to provide commentary and strategic public relations insights on major news stories. He has counseled major corporations, professional groups, trade associations and educational institutions, and has assisted clients in dealings with regulatory agencies, labor unions, and consumer groups, among others.Bob formed The Dilenschneider Group in October, 1991. Headquartered in New York and Chicago, the Firm provides strategic advice and counsel to Fortune 500 companies and leading families and individuals around the world, with experience in fields ranging from mergers and acquisitions and crisis communications to marketing, government affairs and international media.

Bob has written a number of books, including this summer’s The Ultimate Guide to Power & Influence: Everything You Need to Know.

Prior to forming his own firm, Bob served as president and chief executive officer of Hill and Knowlton, Inc. from 1986 to 1991, tripling that Firm’s revenues to nearly $200 million and delivering more than $30 million in profit. He was with that organization for nearly 25 years.

He started in public relations in 1967 in New York, shortly after receiving an M.A. in journalism from The Ohio State University, and a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

In 2012 The Dilenschneider Group established the Civility in America Lecture Series, which features many of the nation’s leading thinkers from a wide variety of professions and provides a perspective on what must be done to restore civility in our country.

Speaker arranged by Tom Igoe.

September 11, 2001 disrupted so much of our society, our security, our sense of safety. It also changed our relationship with our flag. After 9/11, the flag became ubiquitous—flying in communities, businesses, at events, and “flying” flat as decals everywhere. It has also been co-opted by partisanship. Yet we all remember an earlier time when it was not just about patriotism; it was also a whimsical theme that celebrated Americanism…just an easier way of life for us, perhaps with greater innocence. No one can remind of the imagery of that era like Kit Hinrichs, with his rich collection of amusing and idiosyncratic applications of the stars and stripes.

Kit Hinrichs, noted graphic designer and American flag collector, will give a profusely illustrated talk on America’s national icon—the stars and stripes. His conversation will include facts, myths and legends behind the flag over its nearly 250-year history.  Kit will discuss how this single piece of cloth has enmeshed  itself into our American culture from its 18th century origin until today.

Kit’s assemblage of American memorabilia numbers in the thousands. His only family heirloom, a 36 star handsewn wool flag sewn by his great, great aunt in 1865, is the corner stone of the collection.

In addition to historical flags, the collection now includes Navajo Weavings, Toy Soldiers, Antique Quilts, Political Buttons, Patriotic Posters, Children’s Toys and Games, Anti-war images, Postal Stamps, Tobacciana, Historic Photographs and volumes of pieces of Ephemera.

Kit Hinrichs served as principal in several design offices in New York and San Francisco and spent 23 years as a partner in the international design consultancy Pentagram, before opening Studio Hinrichs in 2009. His design experience incorporates a wide range of projects, including brand development, promotion, packaging, environmental graphics, editorial and exhibition design. He is also a noted American Flag collector and founder of the Stars & Stripes Foundation.

Kit’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Denver Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Letterform Archive. In addition to authoring “Narrative Design,” he has co-authored other books on design .including “Typewise” and “The Pentagram Papers.” He co-founded @issue: The Journal of Business and Design.

Kit has had flag exhibitions in museums across the country, including New York, Louisville, Doylestown,, Reno, Los Angeles and San Francisco. He is an author of “Long May She Wave” A Graphic history of the American Flag. He is in the process of creating a new American flag book for the 250^th anniversary of the United States, titled “Broad Stripes/Bright Stars “