Podcasts about bush institute

The Bush Center held its eighth annual Forum on Leadership, a landmark event that develops, recognizes, and celebrates leadership by bringing together notable voices for in-depth discussions on today's pressing issues.Dr. Ben Sasse, former U.S. Senator from Nebraska and former President of the University of Florida; Dr. R. Gerald Turner, President of Southern Methodist University, and Dr. Melva Wallace, President and CEO of Huston-Tillotson University, discussed the role of higher education within American democracy. Moderated by Robin Berkley, the Ann Kimball Johnson Director of Education at the Bush Institute, the conversation focused on how colleges and universities are vital to preparing young adults to contribute to society. Related: 2025 Forum on Leadership Higher Education and Democracy Panel Discussion

The Bush Center held its eighth annual Forum on Leadership, a landmark event that develops, recognizes, and celebrates leadership by bringing together notable voices for in-depth discussions on today's pressing issues.Freedom of the press is foundational to our nation. Martin Baron, Former Executive Director of The Washington Post, and Jessica Yellin, Founder of News Not Noise; joined in discussion with the Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, the Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow at the Bush Institute, to dive into the challenges facing media in America and its role for a thriving democracy.  Related: 2025 Forum on Leadership Restoring Trust in the Media Panel Discussion

The Bush Center held its eighth annual Forum on Leadership, a landmark event that develops, recognizes, and celebrates leadership by bringing together notable voices for in-depth discussions on today's pressing issues.In a panel discussion, entrepreneurs Salim Asrawi, Co-Founder and President of Texas de Brazil, and Daniel Lubetzky, Founder of Builders Movement and KIND, shared how they've made the most of opportunities in America with moderator Anne Wicks, the Don Evans Family Managing Director of Opportunity and Democracy at the Bush Institute. They discussed the American Dream and how giving back strengthens our democracy.Related: 2025 Forum on Leadership 

Topics of geopolitics have been increasingly prominent in the U.S. government in recent years, and no one knows the struggles of maneuvering through these discussions better than a member of the United States Congress. The Engage at the Bush Center program presented by NexPoint brought Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) to discuss these topics and get their thoughts on not only navigating policies, but the challenges they may bring. Related: Navigating Turbulence: Senatorial Insights on Geopolitics & Foreign PolicyPolicy Recommendations from the Bush Institute

Retired U.S. Army Captain Florent Groberg is one of 3,528 recipients of the Medal of Honor—the highest military honor awarded to those who serve in the United States armed forces. Flo joins host Andrew Kaufmann and Michael Bailey, Deputy Director of the Leadership Programs at the Bush Institute to discuss his service to our country and what leadership means both in the uniform and as a civilian.

In this episode of Immigration Nerds, host Lauren Clarke sits down with Laura Collins, Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, to explore their 2025 policy recommendations on immigration reform. Collins presents a compelling economic case for modernizing America's immigration system, highlighting how immigration serves as a competitive advantage even when legal frameworks may fail to maximize its potential. The conversation delves into temporary worker visa programs, employment-based green cards, and the role of refugee resettlement in global security. Collins offers forward-thinking perspectives on how immigration can address America's demographic challenges, particularly as future workforce growth shifts to regions like Sub-Saharan Africa.INTERVIEW RECORD: Wednesday, 3/12/25 @ 11:30 aM ETShow Links:George W. Bush Institute | Policy Recommendation | January 13, 2025: Reforming Our Immigration System to Maximize America's PotentialGUEST: Laura Collins, Director, George W. Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth InitiativeHOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob TaylorPRODUCER: Adam Belmar

The Honorable James D. Rodriguez served as Assistant Secretary within the Biden administration Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service from January 2021 until January 2025 where he served 440,000 veterans annually. He is an accomplished executive leader with over 30 years experience across the government and corporate landscapes and over 20 years in the United States Marine Corps in numerous leadership and management positions. Last year, he joined Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Casey Rodriguez, the Senior Program Manager of Leadership Programs. But not only is Casey managing the operations of the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, she's the daughter of Secretary Rodriguez.

Related linksTexas Education AgencyEducation and Opportunity at the Bush Institute 

DFW's Morning News speaks with Bush Institute Executive Director David Kramer about his dealing with the incoming administration surrounding Ukraine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Madame President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a true trailblazer — she served as the president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018 and was the first elected female head of state in Africa. And now she's dedicated to helping other women ascend to leadership roles through her work at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development.President Sirleaf joined the Bush Institute's Natalie Gonnella-Platts and host Andrew Kaufmann for a conversation with our staff about leading her country after years of division, the need for gender equity, and why young Africans give her hope about the future of the continent and the world.Hear more from Madame President Sirleaf on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Mary Tobin is the Director of Brickyard Chapters and Programs for nonprofit More Perfect Union, which aims to bring people together through social connection, service, and civic engagement events in order to build stronger and more resilient communities.She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Jason Galui for an impactful conversation on More Perfect Union's mission, how her experiences in the military helped her grow, and the importance of human connection.Hear more from Mary on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content:More Perfect UnionLearn more about the Bush Institute's work to support veterans and their families

Rena Pederson is a true trailblazer in journalism. During her storied career, she interviewed five U.S. presidents and countless history makers including Margaret Thatcher and Fidel Castro. Texas Monthly described her as one of the most powerful women in Texas during her time serving as vice president and editorial page editor at The Dallas Morning News.Rena has left the newsroom, but her love of words continues in her next chapter. She recently released The King of Diamonds: The Search for the Elusive Texas Jewel Thief, a book about the infamous thief who stole millions of dollars in jewels from some of Dallas' wealthiest residents in the 1960s.She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Bill McKenzie to discuss her time in the newsroom, what inspired her new book, and how to consume news in the age of growing disinformation.Hear more from Rena on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content:The King of Diamonds

John J. Sullivan is the former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, former Deputy Secretary of State, and author of Midnight in Moscow, a memoir of his experiences in Russia.Ambassador Sullivan joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Natalie Gonnella-Platts to discuss what he witnessed ahead of Russia's unlawful invasion of Ukraine while he was stationed in Moscow, what he experienced as Putin's army began its catastrophic war in the country, and how his time working as a diplomat in authoritarian Russia shaped his unique worldview.Hear more from Ambassador Sullivan on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content: Engage Nexpoint Lecture: The Russia-China ChallengeMidnight in Moscow: A Memoir from the Front Lines of Russia's War Against the West

Russia and China are closer allies than at any time in the two countries' modern history. In an Engage at Bush Center conversation presented by NexPoint, a panel of distinguished experts discussed how the United States should deal with Moscow and Beijing. Krys Boyd, Host and Managing Editor of KERA Radio's award-winning national program, Think, led the conversation featuring John J. Sullivan, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and deputy Secretary of State and author of Midnight in Moscow, a memoir of his experiences in Russia; Dan Schulman, former President and CEO of PayPal; and Ellen Bork, Fellow at the Bush Institute.Related:Engage NexPoint Lecture: The Russia-China ChallengeThe China challenge: How the U.S. can counter Beijing's authoritarian ambitions

The North Korean regime is one of the most brutal on Earth. Executions, torture, and arbitrary detention are commonplace. Many lose their lives attempting to escape. For those who do make it out of the hermit kingdom, many difficulties remain.But how can we help the people of North Korea?The answer is that the issues on the Korean Peninsula won't be easily solved. But many are working hard to help North Koreans.Ambassador Julie Turner, the U.S. Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues, is working diplomatically through her role in the U.S. government.Hannah Song, CEO of non-profit Liberty in North Korea, brings boots-on-the-ground support through LiNK's modern-day underground railroad.And Joseph Kim, Research Fellow at the Bush Institute and North Korean escapee himself, is telling his story of survival and supporting his people through his powerful words.The three experts joined host Andrew Kaufmann for an important conversation about how the U.S. can support North Koreans still in the country, the state of human rights in North Korea, and the work they do to advocate for North Koreans living in the U.S.That's on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content: Escapees develop leadership skills at the Bush Institute's North Korean Human Rights WorkshopThe Bush Institute's work supporting freedom in North Korea

Cullum Clark serves as Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative and is an Adjunct Professor of Economics at SMU. He leads the Bush Institute's work on domestic economic policy and economic growth and recently released a report on how education and medical institutions can become more powerful drivers of prosperity in America's cities.Cullum joined host Andrew Kaufmann for an engaging conversation about his report, the importance of economic growth in all areas of Dallas, the impact his mother and Dallas legend Lee Cullum has had on his work, and why he's hopeful about the future of our country.Hear more from Cullum on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content: How Eds and Meds Institutions Can Become More Powerful Drivers of Prosperity in America's CitiesUniversity research delivers surprising real-world benefits

Penelope Muse Abernathy is a visiting professor at Northwestern University and a former senior executive at The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. She specializes in researching local journalism and is the author of two books and five reports, including The State of Local News.She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Bill McKenzie to discuss news deserts, the importance of quality journalism, and why local reporting is essential to our democracy.Hear more from Penny on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content: The State of Local News

Pashtana Durrani is an Afghan feminist, activist, and educator. She founded Afghanistan's first-ever digital school network, LEARN Afghanistan, and is still providing education for hundreds of girls in the country today despite being exiled after the Taliban's takeover in 2021.  Pashtana joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Natalie Gonnella-Platts at the 2024 Forum on Leadership to discuss her work educating Afghan girls, her experience escaping the country after the Taliban takeover, and her hope for the future of Afghanistan.Hear more from Pashtana on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content: LEARN Afghanistan2024 Forum on Leadership  

Ken Hersh has served as CEO and President of the George W. Bush Presidential Center since 2016, where he oversees the Bush Institute, Library, and Museum. In 1988 Ken co-founded and became CEO of the legendary private equity fund Natural Gas Partners, an energy focused fund, who went on to earn a 27 year annualized 30% rate of return, making it one of the nation's leading private equity firms. He is co-owner of the Texas Rangers and served on Stanford University's Graduate School of Business Advisory Council from 2009 to 2015. Ken is the author of The Fastest Tortoise: Winning in Industries I knew Nothing About, where he recounts the biggest lessons from business and personal life. Link: https://www.amazon.com/Fastest-Tortoise-Winning-Industries-Figuring/dp/B0BJ16T2J1We discuss taking risks, creating an environment of low turn over, feeding your winners, mental health advocacy, and so much more. Please enjoy the knowledge Ken shares and let me know what you think! Feedback & Sponsorship: andrew@permissiontoshine.org @PermissionToShine_

The Stewpot is a ministry that serves those in poverty or experiencing homelessness in Dallas. The organization was founded nearly 50 years ago and provides resources for basic survival needs as well as opportunities for the people they serve to start a new life.The organization was awarded the 2024 George W. Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation for its work to inspire change and enrich the quality of life in North Texas.Executive Director of The Stewpot Brenda Ewing Snitzer joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Bill McKenzie at the Forum on Leadership to discuss the organization's unique enrichment opportunities — including its art program and writing workshop — and the important impact The Stewpot is making in the Dallas community.Hear more from Brenda on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content: The Stewpot2024 Forum on Leadership

Georgia's parliament in Tbilisi recently overrode a presidential veto on a “foreign agents” law that sparked an uproar domestically and from the country's Western allies. Critics decried the legislation—which requires any organization receiving more than 20% of its funding from foreign sources to register as an “agent of foreign influence”—as yet another element in the Russian takeover of the small South Caucasian nation. Russia still occupies 20% of Georgia's territory. Why should Americans care about Russian games in a country of 3 million people? Because for Vladimir Putin, Georgia is just the beginning of his ambitions in Europe. And the Georgian people are among the most pro-American in the region, at one point the second largest troop contributor to our war on al Qaeda. Standing up for Georgia now means avoiding conflict later.David Kramer serves as the Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute. Prior to joining the Bush Institute, he taught at Florida International University's Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, and served as an Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs. David chairs the board of the Free Russia Foundation and serves on the board of the International Republican Institute.Read the transcript here.

Creamos is a non-profit organization working to support the community surrounding Guatemala City's garbage dump in achieving economic self-determination.The organization was awarded the 2024 George W. Bush Institute Citation for its impactful work in its community and for inspiring others to take action to solve today's most pressing challenges.Executive Director of Creamos Hannah Sklar joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Laura Collins at the 2024 Forum on Leadership where she discussed the impacts of gender-based violence, the importance of mental health, and the work of Creamos.Hear more from Hannah on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content:CreamosMi eelo2024 Forum on Leadership

Active duty military service members make up less than one percent of the U.S. adult population. For the other 99% of us, the actions and complexities of our nation's Armed Forces can be hard to understand, which is why quality journalism on the military is essential.Thom Shanker's decades-long career with The New York Times included 13 years as Pentagon correspondent, where he covered the Department of Defense, combat operations, and national security policy. His extensive reporting helped the American people understand the actions and policies of the U.S. military.He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Jason Galui to discuss his remarkable career as a journalist, his book Age of Danger, the importance of fighting climate change, and why the U.S. must continue to support Ukraine.Hear more from Thom on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content: Age of Danger: Keeping America Safe in an Era of New Superpowers, New Weapons, and New Threats

We all seek happiness, but few of us know the science behind it. Author, Harvard professor, and philosopher of happiness Arthur Brooks is changing that through his insights, teachings, and best-selling books on how we can all build happy lives.He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Anne Wicks to discuss why happiness is a direction, not a destination; how healthy regret can be productive; why love is so important in our lives; and how to put happiness into practice.Hear more from Arthur on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

2024 marks 20 years since the Millennium Challenge Corporation was signed into law by President George W. Bush. Since its inception, MCC has partnered with and invested in countries around the world that are committed to democracy and economic freedom.CEO of MCC Alice Albright joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Hannah Johnson to discuss the immense impact MCC has made over the past two decades.Hear more from Alice on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Thomas Jefferson made a lasting impact on our country as the third president of the United States and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. He recently visited Texas and joined host Andrew Kaufmann, the Bush Institute's Jason Galui, and students from Walnut Grove High School to discuss the birth of our nation, the lessons we can learn from our Founding Fathers, and his thoughts on the future of the United States.Later in the conversation, Kurt Smith, who portrays Jefferson as a nation builder at Colonial Williamsburg, discusses his experiences researching and embodying such an iconic historical figure.Hear more from President Jefferson and Mr. Smith on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center. 

Recently, the Bush Center hosted author Heather Morris for the Laura Bush Book Club as part of Engage at the Bush Center series presented by NexPoint, with support from H-E-B.  In her conversation with Bush Institute's Anne Wicks, Morris discussed her No. 1 international bestselling novel and new original series, The Tattooist of Auschwitz – a story about hope and love, based on interviews conducted with Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov. Related: Laura Bush Book Club with “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” Author Heather MorrisMrs. Laura Bush's 2024 Summer Reading List 

When Steve Ballmer retired from Microsoft after a long and storied career, he realized that he didn't know exactly how and where U.S. tax dollars got spent. And it wasn't as easy to find as he had hoped. So he set out to solve the problem — and founded USA Facts, which consolidates available data and makes it accessible to citizens.He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Chris Walsh to discuss why having that data easily accessible is so important to our democracy.Hear more from Steve about USA Facts, pluralism, and even the Mavericks-Clippers playoff match-up on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content: USA Facts

David French is a writer and columnist for The New York Times – informed by a career that began as a litigator, turned to the Army as a JAG officer and then Bronze Star awardee after volunteering to deploy to Iraq as part of the Surge, and finally to journalism. He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Chris Walsh at the 2024 Forum on Leadership to discuss the “exhausted majority” of Americans today who are tired of toxic polarization, the sometimes dangerous reactions he's received from his writing, and why instilling a sense of purpose in citizens is essential.Hear more from David on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related contentForum on Leadership 2024: Protecting Religious Liberties

William J. Burns, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, was the keynote speaker at the Bush Center's 2024 Forum on Leadership. Burns was joined by David J. Kramer, Executive Director of the Bush Institute, for a conversation on how the CIA assesses challenges facing the United States from Russia and China to the Middle East. Related: 2024 Forum on Leadership

When freedom is under attack, oppressed people's most powerful tool is often their voice and the voices of others.  Global activists Pashtana Durrani, Joseph Kim, and Alice Zhuravel, joined Bush Institute's Director of Global Policy, Natalie Gonella-Platts, for a panel  discussion at the 2024 Forum on Leadership on how they are pushing back against authoritarian threats and speaking truth to power. Related: 2024 Forum on Leadership 

Chuck Salter is the president and CEO of the News Literacy Project, an organization that's on a mission to create better informed, more engaged, and more empowered individuals — and ultimately a stronger democracy.He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Bill McKenzie to discuss the organization's work to help students become news literate, what makes him optimistic about the future, and how news consumers can determine fact from opinion as disinformation is on the rise.Hear more from Chuck on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content: How to teach news literacy in polarizing timesElection 2024: Be informed, not misledNews Literacy Project's Checkology

Mexicans elect a new president this summer and two women are competing for the top job. How might they impact our politics, our shared border, and the hundreds of billions of dollars in trade that move across it? Laura Collins, an immigration expert at the Bush Institute and Jennifer Apperti, a former Mexican diplomat who now leads SMU's Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center join the Jasons to explain how immigration impacts politics on the other side of the border. Guests Jennifer Apperti, Director/SMU Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center Laura Collins, Director/Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative

Alexandra Hudson is the author of new book The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Chris Walsh to discuss the difference between civility and politeness, why civility is a duty of citizenship, and how we can flourish across deep differences.Hear more from Alexandra on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content:The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves

In the Winter 2024 edition of The Catalyst: A Journal of Ideas from the Bush Institute, our contributors look at the current condition of American democracy. This virtual conversation will focus on how the United States has reached this point. Guests Jane Dailey of the University of Chicago and Ryan Streeter of the Civitas Institute joined The Catalyst Editor-in-Chief, Jonathan Tepperman, for an Engage at the Bush Center, presented by NexPoint virtual discussion on this moment in American history to contextualize the struggles faced by American society and democracy today.Related: Read The Catalyst: ‘The State of American Democracy'Watch the webinar and live Q&AThe winding road to justice by Dr. Jane DaileyHow we got here by Ryan Streeter

Hear what it's like to work in the hallowed halls of the White House from former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education, Holly Kuzmich. She shares unique insights on working closely for President George W. Bush during his Presidency and at the Bush Institute, revealing the contrast between public perceptions and internal realities. Learn about the nuances of bipartisan collaboration, leadership under pressure and the personal impact of high-stakes decision-making.

Hear what it's like to work in the hallowed halls of the White House from former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education, Holly Kuzmich. She shares unique insights on working closely for President George W. Bush during his Presidency and at the Bush Institute, revealing the contrast between public perceptions and internal realities. Learn about the nuances of bipartisan collaboration, leadership under pressure and the personal impact of high-stakes decision-making.

Tim Strong is the head of agriculture finance for Opportunity International, a global nonprofit organization that uses financial services, training, and support to address some of the most pressing challenges facing those living in poverty around the world.  He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Natalie Gonnella-Platts to discuss Opportunity International's mission and the incredible impact they are making in sub-Saharan Africa.Hear more from Tim on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content: Opportunity International

Daniel Lubetzky, founder and executive chairman of KIND Snacks, envisions a world with more kindness and empathy. As the son of a Holocaust survivor, Daniel strives to channel business and citizenry toward building bridges rather than conflict.Daniel joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Chris Walsh to discuss his civic movements OneVoice and Starts With Us, as well as his family's journey, the current situation in Israel and Gaza, the importance of pluralism, and his love of magic on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Related content: Presidential Leadership Scholars 

304 Women's Relationships   Whether it be in the workplace, in daily life, or anywhere we go in the world, we meet exceptional individuals that make life both enjoyable and enlightening. It is vital to not only appreciate these people, but to seek out more kindred spirits to lift up and to be lifted up by. In this episode Sarah Elkins and her friends Kimberly Davis and Heather Younger discuss the importance of support and relationships in both our careers and in our down time.   Highlights Surprise someone with support. Be a champion for another. Don't judge or treat another poorly because of your own preconceived notions. Being intentional when lifting others up.  Do not contribute to the hatefulness and meanness in the world, look for the good and the hope that is inspired by those you hold dear.  Make the work worth it, but don't let yourself get overworked and overwhelmed. Everything you do, begins with you, so try to be at your best. Quotes “The folks I hire, I'm not hiring them because they're women. There's a strength about them, there's an independence about them, I can tell they're just going to get stuff done.” “I think the reason I like it is because I know they're intelligent, I can trust them, they know things I don't know.” “Sometimes I do feel so sad, and so fatigued. Like Sisyphus pushing the boulder uphill all the time, that I have to stop and refuel because I am unable to keep an even level of fight or flight because the fight or flight just feels fruitless.” “If there's one person, who changes one behavior, in an audience of hundreds of people, in my mind the impact there is worth it.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, When was the last time you lifted someone up, or stood beside them during a trying time? How often do you actively turn to another person on your team and as their help because they have more knowledge on a subject? If you could say one thing to the people in your life that make the work worth it what would you say? Remember Dear Listener everything you do starts with you, so make it come from a place of kindness and understanding.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Heather from her LinkedIn "A DYNAMIC APPROACH THAT EASILY ENGAGES THE AUDIENCE."   *Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more content: https://www.youtube.com/@heatherryounger*   Heather R. Younger, J.D., CDP, is an experienced keynote speaker, two-time author, and the CEO and Founder of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement, leadership development, and DEI consulting firm, where she is on a mission to help leaders understand the power they possess to ensure people feel valued at work.   Known as The Employee Whisperer, Heather harnesses humor, warmth, and an instant relatability to engage and uplift audiences and inspire them into action.   Rooted in her belief that employees aren't just numbers on the payroll but human beings with ideas that matter, Heather's talks and workshops are dedicated to helping teams, leaders, and organizations shine by improving how they listen to, communicate with, and empower employees.   "My why is to give a voice to the voiceless at work; those employees who feel powerless or hopeless or helpless."   Heather's personal Why emerged as she sought to find meaning from her difficult experience growing up in the 1970s. As the only child of an interfaith and interracial marriage, both Heather and her Black father were shunned and excluded by extended family because of the color of their skin. While the sting of exclusion left Heather with a lot of questions growing up, it also led her to develop a high level of resilience and a deeply inspired commitment to advocate for anyone who has ever felt devalued.   Today, she credits her capacity to navigate complex social dynamics and discuss identity in the workplace to those early experiences, and is dedicated to creating opportunities for organizational leaders, teams, and individuals to learn strategies for reframing adversity while empowering leaders to change their workplaces for the better.   As a champion for positive change in workplaces, communities, and our world at large, Heather delivers clear and purposeful strategies that drive real business results – such as increased employee engagement, loyalty, collaboration, and connectivity.   The results?   - Team members feel heard, seen, and valued - Companies create safe environments and a culture of trust - Diversity and creativity are celebrated - Resilience rises - Stress falls - Productivity goes through the roof - Customer retention and referrals soar - Everyone wins – sometimes in ways they didn't even realize were possible.   Learn more at heatheryounger.com and employeefanatix.com. Email me at heather@employeefanatix.com Be sure to check out her website and LinkedIn!   About Kimberly from her LinkedIn Kimberly Davis is the founder of the Brave Leadership University and has more than 20 years experience in front of groups and audiences of all sizes. Since 2001, Kimberly has been leading development programs world-wide, around authentic leadership, purpose, presence, influence, presentation skills, communication skills, engagement, and customer experience. In March of 2008, Kimberly launched “OnStage Leadership,” which has received rave reviews and has made an impact on leaders across the country.   Kimberly also teaches Authentic Influence and Executive Presence for SMU's Cox School of Business'​ Executive Education Program and their Latino Leadership Initiative, and for the Bush Institute's WE Lead program (empowering female leaders from the middle east).   Kimberly is a TEDx speaker and her book, Brave Leadership: Unleash Your Most Confident, Authentic, and Powerful Self to Get the Results You Need, was the 2019 winner of the Benjamin Franklin Silver Award for Business and Career; an Amazon Bestseller in Business Leadership, Business Motivation and Self-Improvement, and Motivational Business Management; and was named as the number one book to read in Inc. Magazine's “The 12 Most Impactful Books to Read in 2018,” with a cover-endorsement by best-selling author Daniel Pink.   Specialties: Authentic Leadership, Leadership Development, Career Development, Personal Development, Engagement, Communication Skills, Public Speaking, Presentation Skills, Facilitation, Theatre, Experiential Learning, Customer Experience, Organizational Development, Training & Development, Talent Management Be sure to check out her website and LinkedIn! About Sarah "Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision." In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I've realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don't realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they're sharing them with. My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home. The audiobook, Your Stories Don't Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available! Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana. Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!

Sebastien Lai is a democracy advocate and son of jailed Hong Kong businessman and publisher Jimmy Lai. He and Jonathan Price, a member of Jimmy's international legal team, joined the George W. Bush Institute while in Dallas raising awareness about why Jimmy is jailed. They spoke with host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Igor Khrestin about Jimmy's upcoming trial, Sebastien's advocacy, and why the case matters across the globe. Hear more from Sebastien and Jonathan about the devastating effects of the National Security Law on freedom in Hong Kong on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Related content: The Struggle for Freedom: A Hong Kong businessman's fight for democracyThe Struggle for Freedom UPDATE: Jimmy Lai's national security trial postponed again

Problems and pessimism tend to overwhelm the daily news cycle. What gets less attention are the incredible solutions governments and organizations have devised to solve some of the world's most pressing issues. That's why Senior Fellow and Editor-in-Chief of The Catalyst: A Journal of Ideas from the Bush Institute Jonathan Tepperman set out to release an issue dedicated entirely to exploring solutions to problems around the globe called The Fix. The Bush Institute's Chris Walsh and Hannah Johnson authored pieces for the issue, and they joined Jonathan and host Andrew Kaufmann to discuss success stories and the lessons we can all learn on working across divisions — and even what we can learn from the Barbie movie on this episode of The Strategerist After Hours presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Related content:The Catalyst: A Journal of Ideas from the Bush Institute -- The Fix 

Daron Babcock is the CEO of Bonton Farms, an organization that started as a small garden serving the food deserts in South Dallas that has grown into a movement working alongside residents to transform the community. Daron joined the Bush Center for the Forum on Leadership, where he received the Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation for his impactful work at Bonton Farms. He spoke with host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Anne Wicks about the mission of the organization. Hear more from Daron about the innovative and meaningful work of Bonton Farms on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content: 2022 Forum on LeadershipBonton Farms

Meghan Ogilvie is the CEO of Dog Tag Inc., a non-profit with the goal of empowering veterans with service-connected disabilities, military spouses, and caregivers to find renewed purpose and community through an unexpected combination: a bakery and a classroom. Meghan joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Eva Chiang at the 2022 Forum on Leadership to discuss Dog Tag Bakery's mission and her experience as a Presidential Leadership Scholar. Hear from Meghan about her growth as a leader, the importance of a good network, and Dog Tag's famous baked goods on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Related content:2022 Forum on LeadershipDog Tag Inc.

Manu Meel is the CEO of BridgeUSA, a nonprofit organization that creates spaces on high school and college campuses where students can have open discussions about political issues.He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Chris Walsh in April to discuss BridgeUSA's mission, how to disagree, and the importance of diversity of thought and opinion.Listen as Manu discusses how to build bridges with people of differing viewpoints and provides a sneak peek of his podcast The Hopeful Majority – which has launched since the recording of this episode – on The Strategerist.Related content:The George W. Bush Institute's work on pluralismBridgeUSAThe Hopeful Majority 

Dave Copps is the CEO and co-founder of Dallas-based technology company Worlds, where they've created an artificial intelligence platform for building the industrial metaverse. He joined the George W. Bush Institute in April at the Forum on Leadership, where he participated in a conversation on the co-evolution of humans and machines.  He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Cullum Clark to discuss Worlds, how technology is changing education, and the future of AI.Hear more from Dave about his experience in the technology sector, AI Chatbot ChatGPT, and his collection of rare electric guitars on The Strategerist.Related content:Forum on LeadershipWorlds

Ambassador Shin-wha Lee serves as South Korea's ambassador for international cooperation on North Korean human rights. In her role, she coordinates international efforts to improve human rights conditions in North Korea and raise global awareness about the inhumane conditions faced by North Koreans.  She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Dr. Victor Cha to discuss how denuclearization and human rights are connected and what she predicts for the future relationship between North and South Korea.  Hear from the ambassador about the history of the North Korean Human Rights Act in South Korea and the U.S. and opportunities for the international community to make progress on North Korean human rights.Related Content: The Bush Institute's work on freedom in North Korea

Emily Hanford is a senior correspondent and producer for American Public Media and the 2023 George W. Bush Institute Citation recipient for her coverage of our Nation's reading crisis.  She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Justine Taylor-Raymond at the Forum on Leadership to discuss her reporting, how she started in journalism, and what she's uncovered about how kids learn to read.  Hear more from Emily on the science of reading, why kids receiving quality reading instruction is essential, and what she's reading right now on The Strategerist.Related content:Forum on LeadershipSold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong

Scott Carpenter is the managing director of Jigsaw, a unit within Google that explores threats to open societies, and builds technology that inspires scalable solutions to these threats. He discusses how authoritarian regimes use the internet to their advantage, promising new developments in technology, and why internet access is essential to freedom and democracy.Scott joined the George W. Bush Institute in November of 2022 for The Struggle for Freedom conference, where leaders, activists, and experts gathered to assess threats to freedom. He speaks with host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Chris Walsh about Jigsaw, deep fakes, and his experience as a leader in the technology sector.  Related content:The Struggle for Freedom conferenceThe Struggle for Freedom series

Florencia Velasco Fortner is the CEO of Dallas-based nonprofit The Concilio, an organization that helps North Texas families striving to create strong futures for themselves and future generations. Florencia is the 2023 recipient of the George W. Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation Award, an honor given annually to an innovator who has inspired changed and enriched the quality of life in North Texas. RelatedThe Concilio2023 Forum on Leadership