LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
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s we enter into what promises to be another stellar season, I hope you are able to attend at least several programs. The program committee, under Claire Noble’s leadership, has done an outstanding job. We have a wide variety of programs, each with excellent speakers in their field that should provide you some new thoughts and insights. I particularly want to commend our professional staff of 3.5 people: Kris Sabel, Claire Noble, Arzu Bazyildiz and Katie Coakley. They are a great team and have done an excellent job of taking Vail Symposium to the next level of consistency and excellence for more than 20 programs this winter. There are so many elements to the Vail Symposium that are handled seamlessly, not the least of which is coordinating the fund-raising efforts that support everything we do. I want to thank all of our donors who have been so responsive and provide 85% of the funding for the Vail Symposium. They have truly made us the organization that we are today. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at our programs this winter season. Dale Mosier Vail Symposium Board Chairman
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A
s I review the contents of this brochure for the winter season, I am so proud to be part of this organization. I applaud our programming committee for the quality and breadth of our programs. (You can see who they are on page 4) Our biggest challenge is that there are more potential programs than we have weeks to present them, but I think we have covered some of the most relevant and important topics currently in the news and on our minds. Note: The descriptions of these programs are accurate at the time of printing, but we embrace the evolving nature of our Hot Topics and Geopolitical programs and encourage our speakers to adapt as the topics and situations change. I want to thank all of our donors, sponsors and volunteers for their support of our mission. Their generosity and loyalty is a tribute to the work we are doing for our community. In addition, the continued growth in attendance affirms the relevance and quality of our programs and our speakers. We encourage your feedback, suggestions and attendance — all of which help shape the direction of the Vail Symposium and our programs. If you appreciate the contributions the Vail Symposium makes to your life and your community, I encourage you to grow your involvement: attend more programs, bring a friend, make a donation or volunteer. All of these actions contribute to our success, our growth and our long-term sustainability. I look forward to seeing you at our programs this winter. Kris Sabel Executive Director
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CONTENTS 04
board & staff members
05
06
winter programs
28
31
donors
board member spotlight
32
34
support the symposium
get involved
thank you to our sponsors
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policies, ticket & program information
MISSION The Vail Symposium is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to year-round lifelong learning for the Vail Valley community through educational programs that are thought-provoking, diverse and affordable. 3
B OARD & STAFF M EMBE RS STAFF Executive Director Kris Sabel Program Manager Claire Noble Office and Events Manager Arzu Basyildiz Marketing Manager Katie Coakley
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman Dale Mosier Treasurer Rob LeVine Gary Gilman Andy Kaufman Kathy Kimmel Laurie Kleisinger Mary Lamb Lucas William Mimeles Jeanne Mosier
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Pat Montgomery Mary Pat Rapp James C. Ruh Brian Stockmar
HONORARY BOARD Chair Emeritus Karen Morter Terry Minger Priscilla O’Neil Ebby Pinson
ADVISORY COUNCIL Dr. Eben Alexander Michael Balk Pam Bard Richard Bard Doris Dewton Jack Eck Judson Haims Richard Mah Jamie Metzl Ralph White Thomas Wright
PROGRAM COMMITTEE Dale Mosier Cathie Bennett Greg Dobbs Gary Gilman Kat Haber Michael Hazard Kathy Kimmel Dr. Robert Lipnick Richard Mah Rebecca Matlon William Mimeles George Nimmo Mary Pat Rapp Kathryn Regjo Wendy Rudolph
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE William Mimeles (Chair) Kathy Kimmel Laurie Kleisinger Mary Lamb Lucas Jeanne Mosier Jim Ruh
S UP PORT THE SYMP OS IUM D O N AT E T O D AY ! Less than 15% of our income comes from ticket sales. The rest comes from you. Your donation ensures that the Vail Symposium can thrive, grow and, ultimately, continue to bring amazing speakers to the Vail Valley.
Make a donation online at www.vailsymposium.org or send a check made payable to Vail Symposium to PO Box 3038, Vail, CO 81658
A donation of any amount is enough to make a difference in your community through the Vail Symposium. Please don’t wait. We need your support today!
DONOR LEVELS Member
$50 - $99
Torch Member $1,000 - $1,499
Spark Member
$100 - $249
Torch Underwriting Member $1,500-$2,499
Candle Member
$250 - $499
Spot Light Member
$2,500 - $4,999
Lantern Member
$500 - $999
Flood Light Member*
$5,000 - $9,999
Arc Light Member*
$10,000+
Donors at the Torch Member level or higher qualify as a major giver and a member of the Lighthouse Society All donors receive acknowledgement in the brochure and on our website.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS General Lecture Ticket Major Donors Recognition Event
Spot Light
Torch
Lantern
Candle
Spark
4 per program
2 per program
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4
2
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✓
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General program tickets and member passes are transferable. Tickets and passes are not valid for fundraisers, workshops or other events deemed “special” unless otherwise noted. Member passes are valid for one year from donation date. For additional information about how to support the Vail Symposium, please contact Kris Sabel at 970-476-0954 or ksabel@vailsymposium.org. The Vail Symposium is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization in accordance with Federal Tax Law and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. 5
IT’S MESSIER THAN IT LOOKS: PRIMARY POLITICS IN AMERICA
04 DEC
GEOPOLITICS with: Elaine Kamarck when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Vail Interfaith Chapel | Vail
The United States has seen 45 presidents in its history. Some have been legendary; some have faded into obscurity, popping up only for trivia. Regardless of how a president is remembered, the process of electing the president — enshrined in the Constitution — has remained the same. The process of nominating presidential candidates, however, is an entirely different story. Elaine Kamarck of the Brookings Institution leads a fascinating program as she discusses the American way of nominating presidents — just weeks before the 2020 primary season gets underway. The political parties establish the candidate selection rules in a continually evolving process based on the lessonslearned from previous elections. Superdelegates, for instance, are a fixture of the Democratic National Convention, but there is no Republican equivalent. Kamarck will combine a history of how we got to this system with an analysis of the dynamics underlying the system. Elaine C. Kamarck, Ph.D is a senior fellow in the Governance Studies program as well as the director of the Center for Effective Public Management at the Brookings Institution. She is an expert on American electoral politics and government innovation and reform in the United States, OECD nations and developing countries. She focuses her research on the presidential nomination system and American politics and has worked in many American presidential campaigns. She has been a member of the Democratic National Committee and the DNC’s Rules Committee since 1997. She has participated actively in four presidential campaigns and in ten nominating conventions—including two Republican conventions—and has served as a superdelegate to five Democratic conventions. In the 1980s, she was one of the founders of the New Democrat movement that helped elect Bill Clinton president. She served in the White House from 1993 to 1997, where she created and managed the Clinton Administration's National Performance Review, also known as the “reinventing government initiative.” Kamarck conducts research on 21st century government, the role of the Internet in political campaigns, homeland defense, intelligence reorganization and governmental reform and innovation. She makes regular appearances in the media including segments on: ABC, CBS, NBC, the BBC, CNN, Fox News Now, New England Cable News, and National Public Radio. Kamarck received her Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. This program is underwritten by Dierdre & Ronnie Baker, Doris Dewton, and Wendy Rudolph & Graeme Bush. The Geopolitics Series is graciously underwritten by Cindy Engles 6
CHARTING DESTINY: THE POWER OF MAPS TO INFLUENCE HISTORICAL CHANGE IN AMERICA
12 DEC
HOT TOPICS with: Susan Schulten when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Edwards Interfaith Chapel and Community Center | Edwards
Over the past five centuries, America has been defined through maps. Whether handmaidens of diplomacy, tools of statecraft, instruments of social reform or even advertisements, maps have been central to American development. They tell us what people knew, what they thought they knew, what they hoped for and what they feared. As such, they offer unique windows onto the past, and remain rich and underutilized sources of history. Join Susan Schulten, professor of history, for a discussion of the way that maps have both reflected and shaped America from the voyages of discovery to the digital age. Together, Shulten and the audience will examine materials that range from the iconic to the unfamiliar: maps that influenced exploration and imperial rivalry, national expansion and political conflict, immigration and settlement, and even cultural identity and social reform. Come away with a heightened appreciation for the ways that maps both illuminate and complicate our understanding of American history. Professor Susan Schulten began teaching at the University of Denver in 1996 and from 2011-2017 served as chair of the History Department. She is the author of “A History of America in 100 Maps,” “Mapping the Nation: History and Cartography in Nineteenth-Century America” and “The Geographical Imagination in America, 1880-1950.” In 2018, she co-edited “Constructing the American Past,” a two-volume history of America. Schulten has also written essays on maps and history for The New York Times, the New Republic, Fast Company and other publications. She teaches courses on the Civil War and Reconstruction, America at the turn of the century, the history of American ideas and culture, the Great Depression, the Cold War, war and the presidency, and the methods and philosophy of history. Her work has been funded by the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Henry Huntington Library. She earned her BA in history from UC Berkeley and her PhD in History from the University of Pennsylvania. This program is underwritten by Leslie & Garrett Davies and Mary Pat & Keith Rapp The Hot Topics Series is graciously underwritten by Kathy & Neal Kimmel 7
RETURN TO THE REICH: A HERO’S JOURNEY OF VENGEANCE AND TRIUMPH
29 DEC
ARTS AND CULTURE with: Eric Lichtblau when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: The Sebastian-Vail | Vail
In 1938, Freddy Mayer, a 16-year-old German-born Jew, escaped Nazi Germany with his family and fled to the United States— they were among the last German Jews to escape. However, Mayer’s story doesn’t end there. Attempting to enlist the day after Pearl Harbor, Mayer was rejected as an “enemy alien” because he was German. He was soon recruited to the OSS, the country’s first spy outfit before the CIA, and returned to Europe as an American commando on a secret mission behind enemy lines in the Austrian Alps. With the help of a second Jewish refugee from the Netherlands and a Nazi defector, Mayer posed on the ground as a Nazi officer and a POW for nearly two months, collecting vital information that aided the Allies in seizing one of the Reich’s last battlegrounds. Eric Lichtblau chronicles Mayer’s journey in his nonfiction book, “Return to the Reich: A Holocaust Refugee’s Secret Mission to Defeat the Nazis,” which Publishers Weekly called “a fresh and masterfully told WWII story” and Kirkus Review described as “an enthralling page turner.” As Lichtblau takes the audience through Mayer’s story, it will become clear how the story resonates with modern-day lessons about hatred, heroism and the contributions that refugees have made to America. Eric Lichtblau is a two-time Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and the best- selling author of “The Nazis Next Door” and “Bush’s Law: The Remaking of American Justice.” He was a Washington reporter for the New York Times for fifteen years and for the Los Angeles Times for fifteen years before that. He has also written during his career for the New Yorker, TIME, and other publications. He has been a frequent guest on NPR, MSNBC, C-SPAN, and other networks, as well as a speaker at many universities and institutions. His latest book, “Return to the Reich: A Holocaust Refugee’s Secret Mission to Defeat the Nazis,” was released in October 2019. This program is underwritten by Dierdre & Ronnie Baker and Gabrielle & Bill Mimeles and is presented in partnership with B’nai Vail 8
DYING OF WHITENESS:HOW RACIAL RESENTMENT IS DECIMATING AMERICA’S HEARTLAND
09 JAN
HOT TOPICS with: Dr. Jonathan M. Metzl when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Four Seasons Resort | Vail
With the rise of the Tea Party and the election of Donald Trump, many middle- and lowerincome white Americans threw their support behind conservative politicians who pledged to make life great again for people like them. However, right-wing backlash policies have mortal consequences–even for the white populations they promise to help. Physician and sociologist Jonathan M. Metzl traveled across America’s heartland seeking to better understand the politics of racial resentment and its impact on public health. Interviewing a range of Americans, he uncovers how racial anxieties led to the repeal of gun control laws in Missouri, stymied the Affordable Care Act in Tennessee, and fueled massive cuts to schools and social services in Kansas. Although such measures promised to restore greatness to white America, Metzl’s systematic analysis of health data dramatically reveals they did just the opposite: these policies made life sicker, harder and shorter in the very populations they purported to aid. Thus, white gun suicides soared, life expectancies fell, and school dropout rates rose. In this compelling program, physician Jonathan Metzl discusses his book, “Dying of Whiteness” and how it shows the right-wing policies that resulted from this white backlash put these voters’ very health at risk and, in the end, threaten everyone’s well-being. Jonathan Metzl, M.D. is the Frederick B. Rentschler II Professor of Sociology and Psychiatry and the Director of the Center for Medicine, Health and Society at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He received his MD from the University of Missouri, MA in humanities/poetics and Psychiatric internship/residency from Stanford University and PhD in American Culture from University of Michigan. A 2008 Guggenheim fellow, Professor Metzl has written extensively for medical, psychiatric and popular publications. His books include “Dying of Whiteness,” “The Protest Psychosis,” “Prozac on the Couch” and “Against Health: How Health Became the New Morality.” This program is underwritten by Holly & Ben Gill and Ann & Tom Rader The Hot Topics Series is graciously underwritten by Kathy & Neal Kimmel 9
IRAN IN TURMOIL? PROSPECTS FOR CHANGE
13 JAN
GEOPOLITICS with: Abbas Milani, moderated by Greg Dobbs when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: The Sebastian-Vail |Vail
Forty years ago, a group of Iranian militants seized 98 people at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in what became known as the Iran hostage crisis. All remaining hostages were released from captivity 444 days later. Internally, the 1979 Iranian revolution promised three goals: social justice, freedom and democracy, and independence from a vassal-state status relative to the United States. Economically, the Islamic Republic has experienced some success in the expansion of infrastructure for rural development and poverty reduction. However, it has failed in two important respects: First, it has failed to provide job opportunities for its youth--the unemployment rate for college-educated youth is alarmingly high. And second, despite the lofty egalitarian goals of the revolution, inequality is persistent and pervasive. This program will provide a look into the turbulent internal dynamics of Iranian society, particularly as it relates to its troubled economy, rising unemployment and inflation, diminished options on oil, questions of succession and an increasingly assertive women’s movement. Will Iran be more democratic in the future? And how do these changes relate to U.S. policy on Iran? Abbas Milani is the Hamid & Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University. He has been one of the founding co-directors of the Iran Democracy Project and a research fellow at the Hoover Institution. His expertise is U.S.-Iran relations as well as Iranian cultural, political and security issues. Until 1986, he taught at Tehran University’s Faculty of Law and Political Science, where he was also a member of the Board of Directors of the university’s Center for International Relations. After moving to the United States, he was the Chair of the Political Science Department at the Notre Dame de Namur University for 14 years. For eight years, he was a visiting Research Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley’s Middle East Center. From his “boots on the ground” news coverage in more than 80 countries around the world, moderator Greg Dobbs is a professional speaker on global affairs, the author of two books (with two more in the works) and a journalist for almost 50 years, spending most of his time as a correspondent for two American television networks. Greg is the winner of three Emmy awards and the “Distinguished Service Award” from the Society of Professional Journalists; in 2017, Greg was inducted into the Denver Press Club Hall of Fame. This program is underwritten by Sandy & Fred Pack and Pat & Larry Stewart The Geopolitics Series is graciously underwritten by Cindy Engles 10
UNCOMMON ENDURANCE: TWO ELITE ATHLETES IN TWO TOUGH SPORTS
16 JAN
UNLIMITED ADVENTURE with: Courtney Dauwalter and Josiah Middaugh when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Vail Interfaith Chapel | Vail
Prepare to be amazed when two of the world’s best endurance athletes take the stage. Local triathlete Josiah Middaugh and ultramarathoner Courtney Dauwalter address their unique paths to their chosen sports. Both are kids of the midwest: Dauwalter hails from Minnesota and Middaugh from Michigan; both now call Colorado home. And like their adopted homes, topics like training, managing injuries, maintaining focus and motivation are topics of commonality between the two. Courtney Dauwalter is an ultramarathon runner living in Golden, Colorado. She was the overall winner of the Moab 240 Mile Endurance Run in 2017, ran 279 miles at Big Backyard Ultra in 2018, was the first female at Ultra Trail Mont Blanc 100 mile in 2019, and has competed in many other ultramarathons around the world. Josiah Middaugh is the greatest off-roader in U.S. history and is now 20+ years into his career and still hungry to win. He is the 2015 XTERRA Champion, ten-time GMC Ultimate Mountain Challenge champion and World Fat Bike Champion. In 2018, Middaugh claimed second place at Costa Rica’s notoriously difficult La Ruta stage race. Fresh off his 19th XTERRA competition in Maui in October 2019, Middaugh was the top American finisher and 6th overall. This program is underwritten by Dr. Robert & Janie Lipnick and is presented in partnership with the Vail Public Library
BEATING BURNOUT: USING INSPIRATION AND EMPOWERMENT TO FOSTER SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATIONS
23 JAN
SPEAKING LOCALLY with: Dr. Kate Newburgh when: Doors open at 8 a.m.; program begins at 8:30 a.m. where: Colorado Mountain College | Edwards Campus
Two-thirds of Americans report being burned out on the job—a staggering percentage of the workforce. But burnout isn’t an abstract phenomenon: It’s been shown to have serious health consequences up to and including precipitous death. But what’s causing it? And what can we do about it? In this interactive talk, Dr. Newburgh will delve deep into the assumptions that undergird how we organize ourselves at work, examine the leadership practices that result in employee disengagement and illuminate what needs to change in order for us to re-engage in our work on a global scale. Deep Practices Founder Dr. Kate Newburgh has over a decade of experience and research in organizational change. She’s held diverse roles in the field of education including Educational Researcher, Academic Affairs Director for a national non-profit, and Curriculum Lead for Transformative Learning for Eagle County Schools, CO. She currently works with executive leadership to create sustainable, trust-based workplace cultures and practices. Presented in partnership with the Vail Valley Partnership. 11
“INTO THE CANYON”: FILM SCREENING FOLLOWED BY Q&A WITH FILMMAKER
27 JAN
UNLIMITED ADVENTURE with: Pete McBride when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Battle Mountain High School | Edwards
In 2016, filmmaker/photographer Pete McBride and writer Kevin Fedarko (author of “The Emerald Mile”) set out on a 750-mile journey on foot through the entire length of the Grand Canyon. From the outset, the challenge was far more than they bargained for. After all, more people have stood on the moon than have completed a continuous through-hike of the Canyon. McBride and Fedarko took a sectional approach, achieving a feat that many adventurers have taken decades to complete. Others have lost their lives trying. But their quest was more than just an endurance test – it was also a way to draw attention to the unprecedented threats facing one of our most revered landscapes. Throughout their passage, McBride and Fedarko encountered an astonishingly diverse and powerful landscape, rich in history, that is now facing perhaps the gravest crisis in the 98year history of the Grand Canyon National Park. “Into the Canyon” is a story of extreme physical hardship that stretches the bonds of friendship and a meditation on the timeless beauty of this sacred place. It is an urgent warning about the environmental dangers that are placing one of America’s greatest monuments in peril and a cautionary tale for our complex relationship with the natural world. Join the Vail Symposium for a special screening of “Into the Canyon.” Director Pete McBride will be on hand for a Q&A session after the film. Native Coloradan Pete McBride has spent two decades studying the world with a camera. A self-taught photographer, filmmaker, writer and public speaker, he has traveled on assignment to more than 75 countries for the National Geographic Society, Smithsonian, Outside, Google, The Nature Conservancy, USAID and many more. After a decade documenting remote expeditions from Everest to Antarctica, McBride decided to focus his cameras closer to home on subject closer to his heart—his backyard river, the Colorado. Four years and 1500 river-miles later, McBride produced an acclaimed book, three award-winning documentaries and co-hosted a PBS TV program. Other watersheds soon called, including a source-to-sea look at India’s sacred Ganges River. Upon completing the journey, The National Geographic Society named McBride a “Freshwater Hero.” His latest project replaced rafting with walking—a lot of it. Over the course of a year, McBride hiked the entire length of Grand Canyon National Park—over 750 miles without a trail. After completing the journey, National Geographic named him and his hiking companion, writer Kevin Fedarko, “Adventurers of the Year.” McBride has since released a Rizzoli book on the project and a feature-length documentary titled Into the Grand Canyon, for National Geographic Channel. This program is underwritten by Carole & Pete Feistmann and Priscilla O'Neill and is presented in partnership with the Vail Public Library, Eagle River Watershed Council and Walking Mountains Science Center 12
RECALIBRATING THE SCALES OF JUSTICE
30 JAN
HOT TOPICS with: Ashley Daly and Clark Neily when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Donovan Pavilion | Vail
They say justice is blind. However, after perusing the headlines in national media, it seems as if the blindfold might have slipped. With new criminal justice reforms coming down from the White House and individual states revising or overhauling their programs, the issue of “justice” remains a quagmire of questions. Coming from their respective positions as a criminal justice reformer and working prosecutor in Denver, Clark Neily and Ashley Daly will discuss the current state of America’s criminal justice reform. They will devote particular attention to the issues of overcriminalization mass incarceration, accountability and the costs and benefits of plea bargaining as the default mechanism for adjudicating criminal charges in the modern criminal justice system. The discussion will then turn to possible reforms, including the elimination of cash bail, providing more effective representation for defendants, rethinking the role of the criminal jury and the impact of so-called “progressive prosecutors” on the overall system. Ashley Daly is a Denver Deputy District Attorney and currently prosecutes felony cases. Before joining the Denver DA’s Office in 2016, Daly was an associate at Davis Graham & Stubbs, LLP, where she focused on appellate matters. Prior to that, she was a litigation associate at Reilly Pozner, LLP where she focused on civil litigation. Before her time at Reilly Pozner, she was an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, LLP in New York City. At Cravath, Daly represented clients in general litigation, commercial transactions, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Litigation, and Insider Trading cases. Daly earned her J.D cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School. Daly received both a B.A. and M.A. from Stanford University, including a semester at Oxford University in England. Clark Neily is vice president for criminal justice at the Cato Institute. His areas of interest include constitutional law, overcriminalization, and police accountability. Before joining Cato in 2017, Neily was a senior attorney and constitutional litigator at the Institute for Justice and director of the Institute’s Center for Judicial Engagement. He is an adjunct professor at George Mason’s Antonin Scalia School of Law, where he teaches constitutional litigation and publicinterest law. Neily served as co-counsel in District of Columbia v. Heller, in which the Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to own a gun. Neily received a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II (with concentrations in philosophy and Russian) from the University of Texas at Austin, and he also received his law degree from the University of Texas, where he was Chief Articles Editor of the Texas Law Review. He is the author of “Terms of Engagement: How Our Courts Should Enforce the Constitution’s Promise of Limited Government.” This program is underwritten by Kathi Renman & Jim Picard and Brian Stockmar The Hot Topics Series is graciously underwritten by Kathy & Neal Kimmel 13
THE SUN IS A COMPASS: A HUMANPOWERED ADVENTURE ACROSS ALASKA
06 FEB
UNLIMITED ADVENTURE with: Caroline Van Hemert when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Vail Interfaith Chapel | Vail
If you’ve ever imagined taking off for “van life,” here’s your chance to hear about an amazing journey – sans the van. Travel alongside birds, bears, and caribou and discover the wonder of Alaska’s wild lands via a 4,000-mile human-powered journey to the Arctic. During graduate school, as she conducted experiments on the peculiarly misshapen beaks of black-capped chickadees, ornithologist Caroline Van Hemert began to feel stifled in the isolated, sterile environment of the lab and increasingly distanced from the natural world. Embracing the concept of Zugunruhe—migratory restlessness typically described in birds in springtime—she launched with her husband on a journey from the Pacific rainforest to the Alaskan Arctic. For six months, they traveled by rowboat, ski, foot, raft and canoe across some of the wildest places left in North America. The pair survived spring storms, predatory bears and hordes of mosquitoes, while also experiencing incredible moments of joy and grace: a trumpeter swan bathing on an icefield, moose swimming in the Arctic Ocean and thousands of caribou on their fall migration. During this special presentation, Van Hemert will present images, film and readings from her recently released book, “The Sun is a Compass: A 4,000-mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds.” Caroline Van Hemert, Ph.D., is an Alaskan author, adventurer, and wildlife biologist. Her recent book, The Sun is a Compass: A 4,000-mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds, tells the story of her human-powered expedition from the Pacific Coast to the Chukchi Sea—by rowboat, ski, foot, packraft and canoe—to rediscover birds, the natural world and her own love of science. She recently received the 2019 Banff Mountain Book Competition Award for Adventure Travel. Her writing has also been featured in the New York Times, Audubon, Los Angeles Times, Outside and more. This program is underwritten by Mary Pat & Keith Rapp and is presented in partnership with the Vail Public Library 14
OPEN TO THE INFINITE: EXPLORING HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS
12 FEB
CONSCIOUSNESS with: Stephen A. Schwartz when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Edwards Interfaith Chapel and Community Center | Edwards
Known as “The Sleeping Prophet,” Edward Cayce is perhaps the 20th-century’s most famous psychics, making predictions, medical diagnoses and cosmological pronouncements for more than 50 years. A farmer’s son, Cayce gave more than 14,000 documented “readings” during his life, covering topics such as the kingdom of Atlantis, the original course of the Nile River and thousands of medical diagnoses and treatments, sometimes of patients he hadn’t seen. Though he died in 1945, he retains a large following even to this day. Other than Cayce’s lifelong secretary Gladys Davis Turner, and perhaps his son Hugh Lynn Cayce, Stephan A. Schwartz is the only person to have read all of the approximately 14,000 Edgar Cayce Readings. As of the founders of modern Remote Viewing, and an experimenter in nonlocal consciousness research for over half a century, Schwartz’s experiences have given him a unique perspective on this extraordinary body of work. In this presentation, Schwartz will discuss the work of Edgar Cayce: why he went into a trance to give his readings, his accuracy and errors and why his readings are couched in the language they are. He will also discuss what Edgar Cayce was doing, how his Readings fit into the larger context of nonlocal consciousness research and what this body of work is telling us about what it means to be a human and our place in the matrix of consciousness. Scientist, futurist, and award-winning author Stephan A. Schwartz is a columnist for the journal Explore and editor of the daily web publication Schwartzreport.net, where he covers trends that are affecting the future. For 40 years Schwartz has been studying the nature of consciousness and its role in social transformation, exceptional human performance, social outcome research and trends that are affecting the future. He is part of the small group that founded modern remote viewing research and is the principal researcher studying the use of remote viewing in archaeology. He also uses remote viewing to examine the future. The author of more than 130 technical reports and papers, Schwartz has written numerous magazine articles for Smithsonian, OMNI, American History, American Heritage, The Washington Post and The New York Times, as well as other magazines and newspapers. He has produced and written a number of television documentaries and has written four books: “The Secret Vaults of Time,” “The Alexandria Project,” “Opening to the Infinite” and his latest, “The 8 Laws of Change,” winner of the 2016 Nautilus Book Award for Social Change. This program is underwritten by Ron Zastrow 15
WHILE YOU ARE SLEEPING: YOUR BRAIN’S NOCTURNAL PURSUITS
20 FEB
HEALTH AND WELLNESS with: Jessica Payne when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Vail Interfaith Chapel | Vail
What’s going on in your head while you sleep? Are you simply recharging or is there more happening up above your neck? The research of Notre Dame Professor Jessica Payne shows that the non-waking hours are incredibly valuable for your day-to- day life, especially for helping to commit information to memory and for problemsolving. If you ever thought sleep was just downtime between one task and the next, think again. The fact is, your brain pulls an all-nighter when you hit the hay. Many regions of the brain—especially those involved in learning, processing information and emotion—are actually more active during sleep than when you’re awake. These regions are working together while you sleep, helping you process and sort information you’ve taken in during the course of the day. Professor Payne’s research has focused on what types of information are submitted to memory and has been instrumental in better understanding how the brain stores the information. Sound interesting? It is—and useful too, as Professor Payne will outline all sorts of practical information on how to control your sleep habits to insure maximum productivity. Dr. Jessica Payne holds appointments at Harvard Medical School and the University of Notre Dame, where she is currently Professor of Psychology and Andrew J. McKenna Family Collegiate Chair. She is also the Director of the Sleep, Stress and Memory (SAM) Lab. Payne’s research focuses on how sleep and stress independently and interactively influence human memory, emotion, creativity and performance. She teaches various courses in Psychology and Neurobiology, including a popular course entitled “The Sleeping Brain” for which she won Harvard University’s Bok Center Award for teaching excellence, Notre Dame’s Frank O’Malley award for undergraduate teaching and service, and the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Payne is dedicated to applying her research findings to business organizations, striving to help leaders understand how to work with, rather than against, the natural abilities of the human brain. Her work has been profiled in the New York Times, Businessweek and MSN, Scientific American, the Huffington Post, CNN, USA Today, Bloomberg, Business Week, National Geographic, and many other media outlets. This program is underwritten by Barbara Krichbaum & Kent Erickson 16
WIND, SOLAR AND BEYOND: POWERING THE FUTURE
24 FEB
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS with: Bryan Hannegan, Jules Kostenhorst, Patrick McClure and Dairmood O’Connell when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: The Sebastian-Vail | Vail
The clarion call for the transition to 100% renewable energy has been issued. More than 100 cities across America have pledged to make that transition--many by 2035. They are not alone. Large companies such as Walmart, Nike, Starbucks and Proctor & Gamble have also pledged to go green. Does the technology exist to make this a reality? Are power utilities prepared? This panel discussion will address the environmental drivers and the practical aspects of the transition from fossil fuels to alternatives both renewable and nuclear. Nuclear power is still a relevant and important piece of the U.S. energy mix and currently provides 20% of the electrical needs of the U.S. However, most nuclear power is the U.S. is more than 40 years old. Learn about the next generation of nuclear power such as the potential of very small nuclear reactors providing power to the electrical grid, portable nuclear for power in remote locations and the use of nuclear for other purposes such as space exploration. Wind turbines and solar panels are dependent not only on sunshine and the wind blowing, but also batteries to store the generated energy. Does current battery technology provide a feasible option? Lastly, where are the public utilities in this discussion? A power company's perspective will round out this comprehensive look at how we will power our future. Bryan Hannegan is president and CEO of Holy Cross Energy, a not-forprofit, member-owned electric cooperative utility providing electricity and energy products and services to more than 42,000 customers in Western Colorado. Prior to joining Holy Cross in July 2017, Hannegan was an Associate Laboratory Director at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Jules Kortenhorst is the chief executive officer of Rocky Mountain Institute. He is a recognized leader on global energy issues and climate change. Prior to RMI, Jules was the founding CEO of the European Climate Foundation (ECF), the largest philanthropic organization dedicated to policy development and advocacy on climate change in Europe. Patrick McClure is a senior researcher and advisor on very small nuclear reactor projects at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Recently, he was the LANL lead for the development, construction and testing of a small space reactor for NASA called Kilopower. Currently, Mr. McClure is advising LANL and NASA management on technical and policy decisions for space nuclear power, including lunar surface reactors and thermal nuclear rockets. Diarmuid B. O’Connell most recently served as chief strategy officer at Fair. He spent 11 years at Tesla, most recently as vice president of business development. One of the longest-serving executives at the automaker, he also served as chief of staff to the assistant secretary of state for political military affairs in the U.S. Department of State. This program is underwritten by Dr. Robert & Janie Lipnick and Carel & Marc Slatkoff The Environmental Awareness Series is graciously underwritten by Holly & Buck Elliot and is presented in partnership with Walking Mountains Science Center 17
TAX CUTS AND BALLOONING DEFICITS: WHEN WILL IT MATTER?
05 MAR
FINANCIAL with: Hank Gutman and Mark Mazur, moderated by Richard Bard when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Vail Interfaith Chapel | Vail
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”) was touted as just what the country needed to modernize its tax system. Supporters stated that wages would rise; the economy would grow at no less than 3% annually; business profits previously maintained offshore would return to the United States and stimulate increased business investment; United States businesses would become more competitive internationally and, best of all, the tax cut legislation would pay for itself. This session will examine the process by which the TCJA was enacted. A current evaluation of the economic and legal consequences of the Act will be presented. Recognizing that the country faces staggering budget deficits for the foreseeable future, the session will also explore the reasons for the federal budget deficit, its possible consequences and reasonable ways to approach the problem—including tax increases and spending reforms. The potential consequences of the most popular solutions that have been proposed by the Presidential candidates and the Trump Administration will be examined. Harry L. (Hank) Gutman, Of Counsel at the Washington law firm of Ivins, Phillips & Barker, has more than 45 years of tax experience and expertise that includes federal government Treasury and Congressional positions, full time teaching at the University of Virginia and Pennsylvania law schools and private law practice. Mark J. Mazur is the Robert C. Pozen director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center and a vice president at the Urban Institute. His research interests cover all aspects of tax policy. Mazur served in the federal government for 27 years in various positions including: policy economist at the congressional Joint Committee on Taxation; senior economist at the President’s Council of Economic Advisers; senior director at the National Economic Council; chief economist and senior policy adviser and director of policy at the U.S. Department of Energy and deputy assistant secretary for tax analysis in the Office of Tax Policy. Moderator Richard Bard is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bard Capital Group, LLC, a middle market private equity firm with a diversified portfolio. He has been involved in the acquisition and operation of several private and publicly traded businesses over the past 30 years. He previously served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Bard serves as the key interviewer for the Vail Symposium’s Financial Series. This program is underwritten by Verna & Tom Howard and Brian Stockmar 18
BAD BLOOD: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES
12 MAR
GEOPOLITICS with: Alina Polyakova when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Donovan Pavilion | Vail
Ukraine has been an independent country since 1991. However, this status is not entirely accepted by Russia, which views Ukraine as part of its sphere of influence. Initially cordial, relations between Ukraine and Russia unraveled as Ukraine sought closer military and economic ties with the West. Russian military intervention in Ukraine began in 2014 with Russia’s annexation of the Crimea. Then, demonstrations by pro-Russian groups in the Donbassarea of Ukraine escalated into an armed conflict between the Ukrainian government and the Russia-backed separatist forces. Shortly thereafter, Russian military vehicles crossed the border in several locations of Donetsk Oblast. The incursion by the Russian military was seen as responsible for the defeat of Ukrainian forces in late 2014; this low-intensity conflict continues to the present. Ukraine has become a key concern for U.S. policymakers, sometimes in unexpected ways. Why does Ukraine keep coming back to the forefront of the U.S. debate? What are Russian intentions toward the country and why should the U.S. be concerned? Join Ukraine - Russia specialist Alina Polyakova as she makes sense of this thorny issue which now figures prominently not just in foreign policy, but domestic politics as well. Alina Polyakova is the founding director of the Project on Global Democracy and Emerging Technology and a fellow in the Center on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution, where she leads the Foreign Policy program’s Democracy Working Group. Polyakova was part of the inaugural class of David M. Rubenstein fellows at Brookings. She is also adjunct professor of European studies at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University. Her work examines Russian political warfare, European populism, digital authoritarianism, and the implications of emerging technologies to democracies. Polyakova's book, "The Dark Side of European Integration" (ibidem-Verlag and Columbia University Press, 2015) analyzed the rise of far-right political parties in Europe. She is a frequent contributor to The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy and commentator in major media outlets including Fox News, CNN, BBC, and Bloomberg, among others. Previously, she served as director of research and senior fellow for Europe and Eurasia at the Atlantic Council, professor of sociology at the University of Bern, and Fulbright Fellow. She serves on the board of the Free Russia Foundation and has held numerous fellowships from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the National Science Foundation and the Swiss National Science Foundation, among others. Polyakova holds a master’s and doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor's in economics and sociology with highest honors from Emory University. This program is underwritten by Pat Montgomery and Laura Tumperi The Geopolitics Series is graciously underwritten by Cindy Engles 19
IMAGINING FREEDOM: TIMOTHY STANDRING CURATES NORMAN ROCKWELL
16 MAR
ARTS AND CULTURE with: Timothy Standring when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Vail Interfaith Chapel | Vail
Norman Rockwell is best remembered for his covers on The Saturday Evening Post for nearly five decades. The nation followed the career of Willie Gillis, fell in love with Rosie the Riveter and examined its civic responsibilities with an image of a young African American entering a formerly segregated school. But Rockwell was more than just an illustrator. Dr. Timothy Standring, the Gates Family Foundation Curator at the Denver Art Museum, will discuss the circumstances leading up to the creation of Rockwell’s paintings “The Four Freedoms” (1943) and the astonishing impact they had on a nation recovering from the Depression whilst mobilizing Americans behind a war on foreign soil. Following their publication in the Saturday Evening Post, the four works were shown on a tour of 16 cities across the nation in an effort to sell bonds to support the war effort. Astonishingly, that tour raised over 133 million dollars. And yet the Office of War Information originally rejected his contribution, telling him that they were going to use “real artists.” This anecdote and others form the heart of Standring’s probing look at these four powerful images, as well as his behind-the-scenes stories leading up to “Norman Rockwell: Imagining Freedom,” an exhibition opening at the Denver Art Museum May 3, 2020. What a better way of fostering civic discourse during the summer of political conventions. This program is underwritten by Mary Ellen Anderson and is presented in partnership with Clagget/Rey Gallery 20
SCOTT PELLEY OF 60 MINUTES: VALUES MATTER AND THE TRUTH IS WORTH TELLING
19 MAR
HOT TOPICS with: Scott Pelley when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: TBD
During a storied career, Scott Pelley—“the most wellqualified and proven television journalist ever to ascend to the anchor job” (Columbia Journalism Review)—has bridged the Golden Age when Legacy Media was king and today’s New Media age where notions of “fake news” and the twittersphere shape each frenetic news cycle. Still, in forty-five years of journalism, Pelley can point to one constant: people—often ordinary people— who have discovered the meaning of their lives when faced with the extraordinary challenges of history. In “Truth Worth Telling: A Reporter’s Search for Meaning in the Stories of Our Time,” the former CBS Evening News anchor and much admired 60 Minutes correspondent recalls and reflects upon some of his most dramatic, moving and inspiring encounters in the field and how they exemplify what is good about humanity both in America and abroad. With the elegant yet straightforward storytelling skills of a seasoned journalist, Pelley shares private recollections of very public moments as well as intimate portraits of acts of courage, hope, determination and humanity. As a counterbalance to the divisive partisanship that has split our society, Pelley offers values, ethics and the importance of telling the truth. Scott Pelley has been a reporter and photographer for more than 45 years. He is best known for his work on 60 Minutes and as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News. Pelley’s work has been recognized with three duPont-Columbia Awards, three Peabody Awards, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, and 37 Emmy Awards. Pelley is the most awarded correspondent in the history of 60 Minutes. “The legacy of Edward R Murrow lives on in the daring, long-range investigation of Scott Pelley,” says the Washington Times. “Pelley’s tenure has been marked his intelligent, truth-seeking approach to the news,” says The Washington Post, “pulling no punches while still remaining impartial. ‘Truth Worth Telling’ is an inspiring work, much needed at this troubled juncture in our nation’s history.” This program is underwritten by Nancy Gage & Allan Finney and Nina & Ken Wise The Hot Topics Series is graciously underwritten by Kathy & Neal Kimmel 21
RISK AND REALITY: NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN THE AGE OF INSTABILITY
26 MAR
GEOPOLITICS with: Robert Einhorn when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Grand Hyatt Vail | Vail
“...it is neither technologically feasible nor affordable to protect the American homeland from the numerically large and sophisticated missile arsenals of ’peer competitors’ Russia and China. Therefore, the best way to prevent a missile attack by either country is to maintain effective strategic offensive nuclear forces that leave no doubt in Moscow or Beijing that such an attack would result in an overwhelming U.S. response,” said U.S. arms control expert Robert Einhorn. In early 2020, Einhorn will be a key participant in two international nuclear dialogues: one between U.S. experts and the Chinese and one between U.S. experts and the Russians. Following this important work, Einhorn will speak in Vail on the history of nuclear weapons negotiations, which he is uniquely qualified to do having attended all of the major treaty negotiations. He will also provide insights into the current status of Russia's violations, the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty and what that means to Russia and the U.S. This comprehensive program will also provide updates on China, North Korea and Iran. Robert Einhorn is a senior fellow at the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative and the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence, both housed within the Foreign Policy program at Brookings. Einhorn focuses on arms control (U.S.Russia and multilateral), nonproliferation and regional security issues (including Iran, the greater Middle East, South Asia, and Northeast Asia), and U.S. nuclear weapons policies and programs. Einhorn previously served as the U.S. Department of State special advisor for nonproliferation and arms control. In that capacity, he played a leading role in the formulation and execution of U.S. policy toward Iran’s nuclear program. He also helped shape the Obama administration’s overall approach to nonproliferation; supported nonproliferation goals through diplomatic contacts with China, Russia, and key non-aligned countries; and addressed nuclear security and strategic stability challenges in South Asia. This program is underwritten by Dr. Andrew & Lynn Kaufman and Laura Tumperi The Geopolitics Series is graciously underwritten by Cindy Engles 22
THE HEAT IS ON: THE FIERY FUTURE OF THE WEST
02 APR
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS with: Doug Cupp, Bruce Evan Goldstein, Sarah McCaffrey and Schelly Olson when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Edwards Interfaith Chapel and Community Center | Edwards
Wildfire-caused destruction in the United States has increased significantly since 2000. An average of 72,400 wildfires cleared an average of 7 million acres of U.S. land each year since 2000--double the number of acres scorched by wildfires in the 1990s. In 2015, the largest wildfire season recorded in U.S. history, wildfires burned more than 10 million acres of land. As the western U.S. is expected to get hotter and drier with climate change, wildfire risk is generally expected to rise. At the same time, as the population increases and development encroaches into rural and wilderness areas, more homes and other structures will be at risk. This panel of experts will address several aspects of the wildfire question, including providing information about the Fire Learning Network (FLN), which coordinates fire restoration among a nationwide network of fire managers and describing the work of the Fire Adapted Community Learning Network (FAC Net), which enhances adaptive capacity within communities with high wildfire risk. Panelists will also discuss the strategic approach and courageous leadership required on many levels, including wildfire mitigation collaboration between industries, communities and government agencies, and provide an in-depth examination of three fires in 2018 where mitigation, response and collaboration was used for successful outcomes. Doug Cupp is Fire Chief for Greater Eagle Fire Protection District. His current projects include redeveloping the department’s wildland fire team and wildfire risk reduction programs. He is a member of Northwest Colorado Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) and is an Operations Section Chief and Division Supervisor for the Upper Colorado River IMT. Bruce Goldstein is Associate Professor in the Program in Environmental Design and the Program in Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. He examines how can communities combine forces to adapt to social and ecological challenges and foster transformational change. Sarah McCaffrey is a Research Forester for the USDA Forest Service who has conducted research on the social aspects of fire management for the past 20 years. This work has included projects examining risk perception, social acceptability of fuels treatments, incentives for creation and maintenance of defensible space, and social issues that occur during fires such as evacuation decision making and agency-community interaction during fires. Schelly Olson is the Assistant Chief of Administration and Community Risk Reduction, a Wildland Fire Mitigation Specialist and Public Information Officer at Grand Fire Protection District No. 1 in Granby, Colorado. In 2013, Olson formed the Grand County Wildfire Council, which involved designing and maintaining bewildfireready.org, the website focused on “helping Grand County residents and visitors live and play more safely with the threat of wildfire.” This program is underwritten by Cordillera Cares The Environmental Awareness Series is graciously underwritten by Holly & Buck Elliot and is presented in partnership with Walking Mountains Science Center 23
OUT OF THIS WORLD: EVERYTHING YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT UFOS IS WRONG
06 APR
CONSCIOUSNESS with: Diana Pasulka when: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. where: Edwards Interfaith Chapel and Community Center | Edwards
Was Stephen Hawking correct when he claimed that only “cranks” believe in and see UFOs? In her latest book, Professor Diana Pasulka profiles brilliant entrepreneurs of Silicon Valley whose belief in UFOs informs the creation of their innovative and game-changing technologies. But these entrepreneurs are not alone: More than half of adult Americans and more than 80% of young Americans believe in UFOs or extraterrestrial life. Author and historian of religion Pasulka journeys through the cafes and labs of Silicon Valley to the desert of New Mexico to explore how belief in UFOs is covered up, explored, engaged and created. Pasulka reveals how UFO belief is the religion of the technological age and this belief is bolstered by the potential reality of the discovery of life on other planets, made real by NASA’s periodic press releases supporting this belief. Stranger yet, Pasulka discovered that technology does have connections to the paranormal. The author’s interviews with technologists and her historical research into the Russian and American space programs reveals the strange and perplexing origins of rocket technologies. Pasulka draws on the latest research into digital and media technologies to reveal how the representation of the UFO passes into minds and bodies, informing memory, belief and culture. Diana Walsh Pasulka is a Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion. Her research focuses on religion and technology, including supernatural belief and its connections to digital technologies and environments. She is the author of “American Cosmic: UFOs, Religion, Technology.” Her current projects include two edited volumes, “Believing in Bits: New Media and the Supernatural,” co-edited with Simone Natalie (forthcoming with Oxford University Press) and “Post Humanism: The Future of Homo Sapiens, co-edited with Michael Bess (forthcoming with Palgrave MacMillan Reference). This program is underwritten by Rob LeVine 24
THE COSTS OF MISCOMMUNICATION AND STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
09 APR
SPEAKING LOCALLY with: Julie Holunga when: Doors open at 8 a.m.; program begins at 8:30 a.m. where: Colorado Mountain College | Edwards Campus
The moment you have more than one person in a room, there are going to be misunderstandings. Unresolved breakdowns in communication are costly; if left unaddressed these breakdowns can derail a team, division or company. Whether you’re trying to develop a high-performing team, resolve a potentially explosive employee issue or negotiate with a client or customer, creating mutual understanding is the key to moving forward. In this program, attendees will gain insights into the strengths and preferences of their own communication styles and the styles of those around them. When we know how our audience needs (or prefers) to receive information, we are better able to tailor our spoken and written words to have the greatest impact. Attendees will learn to: Build personal and professional trust within teams; develop and innovate solutions to everyday issues and replace judgment with understanding. Julie Holunga is a leadership coach who trains and develops business leaders with an expertise in effective communications. Her trainings inspire driven professionals to bring their careers to the next level. Holunga started her career working at Harvard University in the Capital Gifts group, assisting high-net worth alumni impact change. At The Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College, she worked with senior leaders at Fortune 500 corporations to develop, implement, and improve corporate citizenship initiatives. Following her work at The Center, Holunga served as the project manager for Alumni Career Services at Harvard Business School focusing on the careers of alumnae. Holunga received her bachelor’s degree in French Literature and Economics at Union College, and her MBA from Boston College. She spent seven years living and attending school in France, India and Hong Kong. Presented in partnership with the Vail Valley Partnership.
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ADVENT UR E I S ALWAYS I N S E AS O N . Take your family to new, unforgettable heights next summer at Vail. From world-class mountain biking and hiking trails to lively villages, discover all Vail has to offer at Vail.com.
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We are pleased to acknowledge the following donors for their support of the Vail Symposium for gifts received between November 11, 2018 and November 11, 2019. All gifts received after November 11, 2019 will be acknowledged in our summer brochure. These acknowledgments are believed to be accurate at the time of publication and we apologize for any inaccuracies or omissions.
ARC L I GHT MEMBE R
$10,000 and above Antlers at Vail* Colorado Mountain College* Donovan Pavilion* Cindy Engles The Frechette Family Foundation The Four Seasons Resort Vail* Grand Hyatt Vail* Kathy and Neal Kimmel Jeanne and Dale Mosier*** Amy and Jay Regan The Sebastian Vail* Town of Vail Vail Daily* Vail Resorts Epic Promise*Â
FLO OD L I G H T MEMBE R
$5,000-$9,999 Alpine Bank Anonymous Dierdra and Ronnie Baker Doris Dewton** Dimond-Bross Charitable Fund Holly and Buck Elliot Epic Mountain Express* Phil Hoversten* Dr. Robert and Janie Lipnick Leila and Walt Mischer Ski Butlers* Brian Stockmar Agnes and Oscar Tang Laura Tumperi
S P OT LIG H T M E M B ER
$2,500-$4,999 Anonymous x2 Mary Ellen Anderson Shannon and Todger Anderson Pam and Richard Bard The Borders Lodge* The Charter at Beaver Creek* Carole and Peter Feistmann Beverly and Phil Freedman Dr. Andrew and Lynn Kaufman Barbara Krichbaum and Kent Erickson Laine and Merv Lapin Gina and Jim Lorenzen Mary Lamb Lucas Rob LeVine Gabrielle and Bill Mimeles Pat Montgomery Eric Noreen and Suzie Hill Sandy and Fred Pack Mary Pat and Keith Rapp Kathi Renman and Jim Picard Lindsay and Art Reimers The Inn at Riverwalk* Wendy Rudolph and Gramme Bush Bobbie and Jim Ruh The Sonnenalp Hotel* Pat and Larry Stewart TV8* Vail Health Vail Public Library Nina and Ken Wise Ron Zastrow
*** the 2019 Winter Season is graciously underwritten by Jeanne and Dale Mosier 28
*Denotes gift made wholly or partially in-kind
** Longtime members of the Patrons Circle
TORCH UNDERWRITING MEMBER $1,500-$2,499 Patty and John Bailey Battle Mountain High School * Amy and Steve Coyer Leslie and Garrett Davies Mary and David Davies Nancy Gage and Allan Finney Betsy and Jesse Fink Susan and Harry Frampton Grace and Stephen Gamble Kitty George Holly and Ben Gill Verna and Tom Howard Jodi and Artie Israel Dr. Maurice and Jan John Mangat Plastic Surgery George Nimmo Priscilla O’Neil Ann and Tom Rader Sue and Mike Rushmore Carel and Marc Slatkoff Vail Daily Suzanne and Jim Yager
TORCH MEMBER $1,000 - $1,499 Lynn and Jerry Anderson Marcy and Michael Balk Sandy and Stephen Bell Susan and Lee Berk Cathy and William Bethke Marka and Jimmy Brenner Althea Callaway Dr. David Cohen Paige and Chris Cumming ECOTV* Andrea Eddy Marla and Stewart Feldman Margie and Tom Gart Jean Graham and Phil Smith Jane and Ray Heller Kent Hopkins
Alberta and Reese Johnson Susan Kaemmerlen and Paul Chapman Donna and Ward Katz Cindy and John Kelleher Laurie and Terry Kleisinger Susan and Steve Marton Brenda and Joseph McHugh Mountain Digital, Inc.* Allison and Frank Navarro Karen Nold and R.J. Croteau Sally and Dick Oloughlin Candy and David Orlinsky Nancy Linn and Douglas Patton Pierce Austin Architects Diane Pitt and Mitch Karlin Rhonda and Bradley Schiff Ambassador Alvin and Susan Schonfeld Elaine and Steve Schwartzreich Beth and Rod Slifer Slifer Smith and Frampton Foundation Lisa and Tim Swift Bonnie Vogt Donna Whittington and Charles Singer Gena Whitten and Robert Wilhelm Wyndham Resort Properties
LANTERN
$500-$999 Sunny and Phil Brodsky Claggett Rey Gallery Dick Cleveland and Kathy Langenwalter Fred Distelhorst Cookie and Jim Flaum Gail Flesher and David Salvin Gary Gilman and Julie Stoxen Marshall Gordon Han Kang Art and Elaine Kelton Peter MacDonald Rebecca and Chris Matlon Marilyn and Kurt Metzl Sheila Mossman Melinda and Eric Phannenstiel *Denotes gift made wholly or partially in-kind
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LANTERN
$500-$999 Mimi and Keith Pockross Anne Prinzhorn Robyn Specthrie Cathy and Howard Stone Kaye Summers Marjorie Vickers Betsy and George Wiegers Sharon and Bob Winders
CANDLE
$250-$499 Anonymous Sandra and Larry Agneberg Adriana Bombard Linda and George Brodin Diane and Jeff Brundage Mary Ellen and Stan Cope Suzanne and Jim Donohue Kathleen and Jack Eck Georgia Fox Doris and Matt Gobec Michael Halpert Barbara Hogoboom Ruth Johnson and Kris Sabel Tania Landauer Helena and Peter Leslie Janet and John McDavid Gloria McMahon Jeanne McQueeney Angela and Hugh Overy Alyn Park and Jay Wisott Anthony Pisacano Lorry Prentis Anne Roberts Robert Rush Connie and Ken Scutari Karen and David Shaw Timothy Trautmann Spencer Wise Margaret and Glen Wood Emily Zeigler 30 *Denotes gift made wholly or partially in-kind
S PA R K
$100-$249 In Honor of Kathy Kimmel Anonymous (x3) Paul Abbott Marlin and Edward Barad Roger and Margo Behler Barbara Behrendt Roseann Coyner Susan and Mark Dean Abby Dixon Carolyn and Robert Donovan Pamela Doughty Charles Dolan and Susan Mackin-Dolan Jane Hall Chris and Dan Havekost Paul Hields Brenda and Alan Himelfarb Pam and John Horan-Kates Judith and James Inglis James Kleckner Julia Knight Barbara and Edward Lukes Marcia and Tom McCalden Haney Malek Leslie and Jack Manes Lynne Marlor Ann and John Martin Liz and Luc Meyer Carolyn and John Moorman Peggy Nicholls Michael Offutt Judith Olson Adelle and Skip Picking Gretchen Schaefer Nancy and John Snyder Deborah and Richard Travers Norm Vogel Kay Wagner Karin and Rand Waltzman Robert Warner Deborah Webster Joan T. Whittenberg Kelsey and Chris Wise
SPOTLIGHT ON
PAT MONT GOM E RY
O
riginally from the New York metropolitan area, Pat Montogmery had a career in finance and IT in the consulting and Investment banking industries. She moved to the Vail Valley five years ago and, not long after, started volunteering with the Vail Symposium. We talked to Pat to learn a bit more about her. VS: What drew you to the Vail Symposium? PM: I was drawn to the Vail Symposium because it was a vehicle to continue to broaden my horizons as I entered retirement. I am very active with the myriad of sports activities in the Valley such as skiing, hiking, golf and tennis, but I knew that after a fascinating global corporate career, I needed to continue intellectual stimulation through a variety of media, forums and interactions. VS: Why did you decide to join the board? PM: I joined the Board because I wanted to contribute to Vail Symposium in a capacity greater than volunteer and Symposium attendee. I was looking for a nonprofit in the Valley with excellent leadership and opportunities for lifelong learning. VS: Which recent programs have you particularly enjoyed? PM: I particularly enjoy the political programs, most recently “An evening with the Ambassadors: A geopolitical conversation with Ambassadors Hussain Haqqani and Christopher Hill.” The program took place at a residence in Beaver Creek and it was like a fireside chat with the Ambassadors. The challenges and insights revealed through the informal exchange among the Ambassadors was extremely inspiring, particularly in light of the impeachment hearings taking place today. The discussion provided me a behind-the-scenes perspective of diplomacy and politics. Another fascinating program was “Alzheimer’s Enigma”, a topic that drew an audience of over 300 people. The world-renowned speakers were extraordinary as they explored with us a holistic view of the challenges associated with preventing and potentially curing Alzheimers. Humor, examples we all could relate to, as well as fact-based information was presented. Another program I particularly enjoyed the past few months was “Global Regression: Democracy in Crisis.” The speakers provided thought-provoking statistics and analysis of the current political situation in many countries that recently became democracies. As with all the Vail Symposium programs, the time allotted for Q&A was invaluable to hear audience concerns and speaker responses. VS: What do you enjoy doing when you're not working as a board member for Vail Symposium? PM: I love to ski, hike, play golf and tennis, read, participate in book and investment clubs and socialize with the amazing people I met in the Valley. A new grand baby will also keep me happily traveling and enjoying those precious moments.
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GET I N VOLVE D THERE ARE MANY WAY S T O HELP THE SYMPOSIUM THRIVE:
Volunteer at a program or in the office Tell a friend about the Symposium Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Submit a program idea Become a member Make a donation
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SUMMER 2019 VOLUNTEERS Jan and Paul Abbott
Darlynne Littman
George Nimmo
Arthur Bigley III
Rebecca Matlon
Mary Pownall
Melinda Gladitsch
Molly McCabe
Debbie Robins
Jane Hall
Suzanne McKenna
Loiss Schwager
Jo Kelley
Lynda Meshkov
Karen Spitz
Laurie Kleisinger
Jeanne Mosier
Anne Marie Tellefsen
Sara LaFrate
Carole Wolff-Sowers
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A VAIL SYMPOSIUM VOLUNTEER? Contact Arzu Basyildiz at arzu@vailsymposium.org.
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Diverse. Thought-Provoking. Affordable. Free, Seven Days a Week VAILDAILY.COM
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T H AN K YOU TO OUR S P ON S ORS A simple ‘thank you’ does not even begin to describe the overwhelming gratitude we have for our sponsors. We invite you to continue to support our valuable Vail Symposium sponsors and the mission to better our community.
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MOUNTAIN DIGITAL
Brochure design by Carly Arnold Creative. Brochure printing and mailing by Old Gypsum Printer. The Vail Symposium thanks you for your help and hard work! 34
POLICIES, TICKET & P ROGRAM INFOR MAT ION RESERVE IN ADVANCE AND SAVE Did you know you can receive $10 off the ticket price of most of the programs just by purchasing your tickets in advance? Just go to www.vailsymposium.org or give us a call at 970-476-0954 before midnight on the day before the program to receive $10 off the door price. Tickets must be paid for at the time of purchase to receive the discount. Students, teachers, Vail Resorts employees, Eagle County Government employees and members of the Vail Valley Young Professionals Association (VVYPA) may be eligible for an additional discount.
TICKET SALES Please note all ticket and/or pass sales are final and non-refundable. Tickets and passes must be paid for at the time of purchase and are transferable. Complimentary tickets offered to donors per the benefits are also transferable.
TICKET DONATIONS If you are unable to attend a program, please call our office at 970-476-0954 to donate your tickets to area students. You will receive a tax acknowledgment letter for each ticket you return and the sincere gratitude of the Vail Symposium and local students.
PROGRAM OFFERINGS We are not a political organization. We strive to present speakers who can address thoughts and ideas from all viewpoints. Our speaker’s views do not necessarily represent the views of the Board and the Vail Symposium.
THIRD PARTY MATERIALS No third party material will be distributed or handed out at Vail Symposium programs, events or meetings without the prior consent of the Executive Director, Board Chair or Program Committee Chair. All materials must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance of a program, event or meeting for consideration. No exceptions. No guarantees.
VENUES & DIRECTIONS All venues and directions are listed online at http://vailsymposium.org/venues-and-directions/.
LATEST UPDATES All information listed as ‘To Be Announced’ or ‘TBA’ will be announced first on www.vailsymposium.org and Vail Symposium social media sites. All current program information can be found on www.vailsymposium.org, Facebook and Instagram. Please like us on Facebook and Instagram @VailSymposium to stay up-to-date on the latest Symposium news, announcements and events.
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PERMIT #30
PAID
GYPSUM, CO
12.4.19
US POSTAGE
NONPROFIT ORG
PROGRAMS AT-A-GLAN CE It’s Messier than It Looks: Primary Politics in America
12.12.19 Charting Destiny: The Power of Maps to Influence Historical Change in America
12.29.19 Return to the Reich: A Hero’s Journey of Vengeance and Triumph
1.9.20
1.16.20 Uncommon Endurance: Two Elite Athletes in Two Tough Sports
1.23.19 Beating Burnout: Using Inspiration and Empowerment to Foster Successful Organizations
1.27.20 “Into the Canyon”: Film screening followed by Q&A with filmmaker
VA I L , C O 8 1 6 5 8 970.476.0954
1.13.20 Iran in Turmoil? Prospects for Change
VA IL S Y M P O SI U M P O BO X 3 03 8
Dying of Whiteness: How Racial Resentment is Decimating America’s Heartland
3.12.20 Bad Blood: Ukraine, Russia and the United States
1.30.20
3.16.20
Recalibrating the Scales of Justice
Imagining Freedom: Timothy Standring Curates Norman Rockwell
2.6.20 The Sun is a Compass: A Human-Powered Adventure Across Alaska
2.12.20 Open to the Infinite: Exploring Human Consciousness
2.20.20 While You Are Sleeping: Your Brain’s Nocturnal Pursuits
3.19.20 Scott Pelley of 60 Minutes: Values Matter and the Truth is Worth Telling
3.26.20 Risk and Reality: Nuclear Weapons in the Age of Instability
4.2.20 The Heat is On: The Fiery Future of the West
2.24.20
4.6.20
Wind, Solar, Nuclear and Beyond: Powering the Future
Out of this World: Everything You Think You Know About UFOs is Wrong
3.5.20
4.9.20
Tax Cuts and Ballooning Deficits: When Will It Matter?
The Costs of Miscommunication and Strategies for Effective Communication
VAIL S YMPO SIUM P.O. Box 3038 | Vail, CO 81658 • 970.476.0954 info@vailsymposium.org • www.vailsymposium.org Facebook, Twitter and Instagram | @VailSymposium
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