The Strategerist

Governor Spencer Cox currently serves as the 18th governor of Utah and as chair of the National Governor’s Association, where he launched the Disagree Better initiative. Governor Cox joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the George W. Bush Institute’s Chris Walsh for a conversation about listening, tough discussions, and, yes, disagreeing – and why disagreeing is actually a good thing when done thoughtf...

Three George W. Bush Institute experts gathered for a thought-provoking discussion on the state of democracy – both here at home and abroad. Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow and Executive Vice President for Strategy and Programs at Freedom House Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, the Bradford M. Freeman Managing Director of Global Policy Igor Khrestin, and Director of Global Policy Chris Walsh joined host Andrew...

Ambassador Michael Froman served as United States trade representative under President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017. Today, he’s the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, a nonpartisan organization and think tank that aims to help leaders and citizens better understand the world and the foreign policy decisions facing the U.S. and other countries. Ambassador Froman joined host Andrew Ka...

General David Petraeus rose the ranks to four-star general in the U.S. Army and led the CIA during his four-decade career in public service. He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the George W. Bush Institute’s Jason Galui to discuss his new book, “Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine.” He talked about his time serving our country and protecting our nation’s secrets as well as the l...

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 incre...

David Rubenstein is a philanthropist, lawyer, businessman, and avid historian. Items from his rare collection of U.S. artifacts — including the Emancipation Proclamation, the Federalist Papers, and original works from abolitionists — are on display in the George W. Bush Presidential Museum’s special exhibit, Freedom Matters . He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and Bush Museum Director Teresa Lenling t...

Society has long had a fascination with spies. Michael G. Vickers is as close to this world as anyone, having served as a Green Beret, an operator in the CIA, and a national security policy maker during some of the most pivotal moments in recent U.S. history.  He joined host Andrew Kaufmann for a live recording in the George W. Bush Presidential Museum Store to discuss his book, By All Means Avail...

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...

The George W. Bush Presidential Center recently welcomed a very special guest: the first first lady of the United States, Martha Washington. Mrs. Washington shaped our country and the role of the first lady in the 18th century. The Nation Builders at Colonial Williamsburg, like Katharine Pittman – who was actually here portraying Mrs. Washington – work to ensure her impact and those of other key h...

Garry Kasparov is a democracy activist and Russian chess grandmaster and former World Chess Champion. He is the founder and chair of the Renew Democracy Initiative, a nonprofit with the goal of uniting Americans across the political spectrum in defense of democratic ideals. He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute David J. Kramer for a live recording to...

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, an...

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 solu...

Hector Rodriguez, known online as H3CZ, is the founder and CEO of OpTic Gaming, an organization that maintains some of the most competitive esports teams in the world. Through video games, Hector became part of an online community and built something unique — and is now living the American Dream. Hector joined host Andrew Kaufmann for a live conversation in the Bush Museum’s Freedom Hall, where he...

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...

Dan Bartlett is the executive vice president of corporate affairs at Walmart and longtime key advisor to President George W. Bush.   He joined former White House colleague and current Bush Center senior advisor Kevin Sullivan, and host Andrew Kaufmann, to share advice for up-and-coming leaders and their lessons from D.C. Hear from Dan about his career progression from Austin to the White House to...

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 missio...

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...

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 Cullu...

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 denucleari...

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 r...

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...

Secretary Elaine Chao immigrated to the U.S. when she was just eight years old without knowing any English -- and with hard work and determination, went on to lead a distinguished career in public service.  As Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush, she was the first woman of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage to ever serve in a presidential cabinet. She also served as Secreta...

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 Tex...

In 1962, Mary Badham made her big-screen debut in the classic film To Kill a Mockingbird as the beloved Scout Finch, opposite Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch.  Today, she has returned to Harper Lee's iconic story in the touring Broadway production by playing Mrs. Dubose -- the racist neighbor who represents the antithesis of Scout’s innocence and acceptance. And she believes that To Kill a Mockingbi...

Although Masih Alinejad was exiled from Iran in 2009, she continues to fight for the people of her country — and was named one of Time Magazine’s 2023 Women of the Year.  And even though she has to use her voice from afar, she has amassed 9 million social media followers that hear her message of equality and freedom for the women of Iran — and the world. Related Masih Alinejad on Instagram Women's...