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Past Guests
Sorted by Most Recent
Geoff White
Investigative Journalist, Author, Podcast Creator
Hosted with students from UWC Robert Bosch College, UWC Adriatic, and UWC Atlantic College
Author, speaker, investigative journalist and podcast creator Geoff White has covered technology and organised crime for the BBC, Channel 4 News, The Sunday Times and many more. In a career spanning 20 years he has covered election hacking, the dark web, the personal data trade and the emergence of cybercrime as one of the primal threats to modern society.
Photo Credits: Geoff White
Hosted with students from UWC Robert Bosch College, UWC Adriatic, and UWC Atlantic College
Author, speaker, investigative journalist and podcast creator Geoff White has covered technology and organised crime for the BBC, Channel 4 News, The Sunday Times and many more. In a career spanning 20 years he has covered election hacking, the dark web, the personal data trade and the emergence of cybercrime as one of the primal threats to modern society.
Photo Credits: Geoff White
Amb. Santiago Cabanas
Spanish Ambassador to the United States
Hosted virtually with students from UWC Robert Bosch College and UWC Atlantic College.
The Ambassador was most recently Ambassador to Algeria, where he started his mission in 2017. Prior, he held top-ranking positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, including Director of the Minister’s Cabinet and Director General for Foreign Policy. Ambassador Cabanas has also been Director General for Consular Affairs and Director General for Cultural and Scientific Relations.
In addition to his Ambassadorship to Algeria, he has been the Ambassador of Spain to the Czech Republic and to Jordan. He previously served as a political counselor at the Embassy in Washington, D.C. and as Consul General in Miami, Florida.
Hosted virtually with students from UWC Robert Bosch College and UWC Atlantic College.
The Ambassador was most recently Ambassador to Algeria, where he started his mission in 2017. Prior, he held top-ranking positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, including Director of the Minister’s Cabinet and Director General for Foreign Policy. Ambassador Cabanas has also been Director General for Consular Affairs and Director General for Cultural and Scientific Relations.
In addition to his Ambassadorship to Algeria, he has been the Ambassador of Spain to the Czech Republic and to Jordan. He previously served as a political counselor at the Embassy in Washington, D.C. and as Consul General in Miami, Florida.
Anthony Romero
Executive Director of American Civil Liberties Union
Julian Zelizer
CNN Political Analyst, Princeton History Professor
Emma Tucker
Editor of The Sunday Times
Anatole Jenkins
Former National Organizing Director, Kamala Harris for President
Jodi Kantor
Pullitzer-Prize-Winning NYT Journalist
Xochitl Torres Small
Former US Representative of New Mexico
Aly Kassam-Remtulla
Associate Provost for International Affairs and Operations
Dennis Herrera
City Attorney of San Francisco
Krista Tippett
Peabody Award-winning broadcaster
Held in Oxford with Oxford Hub students
Krista Tippett hosts the national public radio program "On Being," which takes up the great, animating questions of human life: What does it mean to be human? And how do we want to live?
She studied history at Brown University and went to Bonn, West Germany in 1983 on a Fulbright Scholarship to study politics in Cold War Europe. In her 20s, she ended up in divided Berlin for most of the 1980s, first as the New York Times stringer and a freelance correspondent for Newsweek, the International Herald Tribune, the BBC and Die Zeit. She later became a special assistant to the U.S. Ambassador to West Germany
Held in Oxford with Oxford Hub students
Krista Tippett hosts the national public radio program "On Being," which takes up the great, animating questions of human life: What does it mean to be human? And how do we want to live?
She studied history at Brown University and went to Bonn, West Germany in 1983 on a Fulbright Scholarship to study politics in Cold War Europe. In her 20s, she ended up in divided Berlin for most of the 1980s, first as the New York Times stringer and a freelance correspondent for Newsweek, the International Herald Tribune, the BBC and Die Zeit. She later became a special assistant to the U.S. Ambassador to West Germany
Deval Patrick
Former Governor of Massachussets
Held in Boston with A Better Chance students
Governor Patrick served as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for eight years. Before entering public office, Governor Patrick was Executive Vice President and General Counsel of The Coca-Cola Company. He also worked as Vice President and General Counsel of Texaco, Inc. and served on the company’s Executive Council. Governor Patrick was previously a Partner at Day, Berry & Howard and a Partner at Hill & Barlow. In 1994, he was appointed by President Clinton as Assistant Attorney General overseeing the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Held in Boston with A Better Chance students
Governor Patrick served as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for eight years. Before entering public office, Governor Patrick was Executive Vice President and General Counsel of The Coca-Cola Company. He also worked as Vice President and General Counsel of Texaco, Inc. and served on the company’s Executive Council. Governor Patrick was previously a Partner at Day, Berry & Howard and a Partner at Hill & Barlow. In 1994, he was appointed by President Clinton as Assistant Attorney General overseeing the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Arne Duncan
Former US Secretary of Education in the Obama Administration
Held in Chicago with OneGoal students
Duncan was part of the founding team of the Ariel Community Academy in Chicago before serving as CEO of the Chicago public school system from 2001 to 2008. Duncan served as the education secretary for most of President Barack Obama’s two terms. As one of the longest-serving education secretaries, he oversaw a number of controversial initiatives, including the Race to the Top grant program and the encouragement of common academic standards among the states, associated with the Common Core State Standards. Duncan now serves as a managing partner at the Emerson Collective’s office in Chicago and as a nonresident fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Held in Chicago with OneGoal students
Duncan was part of the founding team of the Ariel Community Academy in Chicago before serving as CEO of the Chicago public school system from 2001 to 2008. Duncan served as the education secretary for most of President Barack Obama’s two terms. As one of the longest-serving education secretaries, he oversaw a number of controversial initiatives, including the Race to the Top grant program and the encouragement of common academic standards among the states, associated with the Common Core State Standards. Duncan now serves as a managing partner at the Emerson Collective’s office in Chicago and as a nonresident fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Michael Steele
Former Chairman, RNC
Held at the Brown University Watson Institute with Met School students
When he was elected Lt. Governor of Maryland in 2003, Michael Steele made history as the first African American elected to statewide office; and again with his subsequent chairmanship of the Republican National Committee from 2009-2011.
As chairman of the RNC, Michael Steele was charged with revitalizing the Republican Party. A self-described "Lincoln Republican," under Steele’s leadership the RNC broke fundraising records (over $198 million raised during the 2010 Congressional cycle) and Republicans won 63 House seats, the biggest pickup since 1938
Held at the Brown University Watson Institute with Met School students
When he was elected Lt. Governor of Maryland in 2003, Michael Steele made history as the first African American elected to statewide office; and again with his subsequent chairmanship of the Republican National Committee from 2009-2011.
As chairman of the RNC, Michael Steele was charged with revitalizing the Republican Party. A self-described "Lincoln Republican," under Steele’s leadership the RNC broke fundraising records (over $198 million raised during the 2010 Congressional cycle) and Republicans won 63 House seats, the biggest pickup since 1938
Tom Perez
Head of the Democratic National Committee
Held at the Brown University Watson Institute with Met School students
Thomas Edward Perez is the current chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). He was elected to the position by DNC members on February 25, 2017, succeeding interim Chairwoman Donna Brazile.
Perez was the secretary of labor under the Obama administration. He was nominated by President Barack Obama on March 18, 2013, and he was confirmed by the Senate on July 18, 2013, by a vote of 54-46, along party lines. It was the first time in history that a Cabinet member was confirmed by a strict party-line vote.
Before assuming the office as secretary, Perez served as head of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Held at the Brown University Watson Institute with Met School students
Thomas Edward Perez is the current chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). He was elected to the position by DNC members on February 25, 2017, succeeding interim Chairwoman Donna Brazile.
Perez was the secretary of labor under the Obama administration. He was nominated by President Barack Obama on March 18, 2013, and he was confirmed by the Senate on July 18, 2013, by a vote of 54-46, along party lines. It was the first time in history that a Cabinet member was confirmed by a strict party-line vote.
Before assuming the office as secretary, Perez served as head of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Brittany Packnett
Activist, Former ED of Teach for America, Fellow at Harvard's Institute of Politics
Held in Boston with OneGoal students, with support by Harvard University Institute of Politics
Cited by President Barack Obama as a leader whose "voice is going to be making a difference for years to come," Brittany is an unapologetic educator, organizer, and writer.
A former teacher, policy expert, and non-profit executive director, Brittany has committed her life and career to justice. She currently plays many roles, all focused on freedom.
Brittany was a Fall 2018 Fellow at Harvard's Institute of Politics. She was a Ferguson protestor and continues in activism as, among other things, co-founder of Campaign Zero, a policy platform to end police violence.
Held in Boston with OneGoal students, with support by Harvard University Institute of Politics
Cited by President Barack Obama as a leader whose "voice is going to be making a difference for years to come," Brittany is an unapologetic educator, organizer, and writer.
A former teacher, policy expert, and non-profit executive director, Brittany has committed her life and career to justice. She currently plays many roles, all focused on freedom.
Brittany was a Fall 2018 Fellow at Harvard's Institute of Politics. She was a Ferguson protestor and continues in activism as, among other things, co-founder of Campaign Zero, a policy platform to end police violence.
Leoluca Orlando
Held in Bristol with Into University students, with support by the Global Parliament of Mayors
Mayor Orlando is the 2017 recipient of the Dr. Benjamin Barber Global Cities Award. Mayor Orlando was rewarded for his tireless endeavour to defend migrant rights and create a safer city by fighting organized crime.
He advocates on behalf of the most vulnerable citizens, including economic migrants, and welcomes incoming migrants every time a ship arrives at the port of Palermo personally. He works with the EU to promote freedom of movement for migrants, offering his city as a blueprint.
By his outspoken policy, Mayor Orlando contributes substantially to the further development of global urban governance and citizens rights and is an inspiration to mayors all over the world.
Mayor Orlando is the 2017 recipient of the Dr. Benjamin Barber Global Cities Award. Mayor Orlando was rewarded for his tireless endeavour to defend migrant rights and create a safer city by fighting organized crime.
He advocates on behalf of the most vulnerable citizens, including economic migrants, and welcomes incoming migrants every time a ship arrives at the port of Palermo personally. He works with the EU to promote freedom of movement for migrants, offering his city as a blueprint.
By his outspoken policy, Mayor Orlando contributes substantially to the further development of global urban governance and citizens rights and is an inspiration to mayors all over the world.
Bima Arya
Mayor of Bogor
Held in Bristol with Into University students, with support by the Global Parliament of Mayors
Dr Bima Arya Sugiarto was elected as Mayor of Bogor in late 2013 and will face re-election in 2019. He has been engaged actively with the Urban Water Cluster as a Member of its Advisory Board.
Previously he was a lecturer at Paramadina University in Jakarta, while building a political support base for his party, the National Mandate Party (Partai Amanat Nasional, PAN) in Bogor.
An activist and academic by background, he completed his masters at Monash University in 1998, and received his PhD in Political Science at the Australian National University in 2006.
Held in Bristol with Into University students, with support by the Global Parliament of Mayors
Dr Bima Arya Sugiarto was elected as Mayor of Bogor in late 2013 and will face re-election in 2019. He has been engaged actively with the Urban Water Cluster as a Member of its Advisory Board.
Previously he was a lecturer at Paramadina University in Jakarta, while building a political support base for his party, the National Mandate Party (Partai Amanat Nasional, PAN) in Bogor.
An activist and academic by background, he completed his masters at Monash University in 1998, and received his PhD in Political Science at the Australian National University in 2006.
Elizabeth Nyamayaro
Executive Director of HeForShe
Held in New York City with OneGoal students
Political scientist Elizabeth Nyamayaro is the senior advisor to the Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. She has worked at the forefront of Africa’s development agenda for more than a decade in both the public and private sector, and has held positions with UNAIDS, the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
Nyamayaro is founder of Africa IQ, an innovative social impact organisation with a mission to promote Africa’s sustainable economic growth and development. She is also the driving force behind the @HeForShe campaign, which mobilized more than 100,000 men in every country around the globe. The campaign created 1.2 billion Twitter impressions in just one week, rallying men as advocates and change agents in ending the persisting inequalities faced by women and girls globally.
Held in New York City with OneGoal students
Political scientist Elizabeth Nyamayaro is the senior advisor to the Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. She has worked at the forefront of Africa’s development agenda for more than a decade in both the public and private sector, and has held positions with UNAIDS, the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
Nyamayaro is founder of Africa IQ, an innovative social impact organisation with a mission to promote Africa’s sustainable economic growth and development. She is also the driving force behind the @HeForShe campaign, which mobilized more than 100,000 men in every country around the globe. The campaign created 1.2 billion Twitter impressions in just one week, rallying men as advocates and change agents in ending the persisting inequalities faced by women and girls globally.
Gwynne Shotwell
President of SpaceX
Held at SpaceX factory with CollegeTrack students
As President and COO of SpaceX, Gwynne Shotwell is responsible for day-to-day operations and for managing all customer and strategic relations. She joined SpaceX in 2002 as Vice President of Business Development and built the Falcon vehicle family manifest to more than 70 launches, representing more than $10 billion in business. Shotwell has been awarded the World Technology Award for Individual Achievement in Space, has been inducted into the Women In Technology International Hall of Fame and was elected to the honorable grade of Fellow with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. SpaceX supports science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs locally as well as national engineering programs and competitions. Shotwell has helped raise over $1.4 million for STEM education programs reaching thousands of students nationwide
Held at SpaceX factory with CollegeTrack students
As President and COO of SpaceX, Gwynne Shotwell is responsible for day-to-day operations and for managing all customer and strategic relations. She joined SpaceX in 2002 as Vice President of Business Development and built the Falcon vehicle family manifest to more than 70 launches, representing more than $10 billion in business. Shotwell has been awarded the World Technology Award for Individual Achievement in Space, has been inducted into the Women In Technology International Hall of Fame and was elected to the honorable grade of Fellow with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. SpaceX supports science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs locally as well as national engineering programs and competitions. Shotwell has helped raise over $1.4 million for STEM education programs reaching thousands of students nationwide
Cheryl Dorsey
President of Echoing Green
Held in New York City with OneGoal students
Cheryl Dorsey is the president of Echoing Green, a global organization unleashing next generation talent to solve the world’s biggest problems. Cheryl has served in two presidential administrations and serves on several boards including the SEED Foundation, The Bridgespan Group and, previously, the Harvard Board of Overseers. She has received numerous awards, including the Pfizer Roerig History of Medicine Award, the Robert Kennedy Distinguished Public Service Award, and the Manual C. Carballo Memorial Prize. Cheryl was been named one of "America's Best Leaders" by US News & World Report and the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School and one of The Nonprofit Times' "Power and Influence Top 50." She has a medical degree from Harvard Medical School and her Master's in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School.
Held in New York City with OneGoal students
Cheryl Dorsey is the president of Echoing Green, a global organization unleashing next generation talent to solve the world’s biggest problems. Cheryl has served in two presidential administrations and serves on several boards including the SEED Foundation, The Bridgespan Group and, previously, the Harvard Board of Overseers. She has received numerous awards, including the Pfizer Roerig History of Medicine Award, the Robert Kennedy Distinguished Public Service Award, and the Manual C. Carballo Memorial Prize. Cheryl was been named one of "America's Best Leaders" by US News & World Report and the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School and one of The Nonprofit Times' "Power and Influence Top 50." She has a medical degree from Harvard Medical School and her Master's in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School.
Ivo Daalder
Former US Ambassador to NATO,
President of Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Held in Chicago with OneGoal students
Ivo H. Daalder is president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He served as the US ambassador to NATO from 2009-2013.
Prior to his appointment as ambassador to NATO by President Obama, Daalder was a senior fellow in foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution, specializing in American foreign policy, European security and transatlantic relations, and national security affairs. Before joining Brookings in 1998, he was an associate professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy and director of research at its Center for International and Security Studies. He also served as director for European affairs on President Bill Clinton’s National Security Council staff from 1995-97.
President of Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Held in Chicago with OneGoal students
Ivo H. Daalder is president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He served as the US ambassador to NATO from 2009-2013.
Prior to his appointment as ambassador to NATO by President Obama, Daalder was a senior fellow in foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution, specializing in American foreign policy, European security and transatlantic relations, and national security affairs. Before joining Brookings in 1998, he was an associate professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy and director of research at its Center for International and Security Studies. He also served as director for European affairs on President Bill Clinton’s National Security Council staff from 1995-97.
Obi Felten
Director, Google X Moonshots
Held at Oxford with Oxford Hub students
Obi leads early stage projects at X, Alphabet’s moonshot factory. X is a team of inventors and entrepreneurs working on projects like self-driving cars (Waymo), drone delivery (Wing) and internet from balloons (Loon). Obi is responsible for getting early stage X projects from the lab into the real world, or ensuring they fail fast. Previously she was Director of Consumer Marketing for Google in Europe, Middle East and Africa, which sounds like the easiest job in the world until you consider that Google has 100+ products in a region of 120+ countries as diverse as Germany, Russia, Egypt and Kenya. Before Google, Obi launched the ecommerce business of a major UK retailer, worked as a strategy consultant, and led eToys.com's (unsuccessful) expansion to Germany during the first dotcom era.
Held at Oxford with Oxford Hub students
Obi leads early stage projects at X, Alphabet’s moonshot factory. X is a team of inventors and entrepreneurs working on projects like self-driving cars (Waymo), drone delivery (Wing) and internet from balloons (Loon). Obi is responsible for getting early stage X projects from the lab into the real world, or ensuring they fail fast. Previously she was Director of Consumer Marketing for Google in Europe, Middle East and Africa, which sounds like the easiest job in the world until you consider that Google has 100+ products in a region of 120+ countries as diverse as Germany, Russia, Egypt and Kenya. Before Google, Obi launched the ecommerce business of a major UK retailer, worked as a strategy consultant, and led eToys.com's (unsuccessful) expansion to Germany during the first dotcom era.
Nick Pickles
Head of Public Policy and Government at Twitter
Held at Oxford with Oxford Hub students
Nick Pickles is the current Head of Public Policy, Government and philanthropy for the UK and Israel at Twitter. He will be moving to the company's headquarters in the spring of 2018 to take up the position of Senior Public Policy Strategist.He has led Twitter's engagement with the GIFCT and represented the company at the 2017 G7 Interior Ministers meeting. Previously, he was the director of civil liberties and privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch. A law graduate from the University of Durham, he also served as President of Durham Students' Union. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an internationally published music photographer and a trustee of the international development charity BBC Media Action.
Held at Oxford with Oxford Hub students
Nick Pickles is the current Head of Public Policy, Government and philanthropy for the UK and Israel at Twitter. He will be moving to the company's headquarters in the spring of 2018 to take up the position of Senior Public Policy Strategist.He has led Twitter's engagement with the GIFCT and represented the company at the 2017 G7 Interior Ministers meeting. Previously, he was the director of civil liberties and privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch. A law graduate from the University of Durham, he also served as President of Durham Students' Union. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an internationally published music photographer and a trustee of the international development charity BBC Media Action.
Matthew Ryder
Deputy Mayor of London for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement
Held in London with Sponsors for Equal Opportunity Students
As Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement, Matthew ensures that social mobility is central to the Mayor’s programmes. He leads the promotion of active citizenship across London and makes sure City Hall uses the best methods for measuring levels of social integration.
Alongside his legal work, Matthew has a longstanding professional and personal interest in social justice, social mobility and community engagement.
Matthew became a barrister in 1992, specializing in complex crime, criminal related civil work, media, and data law. He has argued cases before the UK Supreme Court, European Court of Human Rights and International Criminal Court. In 2010 he was appointed Queen’s Counsel.
Held in London with Sponsors for Equal Opportunity Students
As Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement, Matthew ensures that social mobility is central to the Mayor’s programmes. He leads the promotion of active citizenship across London and makes sure City Hall uses the best methods for measuring levels of social integration.
Alongside his legal work, Matthew has a longstanding professional and personal interest in social justice, social mobility and community engagement.
Matthew became a barrister in 1992, specializing in complex crime, criminal related civil work, media, and data law. He has argued cases before the UK Supreme Court, European Court of Human Rights and International Criminal Court. In 2010 he was appointed Queen’s Counsel.
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