Empowering and Advancing Women to Leadership Roles

Developing and empowering women as leaders is a matter of inclusion and equality. It’s also about fostering innovative environments that achieve results benefitting all of society. Research shows that women leaders are more likely to demonstrate empathy, transparency, and collaboration—all traits that closely align with today’s ideas of transformative leadership. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities of advancing women to leadership roles in America today and how to encourage women at home and in the world toleadin the 21st century.

Laura Bush (Remarks)
Former First Lady of the United States

Barbara Barrett
Former U.S. Ambassador to Finland

Dina Powell
Former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy; Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School

Maria Bartiromo (Moderator)
Anchor and Global Markets Editor, Fox Business Network

Leadership at the George W. Bush Institute

This overview of the Forum on Leadership previews the upcoming days while also providing in-depth look at the results stemming from the work Bush Institute.

Kenneth A. Hersh
President and CEO, George W. Bush Presidential Center

Holly Kuzmich
Executive Director, George W. Bush Institute

Daniel Anello (Personal Testimony)
CEO, New Schools for Chicago; Presidential Leadership Scholars ’15

Preparing All Kids for an Unpredictable Future — The Promise of Lifelong Learning

The world is changing at a speed that accelerates every day. Consequently, education means something different and matters more than it did just a few years ago. Our collective challenge is to equip today’s students to be lifelong learners in a world that will continue to become ever more dynamic. In a conversation with educator and philanthropist, Dr. Priscilla Chan, we will discuss how ensuring a promising futurefor everyone requires a broader definition of student success as well as leveraging science, research, and educator expertise to ensure every student is ready for and contributing to the future –whatever that might look like.

Dr. Priscilla Chan
Co-Founder, The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Anne Wicks (Remarks and Moderator)
Director of the Education Reform Initiative, George W. Bush Institute

Nationalism and the Future of Global Markets

This panel will consider the outlook for global economic integration and the implications for putting the United States on a stronger growth curve. Is the populist notion of calling into question the multilateral global trading system the right response to the domestic structural changes of the past three decades? What can be done to restore Americans’ confidence that we can compete and thrive in the global economy? What does a long-term growth strategy look like for the United States in this complex context?

Ben Bernanke
Former Chair of the Federal Reserve; Fellow, The Brookings Institution

Henry M. Paulson, Jr.
Chairman, Paulson Institute

Edward Lazear
Professor of Economics, Stanford University

Terry Duffy (Moderator)
Chairman and CEO, CME Group

Matthew Rooney (Remarks)
Director, Economic Growth Initiative, George W. Bush Institute

Studio 43: Transformations and Foundations: New Perspectives for Changing Times
Going Native: Why Conservation Matters in Our Cities and in Our Own Backyards

This panel will examine the growing conservation movement and the case for native landscapes, whether through a grand scale prairie restoration in the heart of Dallas or enhancing a private garden with native plants. The environmental benefits are clear, but the measurable economic benefits may surprise you.

Mrs. Laura Bush
Former First Lady of the United States

James T. Farmer
Author and Interior Designer, James Farmer, Inc.

Michael Van Valkenburgh
President and CEO, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.

Klaus Desmet, Ph.D. (Moderator)
Altshuler Centennial Interdisciplinary Professor, Department of Economics, SMU

Brian Cossiboom (Remarks)
Vice President, Operations, George W. Bush Presidential Center

Studio 43: Transformations and Foundations: New Perspectives for Changing Times
Is a Universal Basic Income the Answer to Income Inequality?

This discussion will explore one of the hottest topics in economics, universal basic income. These minimal, guaranteed payments have redrawn policy battle lines, with proponents and opponents on both the right and the left. Will universal basic income help ease inequality, or will it undermine the intrinsic value of work?

Robert Doar
Morgridge Fellow in Poverty Studies, American Enterprise Institute

Taylor Jo Isenberg
Managing Director, The Economic Security Project

Laura Collins (Moderator)
Deputy Director, Economic Growth Initiative, George W. Bush Institute

The Opportunities and Obligations of Freedom

This discussion will explore America’s role in a changing world order. How strong is America’s leadership against threats to democracy? Are Americans still willing to bear the burdens of global leadership? How important is America’s voice to advance freedom at home and around the world, and is it still in our interest to lead?

Condoleezza Rice
66th United States Secretary of State

Arthur C. Brooks (Moderator)
President, American Enterprise Institute

Holly Kuzmich (Remarks)
Executive Director, George W. Bush Institute

Aung Kyaw Moe (Personal Testimony)
Executive Director, Center for Social Integrity; Liberty and Leadership Forum ’17

A Conversation with Dick Cheney and John Boehner

With over 60 years of public service between them, these two legendary American Statesmen will share their views on timely issues of national and international importance. This off-the-record session will explore the state of politics in Washington, the challenges of leadership, and their predictions for what lies ahead.

John Boehner
53rd Speaker of the House of Representatives

Dick Cheney
46th Vice President of the United States

Holly Kuzmich (Moderator)
Executive Director, George W. Bush Institute

Next Generation Game Changers

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Millennials will surpass Baby Boomers as the nation’s largest living adult generation in 2019. Generation X will pass the Boomers in population by 2028. In this discussion with game changers who grew up in a connected world through the internet, social media, and technological and scientific advancement, we’ll examine how their entrepreneurial perspective has led to new and inspired approaches to the challenges and opportunities we face.

Steven R. Bell
Western Region President, Northern Trust

Holly Gordon (Personal Testimony)
Chief Impact Officer, Participant Media, Presidential Leadership Scholars ’15

James “Kassaga” Arinaitwe
CEO and Co-Founder, Teach for Uganda

Diana Mao
President and Co-Founder, Nomi Network; Presidential Leadership Scholars ’15

Jonathan Swanson
Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Thumbtack

Daniela Terminel
CEO, Global Health Corps

Barbara Bush (Moderator)
Co-Founder and Board Chair, Global Health Corps

Governing in the 21st Century

This panel will consider the practical realities of governing in today’s social and political climate. Winning an election is one thing, but governing is quite another. On any given day, our nation’s governors are facing turmoil in health care markets, tackling the opioid crisis, and seeking to balance their state budgets. How do governors navigate this complicated landscape with a polarized electorate?

Governor John W. Hickenlooper
State of Colorado

Governor Susana Martinez
State of New Mexico

Holly Kuzmich (Moderator)
Executive Director, George W. Bush Institute

Luncheon and Awarding of the Military Service Citation

The George W. Bush Institute Military Service Citation is presented to a post-9/11 veteran who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and has continued to practice servant leadership since transitioning to civilian life.

Blayne Smith has dedicated himself to improving veterans’ transitions and helping them find a renewed sense of purpose. He has inspired and empowered countless fellow warriors to continue to lead in their communities following their military careers. In so doing, he has built a bridge between the civilian-military divide and ultimately strengthened our Nation. Above all, his efforts carry on the legacy of his fallen brothers-in-arms and honor the memory of all who have given their lives for freedom’s cause.

Blayne represents the best of post-9/11 American veterans. He continues to do his duty, with honor, for his country.

Matthew Amidon (Remarks)
Director, Military Service Initiative, George W. Bush Institute

Blayne Smith (Award Recipient)
President, GORUCK

Don Evans (Remarks)
Chairman, Board of Directors, George W. Bush Presidential Center

Doug Parker (Remarks)
Chairman and CEO, American Airlines Group

Veterans and Military Families: Continued Leadership for Our Businesses, Communities, and Nation

Following their military service, veterans and military families are successful entrepreneurs and business leaders. They thrive in higher education, and they are civic assets and agents of change in our communities. A successful transition from military service to civilian life ensures they bring crucial leadership skills to our communities so that they can continue to contribute to the security, economy, and sustained health of our democracy as civilians.

Blayne Smith
President, GORUCK

General Peter Pace, USMC (Retired)
16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Meg Kabat
National Director, Caregiver Support Program, Department of Veteran Affairs

M. Lyla Kohistany
President and Co-Founder, PROMOTE; Director of Government Programs, Cultural Intelligence Center

Miguel Howe (Moderator)
April and Jay Graham Fellow of the Military Service Initiative, George W. Bush Institute

Special Announcement

George W. Bush (Remarks)
43rd President of the United States

Dr. Gerald Turner (Remarks)
President, SMU

Kenneth A. Hersh (Remarks)
President and CEO, George W. Bush Presidential Center

Studio 43: Transformations and Foundations: The Drivers of the Next 50 Years
21st Century Technological Revolution — Artificial Intelligence: Faster, Better, Stronger?

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are rapidly encroaching on many parts of the economy. These technologies are disrupting traditional industries and, in the process, changing the nature of work and the composition of the workforce. They present incredible opportunities to advance productivity and to open up exciting new industries. At the same time, the challenges to the traditional composition of the workforce are real and will need to be addressed. In this discussion, we will hear from an entrepreneur working at the leading edge of these technologies.

D. Scott Phoenix
Co-Founder, Vicarious

Kenneth A. Hersh (Remarks)
President and CEO, George W. Bush Presidential Center

Studio 43: Transformations and Foundations: The Drivers of the Next 50 Years
21st Century Medicine — Unlocking the Power of Genetics & Regenerative Medicine

We will hear from experts who are at the cutting edge of medicine that will revolutionize health care in the coming years. Regenerative medicine is distinct from traditional clinical strategies of treating symptoms in that it seeks cures by amplifying our body’s own healing processes to heal damaged tissue or organs. Exciting developments in stem cell therapies will be highlighted. We will also discuss the groundbreaking gene therapy techniques to treat or prevent diseases such as cancer.

Eric Olson, Ph.D.
Professor, UT Southwestern; Founder, Exonics Therapeutics

W.E. “Ed” Bosarge, Ph.D.
Founder and Chairman, Black Beret Life Sciences, LLC; Co-founder and CEO, Quantlab Financial, LLC

Marc Penn, M.D., Ph.D., FACC
CEO, Black Beret Life Sciences, LLC

Eva Chiang (Remarks)
Director, Research and Evaluation, George W. Bush Institute

Remarks and Awarding of the George W. Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation to Jan Pruitt (Posthumously)

The George W. Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation is presented to an innovator who has enriched the quality of life in the North Texas region through their work in the areas of social welfare, health, economic empowerment, or education.

For 20 years, Jan Pruitt served as the President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) and inspired a movement to end hunger in North Texas and the United States. Thanks to her vision and leadership, NTFB grew from distributing 400,000 pounds of food annually to nearly one million pounds of food per week.

Jan’s innovative leadership led the way toward improving the lives of millions of people.

Jan Pruitt (Award Recipient, Posthumously)
Former President and CEO, North Texas Food Bank

Mrs. Laura Bush (Remarks)
Former First Lady of the United States

Remarks and Awarding of the George W. Bush Medal for Distinguished Leadership to Bono

The George W. Bush Medal for Distinguished Leadership recognizes an individual who has made a sustained impact on the global community and has inspired others to take action to improve lives.

As cofounder of ONE, Bono has partnered with heads of state and members of legislatures around the world to ensure the passage and funding of policies and programs that have helped to save tens of millions of lives over the past decade.

Building on the success of ONE, he cofounded the sister organization (RED) to harness the power of people and companies to help fight AIDS. To date, (RED) has generated more than $500 million for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria across the continent of Africa.

Bono has utilized his platform and influence to inspire more than nine million people around the world to take action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease in Africa.

Condoleezza Rice (Remarks)
66th United States Secretary of State

President George W. Bush (Remarks)
43rd President of the United States

Bono (Award Recipient)
Lead Singer of U2; Co-Founder, ONE and (RED)

Conversation with President George W. Bush and Bono

President George W. Bush
43rd President of the United States

Bono
Lead singer of U2; Co-Founder, ONE and (RED)

Joshua Bolten (Moderator)
President and CEO, Business Roundtable

Closing Conversation with Jeff Bezos

Listen to one of this generations’ leading visionaries discuss the ways in which he thinks our world will change. Hear his personal story and the lessons he has learned from leading one of the world’s fastest growing companies. We will also discuss some of his most ambitious upcoming projects.

Dr. Gerald Turner (Remarks)
President, SMU

Jeff Bezos
Founder and CEO, Amazon

Kenneth A. Hersh (Moderator)
President and CEO, George W. Bush Presidential Center