His Excellency Mr. Festus G. Mogae, former President of the Republic of Botswana, to be honored
Dallas, Texas — Today the George W. Bush Presidential Center announced that its sixth annual Forum on Leadership will feature a keynote conversation about governing in a polarized world with Glenn Youngkin, 74th Governor of Virginia, and Ken Hersh, President and CEO of the Bush Center. The Forum on Leadership is a landmark gathering that develops, recognizes, and celebrates leadership by bringing together notable voices for in-depth discussions on today’s pressing issues. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. CT on April 20 at the Bush Center.
This year’s Forum on Leadership, will explore how our Nation is empowering the next generation. Rob Portman, former United States Senator, and Nick Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute, will discuss how job opportunities, readiness to work, and regional strength connect in a post-COVID America. The event will also include a conversation on the future of American capitalism with Bill Haslam, the Sammons Enterprises Fellow at the Bush Institute and former Governor of Tennessee; Larry Summers, the Charles W. Eliot University Professor and President Emeritus at Harvard University and former Secretary of Treasury; and Brian Tyler, CEO of the McKesson Corporation.
In addition, Mandy Ginsberg, Director at Uber and ThredUp and former CEO of Match Group, will be joining Nikki Krishnamurthy, Chief People Officer at Uber, for a conversation on how the human connection has changed and is driven by the apps on our phones. In addition, Dave Copps, CEO and Co-Founder of Worlds. Inc., and John Donovan, CEO of Qudit investments and former CEO of AT&T Communications, will spotlight the ramifications of artificial intelligence in our economy and political and geopolitical environments.
The gathering will be highlighted on the evening of April 19 by the presentation of the George W. Bush Medal for Distinguished Leadership to His Excellency Mr. Festus G. Mogae, former President of the Republic of Botswana. The George W. Bush Medal for Distinguished Leadership is awarded annually to an individual who has made an impact on the global community, has inspired others to action, and has demonstrated a sustained commitment to improving the lives of others. President Mogae will be recognized for his global leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS and as a vital partner during the launch of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) 20 years ago. Chedza Mogae, President Mogae’s daughter, will accept the award on his behalf.
“Our annual Forum on Leadership is an opportunity to bring the world to the Bush Center and to bring the Bush Center to the world,” said Ken Hersh, President and CEO of the Bush Center. “Our goal is to dive into some of the most pressing issues of the day and to highlight leaders making a difference.”
Emily Hanford, Senior Correspondent and Producer at American Public Media, will receive the George W. Bush Institute Citation for her commitment to journalistic integrity on the important issue of our Nation’s reading crisis. The Citation is awarded annually to recognize a leader or organization who has made an impact in their community and has inspired others to take action to solve today’s most pressing challenges.
In addition, the George W. Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation will be presented to Florencia Velasco Fortner, CEO, The Concilio, for her leadership and community engagement in North Texas and beyond. The Citation is awarded to an innovator who has effected change in the North Texas region or has otherwise enriched the quality of life in North Texas.
The Forum on Leadership is by invitation only. Public viewership will be available through livestream. For more information, please visit www.bushcenter.org/forumonleadership.
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What: George W. Bush Presidential Center’s Forum on Leadership
When: April 20, 2023
9:00 a.m. CT
Where: The George W. Bush Presidential Center
2943 SMU Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75205
Members of the media can apply for credentials at www.bushcenter.org/credentials. Additional information regarding credentials confirmation, parking, facility access, interviews and other details will be sent to media representatives who complete the credentialing process on the Bush Center website. All members of the media–reporters, photographers, videographers, and crew–are required to have and display credentials in order to cover Forum on Leadership.
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George W. Bush Presidential Center
Located on the SMU campus in Dallas, Texas, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is a nonpartisan institution advancing the timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. The Bush Center comprises the George W. Bush Presidential Museum and the George W. Bush Institute, a solution-oriented policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies through policy solutions and public engagement. The Bush Center also houses the George W. Bush Presidential Library, operated by the National Archives and Records Administration, which provides access to official documents and artifacts from the George W. Bush Administration. Learn more about the Bush Center at bushcenter.org.
