Jud Hendrix, Peace by 2030 Movement Builder, Interfaith Paths to Peace – keynote address, “The Radical Catalyst of Faith – Inspiring Faith to Action,” Thursday, April 4

In addition to his keynote address, Jud will lead a workshop on Friday, April 5, focusing on “How to use social network analysis to cultivate collaboration.”

 Interfaith Paths to Peace (IPP) works to educate, advocate, coordinate and empower cooperative action in Louisville for social transformation and renewal. Since their beginnings in 1996, IPP has centered their peacebuilding initiatives in four areas: community-based violence interruption, multi-sector coalition building, interfaith understanding and collaboration, and migrant/refugee welcome and integration.

Ryan Quinn and Jenna Ahern – Social Media and the Spread of Disinformation – Thursday, April 4 at 3:15 pm

Ryan Quinn is the Chair of, and an Associate Professor in, the Management and Entrepreneurship Department of the University of Louisville’s College of Business. He is also the Academic Director of the Center for Positive Leadership. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Statistics at Brigham Young University and earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management and a graduate certificate in Complex Systems from the University of Michigan. He conducts research, teaches, and consults on topics related to leadership and change management. He has published research on topics such as courage, learning, flow, communication, and relationships in journals such as Administrative Science Quarterly, Academy of Management Review, Organization Science, Academy of Management Discoveries, and Social Networks, and he is also a co-author of the book, Lift: The Fundamental State of Leadership. He has taught at all levels, including executive, Ph.D., MBA, and undergraduate, and has consulted around the world for Fortune 500 companies, private firms, start-up businesses, non-profits, and government institutions. He is particularly interested in discovering and using tools that help individuals and organizations to unleash their full potential.

Chris Crawford, Lauren Reliford, Coco Xu – “Talking About Democracy through a Faith Lens: Election Year Edition” – Friday, April 5, 9:30 a.m.

CHRIS CRAWFORD – Chris Crawford is a policy advocate at Protect Democracy. His work is focused on ensuring free and fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power, including staffing the National Task Force on Election Crises and leading outreach to mobilize faith-based communities to protect the 2024 election. He previously worked as a senior program associate at Democracy Fund, where he managed a portfolio of faith-based initiatives focused on promoting pluralism in the United States. Chris began his career doing political organizing at Susan B. Anthony List, the nation’s largest pro-life political organization. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from The George Washington University and a master’s degree in nonprofit administration from The University of Notre Dame.

LAUREN RELIFORD – Lauren W. Reliford, MSW is Sojourners’ political director, responsible for policy strategy and nationally focused advocacy. She is a passionate and mission-oriented public health professional focused on bridging the gap between social theory, spirituality, research, and practice and bringing them to the forefront in major policy making decisions. Lauren joins Sojourners with over 10 years of experience in research, policy, advocacy, and government relations. Prior to joining Sojourners, Lauren took her passion for politics and policy and turned it into a profession, focusing on domestic and international public health advocacy for a number of large nonprofit organizations. She also earned her master’s degree in social work and focused primarily on the biological impacts of trauma in high-risk and vulnerable populations.

COCO XU – Coco Xu is a Research Associate at More in Common US, a nonpartisan nonprofit research and civic organization working to understand the forces driving us apart, find common ground, and bring people together to address our shared challenges. At More in Common, Coco conducts audience and opinion research to better understand the complexities and nuances of Americans’ perspectives. Her current research focuses on the relationship between faith, politics and polarization in the US, and she is particularly interested in studying what shapes people’s perceptions of one another, identities and collective memory. Coco received a MA in History from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, and a BA in History and Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

From left: Chris Crawford, Lauren Reliford, Coco Xu

Dr. Allison Norton, Dr. Charissa Mikoski and Colleen Hill, Hartford Seminary – workshop, “Faith Communities Today,” Friday, April 5

Allison Norton

Dr. Allison Norton is the Faculty Associate in Migration Studies and Congregational Life at Hartford International University, where she directs the Pastoral Innovation Network of New England. She teaches courses in sociology of religion, immigration, and multicultural and intergenerational ministry. Her research and publications explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on US congregations, the rise of megachurches in West Africa, the role of migration on the worldwide expansion of the Christian faith, and the religious identities of the “new” second generation.

Charissa Mikoski
Dr. Charissa Mikoski is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace. She works primarily on quantitative data analysis and survey management for the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations research project. Her research interests include how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced religious congregations, how the religious composition of geographic regions impacts residents, and how the religious landscape of the US is changing more broadly.

Colleen Hill
Colleen Hill is the Strategic Communications Specialist for the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. She is a recent graduate from Washington State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in broadcast and media production. Studying with the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Colleen has worked on a wide range of multimedia projects, including printed news features, documentaries, and podcasts. Alongside HIRR, Colleen aims to produce in-depth stories that explore and support the research findings of the Institution.

Below, from left: Dr. Allison Norton, Dr. Charissa Mikoski and Colleen Hill:

Carolyn Dupont and Steven Clements, Braver Angels – luncheon address, “Braver Angels,“ Friday, April 5

In addition to the luncheon address, Dupont and Clements will lead a workshop on “Working Across the Divide,” Friday, April 5

Carolyn Dupont is the Kentucky State Coordinator for Braver Angels, a national grassroots organization devoted to political depolarization, and she also serves as the Blue co-leader of the Jessamine County Braver Angels Alliance.  In her day job, she is professor of American History at Eastern Kentucky University.  She is the author of two books, including Distorting Democracy:  the Forgotten History of the Electoral College—and Why it Matters Today, which will be published by Prometheus Press in September 2024.  Dupont has twice run for a seat in the Kentucky Legislature.

Steven Clements serves as the Red co-leader of the Jessamine County Braver Angels Alliance.  He is Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and professor of Political Science at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.  Clements’ career has combined academic appointments with roles in the education policy sector in Washington, DC, Chicago, and Kentucky

Below, from left: Carolyn Dupont and Steven Clements

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Rev. Ryan Dunn, Minister of Online Engagement, United Methodist Communications – workshop on “Spiritual Seekers,” –  Friday April 5

Rev. Ryan Dunn is a minister of online engagement for United Methodist Communications. Ryan manages the digital brand presence of Rethink Church, co-hosts and produces the “Compass” podcast, builds connections and networks for digital faith leaders through the “Pastoring in the Digital Parish” podcast and obsesses over finding ways to offer new expressions of grace. Ryan is an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church with professional experience in online marketing, broadcasting, and youth and young adults ministry.

Adam Graber – opening plenary, “Faith and AI,” Saturday, April 6

In addition to the plenary session, Adam will lead a workshop on “Faith Tech” on Saturday, April 6

Adam Graber / @AdamGraber (MA Digital Theology, BA Psychology) co-hosts the Device & Virtue podcast, and consults for innovative, faith-driven organizations and their leaders on strategy, content, and research. Clients have included FaithTech, Leadership Network, and the British and Foreign Bible Society.

Adam researches and writes on emerging technologies, and consults with Christian leaders on digital spiritual formation. He has developed tech courses for Northern Seminary and Fuller Seminary. He’s appeared in The New York Times, on podcasts, and on radio.

He speaks regularly on everything from the BibleGPTs to evangelism chatbots. He has written for Christianity Today, the Lausanne Movement, The Bulwark, Relevant, Christ and Pop Culture, and others. He holds a Masters in Digital Theology from Durham University, previously worked in Bible publishing, and still watches DVDs for the bonus features.

Sr. Carol Curtis, Kyle Kramer and Jessica Maudlin – “Earth Stewardship- Reaching Beyond Your Traditions for a Common Cause,”  Saturday, April 6

Sister Carol Curtis, OSU, is an Ursuline Sister of Louisville serving as Social Concerns Liaison for the Congregation. In addition to this role, she is involved in the Archdiocese of Louisville’s ministry to incarcerated women. Sr. Carol also serves on the board of the PATH [People Against Trafficking Humans] Coalition of Kentucky and is coordinator of the Louisville Ursulines’ Laudato Si’ Action Plan commitment. Since 2020, Sr. Carol has been a volunteer Park Steward with the Olmsted Parks Conservancy. In December 2022, Sr. Carol traveled to El Salvador and Honduras as a delegate with SHARE and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). They visited marginalized communities in El Salvador and Honduras, witnessing the intersection of race, forced migration and climate change.

Kyle Kramer is the CEO of the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center (www.earthandspiritcenter.org), which offers interfaith educational programming in meditation, ecology, and social compassion.  He is the former director of graduate theology programs and spiritual formation for Saint Meinrad, a Benedictine monastery and Roman Catholic school of theology.  For 15 years, Kyle and his family lived on a working organic farm in Spencer County, Indiana.  Kyle has served as a Catholic Climate Ambassador for the Catholic Climate Covenant and is the author of A Time to Plant: Life Lessons in Work, Prayer, and Dirt (Ave Maria Press, 2010) and Making Room: Soul-Deep Satisfaction Through Simplicity (Franciscan Media, 2021).  He has been a regular columnist for essayist for America and St. Anthony Messenger magazines, and he currently hosts the “Earth & Spirit Podcast” on National Public Radio.  He speaks across the country about the intersection of ecology, community, and contemplative spirituality.

Jessica Maudlin serves as the PC(USA)’s Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns with the Presbyterian Hunger Program. She resources Presbyterians as they address issues of faith, lifestyle choices and sustainability. She works with Earth Care Congregations,  congregations that made special commitments to care for God’s earth in four categories: worship, education, facilities, and outreach. Her background includes an emphasis on Liberation Theology.

Below, from left: Sr. Carol Curtis, Kyle Kramer and Jessica Maudlin

Laura Buchanan,  United Methodist Communications – “Ways to Use AI to Enhance Your Work,” workshop, Saturday, April 6

Laura Buchanan is a member of the Denominational Content Strategy Team at United Methodist Communications, where she develops content for UMC.org and ResourceUMC.org. She’s had extensive experience in writing, video production, strategic messaging, public relations, fundraising and event planning. Laura is a lifelong United Methodist and a local church leader. She resides in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and 10-year-old daughter.