March 26, 2019 (Dallas, Texas) – The George W. Bush Presidential Center today announced the final line up for the organization’s April 11th Forum on Leadership, a landmark annual event to develop, recognize, and celebrate leadership. President George W. Bush will join a conversation on the responsibilities of global citizenship with Robert Gates, Co-Founder, RiceHadleyGates LLC and former Secretary of Defense, moderated by Paula Dobriansky, former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs and Chair of the Bush Institute’s Women’s Initiative Policy Advisory Council.
The 2019 Forum on Leadership will place a focus on leaders who are tackling today’s most pressing challenges with compassion, and on solutions that are rooted in courage, civility, and character. This year the event is generously presented by Pioneer Natural Resources.
In addition, Dan Gilbert, Founder and Chairman of Detroit-based Quicken Loans and Rock Ventures, will participate in a conversation about a new generation of business ideology – “For More Than Profit”, where doing well and doing good aren’t mutually exclusive concepts. In his hometown of Detroit, Gilbert’s vision spans from boosting the residential market in underserved neighborhoods through the Rehabbed and Ready home renovation program, to a $2.1 billion investment in four transformational developments downtown that will bring thousands of opportunities to what the New York Times called “the most exciting city in America.”
“We’re thrilled to bring such a distinguished line-up of speakers to Dallas for this program,” said Bush Center President and CEO Ken Hersh. “The Bush Center is fortunate to be able to leverage our convening power to bring leaders from across all sectors together for important conversations about the most pressing issues of our time.”
The Forum on Leadership will feature concurrent Studio 43 sessions. These more intimate conversations offer a unique format to tackle emerging issues in our world. Sean O’Keefe, Professor, Syracuse University Maxwell School, Former Chairman, Airbus Group, Inc., Former Secretary of the Navy, and Former Administrator, NASA will interview Ariane Cornell, Head of Astronaut Strategy and Sales, Blue Origin about the future of space.
Peter Altabef, Chairman and CEO, Unisys; Member, President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, and Michael Chertoff, Founder and Executive Chairman, The Chertoff Group, and former Secretary, Department of Homeland Security will discuss technological transformations and threats.
Dennis Muilenburg, President, Chairman, and CEO of The Boeing Company and Anne Finucane, Vice Chairman of Bank of America will deliver remarks at the event.
During the Forum on Leadership, the Bush Center will award two leadership citations.
THE MILITARY SERVICE CITATION
Dylan Tête, Executive Director and Founder, Bastion Community of Resilience will receive the George W. Bush Institute Military Service Citation. This award is awarded annually to recognize a post-9/11 veteran who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and has continued to practice servant leadership since transitioning to civilian life. Dylan Tête demonstrated selfless leadership at every stage of his career. Following a distinguished record of military service and leadership in combat, he answered his next call to serve. Dylan set forth to build a community equipped with the tools to support the transition of warriors and their families that face the invisible and visible wounds of war.
THE TRAILBLAZER CITATION
Mrs. Laura Bush will award the George W. Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation to Jan Langbein, CEO, Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support. This award recognizes an outstanding leader who has effected change in the North Texas region, focusing on social welfare, health, economic empowerment, education, or has otherwise enriched the quality of life in North Texas. Under Jan’s leadership, the Genesis Women’s Shelter has grown from a seven-room emergency shelter to a full-service response for victims of domestic violence. She has provided hope, courage, and a voice to those in extreme need. With her steadfast support, Jan continues to bring light to this important issue and heighten the call for a zero-tolerance attitude towards domestic abuse.
The Bush Center previously announced Bill and Melinda Gates as the recipients of the 2019 George W. Bush Medal for Distinguished Leadership. The Forum on Leadership will also feature a conversation on the new world order with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
The 2018 inaugural Forum on Leadership included renowned leaders such as Ben Bernanke, Condoleezza Rice, Hank Paulson, Arthur Brooks, Jeff Bezos, Priscilla Chan, John Boehner and Vice President Dick Cheney. The George W. Bush Medal for Distinguished Leadership was presented to Bono. Highlights from that event can be found here.
While the event is invitation only, multiple sessions will be live streamed. For more information, visit www.bushcenter.org/forumonleadership.
