The Strategerist

Tim Strong is the head of agriculture finance for Opportunity International, a global nonprofit organization that uses financial services, training, and support to address some of the most pressing challenges facing those living in poverty around the world.

David Rubenstein is a philanthropist, lawyer, businessman, and avid historian. Items from his rare collection of U.S. artifacts – including the Emancipation Proclamation, the Federalist Papers, and original works from abolitionists – are on display in the George W. Bush Presidential Museum’s special exhibit, Freedom Matters.

Society has long had a fascination with spies. Michael G. Vickers is as close to this world as anyone, having served as a Green Beret, an operator in the CIA, and a national security policy maker during some of the most pivotal moments in recent U.S. history.

Daniel Lubetzky, founder and executive chairman of KIND Snacks, envisions a world with more kindness and empathy. As the son of a Holocaust survivor, Daniel strives to channel business and citizenry toward building bridges rather than conflict.

The George W. Bush Presidential Center recently welcomed a very special guest: the first first lady of the United States, Martha Washington.

Garry Kasparov is a democracy activist and Russian chess grandmaster and former World Chess Champion. He is the founder and chair of the Renew Democracy Initiative, a nonprofit with the goal of uniting Americans across the political spectrum in defense of democratic ideals.

Sebastien Lai is a democracy advocate and son of jailed Hong Kong businessman and publisher Jimmy Lai. He and Jonathan Price, a member of Jimmy’s international legal team, joined the George W. Bush Institute while in Dallas raising awareness about why Jimmy is jailed. 

Problems and pessimism tend to overwhelm the daily news cycle. What gets less attention are the incredible solutions governments and organizations have devised to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Hector Rodriguez, known online as H3CZ, is the founder and CEO of OpTic Gaming, an organization that maintains some of the most competitive esports teams in the world. Through video games, Hector became part of an online community and built something unique — and is now living the American Dream.

Daron Babcock is the CEO of Bonton Farms, an organization that started as a small garden serving the food deserts in South Dallas that has grown into a movement working alongside residents to transform the community.