Featuring Maria Bruno, Co-founder & Executive Director, Ohioans Against Extremism; Catherine Turcer, Executive Director, Common Cause Ohio; Mark Weaver, National Political Commentator, Author, and Political Strategist; Dr. Thomas Wood, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, The Ohio State University, with moderator Mike Thompson, Chief Content Director, Radio, and Host of "Columbus on the Record," WOSU Public Media.
November 4, 2026
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Featuring Dr. Amanda Scott, Principal, Illuminology; Ben Sears, Vice President of Community Development and Housing, Star House; Jennifer Sharma, CEO, Huckleberry House, with moderator Kara B. Wente, Director, The Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Additional panelist to be announced.
November 18, 2026
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Featuring Charles Hillman, President & CEO, The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority with moderator Michael Wilkos, Vice President of Community Engagement, The United Way of Central Ohio.
December 2, 2026
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Featuring Kenny McDonald, Economic Development Fellow, The Ohio Chamber Foundation; Marc Reitter, President and Chief Operating Officer, AEP Ohio, with moderator Doug Buchanan, Editor in Chief, Columbus Business First.
December 9, 2026
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Featuring Dr. Bill LaFayette, Owner, Regionomics; Dr. Joyce Chen, Professor of Economics in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, The Ohio State University; Ben Ayers, Senior Economist, Nationwide Economics with moderator Ben Lanka, Business Editor, The Columbus Dispatch.
January 6, 2027
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Featuring Kate Bauer, Executive Director, Leadership Columbus; Corrine Burger, Interim President & CEO, The Columbus Partnership; Stephanie Hightower, President & CEO, The Columbus Urban League, and with moderator Mark Barbash, Director, The Ohio Economic Development Institute; Former Director of Development, The City of Columbus; Instructor in Public Budgeting and Nonprofit Leadership, The John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University.
February 3, 2027
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
National Veterans Memorial and Museum