Panels and Plenary Speakers

Thursday:

Generational Super Powers - Standing STRONGER Together!

Building winning partnerships and coalitions across generations

• Melody Cunningham, M.D., Montana State Representative (Missoula)  

• Alex DuBois, Early Childhood advocate 

• Luke Ashmore, Billings School Board trustee

• Renn Stearns, Graduate of Occidental College 

 

Exploring, Understanding, and Responding to Religious Extremism

Perspectives on Christian Nationalism, Islamist Extremism, and Antisemitism

• Dr. Bruce Gourley, Historian, Author of Occupied Nation: Understanding, and Responding to White Christian Nationalism 

• Dr. Jeanette Fregulia, History professor with emphasis on North Africa & the Middle East 

 

Thursday Night Plenary Speaker:

• Jon "Bowzer" Bauman -- president of Social Security Works PAC, former member of the band Sha Na Na, and game show host. Smart, fun and serious! Our keynote speaker!

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Friday:

Navigating the Information Eco-system 2026

Engaging responsibly and effectively in a difficult information ecosystem

• Logan Davis, Colorado Times Record writer and political communications consultant 

 

Global Perspectives on the Building Blocks of Democracies

Deepen understanding and appreciation of key building blocks that facilitate functional democracy.

• Dave Hunter, Consultant: Developing Democracy in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe

• Morgan Taylor, Former State Department Foreign Service Officer 

• Susan DeCamp, US AID (Central Asia) (retired)​

 

Friday Luncheon Plenary Speaker

• Nancy Leifer -- League of Women Voters. Perspectives on Montana's Constitution

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Moving Forward: Strength for Your Journey

Plenary Brainstorm on Organizing and Winning in 2026!

• Members of Big Sky 55+ Board

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Plus! -- Stretch sessions with Claudia Clifford (back by popular demand), and Corbin Howard will be sharing poems throughout the conference that fit the moment and help us reflect on the subjects at hand.