Michael Lewis has published many New York Times bestselling books on various subjects. His most recent works are Going Infinite, The Premonition, The Fifth Risk, The Undoing Project, Flash Boys, and The Big Short. The Blind Side, published in 2006, tells the story of Michael Oher, a poor, illiterate African-American kid living on the streets of Memphis whose life is transformed after he is taken in by white Evangelical Christians.
A one-of-a-kind commander with a new perspective on organizational dynamics, General Stan McChrystal is known for helping elite teams tap into the potential of their people to better compete in a complex and interconnected world. Called “one of America’s greatest warriors” by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, few can speak about leadership, teamwork, technology, and international affairs with as much insight as he can.
J. Celeste Lay is a professor of political science and the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in Newcomb-Tulane College at Tulane University. She earned a PhD in Government and Politics at the University of Maryland. She is the author of two monographs and several articles in peer-reviewed journals, including the American Political Science Review, Journal of Politics, American Politics Research, Urban Affairs Review, Public Opinion Quarterly, Politics & Gender, and more.
Mitch Landrieu is a public servant, lawyer, author, and nonprofit leader. Landrieu most recently served as a senior advisor to President Biden and the Infrastructure Coordinator at the White House, responsible for the implementation of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In that role, he oversaw the most significant and comprehensive investments in American infrastructure in generations that led to over 40,000 new projects in two years encompassing roads, bridges, rail, ports, airports, transit, clean water, clean energy and high-speed internet.
Molly is a registered dietitian with a passion to make it easy for people to live their strongest, healthiest lives.
Board Certified as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Molly manages the nutrition program at Ochsner Fitness Center, including a team of lifestyle dietitians who guide clients in achieving personal fitness goals as well as disordered eating and general health and wellness.
Jesse M. Keenan is the Favrot II Associate Professor of Sustainable Real Estate within the faculty of the School of Architecture at Tulane University. Keenan’s research focuses on the intersection of climate change adaptation and the built environment, including aspects of design, engineering, regulation, planning and financing.
Rodger Kamenetz is Professor Emeritus of English and Religious Studies at Louisiana State University where he retired as LSU Professor and Sternberg Honors Chair. He helped found the LSU MFA program and was founding Director of LSU's Jewish Studies minor. He's lived in New Orleans since 1995.
Sadeqa Johnson is the award-winning author of And Then There Was Me, Second House From the Corner, Love in a Carry-on Bag and Yellow Wife.
T. R. Johnson is a Professor of English and Weiss Presidential Fellow at Tulane University. He is the author of New Orleans: A Writer’s City (2023) and the editor of New Orleans: A Literary History (2019). He has also written books about psychoanalysis, teaching, and prose-style. For over twenty years, he has lived in the 9th Ward of New Orleans and hosted a contemporary jazz radio program at WWOZ 90.7 FM.
Dr. Michelle K. Johnston is a management professor, executive coach, and leadership expert who serves as the Gaston Chair of Business at Loyola University New Orleans.
Michelle’s first book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership, is an Amazon bestseller and details the need for leaders to shift from a command and control leadership style to one that focuses on connection. Why? Because Connection Drives Results.
She was recently named one of the most influential New Orleanians, a top 500 business leader, and a Woman of the Year by CityBusiness.
