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NEW NARRATIVES TO TRANSFORM THE CRISIS
APRIL 17 & 18, 2025
JACK MORTON AUDITORIUM
AT THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

THE CLIMATE
DIVIDE



Presented in association with the Conflict Transformation Collaborative at Middlebury College
Event Info
Record wildfires, extreme heat, drought, weather, and more. Despite this reality, we are divided and distracted.
How can we shift the climate narrative to build new coalitions and to transform the crisis?
Join us on April 17-18 at the Planet Forward Summit to learn what it will take to turn discord into dialogue, conflict into collaboration, and opposition into opportunity.
Engage with the experts, advocates, storytellers, and students committed to moving toward a more sustainable future.
Agenda
PROGRAM
Thursday, April 17
8:30 am - NETWORKING & BREAKFAST
805 21st. St. NW, 2nd floor atrium
Morning Session
805 21st. St. NW, Jack Morton Auditorium
9:30 am - OPENING REFLECTION
Trinity Norris, Ilíiaitchik: Indigenous Correspondents Program, University of Arizona
9:35 am - WELCOME: STORIES MATTER
Frank Sesno, Founding Director, Planet Forward
Dr. Imani M. Cheers, Associate Professor, GW School of Media and Public Affairs
9:45 am - TRANSFORMING CONFLICT
Dr. Sarah Stroup, Director, Conflict Transformation Collaborative, Middlebury College
Dr. Netta Avineri, Professor and Chair, Intercultural Communication, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
10:05 am - EMBRACING NUANCE
Halle Parker, President, Society of Environmental Journalists; Verite News
Kunjal Bastola, Planet Forward Correspondent, Northwestern University
Tik Root, Climate Solutions and Economics, Grist
MODERATOR: Dr. Sarah Stroup, Director, Conflict Transformation Collaborative, Middlebury College
10:25 am - THE LANGUAGE WE USE
Peter Schwartzstein, Environmental Journalist & Researcher
Dre Pedemonte, Planet Forward Intern, GWU
10:30 am - STORYTELLING SCIENCE
Tom Di Liberto, Climate Scientist and Science Communicator
Gabrielle "Gabbi" Ewing, Director of Programming, PBS Digital Studios
Kasha Patel, Deputy Weather Editor for the Capital Weather Gang, The Washington Post
MODERATOR: Dr. Darcy Gentleman, Education Lead, Planet Forward
10:50 am - FEATURING THE TEAM
Break
11:20 am - SEEKING COMMON GROUND IN UNCOMMON TIMES
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
MODERATOR: Frank Sesno, Founding Director, Planet Forward
11:30 am - RESPECTFUL DIFFERENCES
Chelsea Henderson, Author & Director of Editorial Content, republicEn
Hattie Hobart, Chief of Staff, Nature is Nonpartisan
MODERATOR: Jesse J. Holland, Associate Director and Associate Professor at the School of Media and Public Affairs, George Washington University
11:50 am - DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS
Maria Jose Vargas, Planet Forward Correspondent, Middlebury
Maggie Rhoads, Planet Forward Correspondent, GWU
Danny Nicholson, Planet Forward Correspondent, Teesside University
MODERATOR: Dr. Netta Avineri, Professor and Chair, Intercultural Communication, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
12:15 pm - LUNCH
Carolyn Finney, Author & Artist-in-Residence, Environmental Affairs, Middlebury College
Afternoon Session:
1:45 pm - TED TURNER KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: EMPOWERING NEW VOICES and Q&A
Bilal Motley, Documentary Filmmaker
MODERATOR: Ciara Thomas, Planet Forward Correspondent, Tuskegee University
2:20 pm - DEEP LISTENING
Tyler Dorholt, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing, SUNY ESF
Abbey Leibert, Planet Forward Correspondent, SUNY ESF
Brianna El-Quhir, Student, SUNY ESF
Daniel Vera, Student, SUNY ESF
2:35 pm - CENTERING COMMUNITIES
Robyn Iron, Ilíiaitchik: Indigenous Correspondents Program, University of Montana
Karli Moore, Ilíiaitchik: Indigenous Correspondents Program, Stanford University
MODERATORS: Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso and Aaron Dye
2:55 pm - THE STORYTELLER'S JOURNEY
Joy Reeves, 2024 Storyfest Winner
Devin Santikarma, Planet Forward Correspondent, Middlebury College
Morghan Manuel, Student, Howard University
MODERATOR: Dr. Imani M. Cheers, Associate Professor, GW School of Media and Public Affairs
3:20 pm - STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
Dr. Allison Tuttle, Sr. Vice President of Zoological Operations, Mystic Aquarium
Frank Sesno, Founding Director, Planet Forward
3:25 pm - NEW HORIZONS
Frank Sesno, Founding Director, Planet Forward
Ellen M. Granberg, President, George Washington University
3:35 pm - ANNOUNCEMENT: The Storyfest Winners!!
Amy Berquist, Vice President, Conservation, Education, and Sustainability, Lindblad Expeditions
Thank you to our Storyfest judges:
CD Davidson-Hiers
Tik Root
Victoria St. Martin
Phil Frank
Devin Greene
Melanie Wallace
Phil Frank
Matt Scott
Darrien Benally
Jake Meyers
Joy Reeves
Fuzz Hogan
Gina Murphy Darling - Judging Chair
4:00 pm - POSTER SESSION: SUSTAINABILITY AND STORYTELLING and RUTGERS SCIENCE DOCUMENTARY DEMONSTRATIONS
Friday, April 18
8:30 am - NETWORKING & BREAKFAST
805 21st. St. NW, 2nd floor atrium
9:30 am - KEYNOTE
Bill McKibben, Author and Journalist
10:30 am - WORKSHOPS - CLICK THROUGH!
University Student Center, 800 21st St NW
12:45 pm - LUNCH & SWAG
Room 308, University Student Center, 800 21st St NW
GET INSPIRED
Learn why inspirational stories are the most motivational — and effective — to drive action.
GET SKILLED
Learn the very best in communication techniques that you can apply immediately to your environmental communication.
GET MOBILIZED
Learn how you can create a movement for the planet on your campus and in your community.
GET CONNECTED
Connect with leading journalists, policymakers, innovators, and more and apply for exclusive internship and job opportunities.
4 REASONS TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION
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