By Rebecca Smithson Moll | June 19, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Renew America Together Announces Fourth Cohort for the Civility Leadership Institute
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 18, 2024)- Renew America Together is pleased to announce the fourth cohort of the Civility Leadership Institute (CLI). The 2024-2025 class is made up of 30 leaders from around the country (participant list below). This cohort will join a network of 120 alumni representing more than 35 states.
The alumni network of CLI, along with board members and supporters, will join cohort four in Little Rock this summer for the 3rd annual Civility Summit to kick-off a year of learning focused on civil dialogue, identifying misinformation, and bridging partisan divides.
“I am excited to bring all alumni and new participants together for the Civility Summit in Little Rock this summer. These leaders come from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, geographic locations, career paths, political beliefs, and industries. It’s encouraging to see these dynamic individuals acknowledging the need for improved communication and civic engagement,” said General (ret.) Wesley K. Clark, founder of Renew America Together.
Following the in-person Civility Summit, participants will engage in monthly virtual learning. Each month, participants will work through an engaging curriculum, hear from nationally recognized speakers, and build strong relationships with the CLI network. Graduates of the Civility Leadership Institute will earn certifications in SERVE: a framework for civility, TRUST: combatting disinformation, and TypeCoach Influence training. Upon completing the program, they will join a robust alumni network committed to supporting the organization’s mission through community involvement.
Cohort Four Members:
Alexandra Aron Sr. Advisor for Learning and Organizational Development Washington, DC | Stephanie Baker Associate Professor Northern Illinois University LaSalle, IL | Kratina Baker Political Strategist Atlanta, GA |
Claire Brown Founder, PowerWomen Owner/Principal Broker of MOVE Realty Little Rock, AR | Shana Chaplin Chief Program Officer Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Morrilton, AR | April Chatham-Carpenter Department Chair & Professor Regional Lead, Braver Angels Little Rock, AR |
Tricia Clifton CEO and President CASA of Collin County Wylie, TX | Stephen Colavito, Jr. Chief Investment Officer San Blas Securities Smyrna, GA | Jennings Dean Political Science Student University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Laurinburg, NC |
Erin Dempsey Senior Counsel Dykema Austin, TX | Jeff Evenson Coach Thayer Gate Project Saint Louis, MO | J. Isaac Foley Founder Six Bridges Media Little Rock, AR |
Jessica Ford Chief Communications Officer Arkansas Community Foundation Little Rock, AR | Amber Helms Marketing Consultant Little Rock, AR | Leandra James Mariano Lake Chapter, Navajo Nation Mariano Lake, NM |
Celena Kahn-Hunter Chief of Staff St. Bonaventure Mission Gallup, NM | Theodore (TJ) Karklins CI Partners Longmont, CO | Christopher Lee Counsel The Lee Firm Huntsville, AL |
Jonathan McRoy Vice President of Administration Goodwill Industries of Kansas Wichita, KS | Chris Mollenkamp General Manager NFI Industries Richberg, SC | Deyanira Murga Director Cerberus Consulting Washington, DC |
Melissa Persaud Vice President, Accounts Fraym Washington, DC | Jason Powell Owner, Bainbridge Enterprises Real Estate Broker, Heartland Realty Marion, IL | Caroline Spadaro Associate Squire Patton Boggs Washington, DC |
Sara Taylor CEO Leaderscript Arvado, CO | Anne Marie Todd Owner, SCM Group EmpowHer Vets for Success Blacklick, OH | Kara-Marie Urban Associate Squire Patton Boggs Washington, DC |
Ana Vaqueiro Matrix Service Company Sr. T&D Technology Specialist Tulsa, OK | Stefanie Vestal Director of Strategy/External Affairs Little Rock, AR | Ashley Webb Rice Paralegal Danna McKitrick, P.C. St. Louis, MO |
About Renew America Together: Founded in 2019 by General (ret.) Wesley K. Clark, Renew America Together was created with the belief that most Americans share many common values, yet societal polarization has continued to increase. Renew America Together is a 501 (c)(3) organization established to promote and achieve greater common ground in America by reducing partisan division and gridlock. The mission is to revitalize public and political discourse by teaching and promoting civics, citizenship, and civility. This is achieved through town hall events, civility training including SERVE: a framework for civility and TRUST: combatting disinformation, and the flagship Civility Leadership Institute.
About the Civility Leadership Institute: Created in 2021, the Civility Leadership Institute is an exclusive group of 30 community leaders from around the country who come together for a year of learning, training, and networking all with the mission to fight polarization and create civility. Since its inception, 120 people have gone through the program by participation with the flagship Renew America Together cohort, and additional satellite cohorts led by partner organizations.