David Holt is the 38th Mayor of Oklahoma City and President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (2025–26). A member of the Osage Nation and the city’s first Native American mayor, he is widely recognized for championing civility, pluralism, and unity in public life. His “One OKC” vision calls communities to transcend division and find common purpose—an approach that has earned national and international respect. Named among TIME magazine’s “100 Next” most influential leaders, Mayor Holt has become a leading voice on restoring civic trust and democratic culture. Under his leadership, Oklahoma City has been recognized for inclusive, citizen-driven governance and renewed investment in community well-being. He authored Big League City: Oklahoma City’s Rise to the NBA and continues to model principled, future-focused leadership grounded in empathy, dignity, and the belief that cities thrive when people work together—as one.

Diane Kalen-Sukra is a renowned civility expert, best-selling author of Save Your City, keynote speaker & advisor to cities. A former city manager with three decades of public service, she founded Kalen Academy, an online civic leadership institute and hosts the Cultivating Civility podcast series. Certified in culture transformation, she applies that certification to community & institutional challenges across North America and beyond, delivering practical tools leaders can use today. In 2024 she organized and hosted the inaugural Civility Summit attended by 450 civic leaders.  Frequently featured by media and professional associations, she offers clear frameworks for ethical leadership, civil discourse, and resilient communities. Her forthcoming book Lead with Civility provides a hands-on proven roadmap to renewing civic culture.

Chris Eddy is a seasoned local government executive with over 20 years of leadership experience across Australia. He has served in key roles including CEO of Hobsons Bay City Council, Interim CEO of LeadWest and LGPro, and Administrator at the City of Whittlesea. His career spans communications, governance, change management, and stakeholder engagement. A former regional media personality, Chris is the creator and host of the popular Local Government News Roundup podcast, providing timely insights for civic leaders. He also presents local government programs for the VLGA Connect channel on YouTube and podcast. Chris Eddy combines deep executive expertise with a communicator’s clarity, helping leaders strengthen governance, transparency, and community trust.

Mark Kingwell is a celebrated Canadian philosopher, professor at the University of Toronto, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. An award‑winning author of more than a dozen books, including A Civil Tongue and Question Authority, he is known for his influential work on civility, justice, and public trust. His writing appears in leading outlets such as Harper’s Magazine and The Globe and Mail, where he blends clarity, wit, and philosophical insight. Kingwell’s scholarship explores strengthening democracy through pluralism, civic dialogue, and institutional trust. A sought‑after speaker and media commentator, he offers practical, inspiring guidance for leaders seeking to foster civility, address systemic inequalities, and build more just, resilient, and engaged communities.

Donna Hicks, PhD, is an acclaimed authority on dignity, conflict resolution, and leadership. An Associate at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, she has worked for over 25 years facilitating dialogue in some of the world’s most intractable conflicts—including in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Colombia. Dr. Hicks is the bestselling author of Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict and Leading with Dignity, which have revolutionized approaches to leadership and culture in organizations globally. A sought-after speaker, she delivers dynamic, research-driven insights on honoring dignity as the foundation for civility, equity, and effective collaboration. Her groundbreaking Dignity Model empowers leaders and communities to foster trust, inclusion, and transformative relationships for thriving, resilient societies.

Kim Scott is a renowned workplace thought leader, bestselling author, and speaker known for revolutionizing leadership and organizational culture. Author of Radical Candor and Just Work, Kim empowers leaders to build radically candid, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. As co-founder of Radical Candor, Scott draws from her experience coaching CEOs at Dropbox, Twitter, and Qualtrics, as well as her leadership roles at Google—where she led AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams—and teaching at Apple University. Her acclaimed frameworks on candor, feedback, and justice help leaders foster open communication, trust, and robust collaboration. Frequently featured in business media, Kim inspires audiences seeking practical ways to drive respect, equity, and high performance. She lives with her family in Silicon Valley.

Josiah Ober is a leading authority on democracy, civic education, and political theory, serving as the Markos & Eleni Kounalakis Chair in Honor of Constantine Mitsotakis and Professor of Political Science and Classics at Stanford University. As Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and founder of the Stanford Civics Initiative, Ober’s groundbreaking research bridges ancient Greek political thought and modern democratic practice. He is the acclaimed author of books such as The Civic Bargain, The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece, and Demopolis, and has published nearly 100 scholarly articles on democracy, rationality, and civic trust. A sought-after speaker and educator, Ober inspires civic leaders with practical lessons from history, championing institutional trust, inclusive citizenship, and the renewal of civics education for resilient, thriving democracies

Seth D. Kaplan is a renowned author, Johns Hopkins University professorial lecturer, and global expert on fragile states, societies, and communities. As Senior Adviser for the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) and consultant to organizations like the World Bank and U.S. State Department, Kaplan has worked in over 70 countries, advising on political transitions, conflict prevention, and community resilience. His acclaimed book, Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a Time, brings international insight to revitalizing local communities and social ties across America. With expertise spanning state-building, social cohesion, and inclusive development, Kaplan is a sought-after speaker who empowers civic leaders with innovative, practical strategies for rebuilding trust, fostering collaboration, and creating resilient, thriving neighborhoods in a polarized age.