Power, Policy, and the People: Exploring Democracy’s Future with Sharon Davies

​The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is hosting a compelling virtual conversation with Sharon Davies, president and CEO of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation - Today, April 24 at 10 a.m. This event will delve into the future of democracy, civic engagement, and strategies to counter authoritarianism. With a distinguished career in law, academia, and social justice leadership, Davies brings deep insight to the discussion. The event is free and open to the public via Zoom, with registration required. Read more in the blog post below.

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The National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) is pleased to share this upcoming event from our member organization, the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute will host a timely virtual conversation with Sharon Davies, president and CEO of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, on Thursday, April 24, at 10 a.m. This free public event will explore critical aspects of democracy advancement and civic engagement.

Davies, who has led the Kettering Foundation since April 2022, brings impressive credentials to this discussion. Her background includes serving as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Spelman College, and holding multiple leadership positions at Ohio State University, including vice provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer. She also directed the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity and served as an associate dean at Ohio State's Moritz College of Law.

"Sharon Davies is one of the most creative and skilled foundation leaders in the United States," notes John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Institute. "With an impressive background in law and academia and a passionate commitment to social justice, Ms. Davies has propelled the Kettering Foundation to the center of the debate about how to preserve and strengthen our democracy."

The Kettering Foundation, established in 1927 by inventor and philanthropist Charles F. Kettering, operates with a mission to "advance inclusive democracies by fostering citizen engagement, promoting government accountability, and countering authoritarianism" - work that aligns closely with NCDD's own commitment to dialogue and deliberation as essential democratic practices.

Davies earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and her law degree from Columbia University. Her professional experience includes serving as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York.

This virtual event is part of the institute's "Understanding Our New World" discussion series and will take place via Zoom. While free and open to the public, registration is required. Participants can submit questions for Davies either through the registration form or by emailing [email protected].
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To register for this important conversation on democracy's future, visit paulsimoninstitute.org/events.

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The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) is a network of more than 700 organizations and individuals working to foster dialogue, deliberation, and other innovative group processes to help people come together across differences to tackle challenging issues. To learn more about our work and join our community, visit ncdd.org.