Delve into the urgent intersections of race, health, wealth, and the arts with an opening plenary that will explore how current events are shaping these issues, with a particular focus on empowering youth and on creative practice in equitable recovery from natural disasters.
University of Melbourne Professor Anna Kennedy-Borissow will give the keynote address followed by a discussion with California Wellness Foundation Vice President of Public Affairs, Alex M. Johnson and Changeist Chief Executive Officer Mario Fedelin.
Bios
Anna Kennedy-Borissow
Anna Kennedy-Borissow is a researcher, educator, arts manager, and theatre maker based on Wurundjeri lands in Melbourne, Australia. She is completing her Doctor of Philosophy – Arts at the University of Melbourne, where she researches community-engaged arts programs following disasters that improve community wellbeing and contribute to a culture of democracy.
Alex M. Johnson
Alex M. Johnson is vice president of public affairs at the California Wellness Foundation (Cal Wellness) and oversees the department’s government relations, community engagement and strategic communications. Previously, he served as vice president at Bryson Gillette and as a senior leader at Cal Wellness in various grantmaking roles. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and American University’s Washington College of Law.
Mario Fedelin
Mario Fedelin is the chief executive officer of Changist. In 2014 he conceived of, designed, and launched Changeist, which builds pathways for social changemaking by engaging young leaders with each other, with California’s critical issues, and with local agencies working toward solutions.