International Young Leader’s Conference & Career Fair
Join us at the International Young Leaders Conference, where we empower young minds to reshape the world! 🌍
At this year’s conference, we delve into the thought-provoking theme of “The Value of A Life.” The conference will consist of two panels: Global Perspectives & Closer to Home.
PANEL 1: Global Perspectives
Topics include:
Dr. Mehdi Noorbaksh – Global Aggression
Don Brown – Climate & Ethics
Dr. Sanjay Paul – Global Economic Inequality
Dr. José de Arimatéia da Cruz – Counterterrorism and Protecting the
Homeland
PANEL 2: Closer to Home
Topics include:
Chad Dion Lassiter – Protecting civil rights
Durre Sharif – Refugees/Immigrants in Our Region
Dr. Renu Joshi – Healthcare/Physical and Mental Health
Cole Goodman – Politics, youth and value of life for future leaders
Jennifer C. Foxworthy – Human Trafficking in our Region
Conference Schedule
| 10:00 | Opening Remarks |
| 10:30-12:00 | Panel 1: Global Perspectives |
| 12:00-1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00-1:45 | Keynote: Artificial Intelligence and Our Future |
| 1:45-3:00 | Panel 2: Closer to Home |
| 3:00-3:30 | Presentation of Global Scholars Certificates & Closing Remarks |
Speakers
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Chad Dion LassiterExecutive Director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations CommissionLassiter is the current Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, where he investigates complaints of unlawful discrimination in areas like employment, housing, commercial property, education, and public accommodations. A nationally recognized expert in the field of American Race Relations, Lassiter has worked on race, peace, and poverty- related issues in the U.S., Africa, Canada, Haiti, Israel, and Norway, and is called upon frequently by media outlets to provide commentary on race relations and potential solutions.
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Cole GoodmanVice Chair of the Dauphin County Democratic PartyCole Davis Goodman is a political consultant, soccer coach and
community activist who is widely traveled around the globe. He is active in
politics in Pennsylvania and is a member of the Executive Committee of the State Democratic Party, as well as vice chair of the Dauphin County Democratic Party. -
Don BrownScholar in Residence for Sustainability Ethics and LawScholar in Residence for Sustainability Ethics and Law through Widener Law Commonwealth’s Environmental Law and Sustainability Center. He previously worked as program manager for United Nations Organizations at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of International Environmental Policy. He represented the agency on U.S. delegations to the United Nations negotiating climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development issues.
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Dr. José de Arimatéia da CruzResearch Professor, US Army War CollegeDr. José de Arimatéia da Cruz is currently a Research Professor at the Center for Strategic Leadership, Homeland Defense and Security Studies and Senior Environmental Security Fellow, Strategic Landpower Futures Group at the US Army War College.
Dr. da Cruz is the former President of the Savannah Council on World Affairs and is on the Board of Directors of the World Affairs Council of America. Dr. da Cruz is also a CISCO Certified CyberOps Officer, Certified INFOSEC Cybersecurity Administrator, Certified HIPAA Compliance Officer, a certified US Department of Homeland Security Military Resources in Emergency Management, Computer Security Incident Handler, and a Certified Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Cyber Intelligence.
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Dr. Mehdi NoorbakshProfessor at Harrisburg University, WACH Vice PresidentExpert on the Middle East, Iran, and International Affairs
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Dr. Renu JoshiEndocrinologist, Mount Nittany Medical CenterDr. Renu Joshi is an endocrinologist who has practiced in the US for over 20 years. She is currently at Mount Nittany Medical Center and previously worked as VP of Population Health at UPMC Central PA. She is known for her work in diabetes care and has received numerous awards for her work.
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Dr. Truong Xuan TranAssistant Professor of Computer Science at Penn State HarrisburgDr. Truong X. Tran has been an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Penn State Harrisburg, Penn State University, since August 2021. Dr. Tran has experience and interests in conducting research in Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Bioinformatics, and Software Engineering. His research explores applications in both transformative research and embedding innovation research into real-world problems.
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Durre SharifResettlement Supervisor, Church World ServicesDurre Sharif, a London native, is passionate about cross-cultural understanding & community building. She studied English literature & taught in London for six years, making a positive impact on students. Durre is a member of the Ahmadi Muslim Community & has witnessed the positive impact of refugee resettlement on persecuted individuals. After moving to the US, she focused on advocating for Muslims, promoting diversity, & nurturing future leaders. Durre volunteered as an interpreter for CWS Harrisburg, where she became a Community Relations Sr Specialist & now serves as Resettlement Supervisor, impacting lives & supporting those seeking a new beginning.
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Jennifer C. FoxworthyFounder and CEO of her Inspirationally Speaking, LLCJennifer Foxworthy is a post-domestic violence thriver and victim’s advocate. She is founder and CEO of her Inspirationally Speaking, LLC, and is a motivational speaker. A retired Navy Aircrewman, Jennifer knocked down stereotypes and dealt with discrimination as she became the first African-American female Aircrewman, the first African-American Aircrewman in the enlisted ranks, and the first female In Flight Technician during her squadron tours.
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Sanjay Paul, PhDProfessor, Elizabethtown College
Dr. Paul joined Elizabethtown College in 2002. He teaches courses in mathematical economics, data visualization, international economics and a first-year seminar on globalization. He has developed an International Organizations Seminar in which he leads a study tour to Switzerland and Germany, which involves collaboration with Konstanz University in Germany. In the past he has led study tours to Brussels, Dhaka, and the United Nations, New York.
His research interests include globalization, economic development and trade policy. Dr. Paul has written on economic issues for the Patriot News.
He has a Ph.D. in economics from the State University of New York, Buffalo, and Bachelor’s of Technology in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
