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A virtual symposium hosted in partnership with The Brookings Institution and the George Washington Library of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association.This event will be available for viewing beginning on January 27, 2021 at 12 noon ET.

Part 1

(Runtime approximately 2 hours)

Conversations include:

Governor Larry Hogan (R-MD): The Importance of Bipartisan Leadership in Crisis and the Role of States in Meeting National Issues

Wilson Center President and former Congresswoman Jane Harman: Global Collaboration and America’s Leadership

Microsoft President Brad Smith: Public-Private Cooperation in Meeting the Challenges of Today’s World

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) George Washington’s Call for a Selfless, Non-partisan Approach to Governing -- Restoring Civility and Effectiveness in the Legislative Branch

Conference Introduction


Leadership conference introduction by Mrs. Sarah Coulson, the 22nd Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, General John R. Allen, President of the Brookings Institution, and Dr. Douglas Bradburn, Mount Vernon President & CEO.

Governor Larry Hogan


Dr. Douglas Bradburn, Mount Vernon President & CEO, and Governor Larry Hogan (R-MD), discusses the importance of bipartisan leadership in crisis and the role of states in meeting national issues

Congresswoman Jane Harman


General John R. Allen, President of the Brookings Institution, and Wilson Center President and former Congresswoman Jane Harman discuss global collaboration and America’s leadership.

Author Joseph Ellis


Pulitzer-Prize winning author and historian Joseph Ellis discusses Washington's leadership and what light it might shed on the United States during the challenges faced today.

Microsoft President Brad Smith


General John R. Allen and Microsoft President Brad Smith discuss public-private cooperation in meeting the challenges of today’s world.

Senator Tim Kaine


Dr. Douglas Bradburn and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) discuss George Washington’s call for a selfless, non-partisan approach to governing, and restoring civility and effectiveness in the legislative branch.

Part 2

(Runtime approximately 2 hours)

Carlyle founder and patriotic philanthropist David Rubenstein interviews U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and General Colin Powell.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor


In this segment, Carlyle founder and patriotic philanthropist David Rubenstein interviews U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

General Colin Powell


David Rubenstein interviews General Colin Powell.