1 VITAL SPEECHES of the day 2021 EDITION THESE VITAL SPEECHES THE BEST OF THE 2021 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS

38 EDUCATION: “There Will Be Daybreak,” by Julia Lam for GRAND AWARD Craig Williams, President, Jordan Brand, NIKE, Inc. 3 “The Charter That Started a Revolution,” by Bill Bryant for Leslie 39 ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY/SUSTAINABILITY: “A Net-Zero Hale, President and CEO, RLJ Lodging Trust Emissions Energy Business,” by Lech Mintowt-Czyz for Ben van Beurden, CEO, Royal Dutch Shell 45 HEALTHCARE: “Now Is Our Time to Act,” by Kristin Zipay for David J. Skorton, MD, President and CEO, Association of CATEGORY WINNERS American Medical Colleges 5 AGRICULTURE: “The Past, Present and Future of UF/IFAS,” 48 LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT: “3D Public Servants: The by Chris Moran for Jack Payne, Senior Vice President, Courage to Be Human,” by Justine Adelizzi for Mary C. Daly, University of Florida President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco 11 ASSOCIATIONS: “American Nurses Association Membership 54 PUBLIC POLICY: “Free Tickets to the Ultimate Behind-the- Assembly Presidential Address,” by Joan Hurwitz for Scenes View. A Chance for Science, Policy-Makers and Society Ernest J. Grant, President to Connect,” by Sjors Talsma for Ingrid van Engelshoven, Minister of Education, Culture and Science 14 BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES: “Getting to the Core of Culture,” by Felicity H. Barber for John Williams, President and 55 SOCIAL JUSTICE: “BCJA & GAAA Alumni State of the Union Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of New York Address 2020,” by Natasha Walker Jones for Natasha Walker Jones, President, BCJA GAAA Alumni Association, Inc. 16 COMMERCE AND RETAIL: “Reps, You Have a Chance to Help Wholesalers Get Better,” by Teresa Zumwald for Rob Ferguson, 57 ANALYST CALL/INVESTOR MEETING: “Action Today for a President, Local Company Group, Winsupply Better Tomorrow,” by Lech Mintowt-Czyz for Ben van Beurden, CEO, Royal Dutch Shell 19 EDUCATORS: “Remarks at Founders’ Day Convocation 2020,” by Elaine Tooley for Nathan Hatch, President, 58 AWARD ACCEPTANCE: “We Need Better Answers and Wake Forest University More Shoulders,” by Joe Gettler for Vanessa Sanders, Assistant Scientist, Brookhaven National Laboratory 20 ENERGY: “Oil, Gas and Neymar’s Left Foot,” by Michel Reinders for Wael Sawan, Upstream Director, Royal Dutch Shell 59 COMMEMORATIVE SPEECH: “100 Years of Women’s Suffrage: The Enduring Power of Showing Up,” by Jayette Bolinski for 21 GOVERNMENT: “Governing During a Pandemic and the Susana A. Mendoza, Illinois State Comptroller Humbling Act of Helping Others,” by John Patterson for Don Harmon, Illinois Senate President 62 CRISIS COMMUNICATION: “Message About COVID-19,” by Renata Serafin for Dr. Ric Baser, President of Northwest Vista College 24 MILITARY: “A Call to Arms: Resilience to Disinformation,” by Emma Anbeek for Admiral R.P. Bauer, Chief of Defence 62 EMPLOYEE MEETING: “I Work for You,” by Chris Moran for Scott Angle, Vice President, University of Florida 27 NONPROFIT: “Our First Teachers,” by Rosemary King for Nichole Maher, CEO, Group Health Foundation 65 EULOGY/TRIBUTE SPEECH: “Black Heritage Series: Gwen Ifill First-Day-of-Issue Commemorative Stamp Dedication,” by 29 CONTROVERSIAL OR HIGHLY POLITICIZED TOPICS: “What Does John Purdy for Ronald Stroman, Deputy Postmaster General, This Statue Mean? Removing the Country’s Largest Confederate U.S. Postal Service Monument,” by Grant Neely for Ralph S. Northam, Governor of Virginia 66 TECHNOLOGY, AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH: “How to Thrive in the Data Age,” by Kari Matalone for Doug Merritt, CEO, Splunk 31 COVID CRISIS: “After Lockdown: Insights on the Future of Work,” by Martha J. Frase for Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President and CEO, 71 STATE-OF-THE-INSTITUTION SPEECH: “Selling Illinois,” SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management by Jayette Bolinski for Susana A. Mendoza, Illinois State Comptroller 32 DIVERSITY/EQUITY/INCLUSION: “The Right to Be Ourselves,” by Antonie van Campen for Stef Blok, Dutch Minister of 73 TED TALK/TEDX TALK: “The Secret to Healing the World,” Foreign Affairs written and delivered by Shereese Floyd-Thompson, President, StoryMakers Consulting 36 ECONOMICS: “The New Stone Soup,” by Justine Adelizzi for Mary C. Daly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

SEE HONORABLE MENTIONS, INSIDE FRONT COVERCICERO 2021 HONORABLE MENTION “A Solution to Every Puzzle,” by Julie Lasson for John C. “Tell ’Em About the Dream, Martin,” by Rosemary King for Williams, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of New Rukaiyah Adams, Chief Financial Officer, Meyer Memorial Trust York “Nothing Is More Valuable than Lifelong Connections,” by “Uniting Through Science,” by Jody Sunna for André Patricia Fripp for Wanda Hope, Chief Diversity Officer, Johnson Calantzopoulos, CEO, Philip Morris International & Johnson Worldwide

“A Very Different World,” by Kathleen Wyatt for Chad Holliday, “From Calamity to Blessing,” by Daniel Notman for Linda A. Chairman of Royal Dutch Shell Livingstone, Ph.D., President, Baylor University

“How to Change the World,” by Arne Muis for Sigrid Kaag, “We Need to Follow Two Parallel Paths at the Same Time,” by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Teresa Zumwald for Rob Ferguson, President, Local Company Group, Winsupply “It’s Time to Make Juneteenth a Paid State Holiday in Virginia,” by Chelyen Davis for Ralph S. Northam, Governor of Virginia “Eulogy in Celebration of Roger E Tetrault,” written and delivered by Danielle Tetrault Gooch, daughter of Roger E “Success in the Data Age,” by Carly Clements for John Sabino, Tetrault Chief Customer Officer, SVP, Splunk “Amin Nasser: Energy Executive of the Year,” by Lech Mintowt- “How Innovation and Creativity Drive American Czyz for Ben van Beurden, CEO, Royal Dutch Shell Competitiveness,” by Richard McCormack for Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Intellectual Property and Director of the “Building our Empathy Muscle,” by Martha J. Frase for Johnny U.S. Patent and Trademark Office C. Taylor, Jr., President and CEO, SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management “Their Bonds Are Strong” (60th Wedding Anniversary Remarks in Honor of Jerry and Eileen Armbruster), written and delivered by Teresa Zumwald, daughter of Jerry and Eileen Armbruster 3 GRAND AWARD WINNER “The Charter That Started a Revolution”

By Bill Bryant for Leslie Hale, Delivered at the Howard University annual convocation ceremony, President and CEO, RLJ Lodging Trust March 6, 2020

r. Frederick, thank you for that And for those of us fortunate the way Black Americans contribute to, Dvery kind introduction. enough to attend Howard, it did even and function in, American society. Mr. Charmin, my fellow Trustees, more than that. It transformed our The founding of Howard made an faculty, students, and members of the own perceptions of who we are and audacious statement to the nation. It Howard community, thank you for what we could become. declared that African Americans are such a warm welcome. To fully grasp the impact that How- talented, ambitious, and knowledge- I would also like to acknowledge my ard has had, we must go back to 1867, able. It announced an undiscovered parents, my amazing husband, Odis, the year that President Andrew John- richness and untapped potential in and our four beautiful children: Caleb, son signed the charter that established Black America. Cullen, Casey, and Caroline, who are this university. It opened doors for an entire people. here today. At the time, our nation was only It gave them the permission and the I’m honored to be part of this Char- a few years removed from a civil war encouragement to envision what before ter Day Convocation program. And fought to resolve a fundamental ques- had been an unimaginable future for humbled to be in the distinguished tion: Would this nation, born of a themselves and their families. And it company of the men and women who belief that all men were created with provided the knowledge and skills to came before me in this role. an equal right to liberty and justice, live make this future possible. When I was at Howard, 25 years up to its conviction? None of this was prophesized or ago, I had a reputation for being a little This question was being asked not predestined in the charter. It was the provocative. My line name was “Rebel only in the aftermath of bloody history, generations of Black thinkers who without a Cause,” which my line but also in the context of popular opin- came to this University who established sisters—Melissa, Theresa and Chunda, ion. Most of white America thought this legacy. It was the talented and who are here today—will confirm. Black people had nothing to offer the tenacious writers, scientists, lawyers, That’s also how I operate in the world but our physical labor … our doctors, and academics who received business world, as my fellow Howard service and our servitude. an education here who made Howard Trustees can attest. That our only value was the work University “The Howard University.” So, I’ll begin my remarks today with of our hands, with no consideration— White hands may have signed the a provocative question: certainly no appreciation—for the charter establishing this institution. Did the founders of this great humanity in our hearts or the creativity But Black hands built it into what it is university fully recognize the power of of our minds. today—literally and figuratively. what they ushered into existence 153 This was the America in which I’m convinced that much of the years ago? Howard University welcomed its first progress made over the past two centu- Did they have any idea that they students to a three-acre campus in 1867. ries in this country would not have been were changing the fabric of this nation? The charter itself was a humble possible without Howard University. Or did they simply think they were document, one without pomp or cir- By challenging America’s percep- helping formerly enslaved people get cumstance. It was enacted by a group tions of African Americans … by an education? of white families to establish, and I constantly prodding the nation to live I began thinking about this ques- quote, “a University for the education up to its stated goals of liberty and tion by reflecting on the university’s of youth in the liberal arts and sci- justice for all, this University and its charter. And the more that I thought ences, under the name, style, and title esteemed graduates have been instru- about it, the more I realized that of ‘The Howard University’.” mental in moving America towards a the charter was more than simply a The charter didn’t prescribe or an- more perfect union. founding document. ticipate a grand vision of a revolution- That’s why I say that America would At its core, it was a revolutionary ary institution that would become this not be the country it is today without document. It created a university beacon of Black power … Black cre- Howard University. Provocative? that transformed both America’s and ativity … and Black brilliance. But in Imagine, if you will, a world the world’s perceptions of African hindsight, we see that the university the without Howard … a world in which Americans. charter instituted has seismically shifted this charter—modest as it may have

CICERO 2021 4 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS been—was never written, never signed was enshrined in our laws, protecting that have served me well throughout and never realized. our life and our liberty. my career. Without Howard, Thurgood It was Howard University that gave You could say that career began as Marshall—who was rejected by the us the writers and thinkers and educa- a kid working for my entrepreneurial University of Maryland’s law school tors and faith leaders who changed parents. I like to say that I’ve been because of the color of his skin— hearts and minds, helping America working since I was seven years old, but might never have litigated Brown vs. understand that we too are part of I didn’t start getting paid until I gradu- Board of Education, giving segrega- “we the people.” ated from college. tion greater opportunity to grow as So, is it really provocative to say Now while my parents didn’t pay the law of the land. that the founding of our great univer- me, they instilled in me the priceless Without Howard, Dr. Charles sity, the act that brings us together in values that are the foundation of who I Drew might never have conducted celebration today, was as transforma- am today: A strong work ethic, a com- the research necessary to store blood tive to our nation as the United States mitment to excellence, and a sense of in blood banks, making injury and Constitution? I don’t think so. responsibility to my work, to my family trauma, war and natural disaster even To me, it’s obvious that the charter and to my community. more fatal. Without that research many establishing Howard University de- As a high school student, I was of the 4.5 million American lives saved serves its own place in history, along- thrilled when my parents took me on by blood transfusions each year might side the charter that established this na- their version of a black college tour. instead be lost. tion and changed the course of history. Since my father’s family was from Ten- Without Howard, Harry G. Robin- I know this: it sure changed my nessee, of course he took me to visit son III, Dean Emeritus of the School of history. Fisk. Next, we went to Spelman. The Architecture and Design, might never As Howard produced leaders who last stop was Howard University. have developed the skills with which he, profoundly impacted America, it also I remember the day as if it were quite literally, helped build and shape taught African Americans to think dif- yesterday. The sun was shining … this city, this country, this world. ferently about ourselves—our talent … the cherry trees were in blossom. As I Without Howard, Toni Morrison our value … our place within the great stood in front of the quad, watching might not have picked up a pen and American narrative. students, everyone seemed to move recreated the “great American novel,” I know this because I am one with purpose. I had the overwhelming depriving generations of female writers of these people. Howard not only feeling that this was where I was sup- and writers of color the inspiration to changed the way I viewed the world, it posed to be … that I belonged here. pick up their own pens. also changed the way I viewed myself When I came to Howard two years And without Howard, my soror, Zora in the world. later, I wasn’t a great student. Some Neal Hurston, who co-founded the Hill- I’m the granddaughter of a share- schools would have chewed up some- top newspaper as a student here, might cropper from west Tennessee. My one like me and spit them out, saving never have gone on to become the great grandfather hoboed from Tennessee to their resources and energies for those renaissance woman she is and to put her California in search of a better life for they felt had greater potential. stamp on the Harlem Renaissance. his family. And even if he could have But, as you know, that’s not what These are just a few examples. Add afforded to stay in hotels on his jour- Howard does. Howard nurtures … those to the thousands more I could ney, he wouldn’t have been let in. Howard educates … Howard polishes. mention, and it’s impossible for me Two generations later, the company And then, when you are ready, How- to conclude anything but this: With- I now lead owns more than 100 hotels. ard propels. out Howard, our nation’s—and our I can’t help but think about the irony— It nurtured my faith in the enormous world’s—story would not be the same. the strange poetic justice—of my story potential of our race … my pride in be- Not as rich, not as dynamic, not as … a story that has been unique and ing a Black woman … my understand- complete, and not as accomplished. unexpected in many ways. ing of the richness of Black culture. It Even though the Declaration of I grew up in South Central Los gave me the confidence that only comes Independence declared that “all men Angeles, a public-school kid who was from being surrounded by highly intel- were created equal” and promised “life, an average student … insecure and ligent students … a feeling of pride that liberty and the pursuit of happiness…” deathly afraid of failure. Some of you only grows out of being connected to a Even though the Constitution estab- have watched the movie “Boyz n the rich history larger than your own. lished “We, the people” and guaran- Hood.” That was no Hollywood exag- It educated me in traditional and teed basic rights and freedoms…. geration. That was my reality. non-traditional ways. In the classroom, Despite all that assurance, it was I’m thankful for that experience. I discovered my true academic love. Howard University that gave us the le- Because the streets of L.A. taught me When I took my first finance class, I gal minds who made sure that equality about determination and grit, lessons immediately fell in love with the con-

VSOTD.COM 5 cept of taking one dollar and turning it Because Howard gave me the courage see herself rising to heights she never into two. and audacity to think bigger and bold- imagined. And it polished me, inside and er. Because Howard helped me find my This is the Howard story, my How- outside the classroom. Something as voice. Because Howard instilled in me ard story. I will always cherish it and simple as the proper way to shake a a sense of pride. And because Howard the many people who first made it pos- hand, I learned here at Howard from gave me the confidence to believe that sible and then made it special. a professor who didn’t even know me. I belonged in the room where decisions I know that many of you have After giving him a dead-fish hand- are made. similar stories … of how Howard shake, he took the time to teach me That’s what this school did for nourished, educated and propelled how to shake hands with confidence me, and that’s what it does for all its you. And if you’re so fortunate to be a and conviction. students. student here, you’re in the process of That professor was the first person Howard is what allowed a young writing your own story. to emphasize the more subtle skills Trinidadian student named Stokely When the founders of Howard needed for success. Among them, the Carmichael to see himself on the front signed that charter 153 years ago, they importance of a first impression and lines of a social justice movement that planted a simple seed. But one that how you represent yourself. These would alter the course of human history would produce a bountiful harvest. We experiences established the foundation and empower Black people everywhere should be thankful for their foresight of who I would become. to take pride in their African heritage. and courage. People often ask if my biggest ac- Howard is what allowed an eager We should also be thankful for complishment was working in places law student named Douglas Wilder to what Howard has given each of us, as like GE, Goldman Sachs or attending see himself as the governor of Virginia, should our nation and our world. And Harvard Business School. Or if my the former seat of the Confederacy. we should also be eager to repay the biggest accomplishment is being the Howard is what allowed an Oakland debt. With our minds and with our first African American Woman CEO teenager named Kamala Harris to see continued contributions to every aspect of a publicly traded Real Estate Invest- herself representing America’s largest of society. Because that is now what is ment Trust. I tell them, it’s none of state and running for the highest office expected of us. those things. in the land. It’s been such a pleasure to be with My biggest accomplishment is And Howard is what allowed an in- you today. Thank you very much. graduating from Howard University. secure girl from South Central L.A. to

WINNER: AGRICULTURE “The Past, Present and Future of UF/IFAS”

By Chris Moran for Jack Payne, Delivered at the UF/IFAS Research Forum, Senior Vice President, University of Florida May 1, 2020

hanks, Rob, for this opportunity to We believe in improving the human Today I’d answer the first question Tbe together. condition. the same way I did 10 years ago. I’m a I do mean together, even if I’m We believe we can do this most land-grant guy. I said none of us is as looking out at you from a computer effectively as a team. smart as all of us. I found a home of screen. We’ve always been a geographi- We commit ourselves to science in kindred spirits here, because we share cally dispersed community. But we the service of society. the same values. have never been a fractured one. We see science as the path to truth. These values are guiding us through In a lot of workplaces, proximity We believe in the land-grant mission. this historic moment. They’re the dif- is the glue that holds people together. During my interview for this job ference that will make us authors of You get close to someone by working ten years ago, I used some of the slides history, not just readers of it. close to someone. you’ll see today. Back then, I posed This historic crossroads involves two We’re more than that. We are part three questions about myself: major transitions, either one of which is of something special and much big- Who is this guy? probably as much change as you’d want ger. From Key West to Pensacola, our Can he do the work? And… to deal with at once. I’d argue that it’s shared values unite us. Is he one of us? good they’re happening together.

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First, the disease. Here’s where we our kids to the same schools. The We easily connected from opposite sides need to be readers of history. There was land-grant mission positions us as the of the decades that separate their time a UF College of Agriculture, a Florida people’s university. from mine. Those values that bring Agricultural Experiment Station, and a Renee and I came here from Iowa us together from different geographic Florida Cooperative Extension Service with 5 dogs and a feeling of liberation areas are the same ones that connect during the Spanish influenza of 1918. over discarding our parkas, shovels, E.T.’s era to ours. They’ve been passed The men and women of what would and windshield scrapers. I invested in a from Tefertiller to Davidson to Zaca- later become IFAS got through it with- few orange ties and went to the DMV riah to Martin to Cheek to Payne. out the medical advances and commu- to get the IFAS MAN plate you’ve seen I didn’t choose to hand the job of nications tools we enjoy today. on my Jeep and now my truck. managing through a pandemic to the More recently, the history we’ve But our excitement was tempered next vice president. But I have chosen written together has chapters on by the recession still upon us. At work, to work all the way up to when the new emerging from recession, bouncing the executive team had to make dif- VP starts on July 13 instead of making back from multiple hurricanes, absorb- ficult decisions about how to deal with my last two months an opportunity to ing budget vetoes, and coming to terms the budget realities. We stuck to our use my overflow vacation days. with the deaths of colleagues like Phil guiding principles that put people first. I’ll say it again, UF/IFAS is better Stansly, Kristen Poppell, Mark Shuffitt, Instead of inflicting the pain of layoffs than it was 10 years ago. Our decade and Karl Havens. on individuals, we spread the pain and of remarkable progress is visible in The question then, isn’t whether shared it across the organization by not the accolades and awards, the journal we’ll get through this. filling vacant positions. articles, the media coverage, and rising It’s, “How?” When I got here, acquiring the rankings. We don’t put much stock It’s, “What will the post-COVID resources for growth and improvement in any individual ranking system. We IFAS look like?” seemed a distant dream. pursue a vision to be the best land- We’ll get through this by recommit- Yet here we are today, bigger and grant university in the nation. The rise ting ourselves to our values. better than a decade ago. in rankings, taken as a whole, indicate I’ve been part of the land-grant We did it by making ourselves more that we’ve made progress in realizing system since my student days. It has competitive for grant funding, attract- that vision. taken me around the world, from bear ing more philanthropic support, wisely The recipe for the past decade’s caves in Pennsylvania to the savannah managing our endowments, and effec- success has, in my view, three main of Kenya to the corridors of power tively telling our story to the legislature ingredients: in DC. It’s taken me to the National for state funding. Great ideas. Mall, where a kid from Philly, the son I hope that as we co-wrote this Great places. of a plumber, the first in his family to decade-long chapter of remarkable Great people. go to college, got to deliver a tribute to progress, you got the answer to “Can Let’s start with great ideas. UF/ the land-grant system to celebrate its he do the job?” IFAS is an idea farm. Ideas turn into sesquicentennial. This is an opportune moment for realities when we can take the best of What Lincoln brought into being in a new leader. Like a proud parent, I what each of us has to offer and then 1862 was among the most transforma- hope and expect he’ll be better than cultivate it. Those ideas outlive us. tive pieces of legislation in our nation’s me. You’ll get a proven leader, up to For example, we lost E.T. York in history. It made possible the discovery the challenge of this crucial moment in 2011, but not his vision to feed the of what became Sentricon, the preven- IFAS history. world. Last year, retired forage re- tion of birth defects through the use of A new leader may get you to a post- searcher Elver Hodges passed away at folic acid, the genetic material for 4 mil- COVID IFAS future faster, because he age 107. He still visited Ona regularly lion acres of planted pine, the FloRun- is not wed to the old ways. He can read until last year, and we have carried on ner peanut—and that’s just from IFAS. the chapter we’ve just written and help his commitment to serving producers. The land-grant mission is our you write the next one. We’re also grounded in the humility compact with 22 million Floridians, It was June of 2010 when a guy who he instilled in us. I remember during a that together we can make the world a looked like me—except with more hair visit to Ona I praised John Arthington better place. and fewer wrinkles—showed up wax- for growing the center’s endowment. With their support and their trust, ing poetic about how you can expect Dr. Hodges interrupted me, and he we discover and deliver the knowledge great things from IFAS. It was only the said, “I wouldn’t say he’s doing that they can use to live better lives. We sixth handoff in the senior vice presi- good of a job. He just signed a 5-year earn that trust because we live among dent’s office in our 56-year history. agreement with a 100-year-old man!” the people in every county, worship I’m fortunate to have visited with The tenure of a vice president is a with them, shop with them, and send E.T. York and Vam at Oak Hammock. convenient framework for the long-term

VSOTD.COM 7 view that makes our gains clear. The use. They get licensed because they’re Institute for Sustainable Food Systems 2010s have been a decade in which we profitable. as a preeminence initiative of the more fully realized that great ideas are • Second, we reinvest royalties into university. We needed a research unit the product of many minds. I learned greenhouses and lab equipment and re- to address the challenge of feeding the that you, too, believe that none of us is search, so it fuels even more innovation. world while enhancing the ecosystems as smart as all of us. We took steps to Another cluster of hires was orga- services that make agriculture possible organize our expertise around ideas as a nized around integrated pest manage- and preserving biodiversity, all under way to escape the limitations that come ment. The IPM cluster added half a the umbrella of climate change. from pigeonholing people by discipline. dozen bright young entomologists and We’re about to merge this systems It seems like eons ago now, but just nematologists to a team that already thinking with our long commitment to a few years back we got a new block was without peer in beating back bugs. tackling world hunger. of funding to hire research faculty. We They include people like Brian Five years ago, we outcompeted had a great idea on a way to use it. Bahder, who was honored at last year’s dozens of universities to lead a five- I invited you to pitch big ideas to research awards for his work using year $49 million worldwide project. me. And you delivered. You came to digital PCR to search for the cause of Through the USAID Feed the Future me with ambitions to take your work lethal bronzing in our state tree, the sa- Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems, to another level on sea-level rise, bal palm. His work is getting us closer we are making a difference in Ethiopia, integrated pest management, forest to an early detection system that could Burkina Faso, Nepal, and other nations. health, plant genomics, and resource- sharply reduce our use of pesticides. We’ve made such an impact that efficient communities. With the caveat again that rankings the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation We took the best of these ideas and do not define us, in 2017 the Center for added its own millions to the grant. hired people in clusters to pursue them. World University Rankings named the Gbola Adesogan has done such The strategy was to identify, recruit, UF Department of Entomology and a great job leading the project that and hire talent based on what problem Nematology the world’s top univer- he will lead the newly merged entity a scientist could help solve instead of sity entomology department. We’re formed from the Innovation Lab for what her degree was in or what aca- doing a world-class job of discovering Livestock Systems and the Institute for demic department had an opening. ways to protect trees, crops, animals, Sustainable Food Systems. This is so One of the most compelling ideas and people from insect-borne disease new that it doesn’t even have a name was to double down on one our great- while also protecting precious natural yet. It will allow IFAS to carry the est strengths, plant innovation. resources such as water. Innovation Lab’s objectives beyond Af- In the past 10 years we have In fact, our entire approach to agri- rica and Southeast Asia and the newly become, in my judgment, the pre- culture has evolved in the past decade. merged institute to become even more mier plant breeding university in the We’ve seen the idea take stronger hold global in outreach. nation. We turbo-charged what had that agricultural production systems Closer to home, we came up with already been an elite Plant Breeders need to simultaneously incorporate new ideas about how to promote equity Working Group with a new cluster of economic, ecological, and social goals. and access. We commissioned a study five scientists—a plant pathologist, a Our agronomy department has fostered that revealed that 1 in 10 UF students horticulturalist, and some geneticists. an international movement around this experienced hunger that interfered This expansion of the breeding team concept and established the Center for with their learning—1 in 5 among low- coincided with great leaps forward in Stress Resilient Agriculture in 2018 to income students. tools like CRISPR that will take years apply it more widely in Florida. In partnership with UF Student off the plant breeding timeline. Our year-old Center for Land-Use Affairs and the Office of the UF COO, Our plant breeders group grew to Efficiency, or CLUE, follows this model we opened and expanded the Alan and 30 faculty strong in the past decade, of seeking simultaneous economic, Cathy Hitchcock Field and Fork Pantry. working all over the state and in differ- ecological, and social payoffs from in- The Field and Fork Program is ent departments. Its team of scientists novation. We established it to integrate used by our instructors to give students now work on 50 crops. our water conservation work on farms experience in farm management, logis- We’ve seen great results. and nurseries, lawns and landscapes, tics, marketing, and more. In the past decade, UF/IFAS plant and planned communities. We also advanced the idea of the breeders have released 271 cultivars, I support centers because they citizen as not just the beneficiary of and revenues from plant royalties have advance systems thinking. That is, we our science but as our partner in it. If increased by 301 percent. That’s good can’t just study a single aspect of a we hadn’t had the help of the locals in news for two reasons: problem, but we have to study how all Cedar Key, for example, we would not • Number one, it demonstrates aspects interact. That was my think- have been able to celebrate an IFAS first that these cultivars are in widespread ing behind my decision to establish the in 2018—a ribbon-cutting on a reef.

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Peter Frederick acknowledges he by narrowing beds and raising them We proudly put the name Steinmetz didn’t know where to start. It was local by six inches. We have amassed more on the building that houses that world’s oystermen who suggested Lone Cab- knowledge and solutions for HLB in best Entomology and Nematology bage Reef. They offered huge insight the past decade than the whole rest of Department. into how and where oysters grow. the world did in the previous century. Right next to Steinmetz Hall we As amazing a scientist as Peter is, We’ve started conversations with grow- built the UF Honey Bee Research and he could not by himself get a 90-foot ers about how to incentivize the use Extension Lab. It’s a gleaming example barge loaded down with rocks into of climate-smart practices that could of what we can create with legislative position with less than a foot of water transform public perception of agri- support secured by stakeholders like under the keel and then surgically culture from one of climate villain to a the Florida State Beekeepers Associa- place the rocks into a precise location source of net carbon sequestration. tion. We rebuilt our Beef Teaching that was invisible in inky black water. We’ve grown plants in space and Unit, which serves teaching, Extension The idea that research is a commu- improved the cultivation of mustard and research purposes, again thanks to nity proposition has set Peter up for a plants we can turn into jet fuel. We’ve the support of a valued stakeholder, the decade of insights to come on how a collaborated with federal agencies in Florida Cattlemen’s Association. reconstructed reef might restore estu- pioneering the use of drones to learn We revived the Ordway-Swisher ary ecosystems. how to better manage both controlled Biological Station with a log-sawing Another great idea has been the burns and wildfires. We brought in ceremony to open a lab that has made strategic deployment of our Extension more than a dozen animal scientists, it much easier for our ecologists to agent corps to deliver your discover- including a livestock economist and a complete their field work. ies. I mentioned food systems before. rangeland wildlife biologist, to drive We rebuilt the Austin Cary For- When we made Liz Felter a food discovery behind the business of rais- est Roland T. Stern Learning Center systems agent, it broadened her work ing a million head of cattle. literally on the ashes of the old head- to include policy makers as well as We pursued a new idea to get quarters. producers. New researcher Catherine students thinking before they got to col- We invested heavily in what used to Campbell is continuing discussions Fel- lege about how to feed the world. The be called our Suwannee Valley Agri- ter started with cities and counties on Florida Youth Institute to immerses the cultural Extension Center, and we’ve how to craft public policy to promote state’s promising high school talent in redesignated it as a research center. urban food production to foster public a weeklong residential camp to expose We vastly expanded our distance health and a stronger, more resilient them to agriculture and natural re- education capacity—and not a mo- local economy. sources, recruit them to our majors, and ment too soon—with the Center for Extension has tripled the number of to enlist them in our idealism to create Online Learning and Technology. regional- and state-specialized agents a better world through careers that ad- We built or expanded dorms for since 2012. That includes the creation dress the planet’s major challenges. graduate students in Ona, Immokalee, of a five-member RSA water team that The College of Agricultural and Wimauma and other research and edu- works with each of the state’s five water Life Sciences has also pursued the idea cation centers across the state, simulta- management districts. of preparing students to become lead- neously strengthening our teaching and In short, we’ve broadened our out- ers of systemic change. Challenge 2050 research. look so that we have many more agents now has a four-course sequence that Kevin Heinicka and his facilities by topic, not by county. That’s why we culminates with a project focused on team deserve credit for building IFAS hired Andrea Albertin in Quincy and sustaining a global population. bigger. They also built smarter, so that Lisa Krimsky in Fort Pierce and other We overcame years of bureaucratic despite adding more than 400,000 water team members across the state. obstacles to turn the idea of a Ph.D. in square feet of facilities over the past 15 I’ve called water RSA Charles Barrett Youth Development and Family Sci- years, our utility bills are actually lower the Johnny Appleseed of soil moisture ences into a reality. It was one of the than they were in 2005. sensors in Suwannee Valley, helping few new Ph.D. programs anywhere on And in 2014, I came across an old farmers take advantage of cost-sharing campus in the past decade. motel with a for-sale sign. It had peel- programs to adopt this technology that Great places are a second way ing paint, busted bed springs, and a can cut water use by about a third and we made IFAS better than it was a weather-beaten roof. The parking lot save on pumping costs. decade ago. flooded in rain. Its dock had washed In the past decade, we’ve tested so We opened the Straughn IFAS away in a storm. I saw all this and many great ideas. Some have been Extension Professional Development came to an obvious conclusion: “What elegantly simple, like Sanjay Shukla Center a few months after I arrived. an opportunity!” saving farmers thousands of dollars Last year it hosted 12,600 people for Three years later, we cut the ribbon per acre on water, fuel, and fertilizer trainings and meetings. on what I like to think of as the Woods

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Hole of the South. The Nature Coast Our faculty are led by great admin- Denise Bogart’s efforts for diversity and Biological Station is the hub of science istrators. inclusion. Our future success really de- to protect one of the most pristine Here I can take a little credit. You pends on it, because without diversity in coastlines in the continental United see, I promoted Rob Gilbert three our people, we won’t have the diversity States. It’s a field station dedicated to times in eight years. It was as much as I of thought and perspective we need to the long-term ecological and economic could promote him without giving him maximize our scientific achievements. health of the Gulf Coast from Wakulla my own job! We’ve brought in an incredible to Hernando counties. I have long considered Nick Place the wave of new talent, men and women. It’s a triumph for our town-gown re- nation’s best Extension director. I think Raluca Mateescu has been profiled by lationships, a place that Mike Allen has in recent weeks, though, we all gained everyone from Bloomberg to the BBC integrated into the community both by a deeper appreciation of what kind of to the Wall Street Journal for her ge- inviting the public in and by involving leader he is. He has been a model com- nomics work that will give us climate- himself and his staff in community municator, keeping us informed and smart burgers and steaks. Seonghee events and projects. motivated. The transition also gave him Lee’s genomics expertise will help When I mention Mike Allen, the opportunity to publicly articulate a Vance Whitaker continue to develop I’m touching on the third and most compelling vision and passion for IFAS the world’s best-tasting strawberries. important ingredient in our decade of for the decade to come. UF’s undergraduate teacher of the progress. Great people. Elaine Turner has overseen record year, Laura Acosta of Food Science My proudest accomplishment is enrollment in CALS. More impor- and Human Nutrition, is preparing a the people we’ve hired. You will carry tantly, she has constantly promoted generation to put nutrition to use to on the legacy of the decade’s remark- excellence in teaching and learning. improve personal and public health. able progress. Elaine is also an example of how we Last year Andrea Lucky in entomology Seven years ago, the state designated have made great strides in recognizing won the USDA NIFA national early UF a preeminent university and pro- where the best talent is. career teaching award. vided funding to support recruitment Somehow, before I got here, we About a year after we hired Brett of faculty and researchers at the top of went 127 years without a single female Scheffers into our Wildlife Ecology and their fields. The surge of talent would dean of the college. Conservation Department, he drew contribute to our excellence on selected I also hired the first female dean of huge accolades—and incidentally, a topics, attract research funding, and research in what was then a 126-year death threat—for a paper he published raise the university’s stature. history. We may yet achieve another in the journal Science. His findings were IFAS successfully pitched several first at the College of Veterinary Medi- not a warning of the forecasted impact topics to the provost and hired amaz- cine. I expect interim Dean Dana Zim- of climate change but documentation ing talent like Karen Garrett and Arie mel will eventually be named the first that almost every aspect of life on earth Havelaar. We went one step further and permanent female dean in the college’s has already been affected by it. were actually able to hire more than our 44-year history. We’ve brought on some of the na- initial allotment of preeminent faculty I hired the first female FRE chair tion’s best staff to support faculty. Jerry because we moved quickly while other in the department’s 93-year history, Fankhauser has been invaluable in coor- areas of the university lagged in recruit- the first and second ever IFAS female dinating hemp trials at five sites state- ment. In the end, we brought in more agronomy chairs in its 85-year his- wide, keeping us on track and out of jail than a dozen preeminent faculty, includ- tory. I hired the first female associate in this incredibly complex enterprise. ing Ana Conesa, Morgan Ernest, Ethan vice president for operations, Jeanna My biggest achievement is putting White, Gilles Bassett, Frank Asche, Mastrodicasa, who has probably others in positions to achieve. During Frank White, and Gerritt Hoogenboom. helped every one of you in one way or my time here, I’ve had the privilege of Frank White and Karen Garrett another solving space and facilities is- hiring every department chair except have since been elected fellows of the sues. I brought in the first female York one and every research and education American Association for the Advance- Lecture speaker in what was then a center director except one. ment of Science. In fact, of the 20 30-year-old lecture series. You know, when I came here from faculty in IFAS history to be inducted We now have more female lead- Iowa, I thought, “Wow, I can’t believe as AAAS fellows, 12 of them earned ership talent than ever—Kimberly what talent I’m surrounded by!” Then it this distinction in just the past decade. Browne in finance, Sherry Larkin in got even better over the ensuing decade. And of our six members of the Sea Grant, and Kati Migliaccio of You’re continuing to show just how National Academy of Science, half Agricultural and Biological Engineer- resilient you are in the current crisis. of them—Jim Jones, Harry Klee, and ing come to mind. Look at how quickly and seam- Pedro Sanchez—were elected in the We also got better at identifying this lessly Monika Oli in Microbiology and past decade. talent. Please, please continue to support Cell Science put classes online, even

CICERO 2021 10 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS the labs. Hillsborough County Exten- This is going to harness the great Extension agents who put in 10-hour sion agent Shawn Steed actually got work so many of you are doing today days helping their communities recover thanked by a producer for turning his to help this state recover from the from hurricanes while their own homes pesticide training into a webinar. It pandemic and to create the Florida lay in ruins, and an instructor who saved that producer a trip across the of tomorrow. You are going to help persuaded a student to apply for a 16th state and the expense of a hotel. Chel- our stakeholders develop the resiliency medical school after being rejected by sea Smartt is using Microsoft TEAMS that you are modeling through these 15—and shared his triumph when he to keep her one-of-a-kind population unusual times. was accepted. of Culex mosquitoes alive, using the Whether it’s Ali Sarkhosh with This is what a land-grant university software to coordinate the caring and peaches, Shinsuke Agehara with does. Running through the entirety of feeding among her team members. artichokes, or Bob Hochmuth with hy- the land-grant mission is that commit- David Wright says putting his quar- droponics, so many of you are working ment to truth, arrived at through the terly carinata project meeting online toward that brighter future. best tool we’ve ever devised for estab- last week instead of holding it in person The dean’s office has also invested in lishing truth—science. enabled high-ranking USDA officials an invasion science research initiative That’s another reason I see a bright responsible for funding to participate. coordinated by Damian Adams and decade ahead for IFAS. We are, I be- That ability to adapt is how I know including Luke Flory, Sam Wisely, and lieve, witnessing a resurgence in respect IFAS will be even better in the future. Dan Hahn. Maybe my successor will for and trust of science. Anyone who’s The new VP can’t do it alone. He cut a ribbon on an Invasion Science watching Anthony Fauci can’t help but will succeed in leading us to an IFAS Research Center. Or at least celebrate marvel that a doctor, not an elected changed by the pandemic because the opening of a virtual one. leader, is the most trusted voice of we believe we’re most effective when In any case, the new VP better keep America on the coronavirus right now. we work as a team. New leaders will the oversized scissors ready. IFAS will The discovery of a vaccine will not emerge among you to help him. I continue to build. We have big dreams only reflect positively on medical sci- would not be surprised to someday be for a natural resources building to re- ence but on all science. sending a note of congratulations to place our current scattered bungalows, You’re ready for this turning of Dean Karla Shelnutt or Faculty Senate for example. the tide. You’re ready because you Chair Shirley Baker. I foresee so much success in part never wavered in your commitment There’s one more person I want to because of what won’t change. to science, even when it may not have acknowledge. Some of you have heard The land-grant model is the quin- been politically popular. For example, Renee introduce herself as “WIFAS.” tessence of the “think-global-act-local” we continued to support the Florida She has been a great source of sup- ethos. Public research universities Climate Institute under a governor who port and a confidante during our have helped drive America’s economic was reported to have banned the phrase decade here. ascendancy. They give back far more “climate change” from state documents. All 5 dogs we brought from Iowa than they receive in taxpayer support, Meanwhile, we continued to provide have passed. We moved out of Gaines- and they knit the residents of a state forums for important national thought ville when we fell in love with a fishing together. We’re still here, in the words leaders who stand up for science. Robb village called Cedar Key, but it meant of the Morrill Act, “to promote the Fraley, Michael Mann, Mark Lynas, we were apart far more than either of liberal and practical education of the Alison Van Eenennaam, and Naomi us cared for. I’m ready to go home now, industrial classes in the several pursuits Oreskes are among those we’ve hosted to be with a soulmate who has patiently and professions in life.” in Gainesville over the past decade. accommodated my travel schedule and Even among land-grants, IFAS is Now we have a governor who pub- workload for more than 20 years in special. You heard it last year when a licly declares his support for science and three states. VIP visitor from NIFA named Scott who chose our own Tom Frazer as the It’s time for me to go. And time for Angle told us, “There is no program state’s first ever chief science officer. a new VP to walk in E.T. York’s shoes, anywhere in the country better than So things get better. You’ll be ready while I walk Arlo and Opie. IFAS in conducting both applied and when they do because of what you’re There are so many reasons IFAS has basic research.” doing now. a bright future. We can already see the None of my previous experience at I hope you’ll remember me as a first rays of light from the Emerging four land-grant universities matched leader who cared deeply about the Enterprises initiative of IFAS research the rewards of leading IFAS. For the land-grant mission. As someone who and Extension. It’s a platform for collab- past decade, I’ve been proud to be cared about science as the path to oration and incentive funding to pursue affiliated with researchers who did not truth. And as someone who cared possibilities for Florida’s future agricul- back down from their findings even about people and put them first. I hope ture and natural resources industries. when pressured by politicians to do so, now you can answer that question I

VSOTD.COM 11 posed 10 years ago—is he one of us?— or she helps the members find it in I have a quote that I really like with a yes. themselves.” I hope that’s what I’ve and want to share with you. It is from You have a bright future after I’m done here. the American novelist Colson White- gone, because the past decade wasn’t Thank you, every single one of head, winner of the 2016 National about me. It was about us. you, for joining me in the cause of Book Award for Fiction, who said, In my application letter a decade truth for the past 10 years. The next “Be kind to everybody, make art, and ago, I quoted the author of a leader- 10 will be even better, because, as I al- fight the power.” ship book, who wrote, “The leader ways say, “You can expect great things Definitely words to live by... finds greatness in the group. And he from IFAS.” WINNER: ASSOCIATIONS “American Nurses Association Membership Assembly Presidential Address”

By Joan Hurwitz for Ernest J. Grant, Delivered at the annual presidential address delivered to the American Nurses President Association’s highest governing body, its Membership Assembly, June 19, 2020

ood afternoon, answer the call to serve in hotspots ing the social and economic factors that G To my colleagues and mem- coupled with widespread furloughs contribute to poor access to health care bers of the ANA family, thank you— and layoffs? and poor health status, including a high thank you for your unwavering com- We have faced these challenges incidence of chronic diseases such as mitment, ingenuity, and flexibility over with grit, resilience, and kindness, diabetes and hypertension. the last few months. In the midst of embracing a common spirit of being I had the opportunity to share this pandemic, we have found innova- “in this together.” testimony in late May with the House tive ways to connect and collaborate— I thank you and salute you for Committee on Ways & Means on the as we’re demonstrating now with this your incredible dedication and pro­ disparate impact of COVID-19 on virtual meeting. fessionalism. these communities. We shared rec- It is crucial that we meet and discuss More recently, we have been faced ommendations specifically related to the pressing issues that nurses face today. with events that have sparked deep COVID-19 and to address longstand- 2020 has emerged as a year of pain and turmoil across our nation ing issues of racial disparities, such as challenges, challenges that would have and the world. the crisis of maternal mortality and been hard to imagine in January as we We bore witness to an act of IN- basic access to health care—including launched a new year, one filled with COMPREHENSIBLE racism and mental health services. energy and excitement as we began injustice, the murder of George Floyd As I stated following George the much-awaited “Year of the Nurse by a white police officer, caught so Floyd’s death, nurses have a respon- and Midwife.” graphically on video—and abetted by sibility to use our voices to call for Who could have imagined a world- the inaction of 3 other police officers. change. Our Code of Ethics obli- wide pandemic, leading to widespread Sadly, his murder followed other gates us, as nurses, to be allies and to illness and death, great stress on health recent examples of unjustified killings advocate and speak up against racism, care professionals and health care sys- of black men, women, and adolescents. discrimination, and injustice. tems, shutdowns of businesses, schools, These events are a stark reminder This is non-negotiable. and society at large, and the accompa- that COVID-19 is not the only “pan- We are seeing stories of nurses, who nying economic recession? demic” Americans are facing today. are taking to the streets, with medical Who could have imagined the Racism is a longstanding public health supplies, to treat protestors hit with shortages of PPE, confusing and crisis that impacts mental, spiritual, rubber bullets or sprayed with tear gas. ever-changing guidance, the shock and physical health. COVID-19 has This is a true sentiment to how nurses and grief of overrun emergency exacerbated this crisis and added to the are trained to respond. departments, critical care units, and stress in black and other communities And, IT IS OUR ethical duty to long-term care facilities as well as of color, which are experiencing higher recognize human dignity and protect the uncertainty that pervaded every- rates of infection and deaths. human rights. day activities? Underlying factors driving this dis- Today is Juneteenth, which com- Who could have imagined the proportionate burden of disease are the memorates the end of slavery in the extraordinary demand for nurses to social determinants of health—mean- United States.

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As we mark this day of freedom, I vance our profession and the quality Based on those findings, we de- urge each and every one of you to join of care but also to advance our vision veloped informational resources and me in my call to action. of access to high quality, affordable a series of webinars to meet nurses’ I ask you to educate yourself, health care for ALL. needs, as well as honed and amplified and then use your trusted voice and The first priority I set as ANA our advocacy efforts. influence to educate others about the President was to promote efforts that In May, we conducted a “pulse” systemic injustices that have led to the would increase the diversity of nursing. survey specifically on PPE to acquire protests. The pursuit of justice requires I have long believed that both nursing, insights about the current status of us all to listen and engage in dialogue and ANA, need to better represent the PPE around the country. The findings with others. diverse populations of our patients. indicated persistent gaps in the sup- Leaders must come together at the The more diverse the nursing ply and conservation of critical PPE. local, state, and national level and com- workforce is, the more effective we can Nurses are still having to decontami- mit to sustainable efforts to address rac- be to help our society address—the nate PPE as a standard practice. Of ism and discrimination, police brutality, growing racial disparities in health care the more than 14,000 respondents, and basic human rights. We must hold and health outcomes. It means higher 79 percent said they are required, or ourselves and our leaders accountable quality care for patients—which is at encouraged, to reuse single-use PPE, to committing to reforms and action. the very core of our mission. such as N95 masks. Remembering the words of Dr. I am proud to say that ANA contin- I had the opportunity to share these Martin Luther King, Jr., “The arc of ues to collaborate with diverse nursing results on June 3rd when I testified be- the moral universe is long, but it bends organizations and strives to increase fore the Pandemic Response Account- toward justice.” participation in ANA by nurses span- ability Committee, which was created I am privileged to serve as ANA ning culture, race, religion, ethnicity, by the CARES Act. ANA was the only President. It is an honor of a lifetime to gender, sexual orientation, age, and health care organization invited to lead this organization. I take seriously other aspects of identity. speak at this hearing. the responsibility to lead us during We can and we are increasing the We plan to again survey nurses these turbulent times. diversity of nursing, and we will build nationwide in July. In preparing for this meeting, I on these efforts to ensure we are repre- As I have said, it is a moral and stra- reflected on the past 12 months. sentative of all voices. tegic imperative for our nation’s leaders When I spoke to you at last year’s Another priority was to increase the to do everything possible to protect Membership Assembly, I challenged relevance of ANA to nurses—specifi- nurses and other critical responders. each of us to consider: cally nurses on the frontlines—and to Since the beginning, ANA also has FIRST: What would we do with the amplify ANA’s advocacy on behalf of closely monitored federal legislative public’s trust in us, demonstrated year nurses and consumers. and regulatory developments regard- after year? Since the global outbreak of ing COVID-19—while providing vital SECOND: How would we build on COVID-19 began, ANA has been information to Congress, the adminis- our professional capital—to take our advocating for clear, evidence-based tration, and agencies on the impact of profession to new heights? guidelines and resources. Our top the pandemic on nursing. and finally: priority is to ensure our nation’s nurses We will continue to call on federal How would we influence the public can safely and effectively respond to officials to increase the supply of PPE, agenda to improve health care and the virus and protect the public. testing and treatment, and to fund make the world a better place? We understood that clear commu- hazard pay and mental health support No one predicted what we are fac- nication, collaboration, and innovation for nurses. ing today, but we are reminded now, were key in navigating the challenges As we move to safely re-open our more than ever, of the true strength presented by this pandemic. communities, we want to ensure that and impact of our profession. To gain a better understanding of individuals take the necessary precau- While fighting a global pandemic, frontline nurses’ needs, we conducted tions to not only protect their own nurses are providing expert, compas- a comprehensive survey in late March. health but also the health of others. sionate care, leading by example, shap- Based on responses from more than Having nurses at policy-making tables ing health care policy, and advocating 32,000 nurses across the nation, we can assist us in this endeavor, as well as for resources. gained clarity about their top needs, provide the opportunity to shape policy As an association, ANA is committed specifically: moving forward, including determining to ensuring we continue this progress. • A shortage of PPE, sound policy around access to a vac- We have seen the power of nurs- • Preparedness, cine when it becomes available. ing’s voice, yet we know there is much • And cross-contamination and Although we do not know what the more to advocate for not only to ad- safety of loved ones months ahead have in store for us, we

VSOTD.COM 13 must plan for—and anticipate a surge My final priority centers around tice. And, our intent with this focus of some type of COVID-19, coupled ANA’s ability to increase nurses’ was to raise the visibility of the nursing with seasonal influenza. engagement with consumers and, profession in policy dialogue and lead This brings me to another critical is- through that, elevate consumers’ un- to greater investment in the develop- sue. During this unprecedented time of derstanding of the value of nursing. ment and increased capacity of the fear and stress, nurses are at high risk Coronavirus has put the profession nursing workforce. for mental health issues like anxiety, on display—it has showcased how Little did we know how meaningful depression, and post-traumatic stress. nurses provide expert, compassionate those words would become. It is estimated that more than 200,000 care, have a hand in shaping health In the era of COVID-19, nurses nurses are suffering from PTSD as a care policy, and advocate for their have risen to the challenge. result of their work on the frontlines. patients’ safety and well-being. You are excelling. In the coming weeks and months, we While we did not enter the profes- You are leading. anticipate that number to grow. sion to be heroes, the actions of nurses And you are innovating In April, the American Nurses during this pandemic are heroic and We have all seen and heard stories Foundation launched the Coronavi- the world is seeing us in a new light. of nurses answering the call to work rus Response Fund for Nurses. The We saw the Year of the Nurse and in hotspots, working long hours under national fund will address the identi- Midwife as an opportunity to foster a difficult conditions, and caring for fied, emerging needs of nurses and will greater understanding of the breadth critically ill patients who are separated focus on the following 4 things: and diversity of the profession, to from their families. • FIRST: Supporting the mental leverage the trust that we have built ANA believes that it is critical that health of nurses—today and in the with consumers and help more people the voice and perspective of nurses is in- future, recognize our role as leaders in trans- cluded in the media’s coverage of health • SECOND: Providing direct finan- forming health care—and moreover, to care issues. To help bring to life the cial assistance to nurses, support us as we took on that mission. impact nurses have in our communities • THIRD: Ensuring that nurses We quickly realized the need to pivot and promote a better understanding of everywhere have access to the latest our focus from celebration to recogni- the value of the profession, we encour- science-based information to protect tion. And we wanted to take time to age all nurses to share their stories. themselves, prevent infection, and care promote nurses’ health and well-being Together, we ARE elevating our for those in need; and and to honor you in various ways. profession and through this work, we • LASTLY: Driving national advo- However, the theme we had selected will continue to increase consumers’ cacy focused on nurses’ and patients’ for our expanded Nurses Month: understanding of the value of nursing. needs. Nurses Make a Difference, was spot on. The past months—and weeks—have As part of the mental health efforts, In the first week, we focused on self- presented many challenges to us as a na- The Foundation, ANA and our part- care, more essential than ever. tion [PAUSE] AND as a profession. ners, the American Association of Crit- We dedicated the second week to And, as a profession, we have never ical-Care Nurses, American Psychiatric recognizing nurses past and present. been stronger. Collectively, we have a Nurses Association, and Emergency On May 11, ANA joined the Inter- renewed sense of pride and a greater Nurses Association, recently announced national Council of Nurses, the World sense of mission—and personally, I the launch of the national Well-being Health Organization, and Nursing have never been prouder to call my- Initiative—designed specifically by Now for a special recognition: Remem- self a nurse. nurses for nurses across the U.S. ber Health Heroes Day. As we embark on the second half This comprehensive mental well- Together, we collectively took a mo- of 2020—I encourage you to consider being program includes virtual support ment of reflection to honor our fallen your individual responsibility and our systems and a digital toolkit to sup- nurses and health care workers, who we collective accountability as a profession port the near and long-term needs of have lost to COVID-19. We will con- to make an indelible mark in this “year nurses’ mental health. These resources tinue to honor them this evening as part of the nurse.” will help nurses build resilience and of our traditional Nightingale Tribute. One important way for us all to take the necessary steps to manage the Thank you to everyone who partici- make a difference, especially this year, is stress and overcome the trauma caused pated in our Nurses Month activities. to embrace the right and responsibility by COVID-19. We were reminded just how apropos to vote. It is imperative that we commit Our goal is to provide wide access the Year of the Nurse banner truly is: to turning out to vote and to urge our to these resources, understanding these Excel. Lead. Innovate. family, friends, and colleagues to ac- times are stressful for all nurses, not just Our goal for Year of the Nurse was tively participate in this year’s elections. those on the frontlines. So, I encourage to recognize all of you, as you excel, This year also marks another impor- you to access these resources. lead, and innovate wherever you prac- tant milestone—the centennial of the

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19th amendment, granting women the We are in a pivotal moment in our what many had envisioned, it strikes right to vote. As you may know, many society. One that calls for us to lis- me that given her life of dedication nurses were counted among the ranks ten. To educate ourselves. To use our and service, she would take pride in of the suffragists. And, we can look to influence, as health care professionals how the pandemic has shined a spot- some of this history for inspiration. and leaders, to educate others. And, light on the IMMENSE contributions In 1918, as the suffragists’ cause ultimately, to take action to create a of nurses. was gaining momentum, the world was powerful legacy that will be passed on She said, (quote) “I think one’s feel- hit with a flu pandemic while in the to future generations. ings waste themselves in words, they midst of World War I. The suffragists Imagine a world where equity is a ought all to be distilled into actions adjusted and persevered. Let us honor priority, where the social determinants and into actions which bring results.” their legacy by remaining steadfast of health drive policy decisions, and (end quote) in all our endeavors including wide where public health and preparedness Wise and timeless words. Let us con- participation in all elections—despite are considered essential. tinue, together, to take ‘actions which what challenges may exist due to the Although Florence Nightingale’s bring results.’ pandemic. 200th birthday celebration was not Thank you. WINNER: BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES “Getting to the Core of Culture”

By Felicity H. Barber for John Williams, President and Delivered at the London School of Economics and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of New York Political Science, London, January 14, 2020

hank you for the warm introduc- Culture is at the heart of behavior and But illicit and unethical behavior Ttion. It’s an absolute pleasure norms, and the single most important is rarely the result of an isolated “bad to be back at the London School of factor driving the decision-making of apple.” It’s more often the symptom Economics, where I completed my employees. It’s not an exaggeration to of a rotten culture. And rotten cul- Master’s degree in the late 1980s. say that culture is critical—both when tures don’t appear overnight—nor for Studying at the LSE, with remarkable things go right, and when they go wrong. that matter do positive, inclusive ones, professors like Richard Layard, Chris Before I get any deeper into ideas where people feel empowered and ac- Pissarides, George Evans, and the late about culture, I should give the stan- countable to upholding the values of Tony Atkinson, inspired me to pursue a dard Fed disclaimer that the views I ex- the organization. career in economics and public policy. press today are mine alone and do not Culture is created—intentionally or I owe a great debt of gratitude to this necessarily reflect those of the Federal otherwise—by the structures, incen- institution and am in awe of how it has Open Market Committee or others in tives, and behavioral norms that shape evolved and grown in the past 30 years. the Federal Reserve System. our working lives. I will say that there are a few things I Today I want to move our attention have not missed since my days in Lon- Culture Shapes Our Working Lives away from the extreme behavior that don: the food (yes, that has changed!), makes the headlines, and think more the high cost of living (some things When we talk about company culture deeply about organizational cultures. never change), and the endless studying in the context of financial services, the What does a good culture look for and worrying about final exams. But first thing that comes to mind is the like? How can leaders in the industry I have missed the dear friends I made, risky, unethical, and sometimes crimi- establish a positive culture within their the book shops, and the library. nal behavior in the banking industry, firms? And perhaps hardest of all, how It’s ironic that I find myself back particularly during the financial crisis. do you ensure that a firm’s culture at the London School of Economics And 10 years on from the crisis, this adapts to the changing world, but still and NOT talking about economics. behavior persists. Instances of fraud, stays true to its values and purpose? The views I bring to today’s discussion money laundering, and scandals re- come from professional and personal, lated to foreign exchange and LIBOR An Ethical Dilemma rather than academic experience. continue to make the headlines. I’ve now led two major organiza- This behavior puts a spotlight on the Consider this: tions, and culture is both the hardest and essential role of robust regulation and A junior banker on a successful real the most important thing to get right. strict enforcement. estate investment team is asked to run

VSOTD.COM 15 projections for future rental income and wrong and whether to speak up. take a step back and say, “We’ve finished for a mall in Hong Kong. As part of Many of you here today will be the culture project. Well done! Now it’s her research she notices a number familiar with the Asch experiment, time to focus our efforts elsewhere.” in a spreadsheet that inflates future where students participated in a vision Culture is constantly evolving, and cash flows by 4 percent. She asks a test. There was a control line and therefore needs to be constantly nur- senior analyst if the number should be three other lines labelled A, B, and C. tured. One of the most challenging ele- flagged as an optimistic assumption, Participants had to state aloud which ments is that there’s no clear benchmark so it’s clear it’s not based on evidence. line was the same length as the control. for success. And sometimes your greatest The senior analyst responds by saying But they had to do so after a group of strengths can become your blind spots. the number is a more conservative esti- actors had given an incorrect answer. As an organization with a public mate than many. He says it’s a “judg- About one third of participants went mission and regulatory responsibilities, ment call” and that they can discuss it along with the majority, even though the Fed needs to have a particular focus once the project has concluded. it was readily apparent their answers on compliance. But cultures with a But the project comes and goes, were incorrect. When asked why they heavy focus on compliance can breed a everyone is busy, and the senior analyst went along with the group they said it sense that individuals aren’t responsible doesn’t bring it up again. was because they wanted to fit in, or for their actions. This scenario raises numerous ques- because they believed the group was As a CEO, I’ve tackled these issues tions: Should the junior team member better informed than they were. by focusing on principles and values raise the issue again or should she let it Does the junior banker drop the rather than writing extensive policies go? What was driving the behavior of issue in an effort to fit in? Does she that try to cover every potential deci- the senior analyst? And why did no one raise the issue in private, or does she sion. This puts a premium on individu- else on the team view the situation as call a company hotline? The answer al accountability to do what’s right and an ethical dilemma? depends on the complex relationship creating an environment where every- These are the kinds of issues that between the individual and the culture one has the ability and responsibility people often face in a work environ- in which they work. to speak up. Somewhat paradoxically, ment. And this example demonstrates I’m particularly looking forward to focusing on principled decision making many of the ways culture influences hearing from Celia Moore. She spoke at and accountability, rather than relying behavior. the New York Fed last year and dis- exclusively on rules and policies, can Employees may enter an organiza- cussed how organizations set goals and be the most effective safeguard against tion with a strong sense of right and motivate people to achieve them. Praise, wrongdoing and unethical behavior. wrong. What they may not realize is penalties, and rewards all influence an that group norms can exert a powerful individual’s behavior. Signals from the What’s the Way Forward? magnetic pull on their moral compass. organization’s leadership also have a The junior banker knew the way major role to play: do the higher ech- Creating a positive work culture is chal- the number was being presented was elons of management value divergent lenging and ongoing work. And there’s unethical, and yet she complied with views? Do they foster a culture where no silver bullet that can solve cultural her boss. The response from the senior people feel empowered to speak up? problems overnight. analyst, describing the situation as a All of these things shape how an In terms of how to move forward I’d “judgment call,” is a common phe- individual will respond to an ethical di- like to make three brief points before nomenon. Using a euphemism to de- lemma, whether they will acknowledge I close: scribe the inflated statistic camouflages it as such, and how they will lead others First, the fact that we’re all sitting the wrongdoing and makes it sound as they move up in an organization. here in this room is a very positive sign. more acceptable to others. As financial services professionals That so many leaders from major firms We see it in our daily lives—terms with great technical expertise, we often are here today, engaged in these issues, like “troublemaker” and “not being a fall into the trap of thinking we can is a symbol of how organizational cul- team player” are often used to shift the solve all of our problems on our own. ture is moving up the agenda. onus from the person whose behavior is But we have so much to learn from The second is that the Banking Stan- being challenged to the challenger. experts in other fields. dards Board survey is a terrific tool for Ann Tenbrunsel’s work has been getting a snapshot of what your orga- very important for revealing how we Strengths as Blind Spots nization’s culture looks like and how it’s use language to disguise or excuse be- changing over time. It goes far beyond havior we know to be unacceptable. One of the most important lessons I’ve typical engagement questionnaires One of the other issues this example learned as a CEO is that there’s no fixed and provides powerful insights into the illustrates is how organizational norms endpoint when it comes to shaping an values of employees and the character- affect our own sense of what’s right organization’s culture. You can never istics of an organization. It’s impossible

CICERO 2021 16 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS to make progress if you don’t have an lawyers, and statisticians. But the solu- That’s one reason I’ve been so look- accurate picture of your starting point. tions to challenges related to a firm’s ing forward to today’s panel discussion. The third is that when it comes to culture are unlikely to be found if we It brings together experts from many of culture, I encourage everyone to look keep our focus narrowly trained on our these fields, whose combined insights beyond their own lens of expertise. own specialties. We have so much to are the key to moving us all toward the The Fed couldn’t do its work without learn from experts in psychology, eth- business culture we want to see. the deep knowledge of economists, ics, and management. WINNER: COMMERCE AND RETAIL “Reps, You Have a Chance to Help Wholesalers Get Better”

By Teresa Zumwald for Rob Ferguson, Delivered at the Association of Independent President, Local Company Group, Winsupply Manufacturers’/Representatives, Inc. 48th Annual Conference, Virtual Meeting, October 23, 2020

have a question for every rep here But a couple of reps saw something and what’s been going on in light of I today. in me that I did not see in myself. COVID-19. Do you remember the first time So they reached out. You know what I’m talking about. someone in our industry took a Despite everything I was facing, they In mid-March when our country chance on YOU—when you were a took a risk on me. shut down because of the pandemic, brand-new rep? Instead of betting on the NOW, all of us were paralyzed. Who was that person? they bet on the FUTURE. For a while, we felt confused and • What kind of help did you get? And they took the time to mentor unable to move forward. • How did it make you feel? me. But soon, this pandemic forced all of • And how did that person change • They trained me, advised me and us to change the way we do business— the direction of your career? challenged me. and change fast. I remember the first time a couple of • They opened doors for me, listened As president of Winsupply’s Local really great reps took a chance on me. to me and called me out whenever I Company Group, I’m one of hundreds It happened 10 years ago, when I made a mistake. of people helping 600 local owners of was running my own supply house: • They were always rooting for me! 600 supply houses succeed. Grandview Winnelson just south of And in the end, they made me better. In the beginning of this pandemic, I Kansas City. feared the worst. Back then, I was the new guy in # # # Many of our new leaders hadn’t run town. And things at my company were a business a decade ago, during the not good. That experience taught me firsthand Great Recession. As the local owner, I was challenged what the best reps do for wholesalers Since they’d never seen a downturn, with everything you can imagine: my every single day. I was afraid they weren’t prepared for customers, my vendors and my team. Without that kind of help from this disruption. Plus, the recession had just hit, and those reps in my market, I wouldn’t be • What decisions would they make we were struggling. where I am today. to keep their teams and their customers So many things were going wrong. I wouldn’t be the one speaking to all safe? We weren’t relevant. We weren’t of you here at AIM/R’s 48th Annual • Would they react fast enough to competitive. And we didn’t have a Conference. remain profitable and survive the pre- partner. Thank you for making the time to dicted recession? I knew I had to fix what was broken attend. • Would they keep on selling—or if I wanted to turn things around. I also want to thank Michelle just wait it out? So I laid all my cards on the table. Lewnes-Dadas, Katie Hubach and the What happened next surprised me. I told reps in my market where I entire board at AIM/R for this oppor- Our 600 local owners went on was going—and how I was going to tunity to talk to you today about reps, defense. get there. wholesalers and mentoring. They focused on what’s essential. Most of them either said, “No I believe it’s an important topic right For example: thanks! or “I’ll just wait and see what now—something all of us need to focus • They put safety first by dividing their you can do.” on because of changes in our industry, teams into remote and on-site crews.

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• They innovated with curbside figured out what they could do differ- Mentoring happens gradually and pickups, drive-thru services and locker ently that no one else in their market takes years. systems to get products closer to their was willing or able to do. It is not scheduled. customers. And it does not happen by appoint- • They ran a stress test on their # # # ment. companies, cut expenses and kept a Instead, it is organic and ongoing. close eye on receivables. Last month, I told local compa- And it evolves as reps and wholesal- They did more with less to be nies at Winsupply that it might seem ers start to trust each other. more profitable. strange to think about, but this disrup- Mentoring is all about helping And they did not quit. tion—this pandemic—made us better. people get better. Then—our 600 local owners Better leaders. Better wholesalers. Reps who take the time to help whole- went on offense. Better businesspeople. salers get better are the best of the best. They were proactive—even If you think about it, this pandemic You know who you are. aggressive!—and asked customers probably made your agency better, too. You begin by showing an interest for more business: In fact, our local companies told me in a new wholesaler—a person with • They changed how they built rela- that throughout this pandemic, their plenty of confidence and great ideas tionships by hosting Zoom coffee meet- best reps never stopped trying to help for their market. ings and happy hours, and sending Door them get better. Someone with a lot of potential who Dash lunches to customers’ job sites. Their best reps didn’t stay on the just needs a little help. • They relied on technology like e- sidelines, wait it out or spend their time And so you take a risk. commerce, and made sure products in in quarantine just answering the phone. You go out of your way to teach us demand were on the shelf and available. Instead, their best reps MADE the game of wholesaling. When traditional markets shut down BUSINESS HAPPEN! You train us. You push us. And you because of COVID-19, they turned They worked even harder to help have tough conversations with us. up the heat in every other market to our local company presidents get even You debate with us. But you always remain profitable. better. respect us. They grew sales because they re- These are the reps who stayed close Along the way, you introduce us to fused to panic. to us: people we need to know. Instead, they stayed positive. • The reps who never failed to call You ask questions. And then you And kept reaching out. us and our contractors—every single listen. day—to keep our jobs and our projects You are proactive, yet ethical: When # # # on track. you hear something or know something • The reps who kept running us that we need to know about jobs or I believe this pandemic—this down so we were up-to-date on condi- the market, you pick up the phone and disruption—was a test. tions and changes throughout the give us a call. Like many of you, we learned a lot supply chain. You have the courage to tell us the about ourselves and our teams. These are the reps who told us truth—even when it hurts!—so we can Instead of staying on the sidelines about new opportunities—like gaps step up our game and become more and just letting business happen, our we could fill in our market, plus new relevant in our market. local companies chose to MAKE contractors to meet, pre-season buys When you go to battle with us, you BUSINESS HAPPEN! and advice on commodity trends. stay calm. And you calm us down. Every day, local companies at These are the reps who never You are honest with us about the Winsupply worked even harder to stopped looking for new ways to help us good and the bad. become an essential part of their get even better so we could get ahead. You tell us whenever we make a customers’ business. wrong move—and yet—you give us a They did it by selling solutions to # # # chance to correct our mistakes. their customers’ problems, which goes You lead by example. way beyond pricing and availability. All of us know intuitively what men- And you get involved in our business. Local companies at Winsupply took toring means. Because you know how we make action! It’s about training and advising. money, you give good advice on our As a result, they not only made But in wholesaling, I believe it goes behalf. money—but also captured more mar- much deeper than that. No matter what, you always have ket share during the pandemic. It’s on a much different level than our back. Every one of our presidents earned a relationship—or even a business Because you are with us not just for a Ph.D. in wholesaling because they partnership. today, or tomorrow.

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You are with us for the long haul. And that makes it even easier for Ask about their plans for their busi- both of us to mentor each other—to ness. # # # help each other get even better. And share yours. At Winsupply, we are doing that. The really great reps who helped me # # # And we need you to do that, too. years ago, and the really great reps who take care of so many of our local com- As this pandemic drags on, and we’re # # # panies today, do ALL of these things! forced to still keep a little distance from I am talking about training and each other, it’s easy to keep feeling alone. Make no mistake: deep advising—help that goes well be- Out of place. Because of this pandemic—be- yond products, pricing and promotions. Cut off. cause of technology, disruption and Really great reps are the ones who Even—a little lost. change—we need mentoring now show care and concern for PEOPLE— That’s because when you think about more than ever. but in particular, the up-and-coming how we do business as reps and whole- Helping each other get better is the leaders of our industry. salers, so many things have changed! only way we can become a greater I believe I speak for every wholesaler And in our industry, change will force and more relevant in our local when I say we appreciate that—and continue to be the norm as new markets. would love to see even more of it. technologies emerge, consolidations Mentoring IS the difference! If you are one of the really great continue, information flows faster and If we stop helping each other get reps, you are the kind of people who customers keep asking for more. better, both reps and wholesalers will get up every day for one reason: to help And yet, we cannot let this current lose in so many ways. people get better. pandemic—or any other disruption, • We will lose financially—with new technology or change in the fu- lower margins and fewer resources to # # # ture—sideline us! improve. What CAN’T CHANGE is our • We will lose control of what’s go- Mentoring works the other way, too. commitment to push each other—to ing on in our local markets. Really great wholesalers are always help each other get better. • And we will lose good business. eager to mentor your newest sales reps, Here’s what I am worried about: So mentoring can’t stop. invest in them and help them get better. If reps stay on the sidelines—if reps Not now, during a pandemic. At Winsupply, our local company stop helping wholesalers get better … if And not EVER. presidents do it every day! we treat our relationship as a commod- No matter what disruption, new When I was the president at my ity!—then our businesses will always go technology or change comes our way. local company, so many times I back to PRODUCT and PRICE. When you help wholesalers get bet- worked with a brand-new rep just Just a transaction! ter, the benefits are logical and clear: hired by the owner. And none of us signed up for that. • In the short term, you sell more We’d start right from scratch and That is why we need to DOUBLE product, so you earn more commission. talk one-on-one about what to know, DOWN on mentoring. • Over time, you build a bigger, who to talk to, how to negotiate and We need to DOUBLE DOWN on more profitable agency. where to be more competitive. our commitment to help each other get • And in the long term, you gain It was a process. But it always paid off. better. loyal customers. Helping people get better also # # # # # # makes our industry better. But I believe there is much more to Owner-to-owner relationships like When I talk to our newest local it than that. these happen all the time at Winsupply company presidents at Winsupply, I Because to SELL is to SERVE. because local company presidents are like to ask them, “Who’s your best rep And encouraging human potential is owners just like YOU. in town?” what we are called to do as leaders. Local company presidents can Many of them tell me they are That is why helping people get bet- make local decisions at the local level LOOKING for a really great rep to be ter is really our responsibility. just like YOU. their partner! It’s the right thing to do. Because you and our local company The truth is—they NEED YOU to presidents are owners, we understand be their partner! # # # each other. So don’t wait to reach out. Both of us are builders of our Be the first one to make that con- Now if you’ve been part of AIM/R business—not just keepers of our shop. nection. for a while, you know about the Win-

VSOTD.COM 19 supply business model and how we are I’ll never forget the greatest thing Think of one wholesaler you know. different on purpose. a rep ever did for me when I was run- Maybe someone who is new to the You’ve heard about it from people ning my own local company years ago. industry. Or a rising star who just got like Monte Salsman, Eddie Gibbs, Mi- This rep had to decide whether to promoted, and really needs your help. chael Souders and Amy Souders. set me up with product lines I need- Find that hard worker with an open You know that Winsupply exists ed—even though every competitor in mind, true grit and a can-do attitude. for one reason: to build entrepreneurs town was threatening to stop doing Someone with desire! who just happen to be wholesalers. business with him. Then introduce yourself. And to advance what we call The That rep took the heat. Get to know this person and how Spirit of Opportunity™: the chance And then he took a chance. they tick. for courageous, capable, hardwork- He bet on the future—and set me Decide how you can help this new ing entrepreneurs to earn their own up anyway. leader with just one thing. success. I knew I had just one shot to get it Maybe it’s a product, a contractor I believe that by helping wholesal- right. or a relationship. ers get better, you—as independent And I wouldn’t let him down. And then—take a chance. reps!—can capitalize on your own ver- That rep made ME better. And he Push a little bit! sion of the Spirit of Opportunity. made MY COMPANY better. Be there for them! And you can take the first step by But he also made HIMSELF better. And do whatever it takes to help thinking back to that first question I And he made HIS COMPANY better. this person with great potential get asked you today. even better. Who was that person in our industry # # # Meet them where they are—and who took a chance on you, when you take them where you know they can go. were a brand-new rep? Mentoring is the right thing to do And then wait. • What kind of help did you get? for our INDUSTRY and for EACH Pay attention. • How did it make you feel? OTHER. Watch! • And how did that person change That is why today, I am challenging And just see what happens next. the direction of your career? you to look around. Thank you. WINNER: EDUCATORS “Remarks at Founders’ Day Convocation 2020”

By Elaine Tooley for Nathan Hatch, Delivered at Wait Chapel, President, Wake Forest University Wake Forest University, February 20, 2020

istorian Jill Lepore once wrote As you may know, Wake Forest was the moral imagination to envision bet- Hthat our history is a gift and a founded in eastern North Carolina on ter for all. Like those who went before burden. In all of our pasts, we find a the former “Forest of Wake” plantation us, we can be blinded by our own mixture of glory and shame, occasions in 1834. Our founder and all of the privilege. We must challenge the logic to celebrate and times to mourn. His- antebellum presidents owned enslaved and end the systems that caused, and tory is the story of real people—flawed people; many of our trustees were continue to cause, significant harm to and fallible. Because of that, there are slaveholders; and some of our students individuals, our institution and society. parts of our stories—as a nation, as perpetuated slavery. Enslaved people Therefore, it is important and a University and as individuals—that helped build and maintain the College. overdue that, on behalf of Wake Forest we revere; and there are parts of our We know that as many as 16 enslaved University, I unequivocally apolo- stories that are reprehensible. How we individuals, given to the College, were gize for participating in and benefit- address the good and the bad of our sold to benefit the institution finan- ting from the institution of slavery. I past is the foundation upon which we cially. Wake Forest University was a full apologize for the exploitation and use can build our future. participant in the slave economy. of enslaved people—both those known To acknowledge our history, accept Our involvement in the institution and unknown—who helped create and responsibility and hold our institution of slavery is harsh evidence that our build this University through no choice accountable allows us to repair the harm realities fell far short of our aspiration. of their own. I apologize that our and move toward a better Wake Forest. We acquiesced to the times and lacked founders did not recognize and support

CICERO 2021 20 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS the humanity and intrinsic value of stitution. For some, this apology comes action and incorporating meaning- those they enslaved. And I profoundly too late; for others, it seems unneces- ful change. Many among our campus regret that subsequent generations of sary. It is necessary. Addressing this part community have been working to seek this University did not affirm the hu- of our story allows us to begin reckon- and understand a more complete truth manity of the enslaved individuals who ing with the community we were and of our story. Their findings and forth- made our existence possible. shape the community we want to be. coming recommendations will help As the years pass, each generation There is also no complete solution address past and present inequities and has come to comprehend more clearly for how we reconcile with this egre- guide future action. the injustices that accompanied our gious element of our past. Words alone This is a journey we are on together. founding. With that increased vision and cannot undo the injustices that were Today, we acknowledge where our path understanding, they have attempted to done and the pain that was inflicted, began. And today, we pledge to one right that which was wrong. My apology but they can offer a commitment to another that we will not forget our his- today is not about what you or I did, or greater understanding and genuine tory—nor will we let the humanity of did not do, in the past; it is a matter of compassion for those whose experience any be forgotten—as we move forward. whether we, as members of this com- falls short of our ideals. We are committed, together, to live up munity, are going to take responsibility Acknowledging past wrongs and to our highest ideals, lifting everyone to for the lasting effects of past choices. taking responsibility are only the start that standard, as one Wake Forest. There is no perfect moment to of repairing damage and pursuing Thank you. acknowledge the past failures of our in- healing. A true apology requires taking WINNER: ENERGY “Oil, Gas and Neymar’s Left Foot”

By Michel Reinders for Wael Sawan, Delivered virtually at the Annual Rio Oil & Gas Upstream Director, Royal Dutch Shell Conference in Brazil, December 3, 2020

adies and gentlemen, efficient they are at scoring and how panies must continue to increase their L It is great to connect with you in good they are at passing with their left competitiveness once more. And just Brazil, the country that exports two of foot… like the consistently competitive Brazil- my favourite things: Deep Water oil & So, Brazil, the only country in the ian football, I think we should do this gas and world class footballers. world to have participated in every with the best people… the best collabo- From Pele to Zico, from Romario to World Cup, has always adapted to new ration… and the best tools. Neymar…. the capacity of this country circumstances… with the best play- Let me start with people. At a time to produce super stars feels endless. I ers… with the best collaboration… when many of our companies are think Brazilians have been consistently using the best tools. looking for ways to make our organisa- competitive throughout the entire That brings me to my second fa- tions leaner, attracting the right talent history of football because they are vourite thing: the oil and gas industry. is more crucial than ever. For the best masters at adaptation. Our industry also has had to adapt to result in the future, you need the best In the early 20th century, when changing circumstances. In fact, over people working for you in that fu- football went from private gardens to the last decade, the upstream industry ture. In our industry, automation and crowded streets, Brazilian players be- has adapted many times to remain intelligent systems will become much came the best dribblers in the world. profitable by making our operations more common… and we must prepare When football made a tactical leap fitter and leaner. the workforce to perform the highly in the 1970s, Brazilian players added I think all of us, oil and gas com- technical jobs that artificial intelligence, ultra-fast breakouts to their game. panies, suppliers and contractors have robotics and data science are creating. And today, Brazilian football is adapt- come a long way. And we will have to So, we must redouble our efforts to ing again, using sensors that collect go even further. Because so far, 2020 encourage young people who are plan- data and algorithms to see things a has asked a lot of the world and of ning their careers today to consider coach with a clipboard could never our industry. The Covid pandemic… a job in science or engineering in the notice… which is why I could, right an economic downturn… and at one future. In Brazil, for example, Shell now, check my phone and see how far point, for the first time in history, a has its entrepreneurship project Live every player of the Seleçao runs, how negative oil price. Oil and gas com- Wire. Over the last 20 years, Live Wire

VSOTD.COM 21 has reached 25 thousand young people tox facility in the Gulf of Mexico, a There are more than 5,000 valves and contributed to the development of joint venture between Shell and Nexen in each of Shell’s larger assets. And more than 560 business plans, generat- Petroleum Offshore, where Shell has over time, these components experi- ing more than 1,000 jobs by working worked together with Samsung Heavy ence wear. Sensors across the asset can together with local entrepreneurs and Industries, Kiewit Offshore Services and provide an enormous amount of real governments. many others. Appomattox is the first of time data on the condition and per- This brings me to my second point: Shell’s facilities to use the heat from a formance of these valves. Algorithms we need the best collaboration. An gas turbine to generate electricity, which use this data to detect unexpected example. Shell has worked closely is expected to reduce fuel consump- trends indicating that an issue may be together with contractors Halliburton tion by around 40% and, consequently, developing. We have two monitoring and Constellation in the Santos basin. reduce greenhouse gas emissions. centres, one in the USA, one in India. By learning from each other and by This “combined-cycle power These centres keep an eye on the tough timely decision making among generation”, as we call it, brings me output of these algorithms and provide our three companies… this team has to the last way our industry resembles support to our asset engineers and drilled wells 30% faster and 75% Brazilian football… Because beyond operators around the world. “Proac- cheaper over the last two years com- the right people and right collabora- tive monitoring” is what we call this at pared to previous wells Shell drilled in tion, our industry also needs the right Shell, and it can help prevent incidents the basin. These previous wells were tools… it needs the right technological and unplanned interruption of produc- already considered “best in class”. innovations. As we all know, technol- tion. In fact, across 2019 and 2020, this Collaborations like these offer huge ogy has shaped the success of the oil global system has delivered savings of opportunities to achieve better results. and gas industry in the past… and it $53 million. Which is, I guess, close to And not just to bring down costs... will continue to play a vital role in the the worth of Neymar’s left foot… Because collaboration also enables better future, especially for capital-intensive So, there are more resemblances results when it comes to safety. Take the Deep Water projects. between my two favourite things from Safire project by the International Asso- In particular, digitalisation is funda- Brazil than you might think. And I am ciation of Oil and Gas Producers, for ex- mentally changing the way we work. certain both Brazilian football and our ample. This project aims to put an end to It reduces development time and costs industry have a bright future. Because upstream fatalities by seeking collabora- as well as improving performance, with the best people, the best collabora- tion between offshore industry operators, reliability and safety. One way is with tion and the best tools, the list of Brazil- drilling contractors, service companies, the help of advanced data analytics. In ian world class footballers will just keep suppliers, academics and regulators. fact, checking how well Neymar can growing… and the oil and gas industry And collaboration can also help pass with his left foot is very similar to will achieve a level of competitiveness achieve better results when it comes to checking whether a valve still works. we currently cannot even fathom. reducing carbon, as at the Appomat- Let me explain… Thank you. WINNER: GOVERNMENT “Governing During a Pandemic and the Humbling Act of Helping Others”

By John Patterson for Don Harmon, Delivered virtually to the Civic Federation Executive Board Illinois Senate President (Chicago), May 15, 2020

’d like to start by asking everyone to And we had approved a massive, ence being elected Senate President by Ienvision a happier time. statewide construction program to put my colleagues. Let’s call it: January. people to work and invest in neglected Thing were going so well, that I 2019 had come to a close and infrastructure and ignored capital thought, “Why not quit my lawyer job featured one of the most productive needs throughout Illinois. at Burke, Burns & Pinelli and focus on legislative sessions in Illinois history. Our economy was stabilizing the Senate President thing full-time, I Republicans and Democrats worked Revenues were coming in at a mean, it’s going to be a busy session.” together on a balanced budget plan. better-than-expected clip. What... could possibly go wrong? We approved one of the most ambi- And no one had heard of COVID-19. So that was then. tious and socially responsible adult use In the wake of John Cullerton’s Let me tell you how the Senate cannabis laws in the country. retirement, I had the humbling experi- President has been sheltering in place.

CICERO 2021 22 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS

We’re running an e-high school out Back in March, the Georgia Legisla- pant through Springfield, the governor of our Oak Park dining room. Atten- ture had an emergency session. could get lawmakers together in Cham- dance has been good. School spirit is Two days later a Senator tested posi- paign or Galesburg or someplace else. spotty. tive for COVID-19. I’ve tried to make the case that in I think virtual college is in the Within a couple weeks, the infection today’s reality, the Zoom meeting place basement. surfaced in 5 Senators. At least one was could be that “someplace else.” But it seems to be a night school hospitalized. But it’s unclear under the law, and program. Thankfully, I believe they have all the governor has said state law would On days like today, I’m fighting recovered. But they, their families, staff have to be changed to do remote ses- the kids for Zoom bandwidth arguing and anyone in close contact had to sions. Changing that law would require that the Civic Federation Executive quarantine. us to be in session in Springfield, prob- Board is in fact just as important as AP The Senate and the Senate staff are ably for at least three days. US History. a diverse collection of individuals. It That walks you through how we are I’m sorry to tell you, AP exams includes new moms and others who fall going to meet, but leaves you with the turned out to be the higher priority into high risk groups or who are care- question: What are we going to do? and I’ve been relegated to my nearby takers for family in a high risk group. That’s a really good question. legislative office, which, thankfully, We’re still working on the logistics, We’re trying to put together a bud- has far fewer devices connected to but the Senate will have a very different get based on unknowns. the Wi-Fi. look next week. There’s a nearly $7.6 billion defi- Also, over these past couple months There will be minimal staffing and I cit in next year’s budget plan. That’s I’ve learned that if you unplug the do not envision a scenario in which all based on the latest revenue numbers router for 10 seconds and then plug it 59 Senators are on the Senate floor at for April. And that could get worse back it, it really does solve most of the the same time. once May is factored in. world’s immediate problems. Instead, bills will be presented and We also don’t know the true costs of I would like to say that it is truly an then members will rotate in to cast some of the state relief services. honor to be the first Senate President their votes. And it’s still somewhat of a mystery ever, in the history of both the Illinois One benefit of being in the Senate when or if the federal government will Senate and the Civic Federation, to is that every Senator has an office in offer assistance to state and local gov- speak to you via Zoom. the Capitol with an audio and video ernments. I doubt the situation will be But seriously, thank you for invita- connection to the floor. Our investment any clearer when we convene next week. tion and I appreciate your flexibility in technology is going to make it easier Based on what we know right now, both in scheduling and technology to and safer to have this session. you would have to eliminate 1/3 of all help make this happen. We will likely be in Springfield for discretionary state spending to balance As I’m sure you heard, the Illinois three days. the budget. General Assembly is going back to For those unfamiliar with the details We’re not cutting 1/3 of state Springfield next week for what is likely of legislative process, the Illinois Con- support for public schools throughout to be a 3-day special session. stitution requires legislation be read Illinois, which would trigger massive The Illinois House plans to convene three times over three days in each layoffs or huge property tax increases. in the Bank of Springfield Convention chamber. And it’s literally that. We’re not cutting 1/3 of higher ed- Center. So that’s why we will likely be in ucation funding, which would likely be The Illinois Senate intends to work at Springfield for 3 days next week. the death knell for some state schools the Capitol using the Senate chamber. I’m sure someone is thinking: Why that have struggled with dwindling I do not take this return to session not Zoom session just like this meeting? state support. lightly. I wish we could. From a technology We’re not slashing 1/3 of the state I’m not just head of the 40 Senate standpoint, I know the Senate could support for child care programs, pre- Democrats and presiding officer over pull it off. school and money for charitable groups the 59-member Senate. There’s a legal hurdle. that provide human services to the The Office of Senate President- em There’s an old state law that re- state’s disabled population. ploys more than 100 staff and support quires the General Assembly to meet I can tell you that’s not going to personnel at the Capitol. in Springfield to take action. It has an happen. It’s politically impossible, on Bringing everyone together for exception that allows the governor to both sides of the aisle. session and then sending everyone convene lawmakers someplace else in We’ve been working with Republi- back to their families and communi- times of “pestilence or public danger.” cans to try to target cuts. ties in these circumstances can have Now, that was probably written so I would anticipate we are going to dire consequences. that if tuberculosis was running ram- give Gov. Pritzker some authority to

VSOTD.COM 23 manage within the budget to meet have a dramatic impact on Fiscal Year cause I would imagine there are several evolving needs. 2021 that starts July 1, and the follow- questions. And the reality is that without ing, 2022 Fiscal Year. But before I do, there’s one more meaningful federal assistance we will fall Our annual pension payment thing I’d like to mention. dramatically behind in paying our bills, consists of two parts: The normal costs The Senate hasn’t been at the after two years of marked improvement. of having a retirement system and the Capitol since March 5. I’ve seen criti- There are some scenarios in which debt payment to catch up on decades cism that lawmakers need to get back the federal assistance may be more of underfunding. to work. than enough to help balance the com- No one’s talking about a federal I’d like to push back by telling you ing budget. What I’ve advised Senate bailout of the pension systems. That what we have been doing. Democrats is if that were to occur, any debt stands at more than $130 billion. We’ve been assisting constituents additional funds should be set aside to $10 billion is a pretty paltry bailout. who find themselves out of work and assist with the following fiscal year, not And let me explain why I split out with no idea how to navigate the state’s used to prop up additional spending. the pension request. unemployment bureaucracy at a time Just as there’s no vaccine or cure I think the money should be ear- when that system is overwhelmed. to make this virus go away, there’s no marked for the pension systems from Senator Mike Hastings in the South quick fix for our finances. the beginning and not being used to Suburbs is personally tracking hun- We will still be dealing with the prop up state spending anywhere else. dreds of unemployment cases, making economic fallout a year from now when And that would mean the pension spreadsheets and following up with in- assembling the Fiscal Year 2022 budget. systems would take that money and im- dividuals to see how their cases are pro- I want to emphasize that Illinois is mediately invest it in the stock market, ceeding and whether they’ve received a not unique in our dilemma. which I think would generally help that call back from the state agency. There is no state that’s in good national economy rebound. My chief of staff, has stepped in to shape. As for the rest of the letter … help lawmakers similarly track unem- Service economies have been hit. There was a request for $9.6 billion ployment casework. She’s building track- Tourism economies have been hit. in aid for local governments distributed ing spreadsheets and personally calling Oil and gas economies are suffering. per capita in an effort to provide relief back unemployed workers across the From Wyoming to New Jersey, states for cities and villages that are already state to help them navigate the system at are turning to the federal government facing service cuts, layoffs and property one of the worst times in their lives. for help. tax increases to fill the gap. We’ve got downstate members whose Illinois is one of I believe 30 states I asked for $6 billion for the un- social media pages have become the whose fiscal year ends June 30, all of employment insurance trust fund, an community resource for information which are trying to piece together amount that one congressional aide because there is no dominant media disastrous budgets with an eye toward called far too conservative. This fund outlet and certainly not one that pays Washington. faces real challenges as benefits are close attention to state government. I’m going to guess many of you are now going out under federal law to I’ve got members who start return- aware that I recently sent a letter to gig economy workers whose employ- ing local calls for help at 8 a.m. and the Illinois Congressional Delegation ers never paid into the trust fund. finish up at 8 p.m. and they do this outlining what I believe would be an ef- There’s a lot to resolve there and it’s every day of the week to try to keep up fective recovery package for our state. not going to be easy or inexpensive, with the flood of people needing help. I figure I might as well address that but it’s already been put in motion by Being a state senator is a lot more now because it’s probably coming later Washington. than going to the big domed building in in questions. And I asked for $1 billion to sup- Springfield and pushing buttons on laws. Let’s go right to the controversial port expanded public health programs Our jobs are grounded in helping part. and access in minority communities the people we were elected to repre- Yes, I asked for $10 billion in aid for that are disproportionately victimized sent, and right now that has usually the state pension systems, in the form by this virus in large part because of meant literally helping one person and of direct funding or loans. underlying problems that have lingered then another and then another. Let me tell you what that is. unaddressed for years. And while it is on one hand tragic, it That’s roughly 2 1/2 years of the At the end of the day, I don’t think is also rewarding and humbling. normal costs of having a retirement the request for Illinois is going to look Thank you again for this unique op- system for public school teachers, state that much different than a request for portunity during this unique time. workers and university employees. any other state. I look forward to someday joining This virus is hitting our economy With that, I’m going to wrap up a you in person and I’d be happy to try now in Fiscal Year 2020, it’s going to little short of the full time allotted be- to answer any questions.

CICERO 2021 24 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS

WINNER: MILITARY “A Call to Arms: Resilience to Disinformation”

By Emma Anbeek for Admiral R.P. Bauer, Delivered at The Hague, Chief of Defence November 12, 2020

ood evening, Netherlands Marine Corps Calendar, has made her bitter or angry. It made G Students, let me first congratu- at 16 euros 50 each. The proceeds will her resilient. Self-reliant. late you on your lustrum. And thank go to charity. It’s the resilience that is sometimes you for inviting me. Let me go back to mental missing in generations much younger I’m happy to have this chance to strength… than hers. I’ve been surprised and talk to future politicians and members A strong mind is what will deter- astonished by people who refuse to wear of public administration. My mission mine whether or not you will crack a mask and draw parallels to Nazi oc- is always to tell as many people as pos- under pressure. That’s what will make cupation during the Second World War. sible about our Armed Forces. It can you keep going when most people give From my office in the Ministry of be a closed world to civilians. So I’m up. It’s what will save not only your Defence, I can see the square in front going to make you a little bit more of buddies in times of crisis…but it will of our parliament. I’ve seen COVID an insider to this world. And I’ve got a save you too. deniers march on that square, refusing sort of call to arms for you—students It’s all about resilience: can you to wear a mask. I’ve seen them attack of political science. bounce back when the going gets really, police and stalk members of parlia- But I’ll get to that. really tough? ment, shouting death threats.A news First, I’ll try to take you into the When I think about strength and outlet had to remove their logo from world of servicemen and women. resilience, I not only think of the Spe- satellite vans because they were being Some of you may have seen the recent cial Forces… I also think of my dear threatened. Some of these people glee- TV programme ‘Kamp Van Konings- mother. She is 91 years old. Lives on fully speculate over killing the prime brugge’. A series in which civilians her own, still drives her car... minister. And laugh when they see that attempt to complete the selection for When COVID-19 came into our he no longer can take his bike to work, one of the toughest military training lives, along with the first protective but has to be escorted. programmes in the Netherlands: the measures, I called her because I was I’m very worried about this devel- Army Special Forces training. worried about her well-being. Did she opment. This is not a case of anti- Do you know the saying: “when the have enough supplies, groceries and establishment people with a different going gets tough, the tough get go- such? I quickly found out I needn’t opinion. This is not a case of tin foil ing?” Some of the toughest are in the have worried at all. She was so calm hats and a colourful homemade web- Special Forces. These men are asked to and collected. Had gone to the super- site with pictures of crop circles. perform extreme tasks under extreme market at 07:55am and was done by These are people who are willing situations. So they’re trained to the 08:30. She’d been scheduled for hip to disrupt the world violently. They core, have honed their skills to perfec- surgery, and to prevent her operation spread theories of disinformation and tion. They’re extremely fit, disciplined, from being pushed back endlessly, she’d division, sometimes unknowingly filled resourceful and focused. written a letter to her surgeon. ‘So he with Russian conspiracy theories, like So what happens when civilians try won’t forget me,’ she said. accidental Trojan horses. to do the Army Special Forces train- Kind of silly that I had been wor- I’m concerned about this. Because I ing? Some of them had excellent basic ried about my mother’s wellbeing. see they are treating people who do not fitness. Exercised regularly, had some She’s lived through bigger challenges. share their opinions as their enemies. good muscle on them and were in good She was 11 years old when World War There’s no room for anyone who dis- physical condition. But they quickly 2 began and 16 when it ended. She agrees with them. They put their own discovered that the Special Forces are had missed out on a big part of her interest above common interest. This not just about physical strength. teenage years because of the Nazi oc- can tear the fabric of our society. It’s their mental strength that makes cupation of our country. She lost two Let me explain my concern from the the difference. Without a strong mind, husbands, one when she was 32 (my perspective of teamwork in the military. it’s just a nice looking collection of biological father; 6 months before I was In the military, we put common interest meat and muscles...which, by the way, born) and one when she was 78, when above the individual. Being strong is not you can buy in the form of the 2021 my stepfather died. But none of this always about being the fastest alone—

VSOTD.COM 25 but about making sure the group When the going gets tough, it can Let me answer that question, put to reaches its goal. Because whether or not be appealing to hear someone say that me by a conspiracy theorist: who do you survive in times of war or conflict it doesn’t have to be this tough, that you serve? depends on the group you are in. you as an individual bear no respon- I serve the Armed Forces. And the If you are wounded, your col- sibility in this crisis… and that others Armed Forces serve the Kingdom of leagues will do all they can to take you are to blame. And so, in every crisis, we the Netherlands. Every soldier has with them: “leave no man behind”. see discrimination rise; in the case of sworn by oath or affirmation: -al That sense of unity, of fighting for this COVID crisis, there has been talk legiance to our King, meaning the each other, is strong. It’s what people of a ‘China crisis’, there’s a rise in anti- government, obedience to our Con- love most about serving in the mili- Semitism. In every crisis, conspiracy stitution and other laws and, last but tary. It’s what they miss most when theories can gain a foothold. They not least, submission to disciplinary they retire or leave. This is why we are a way out of what is necessary to law. And so did I, in 1985. The Armed in the military speak of “a band of overcome a crisis: hard work, shared Forces will protect anyone in our King- brothers and sisters”. responsibility and sacrifice. And most dom, regardless of their faith, political Every man and woman in the team importantly: a sense of community. A preference, age, skin colour, gender, has a specific role and together they sense of: we can do this together. We sexual preference and so forth. form a solid team. General Patton, can do this as a team. We go where we are asked to go by who served during both the First and I’m worried when I see that mem- the government. Any mission abroad the Second World War, described it bers of our society are jumping into a is decided upon by our government. aptly in a speech he gave many times to ditch. I want to keep them on board. A government which is formed after his troops, in 1944, before the libera- One of these people asked me re- legal elections with an agreed outcome. tion of Europe. I’ll redact the quote a cently in a vague and lengthy plea: who Parliament is always informed and little, as the general was notorious for do you serve? He was afraid—as con- asked to support these missions, with his profanity… spiracy theorists sometimes are—that the exception of special operations and “Every man does his job, serves the Defence was the pawn of a tyrannical NATO Article 5 missions. whole. Ordnance men are needed to and illegal government. I’ve heard There are currently about 450 supply the guns and machinery of war these ideas before. Dutch servicemen and women de- to keep us rolling. Quartermasters are When Defence was asked to keep ployed in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, needed to bring up food and clothes the situation safe during a farmers’ Mali, Libya, Israel, Jordan and Lithu- (…). Every last man (…) has a job to do, protest, it was said by some that we were ania. None of these soldiers is serving even the one who heats our water (…).” ‘against farmers’. Of course we weren’t. abroad for their own egoistic purposes. General Patton explains that a team We had been asked by the mayor of Nor are the ones who serve at home— depends on solid members. When a The Hague to prevent a disturbance think of the servicemen and women platoon, a squad or a brigade feels that of public order, protect the roads and who have stepped up in this COVID there are cracks in this unity, there is prevent the destruction of property. crisis—from helping out in hospitals to a sense of real danger.We survive as When there was a big field exercise setting up and manning test lanes. a team or we die as a team. Patton by the army a few weeks ago, in which These men and women are in the described this as follows: the public saw combat vehicles driv- Armed Forces because they believe in “Every single man in this army has ing by, some said on social media that something that is bigger than them- a job to do and he must do it. Every it was to prepare for a lockdown. Of selves: freedom. Freedom to be who man is a vital link in the great chain. course it wasn’t. you want to be, freedom of speech and What if every truck driver suddenly Our military personnel are training freedom to vote. decided that he didn’t like the whine constantly, sometimes in ways that are They serve not just for themselves of those shells overhead, turned yellow, more visible to civilians. but for their country, and for freedom and jumped headlong into a ditch? Defence does it best to quickly de- in the countries to which they are asked The coward could say, “Hell, they bunk these fables. But it is not a case of to go. Their service is a powerful in- won’t miss me, just one man in thou- harmless gossip; it is misleading and an strument that our government can use sands.” But what if every man thought insult to the military. whenever it deems necessary. that way? Where on earth would we People join the military for many So it hurts me when people question be now? What would our country, our reasons: a desire for adventure, the the motives of military personnel. Not loved ones, our homes, be like?” need for a challenge, a desire to help only in this case. But also by politicians I ask myself these questions, too, people. But there is one common de- who should know better. when I look at our society now. I see nominator: a love for our country. So I Last year, a member of parliament too many people who are jumping find it worrisome when people call our called the work of our F-16 pilots dur- headlong into a ditch. service into question. ing operations over Iraq ‘murder’. This

CICERO 2021 26 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS year, the youth division of a political people, and freedom and peace world- are arming themselves not only with party called the Armed Forces ‘the kill- wide. Because a polarized discussion warships and hypersonic missiles, but ing machine of Defence’. Thankfully only makes for a more divided society. also with tools to attack the cohesion of these instances are rare. But they are And that’s what our enemies like to see. a society, our society. still hurtful. Enemies hate a resilient society. Our And that is where I need your help. But I will still fight, if necessary to enemies hate strong alliances such as Let me explain. the death, to protect the freedom of NATO. The best way to annoy your There’s a quote by military strate- speech of all Dutch citizens, including enemy is to show that you are strong, gist John R. Boyd that summarizes this theirs. All I ask is that they will make resilient and that you are not alone. threat: sure of the facts. Our men and women Next year I will become the Chair- “Machines don’t fight wars. Terrain in uniform act according to a mandate man of NATO’s Military Committee. doesn’t fight wars. Humans fight wars. that is given to them by the legislator. I will do all I can to keep annoying You must get into the mind of humans. They act according to international our enemies by maintaining the strong That’s where the battles are won.” laws. They go where they are asked to bond of our transatlantic allies. As a There’s a right way to do this. For go: a deterrence exercise in Lithuania; small country in the middle of NATO example, in the UN Mission in Mali, gender advice in Afghanistan; COVID territory, the Netherlands has enjoyed we studied the Malian population to assistance in our own country; arrest- an atmosphere of peace and security understand what kind of people they ing the suspected perpetrator after the for decades. And although that is are, what their needs are, and how we terrorist attack in Utrecht; emergency great in itself, I think it has also lead can support them. In the Baltic States, assistance following a hurricane in the to a distorted image of the actual we researched what safety means for Bahamas; and so on. threat in Europe. that population, to serve them better in And they do this voluntarily. They We haven’t paid the 2% contri- the deployment of NATO’s enhanced joined the Armed Forces of their own bution to NATO, despite repeated Forward Presence. This kind of re- volition. promises to do so since 2014. Some search is legitimate and it supports the Centuries ago, the protection of say that the 2% means nothing. That efforts of our military personnel. our cities, of our country, was a shared is not true, however. What I’m worried about is the il- responsibility. Almost everyone contrib- The 2% of our gross domestic prod- legitimate mind battles. Conflicts of uted to the safeguarding of their town uct (the GDP) is the amount of money today are more and more about influ- or village. that is required to form an armed encing what people think… about what Now we’ve got over forty-thousand force that is able to counter the threats they see as true and valuable. professionals who have taken on this against our nation. The same applies to A few examples. safeguarding task for our whole coun- the other 29 NATO members. • On the 17th of July, Russian try. Critics can badmouth the Armed Through the fog of peace, it didn’t separatists in Ukraine shot down flight Forces all they want. seem urgent. I hope that the future poli- MH17, killing 298 people, one hun- All I ask is that they make sure of ticians amongst you will recognize that dred and 193 of whom were Dutch. To their facts. The existence and use of the urgency, as it is down to the govern- this day, Russia is denying involvement Armed Forces is defined in our Consti- ment and parliament to pay the 2%. In and actively spreading disinformation. tution, Articles 97 to 100. If you want our Defence Vison for 2035, we called • In April of this year, a forged letter to change the purpose of the Armed for long-term political commitment to by NATO SecretaryGeneral Jens Stol- Forces, or the way they operate, you the EU and NATO. Because we can’t tenberg was sent to governments and have to change our Constitution. If afford to rely on our biggest NATO ally, media outlets in Lithuania. It stated you want to disband our Armed Forces, the United States, to keep footing 70% that the organization was withdraw- make sure you have a 2/3 majority in of the total bill. The President-elect of ing its troops from the country. Some both Houses of Parliament and I will the United States, Joe Biden, is said to outlets published the story. take off my uniform and change into ci- have a greater focus on Asia than on • A French media outlet has falsely vilian clothes. I will be sad, but I’ll obey Europe, continuing the ‘Asia pivot’ of claimed that the NATO exercise the law. As will the other servicemen the Obama administration. He will also ‘Defender 2020’ was the cause of the and women—all 42,852 of them. keep calling on us to contribute more spread of COVID in Europe. The So I ask critics to take the constitu- to NATO—though in a different tone website has ties with InfoRos - a news tional route if they don’t like the way than was used by the current President. agency that has been linked to Russian it is now. Organize a civilized debate. Also, we’ve seen that Russia and military intelligence. And in the meantime, I hope critics are China have been increasing their These instances of disinforma- respectful to our military, which con- defence budgets by billions of dollars. tion are attempts to test our nation’s sists of people who joined voluntarily And we’ve seen that they have expand- resilience. Just as Russian fighter jets to serve and protect their country, its ed their information operations. They regularly attempt to fly into Dutch

VSOTD.COM 27 airspace, trying to test the speed of our As future politicians and members Two, opinions are worth that much. response… we’ve even seen Russian of public administration, these will be Bending opinions towards the goals bombers in our airspace, in 2018. some of your biggest challenges: of a state are a scary tactic. But note that with fake stories, they - understanding the power of social So in these times, having and keeping don’t attack us physically. media platforms and deciding whether a clear and critical mind is more impor- They attack our ideas of what is to regulate them, and if so, how to do tant than ever. A clear mind, untainted true and valuable wanting to create this; by parties with ill intent. A resilient confusion and division and aiming to - making algorithms work for us mind, able to recognise disinformation. destroy the roots of our democracy. instead of against us; So this is my ‘call to arms’ to you, Of course, disinformation has been - and making people more resilient bright minds, who are going to shape used before, by the Soviet Union, for to clickable disinformation. the politics of the future. I want to ask example, and by Allied Forces during So many people think they are using that you, as the leaders, politicians and World War 2.The difference is that a certain medium to investigate the directors of the future, build and main- now some of the social media that truth, not knowing their investigation tain the resilience of our society. To be spread these stories operate without is being shaped by that medium, not a leader who unifies, not someone who checks and balances. Social media knowing that this medium is profiting adds to and widens the divide. Be criti- will refer you from one conspiracy from your investigation. cal of the information that feeds your theory to the next, as long as you I remember a disturbing headline sense of reality. keep looking, keep clicking. Mostly for from last year: “Facebook is putting a As military theorist Carl von Clause- financial gain, because juicy stories halt to Russian influence of Africa”. witz once said: “Our mind must be that warn you of imminent danger The company had removed dozens of constantly armed.” are clicked upon more often than the fake accounts and pages which were I agree: protect your mind from dull and well-researched truth. Some targeting 1 million people living in disinformation. Ask yourself in whose steps have been taken; for example, eight African countries, such as Libya interest it is to create confusion; to cre- to alert the public to false statements and Sudan. These accounts were ate division. And whether you want to on Twitter. Instagram has, during focused on influencing the opinions of add to it, or be an advocate of unity. this pandemic, added a button under citizens of these countries. They were I hope you can take inspiration from COVID-related posts that will lead you controlled by organisations owned teamwork in the military, and realize to reliable information. And YouTube by a Russian businessman with close that you are part of something bigger: has recentlytaken down the page of a ties to the president. A man who had this room, this student organization, well-known conspiracy theorist. I don’t previously been indicted by the US this city, this country, this idea of free- know whether this is the best solution. for interfering in the 2016 presidential dom and democracy. Because the real problem seems to be election. As General Patton said: “Every man that the profit model of social media Let that sink in… is a vital link in the great chain.” You platforms is to make you keep looking One, a social media platform is are one of those links, and you can help and clicking, whatever kind of infor- seen as being able to influence whole to make that chain as strong as it can be. mation you are digesting. countries. Thank you. WINNER: NONPROFIT “Our First Teachers”

By Rosemary King for Nichole Maher, Delivered in Portland, Oregon, CEO, Group Health Foundation October 8, 2020

hank you and welcome. We’re moment? And how are our histories generations. My family moved to the Tgrateful you could join us for intertwined? I’ll begin by answering Olympic peninsula because my dad “Shaping the Future,” our first-ever those questions myself. was a logger and fisherman. We lived grantee convening. Our goal today I grew up in southeast Alaska on the in Chimicum, not too far from where I is to explore our shared histories and island of Kupreanof. While my Moth- make my home today in Kitsap county. lived experiences together. Together er’s side of the family is from Alaska, When I started middle school, our we’ll explore questions such as, what my father’s family has lived in eastern family moved to the Siletz Indian Reser- am I bringing to this work and to this and central Washington for several vation in Lincoln Country Oregon. We

CICERO 2021 28 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS lived about 10 miles outside of Siletz in as a group one should feel sorry for or Washingtonians, not just those in an unincorporated area called Logsden. offer charity to. politically-connected places. In 2019, The population today? About 325 peo- But that wasn’t the community I we committed to centering communi- ple. Let’s just say … calling it “small” or remembered growing up. Just the op- ties all across the state. “rural” might be an understatement. posite was true. During my first 18-months, I was Looking back, I remember two I felt tremendous pride for the gifts privileged to travel to all 39 counties in distinct moments, two wake-up calls, they had given me. Native Elders had Washington and visit some 300 lead- during my childhood. showed me what love and support ers, organizations, and Tribal Nations. The first was in 9th grade. My could look like. The nonprofit and That’s where, in fact, we met many entire class from the Siletz Reserva- tribal programs I had attended had of you, whom we consider to be “our tion was bussed to the local white high encouraged me. They told me I was first teachers.” You kick offed what I school to save money and integrate our smart and that, if I worked hard, I call our ‘forever work’ around health, communities. Without a single place- could do something for my community. equity, and helped shape our organiza- ment test or evaluation, every one of At that point in my life, I was swim- tion in many ways. us was promptly enrolled in remedial ming in contradictions. However dif- GHF is (and will always be) a classes and special education. It was ficult it was for me personally, I’m now learning organization. Sometimes that clear that some teachers and students grateful that, at a young age, I became means reminding ourselves that we, as disliked us. It was also clear that others of aware of injustice, racism, and how a foundation, don’t actually do ANY- seemed to actually hate us. I can still classism permeates almost every aspect THING. We are here to be of service taste the bitter feeling of being unwel- of society, even though we rarely talk to the nonprofit community. Yes, we is- come and unwanted. about it. sue grants and being a c4 lets us lever- I found their anger deeply upsetting It was these lessons that, in fact, age influence on causes we feel strongly and, frankly, a little confusing. Back truly prepared me for my professional about. But ultimately, foundations do then, I didn’t understand that their career—I dare say much more than everything through nonprofits and attitudes were rooted in racism and my public health degrees. And in 2001, leaders like you. You and your work are classism, words I didn’t even know at I was lucky enough to stumble upon at the center of everything we do. the time. Their mentality was shaped an organization then called the Native Our approach to philanthropy, in by fear and their own scarcity of American Youth Association. fact, comes down to this: an ironclad resources. I was just a 14-year-old girl It was these experiences and the val- belief that communities most impacted wondering what my friends and I had ues I learned at both NAYA and North- by inequalities should be at the center done so wrong. west Health Foundation that brought of solutions. My second wake-up call came in me to Group Health Foundation, first You’re living with problems every college. Oregon State University, at as a Trustee and later as the CEO. The day and have far more expertise and first, seemed like a land of endless Board and the entire team here are wisdom than we’ll ever have. opportunities and a million miles from deeply committed to holding ourselves COVID-19, as tragic as its been, of- Siletz (even though it was only an hour accountable to our shared values. fers a beautiful example. The commu- and a half away). Scholarship programs • At Group Health Foundation, we nities we call “our first teachers” were opened doors for low-income kids like acknowledge the deep scars caused by among the first to recognize the danger me. As the daughter of a logger, I even historical hurt and harm done to many of the disease. They were among the got a $400 stipend from the local mill to of our communities. first to provide concrete solutions to pay for my college text books. • We believe that the systems society keep families safe. And they showed up While I loved many things about has designed (intentionally and unin- in the first month, the fifth month, and college, outside the classroom some of tentionally) favor the privileged and fail now, the eighth month. the lessons were painful. I learned that the vulnerable. Thank you for allowing me to share communities with no roads, no electric- • We understand there are no overt my story this morning and for allowing ity, no running water were thought of disparities between groups of people, Group Health Foundation to join your as ‘backwards.’ Or that it was shameful only structures that have failed them. journey. We certainly don’t have all the to admit that I had grown up living in Racism causes health inequity, not race. answers, but we’re willing to take risks a double-wide trailer. I learned from • And we recognize that solutions knowing that over time they may lead white professors and classmates that originate in the heart of communi- to better health outcomes than we’ve I didn’t look native enough for them. ties themselves and with leaders they seen in the past. And in doing so, we Worst of all, I learned that the people already have—not in far-off places or aim to accelerate health equity and we who had loved me as a young girl and even Seattle or Olympia. hope to create a better, more vibrant taught me to value myself were consid- From the start, we agreed to build future for people across the state of ered ‘less than.’ They were perceived an organization that would serve all Washington.

VSOTD.COM 29

WINNER: CONTROVERSIAL OR HIGHLY POLITICIZED TOPICS “What Does This Statue Mean? Removing the Country’s Largest Confederate Monument”

By Grant Neely for Ralph S. Northam, Delivered at the Virginia State Capitol, Governor of Virginia June 4, 2020

ood morning, everyone. A place where Virginians would sell honor the cause of division. You’ll see G I want to thank everyone men, women, and children for profit. this if you look around Virginia and watching from around Virginia and Americans buying and selling other our capital city. around the country, and I want to Americans. The statue of Robert E. Lee is the thank the many guests who have This is just as much the American most prominent. Lee himself didn’t joined us as we chart a new course in story, and it’s one that we are only just want a monument, but Virginia built Virginia’s history. now beginning to tell more fully. one any way. Lee once said, “I think Today, we’re here to be honest about Through 400 years of American it is wiser not to keep open the sores our past and talk about our future. history, starting with the enslavement of war, but to follow the examples I’m no historian, but I strongly of Africans, through the Civil War, of those nations who endeavored to believe that we have to confront where through Jim Crow, and Massive Resis- obliterate the marks of civil strife, to we’ve been, in order to shape where tance, and mass incarceration, black commit to oblivion the feelings engen- we’re going. oppression has always existed in this dered.” Those are wise words indeed. And in Virginia, for more than 400 country, just in different forms. So, what happened? Virginia leaders years, we have set high ideals about The legacy of racism continues not said, we know better. freedom and equality, but we have just in isolated incidents like we saw Instead of choosing to heal the fallen short of them. in Minneapolis a few days ago—and I wounds of the American civil war, they Some of America’s most hopeful want to acknowledge that our country chose to keep them on display. They and forward-looking moments hap- will honor the life of George Floyd in a launched a new campaign to undo the pened in this Commonwealth and in memorial service in about three hours. results of the Civil War by other means. this capital city. When Americans first The legacy of racism also continues They needed a symbol to shore up dreamed of life, liberty, and the pursuit as part of a system that touches every the cause. And it’s quite a symbol. The of happiness—they dreamed here in person and every aspect of our lives, Lee statue was built in France, and the Commonwealth. whether we know it or not. But hearts when it arrived by boat on the James Virginia adopted a Declaration are in different places, and not everyone River docks, it took 10,000 citizens— of Rights before the United States can see it—or they don’t want to see it. and a whole lot of rope to haul three declared independence. It said that all When I used to teach ambitious large crates out into the tobacco field are “equally free and independent and young doctors, I would tell them, “The where it would be installed. Some have certain inherent rights.” It specifi- eyes can’t see what the mind doesn’t business people put it out in the field, cally called out freedom of the press know.” That’s true for all of us. so they could eventually build a hous- and freedom of religion. So, it’s time to acknowledge the real- ing development around it, and make And in a church on a hill 15 blocks ity of institutional racism, even if you money. It worked. from here, Virginia’s first elected can’t see it. Public policies have kept This happened in May 1890, twenty Governor helped launch the American this reality in place for a long time. years after Lee died and a generation Revolution when he cried, “Give me That’s why we’ve been working so hard after the Civil War ended. 150,000 liberty, or give me death!” That was to reform criminal justice laws, expand people came out when the statue was Patrick Henry, and I now have the job health care access, make it easier to unveiled. But from the beginning, there that he once held—72 governors later. vote, and so much more. was no secret about what the statue These are our greatest legacies as But symbols matter too, and Vir- meant. Almost every one of those Americans. But there’s a whole lot ginia has never been willing to deal 150,000 people waved Confederate more to the story, because those inspir- with symbols. Until now. flags that day. ing words and high ideals did not apply Today, Virginia is home to more John Mitchell was the editor of to everyone, not then and not now. Confederate commemorations than the Black newspaper, the Richmond Because at the bottom of that same any other state. That’s true because Planet, at the time. He wrote, “The hill, one of the country’s largest slave- generations ago, Virginia made the emblem of the union had been left be- trading markets was coming to life. decision not to celebrate unity, but to hind—a glorification of the lost cause

CICERO 2021 30 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS was everywhere.” It was a big day, and The statue itself weighs 12 tons, and it Before we turn to the next speakers, I more big days followed throughout the sits atop a large pedestal. A pedestal is a want to acknowledge all the elected offi- old south. And as the statues went up, place of honor. We put things on pedes- cials, scholars, members of our advisory so did lots of new laws. It was all part tals when we want people to look up. boards, and other guests who here. of the same campaign. Think about the message this sends In particular, I want to acknowledge Here’s just one example: New laws to people coming from around the members of the family of Barbara limited the right to vote. In the years world to visit the capital city of one Johns: Mr. Robert Johns and his grand- after the Civil War, more than 100,000 of the largest states in the country. Or son Mr. Tyrone Mayer, Jr. You all know African American men were registered to young children. What do you say their family’s story. to vote in Virginia. But once this cam- when a six-year-old African American In 1951, a 16-year-old girl, Barbara paign took off, that number plummet- little girl looks you in the eye, and Johns, stood up and led a protest—a ed by 90 percent, to barely 10,000. says: What does this big statue mean? student strike against substandard con- That worked too. Because the Why is it here? ditions at Robert Russa Moton High people who wrote these laws knew When a young child looks up and School in Prince Edward County. She what they were doing. They wrote sees something that big and prominent, pushed and pushed, and two great other new laws to say that once a statue she knows that it’s important. And when American attorneys took up her cause. goes up, it can never come down. They it’s the biggest thing around, it sends a Oliver Hill and Spottswood Robinson wanted the statues to remain forever— clear message: This is what we value the filed suit, next door, in the federal they needed the statues to stay forever, most. But that’s just not true anymore. courthouse at the bottom of the hill. because they helped keep the system In Virginia, we no longer preach a That case became Brown v. Board of in place. That also worked. Those laws false version of history. One that pre- Education, and it eventually threw out ruled for more than a century. tends the Civil War was about “state segregated schools in the United States But voting matters, and elections rights” and not the evils of slavery. No of America. matter, and laws can be changed. And one believes that any longer. That is how you make change—you this year, we changed them. This year, And in 2020, we can no longer push on the outside, and you push on I proposed legislation to let cities and honor a system that was based on the the inside too. counties decide what to do with monu- buying and selling of enslaved people. We’ll hear in just a moment from ments in their communities—take In 2020! a few of the people who are making them down, move them somewhere I want us all to tell the little girl the change happen. else, or add additional context. truth. Yes, that statue has been there My friends, I believe in a Virginia That law takes effect in four weeks, for a long time. But it was wrong then, that studies its past in an honest way. I and then local communities will decide. and it is wrong now. believe in a Virginia that learns lessons I know Richmond is going to do the So, we’re taking it down. from the past. And we all know our right thing. Now, I know some will protest. Some country needs that example right now. But the Lee statue is unique. It’s will say, Lee was an honorable man. I America is once again looking to different from every other statue in know many people will be angry. Virginia to lead. But make no mis- Virginia—both in size and in legal But my friends, I believe in a Vir- take—removing a symbol is important, status. ginia that studies its past in an honest but it’s only a step. You see, the state owns it, unlike way. I believe that when we learn more, It doesn’t mean problems are solved. most other statues. That was another we can do more. And I believe that We still need change in this country. part of the plan to keep it up forever. It when we learn more—when we take We need healing most of all. But sym- sits on a 100-foot circle of land, a state- that honest look at our past—we must bols do matter. owned island, surrounded by the City do more than just talk about the future. My friends, we all know it’s time. of Richmond. We must take action. So, I am And history will prove that. The whole thing is six stories tall. directing the Department of General Now, I would like to introduce the It towers over homes, businesses, and Services to remove the statue of Robert Reverend Robert W. Lee IV. We’ve been everyone who lives in Richmond—from E. Lee as soon as possible. It will go talking about his great-great-uncle. elegant Monument Avenue to the public into storage, and we will work with the housing neighborhood of Gilpin Court. community to determine its future.

VSOTD.COM 31

WINNER: COVID CRISIS “After Lockdown: Insights on the Future of Work”

By Martha J. Frase for Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President and CEO, Delivered virtually, June 2, 2020 SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management

hank you for the opportunity to 2.5 times higher than the International I told him it all boils down to Tspeak at this year’s summit. Space Station. culture. And every company culture And what a year we’ve had so far! But let’s bring it back down to earth. is different. What may work for Jack But even before the massive disrup- Because 1.3 trillion isn’t just a number: Dorsey at Twitter may not work for tions of COVID-19, the workplace was It’s mortgages, rent, car payments, stu- other companies that are fueled by changing drastically— and faster than dent loans, college tuition, retirement face-to-face teamwork. many leaders could plan for. savings. Let us remember what happens Now we’ve had to make some of the It’s food and medicine. in the office. This is where diverse hardest decisions of our careers—be- In parts of the world, starvation is individuals come together to strat- cause they directly impact people’s lives going to reach levels we haven’t seen egize, collaborate, and generate social and livelihoods. since last century. interactions that turn the office into We cannot underestimate this last This is our reality—and it under- an idea factory. point. Things are bad out there right scores the urgency to safely reopen and That’s how sparks of innovation now, and they will get worse. But they return to work. catch fire. are going to get better too. And when we do, we will need to Still, there is no right or wrong As difficult as it is, all business lead- look at everything with new eyes: our when it comes to remote work and ers must look at the current economic budgets, our leave policies, our build- other cultural expectations. situation with clear, unflinching eyes. ings, our talent strategies and so much The problem comes when business Last week, with our partner, Oxford else that will carry different priorities leaders rush to follow the example of Economics, SHRM released the newest than before. others rather than being intentional in our series of research findings: One of the big issues we’ll be grap- and authentic about their own culture. The millions of jobs that were lost pling with is the rise of remote work. In fact, this moment of crisis is in a matter of weeks will take years to Many employees have come to like it. also the moment to test your culture. return. About 31 percent tell us that they are Do your guiding principles still work For example, by the end of 2021, more productive at home. But the rest under pressure? Do your leaders and 80 percent of cities will not have say that they are only AS productive— teams reflect what you believe in as an recovered the jobs they lost during the or less productive. organization? pandemic. Twitter and Slack have already It’s time to be truthful about who We’ll feel this even deeper in places announced that their workforces can you are, not who you want to be or with a lower population density. By the permanently work remotely, and other what your brand says you are. end of next year, nearly 9 in 10 smaller companies will follow suit. When you have a complete and cities will not have regained jobs lost And why not? Think of the money clear-eyed understanding of your during the pandemic. companies can save on office space, organization’s true culture, you can And so far, some $1.3 trillion in parking, security, utilities, cleaning, cof- own it, recruit for it and develop your income has been lost by the U.S. work- fee, and all the other things that people talent for it. force. 20 percent of that, $260 billion, need at work. If your culture is not working as it represents earnings from employed But our data show that not everyone should, you must have the courage to workers. That’s the effect of furloughs wants to work remotely. And this often change it. To redefine it. You may not and salary cuts. falls along generational lines. be the CHRO or CEO of your organi- Let me put that 1.3 trillion in per- Just last week, I was having a zation, but you still have the power to spective. conversation with the CEO of a large articulate why culture matters and to A stack of 1 million hundred-dollar media company. When he learned I have an opinion about your own. bills would be 3.3 feet high—the height was from SHRM, he asked me what Any of you can do that. You can of a chair. I thought of the approach Twitter make the case for culture change. A stack of 1 trillion? and other tech companies are taking You can give the CHRO the road That would tower 631 miles high— toward remote work. map. And you can model the cultural

CICERO 2021 32 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS norms you want your organization to by new applications of virtual reality— Here’s what I mean by that: During project. will come into its own and change the periods of heightened stress, it’s natu- [PAUSE] landscape of education. ral to forget the impact leaders and Beyond considerations of remote Because employees will be able to managers have on people’s lives and work, organizations would be wise to learn quickly and as needed. I believe attitudes. Being “extra” in all you do adopt modern workplace flexibility that COVID-19 has moved us closer to to serve your people means going the and leave policies, which can help keep solutions for our country’s skills gaps— extra mile to recognize those who are businesses operating during disruptions when we can upskill and reskill 24/7 working through extraordinary circum- like coronavirus. from anywhere. stances. And it means finding ways to In a downturn, it is more important Employers also should brace for support and empower those who may than ever for employers to create bold, another change: They will now be be struggling. innovative solutions that help you at- responsible for the health of their Those are just a few ways I believe tract and keep your best talent. workforce as never before. There will the world of work will change in the Keep in mind too that talent man- be new rules—in the beginning at coming months and years. But I don’t agement will also transform. least—about social distancing, personal have a crystal ball. Much of this will be The trend toward remote work will protective equipment and possibly in your hands as workplace leaders. make finding key talent easier when we disciplinary policies for those who risk At SHRM, one of our five Guid- can tap into workers located anywhere the health of others. ing Principles in particular has been in the world. That prized performer Mental health will be a big part getting a workout. That is to show flex- in NYC can easily be recruited to your of employee health considerations. ibility and agility. And that will be your team in Silicon Valley. SHRM’s latest research found than greatest strength going forward too. For good or bad, this is a buyers’ nearly 1 in 4 employees report feeling Because no one really knows what market for talent. So take advantage down, depressed, or hopeless often. the “new normal” will evolve to be. We of it. This is a golden opportunity for Here again, employers will be primary know we won’t hug and shake hands so employers and leaders to be really clear solution providers, expanding support much, but otherwise the future of work about their culture by recruiting and for mental health and wellness in the is a jump ball. cultivating the right people. workplace. In fact, it is ours to shape. This is how we empower our work- Now for some advice to my fellow And I find that pretty exciting. forces—Put people right where they CEOs and organizational leaders: The challenges are great. But I have ought to be. Invest in your People Managers. They a deep faith in our country’s resiliency Training and developing your talent have a significant influence on your and the ability of business leaders to will also transform. We will innovate company culture. navigate us through. Together, we professional development with some of Train them to recognize employees will see the other side of this, and our the technologies we’ve begun using in under stress. Reiterate the importance workplaces will be stronger and better just the last few months of staying at of being inclusive at all times. And for it. home. Virtual learning—augmented show them how to “Be extra.” Thank you. WINNER: DIVERSITY/EQUITY/INCLUSION “The Right to Be Ourselves”

By Antonie van Campen for Stef Blok, Delivered at The Hague, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs the Netherlands, December 10, 2020

onoured guests, That’s why they are now fighting for and support human rights, in peaceful H What do an indigenous femi- human dignity. For equality. and innovative ways. nist from Guatemala, a doctor from In other words: for the fundamental But before I announce the winner Sudan, and a transgender woman from rights of others. of this year’s Tulip, I would like to tell Armenia have in common? This is why all three of them have you all a bit more about these three The answer is: they’ve all suffered in been nominated for the annual Human incredible human beings, who have a way that made them stronger. Rights Tulip. joined us digitally today. And they are all aware of what oth- An award presented by the Dutch These three people deserve the ers have to go through. government, to people who promote utmost respect for what they have

VSOTD.COM 33 done, and for what they are continu- many commit sexual violence?’ But it was a long, hard and danger- ing to do. It was then you decided that some- ous process. First of all, Lorena Cabnal, the in- thing needed to be done. A process that made you fear for digenous feminist, who grew up during And the rest, I can now say, is his- your own life, too. the darkest years of the Guatemalan tory. But the dangers didn’t scare you, civil war. Because from that moment on, Lorena. From a very young age Lorena ex- Lorena, you started to secretly organise You kept on fighting for the rights of perienced sexual violence, at the hands meetings with other women. women and girls. of her father. Together you made a list of all the Even though you were exiled from And she was not the only one in her urgent needs that women had in your your community, and even though you community. community. and your eleven year old daughter now As you have said yourself, Lorena, Like food for children. Food for have to live far away from the place many girls who grow up in indigenous themselves. And ways of preventing where you grew up. communities think that it is normal to teenage pregnancies and maternal Still you continue your battle. be taken against their will. When they deaths. So that one day, all people can live are 12 or 13 years old. The next step was knocking on freely and in dignity. That it is normal, to be any man’s doors, and writing a lot of letters, to And for that you deserve our utmost woman; ask organisations to help you. respect. To have five children or more by the Which ultimately resulted in the I want you to know, Lorena, that time you’re 25; birth of the Association for Indigenous equal rights for women and girls is a To have men treat you like dirt if Women of Santa Maria Xalapan, in key part of Dutch human rights policy. they don’t like living with you; 2004. And we will do everything we can to And probably never to have access And now, Lorena, 16 years later, you continue improving the position of to education, because your family ex- are part of the network of ancestral women and girls, worldwide. pects you to cook, and to work harvest- healers, you’ve established three schools Not only because gender equality is ing coffee on the farm. for political education - each attended crucial for ending violence and build- Work, by the way, you will never get by around 30 women each year. ing sustainable peace, but also because paid for. You’ve taught more than hundred women’s rights are human rights. That is the life many girls you know indigenous women how to read, how Thank you Lorena. are living. to write, how to use contraception, and Honoured guests, And the reason why one of your how to avoid forced pregnancies. Another brave human being, and female friends once asked you: In other words, you taught women the second nominee for the Human ‘Lorena, you know how children how to change their lives. Rights Tulip Award, is Mohamed Nagi have rights. And equally important: how to heal. Alassam. Do you think that women have At the same time you’ve been busy Mohamed, like millions of other Su- rights as well?’ bringing accusations against sexual danese people you grew up desperate, You had to think about that ques- offenders and leaders of trafficking hopeless, and disappointed in how your tion, Lorena. networks, so that justice can be done, country had turned out, under the 30- And from that moment on, you later and women can live truly safe lives. year dictatorship of Omar Al-Bashir’s said, an awareness of gender started to As in the case of a poor indigenous Islamist regime. dawn for you. girl—only 16 years old—who was of- Your people experienced end- An awareness of being a woman. fered work by someone. less internal wars. Famine. And state Because you thought: Together with her seven-month-old brutality. “Why is it, that my indigenous gov- baby, she went to his house. Which costs millions of your fellow ernment, the Xinka indigenous govern- Where she was kidnapped, drugged citizens their lives. ment, is made up of 357 men? And no and sexually abused. By men linked to Seven years ago, Mohamed, in May women?’ organised drug trade. 2013, you experienced the repression ‘Why do only men work as spiritual They held her captive for three of Al-Bashir’s regime personally and guides. Why are they the ones who months, and gave her baby up for legal directly for the first time. conduct the great ceremonies? And are adoption. You were a student at university. women on the sidelines.’ It was thanks to you, Lorena, that And together with other students, ‘Why are women in my community this poor young girl was rescued. you aimed to take part in student union the most impoverished?’ She even got her baby back. elections, as part of an opposition alli- ‘And why, when indigenous people The man responsible for the kidnap- ance which was competing against the so often speak of peace, and love, do so ping was later put in prison. pro-regime student alliance.

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When the candidate lists were about They felt encouraged by the strike Lilit Martirosyan from Armenia, to be presented, armed forces stormed you helped organise. who has also joined us digitally. your campus with vehicles, weapons And this common inspiration led to Lilit, you had a very difficult child- and soldiers. a huge increase in the activity of differ- hood. You saw fellow students from the ent professional bodies. You were assigned male at birth. pro-regime student alliance with Ka- You seized on that momentum, But you identified as a girl. lashnikovs. Mohamed. Every time you wore your mother’s And before you knew it, they were And you and your colleagues clothing—when you were eight or nine firing many rounds over your head, brought all these unions together under years old—your father was upset, and and all around you. one banner. ashamed. You saw other students crying. The Sudanese Professionals Associa- ‘What will the neighbours say?’, he It was, as you later said, the most tion was born. would shout at you. frightening moment of your life. A body that soon adopted a political Later, at the age of 14, you had to And you will never forget this agenda. leave the village where you lived, be- moment for another reason, too: the An agenda that called for civilian cause you no longer felt safe. strong feeling of injustice. rule, women’s empowerment, and an Many LGBTI people in your coun- That day, you learned that the re- end to the nation’s civil wars. try, after all, live in the shadows. gime’s only response was violence. A body that was trusted by the Afraid of being ridiculed, discrimi- This was confirmed a few months people. nated against, attacked, or even killed. later, when armed forces opened fire on But apparently not by the regime. It is also why you became a sex peaceful protesters, killing more than Because within three days of the worker in a big city. 200 people. agenda’s announcement, you were ar- Because you knew that people like Among them Abubaker Abdela- rested and detained by security forces. you, are often deprived of an educa- ziem. 98 days you spent in prison, during tion, and therefore unable to find A young man, just 23 years old. which you were questioned constantly employment and make a living. You remembered him, Mohamed, about the newly formed umbrella as- But the life of a sex worker was not because this young man stood there sociation and its members. the life you envisioned for yourself. peacefully, raising his empty hands in What you didn’t know, was that You wanted to stand up for your front of the security forces, embodying while you were in prison, an uprising rights, and help others. the words that he had just written: had begun, which would last for eight That’s why you were not only the ‘Oh my friend, we are tired,’ he had months. first person in Armenia to register as written. Millions of Sudanese people, young a transgender woman, but also the ‘But we cannot lie down during the and old, men and women, formed local founder of the Right Side Human battle.’ independent resistance committees. Rights Defender NGO, in 2016. As this young man stood there, gov- Showing the regime that their will An NGO run by—and for—trans- ernment forces shot him. could not be broken. gender people and sex workers in And although he died, he did not lie And thanks to the leadership of Armenia and the rest of the South down during the battle. your umbrella organisation, Mohamed, Caucasus. He courageously gave his life for the they won. This can’t have been easy. collective cause: The people won. Because it led to your receiving a lot A free and democratic Sudan. You won. of death threats. This young man’s death, Mohamed, Allow me therefore, to thank you. In April 2019, for example, when had a deep impact on you. For your strength. For your persever- you were the first member of Arme- Soon after, you joined the Central ance. And for your belief in democracy. nia’s LGBTI community to address the Committee of Sudanese Doctors. Because everyone has the right to National Assembly. And within the same year, together form and to join trade unions that You spoke out bravely against dis- with other Committee members, you protect their interests. crimination against transgender people. managed to hold the biggest doctors’ That’s why the Netherlands will But many people condemned your strike in decades. continue to fully support human right speech. An event that would break the bar- defenders who defend this fundamen- Including the chairperson of the rier of fear among doctors, as well as tal right. parliamentary session. other professionals in Sudan. So that people like you can con- Who told a Radio Free Europe re- From lawyers and engineers to tinue—and expand—your work. porter that, and I quote, ‘perverts must journalists, university professors and Allow me to move on to the third be expelled from Armenia’. teachers. nominee: ‘Send them to Holland’, he said.

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Adding: ‘We want females to be ‘There are no two equal stones, two And all three of you continue to females, and males to be males. You equal rivers or two equal mountains.’ work to advance human rights and de- cannot mix female with male. It’s ‘Even two trees that bear fruit are mocracy. Peacefully, around the world. shameful,’ he concluded. not identical.’ And so all three of you deserve our As if this wasn’t bad enough, Lilit, ‘In the same way, bodies are not the support. people phoned your mother and your same either. Or different ways of living But as I said, only one candidate brother, threatening to kill you. in community.’ can be the winner. To burn you alive. ‘Men, women, transgenders, trans- And that candidate, the winner of Your family was forced to flee. vestites, lesbians, gays, non-binary the Dutch annual Human Rights Tulip And how must you have felt the people…’ award is … night right after you gave your speech, ‘It doesn’t matter what you are.’ Lilit Martirosyan! when you ordered food to be delivered ‘What matters is the plurality of Lilit, you never gave up on the non- to your apartment. life.’ violent pathway to change. Not long after the delivery guy rang I couldn’t agree more. Even when you received death your bell and gave you your food, he Which makes me a feminist as well. threats. posted a public message on Facebook And a pluralist. Time after time, you rose up, hold- with your address, to help the people So thank you, Lilit, for not only liv- ing onto that spark of hope. who wanted to kill you. ing your life, but advocating for those And stood your ground. I can’t begin to imagine what it must who cannot live as openly, and chal- For all those transgender people in feel like to experience such hatred, and lenging your country’s cultural and your country. to live in constant fear. political institutions. For all those fellow human beings Nobody deserves that. Especially in these difficult times. struggling to survive. So I would like to thank you as Among other reasons, because trans- That is why, I hope that this prize, well, Lilit, for your strength, and your gender people are now being accused the Dutch Human Rights Tulip Award, determination. of evading military service. can somehow help you as you continue Because thanks to your peaceful ac- Lilit, I want you to know, that the your struggle. tions, LGBTI people and sex workers Netherlands will continue to support We in the Netherlands support you, in Armenia now have a community human rights defenders, who promote Lilit. centre, which has become a home, and equal rights for LGBTI people around Just as we support Mohamed and a safe space for them. the world, because everyone should Lorena. They can get legal and mental have the right to be themselves. Because, even though we still have health support. They have access to Unfortunately, I can only present our own struggles here in the Nether- English courses, and other education; the Dutch Human Rights Tulip to one lands, when it comes to human rights, And transgender people can change of you. we know that human rights are for the name in their passport. To only one of these three amazing everyone. From male to female. Or from human rights defenders I have spoken No matter who you are. female to male. Without undergoing about. No matter where you are from. gender reassignment surgery. Needless to say, all three of you are No matter how much money you On top of that, Lilit, you organ- role models. have. ise summer camps for the parents of Lilit. Or, as Judge Edwin Cameron so transgender people. Mohamed. eloquently said in his Jonathan Mann Allowing them, for the first time And Lorena. Lecture, four years ago: in their lives, to talk openly about the All three of you have shown us what ‘We do not ask for tolerance, or even problems they face. hope really means. acceptance. And more importantly, to begin to How people can empower them- We claim what is rightfully ours. realise that they cannot change their selves in the most horrible situations. That is our right to be ourselves, in children, and that their children did All three of you have stood up for dignity and equality, with other human not choose this life. the rights of others. beings.’ But that it is … who they are. And have struggled to build better So thank you Lilit. Thank you Mo- Lorena Cabnal put this into words societies. With more democracy, more hamed. And thank you Lorena. beautifully when she said: openness, and more humanity. I wish you all the best of luck.

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WINNER: ECONOMICS “The New Stone Soup”

By Justine Adelizzi for Mary C. Daly, President and Chief Delivered in Dublin, Ireland, Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco February 10, 2020

ntroduction Large structural shifts are reshap- Combined, these factors—lower in- I Thank you for that kind intro- ing our economy. First among them flation, lower inflation expectations, and duction and warm welcome. It’s a is population aging. The baby boom lower real interest rates—add up to one privilege to be back here in Ireland. generation is retiring. And this is hav- thing: less monetary policy space when This is the first country I ever visited ing a profound effect on labor force the next downturn emerges. outside of the United States, and I still growth—especially since subsequent But central bankers aren’t the only remember how welcoming you were birth cohorts are so much smaller. ones feeling the pressure. Fiscal poli- and how much I learned. So it’s truly The numbers tell the story. During cymakers are also constrained. Policies a privilege to return. the 1970s, as the baby boom genera- enacted to offset the global financial It’s also a great honor to be part of tion matured and entered the labor crisis have left many advanced nations such a distinguished lecture series, ad- market in large numbers, the U.S. labor with relatively high debt-to-GDP dressing such a distinguished audience. force grew by just over 2.5 percent per ratios. And most face looming obliga- Now before I begin, let me say that my year. Today, labor force growth is closer tions to support their aging popula- remarks tonight are my own, and don’t to 0.5 percent per year. All else being tions at levels promised when growth necessarily reflect the views of anyone equal, this shaves about 2 percentage was much faster. else within the Federal Reserve System. points off potential GDP growth in the So this is where we find ourselves. As you know, I am a policymaker—a United States each year. Facing a future where economic shocks monetary policymaker. Many of us in This slower economic growth are inevitable, and where monetary this room are policymakers or people translates directly into lower interest and fiscal agents have less policy room who support policymakers. And even rates. Slower growth decreases invest- to combat them. though we come from different coun- ment by reducing the return on capital. So again I ask: what can we do? tries and have different areas of exper- At the same time, an aging population tise, we all share something in common. increases the pool of available savings, Make stone soup We each want to serve the public. We as older individuals build and preserve each want to be remembered for doing their nest eggs. Together, these forces When faced with a tough problem, my our best. We each want to make contri- increase the supply of savings relative first instinct is to turn to books, mod- butions that stand the test of time. to the demand for investment, reducing els, and other formal practices. I’m an But times today are challenging. real interest rates. economist after all—that’s what we do. Countries across the globe face slow These patterns are not unique to But wisdom isn’t only found in tradi- growth, low real interest rates, and the United States. We could just as tional tools. Sometimes, you have to persistent low inflation. This makes easily be talking about Ireland, or any turn to tales. our economies less resilient to everyday country in Europe, or just about any One of my favorites is the story of shocks and less able to offset them with advanced economy around the world. stone soup. It’s a European folktale I’m the tools we’ve traditionally relied on. And these are not our only challeng- sure you’ve heard. There are many Moreover, our futures are intercon- es. On top of slower growth and lower different versions, including one by nected. Today, a shock to one country real interest rates, central banks are Ireland’s own William Butler Yeats. But can spill over. Said simply, when one of finding it more difficult to achieve their I’d like to share the story as I learned it. us stumbles, all of us sway. inflation goals, even in good times. One day, a group of strangers came So my question tonight is: in the face Fundamental changes in product to a village. They were hungry and of these challenges, what can we do? markets have been putting downward knocked on doors, asking for food. But pressure on prices. And since many the villagers had very little and were The environment we face markets are global, these changes are hungry themselves. They closed their spreading—creating a strong disinfla- doors, pulled their shades, and guarded First, let’s talk about how we got here. tionary trend and pulling down infla- their meager stocks. And I’ll start with the story in the tion and inflation expectations in many So the strangers went into the town United States. parts of the world. center and dragged over a large pot.

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They built a roaring fire underneath. while inflation has remained relatively their ability to achieve our goals. Still, And to the pot, they added a few stones. muted. The question is, what should we have to act like the villagers. As the pot began to boil, the vil- we make of this? After more than 40 years of fighting lagers looked on, curious. Some came As a labor economist and policy- to bring inflation down to target, the outside. They asked: what are you maker, I’ve thought a lot about this. new economic environment requires doing? The strangers, with confidence, But I actually found the answer by that monetary policymakers push infla- said they were making stone soup. listening to those less familiar with the tion up to target. And while this will Then they began to imagine aloud how tradeoff. Last year, the Federal Reserve not be easy, we have the tools we need. much better it would taste with just a conducted a series of listening events as Options like average inflation target- few additional ingredients—an onion, part of our monetary policy framework ing, nominal income targeting, and a potato, a beef bone… review. We talked to academics, policy- boosting the inflation target are already No one villager had everything. But makers, and—most importantly—busi- being researched and widely debated. each villager had something. So they ness and community leaders. But having the tools and actually started contributing to the pot. And Here’s what we learned. A histori- being willing to use them are two very when they combined it all, everyone cally low unemployment rate does not different things. And with very limited had more. Everyone had enough. mean that the labor market is histori- experience using these tools in this way, I learned this story when I was 7 cally tight. And letting the economy we feel uncertain. We’ve exercised the years old. And it has stuck with me all run past what we thought was possible muscle of pushing inflation down for these years. I share it with you today to has tremendous benefits, especially so long that changing direction feels emphasize this point. for disadvantaged groups. Eleven unnatural. But that is exactly what we It’s tempting to look at our cup- years into the expansion, many more will need to do. We need to embrace boards and say they’re bare. That the workers have entered the labor force the mindset that inflation a bit above problems we’re facing are too big. That and found jobs than anyone thought target is far better than inflation a the tools we have at our disposal are possible. By finding full employment bit below target in today’s economic too limited. That the best strategy—the experientially, we have improved the environment. only strategy—is to close our doors, lives of countless Americans. A similar mindset shift will be neces- pull our shades, and guard our meager Importantly, few models would have sary for fiscal policymakers. With mon- resources as long as we can. predicted this. Little history would have etary policy facing its own limits, fiscal But this is why we need stories. To told us this was possible. Our tradition- policy will need to play a larger role in help show us a different path. al approach would have said to curb smoothing through economic shocks. So what lessons from stone soup can this growth, eliminate the possibility But in a world of fiscal discipline, it’s we apply to our current situation? of unwanted inflation, and be satisfied hard to commit to the idea of more. with bringing unemployment back to But more is exactly what we need. Look for strangers its historical average. If we had stayed Expanding the array of automatic within this mindset, we might very well stabilizers that form part of the social The first lesson is to seek the perspec- have cut the expansion short. safety net can help mitigate the depth tives of others. As policymakers, we In other words, if we hadn’t talked and duration of economic downturns. like to think that our education, experi- to others—the proverbial strangers— Think of unemployment insurance, ence, and institutional history are a we wouldn’t have seen all that was which kicks in automatically when sufficient foundation for good decision- possible. things are bad, helping individuals making. We especially want to think smooth through a tough time while this when times are tough and people We have more than we think limiting the amplification of their loss are counting on us to fix things. throughout the economy. Although But these are the very circumstances Here’s the second lesson from stone more work is needed, recent research when pausing and engaging with those soup. The bravest thing the villagers suggests that these types of programs outside of ourselves is most important. did was to contribute to the soup with- will likely be especially powerful in the Let me give you an example. For out fully knowing what would come new economic reality we face. much of our history, central bank- of it. In other words, they had to act Perhaps most importantly, we need ers have used the natural tension despite considerable uncertainty about to continue investing in our future between unemployment and inflation the outcome. growth. Countless research studies to evaluate the stance of monetary As policymakers, we face a similar have shown that spending on things policy—whether we’ve got it right challenge. There is no doubt that we are like infrastructure, research and devel- or not. But over the past decade, this collectively more constrained than in opment, and education pays off and natural tension has been harder to see. the past, and that we face greater uncer- actually increases the productive capac- Unemployment has fallen dramatically tainty about the impact of our tools and ity of the economy in the longer run.

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In today’s low interest rate environ- soup tells us is that it’s possible to wid- So let this be our legacy. In the ment, such investments are relatively en our lens. The villagers in the story face of challenges, with limited tools easy to finance and will pay a high rate were able to see a new path forward and less than clear paths, we chose of return in the future. We should take when they engaged with the strangers. an abundance mindset over a scar- advantage of the opportunity. Their mindsets changed. And then, city mindset. We came together and they were brave enough to act. worked to hand future generations a A better global legacy As policymakers, we must actively better world than the one we inherited. look for perspectives outside of our As policymakers, I think we can all Before I conclude, I’d like to leave you own. And we need to be courageous live with that. Maybe even be proud with some final thoughts. enough to take action, even in times of it. We all look at the world through the of uncertainty. We don’t have the Thank you. lens of our own experiences. We only luxury of waiting for strangers to know what we know. But what stone knock on our doors.

WINNER: EDUCATION “There Will Be Daybreak”

By Julia Lam for Craig Williams, Delivered at Benedict College, President, Jordan Brand, NIKE, Inc. Columbia, South Carolina, August 8, 2020

resident Artis, Reverend Dr. Bur- Like you, I’m here today because Bene- A global pandemic. An economic Pgess, Board of Trustees, faculty and dict changed my life, too. downturn. A crisis of inequity and staff— Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, injustice. Parents, family, and friends watching the word “college” wasn’t exactly in my But let me tell you what I see as I virtually— everyday vocabulary. look at you, Class of 2020. And most importantly, Class of And yet—stepping onto campus, I I see the same passion and purpose 2020— felt right at home. that I saw in my peers as a student Congratulations! You made it. At Benedict, I found community. here—that fierce drive to get out there I know there were times when it The quintessential Black experience. and go change the world. seemed iffy. I learned to be comfortable, as my I see the grit that it takes to become I know there were times when it felt grandmother would say, in my own skin. the first in your family to attend college. like the universe was throwing every- I met the love of my life. My better I see the determination that it thing it could in your way. half, as my wife likes to remind me. takes to juggle work and studies, to But you didn’t just beat the odds. Most importantly, Benedict taught support your families and serve your You crushed it. me to dream. To believe that my life community. From freshman seminar to Zoom could be bigger than the circumstances I see your commitment to each University senior spring… around it. other—how you’ve stayed strong, stayed From all those dorm rules you “al- Class of 2020, that’s something that tight, and stayed together. ways” followed, to all those exams you you carry with you, too: I see courage in the face of adversity. “always” aced… The ability to dream big enough that Most of all, I see an awesome Fried Chicken Wednesdays. Home- it scares you. legacy—and an awesome responsibility. coming block parties. Courtchella… And the ability to plan fearlessly to A final semester you couldn’t have make it reality. * predicted—and a commencement that Even in the year 2020. will go down in history… Especially in the year 2020. Here’s what I mean. You made it. First of all, as Benedict graduates, And I am so honored to join you— * you are heirs to an awesome legacy—a the best of B.C.—on your special day. history unlike any other. No doubt, it’s easy to look at the world 150 years ago, this institution was * as it is and feel overwhelmed by what founded on the grounds of a former you see. plantation.

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Here, free Black men and women When you see something that is one year after visiting Benedict for your prepared to become “powers for good not right, you have the opportunity to last homecoming. in society.” change it. From meeting with young people to That vision held strong through When you see something that you serving as the conscience of Congress, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the rise of question, you have the ability to speak from the bridge in the civil rights movement. up about it. Selma to the halls of government, John Benedict classes came and went In those moments, you have a right Lewis dedicated his life’s work to the as the nation saw a boycott in Mont- and a responsibility to stand tall, in- fight for justice. gomery, a March in Washington, the stead of shrinking back. He faced down death to fight for declaration of a Dream. To raise your voice in the face of equality. Here at Benedict, students orga- injustice. He spoke up for the voiceless. nized sit-ins. They led demonstrations. To support your friends, families, He led with courage and conviction, And this year, in these last months, and communities in times of need. pure joy and true faith. many of you carried on that proud his- To vote. And stand up for others’ When asked what kept him go- tory of civic engagement and peaceful hard-won right to vote. ing after all these years, John Lewis protest. How to engage, how to speak up, responded: When I think about all that Bene- how to take action—what that means “Out of… the darkest hours, there dict has seen, and all that its graduates may look different for everyone. will be daybreak. There will be light. have faced, I think about the words of But if each of us steps up when we And we will get there.” Scripture. see something that is not right; speaks From the Book of Matthew: “The up when we see something that we * rain fell. And the floods came. And the question; stands tall, instead of shrink- winds blew and beat on that house. ing back— Class of 2020, you are heirs to a his- But it did not fall. Because it had been If each of us accepts that awesome tory unlike any other. founded on the rock.” responsibility, that’s when change And there’s a world of possibility Tigers, no matter where you go begins. within your reach. from here, you carry a piece of that You carry an awesome legacy—and rock with you. * an awesome responsibility. You carry an awesome legacy. Dream big enough—and plan fear- I can’t think of a better example than lessly. * a man who dedicated his entire life to There will be daybreak. There will pushing and pulling, as he put it, for be light. And we will get there. You also carry an awesome responsibility. justice. Congratulations, Class of 2020! It’s a responsibility to recognize that Last month, Congressman John God bless each and every one of you. you always have a choice. Lewis went home to God—less than WINNER: ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY/SUSTAINABILITY “A Net-Zero Emissions Energy Business”

By Lech Mintowt-Czyz for Ben van Beurden, Delivered virtually, April 16, 2020 CEO, Royal Dutch Shell

ood morning to all of you and late at night or early in the morning. you, like millions of others around the Gthank you for joining virtually A warm welcome to all of you, our world, will be having to manage in the today. These are extraordinary times. guests, on the line today. face of very challenging circumstances. We are very grateful for your under- I am, personally, very proud of standing, and also for the fact that you * the way Shell’s staff, contractors and are with us on this call. suppliers have all come together in Special thanks, of course, for those I appreciate that many of you will be those circumstances. To ensure that of you dialling in from another time in lockdown because of COVID-19— essential supplies continue to flow. I zone, especially those for whom this is the coronavirus. And I appreciate that can assure you, Shell is doing all it can

CICERO 2021 40 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS to assist the global response to Shell’s donation of 125,000 litres of something else entirely. Instead, today’s COVID-19. isopropyl alcohol to the Canadian agenda is determined by the fact I have That is work which starts with tak- government over the next three months something significant to speak to you ing care of our staff and contractors… for use in healthcare facilities. That about in relation to Shell and its plans the people that are essential to ensure is enough for almost a million bottles to respond to climate change. the world gets the energy and other of hand sanitiser. And Shell has also products it needs. donated 2.5 million litres of isopropyl * Whether that is through new, alcohol to the Dutch health-care sector. deeper and more frequent cleaning As I said. Shell is doing what it can. You will recall that Shell has three stra- schedules… through providing the IT I am sure you have seen similar com- tegic ambitions... to be a world-class support to ensure up to 70,000 people mitment from others. And I am certain investment case… can work from home each day… or we have all benefited from the hard To thrive in the energy transition to through worker screening programmes, work being put in by so many people, a lower-carbon future... Perspex screens for till operators, or far beyond Shell, to keep things going. And to maintain a strong societal new shift patterns to ensure social This is urgent action. Critical action. licence to operate. distancing… Shell is going to great Yet even at a time of immediate All of them are of equal importance lengths to protect our staff. challenge, it is important to also keep to the future of Shell. And everything I And, of course, Shell is doing all we an eye on the long term as well. say today… as significant as it is for the can to take care of our customers too. And much of the rest of what I say future of the business… sits within that Whether that is through enhanced today will be focused on the long-term. framework. health and safety measures at all our Because abandoning that focus in the Being a world-class investment retail sites globally… or working with face of urgent short-term need, will case... means being financially robust business customers to ensure the best make the long-term challenges all the and resilient. And the importance of possible ways to meet demand for essen- harder to tackle when COVID-19 is no that resilience has never been more tial hand and surface cleaning products. longer with us. clear than today, with the twin chal- It is worth remembering that Shell is dealing with the challenges lenges of COVID-19 and the current Shell’s Geismar site in Louisiana is the of the present… and I am going to very low oil price putting pressure on largest producer in the world of the outline how we plan to deal with the even the strongest balance sheets. base chemicals used to make house- longer-term challenges that will be with And you can be reassured that we hold detergents. us for some time to come. continue to focus tightly on that resil- And, of course, our chemical plants ience and financial strength, pulling the are diverting resources to producing iso- * levers we need to pull, as hard as neces- propyl alcohol as fast as they can. This sary, and at the times that it is neces- makes up about half the content of As you can see from this agenda we sary to pull them. You will have noticed the hand-sanitising liquid being used to have made some changes to the event.... the action we have taken already. keep the virus down around the world. In fact, today is a very unconvention- That resilience is critical because it Finally, Shell is doing everything al Responsible Investor Day. Because is the solid foundation on which we can we can to support the communities we I will not be touching on many of the build. work within. areas you have grown accustomed to And we wish to build a company That can be small gestures just to in our equivalent events from previous that will thrive in the energy transition. make lives easier… like the free food years. We have made progress in many This strategic ambition is all about and drink we are offering at more than ways since the last time we held one of remaining relevant and resilient in a 15,000 retail sites across 30 countries these events… but I must ask you to ex- changing global energy system.... for health-care professionals such as plore our Sustainability Report for the It is about finding the business value nurses and doctors, as well as truck detail on any area that I do not touch in the energy transition... drivers and delivery people. upon in these remarks. The Sustain- It is about being a world-class invest- It can be working with our business ability Report is available to read or ment, far into the future. partners to divert resources to making download from shell.com. The Investor And our third strategic ambition... is the products that are needed most… Relations ESG team also remains avail- maintaining a strong societal licence to like the lubricant blending plant in able to you to answer any questions. operate. Kenya owned by Shell and Vivo Lubri- And while it is COVID-19 that has Having the support of society for cants. Together we have converted that forced us all to connect virtually today, what we do is essential. Without it we plant to produce hand sanitiser. it is not the health crisis which has cannot be a world class investment And helping communities can also determined this change to our usual case. Without it we will not be able to sometimes be gamechanging. Like selection of topics to be covered. It is thrive in the energy transition.

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To have the support of society, we Our scenario modelling shows this Eighth: clean up emissions at source must be in step with that society. Being global pathway to 1.5° Celsius requires from industry by building an aver- in step with society requires action in the whole of society to have achieved age of two CCUS facilities a month many areas. From safety to ethics and net-zero emissions by around 2060. between 2025 and 2050, to capture compliance. From responsible supply That is not the same as saying that all and store away carbon dioxide. Each chains to respecting indigenous com- parts of society have that much time. of these would need to be as large as munities. From transparency to taxes. Those wealthier, more developed coun- the Shell operated Quest facility in Shell is active in all those areas. tries and regions that can move faster, Canada… which captures and stores But it is undoubtedly the case that must move faster. away more than a million tonnes of the biggest long-term question for an oil If they do not, then those coun- CO2 each year. and gas business like Shell, is the ques- tries and regions which cannot move And the final measure: deal with the tion raised by climate change. That is so quickly will not have the time they 300 million tonnes of CO2 emissions the question I will be addressing today. need. The European Union, for exam- that remain, even after taking all the ple, should achieve net-zero emissions action I have already mentioned. To do * by no later than 2050 if the world is to that, the EU could reforest an area of succeed in restricting warming to 1.5° around 85,000 square miles, or 220,000 I have already mentioned the impor- Celsius. That is, indeed, the EU’s aim. square kilometres. That is a landmass tance of being in step with society. And Shell has built a specific sce- about the size of Great Britain. Well, when it comes to climate change, nario looking at what Europe might Obviously, if less action is taken in society’s attitude is shifting fast. This need to do to decarbonise energy in one area it means more in another. is a good thing, because the world the next 30 years. So, I will give you a So, only one carbon capture facility must move fast if it is to tackle climate quick rundown of the conclusions, to a month instead of two over 25 years change… and it is not moving fast give you some insight into the scale of would, for example, translate into the enough right now. change involved. need for another forest the size of It was only five years ago, in Paris, The EU scenario identified nine ar- Great Britain. No carbon capture fa- that the world was focused on an eas for action. Each of them comes with cilities translates to forests covering the ambition to restrict the global average challenges and opportunities. These are equivalent of the whole of Germany temperature increase to well-below 2° the same areas that every part of the and Italy… or almost all of Texas. Celsius. And Shell produced a scenario world must act in, even if the figures I And, just to be clear, all that action detailing how the world could achieve will give are specific to the EU alone. is to decarbonise energy. Agriculture that ambition. And, before I go into those nine ar- needs further action. Emissions caused That scenario, which we called eas, I want to emphasise… challenges by industries like cement need further Sky, laid out a set of measures which and opportunities. For our sector… action again. would transform the energy system and for many others. and restrict the temperature increase The tasks for the EU… all happen- * to around 1.75° Celsius… or even 1.5° ing at the same time… start with a dou- Celsius with major reforestation. It bling of the use of electricity. Second, So, I hope you can easily see that the was a challenging set of measures, but ensure that renewables like wind and scale of action required of society, if it technically possible. solar produce around three-quarters is to restrict global warming to under Yet in those five short years, society of that power… and that burning coal 1.5° Celsius, is huge. has raised its expectations further. produces none of it. Third, an effective It is clear to us that the rapid shift Today, in many parts of the world, economy-wide carbon price… rising to in society’s attitude on climate change, the goal is now the tougher Paris aim more than 200 euros per tonne in 2050. the tougher goal it is setting itself and of no more than 1.5° Celsius. Shell has Next, the EU needs to improve its the scale of the task in front of it… all been listening and has taken a deeper energy efficiency by 45% compared of this has consequences for Shell. look at the actions that the world could to today. The fifth step is to ensure hy- It means that an approach which take to achieve such a goal. drogen is well used as a fuel for heating was considered ground-breaking less These actions are, inevitably, more and for heavy duty transport… reach- than two-and-a-half years ago… is challenging: the time available has ing around 10% of energy use. And already appearing to lag behind. And shortened, the scale of action needed is sixth, triple the use of biofuels. so it is with Shell’s ambitions in relation even larger and the extent of the global Seventh is to bring about signifi- to climate change. collaboration required is certainly un- cant change in consumer and business In November 2017, Shell an- precedented. But, this pathway to 1.5° choices. For example, a clear shift away nounced its Net Carbon Footprint Celsius is still, just about, technically from short-haul flights and road freight ambition. We said we would aim to and economically possible. towards rail. reduce the carbon intensity of the

CICERO 2021 42 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS energy products we sell by around 50% The EU’s push to reach net-zero means our long-term ambition is now by 2050. This ambition was calibrated emissions by 2050 is right. The UK’s to reduce the Net Carbon Footprint of to keep Shell in step with a society push to reach net-zero emissions by our energy products by 65% by 2050, working to meet the Paris Agreement 2050… is right. instead of 50%. and, ultimately, that society achieving And Shell’s new ambition… is to be For those of you wondering why the Paris goal of restricting warming to a net-zero emissions energy business by being in step with a 1.5° Celsius future well-below 2° Celsius. 2050… and sooner if that is possible. does not mean reducing the Net Car- That moment was the first time any That is right too. bon Footprint of our energy products by oil and gas company had announced Global society, overall, may have 100%... I will come back to that shortly. an ambition that included not only until around 2060 to reach net-zero And I also want to be clear. This its operational emissions, but also the emissions. But Shell recognises that it ambition is about emitting fewer green- emissions of its customers when they stands within a section of society that house gases on average with each unit use its energy products. needs to move faster. And so that is of energy we sell. We followed this up by introducing what we intend to do. We calculate the emissions created short-term targets for our Net Carbon Let me repeat that ambition. during the lifecycle of our energy Footprint and by linking those targets By 2050, Shell intends to be a net- products, then we subtract the ef- to the pay of executives. We are al- zero emissions energy business. fect of actions we, as Shell, take to ready on the way to achieving our first And we will be net-zero emissions mitigate those emissions… whether short-term target. before 2050… if that is possible. through nature to capture CO2 from We said we would reduce our Net the atmosphere, or technology to cap- Carbon Footprint by 2-3% by 2021. * ture and store it away… and that gives In 2019, Shell’s energy products had us the net emissions associated with a Net Carbon Footprint of 78 grams That is a huge task… a task at least as our energy products. We then divide of CO2-equivalent per megajoule of big as that faced by wider society. And that emissions figure by the amount energy consumed, compared to 79 we will work towards it… work towards of energy, in megajoules, contained in grams previously. This is a reduction of net-zero emissions… in three ways. the products. more than 1%. The first step is to significantly raise But our original ambition did not In addition, from 2020, some 16,500 the level of ambition we stated two- include the emissions from the pro- staff at Shell will have their remunera- and-a-half years ago. duction of our non-energy products, tion linked to these short-term targets. At the end of 2017, our Net Carbon like chemicals and lubricants. These Other action has included setting a Footprint ambition was designed to were excluded because they are not methane emissions intensity target… be in step with a society heading to burned when consumed. But being and implementing the recommenda- a world of well-below 2° Celsius. It a net-zero emissions energy business tions of the Task Force on Climate meant Shell selling more and more means addressing all emissions from Related Financial Disclosures. We have products with a lower carbon intensity, our operations. also provided increased transparency such as renewable power, biofuels and That is why, today, we are saying on our climate-related lobbying by hydrogen. It also meant finding ways to that, by 2050 at the latest, we aim to publishing the Shell Industry Associa- deal with emissions that could not be be net zero on all the emissions from tions Climate Review. avoided, through nature or technology. the manufacture of all our products, So we are taking action… and mak- In short, our 2017 ambition meant including non-energy products. That ing progress. seeking to radically transform Shell to includes our operational emissions. Yet, as I have already mentioned, establish new business opportunities. It And that includes the emissions as- Shell intends to lead and thrive through meant finding new ways of running a sociated with the energy we consume this transition to a low-carbon energy financially sustainable business. through those operations. future. And Shell has always said that its Our new ambition still means all of For those who like the technical ambition was to be in step with soci- this. But it means moving much faster. terminology: that means net-zero emis- ety… to be in step with our customers. Because we have now re-calibrated sions for scope one and two. And if we That is why, today, we are announc- our Net Carbon Footprint ambition so can do this sooner than 2050, we will. ing significantly raised ambitions. that it is in step with the large sections That is the second step on our way We announce this today… because of society that want to achieve a 1.5° to being a net-zero emissions energy large parts of society have now set Celsius future. business by 2050. their sights on limiting the global So, from today, Shell’s medium-term But Shell’s new Net Carbon Foot- temperature rise to 1.5° Celsius. And ambition is to reduce the Net Carbon print ambition is a reduction of 65% because those that can move fast, must Footprint of our energy products by by 2050. That is not enough for Shell move fast. 30% by 2035, instead of 20%. And this to become a net-zero emissions energy

VSOTD.COM 43 business overall. It only deals with the help Shell become a net-zero emissions The need for that action means majority of the emissions caused by energy business itself. Shell intends to be active in this area. our customers’ use of our products. And that is why Shell must take a Shell’s work with sectors on de- To explain that a little more… and third step if it is to become a net-zero carbonisation pathways is part of the to explain, as I promised, why being in energy business. answer. But as we get closer to 2050, we step with a 1.5° Celsius future does not That step is working with our cus- will work ever more intensely with cus- mean reducing the Net Carbon Foot- tomers to address the emissions which tomers who still have emissions that they print of our energy products by 100%... are produced when they use the fuels have not fully mitigated. We will work The Net Carbon Footprint ambition they buy from Shell. That requires with them to find ways to help them do covers the carbon intensity of the prod- action from both sides. Indeed, we can so. That may be through actions they ucts we sell in society. Today most of only achieve our ambition to be a net- take themselves, or Shell may agree to those products create emissions when zero emissions energy business as part find a way to mitigate those emissions they are used, by being burned by our of a society that is also working to be on the customers’ behalf. customers. Over time, Shell aims to net-zero emissions. sell fewer of these products that create But it is not enough to wait. Indeed, * emissions… and more products that Shell is determined to help society are low or no-carbon. move faster. We will work with our So, to recap. Shell’s new ambition is to But all credible scenarios, includ- customers to help them find ways to be a net-zero emissions energy business ing the IPCC’s 1.5° report, show that decarbonise. by 2050, or sooner. society will continue to need some That effort includes working with To achieve this we have, firstly, products that create emissions for the broad coalitions of businesses, govern- significantly raised our Net Carbon foreseeable future… because no other ments and other parties, sector by sec- Footprint ambition. option is available yet. tor, to identify and enable decarbonisa- Secondly, we also have a new ambi- That means that, for the foresee- tion pathways for each sector. tion to be net-zero emissions on all the able future, Shell will continue to sell Each sector will need to find its own emissions from the manufacture of all products which create emissions when way to achieving net-zero emissions. our products, including non-energy they are used. That is why it is not Each sector is different, and some are products. possible for Shell to set an ambition to highly fragmented, so the actual action Finally, we… as a business that reduce the Net Carbon Footprint of needed in a sector will vary. But all supplies energy… will work within our energy products by 100%. sectors, however, share the same three sectors which use energy… to establish Because, even in a net-zero emis- ways to make progress. pathways for them to follow towards sions world, people will still need to use Firstly, by being more energy ef- net-zero emissions. And for those cus- some carbon-based fuels, for some uses, ficient; secondly, by using lower-carbon tomers who still have emissions as they which create emissions. energy products; and, thirdly, by near 2050… we will work with those But that does not mean Shell cannot storing away emissions that cannot be customers to find a way to mitigate be a net-zero emissions energy business. avoided, either through nature or using those emissions. Because our customers can themselves the technology that already exists to That is what our new net-zero take action on the emissions created by capture and store away CO2. emissions ambition means in terms their use of our energy products. Shell can help push progress in all of Shell’s approach. But what does it Any actions by our customers of those areas. In addition, consump- mean in practice? to mitigate their own emissions, or tion patterns within society must shift I will give you an example. I will increase their energy efficiency, will towards lower-carbon choices, encour- talk you through how Shell’s progress not count towards the Net Carbon aged by policies such as government- to net-zero emissions might look in the Footprint of our energy products. They led carbon pricing mechanisms. aviation sector. will not count because we do not claim Now, action in all of these areas credit for the actions of others. will help address the emissions that fall * As society moves towards its lower- outside the action Shell can take to- carbon future, however, our customers wards the Net Carbon Footprint of our I appreciate that, right now, aviation will need to act to mitigate emissions energy products… but it still counts is experiencing massive challenges as caused by their energy use… because towards Shell’s progress towards being a sector due to COVID-19. But what they will need to reduce their own a net-zero emissions energy business. I am going to outline covers a 30-year scope one and two emissions. But these And there will need to be a substantial time period. More than that, aviation are the same emissions that count as amount of such action in some sectors is one of the most challenging sectors Shell’s scope three emissions. That is if they are, themselves, to reach net- to decarbonise… which means it is one why such actions by our customers can zero emissions. of the sectors where Shell’s ambitions

CICERO 2021 44 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS will be tested most strongly. It is only is biofuels, and advanced biofuels can with Shell’s products in the aviation right that I choose an example which indeed lower the carbon intensity of industry... the remaining scope three will place Shell’s ambitions under the the fuel used. emissions. greatest stress. In time, hydrogen could power com- That, in short, would make Shell a So, with apologies to those in the mercial flights. And selling hydrogen net-zero emissions supplier of energy aviation sector who are fighting just to produced using zero-carbon electricity to the aviation sector. And, by 2050, we deal with the day-to-day issues in front to split water—known as green hydro- aim to only “do” net zero business in of them… I will continue. gen—could lower the carbon intensity the sector. With today’s technology, passenger of the fuel Shell provides for planes to planes need jet fuel to fly. Today Shell almost zero. * creates emissions during the produc- Providing products like advanced tion of that jet fuel. Using the technical biofuels and hydrogen can allow Shell We are talking about a fundamental terminology, these are our scope one to significantly reduce its scope three shift for Shell over the next 30 years. emissions. emissions. And we will be giving you a strategy Shell also has emissions from the To maximise this reduction, Shell update in the second half of the year energy we buy, which we use as we pro- will work with all the players in and on some first steps. duce that jet fuel. These are our scope around the aviation sector to find ways But I can say this, for certain, today. two emissions. to enable the greater use of these fuels. To achieve our ambition, Shell must shift And, finally, aviation companies For example, by working with jet en- towards serving the businesses and sec- create emissions when they use the jet gine manufacturers to ensure the chemi- tors that, by 2050, are net-zero emissions fuel to fly people to their destinations. cal properties of the fuels we produce themselves. It must shift to serve the These, the bulk of the emissions associ- give the greatest thrust possible… businesses and customers of the future… ated with our products, are our scope And, in terms of hydrogen, we can to make Shell a business of the future. three emissions. seek to work with the entire avia- Because a society that succeeds in There are three ways to deal with tion sector ecosystem—from airport being net zero emissions by 2050 is a the scope one and two emissions Shell operators to logistics companies and society in which there will be no busi- creates as it makes jet fuel. They are jet plane manufacturers—to help make ness that is not net zero. the same three courses of action any hydrogen-powered planes a reality. This is going to take a lot of work. It business can take to reduce their scope But selling products like biofuels will not be easy. Some of the necessary one and two emissions. and hydrogen will not reduce the scope technologies—like hydrogen-powered First, produce the jet fuel more ef- three emissions of the entire sector to planes, or zero-emissions ships—do not ficiently, using less energy. net zero. exist yet. And, today, Shell’s business Second, use cleaner energy to That is partly because, by 2050, it plans will not get us to where we want produce the jet fuel, using as much is unlikely that the world be able to to be. That means our business plans zero-carbon electricity as the processes produce enough biofuel and hydrogen have to change over time as society and involved will allow. to meet the fuel needs of the entire our customers also change. Third, mitigate the emissions that aviation industry. Ultimately, succeeding in our ambi- are left, either through nature or by us- This means that, even in 2050, some tion will mean that, by 2050, all Shell’s ing technology to capture and store the large planes will still need to use jet fuel. own operations and the customers we emissions away. That is why, if Shell is to be a net- serve will, in combination, be net-zero Shell’s ambition to be a net-zero zero emissions energy business, there is emissions. energy business means combining those that final piece of work to do. This would be in line with soci- three options until there are no scope We must work with the aviation ety’s ambition to achieve a 1.5oC one or two emissions left, which are not industry to help them deal with the outcome… it would be in step with removed through nature or stored away. emissions that are left. And because society… and it would be in line with The job of dealing with the scope it appears to be impossible to capture our own strategic ambitions. three emissions from our aviation busi- these emissions direct from a jet engine, Being in step with society is key. It ness will be huge. the answer is likely to be balancing those is key to maintaining a strong societal It starts with reducing the Net Car- emissions through nature or technology. licence to operate… bon Footprint of the energy we sell to Either Shell could do that, or the And by staying in step with society as the aviation industry. That will mean individual plane operators could do it, it shifts towards a net-zero emissions fu- selling increasing amounts of lower- depending on who is best positioned ture, we are also setting ourselves up to carbon fuels, over time. to do so. thrive through the energy transition… At the moment, the only real And that would deal with the And by thriving through the energy alternative to jet fuel for large planes remaining emissions associated transition, we are doing the work we

VSOTD.COM 45 need to do to be a world class invest- ed in being an integral part of that And that is what being a net-zero ment case for many decades to come. net-zero world. emissions energy business means to If Shell can succeed in its ambi- There is no more ambition that we Shell. That is what Shell now intends to tion… if we can succeed in becoming can have than this… to be a core part do. And we will work with our custom- a net-zero emissions energy business of the future… a future that society ers so that we can achieve it together. by 2050… we will truly have succeed- wants and society needs. Thank you. WINNER: HEALTHCARE “Now Is Our Time to Act”

By Kristin Zipay for David J. Skorton, MD, Delivered virtually from Washington, D.C., President and CEO, Association of American Medical Colleges November 17, 2020

hank you, Larry, for your intro- That’s even more true after a di- military planes saluted from above, and Tduction and your wisdom and visive election—no matter our politi- communities applauded during hospi- leadership. And thanks to my col- cal views. For us to heal as a nation, tal shift changes. league and friend Joe Kerschner for recover from today’s public health My AAMC colleagues and I watched your partnership during a year that, as emergency, and prepare for the future, with pride and admiration as you and you’ve both pointed out, has been like we must end our political and social your colleagues fought to save lives amid no other. fragmentation and reach out to help the unknowns of a novel virus, the over- A year ago, I spoke with you for the each other. whelming influx of patients at times, first time as the AAMC’s president and I believe academic medicine has and critical supply shortages. CEO. I was just getting to know the what it takes to lead the nation for- You have shown this nation, your depth and reach of this association, but ward—because the path to healing communities, and your patients the I knew there was tremendous strength our nation is by improving health for very best amid conditions that were the across each of your institutions and in everyone living in America. very worst. AAMC leaders and staff. I also knew So, now is the time to harness our My deepest admiration goes to we had our work cut out for us—and collective energy, ingenuity, and inno- doctors, and nurses, and other health that was well before a pandemic up- vation. Now is our time to act. professionals—like Dr. Najla Ab- ended our world and our profession. durrahman and her husband, both As you may recall, the theme of — internal medicine residents at Boston my talk last year was “the status quo is Medical Center. unacceptable.” In it, I urged medical Your spectacular response to this They moved out of their home for schools and academic health systems year’s unthinkable conditions gives me two months early in the pandemic, to do even more to address serious, great hope. leaving their 17-month-old in the care burning issues. Mental health and People tell me that when the pan- of another family member—all so they substance use disorders, health inequi- demic began, they were able to make could continue to treat patients without ties, and the affordability of care were changes in only three weeks that would putting their family at risk. costing patients’ lives and complicating otherwise have taken their institution Now, it’s not just clinicians who our efforts to improve the health of three years. stepped up in these unusual times. people everywhere. At every step, academic medicine Across the nation, medical educators The urgency of addressing these has defined the front lines of this pan- rose to the occasion, quickly redesigning issues has not dissipated in the last 12 demic. You have developed new proto- the medical school curriculum, moving months. cols for patients and shared them with it online, and graduating students early Quite the reverse, in fact. each other. You have made a difference to assist with the pandemic response. The triple impact of a global pan- in the treatment of this illness during Educators like Dr. Lee Goeddel, a demic, a severe economic downturn, a time when we are still wrestling to Johns Hopkins intensive care unit phy- and the unrelenting assault of systemic understand its pathology. sician, worked with students on creative racism have made it impossible to ig- Our nation showed its gratitude to ways to bring learners remotely to the nore the truth: Our nation’s approach to front-line health care workers in the bedside on rounds, using a cellphone health needs some serious rethinking. most visible ways. Landmarks from underneath an attending physician’s In fact, it’s urgent we act. Houston to Boston were lit up in blue, protective hood.

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And learners contributed in other concrete action to better understand COVID. We began to revisit long- ways as well. Take Dr. Aditi Sharma, racial issues. Sadly, public discourse standing paradigms for clinical care a dermatology resident. She worked has fallen woefully short in confronting and medical education. with medical students and the school systemic racism—including, I must say, For example, clinicians in Washing- of engineering at the University of in our own sector. ton and Oregon applied lessons from California, Irvine, to 3D-print and as- And we still have a long way to go the pandemic to establish permanent semble more than 20,000 face shields on the other issues I highlighted last ways to adjust their region’s hospital that are currently being used by health year, like mental health and substance capacity for other threats, including care workers at the hospital. abuse. I felt it tragically when Dr. wildfires. She and other learners are serving Lorna Breen, an emergency physi- And nationwide, we started to wherever and however they are needed, cian in New York, died by suicide this see how telehealth could successfully regardless of their own career plans. last spring. We must honor her death become a much more important form Researchers, too, are shining in their by supporting each other. We must of care delivery. And medical schools “finest hour” as the world looks to our remove the stigma that impedes asking across the country are rapidly incorpo- scientists to understand, and manage, for help. And we must reduce the cost rating new curricula around COVID, and ultimately defeat this novel virus. and improve affordability and access and around bias, and around social At the same time, they are orchestrat- to care—issues that have been further determinants of health. ing the complex shutdown and restart complicated by the events of 2020. We make inroads when we lead— of critical research programs in fields We need to do better in all these when we act with intention to create other than virology. areas—for all members of our com- broad and meaningful change. And the munities. AAMC is working to lead with inten- — tion as well. The Leadership Team, — Board of Directors, and I purposefully Well, now the question becomes: set out last year to develop a new stra- How do we capture this innovative While these challenges are daunting and tegic plan, a new mission, and a new spirit and make even more significant may seem insurmountable, I don’t think vision statement. Many of you contrib- changes to the other seemingly intrac- that’s true. The pandemic has revealed a uted important input into that process, table problems that diminish health nation that, more than ever, needs what and I thank you. and well-being? academic medicine can offer. Now, our new mission compels us Sadly, we’re still not doing nearly My speech last year called upon us to lead. enough to address racism and health to take action and “do this together.” To that end, you may have noticed inequities. It’s even more urgent today In the time since, I have learned so the AAMC speaking out more publicly, that we make steady and significant much from meeting with our councils, more assertively, and more broadly this progress on what last year I called “di- and affinity groups, and individuals. year on a range of issues through press versity, equity, and inclusion”—although And I’ve learned so much from the conferences and numerous statements, today, I’d add the word “anti-racism.” many ideas that you’ve shared. That media interviews, and opinion editorials. Systemic racism influences the gives me confidence that we can do In addition to speaking out, we are social determinants of health—affect- this, and that now is our time to act. developing solutions for major chal- ing, quite literally, who in this country lenges, such as our Road Map for survives and who suffers. — the Way Forward on COVID-19 and Patients in poorer neighborhoods our Framework for Addressing and often receive lower quality and less So how do we lead the way forward? Eliminating Racism at the AAMC, in care. And if you are Black, if you are I believe it starts with each one Academic Medicine, and Beyond. of Latinx heritage, or if you identify as of us making personal commitments Now, our new AAMC Research American Indian or as an Alaska Na- to change—as individuals and in our and Action Institute and the AAMC tive, you are more likely than if you are institutions. We must be both inten- Center for Health Justice are two other White to be hospitalized or die from tional in our actions and accountable examples of how the AAMC is acting COVID-19. And if you identify as LG- for our results. with intention. BTQ, you are also at heightened risk. Our most impressive moments this The Research and Action Institute Long-standing discrimination against year tell a story of leading with inten- is our new think tank—or as we like to all marginalized communities has cre- tion. While we may have started by say, our “think and do” tank. Already, ated dramatic health inequities. playing defense, fighting back against a it has taken swift action, releasing An NPR/Ipsos poll published in late novel virus, we quickly became inten- much-needed science-based guidance August showed that only a little over tional in making more fundamental on face coverings and COVID testing, a third of people say they have taken changes that had applications beyond and this is just the beginning.

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Now, the AAMC Center for Health ment, and medicine over the last four in our leadership and compensation Justice focuses on population health, decades. I should have done more on programs. It matters in our research community health, and health equity. It multiple issues, from the cost of higher programs. It matters in the way the aca- will help us work with greater intention education to the cost and availability of demic medicine community recognizes with patients, families, and communi- health care. those who have made significant contri- ties to co-create solutions together as And one area where I am personally butions to science and to medicine. And part of our new mission area of “com- committed to meaningful progress are it matters for our patients, their families, munity collaborations.” the actions we are taking to become and the communities we serve. The fact is, our traditional tripartite diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti- Today, I’d like to share with you mission in academic medicine—medical racist—not just as an organization, but three personal commitments I’ve made education, clinical care, and research— as the entire academic medicine com- to hold myself accountable for advanc- is no longer enough. That’s why we’ve munity and in society at large. ing academic medicine, the AAMC, added this fourth component. The AAMC is taking one important and the health of our nation. We must do even more to make symbolic step, right now, to show our Number one: I commit to my own patients, families, and communities our commitment to this effort. Today, I am personal growth to better understand utmost priority. That means not just announcing that we are renaming the the underpinnings of diversity, equity, “delivering care” but engaging in two- Abraham Flexner Award for Distin- and inclusion and develop toward way, ongoing dialogues. It means listen- guished Service in Medical Education. becoming anti-racist. This personal ing to the needs and perspectives of Historically, Abraham Flexner has growth will inform my work to make the patients, families, and the communities been associated with rigor in academic AAMC and academic medicine inclu- we serve and working in true partner- medicine. In fact, his report recom- sive, diverse, equitable, and anti-racist. ship to address their needs. mended valuable changes in medical Early next year, I will join the One example, among many at your education, many of which still have AAMC Leadership Team in formal institutions, is the work happening at positive impact today—but that report anti-racism training led by an outside Dr. Kerschner’s institution, the Medical also contained racist and sexist ideas, consultant whom we have already en- College of Wisconsin. They have en- and his work contributed to the closure gaged. We will also offer this training to gaged Black and Brown communities in of five out of seven historically Black all AAMC staff who wish to participate. Milwaukee through a partnership with medical schools. His legacy has nega- Secondly: I commit to listening to 150 church congregations. Through tively affected the training of Black and our community. I will continue with focus groups, town hall meetings, and African-American physicians and has my AAMC colleagues the discussions virtual “science cafes” through the adversely impacted the health of the already underway with deans, teach- churches, they are exploring the con- Black and African-American commu- ing hospital and health system CEOs, cerns of patients, families, and commu- nities in the United States. and others to address affordability and nities about COVID-19 and bolstering That’s why earlier this month, the access to care and make health care confidence in an eventual vaccine. AAMC Board of Directors voted more equitable, affordable, and avail- Today, collaborating with the com- unanimously to rename the Flexner able to all. munities we serve is just as core to Award as the AAMC Award for Excel- I pledge to keep these discussions academic medicine’s mission as medi- lence in Medical Education. moving forward and acting on the cal education, health care, and medical This small, but important, change insights that will emerge. research. And to ensure we act with takes effect for the 2021 award year— And finally: I commit to speak- greater intention, we have made it the with nominations open now through ing up whenever the perspective of fourth dimension of our mission in our January. academic medicine is needed in the new strategic plan. We have other important work public discourse. ahead of us as well that’s spelled out These are my commitments, what — in our new strategic plan—to substan- I am holding myself accountable for. tially increase diversity among medical I hope today you will think about Now of course, accountability is just school applicants and matriculants and your own commitments, specific to as crucial as intention. The buck stops to make academic medical institutions your roles. with each of us individually—and with more inclusive and more equitable. If you are a researcher, please think academic medicine as a community. And as we announced in January, about the following questions, recog- And leadership accountability truly the AAMC’s new gender equity initia- nizing that they may not be easy to matters. tive will hold us accountable for action answer in practice: I want to take personal responsibility and progress in this important area. What makes diverse and under- for not doing enough in my leadership Gender equity matters in our physi- served patients, families, and commu- positions in higher education, govern- cian and scientific workforce. It matters nities concerned about participating

CICERO 2021 48 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS in clinical trials? Does the design and and better serve our communities by Finally: Please contribute to the implementation of your clinical studies listening and engaging more. public discourse. Speak the truth about reflect their input where appropriate? science and the importance of health Are you sharing study results back — equity at every opportunity. Write blog with the community and engaging in posts and op-eds, add to social media a back-and-forth dialogue about what Last year, then-chair of the AAMC conversations, and go on television and the results mean—for them? Are you Board of Directors Lilly Marks spoke go on radio. Your voice, your expertise, speaking up when scientific principles about the “new normal” in health and your wisdom are needed more are missing from public discourse? care. Lilly also reminded us that what than ever. For clinicians, are you going beyond defines us isn’t the hurdles we face, but These three actions—(1) focusing to find out what patients and their fam- how we respond. on patients, (2) holding yourself ac- ilies really need and really want? Are So, I ask you to envision: How will countable for change, and (3) contrib- you considering the lived experiences we respond to today’s challenges to cre- uting to public discourse—are the tools of all patients, including marginalized ate our next “new normal”? that will enable academic medicine to groups? Are you advocating for policies Well, I see at least three ways. lead the way forward. Each of us is that make health care more accessible One: Stay focused on our most im- responsible for what happens next, so and affordable to all? portant constituents—our patients and let’s be intentional and accountable as For educators, are you encouraging their families. we move forward. learners to listen and collaborate with Be intentional about learning patients and families—and giving them from—and with—everyone in our — the tools to do so? communities, working in true partner- And learners, are you volunteering ship. We need everyone’s wisdom and Despite the obstacles we’ve faced this in your community and joining public help to fix what is broken. year, I have tremendous hope and meetings so you can hear people’s real Second: Do your best to look in the optimism for the future. Earlier this experiences in their own words? mirror and see your own areas for im- year, two-thirds of people surveyed Institution-wide, are you, as leaders, provement, as well as those of your in- across the U.S. said they believe that as holding yourselves accountable for im- stitution. It may not be easy, but please horrible as it is, this pandemic will lead proving your community’s health? Have be accountable for making the changes to valuable innovations and changes you created ongoing, regular channels you want to see. Evaluate whether you for the better in how we live, work, for partnering with patients, families, can do even more to involve patients, and treat each other as people. Let’s and communities to create improvement families, and communities in your do everything we can to ensure that and transformational change? work. Track your progress in address- they are right! Moving forward, the AAMC plans ing racism, as well as the issues of men- We can do all of that if we, as aca- to look for ways to weave community tal health, substance use, and cost and demic medicine, lead the way forward. collaborations across research, across access to care. We can only improve Let’s do this together. This is our medical education, and across clini- the status quo if we understand where moment. Now is our time to act. cal care. There is not a single area of we currently stand and where we need Thank you. academic medicine that could not grow to direct our efforts. WINNER: LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT “3D Public Servants: The Courage to Be Human”

By Justine Adelizzi for Mary C. Daly, Delivered virtually, April 16, 2020 President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

Queasy Then I met my wife, Shelly. She’s Now, all of you know what I’m a psychologist. And she told me that talking about. For some of us, it’s a So let me start by getting one thing out whether I realized it or not, my emo- flushed face, a tight chest. For me, I feel there: I’m an economist—by nature as tions are there. And then she taught nauseous—slightly queasy. much as training. And for much of my me how to find them. She said to But the really magical thing she young life, I had a single mantra: emo- ask myself, “What are you feeling, in taught me is that nauseous isn’t dan- tions, what are they good for? your body?” gerous. It’s just uncomfortable. And

VSOTD.COM 49 if you think about that, it’s freeing. returned to my lifelong question: emo- I couldn’t afford a semester of college. Because it means you can move from tions, what are they good for? But Betsy could. So she paid $216, and trying to push the emotions down to I went back to school. trying to ride through them—and The Profile That first semester eventually led even learn from them. So I started to a degree in economics and philoso- practicing. But I’m getting a little ahead of myself. phy from the University of Missouri, And then I became President of Let me tell you, just a bit, about how I Kansas City, and then on to a PhD and the Federal Reserve Bank of San got here in the first place. a post-doc that landed me at the San Francisco. And much to my surprise, I started my career at the Federal Francisco Fed. the organization had a very different Reserve Bank of San Francisco back So the question is, why was I re- view of emotions than my wife. To the in 1996. I walked in the door with a luctant to share this information with institution, my emotions—this being PhD from Syracuse University and a my new peers? Well, there were lots queasy—seemed very, very dangerous. post-doc from Northwestern. While my of reasons. I was afraid they wouldn’t So this is a conflict. A pretty deep new colleagues had credentials from see me in the same way anymore. I conflict. Harvard, Stanford, Yale—and I did was afraid they would pay a lot less To get a sense of what I mean, I feel just a little bit intimidated—my attention to what I did and a lot more want to play a clip from a podcast degrees meant I was one of them. That attention to what they believed might called Zip Code Economies. We I belonged. be true. I thought they would typecast launched this podcast last year, just six Here’s what I didn’t tell my new me. That they would look through months after I became the president. colleagues. I grew up in Ballwin, Mis- their own experiences and notions, I’m the host. And in the opening lines souri. I’m the daughter of a postman rather than see my skills and my con- of the opening episode this is what and a stay-at-home mom. We weren’t tributions with clear eyes. listeners heard. poor, but we lived really close to the But deeper than any of those fears Mary Daly: I’d like you to use one bone, paycheck-to-paycheck. We had was my very worst fear. I was afraid and only one word to describe Fire- many of the challenges that countless that I wouldn’t be able to tolerate all baugh. From your heart. Americans face but are so unwilling to of the emotions. My own emotions. Cynthia Best: Without crying? talk about. And eventually, when I was Because just behind my degrees and Mary Daly: I actually have cried so 15, those challenges collapsed in on us. my accomplishments stood this thick many times today that if you cry, it will My parents got divorced. My sib- wall of fear, pain, and insecurity that I make me feel belonging. lings moved in with my grandparents. worried would derail me. Cynthia Best: Well, it makes me I moved in with friends. I dropped out So I pushed it all away. I just fo- think of my dad. of high school, and I cobbled together cused on the things that were positive, Now if you worked for the Federal a whole bunch of different jobs. I drove forward-looking, and above all else, ap- Reserve Bank of San Francisco at that a donut truck. I worked at a deli. I parently useful. Beneficial. Some would moment, you felt nervous. For some, worked at a Target. And that was my say likable. like me, it was the feeling that comes plan—to try to turn one of those jobs For many years, this strategy worked with any new launch: Will people like into a full time thing. brilliantly. I had a great career and a it? Will they hate it? Will they simply But then I met someone who great life doing this simple self-division, be indifferent? changed my trajectory. separating the “good Mary,” the “shiny But for many others, it was some- Betsy was in her mid-30s. She was Mary,” from the “bad Mary,” the one thing else. The piece that scared them, busy building her own life and career. I didn’t want to show. I got promoted that left them feeling completely un- She happened to know my former high every two or three years. I published sure, was my admission of crying. That school guidance counselor, and we articles. My span of influence and was the exposed part. That was the met. She saw something in me that I responsibility increased. I was getting hard part. The dangerous part. couldn’t see in myself. So she took me more and more attention. Because after all, Reserve Bank under her wing. Then I got a call from a Bloomberg Presidents—leaders—they don’t cry. She first encouraged me to get a reporter, Jeanna Smialek. And she asked So that put me in a real bind. My GED. I decided to try it because I if she could do a profile on me. And like wife of nearly 30 years constantly thought I could get a bus driver job, anyone would, I said yes, without really pushes me to turn towards my emo- which was good. It was full time, paid thinking about what that meant. tions. And now the Bank is telling me union wages, and it had health benefits. I quickly learned that a profile had to run from them, and to run fast. But Betsy’s a nudger—she still is a a very important component to it that And the only way I could resolve this nudger. So after I got my GED, she en- I was not prepared for. The first 30 conflict was to go back to being what I couraged me to take another step and minutes of the interview were filled with truly am, at my core: an economist. I to try a semester at college. Of course, questions about my family, my back-

CICERO 2021 50 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS ground, what I’d been through as a kid. economist data-driven Mary that I we will be strong, we will be capable, All of the things I had tidily sealed up in loved, and the human emotional Mary and above all else, we will be leaders. a box and ignored for most of my life. that she loved. But for many of the 1,700 people If I wasn’t so Midwestern, I might But here’s the really surprising who work for the San Francisco Fed, have obfuscated—which is really just part that fundamentally changed me. and the 20,000 who work for the a fancy way of saying I might have Shelly was not unique. It wasn’t just Federal Reserve System as a whole, the hidden the truth. But I didn’t want to her bias as my wife or a psychologist. idea that we were going to collectively disappoint. I didn’t want to do a bad I got cards and letters and handwrit- pledge to feel queasy left them nervous. interview. So I told her what she asked. ten notes applauding my openness, And that led me to wonder: why? And eventually—thankfully—we admiring my resiliency, vowing to moved on to talking about my work, follow my example. The Crown and I felt relieved. I was back to safety. That’s when it hit me. In my effort I could take a deep breath. to hide the parts I didn’t want to see or I found the answer in an unexpected Then Jeanna asked me one final have any one else look at, I had hidden place. I’ve been watching a lot of The question. She said, “Mary, how do you everything personal—all my human- Crown lately. And there’s this great think your past has influenced your ness. I’d spent my entire career only scene where Princess Margaret says research?” bringing half of myself to work. And to the Queen, “If you show a single And without a breath, without a probably half of myself to life. I was crack, we’ll see it isn’t a crack, but a single pause, I said, “Not at all.” bringing the part of myself that I felt chasm. And we’ll all fall in.” Now it’s really hard to believe that proud of, that I thought others would It’s funny how fictional stories some- those exact words came out of my like. I was ignoring the other half, the times end up shedding light on our mouth. I’d spent most of my career up part that I felt unsure about, the part very real lives. until that point researching things like that I still feel some shame over. The Research tells us that when we hear income inequality, unemployment, the part that made me queasy. a story, we put ourselves in the posi- role of the social safety net. And at that So I replaced one hangover with tion of the character. In fact, images of moment, without hesitation, I said that another. It’s a kind of addiction once brain activity show that when someone my past had not influenced me at all. you do it. I moved on from being tells a story, the exact same areas of the But sometimes absurdity is our best vulnerable in the interview to regularly brain light up for the story teller and teacher. And what was clear in that experimenting with sharing more of the story listener. It’s like we’re there. moment is that we were getting very, myself, and being more open. The story allows us to fully engage in very close to that wall. That wall of Of course it did open me up to another experience as if it’s our own. my fear, my insecurity, my pain that pain, to insecurity, to fear that I hid And so I learned from The Crown. was just right behind it. Where I was behind that wall for so long. But it also And what I heard Princess Margaret deeply afraid. allowed me to see the resiliency, the say in that episode was this. The role But what could I do? I’m in an in- fortitude, the sense that tomorrow can is its own being. It’s comforting, and terview, it’s going on, it’s right there in be better than today—my internal it’s safe to people. It makes them feel front of me. So I said, “Well now that hopefulness—that now I count among reassured. If they’re allowed to peek you point it out, I guess influenced me my greatest strengths. Like so many behind the curtains to see innocuous quite a lot.” And we finished. psychologists have told you, those are things—the goings on of the royal Then I fell into what, I realized the antidotes to shame. family, the weddings, the trips—it’s ex- only much later, people call a vulner- My career took off. I started climb- citing. But if they peek behind the cur- ability hangover. I felt exposed. I was ing the leadership ranks within the tains and see the doubts, the fears, the highly anxious. I dreaded the inter- Bank. I started making a bigger name uncertainty—it’s scary. Especially when view being published, and I barely got for myself in the profession of econom- it’s happening in real time and we anything done in the weeks leading up ics. And I started to see the impact that don’t yet know the ending. That’s actu- to its release. my openness had on people, all kinds ally not exciting at all. That’s a chasm, On the day it finally came out, I of people—in the Bank, in the Federal an abyss, and we all fall through. made Shelly read it. I couldn’t even Reserve System, and in the communi- But do we really? My Netflix guilty look. And as she read it, she started to ties that we serve. pleasure is actually based on a very tear up. She just got those glassy eyes So when the job of President opened real person—Queen Elizabeth II. And at first, and then these teeny small up, I applied. And when I got it, I boldly from all accounts of what we know tears. And when I pressed her, she said, offered that we, the Federal Reserve about the Queen, she took the advice “Mary.” I didn’t even press her, I just Bank of San Francisco, will be more of the fictionalized Princess Margaret. asked her. And she said, “Mary, the open, will be more vulnerable, will be We hear a lot about the Queen’s style, article is about the whole you.” The our whole selves. And at the same time, her jewelry, her dogs, her hats… but

VSOTD.COM 51 very little about herself, her politics, ending—makes us so uncomfortable? then he said that… and then he said this her opinions, her heart. In fact, just last What makes us so nervous? other thing… and I’m finished.” week, in the face of the coronavirus, Psychology tells us that when the And I expected with this dramatic the Queen gave only her fifth public future is unknown, we worry. And we retelling that my coach would validate address of her long reign. solve for that worry by projecting out me. He’d say, “Oh yes, I completely see So we live for the drama of The the worst-case scenario. This allows us what’s happened.” But I got something Crown. For the complexity, the in- to brace for the impact of that scenario very different. After listening to the trigue, the humanity on display. We and not be disappointed—or even whole play, my whole dramatic retell- wonder what it would be like to be her. worse, hurt. ing, my coach said, “I didn’t realize you And we talk about what we might have Of course, we’re built to do this. You were so judgmental.” done if we had been in her place. could trace it all the way back to our Now, judgmental is a loaded word— But what I wonder is whether we hunter-gatherer days. The world is full at least for me—and I was not too ever really needed her to be so distant. of stimuli, risks and rewards—they’re happy. I felt he, the coach, was being Would we have benefited from her everywhere, and we need to make very pejorative, telling me I was bad, or that being more open, more giving, more quick decisions if we’re going to keep I had some kind of a character flaw. vulnerable? What if she’d been able to ourselves safe. So we sort: Friend or foe? But what he was really saying was that be fully 3D in real time, real life, rather Safe or dangerous? Good or bad? This I was looking at the situation through than just in fiction? What have we been sorting aided our survival. one lens. And I was making a deter- missing all of these years? What if we’d But what happens when we apply mination, a judgment, that might not seen 10,000 speeches instead of five? the same sorting to people? Put simply, hold up to a broader perspective. nothing good. But let me explain. I was sorting my colleague, moving Uncertainty I have this great colleague—a him quickly from friend to foe as if I friend really—who is, like me, a was hunting a million years ago. I felt When we talk about allowing a leader leader. We come from very different at risk, I felt in danger, and I resolved to be 3D in real time, in real life, it’s backgrounds—his is more typical, on the conflict—the uncertainty—by mak- more complicated than it seems. It’s the surface easier, some would say ing a judgment and then abandoning pretty easy to embrace the story of a privileged. But we mostly see eye-to- the story. He was a jerk and I needed queen, or a Jedi, or any leader, when eye. And we definitely share the same to get away from him. we know the final outcome and that core values. outcome is good. Then the flaws and So we went to this event together Stereovision the imperfections, they just feel reas- some years back. He was much more suring. The challenges are conquered, practiced in that arena than I was, and So you must be wondering right now, everything turns out okay, and we all I thought he might give me a hand. what happened? Did I nix him, did I love that story. And at a minimum, since we were all talk to him, did I just let it die? What? I’m a perfect example. Nearly every- swimming towards the same goals, I The first thing I did, at the prompt- one can rally around my past. Love that believed we would be a team. ing of my coach, was to try and I struggled, that I overcame challenges It didn’t play out that way. He ended practice something he called radical and that I still became a leader. As one up talking mostly about himself. I empathy—being empathic about my of my friends and colleagues put it, it’s found it hard to get a word in edgewise colleague and friend, and curious confirmation that the world is sur- without aggressively interrupting. And about his behavior, despite my feelings. mountable—that good guys can win. when it was over, he just waved at me That’s the radical part. But the operative word in that sen- and moved on to his next thing as if And it’s no easy thing. I had to make tence is “win.” The story is over, at least everything had gone as expected. myself a talisman, an empathy coin. a chapter. The results are clear, I’m the I was incensed. I felt duped. I was On one side—I’m holding it now—is President. It’s quite a different thing to deeply disappointed. I ranted on about a beautiful souvenir ball marker from experience the challenges in real time, it for at least 15 minutes to anyone who the Pebble Beach Golf Course. My as the story unfolds and the outcome is would listen. And then I thought about wife gave it to me. On the other side, less certain. So it’s understandable that it for the rest of the day. I glued a rusted metal washer I found everyone in my organization feels afraid The next day, I called my coach, and on the street in my neighborhood. And when I ask them to leap off this cliff I recounted what happened. I actually this coin, this empathy coin, reminds with me. To be vulnerable, to be open, did one of those dramatic retellings, I me that no matter what I see on the to be authentic. After all, we don’t even think you know the kind, when you act surface—the beautiful wood—it’s hard know where we will land. out every phrase and every scene so to know what’s underneath. What’s The real question is: what about un- that the listener is right there with you, really going on with someone. It helps certainty—about the uncertainty of an feeling your pain. “He said this… and me pause, short-circuit my frustration,

CICERO 2021 52 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS and hunt for the positive rather than avoid worry, to avoid disappointment, my timeline. Half of the people I knew focusing on the negative. It helps me and most of all, to resolve uncertainty. thought the results of the election stay in the story. Now I’m sure, as you listen to that were the best news of the year. The But I strongly dislike having to rely story, that you all have had something other half was convinced that the end solely on my talisman. I want to under- that sounds familiar with a colleague of days were upon us. And each half stand—why do I sort when I know it’s or a friend. We’ve all had experiences viewed the other half as a threat, an judgmental and limiting, and that it’s like these, probably many of them. And enemy—maybe The Enemy. not my values? we’ve all had moments where we’ve had So I decided to make Zip Code So like any good researcher, I turned to come to terms with the fact that our Economies. In my heart, I know that to Google. I started searching for ways closest friends and family aren’t perfect. most people want the same things: to teach myself how to stay in the story But with those individuals, close They want to raise families. They in real time. And I found the answer in friends and family, we make the effort want to have careers. They want to a really unlikely place. to see them in stereovision, to merge make contributions. And wherever we I stumbled onto this concept of the green and the red, to see the full live these days, our communities face stereovision, which is the mechanics three dimensional person, in the hopes so many of the challenges that easily of how our eyes work to create a 3D that they’ll do the same for us. They’ll divide our country. But at the zip code image in our environment. Simply merge our green and red. This 3D level, people find a way to work it out. described, each of our eyes is pro- vision that we use or we practice for And thus, by definition, the stories of grammed to take a picture of what we our friends and family isn’t emotionally zip codes are stories of hope. see in front of us—they just do it from free, but it’s worth the cost for those I could say without reservation, slightly different angles. Then these closest to us. Because ultimately we without any hesitation, that Zip Code two different pictures get simultane- don’t want to lose the relationship. Economies is the single best project ously sent to our brain, which instantly But why should we be willing to pay of my career. It transformed me. It processes them into a single 3D image. the cost to see our leaders? Why should imprinted upon me. It moved me. Be- A classic example of how this we want to stay in their story, riding cause it demonstrated time and again, works—you can find it on the in- out their bumps, merging their bad and in every community we visited, that ternet—is a picture of two rows of their good when there is so much pos- people can overcome anything when Lifesavers: one red, one green, and sibility for discomfort, for disappoint- they work together. It confirmed for both are narrowing down to a point ment? And they aren’t even our friends me that hope is alive and that hope is on the page where they almost meet. or family. essential for change. If you focus long enough on that area It’s simple. If we’re only willing to One of the places we visited is where the green and the red Lifesaver see two-dimensional leaders, that’s all East Palo Alto, California. It’s a line should cross, or meet, you can see we’ll get: two-dimensional leaders. And 2.64 square mile community about a single Lifesaver coming off the page two-dimensional leaders can’t solve the 30 miles south of the San Francisco towards you, even though it’s not there. problems of a 3D world. Federal Reserve. It was incorporated Almost all of us are physically able back in the 1960s in an effort to fight to do this. But for many of us—and me East Palo Alto pervasive red-lining and give minori- included—it’s a challenge. We don’t do ties a place to have homes and have it automatically. It takes effort to merge I played a clip earlier from Zip Code a community. Throughout its history, those two Lifesavers into one 3D im- Economies, but I didn’t tell you why I EPA has been in a fight for its life. age. You have to practice. decided to make it. And today is no exception. It takes even more effort and more As I mentioned, I’m from Ballwin, It remains a mostly minority com- practice when you’re talking about Missouri, a town outside of St. Louis. munity where the median income is people. My colleague—my friend—was But for the past more than 20 years, $55,000 a year. EPA is surrounded on never all good or all bad. He was always I’ve been living in Oakland, California all sides by the staggering wealth of Sil- both. He shares my values, does good and working in San Francisco. I’ve al- icon Valley—think Facebook, Google. work, and can also be insecure, anxious ways felt comfortable in both environ- And EPA is constantly working to about his performance, and in those ments, and I can understand the views maintain a sense of community when it moments, blind to those around him. and aspirations of both communities— feels like they could be swallowed up at All of those things are true. But those in St. Louis, Missouri and those any moment. Because they’re an island holding them simultaneously, seeing here in the Bay Area in California. sitting in a sea of wealth. them merged into a single 3D person Then the 2016 election happened. So as part of our Zip Code taping, takes work. And it’s emotionally heavy And every day after the election, when I talked to some high school students work. It’s hard. It can be draining. I looked at my Facebook feed I could about what it’s like to grow up there. Because after all, we are built to sort, to see a divide, a chasm, playing out on They told me that they loved their com-

VSOTD.COM 53 munity, but they also told me about their educate the mind, you have to help stu- swaying. And when we heard her story, trips to downtown Palo Alto—a place dents feel safe. Before they can learn, we were all swaying with her. just two miles from their front doors they have to feel like they belong. They You quickly realize when you sit where they’re treated like the other. have to feel like they are loved. with someone like Amika, that staying Because, remember, East Palo Alto and But let her tell you in her own words: with her story will be hard. If you open Palo Alto are not the same place. “I talk about love in this building your heart to the love, the joy, the pos- They told me that in Palo Alto, and give this campus a hundred times sibilities she creates at East Palo Alto people cross the street when they see more than I do at home. And frankly, Academy, you also have to open your them coming. The restaurant servers my kids here need it in a way that my heart to the heartbreak you feel when treat them like they’re second class kids at home don’t need it. And that’s a student or a family falls through the citizens, because the restaurant owners our obligation, to make sure they feel cracks. It feels like a chasm. worry that the kids might not pay. The loved and safe. And it’s not that their But here’s the deal. There are kids feel like they don’t belong. parents don’t love them, that’s not the people in those cracks. They need When you look at their faces as they case at all. It’s, does society love them?” Amika. And Amika needs us. Staying tell you these stories, you can see the Amika is the definition of a 3D in her story is staying in their story. pain even though they don’t tell you public servant. You know it the second And this will not break us. We will not the exact words. You hear the resigna- you meet her. She vibrates with it—it fall through. tion or the acceptance in their voices. comes right off of her—the passion, So then, you might ask me, “How, the frustration, optimism, pragmatism, Stay in the Story Mary, do they still have hope?” How vulnerability, all at the same time. She’s do I still have hope? fully human, including imperfect. She I carry Amika, and the other people Because I met these students at a has good days, and she has bad days. I met making Zip Code Economies, place called East Palo Alto Academy. A conversation with her can feel like with me always. They’re the standard I And I met their principal, Amika walking on a high-wire. When one of try to hold myself to every day. I try to Guillaume. Now, when I say principal, her kids succeeds and she describes it, be as courageous as they are—to stay you probably have ideas in your mind you feel all of the joy with her—the in the game, to stay in the story, even about what she does. I know I did be- pride, the hope for the future. You’re when the ending looks bleak or is sim- fore I met her. I thought she managed right there. But she doesn’t always have ply uncertain. To be 3D myself, and to day to day operations, created policies, successes. And you know it. And some- let others be 3D, as well. I don’t always made budgets, talked with parents. times you feel it. succeed, but I always try. And Amika does do all of those things. When Amika came to our launch So I will end here with the same But that’s actually not her primary job. event for the show here at the San ask for you that I have for the 1700 You notice this, you see this, right Francisco Fed, she was up on a stage people who work at the San Francisco when you walk into her office. There’s with other people from Zip Code Fed, and the 20,000 who work for the this huge sign on the wall that says, Economies. I could tell immediately Federal Reserve System. “The Bulldog Way.” At first glance, it that she was a little off. And then she Join the story. Stay in the story. seems like a school mascot, but it’s not. told us about a meeting that she had The ending might not be certain, It’s a school refrain. It’s the terms of just had with one of her former stu- but the challenges definitely are. And their contract. The contract between dents. He had left East Palo Alto Acad- we don’t have time to wait for perfect students and teachers, both of them, emy ready to enter college, and now he heroes. We must all have the courage the shared contract. And the first item was at Stanford. But he wasn’t there to to be 3D. We must all have the cour- on the list is “Bulldog Love.” learn. He was mopping floors with his age to see in 3D. We must all have the Bulldog Love is Amika’s North Star. dad. He had somehow fallen through courage to be human. She recognizes that before you can the cracks after graduation. Amika was Thank you.

CICERO 2021 54 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS

WINNER: PUBLIC POLICY “Free Tickets to the Ultimate Behind-the-Scenes View. A Chance for Science, Policy-Makers and Society to Connect”

By Sjors Talsma for Ingrid van Engelshoven, Delivered at The Hague, Minister of Education, Culture and Science December 15, 2020

ear friends, Although we now know a lot more a vaccine was put on hold following ir- D When the coronavirus pan- about COVID-19, and the 50 percent regularities in one test subject, that was demic arrived in the Netherlands, I spoke about earlier keeps on rising, ‘breaking news’. Prime Minister Rutte said something we definitely don’t yet know everything The people who don’t trust science that I’m sure sounded sensible to the there is to know about this virus. say: ‘You see? It’s not safe’, while the academic or policy-maker in you. A pandemic, on the other hand, is other group says: ‘It’s good that they’ve In the spring, the Prime Minister by no means unprecedented. People all put the research on hold—because said that our government would have around the world have dealt with those that’s how science works. I’m glad to make 100 percent of its decisions before. What is unique in 2020 is the they’re sticking to the procedures, even with only 50 percent of the knowledge. public’s detailed scrutiny of the search though they’re under so much pressure.’ His phrase has been repeated many for a way out of the pandemic: the So the presence of the coronavirus, times, and you still hear it today. global search for a vaccine. and the way it is handled, puts the rela- There is something intriguing about In our country, the entire adult tionship between scientists, policy-mak- this phrase. Somehow it manages to population has put virologists, the Out- ers and the public under the spotlight. both alarm and reassure us, all at the break Management Team and the still An optimist would say: ‘Never same time. growing chain of press conferences, before have so many Europeans been It’s alarming, because you’d rather under the microscope. overcome by such a burning need to hear that your country’s policymakers The scientific process, policy for- understand the unknown.’ are basing their decisions on complete mulation and political decision-making Last April in the Netherlands, for information. And of course ministers now happen almost simultaneously. example, Jaap van Dissel appeared on would prefer that scenario as well. And all in the full glare of public atten- TV: a virologist who’s presence and On the other hand, it’s reassuring tion. No generation before us has ever judgements play a vital part in public that—despite the incomplete informa- experienced anything like this. debate. Nearly 8 million people turned tion—the government is taking action. Although everyone is following on their televisions to watch him, live. We acknowledge that the reality is the progress that is being made, the Since then, virtually every academic extremely complex, but this government pandemic is also dividing people. discipline, from psychology to sociolo- understands that despite the complexity, Anyone can catch the virus, but the gy, has found its voice or is trying to be we have to pick a strategy as well. suffering doesn’t affect everyone to heard. I strongly believe it is important Of course, you almost never have the the same degree. that we pay attention to all these scien- luxury of having 100 percent knowledge COVID-19 is pushing us apart tific voices, while we also acknowledge of the consequences of a decision. That along quite a few of the traditional that there may be days or weeks that won’t come as a surprise to any politi- dividing lines. one is a bit louder than the other. cian, policy-maker or academic. The pandemic divides young and At this point in time, science, and The coronavirus pandemic really old, people on high and low incomes, policies based on scientific evidence, proved us once again that you quite churchgoers and non-believers. It divides have really gained momentum. Mil- often have to settle for the information people in cities, who live almost on top lions of people are watching, as our that is available. of one another, from those who have knowledge grows. While it may be At the same time, what I think is more space for themselves. Even the way growing bit by bit, every new insight reassuring for everyone who deals with we view the pandemic divides us, into takes us one step further. complex issues and incomplete infor- people who have faith in science and in We are heading into a spring and mation, is that we can now see that the scientific method, and people who summer in which virtually every policy is being updated almost ‘live’. loudly let us know they don’t. That last decision-maker will rely heavily and Our knowledge base is growing day by distinction is relevant to us, here, today. publicly on researchers. Those seasons day, while we’re adjusting measures. Countless ground-breaking studies will go down in history as a time when When you think about it, that is simply never make it onto the news at all, but science led the way, and guided us out evidence-based policy in action. this year, when scientific research into of the crisis.

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When we look back, we will be re- Today, and in light of the year of still going strong. I wonder if Charlotte lieved and thankful, although we will vaccination that is about to start, I ever dared to hope for such an outcome. also see that the pandemic has cost want to talk about someone who has The reason for sharing this story us dearly. That is why it is important left us, almost twenty-five years ago, at with you today, is to tell you that you to mention today, that we still have the age of seventy-four. Her name is might not always know how, or when, an opportunity to add a silver lining Charlotte Hannik. the policy you are working on will to this pandemic. There’s a chance Not that many of you will have make a real difference. to help more people see and under- heard of her. But 9 out of every 10 Charlotte Hannik would not have stand how science and evidence-based Dutchman owe her a great deal. Actu- waited to start working, until she had policy really work. That understand- ally, the 10th person as well. 100 percent of the knowledge either. ing should lead to growing faith in After all, we possess an important In her day, trial and error was fact of both science and policy. part of our basic health thanks to life as well, and it led to something that Right now, anyone who wants to, Charlotte Hannik. Let me tell you why. we now celebrate as a huge success. has free tickets to the ultimate behind- When Charlotte was a young doc- Remember that, when this conference the-scenes view. Scientists in all disci- tor in the 1950s, she saw how diseases ends and work proves to be tough. plines have the opportunity to show like diphtheria and scarlet fever could It takes patience to produce sound, that they believe in full transparency spread rapidly. evidence-based policy; but it can make about their process, efforts and results. She decided to specialise in that a big difference to a great many people, This includes honesty about what they field, and she took charge of an ambi- for decades to come. don’t know, don’t know yet, or what tious polio vaccination campaign. That As I said earlier, good policy is they think you should definitely ask campaign was successful, and Char- the best when the people it is designed their colleague instead of them. lotte was successful in her field. to help actually believe in it. Charlotte Hopefully, that way, we will also see In fact, she still proves her success Hannik must have felt the same way. that the pandemic brought science, to us, almost 25 years after her death. She knew, down to the last detail, the policy-makers and society into closer Although she didn’t give herself literal questions and concerns parents could contact. And let’s hope that this way, immortality, she did reduce our risk of have about vaccination. And she was fewer people think their personal opin- dying young. not afraid to be open about possible ions are just as reliable as proven facts. The Dutch government’s vaccina- downsides of the vaccination pro- Let evidence-based policy not only be tion policy, based on scientific evidence, gramme. true for a few, but also believed and is still making a difference to all our She had the courage to inform accepted by the many. lives to this day. people on disadvantages of policies she Dear friends, Today’s National Vaccination Pro- worked on, while presenting them the Scientists are familiar with standing gramme owes its unique organisation, benefits at the same time. on each other’s shoulders. And good which is a collaboration between local I wish every policy-maker feels the policy-makers always keep at least one authorities, doctors and Municipal courage needed to do that today. eye on their predecessors, and on the Health Services, partly to Charlotte For now, enjoy this conference. And evidence they used to back up their Hannik’s work on public policy. stay healthy. policies. 60 years later, that collaboration is Thank you. WINNER: SOCIAL JUSTICE “BCJA & GAAA Alumni State of the Union Address 2020”

By Natasha Walker Jones, Alumni President/House of David International Inc., Delivered in Atlanta, Georgia, for the BCJA & GAAA Alumni Association Inc. Annual State of the Union Address West End SDA Church, October 10, 2020

nd now, the State of the School’s In the year of our Lord 2019, ac- brown men pejoratively called, The AUnion. claimed movie director Ava Duvernay Central Park Five. The backstory was There is no pretending that we released the documentary, “When powerful and riveting, but it was also are moving forward and backward at They See Us.” Duvernay very compel- disturbing. As we now know, those the same time, which we know in the lingly detailed the tragic events that young men were innocent but treated physical realm is impossible. Yet, in the led up to the arrest, conviction, and as guilty, before, and after proof. When social and political realm it is a reality. sentencing of five, young, black, and They See Us, reminds me of the

CICERO 2021 56 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS struggle that is still very real for persons the Nutritional, never forgetting our Educational, Recreational, Vocational, of color and people who have little civic duties that require us to occupy Invocational, Nutritional, & Govern- social, political, or financial capital in until he comes by participating in the mental. That is what we are teaching the United States. Governmental. When They See Us, our children at the academies – BCJA Over the last few years “we have let us be about our Father’s business & GAAA. This is NOT the time to seen” egregious, violent acts perpe- S.E.R.V.I.N.G., rooted in love, still wing it on education. Our little brown trated against people in the African producing strong trees! and black babies need to know who American community. Our eyes will There is no new fix for this old game Dr. King was and that he stood on the not allow us to unsee those actions and of racism. You can march, you can Word of God. He said I’m a preacher our hearts will not allow us to stand peacefully protest, but when that’s over first and an activist second. His service down nor stand by. We saw; therefore, what do you do? It always has been worked more to effectuate human and we say the names of Trayvon Martin, through prayer, standing your ground, civil rights and change than any single Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra and the unification of like-minded person in the 20th Century. He clearly Bland, George Floyd, and Breonna individuals. If the black race is at stake. relied upon God. The new age civil Taylor. Though they sleep, their names Humanity is at stake. For we are all rights movements are calling upon we still speak. While we do not conflate inextricably and invaluably interwoven the ancestors and pouring out liba- the gospel with social justice, we also into the tapestry of planet earth. tions. We cannot possibly call upon the do not negate social justice because of There is NO government, when ancestors. The word of God is most the gospel. As people who name the the rule of the law is twisted to meet emphatic David hath not yet ascended name of Christ, God is watching us to every circumstance of favorability for to the heavens. And if King David isn’t SEE what we do for those who are less the twister. The governing bodies have there neither is Harriet Tubman nor fortunate and under the heavy weight been corrupted. But alas, even among Kunta Kinte. of oppression in America. our ranks the bitter tail of racism But I know who is there. The An- There is no avoiding nor imagining lashes against our members like the cient of Days. Who Was, Who Is, Who the condition of our country. We are scorpion in Revelation. I feel like Paul, is to come. The Alpha and the Omega. all aware of the negative impact of the we are assaulted from without and The first, the last, and everything in be- Coronavirus and the subsequent issues from within. tween. And Christ Jesus – Yeshua the of health and financial disparities that Sometimes I think we have been Prince of peace. The man in Revela- hang over the heads of minorities that corrupted by the leaven of the Phari- tion with eyes of fire and feet of brass have flared as a result of centuries sees – which Jesus called hypocrisy. We who walks among the churches – with of neglect and discrimination. In my preach Christ for all but show favorit- eyes of fire asking a similar question – opinion, it would have been irrespon- ism to 3rd & 4th generation Adventist’s WHEN HE SEES US. sible for us to not address the flagrant as if God has a special group that will In the process of delivering a theme ills in our society. My hope is that the sit on his right hand and his left. for Alumni 2020, it was clear that the Alumni body would go into our com- We can’t afford to have respect of perspective of the man with eyes of munities and work the works of him persons in our churches and schools. fire walking between the candlesticks who sent us, by feeding the hungry, We need to level the playing field and in Revelation 3: 14 -18 Jesus, walking clothing the naked, setting the captive allow all Adventist children to attend among the members of the last church free, while proclaiming the acceptable all Adventist institutions at the same – conveys the sentiment of 2020 Vision year of the Lord. rate. The time would fail me to talk and begs the question: When they see On the 114th birthday celebra- about the sacrifice of the single moth- us, what will they see? Jesus saw a very tion of our roots that have produced ers in our church to send their children pitiful sight. A church that was naked, strong trees, let us continue to grow to Adventist schools. blind, miserable, and poor. In contrast, in grace but not forget to be a living, Very soon the remnant will be the the church thought they were clothed, active, working witness against social enmity of all nations. I do not need with great eyesight, in excellent injustices by S.E.R.V.I.N.G. (Spiritual, you crucifying me at the stake with condition – rich and increased with Educational, Recreational, Vocational, your malicious backbiting and eating goods. Evidently, the church lacked Invocational, Nutritional, & Govern- me for Sabbath dinner. I thought you the anointed vision to see realistically, mental). When They See Us, we will were vegans and vegetarians but alas rather than imaginatively. be Spiritual as we pursue and sustain some of you are cannibals. But very I ask you today, what is the cure for the growth of BCJA and GAAA in the soon we will be put to the test on the Cancer, AIDS, & Coronavirus? What areas: Educational, Recreational, and plain of Dura. It will be God’s people can fix racism, classism, nepotism, fas- Vocational as we continually seek God vs. everybody else. cism? What can stop hurricanes, floods, for guidance through the Invocational, We can get – angry, or we can fires, pestilence, contaminated water, while practicing self-care through get busy – SERVING – Spiritual, food shortages, poverty, and homeless-

VSOTD.COM 57 ness? What will finally eradicate de- ing them for a bigger house, a car, or a We must love the people. Jesus loved pression, anxiety, mental health issues bank account? the people. He who sees with eyes of and suicide. What will end bullying, If you don’t have children and God fire is not influenced by rank or color. backbiting, and barbarism? has entrusted you with resources, why He just loves the people. The second coming! not sponsor a child to attend church The signs of the times reveal that We were tasked NOT to build king- school? Our CashApp Information has the kingdoms of this earth are become doms nor to expect earthly kingdoms been posted and God is watching to see the kingdom of our God. to fix the ills that have wildly mutated if you value lives or money. He says, “if my people, which are due to sin. Instead, like the Jews we Stokely Carmichael coined – and called by my name, shall humble them- got caught up in earthly treasures and his band of revolutionaries went back selves, and pray, and seek my face, and stopped laying up treasures in heaven. into the community to create before turn from their wicked ways; then will I You’ve been entrusted by God with and after school programs, feeding hear from heaven, and will forgive their children. The Word says the fruit of programs and community-based works sin, and will heal their land.” the womb is his reward. If your chil- that we now call – nonprofit work, to Right On and Power to the people. dren are your treasure, are you sacrific- help us. Because they loved the people. God’s people! WINNER: ANALYST CALL/INVESTOR MEETING “Action Today for a Better Tomorrow”

By Lech Mintowt-Czyz for Ben van Beurden, Delivered virtually to the Annual General Meeting CEO, Royal Dutch Shell for shareholders, May 13, 2020

any thanks Chad. I would like reduce it to $20 billion or less. That is tranche of our share buyback pro- Mto echo your comments on the around $5 billion less than planned. gramme. Under that programme importance of staying in contact at We will spend where we must. On we have bought back $15.75 billion this time. Thank you to all of you keeping our sites running smoothly and worth of shares since 2018. It is now for joining this call… for making the safely and ready to meet demand as it paused. effort to do so. I hope you are all safe returns… from platforms to refiner- But, unfortunately, we could not and well. ies… chemicals facilities to retail sites. stop there. We could not, responsibly… As Chad said, this is not the time for We will continue with projects prudently, continue with the dividend your company to stand still. As you will where it makes financial sense. And we payment as it was. And that is why the undoubtedly be aware, Shell has not will focus on robust investments that Board decided to reset our quarterly stood still. We have acted decisively. We will give us a short-term return. You dividend to 16 US cents per share. have moved to secure the resilience of will have noticed some specific an- This decision was born of your your company for today. And we have nouncements on particular projects in company’s focus on resilience. It will moved to secure the resilience of your line with this approach. allow us to ensure we maintain a company for the long term as well. In addition to reducing capital strong balance sheet at a time when I will start with what we have done expenditure, we are also reducing un- the outlook for the global economy, to preserve our financial strength in the derlying operating costs. We are bring- and our industry, is uncertain. I have face of COVID-19 and, of course, the ing them down by $3 to 4 billion over been asked what we plan to do with the very low oil price. This is critical action. the next 12 months compared with money saved. In the current environ- Because, it is by preserving our financial 2019. This means reviewing contracts, ment, rebasing the dividend does not strength today… that we can be better discretionary spend, travel costs and give us more money to spend. It just positioned to compete tomorrow. recruitment. It also means no group means that, today, we will not borrow When it comes to financial resil- performance bonus for any Shell staff further to meet our outgoings. ience, we have a number of levers we this financial year. None of this, however, changes can pull. The scale of the situation We are making changes where we any of our four priorities for capital facing the world means we have had have to. Where it is wise. Where it is allocation. The first is to ensure we pay to pull on those levers harder than we prudent. Even if that means reducing our interest and the rebased dividend. would have liked. shareholder distributions. Indeed, we believe the dividend is now That started with reducing our capi- That is why, in March, the Board set at a level which is sustainable in all tal expenditure. Through 2020 we will decided not to continue with the next reasonable scenarios.

CICERO 2021 58 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS

The second is to seek to reduce strong. To make sure we can be highly intensity of the energy products we sell debt and maintain our AA credit competitive in the future. by 65% by 2050. metrics. The third is to make capital And that same thinking was also And third, we aim to help our investments which ensure the resil- behind another major announcement customers decarbonise. We also expect ience of the business in the medium we made last month. The new carbon to shift, over time, towards serving the term. ambition. Your company is acting to- businesses and sectors that, by 2050, Our final priority, when conditions day, to position itself for success. Both are net-zero emissions themselves. improve and we have enough free in the world after COVID-19… and It is important to note that, today, cash available, is to balance additional in the world transitioning to a lower- Shell’s business plans do not reflect shareholder distributions with future carbon future. Shell’s net-zero emissions ambitions. growth capital expenditure. That means having a new level of We aim to change our business plans And when it comes to growing ambition. And that is why your compa- over time in step with society and our shareholder distributions, this is likely ny now aims to be a net-zero emissions customers as they move towards a net- to come as sustainable growth in energy business by 2050, or sooner. zero emissions economy. dividends per share alongside share We will seek to achieve this overall I know that all of that… our actions buybacks. This mix will help keep the ambition in three ways, and in step of today… our ambitions for tomor- total dividend at a sustainable level. with society. row… our determination to remain But that is for the future. Right First, we aim to be net-zero on all resilient in all circumstances… leaves now… these are tough times. None of the emissions from the manufacture us with a lot to talk about. And today is us wanted to be in this situation. But of all our products, by 2050 or sooner. a day for your questions. So I think we we are. So the best thing we can do That means net-zero on Shell’s scope should start answering them. today… is to make sure we are ready one and two emissions. Chad, can I hand back to you, for tomorrow. To make sure we are Second, we aim to reduce the carbon please, to get things going? WINNER: AWARD ACCEPTANCE “We Need Better Answers and More Shoulders”

By Joe Gettler for Vanessa Sanders, Delivered at the Urban League of Long Island’s 45th Annual Assistant Scientist, Long Island Equal Opportunity Day, held at the Garden City Hotel in Brookhaven National Laboratory Garden City, New York, February 27, 2020

ood evening everyone and thank problems. And how we solve them. too. That means young black girls need Gyou. I am so grateful to be here Diversity makes us ask questions, chal- to see black women scientists. They with you all tonight. lenge assumptions, and scrutinize the need to know science is something they I’m going to be honest with you. solutions that are possible. can do. I didn’t set out to be the first African We need diversity because we need I grew up wanting to be a medical American woman to earn a Ph.D. in better answers. doctor. But then my dad was diagnosed radiochemistry. I finished my degree And if we truly want better answers, with one of the world’s big problems— in 2017 and only found out I was the we all bear some of the responsibility Alzheimer’s disease. That’s when I first after I’d done all the work. It’s an for increasing diversity. changed my plans. Nothing against honor, but it also took me by surprise, We need to create more opportuni- doctors. The world definitely needs because, “Really?!” It took until the ties for groups that are underrepre- them. But I realized I could help more year two thousand seventeen! That’s sented in the mainstream. That means people if I earned a Ph.D. and did kind of sad. mentoring young people. That means medical research than if I had an M.D. There are a lot of problems in the taking on interns. Networking. Col- and could see just one patient at a time. world. Some problems are old. Some laborating. Building friendships. Now, I’m working on research for are new. Some—like the new coronavi- For my field of research—radio- another big problem: cancer. And rus—are pretty sudden. chemistry—to contribute to making I’m privileged to work at Brookhaven The world has problems but there the world a better place, I can’t be one National Laboratory with people who are answers. And diversity leads to of the only young black women with a are solving other big challenges—in en- answers that are better than others. Ph.D. We need more of them. Other ergy, quantum computing, and build- Diversity changes how we look at areas of science need more of them ing an electron-ion collider to figure

VSOTD.COM 59 out how the universe’s smallest building I’d also like to thank Noel Blackburn, is about paying homage to the unsung blocks hold everything together. David Manning, Cathy Cutler, mem- heroes who came before me. The Really I’m pretty shy. I can remem- bers of the African American Advance- incredible African American women ber being talked over and having to ment Group, and everyone here tonight scientists and technicians whose names find my voice. There were times I from Brookhaven Lab. For all they’ve we’ll never know. wanted to tap out. When I felt like I done and all they’re doing to make my It’s their shoulders I’m standing on. should give up. But there were people new home more diverse and inclusive. And tonight, I ask that you and I who told me, “Nope.” People who Thank you to Theresa Sanders, get ready. That we brace each other. poured the love into me. Sidney Joyner, and everyone with the Because there’s a whole new, diverse My mom is the reason I’m able Urban League of Long Island. Thank generation coming. They’re smart. to stand here tonight and my dad is you for paving the way for young They have huge potential. And it’s our always with me. My mentors and my underrepresented minorities to have a shoulders they’ll need to stand on. sorority sisters from Zeta Phi Beta. And path to the future. Thank you. my fiancé, Josh, who’s here tonight. Being recognized tonight is as much Thank you for supporting me. about thanking people in my life as it WINNER: COMMEMORATIVE SPEECH “100 Years of Women’s Suffrage: The Enduring Power of Showing Up”

By Jayette Bolinski for Susana A. Mendoza, Delivered at Southern Illinois University Illinois State Comptroller Carbondale, March 5, 2020

ood evening, and welcome to my Olga Weidner grew up in Greece And her parents instilled in her a Gfellow resisters! and came to the United States on a deep understanding and respect for the To all the women who are here to- business visa when she was a young power of voting. day, thank you. And to all our brave al- woman. She got married a year after So, she proudly went to the polls lies who are here to support these young arriving in the U.S. and became a that day in 1968, armed with informa- ladies, thank you, too, for being here. naturalized citizen in 1967. tion and the constitutional right to It’s wonderful to be back here at In 1968 she voted in her first presi- participate in one of the most conse- Southern Illinois University in Car- dential election—Hubert Humphrey quential elections in U.S. history. bondale. versus Richard Nixon. She voted for Humphrey because she I’m Illinois State Comptroller Su- That election unfolded against a considered him to be the conscience of sana Mendoza. backdrop of great political and cultural the nation, in part because of his work As the chief fiscal officer for the State division across the country. on the Civil Rights Act of 1964. of Illinois, my job is to manage the 1968 was the year Martin Luther The election didn’t go the way she’d state’s finances and pay the state’s bills. King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were hoped, but voting that year was an I also use my position to advocate assassinated. experience Olga has never forgotten. for smart, stable state budgets, and to The Tet Offensive occurred in 1968, Many of us can recall the first time make financial reporting more trans- marking a turning point in the Viet- we voted, because it’s such a powerful parent and accessible to taxpayers. nam War. rite of passage. Women celebrating women is some- Peace marches and protests were We grew up with parents, grand- thing that is near and dear to my heart. happening in cities and at college parents, friends and teachers who So I am truly delighted to be here campuses across the country, including taught us the importance of voting with you all to reflect on 100 years of here at SIU. and helped us learn how to be in- women’s suffrage. Anti-war protests turned violent at formed citizens. the 1968 Democratic National Con- That’s how it was for Trisha Craw- *** vention in Chicago. shaw, who voted in her first presidential As a new citizen in her early twen- election in 2008—40 years after Olga I want to begin by sharing a couple of ties, Olga could have taken a pass on Weidner. stories I learned recently about women voting that year. Trisha was 19 and a college fresh- in this audience and why they believe But her beloved Greece is the cradle man when she went to the Desoto town in the power of voting. of democracy. hall to cast her vote for president.

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She voted for Barack Obama They would be able to vote for pres- • Women serve as mayors of hun- because he struck her as someone who idential electors and various municipal dreds of Illinois cities, villages and cared about the country and could and township posts, but that was all. towns—places like Decatur, Cham- propel the nation forward. While this was considered a success paign, Moline, and Calumet City. Trisha’s lifelong interest in voting at the time, the suffragists knew there • A woman holds one of Illinois’ was influenced by two people: her was more work to do. two U.S. Senate seats, and four of the grandmother and her mother. They showed up in Washington, state’s 18 Congressional representatives Her grandmother, Jennie Crawshaw, D.C., to demand that their right to vote are women. was the Jackson County circuit clerk be enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. With more women in elected leader- for years. It was a lengthy, sometimes harrow- ship roles, there comes an increased As a child, Trisha marched in pa- ing struggle. focus on social and economic changes rades and wore T-shirts that said, “Re- Newspapers around the country that benefit women and girls. elect my grandma Jennie Crawshaw” described these women as “militant.” Some examples of what’s been ac- on them. They were heckled, beaten, arrested complished in Illinois, just in the past She loved going to the courthouse to and fined for daring to picket and rally few years: watch her grandma at work. for the right to vote. • We repealed the state sales tax on Trisha’s mother was equally influ- During the “Night of Terror” in feminine hygiene products, which were ential, taking her young daughter with 1917, thirty-three women were jailed, being taxed as “luxury items” rather her to the polling place every election. tortured, and denied access to basic than necessities. To Trisha, walking into the voting needs—like emergency medical care • We started requiring service pro- booth with her mom, closing the cur- and legal counsel—after they were ar- viders like dry cleaners and hair salons tain behind them, and learning about rested for peacefully protesting outside to be more transparent about their the voting process seemed like a fun, the White House. pricing to expose gender-based price secret thing they did together. It was a shocking development. discrimination. But really Trisha’s mom was laying In 1919, Congress finally passed the • We made it illegal to request a job the groundwork for her daughter to 19th Amendment granting women the applicant’s salary history so we can understand the importance of having right to vote. close the gender wage gap. a voice. Shortly thereafter, Illinois became • We finally voted to ratify the Equal Both Trisha and Olga are in our one of the first states to ratify the Rights Amendment, becoming the audience here tonight. Let’s give them amendment. And by August 1920, 37th state to do so since 1972. a hand. enough states had ratified it to make I have long supported the ERA and We are fortunate to live in a nation women’s suffrage the law of the land. was proud to stand on the House floor where citizens are invited to stake a claim the day it passed. to their future by voting in elections. *** All of these measures were carried We vote for everything from the lo- by women legislators and had the sup- cal water board to the occupant of the Our reward for showing up is change. port of other women. White House. Today, 100 years after women In the Comptroller’s Office, I’m Certainly, we don’t all agree on who achieved the right to vote, it’s hard to proud to say we now offer 50 days of is best for these roles. And that’s OK. imagine that we would ever be banned paid maternity and paternity leave for But the tie that binds all voters— from exercising our right to partici- full-time employees. these devotees of democracy—is that pate in a government that’s here to The policy under previous admin- they show up. serve all of us. istrations was 30 days of paid leave. We vote. We write emails. We send I’m a mother, and I know that’s not *** postcards. We phone-bank. We rally. enough time. And we run for office. In addition, I made it a priority The early women suffragists under- I pulled some statistics about women to expedite state payments to social stood the power of showing up. in elected office in Illinois: service providers—most of which They came to the Capitol in Spring- • Women currently serve in two of serve struggling women and children field year after year starting in 1869 to the state’s six elected constitutional offic- throughout the state. advocate for their right to vote, only to es: comptroller and lieutenant governor. These are the kinds of meaningful be rejected year after year. • Women hold 36% of the seats in changes that can happen when women Their efforts bore fruit in 1913 the Illinois House and 36% of the seats take an active role in their future. when Illinois became the first state east in the Illinois Senate. When we fight to change the status of the Mississippi River to give women • The mayor of Chicago, the na- quo, we are paving the way for future a limited right to vote. tion’s third-largest city, is a woman. generations.

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We want the women coming behind I got to know Barb through her talking about our shared values and us to be empowered to earn good work in the Democratic Party and as a what we can do to solve our problems. wages, to be more present as parents, founder of the Illinois Women’s Insti- We all know people who choose to and to experience fewer economic and tute for Leadership. focus on stereotypes and all the things social challenges than we did. She died in 2016, leaving behind a that make us different from one other. legacy of leadership and public service. They’d rather do this than discuss *** We still miss her. actual solutions. In 1996 Barb ran on the Democrat- This is no way to create a better Now, sometimes we take for granted ic ticket to represent southern Illinois Illinois. that everyone understands the impor- in the state Senate. 2020 is a big year for our country, tance of showing up and being heard It was a tough contest. and for Illinois. Your participation is at the ballot box. The total amount of money spent essential. A few years ago in Springfield, a on the race—over 1 million dollars— There are two important things young, civic-minded woman—Ivy- set a record for the most expensive Il- you can do to help Southern Illinois League educated, mother of four— linois General Assembly race in history specifically. decided to run for a seat on the local at the time. First, it’s an election year, so get out school board. When the votes were counted, Barb and vote. She ran as a Democrat against an lost by just 127 votes out of 81,000 Second, and just as important, is established Republican candidate. ballots cast. that you need to fill out the Census It was a very competitive race. Later, in a 1997 newspaper article form when it arrives in your mailbox. When all was said and done, she lost. about breaking down political stereo- Southern Illinois has so much at BY ONE VOTE. types, Barb talked about charting new stake when it comes to getting an ac- Heart-breaking, right? There’s more. territory as a woman running for state curate population count this year. In the weeks after the election, a office in southern Illinois. An undercount means this region columnist for the local newspaper She talked about women having a could lose representation in Congress discovered some people didn’t turn out long history as the backbone of grass- and see a loss in federal dollars for to vote... roots organizing. things like roads, schools and rural ...including at least two Democratic “A lot of people who are successful health care. precinct committeemen… one of in politics were elected by grunt work,” I don’t want to see that happen. whom worked across the hall from the she said. The effects of an undercount are woman who lost. In other words—they’re elected stark for the entire state. I imagine there were some awkward because of passionate people—like so Consider this: Illinois stands to lose conversations after that. many of you in this room—who show $1,800 for every uncounted person The committeemen apologized. up, put in the work and vote. every year for a decade. They had reasons for not making it Put another way: If 1,000 people to the polls that day—one was helping *** go uncounted in Illinois, this state will a friend with a ride out of town, and lose $1.8 million dollars every year for the other was in the process of moving. When I talk about showing up, I’m not 10 years. You might think, “So what? It’s a just talking about going to the polling That is a total loss of $18 million school board race.” place on Election Day and filling in dollars in federal funding for Illinois. But the outcome of that election bubbles on a paper ballot. And that money will go to other ultimately had bearing on who became Showing up means you take the states instead of us. school board president, and thus affected time to learn about your commu- If you miss the opportunity to be important policy and budget decisions. nity, your government, and the world counted this year, it effectively means Never assume your vote won’t make around you. you don’t exist for 10 years in the eyes a difference. It means you act on facts, not fear. of those who carve up federal money. You defend your beliefs without resort- So if you are living and breathing *** ing to panic and emotion. in Southern Illinois, you need to be It means you are willing to learn counted—infants, retirees and every- I’m sure many of you remember or from others without shutting them one in between. personally knew Barb Brown. out or shouting them down simply Even if you’re not eligible to vote this She was one of SIU’s most widely because they don’t agree with your year, you can still show up for your com- respected political science professors point of view. munity by being counted and helping to and just a wonderful person in her We live in a diverse state. But we are spread the word about the importance own right. one state. We should spend more time of the Census for your community.

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*** beliefs with information and facts and And with that, I want to thank you evidence, you rock. all for showing up tonight. It was an As I wrap up, I just want to say this: And to those who are ready to jump honor to speak with you, I hope you To everyone who shows up every day in with us, welcome. It’s great to have have a wonderful night. with an open mind and defends their you on board. WINNER: CRISIS COMMUNICATION “Message About COVID-19”

By Renata Serafin for Dr. Ric Baser, Delivered at Northwest Vista College, President, Northwest Vista College San Antonio, Texas, March 18, 2020

ear Northwest Vista College Fac- ing. We need to be very accommodat- Please remember and exhibit the Dulty and Staff, ing to each other and to our students NVC touchstones each and every day Thank you for your ability to be ex- as we venture down this unexpected because NVC is about: tremely flexible and your can-do NVC path. As we make adjustments, we • Learning spirit. The NVC Administration and will continue to communicate them • Community the Alamo Colleges District Board and to you via email so please check your • Caring administration are responding to the email daily. • Synergy recommendations from the CDC and I thank you for your patience and • Diversity our City’s Mayor regarding COVID-19 for doing your best to stay informed, • Creativity to keep our students, faculty, staff and calm and safe. • Openness community members safe. The most important thing that • Integrity AND Moving to the remote teaching, NVC students, faculty and staff can do • Joy learning and working platform so rap- for each other is to be patient, kind and Thank you for being part of this idly is going to be bumpy and confus- forgiving. fantastic NVC family! WINNER: EMPLOYEE MEETING “I Work for You”

By Chris Moran for Scott Angle, Delivered virtually, September 3, 2020 Vice President, University of Florida

f there’s one thing you remember At the University of Maryland, I was 4-H camp in the nation. Ceremonial Ifrom what I’m about to tell you, it’s named an honorary Extension agent. stuff to be sure, but it’s meaningful this: I work for you. My philosophy is That’s very meaningful to me because I because of whom it comes from. one of servant leadership. I don’t do hold Extension in such high regard. I believe that 4-H is the single best research, I don’t teach, and I don’t What you do is at the heart of the thing that UF/IFAS does. extend knowledge to 22 million Florid- land-grant mission. Indeed, what you I’ve long been a financial sup- ians. You do. My job is to support you do sets us apart from non-land-grant porter of 4-H, and in my previous job so you can support your communities. universities. All universities teach. I served on the national board. I’ve You may have seen the CV and heard Many do research. But only land- already addressed 4-H University, and enough about my background when grants have people in every community I support Dean Place and Dr. Gutter’s I interviewed or when I was fortunate in their state, helping farmers, families, ambitions to get perhaps hundreds of enough to be selected to join your team children and others improve their lives. thousands more kids involved in 4-H almost eight weeks ago. But there are I’m also proud that Georgia 4-H programs statewide. a couple of things deep in the resume named me an honorary agent and an You are community leaders. You that I want to highlight, because they’re honorary counselor for Camp Rock develop and reinforce important meaningful to me, and, I hope, to you. Eagle, which I consider the premier local political relationships. I want

VSOTD.COM 63 you to think like leaders and to as- a community garden in Wildwood. That’s what Hillsborough County sume national leadership roles. Good Norma has advised a city parks and rec small farms agent Francisco Rivera did examples are Gene McAvoy, who is employee on how to tend the garden, for Wendy Altman. She had moved president of the National Association sometimes through virtual field visits, to an 11-acre farm in the Tampa area of County Agricultural Agents, Lara and the garden has produced vegeta- and found neglected pasture with Milligan, who is president of the Asso- bles for 25 families in need plus some weeds and evidence of overgrazing. ciation of Natural Resource Extension church groups who redistribute the Nothing she did seemed to work to Professionals, and Alicia Betancourt, food in their community. bring back healthy forage. She spent who is president-elect. Norma shoots on an iPhone. She thousands of dollars with little to show Leadership is about shaping the doesn’t know how to edit. But her for it. She went to the web to look for future, and that’s what you do in your 19-year-old daughter, home from col- help and found Rivera. communities. I work for you by support- lege because of COVID-19, says, “I’ve Rivera visited Altman’s farm. He ing you in the output of Extension— been doing this since third grade” and had the soil tested. He taught her that’s what I mean by servant leadership. helps. This wasn’t easy for Norma. But about best management practices Speaking of leadership, my thanks she knows we have to deliver informa- related to stocking rate, rotational graz- go to Dean Nick Place. I have long tion in new ways. ing, weed control, and summer/winter known Nick, so I knew even before I Another classic land-grant challenge forage planting. He told her how much got here that he’s one of the best in we face is how to serve all Floridians. and what kind of fertilizer she needed, the business. After just a few weeks That includes people of every race, which herbicide to use and the rate of absorbing his calm, steady coun- gender, nationality, sexual orientation, of application. He even tested several sel, observing his frequent statewide and ability status. types of winter forages on her ranch to communication and benefiting from Noelle Guay, a 4-H agent in Palm see what would grow best. the stakeholder relationships he has Beach County, noticed a few years Altman has called Rivera’s advice cultivated, I appreciate more than ever back that of the 350 children in the “priceless.” She said she doesn’t know what an outstanding leader he is. county’s clubs, only one had a disabil- what the going rate for his services is, Extension is hard, and even harder ity. At about the same time, a kid with but she would have gladly paid it. She’s in a state as diverse as ours. It calls for autism named Arne moved to the area. saving close to $10,000 a year by imple- a strong partnership between UF/IFAS Arne quickly joined a nature-themed menting Rivera’s recommendations. and FAMU. My thanks go to FAMU’s club, but Noelle could sense he needed We challenge people to improve not Vonda Richardson for the leadership a greater challenge. just themselves but their communities. she has shown, and I hope to support So Guay partnered with autism Natural resources agent Carrie Steven- a dialogue on how this partnership can experts and started a robotics club led son assigns a capstone project in every be strengthened so we can meet more by three university students on the au- Master Naturalist class she teaches in of Floridians’ needs. tism spectrum. Arne, who previously Escambia County. The question we face is not whether had been withdrawn at club meetings, Stevenson and her co-instructors we will change, but how? We answer started leading activities, like food Chris Verlinde and Rick O’Connor of that question with vision. That is, de- tasting and physical fitness games. Sea Grant give their students soil sci- ciding what we want to be and focusing He became a counselor at a 4-H day ence, plant and wildlife identification, our efforts accordingly. camp. And he was appointed a teen and even the history of the Blackwater First, there is no single model for ambassador for a national 4-H health River as a former lumber route. delivering information. I’ll encourage initiative. In February he represented Armed with their expanded risk taking. I think of risk this way—if Florida at a national conference in knowledge of the natural history you’re not failing occasionally, then D.C., where he presented his work and prompted by the Stevenson’s you’re not taking enough risk. to students from across the country, project assignment, three master The COVID-19 crisis inspired Sum- and he was likely the only autistic naturalists active in an archaeology ter County urban horticulture agent kid at the gathering. Noelle is a great club launched kayak tours that were Norma Samuel to try another way of example of meeting our customers quickly fully subscribed. Leading delivering information. She started a where they are and making a big dif- tours of shipwrecks, water and wildlife YouTube channel and began taping a ference in a kid’s life. produced an impact that neither show, “Let’s Talk Gardening.” Extension’s longest tradition is in ru- teacher nor students alone could have She had a couple of misfires and ral areas, but we live in a mostly urban achieved. Tourists developed a deeper had to record her first episode three state now. There are many multigen- understanding of their river and the times. But she kept at it, and she’s been erational family farms, but we can also Pensacola Bay. able to not only deliver great infor- keep Florida farming by helping new The tours also signaled something mation but bring her audience into farmers get their start. larger to the community: that the riv-

CICERO 2021 64 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS er, long dormant as a route for float- leagues write more stories like the ones I will do everything I can to provide ing timber, could once again spring to we celebrate here today. what you need before you tackle that economic life as a site of ecotourism. And to regional specialized agent hill in your own community. More and more, communities will Liz Felter, I even work for you! Oh, I re- Part of how I’ll do this is by visiting depend on agents like Carrie leading member the question you asked during every Florida county. Invite me or I just with a vision of sustainability that not my interview. It was the only one that may show up uninvited! Ask Lauren only preserves natural resources but knocked me off balance for a moment. Butler, whom I dropped in on at her helps the local economy. It was this: “Why should UF not Okeechobee County office in late July. Sea Grant agent Savanna Barry of hire you?” Or Jim Davis, whom I visited in Sum- the Nature Coast Biological Station has My first reaction was to say I’m ter County. Or Alicia Lamborn, whom taken the Florida Friendly concept to not going to answer that, that no one’s I visited in Baker County yesterday. In the water. perfect. Then I thought about what I fact, right now I’m delivering this mes- According to the Florida Fish and consider a strength and turned it on its sage from the Extension office in Duval Wildlife Conservation Commission, head. I’ve been accused of listening too County! Thank you to CED Stephanie fishing charter guide licenses in Flori- much and acting slowly. But that’s based Toelle for connecting me to you via da have increased nearly 30 percent in in my servant leadership style. I work for Zoom. She’s treating me like she works the past decade. That probably means you, so I want to hear from you before I for me, when in fact I work for her. a lot of young and inexperienced cap- make decisions that affect you. So four down, 63 to go! tains. But there was no professional And it led me to the larger point of My vision is to raise your profile and development for such guides—until what kind of leader I strive to be. I am hold you out as heroes. Of our three now. Savanna was the lead on devel- not the general who leads the charge core missions, research receives the oping the Florida Friendly Fishing up the hill. I’m the guy who makes sure greatest amount of media attention. Guide program, a course to certify that those hard chargers have all the But without rigorous extension of the charter professionals in science-based provisions they need to have a chance results of research, it has limited value. practices for proper fish handling and of making it to the summit. I would like to encourage and release, food safety, sustainable boat- It’s not flashy, but it’s essential, and it incentivize Extension agents to engage ing and other practices. will help you make history. Think of it in more applied and adaptive research. Does it make an impact? Ask the this way: We won World War II not just Extension isn’t just an add-on to major captains. Charlie Filpes says he’s going because of the valor of individual he- research projects. It needs to be at the to require new hires to get the certi- roes but because of those who support- table for the planning of projects to fication as a condition for hire. Jacob ed them. In short, we won World War ensure their relevancy and to harness Hardy says he’s become an advocate II on logistics. We outproduced and the strength of community partner- for sustainability and makes a point of outdelivered our opponents, replacing ships to achieve real-world impact by educating his clients about best prac- planes as they were shot out of the sky, doing experiments under real-world tices to protect Florida’s ecosystems as replacing tanks as they were destroyed. conditions beyond the lab. part of his tour. And Barry’s team is in I don’t want to see any of you shot I support all areas of Extension contact with Sea Grant colleagues in out of the sky, of course, but I see our programming, from Family, Youth and Texas and Georgia about customizing organization as a movement, not a mo- Consumer Sciences to Café Latino to the program for their states. ment. We make progress incrementally, water to natural resources to commu- Norma, Noelle, Francisco, Carrie, step by step, with consistent, resolute nity development. Let me know what I and Savanna, I work for you. I want service. It can be a slow grind. But as can do to help you do your jobs better. to help you and your hundreds of col- a servant leader, I work for you, and After all, I work for you…..

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WINNER: EULOGY/TRIBUTE SPEECH “Black Heritage Series: Gwen Ifill First-Day-of-Issue Commemorative Stamp Dedication”

By John Purdy for Ronald Stroman, Delivered at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, Deputy Postmaster General, U.S. Postal Service Washington D.C., January 30, 2020

ood morning, everyone, and these women, like those of many Ameri- shoulders of a previous generation of Gthank you, Michele, for that kind can women of African descent, have African American women journalists, introduction. been firmly anchored in the church, like Ethel Payne, Washington Bureau On behalf of the more than and they were drawn to journalism by a Chief of the Chicago Defender, who 600,000 women and men of U.S. sense of religious mission.” in July 1954, infuriated President Postal Service, it’s my privilege to This statement might also apply to Eisenhower by publicly asking him dedicate the 43rd stamp in the Black Gwen Ifill. “when he planned to ban segrega- Heritage series—honoring Gwen Ifill, She was an active member of this tion in interstate travel”—one of the one of America’s most respected and congregation. Today there’s a spe- fundamental civil rights challenges of celebrated journalists. cial pew here, named after Gwen, in that era. Gwen will now join an illustrious recognition of her faith and service to Building on that legacy, Gwen Ifill list of black women on stamps that others. Generations from now, Metro- was a remarkable trailblazer who broke includes: Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, politan congregants will take special through gender and racial barriers. She Maya Angelou, Dorothy Height, comfort in receiving the word in the covered the White House and Con- Marian Anderson, Shirley Chisholm, Gwen Ifill pew. gress and reported on seven national Barbara Jordan, Ella Baker, Patricia This is the second time I’ve been campaigns for major media outlets, like Roberts Harris, Fannie Lou Hamer, here. I participated in a Richard Allen The Washington Post, The New York Sarah Vaughan and Zora Neale Hur- stamp ceremony 4 (four) years ago, Times, NBC News and, most promi- ston, among others. and Gwen was in the audience that nently, television’s Public Broadcasting We’re fortunate to have the Ifill day in February. Service—PBS. family here… and so many of Gwen’s I didn’t know Gwen personally, but In 2004, she became the first African friends and colleagues. Thank you for she had the ability to make you feel American female journalist to moderate being a part of this special event. (Nod like you did know her. It’s one of the a vice-presidential debate—and she did to Ifill family members in audience, reasons millions of Americans relied the honors again four years later. Michele Norris, Judy Woodruff, et. al. on Gwen to help them make sense of In 1999, Gwen became managing While we considered many venues the world. editor and moderator of Washington for this event, it’s fitting that we’re President Barack Obama described Week on PBS—the first African Ameri- gathered here, for Gwen was a daugh- Gwen as “an extraordinary journalist can, and the first woman, to host a ter of the AME Church. Her father, who always kept faith with the funda- prominent national political talk show. Oliver, and brother, Earle, were both mental responsibilities of her profes- She was doing double duty at this ministers in the church. sion, asking tough questions, holding time as senior political correspondent Gwen’s faith grounded her, it gave people in power accountable, and for The PBS NewsHour, where she her strength and informed the values defending a strong and free press that went on to become managing editor that guided her life, and in the words makes our democracy work.” and co-host in 2013, with Judy Wood- of her fellow journalist, Charlayne Indeed, Gwen was famous for ask- ruff, to form the first all-female anchor Hunter-Gault, it equipped her with ing very tough questions, including to team on an evening news show. a “moral armor.” That armor would President Obama. You may remember She also wrote the New York Times prove essential in transcending the rac- her pressing him to clarify his stance best-seller, “The Breakthrough: Politics ism and sexism she would encounter on Syria after it had used chemical and Race in the Age of Obama,” pub- during her career. weapons, or when she asked if he had lished in 2009. In his book, “Raising Her Voice: underestimated the effects of the Arab The book wasn’t just about Barack African-American Women Journalists Spring. Those were quintessential Obama. It was about a new generation Who Changed History,” Rodger Streit- Gwen Ifill moments, reflecting both her of African American leaders, who had matter notes: “For most of the journal- fierce independence and dogged com- benefitted from the difficult struggles ists in this book, to be consistent with mitment to get to the truth. of an older generation, but were impa- who they are has meant expressing a In asking these tough questions of tiently pushing for leadership in their strong spirituality. The lives of many of the President, she was standing on the own right.

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She used the term “sandpaper poli- University, Arizona State University, The 43rd stamp in the Black Heri- tics” to describe, QUOTE: “friction and Harvard University. tage series was designed by Art Direc- that forces self-examination, conflict, If that weren’t impressive enough, tor Derry Noyes (“Noise”). It features a and finally actual change.” her alma mater, Simmons College in photo of Gwen Ifill taken by photogra- As she wrote, QUOTE: “Before my Boston, opened the Gwen Ifill Col- pher Robert Severi (“se-VEEER-ee”). eyes, I was able to witness the romance lege of Media, Arts and Humanities I think you’ll agree they captured and achievement of 1960s civil rights in 2018. the warmth of her personality and marches bearing fruit, as the lions of The Committee to Protect Journal- that amazing smile, which could the movement mingled with the up- ists renamed its Press Freedom Award light up the room. Can you imagine and-comers.” in her honor. And the Washington Gwen’s smile on millions of letters [PAUSE] Press Club Foundation and PBS New- and packages? Now, that is something The integrity and thoughtful sHour created a journalism fellowship to celebrate. analysis that Gwen brought to every in her honor. Because the stamp is a Forever story was appreciated by loyal view- Gwen Ifill’s desire to understand stamp, it will always be equal in value ers and recognized by her peers in the world and her willingness to bring to the current First-Class Mail one- journalism. us along on that journey… is what ounce price. And, I think it’s fair to say, Her many awards included: a Pea- made her a journalist’s journalist. Gwen Ifill will be in our hearts forever. body Award and various honors from Gwen was one of the greats, a na- Now, I would like to ask our guests the National Press Club, the National tional treasure, and so richly deserving to join me in dedicating the Postal Association of Black Journalists, the of today’s honor. Service’s 2020 Black Heritage Series Women’s Media Center, Columbia [PAUSE] stamp honoring Gwen Ifill. WINNER: TECHNOLOGY, AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH “How to Thrive in the Data Age”

By Kari Matalone for Doug Merritt, Delivered in San Jose, California, CEO, Splunk October 20, 2020

ello and welcome to .conf20. As to leap forward, surrounded by love 70% increase in internet use. Hard to Hyou can imagine, this .conf is go- and abundance. picture, so for context, there’s 140,000 ing to be a little bit different than those There are already so many stories, miles of railroad track laid across the in the past. That doesn’t mean that and the year isn’t over, but I believe that United States. That’s the equivalent of we’re going to miss a beat on the usual one of the greatest, most important adding an additional 98,000 miles of excitement, inspiration and fun that and still untold stories of 2020 is that track in a matter of weeks. comes with .conf. I actually think that this year would not have been possible There was a 76% increase in e- our incredible team may have found a without you. An enormous debt of commerce. As a result, we saw Amazon way to raise the bar and make this vir- gratitude needs to be laid at the feet scale its workforce to over one million; tual .conf the best ever, and they baked of the world’s IT Operations teams, and Walmart, in less than one year, in a few surprises along the way that I infrastructure and data center manage- hired more than 400,000 associates. personally cannot wait to experience. ment teams, help desk teams, cyber 42% of the US labor force is now As we start to reflect back on year command center teams, threat hunting working from home, up from 5% last 2020, it will be remembered for so teams, applications management teams, year. And there was five times increase many things: moments of sadness and DevOps and SRE teams, programmers, in buyer activity for web and video heartache, of shock and surprise, of support staff. So many millions of you conferencing technology, five times. For heroism and possibility, things slowing have worked tirelessly and selflessly to example, we’ve seen Zoom usage grow and stopping, things beginning and ensure there are critical online infra- from 10 million meeting participants dramatically accelerating. One of the structure, not only scaled and per- each day to over 300 million. truly beautiful elements of life is that formed, but scarcely missed a beat. It is a miracle the internet didn’t we get to choose how we see, experi- For context, let’s look at this year. In go down. It’s a miracle that the cloud ence, feel and interpret the events 2020, we all saw an explosion in the use didn’t vaporize under this pressure. around us. We can choose to live in a of our critical technical infrastructure How is it possible that at a time of the world framed by scarcity and fear, or in every corner of the globe. We saw a greatest change in modern history, our

VSOTD.COM 67 technology scaled like never before? skills, and your ability to produce systems and realized that we needed to How is it possible that in the face of massive data outcomes at a time when take a different approach to the high unprecedented cybersecurity threats, our country and the world needed compute workloads that you need to our major institutions and small you the most. You are the data heroes execute and deliver. businesses alike have been able to do who have kept our systems running Let me just give you a few examples business digitally? How is it possible and scaling, while driving the biggest of our innovations. We’ve separated that entire industries have been able to change in the way we work and live in storage and compute, and delivered an create new ways of doing business and history. And Splunk is right there with awesome capability that we call Smart completely reimagined their supply you, every step of the way. Store. We’ve moved our indexers to chains, almost overnight? In this Data Age, our mission is to be stateless, delivering high volume One word... Data. Data is the make sure that you not only survive, ingests in the cloud with the ability to foundational capability that allowed but that you thrive. We want to help auto scale to variable workloads. We all of you to pull off the impossible. you drive better outcomes faster, and delivered SPL2, which is a complete Data provides the insights, the nuances, live healthier and more prosperous and rebuild of our query language to allow the truths that are necessary for you, productive lives by removing the bar- organizations to cooperate with other our heroes, to perform your magic. riers between data and action. To us popular languages, increase perfor- As the world vaults forward because it’s clear, the people and organizations mance, and make it simpler and easier of technology, it’s irrefutable that the who can act decisively on their data are to learn and use. We’ve built a highly Data Age has arrived. And you are the going to succeed, and those who don’t elastic stream engine to separate data data heroes, on the front lines of the will quickly fade. ingest from data search and analytical greatest challenge ever faced by any In order to achieve this mission, we workloads. And to give you even more industry, heroes like Eric Yuan, CEO have completely re-imagined every- choice, we’ve also expanded our stra- of Zoom. When the pandemic turned thing about our organization and our tegic partnerships with cloud providers life upside down, the world turned to technology to better serve you and like AWS and Google Cloud. Zoom to stay connected. I sat down your evolving needs. As CEO, I have We are clearly here for the dura- with Eric to talk about Zoom’s mete- dedicated all of my energy and time to tion as your partner in the critically oric rise, his perspective on thriving in ensure that there is nothing too sacred important arena of turning data into the Data Age and how they’re teaming to be reinvented and no change to bold doing. Let me give you some context up with Splunk to turn data into ac- that it can’t be considered. If there’s on how strong we are in this landscape. tion, to deliver connectivity and happi- one thing you take away from today is If we use the preferred metric for cloud ness securely. Check out the discussion that we are not the Splunk of 10, five, software, annual recurring revenue or a little bit later today. or even two years ago. ARR, Splunk is growing faster, much Heroes like Lanita Colette, deputy Our relentless focus on your faster, than the household name cloud CIO and CISO at the University of success has resulted in three essential software players when they were at our Arizona. Lanita and team helped transformations. Number one, be- stage. At the end of Q2, for example, students thrive in a fully remote coming a world-class cloud provider; with our ARR just short of 2 billion, environment. And now, they’re bring- number two, delivering the world’s Splunk grew at 50% year-over-year. ing students back to campus with an first Data-to-Everything Platform; That was our seventh quarter of at innovative and data-driven approach to and three, re-imagining our business least 50% growth. What does that keeping U of A’s 45,000 students safe fundamentals. mean? That means that Splunk is and healthy while back on campus. Let’s start with becoming a world- growing faster than Service Now at $2 And heroes like Charlie Crocker class cloud provider. Moving to the billion, faster than Salesforce at $2 bil- and Jeff Saunders of Zonehaven. Splunk cloud gives you a ton of lion, faster than Workday at $2 billion. Last year, they received funding from impact, faster time to value, greater Why is this important? Because we Splunk Ventures $50 million Social business continuity, accelerated rate of know that when you make a commit- Impact Fund. And this year, their fire- innovation through faster releases, and ment to a vendor that is helping you tracking capabilities have been helping tailored machine learning insights that extract value from one of your most residents around Northern Califor- are gathered from you, our customer precious and important assets, your nia get the latest details in the state’s base. Ultimately, our cloud delivers a data, you want to be sure that we will wildfires, providing real-time data better experience with less complexity. be there as your strategic partner for on fast-moving flames and available So, how do we get here? For many the long term. When it comes to data, evacuation routes. years now, we have been re-archi- we would all prefer to make a safe, From the bottom of my heart, I tecting our entire portfolio to deliver smart, and long lasting investment. want to thank you. Thank you for a cloud-native experience. And we And how is our cloud performing? your courage, your commitment, your learned from legacy SaaS multi-tenant First of all, we crossed a big milestone

CICERO 2021 68 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS in Q2. This was the first quarter where It is awesome to have such a power- infrastructure monitoring, application cloud delivered more than 50% of our ful platform, but we know what you performance monitoring, and incident total bookings. And our cloud growth really want are specific solutions to response, as well as adding in some that quarter came in at 89% year-over- problems. The massive expansion of things you haven’t heard about from us year, which was an acceleration from our Data-to-Everything Platform and yet: digital experience monitoring and an already set of incredibly impressive the advances to the capabilities in our purpose-built log investigation into a quarters of growth. platform are ultimately there to power tightly integrated suite of products. What is Splunk cloud growth versus our world-class solutions, as well as One of my favorite parts about this comparable cloud companies? We look allow you to create your own solutions. portfolio is that it delivers a single, at the top 10 public cloud companies This is the tooling that you need to consistent user experience powered by with under $1 billion in ARR. Their turn data into action. our sleek and modern UI that so many average growth that same quarter was The three solution areas that we of you have come to love. By combin- 48% versus our 89%. And for one focus on here at Splunk are security, ing our products under a common more fun fact, that 89% growth was IT, and observability. Our solutions user experience, we’re able to give you the highest growth number of any of accelerate time to value and enable a simple and seamless workflow across the top 10. We’ve all seen so many vertical specific capabilities. And monitoring, troubleshooting, and in- technology companies get disrupted they’re built for the enterprise-grade vestigation, making it easy to go from by a new cloud entrant. At Splunk, we customer with a feature set required to problem detection to resolution in decided that our cloud disruptor would address the complex requirements of minutes, no matter how complex the be Splunk. And this growth would not modern enterprises. problem is. The portfolio also lever- have been possible without you. So let’s start with our newest area ages our industry leading no sample Beyond cloud, we heard you when of focus and investment, observability. streaming, full fidelity ingestion, and you asked for new solutions to solve Our world is evolving at a rapid pace, sophisticated ML capabilities to collect the challenges that come with the huge especially with the massive acceleration and correlate across all of your metric increases in the volume and velocity in e-commerce, internet usage, and trace and logged data, all in real- of data, which drove us to our second remote work. Delivering high quality time and at any scale. I know that’s a transformation: delivering the world’s and reliable digital experiences matters mouthful, but it is worth repeating: No first and only Data-to-Everything more now than ever before. You told us sample streaming, full fidelity inges- Platform. Our highly scalable index is that the way your teams are building, tion, and completely differentiated incredibly powerful for many types of deploying, managing, and optimizing ML. As you’d expect, we use all this data challenges, but we needed to push applications and environments has capability to automatically surface beyond it. We needed to bring our ca- changed. You are now faced with the actionable insights. So you can avoid pabilities to where your data lives and challenge of monitoring and managing the manual data stitching and finally give you full control and visibility over systems across complex hybrid cloud see everything in one place. your entire data landscape to help you and multicloud environments. You’re Swivel chair operations are a thing solve all of your problems. modernizing applications by convert- of the past. We’re also embracing open So we dove into building our Data- ing monoliths into distributed architec- standards and standardizing data col- to-Everything Platform to meet your tures. You’re also building new appli- lection on OpenTelemetry. For those expansive and heterogeneous data needs cations using containers, Kubernetes, of you that don’t know, OpenTelem- by bringing together our scalable index microservices, and server-less functions etry is the most active CNCF project with a set of the most powerful capabili- to rapidly scale and accelerate time to behind Kubernetes. It has support ties in the market. Stream processing production. And since these technolo- from other industry leaders like Google brings Splunk to all your machine gen- gies spin up and spin down in seconds, and Microsoft, and is absolutely criti- erated data and in real-time. Machine and many are no longer under your cal to all of you to allow you to avoid learning makes the platform easier to direct control, you are challenged with vendor lock-in. You need openness deploy and operate, delivers powerful monitoring performance, managing and democratization of your data. As out-of-the-box analytics and extends usage and controlling costs. You said co-founders of OpenTelemetry, we analytics to solve your most complex use you needed a new approach. And as are 100% committed to it and have cases. Federated search and analytics ou’ll hear from Tim and Sendur later been the most active contributor to the runs deep search and delivers insightful today, that is why we’ve made ymassive project over the past year. All of these analysis against all of your data, what- investments to expand our portfolio to products and capabilities are designed ever its stage, state, or location. And include observability. to help you maintain the highest level collaboration and orchestration turns If you couldn’t tell, I am really excit- of business performance, minimize insights into doing to create a hugely ef- ed about this new portfolio. It brings to- your downtime, and deliver a world ficient and effective team of data heroes. gether our best in class solutions, cloud class digital experience.

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And the best part is that they’re all security incident response, and unified of moving to the cloud and need to be available to you from one place. I told security operations. Now, these are monitored end- to-end as they make this you, this is not the Splunk of yester- all critical functional capabilities, but journey. Finally, you have to do more year, and the market is taking notice. In when it comes to contextualizing your with less. With the increased scrutiny our very first year in the DevOps and threats in security, there is absolutely around spend and ROI, that is a chal- observability space, Gartner rated us no substitute for scale. To stay ahead lenge. It means even greater need to as a visionary in their magic quadrant of adversaries, it is beyond imperative make sure that you tie IT performance for application performance monitor- that you have a solution that is able to to tangible, business outcomes. ing. That is an incredible showing in handle the high data volume and con- Splunk gives you the agility, the such a short period of time. And it’s a tinuous interrogation analysis that your speed, the visibility to protect your testament to the team that was brought cyber teams need. This is one more business critical services, no mat- together to deliver the only offering in area where our unmatched scale in the ter how complex or convoluted your this space that is capable of scaling up cloud and the breadth of our ecosys- environment. We bring cloud and on- to meet the needs of large enterprises. tem will help you stay nimble against premise environments together, adding You’ll hear Tim dive deeper into our your operating realities. AI and ML to your decision-making industry leading capabilities and Sen- And for the seventh year in a row, and actions to give you the technical dur talk about our new observability Gartner has named Splunk, a leader in detail for this service and business KPIs products. So stay tuned for all of our the SIEM magic quadrant. And once that your users hold you accountable keynotes. Also, be sure to check out again, according to Gartner, Splunk was for. Our solutions have been ahead of our observability Super Session and the number one in SIEM Market Share. the curve with our analytics driven ap- DevOps breakout sessions. Taken together, the two leadership proach, allowing you to automate tasks, Observability is mission criti- rankings are powerful validation of our increase visibility and prevent perfor- cal to help your applications teams team’s work. And to top it off this week, mance degradations. As validation, deliver the velocity and quality that’s thousands of you have participated in IDC recently ranked us as number one needed to digitally transform your Boss of the SOC. I love that event, the in IT Operations Management and business. However, we all know that enthusiasm in the community is truly Gartner recently ranked us number performance is not enough. So many infectious. So, tune into Sendur’s key- one in the ITOM Performance Analy- of you out there have the incredibly note, as well as her security Super Ses- sis Market, which includes AIOps, IT challenging job of keeping our criti- sion for more details and the advances infrastructure monitoring, and IT Op- cal systems secure. As hard as this task we’re making across our entire security erations management. Our best in class has been over the years, doing this as portfolio. Our teams are obsessed with IT portfolios made us the clear choice your companies accelerate the digital helping you successfully and securely for so many NOCs and IT teams the transformation and deal with a chaotic get to the cloud and unify your security globe, and we are continuing to push landscape of intermixing public clouds operations, while you deliver increased the boundaries of what’s possible. To and private data centers only makes it productivity and efficiency back to your learn more, please join Sendur’s key- harder. The bar has never been higher organizations. Alongside the emergence note. It’s a popular one, as well as our for everyone as security teams contend of observability and the increasing IT Super Session. with the complexities and vulnerabili- pressures in the security landscape, the Okay. Two massive technology ties of this landscape. Splunk has been move to cloud is forcing IT to support transformations. That might seem like an unwavering partner to the world more high visibility services and manage more than enough for anyone to take of security teams, working with you increasingly complex heterogeneous on. But, we knew there was still more constantly to push the boundaries on environments. And the landscape that we could do and actually that we capability and scale. brought on by this pandemic has only needed to do. A transformation in the Our industry leading security added to the complexity. First, you now cloud demands much more of a com- portfolio was built to meet your highly have been asked to support a remote pany than a technological shift and re- demanding needs. And it’s there for workforce. That means you’re delivering imagining of the product roadmap and you as you take on the difficult tasks and supporting services in a different portfolio. It also demands a complete of modernizing your security opera- way to ensure workforce productiv- overhaul of the business fundamentals tions, strengthening cyber defenses ity. You need the right data to support to ensure we’re innovating to deliver and reducing your exposure to risk. It your employees and collaborate across superior customer experience and truly is the most comprehensive and your teams. Second, critical systems are alignment. So, with superior customer performant security portfolio in the under tremendous stress. That means experience at the tip of the spear, our industry, covering investigation and even core services powered by ERP sys- most urgent and important change was forensics, SIEM and security analyt- tems have had to meet new demanding to augment our pricing model. One ics, automation and orchestration, requirements. Many are in the middle constant that I’ve heard from you, day

CICERO 2021 70 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS in and day out, is that data ingestion nerships and a community with over shopping and supply chains for every based pricing is a barrier. You’ve told 200,000 members, all actively sharing single product in the world? me that you love our technology and ideas and solutions. We’ve welcomed 2020 has been a year of unexpected the almost serendipitous insights and new partnerships like Google Cloud. changes and challenges. My hope, my aha moments that come with playing We’ve launched new solutions, includ- expectation, is that we will choose to with data and experimenting with data, ing Splunk Service Intelligence for SAP face this time with a growth mind- and putting a meter on data slows the solutions. And we’ve expanded our set and reinvent and reimagine our momentum and the value that comes relationships with partners who can companies and our own lives, for the from Splunk. Which is why we have help turn data into action faster than better. If you look back historically, the shifted our preferred approach to ever. Our Splunk partner ecosystem is vast majority of impactful innovations workload pricing. 2,000 partners strong. And many of have come during the greatest times of This change is designed to help you, our valued customers, work closely adversity. The future will tell us if we you pay for the value you get out of with partners who provide you Splunk rose to this challenge or not. However, your data, not the volume you put in. services, hosting, and solutions to solve what we do know is that in 2020, data We’ve also created and invested in a your most pressing data challenges. became an essential service and IT world class customer success team, In fact, almost a quarter of our .conf professionals became data heroes. In who among other things is dedicated to attendees are partners. Hopefully it’s 2020, our industry was called, and helping you tap the collective knowl- come through that Splunk is obsessed together we are answering that call like edge of our ecosystem through tools, with customer success and to serve you no other industry at any time in the best practices, and soon, in-product better, we relentlessly innovating. past.Together, the women and men in guidance. We have dubbed this new As a company, we focus on solving the IT world, right now, are driving capability, Splunk Lantern. Lantern the challenges of today, while building the biggest change in the way human will give you real-time, in-product, the tools and technology that we all beings work and live in history. At mas- proactive help. And recommendations, need for tomorrow. We are deliver- sive scale, in the face of unrelenting so you can more quickly and more ing the world’s best security, IT and security and availability risk, our indus- effectively achieve your outcomes. Our observability portfolios while investing try is rising up to meet and surpass the customer success team is taking a holis- in our Data-to-Everything Platform, demands of this incredibly tumultuous tic approach, working to stitch together so we can power data solutions for time. Our industry is tackling things a seamless experience from pre-sales, a future where every single part of that people did not think were possible, to implementation, to support, to your your business can act on their data in transforming them into doable and outcomes, to help you get the best of real-time. This is an ambitious charter, solidifying them as dependable. There Splunk and deliver on your needed but one that follows in the footsteps has never been a more seminole time. ROI faster. So, don’t miss our customer of other visionary companies. Who We will remember these days for the success keynote, where you hear more would have believed that you could rest of our days. about the innovations this team is driv- start by building one of the world’s best In conclusion, I want to thank you ing to connect your buying experience performing cars with the ultimate goal once again from the bottom of my to your end-to-end journey. of re-imagining global transportation heart. Thank you for including Splunk. We’ve also built a rich ecosystem to and battery production? Or begin by Thank you for partnering with us. And support you on your journey, including building the world’s largest bookstore most importantly, thank you for being experts here at Splunk, incredible part- while on the path through re-imagining data heroes.

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WINNER: STATE-OF-THE-INSTITUTION SPEECH “Selling Illinois”

By Jayette Bolinski for Susana A. Mendoza, Delivered virtually to the Illinois Realtors Illinois State Comptroller Public Policy Forum, September 16, 2020

ood afternoon! tion network, and our health care and People stayed home, businesses shut- G It’s wonderful to be here today human service providers. tered, job sites went idle, unemploy- with all of you for the Illinois Realtors Governor Rauner really caused rep- ment skyrocketed, and our economy Public Policy Forum. utational crisis for this state. His two- took a major hit. Thank you for inviting me to tell year budget standoff with lawmakers Most important of all to remember you a little about my job and what I was expensive and unnecessary—and it is that more than 8,000 Illinoisans have view as the “state of the state.” made Illinois a national spectacle. died because of COVID-19. I want to start by posing a question Because of all that, some businesses Thankfully, Illinois is faring better to each of you. If Illinois was a piece opted not to move their operations than a lot of other states in terms of of property and it was your job to sell here, families decided to send their bending the curve of infections and it, what would you say about it? college students out of state for an hospitalizations. I ask because I was struck recently education, and we lost doctors and This is due in large part to the lead- thinking about the similarities between medical specialists who no longer ership of our current governor and his what realtors do and what I do as a wanted to deal with the financial administration. statewide elected official in Illinois. uncertainty. And I’m so proud of the communities We look for the positives. Now…the Rauner years may seem and citizens who are taking COVID-19 Realtors identify the appealing like ancient history. But, actually, he left seriously and doing whatever they can to aspects of a property and play them behind some very real challenges that help stop the spread of the virus. up—the open floor plans, the finished will take us years to overcome. But when you look at the economic basements, the big back yards. And, of I believe it’s part of my job as the consequences of this pandemic, you’ll course, the location. People want good state comptroller to, yes, be realistic find there isn’t much difference -be schools and easy access to jobs and and transparent about Illinois’ prob- tween what Illinois is facing and what entertainment. lems—but also to highlight what a other states are facing. It can be a little tougher to sell an tremendous amount Illinois has to offer Every state lost revenue, and every older home that’s been well-loved but citizens and employers. state is now bracing for budget short- well-worn through the years—a home falls. that now needs some elbow grease /// Why is that? Well, remember, a and TLC. large portion of the country’s economy Illinois is kind of like that older So let’s start with realistic and trans- shut down for two months during the home. It’s been here a long time, it has parent. stay-at-home orders in April and May. some problems, and it needs updates. Earlier this year, things were looking • Non-essential businesses and retail- But its bones are sturdy, it’s in a fantas- up for Illinois. By “looking up,” I mean ers closed. tic location, and it has charm and a lot we could finally see some light between • Restaurants, bars, theaters, and of potential. the trees. tourist sites closed. Speaking of positive attributes, here’s We were making headway in paying • Convention business dried up, and an interesting fact for you: Did you down the state’s backlog of unpaid hotels and casinos closed. know that if Illinois was its own country, bills. We were investing in schools and • Most people stopped going it would be the 22nd largest economy in higher education again. anywhere except to the grocery store, the world? We have a huge economy— We were looking forward to Rebuild which means they weren’t filling up larger than Saudi Arabia, Turkey, or Illinois—the new statewide construction their gas tanks or booking flights. Poland. It’s pretty cool. program that would pump money into All of these things generate revenue You know, our last governor was not the economy and put people to work. for the state and municipalities, allow- much of a salesman for Illinois. And Governor Pritzker enacted a ing them to offer services to citizens. For one thing, he stopped investing consolidation of state pension funds. That revenue comes in the form of in many of the things that make Illinois But then, wham, a deadly global taxes on things like gasoline, goods attractive: our colleges and universities, pandemic came out of nowhere in mid- and services, amusement, lodging, our rural communities, our transporta- March and knocked us on our heels. dining, and alcohol.

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On top of this, unemployment /// So let’s talk about what Illinois is shot up, which meant people had less doing right—our positives. money to spend. So what is my office doing right now to We have a governor who cares And Illinois delayed the deadline help us get through this? about this state and is doing an excep- for state income tax filings until July, Well, until we know how bad things tional job of leading during a pandem- meaning the revenue we typically actually are, we’re managing. ic and potentially the worst economic would see in the spring came to us in For now, the comptroller’s office is crisis since the Depression. the summer. still paying the state’s bills. We’re man- We’ve got major construction proj- It’s hard to be prepared for some- aging the state’s cash flow every day ects underway now, thanks to Rebuild thing like that, no matter what state and making payments that have the Illinois. you are. highest priority first. I always prioritize At the moment, this includes Now…a large part of the economy debt service, health care, education, things like a sewer line replacement in has reopened, but things are not back human services and required pension Beardstown along the Illinois River, to normal yet. payments. wastewater system improvements for Unemployment is still a problem, We’re also managing the state’s debt. Harvard in McHenry County, play- and we don’t know how long it’s going Because we lost revenue during the ground improvements throughout to linger. pandemic, the state utilized a federal the Chicago Park District, and road People are still cautious with their tool known as the Municipal Liquidity resurfacing projects in Decatur, Peoria, spending. Facility. and Champaign. And for many of us with school-age This gave us access to below-market, You might not know this, but con- children, we’re now juggling remote low-interest funds that enabled my struction jobs were labeled essential work with remote learning. It’s a stress- office to turn around more bills more so that, when safe to do so, projects ful and exhausting time for everyone. quickly. It also saves taxpayers money like these could continue in the sum- Clearly, state and local govern- by cutting the amount of late payment mer. That kept thousands of workers ments have reason to be concerned. interest penalties the state has to pay employed in the worst of times. So, yes, COVID-19 disrupted our lives and the on old bills. things could be a lot worse. economy in ways we’ve never seen. Remember how I fought to refi- We’re investing in higher educa- When lawmakers passed the 43-bil- nance some of our state’s costliest tion again, and fall enrollment is up lion-dollar state budget in May, it was debt? Governor Rauner had run the at several of our public universities. well known it included a five-to-six- state’s backlog of unpaid bills up to Larger enrollment means more tuition billion-dollar shortfall. That’s because almost 17 billion dollars, and state and fees, which should help universities Illinois cannot simply cut its way out of taxpayers were paying as much as 12% better position themselves to weather this extraordinary problem. interest a year on that. the economic effects of COVID-19. Slashing services during a pandemic I traveled the state making the argu- Speaking of universities, when you would be immoral and would cost us ment that if you could refinance your have time, check out what the Univer- more in the long run. mortgage down from 12% to 3.5%, sity of Illinois and Southern Illinois We have thousands of people sud- you’d be a fool not to take that deal. University have been doing to help denly needing state assistance for food, So we brought our backlog down to eradicate COVID-19. They are truly housing, employment, utilities, and about $8 billion. This saved taxpayers on the frontlines of understanding and other basic needs. Cutting programs 4 to 6 billion dollars in what would’ve controlling the virus. and services would lead to more fami- been guaranteed late payment interest Researchers at the U of I developed lies, children, and seniors in crisis. penalties over the life of the bond issue. a saliva test to replace the dreaded na- So let me be clear: States need I would think that if anyone can sal swab. This new test has been called federal help. appreciate the benefits of restructur- a potential game changer. In Illinois, severe across-the-board ing debt, it would be the people in this And just this week, researchers at cuts of 35% or more would basically audience today. SIU received a grant to sequence and erase everything we’ve done so far to analyze COVID-19 genomes. The repair the damage done during the /// information they gather will help sci- Rauner years. entists better understand the origins of Universities and social services Now, all of this adds up to a lot of the virus and how it spreads. would suffer. Payments to places like uncertainty at the moment. And unfor- This is amazing research happening hospitals, daycare centers, and small tunately, there’s potentially more bad right here in Illinois. Our universities businesses would be delayed. We would news coming our way later this year are hot beds of creativity and innova- no longer be able to see any light be- and next. I don’t have a crystal ball, so tion. We need to celebrate that and tween the trees. I can’t say for sure. invest in it.

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You have a comptroller who goes self-inflicted. Show me a state that Don’t forget that donor states like Il- out of her way to be a voice of calm doesn’t have problems. linois have been subsidizing dependent and reassurance for investors in Illinois But let’s be clear: COVID-19 is not states for years with the money we send and the bond rating agencies. Illinois’ fault. Nor is it the fault of any to Washington. It’s time for us to get a As long as I am here, as I said earlier, of the other 49 states that are now in little of that money back now, when we this state will prioritize debt service the same boat that we’re in. COVID-19 need it more than ever. and required pension payments, which knows no boundaries, and no one was I hope this helps you to better credit rating agencies specifically focus prepared for what happened. understand the plight we’re in because on in rating the state’s credit-worthiness. Federal dollars will be the key to of COVID-19, and I urge you to pick Because of this, Illinois remains a managing this hardship in the least up the phone and call your congres- sound investment. painful way possible. We’re not looking sional representatives to tell them you for a bailout; we’re asking for a lifeline believe federal support for states is /// from our federal partners. imperative. Your voice could make a What the people of Illinois are go- difference. As I wrap up, I want to leave you with ing to need more than ever when we Thank you so very much for your this. emerge from this pandemic is stability time and attention today. Please take Illinois has challenges. We have had and predictability. Federal assistance care and be safe. our share of problems, many of them will be a vital part of providing that.

WINNER: TED TALK/TEDX TALK “The Secret to Healing the World”

Written and delivered by Shereese Floyd-Thompson, Delivered in Ocala, Florida, November 7, 2020 President, StoryMakers Consulting

e are a house divided. song, “I’d like to teach the world to “I’m not trying to be funny,” he W Black. White. sing in perfect harmony?” I am the repeats. “I’m going to put a battle flag For. Against. personification of that, even though I in my yard.” Democrat. Republican. drink Pepsi. Say what now? Oh, he means a Pick your side but stay in your lane. I like people to get along. It’s easy. Confederate flag There used to be a time when Not messy. It’s not complicated. At this time, there were growing we couldn’t even sit in this room I like you. You like me. What’s so calls for Confederate monuments to together. Some would argue, we still hard about that? come down because a white guy had can’t. We seem to be farther apart But even as a Kumbaya girl, I’ve just killed 9 black people in a South than ever before. found myself divided, chosing a side. Carolina church. In recent months, we have been hit A few years ago, my neighbor “I’m only doing this because the gov- with a health crisis followed by a heart flagged me down as I came home from ernment says that I can’t,” he defends. crisis and those sequence of events work. He was waiting for me on the My neighbor, he said a few more have pushed us even farther apart. grassy knoll of our cul de sac. Now things. All I heard was whomp, Mask. No mask. up until this point, he and I had never whomp, whomp, whomp, whomp. Us. Them. shared more than a polite way or a “It’s your property. Do whatever you Black Lives Matter. All Lives Matter. perfunctory head nod. I didn’t even want, but thanks for telling me.” During this time, have you found know this man’s name. My husband and I are the only yourself saying things like: But on any given day, you could find black family in the cul de sac and while “I’ll just stay in my bubble.” him outside working on his house or I really did believe that he could do “This has nothing to do with me.” his car in his perpetual jeans, gray tank whatever he wanted on his property, “This is not my problem.” top complete with the matching sweat the next day when I got up, opened Well, bubbles burst and world prob- stains. But on this day, he motions for my door and saw that flag flying in full lems definitely have a way of expanding. me to come closer. grande across from my house. I am a We Are the World, Kumba- “I’m not trying to be funny,” OOO, He had just made it personal ya girl. Remember Coca Cola’s famed “Umm, hmm.” and I chose a side.

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I chose black. I chose angry and I “Yes. I eat eggs.” witness each other, we color in those chose “those people.” He hands me a carton. stereotypes and characteristics to give There are stories all around us “From my hens. “I have too many.” depth and dimension and it is only of people who were divided but not And with that gesture, our polite then when the very foundation of our separated. waves and perfunctory head nods be- position starts to shift. Whether stories of race like civil came conversation and my neighbor So pick a side, better yet … pick a rights activist, Ann Atwater and KKK became Dave. middle. leader, C.P. Ellis or even musician Dar- And yes, in case you are wondering Where red and blue become purple ryl Davis, have you heard of this guy? Dave and I have had the conversations and black and white become one. He actually converts KKK leaders out about slavery, Trump, Obama and Think of all the things we can do of racism. These are people who’ve 30-years worth of good neighborhood together when you make it personal. gotten over their deep racial divides to gossip. Y’all Dave has all the tea. Because within the context of our make change for us. The world tells us that we should lives, our hashtags and our mantras, we And what about the stories class and hate each other, but we don’t. are simply pleading with each other, socioeconomics like journalist Steve We’re different. We come from “See me because I matter. I matter. Lopez and Nathanial Ayers, a home- different worlds. We see the world You matter.” less musician they met on a LA street through different experiences. But we And a life that is not seen is a life and their lives have been intertwined can and we do live in peace together. that is not valued. for decades—where Steve uses his But y’all I ain’t naive. Dave and I we Help alleviate another person’s influence to help Nathaniel with his ain’t never gon’ run in the same circles anguish by simply acknowledging their mental illness and homelessness. nor vote the same interests. proof of life—their proof of existence. And there are stories of injustice We don’t really need to understand To heal the world, we must become with WNBA star Maya Moore and each other. That is not a requirement a witness. wrongfully convicted Jonathan Irons for life on the planet. And we can start that today. they met during a prison ministry and But I do believe the most sincere I’d like you to turn to your neighbor she spent years of her life fighting to and vulnerable thing that we ask of and if you are watching this online just overturn his conviction. each other as human beings is “Will say the words out loud, but ask this These are just a few tales of friend- you be a witness to my life?” very simple question: Will you be a wit- ships and alliances that just don’t When we witness the lives of oth- ness to my life? make any sense. ers, we break down barriers to start And now a house divided is blended. But each one of these people some- building a bridge. We actually support, And It’s ok if it’s messy. It’s ok if it’s thing different. They witnessed. They educate and encourage each other for complicated. took the time to get beyond labels, who we are, not who we are told the Because when you become a wit- titles, notions. other should be. ness, you do so with the understanding They made it personal and in And the goal of this bridge is not that one day we will all be together on that process, they became advocates, to get to the other side necessarily. the bridge. champions, allies. That would be nearly impossible. In the throes of change. But as human beings though, we The goal is to get to a place of respect Not divided. like our positions. We like our divides. where we can demolish old beliefs and Not one-sided. And while our position can be harder build anew. Just together. to move, our point of view can be When we share our stories and give Dedicated to keeping this bridge influenced, swayed even. voice to our experiences, we carry open for generations to come. A few months later, my neighbor each other within us. Our knowledge Because it really is true, we’ll make a flagged me down again, waiting for me expands but our worlds get smaller. better day just you and me. on the grassy knoll of our cul de sac. Because our eyes truly can’t see what That’s the song that I hear. “Do you eat eggs?” our brain doesn’t know and when we Let the world sing today.

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