![Karen Baum Gordon]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1678715659/blair/mtndr8mngttb2bbaql4o/KarenBaumGordonheadshot_2022-12.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1678715659/blair/mtndr8mngttb2bbaql4o/KarenBaumGordonheadshot_2022-12.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1678715659/blair/mtndr8mngttb2bbaql4o/KarenBaumGordonheadshot_2022-12.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1678715659/blair/mtndr8mngttb2bbaql4o/KarenBaumGordonheadshot_2022-12.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1678715659/blair/mtndr8mngttb2bbaql4o/KarenBaumGordonheadshot_2022-12.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1678715659/blair/mtndr8mngttb2bbaql4o/KarenBaumGordonheadshot_2022-12.jpg","width":2200}])
Paula Hong '16
Renowned author and co-founder of Strategic Horizons, Inc., an executive coaching and management consulting firm, Karen Baum Gordon made her first appearance at Blair's Society of Skeptics on Tuesday, March 21.
Past Society of Skeptics Speakers
Home /Academics/Distinctively Blair/Society of Skeptics
This sampling of past Society of Skeptics speakers gives visitors an idea of the wide range of industries and perspectives represented by the weekly lecturers who have visited campus in recent years. This program is funded in part by The Class of 1968 Society of Skeptics Endowment Fund.
2021-2022
- Fritzi Horstman, "Compassion Prison Project"
- Joe Mantegna, Afro Basket and the South Sudan Men's Team
- Colum McCann, author "Let the Great World Spin"
- Zach Weisberg '03, "The Inertia"
- Tom Crabtree, "AMI Expeditionary Health"
- Ashley Thompson '08, "MUSH"
- Dr. Ben Schwartz P'21, DaVinci Remote Surgery
- Alan Springer, "Springtime Media"
- Dan Lucky, NASA Engineer
- Women in Tech. Panel: Kathryn Middleton '10, Kate Anello '12, Sierra Yit '13, Lara Bucarey '06, Beth Martens '08
- Doug Bandow, Cato Institute
- Jason Howk, Deputy Director, Global Friends of Afganistan
- Jenn Cable '03, CEO, ThorLabs
- Amal Stefanos, Global Citizenship: Food Insecurity
- Jonathan Reichel '12, Director of Amazon Audience Marketing, Thrasio
- Batouly Camara '15, Women and Children Empowerment
- Sam Mihara, Japanese Internment and Mass Imprisonment
- Afghan Immigrant group
- CDR Susan Kilrain, Astronaut with two space missions as shuttle pilot
- Congressman Malinowski
2020-2021
- Luol Deng '03, global philanthropist
- Jason Hawk, Islam scholar
- Nishta Mehra, author & educator
- Dr. James Dickerson, chief research scientist, Consumer Reports
- Carrie Giddins Pergram '92, professor, American University
- Emmanuel Bello '04, vice president, Owl Rock Capital
- Alison Wright, photographer, National Geographic
- Election Forum
- Camelia M. Valdes, Passaic County prosecutor
- Kathy Abbott, Susan Ferris, Laura Castelblanco Englehardt, New Jersey League of Women Voters
- Bill Baroni, attorney & former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey during former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's administration
- Anthony D'Amato '06, musician
- Young Alumni Skeptics Panel: Stephen Patane '09, Jenna Catalano '10, Annika Rollock '14 & Will Pemberton '16
- Rob Smith, U.S. Army veteran and political activist
- Christo Brand, Nelson Mandela's prison guard on Robben Island
- Kevin Levin, historian & author
- Gillian Sciaretta '03, associate editor, Wine Spectator
- Doug Bandow, senior fellow, Cato Institute
- Dr, Anthony Jack, Harvard University sociologist & author
- Jay Faison, CEO, Clearpath & environmental entrepreneur
- Connie Fletcher-Hindle ’74, retired, accounts payable, Hindle Power, Inc., & community volunteer; Shanen Aranmor ’90, mental health counselor & founder of Weld Like A Girl; Dr. Sharon Sutherland ’93, attending physician, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Primary Care Center @ Cobbs Creek; Virginia Case ’03, CEO, StraTac Marketing
2019-2020
- Vivek Tiwary, author & theatre producer (2004 revival of Raisin in the Sun)
- Bob Teitel P'23, State Street Productions & Hollywood producer of films such as Men of Honor, Barbershop, Soul Food & The Hate You Give
- Zak Ebrahim, son of El Sayyid Nosair, planner of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing
- Dr. Jason Piccolo, former U.S. Border Patrol agent on U.S./Mexico border
- Julia Kerrigan, MD, & James Kerrigan, MD, neurologists
- Michael Stival '03, attorney at Excel Sports Management
- Becky Selengut '88, chef, author, humorist & cooking teacher
- Young Alumni Skeptics Panel: Vanessa Black '06, Marissa Mattar '08, Craig Stocker '08 & Patrick Maillet '10
- Dr. Kyle Kolaja P'20 senior director/head of investigative toxicology & cellular therapy, Celgene Corporation
- Alison Wright, award-winning photographer & National Geographic Magazine Traveler of the Year
- Doug Bandow, Cato Institute senior fellow & former special White House assistant to President Ronald Reagan
- Emily Reid, vice president for open learning at AI4ALL
- Cynthia Harvey, American Ballet Theater ballet mistress, former Royal Ballet principal ballerina & former principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater
- Raymond Seitz, former ambassador to the United Kingdom
- Mike Vacarro, lead sports columnist for The New York Post
- Sergio Troncoso, author & professor, Yale Writers' Workshop
- Dr. Stacey Spring '95, Groton School history department
- Victoria Gardner Coates, PhD, P'20 '23, Department of Energy Senior Policy Advisor
- Sarah Apgar '98, founder of FitFighter
- Peter Mandaville '90, George Mason University professor of government & former U.S. State Department senior advisor on Middle East
- Violinist & Syrian refugee Mariela Shaker
2018-2019
- Chris Wolfe '85, former equities trader now working for Merrill Lynch wealth management
- Marina Antropow Cramer, author of Roads
- Alison Wright, National Geographic photographer
- Ben Schwartz, MD, surgeon, NY Brightwater
- Frank Angiolelli, strategic consultant, McAfee
- Dr. Don Lincoln, senior scientist at FermiLab (American's particle physics & accelerator lab)
- George Hincapie, world-class road bike racer who has ridden in the Tour de France 17 times
- Maj. (Ret.) Jason Hawk, author & lecturer
- Brandon Slay, olympic gold medalist, executive director & head coach of the University of Philadelphia's Pennsylvania Regional Training Center
- Ron Insana P'16 '20 '21. CNBC contributor
- Alan Moskin, U.S. World War II veteran
- Rob Montz, video producer & writer
- Marsha Smith, Normandy Allies
- Ridge & Valley School
- Betsy Schamberger P'22, licensed professional geologist
- Jane Ferry, MD, Grand View Hospital
- Lucienne Ronco '80, vice president of translational medicine at Fulcrum Therapeutics
- Young Alumni Skeptics Panel: Chris Gatsch ’05, Winnie (Adrien) Lizardo Orbe ’06, Sam Tilney ’08 & Jack Januszewski ’13
- Chris Fussell '92, partner at the McChrystal Group & former Navy SEAL
- David Kaczynski, brother of Ted Kaczynski (also known as the Unabomber)
- Jack Bogle '47 legacy in the World of Investing Panel: Joanne M. Hill, PhD. CFA Institute Research Foundation Board & Cboe Vest LLC & Bill McNabb, former CEO of The Vanguard Group
2017-2018
- Dr. Bonnie St. John, 1984 Winter Paralympics medal winner
- Gina Trish & Kate Matteson, Democratic candidates for New Jersey’s 24th District Assembly
- Dan Chamberlin, Kittatinny Regional High School environmental studies teacher
- Ted Dowey, design manager for New York Department of Environmental Protection
- Mariela Shaker, Syrian refugee & musician
- Arno Michaelis, author & speaker
- Doug Simon, political science professor emeritus at Drew University
- Blair history teacher & Blair in Kenya founder Quint Clarke ’87 & Lafayette College senior Kelvin Serem ’13
- Rob Montz, video producer & writer
- Dr. Vikram Mansharamani ‘’92, Harvard University lecturer
- Jenna Samra, PhD student studying high-energy astrophysics at Harvard’s John Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- Major (Ret.) Jason Howk, author & lecturer
- Glenn LeBoeuf, historian
- Sam Tarantino, entrepreneur
- Emily Boak, heritage analyst for the Afghan Heritage Mapping Partnership
- Blair Shark Tank: Angel investor John Moore P’19 of Investors Circle Philadelphia, Fox Rothschild partner Liz Sigety P’16 ’18 ’20 ’21 & CNBC contributor Ron Insana P’16 ’20 ’21
- Young Alumni Skeptics Panel: Joanna Weber ’03, Hudson Collins ’07, Filip Gzella ’08 & Yale Kim ’09
- Carlos Garcia Hernandez, volunteer teacher of the Peace Boat
- George Kolber, former COO of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., & current CEO of Retail Ventures, Inc.
2016-2017
- Alison Wright, National Geographic award-winning photographer
- Major (Ret.) Jason Howk, author & lecturer
- Rollie Peterkin '06, author
- Young Alumni Panel: structural engineer Geoff Brunn ’02, investment advisory lawyer Macailagh Herman ’03, brand marketer and semi-professional runner Jon Phillips ’03 and architect Ho-Jung (Rachael) Tseng ’10
- Kendrya Close, executive director of Blairstown-based nonprofit Foodshed Alliance
- Nyle Fort, minister, scholar & community activist
- Blair’s Debate Team (which engaged in a mock presidential debate)
- Blair history department faculty (on the results of the 2016 presidential election)
- Richie Kohler, host of The History Channel's "Deep Sea Detectives"
- Debbie Irving, author
- Doug Bandow, Cato Institute
- Emily Reid, cybersecurity specialist
- Glenn LeBoeuf, author & lecturer
- James Moore, lawyer & art critic
- Joe Drape, writer for The New Times & author
- Angel investor John Moore P'19 of Investors' Circle Philadelphia, Fox Rothschild partner Liz Sigety P'16 '18 '20 '21, CNBC contributor Ron Insana P'16 and PledgeIt CEO Scott Shirley
- Robert Neff ’49, author
- John Inkeles ’93, Justice Department lawyer
2015-2016
- Scarlett Lewis, founder of Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation
- Rob Montz, documentary filmmaker
- Haider Hamza, Iraqi journalist, scholar & activist
- Edwidge Dorelien, former Blair French teacher
- Ifa Bayeza, Africana studies, Brown University
- Young Alumni Panel: Entrepreneur and filmmaker Kweighbaye Kotee ’01, entrepreneur Matt Gallira '08, Bank of America Merrill Lynch associate Christine Roemer Bacon ’06 & Lockheed Martin rocket scientist Jonathan Kruse ’05
- Dave Stevens, congenital amputee & college football player
- David Chase, general manager of the Sussex County Miners
- Chris Fussell '92, chief growth officer for McChrystal Group
- Stan Spraitzar '67, senior cyber strategist/advisor for the National Security Agency
- Brad McNamara, co-founder of Freight Farms
- Sandy Apgar '58, former assistant secretary of the Army & Defense Business Board member & Sarah Apgar '98, director of New Stores & Facilities at Warby Parker & Founder of Fitfighter Training
- Doug Bandow, Cato Institute
- Cornell Thomas, author, life coach & Blair's assistant boys' varsity basketball coach
- Tony Campolo, sociologist, author, pastor & spiritual advisor to former President Bill Clinton
- Hisham Sobhy P'17 '18, founder & CEO of Generosus Advisors, LLC
- Sharon Squassoni, director & senior fellow of the Proliferation Prevention Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies
- Steven Kampmann, writer & director
- Elliott Trommald, former Blair history department chair
- Dick Boak '68, Martin Guitars
- Ruth Millman, Holocaust survivor
2014-2015
- Haider Hamza, Iraqi journalist, scholar & activist
- Dr. Jane Ferry, MD, FACEP, MMM & colleagues
- Alison Wright, photographer for National Geographic
- Jerry Paffendorf, CEO of LoveLand Technologies
- Hudson Taylor '05, co-founder of Athlete Ally
- Blair's Debate Team
- Dr. James Dickerson, PhD, Brookhaven National Laboratory
- Alex Troy P'14 '15, former trustee of Amistad Academy
- Jim Thaller, managing director of Talier Trading Group, Inc. & senior agribusiness advisor of The World Bank
- Rev. Robert D. Higgs, executive director of Old Historic Trust
- Amy Litzenberger, co-founder of Take the Lead
- Rob Montz, documentary filmmaker
- Doug Bandow, Cato Institute
- Lois Pryce, author
- Josh Sanborn, chairman of the history department at Lafayette College
- Dr. David Robinson, PhD, New Jersey state climatologist & geography professor at Rutgers University
- Ronn Cort P'16, COO of Sekisui SPI
- Steven Kampmann, former Blair faculty member
- Zak Taylor '94, entrepreneur
- Walter Fortson, NJ regional field manager
- Dr. Jose Lopez, professor of physics at Seton Hall University
2013-2014
- Alison Wright, photographer for National Geographic
- Sergio Troncoso, award-winning novelist
- Ron Insana P'16, senior analyst and commentator for CNBC
- Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) organization
- Jim Bennett '66, activist for FairTax
- Quint Clarke '87 & Blair students who traveled to Kenya during summer 2013
- Ishmael Beah, former child soldier of Sierra Leone & author of the best-selling book A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
- Brian Shactman, MSNBC Anchor of "Way Too Early"
- Taylor Krauss, an Emmy-nominated independent American video journalist
- Rob Montz, documentary filmmaker
- Lt. Colonel Jeff Thompson '89, special assistant to the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, GEN Martin Dempsey
- Doug Bandow, Cato Institute
- Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: Panelists included Aisha Gayle Turner '98, Nisha Dass and Jerome Joseph, who work for Teach for America, as well as Jama Toung, chief development officer at ExpandED Schools by TASC, and Erskine Glover, principal of the Quitman Community School in Newark, New Jersey
- Larry Moss, director & acting coach
- Daniel Goldhagen, author
- Glenn LeBouef, Civil War historian
- John Haines P'17, Foreign Policy Research Institute
- Irish human rights lawyers Kevin Winters & Niall Murphy
- Dacre Stoker, great-grandnephew of author Bram Stoker
- Famed American poet Billy Collins, U.S. poet laureate from 2001-2003
- John Manners, director of The Kenyan Scholar-Athlete Project
- Paul Thornton, associate headmaster of advancement at St. Benedict's Prep School
- Blair Chairman of the Board of Trustees Doug Kimmelman P '12 '13 '15
2012-2013
- Peter Mandaville '90, professor at George Mason University & former State Department adviser to the Secretary of State
- Quint Clarke '87, Blair history teacher
- Shawn Tucker, Rutgers Leadership Academy
- Stephen F. Angel P '13, chairman, president & CEO of Praxair, Inc.
- Stirling Levy '89, research analyst at Hound Partners
- Jim Kutsch, CEO, The Seeing Eye Organization
- Analysis of Blair's Mock Presidential Election
- Sammi Cassin & Brittany Keesling, Exoneree Raymond Santana & Case Analyst Edwin Grimsley
- David Carrad '61, president at Longmeadow Investments and company commander during the Vietnam War
- Carrie Giddins Pergram '92, political lecturer, George Washington University
- Doug Bandow, Cato Institute
- "Science Bob" Pflugfelder
- Mikey Kampmann '04
- Jim Keady, director of Educating for Justice
- Dr. Audrey Dorelien, post-doctoral researcher at the University of Michigan
- New York Fire Department Captain Bill Gates (retired)
- Jay Chamberlin '87, Natural Resources Division Chief, California State Parks
Recent Lectures
![Aaron Rettaliata]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1676296252/blair/pv2kifii9xuocjhdsc5t/AaronRettaliata_edited.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1676296252/blair/pv2kifii9xuocjhdsc5t/AaronRettaliata_edited.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1676296252/blair/pv2kifii9xuocjhdsc5t/AaronRettaliata_edited.jpg","width":630}])
Adele Starrs
On Tuesday, February 14, Aaron Rettaliata '96 revisited the hilltop to deliver his first Skeptics talk on his experiences at Blair, in and out of college, and his current career as partner at McKinsey & Company.
![Alan Brown '98]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1676471699/blair/zmcj7yqu7p8cxnurdize/20230131_ABrownSkepticsTT02.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1676471699/blair/zmcj7yqu7p8cxnurdize/20230131_ABrownSkepticsTT02.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1676471699/blair/zmcj7yqu7p8cxnurdize/20230131_ABrownSkepticsTT02.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1676471699/blair/zmcj7yqu7p8cxnurdize/20230131_ABrownSkepticsTT02.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1676471699/blair/zmcj7yqu7p8cxnurdize/20230131_ABrownSkepticsTT02.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1676471699/blair/zmcj7yqu7p8cxnurdize/20230131_ABrownSkepticsTT02.jpg","width":2200}])
Paula Hong '16
Founder of Learning to Thrive, alum Alan Brown ’98, spoke not only at his third Society of Skeptics on Tuesday, January 31, but also joined students and faculty inside classrooms and at extracurricular club meetings.