Developmental Psychologist and Professor at UC Berkeley

Alison Gopnik is a renowned developmental and cognitive psychologist whose work explores how young children come to know about the world around them. The work is informed by the "theory theory" -- the idea that children develop and change intuitive theories of the world in much the way that scientists do. Most recently, she and her team have been concentrating on young children's causal knowledge and causal learning across domains, including physical, biological and psychological knowledge.

CEO, Truss, author, Move to the Edge, Declare it Center (2022)

Everett Harper is the CEO and Co-Founder of Truss, a human-centered software development company, named as an Inc 5000 fastest-growing private company for 2020 and 2021.

He is a rare combination of a Black entrepreneur, Silicon Valley pedigree, National Champion, and a proven record for solving complex problems with social impact.

Psychologist & Distinguished Professor at University of California, Irvine

Elizabeth Loftus received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Stanford University, and she currently holds positions in the Department of Psychological Science; the Department of Criminology, Law & Society, and the School of Law . She has published over 20 books and more than 600 scientific articles focusing on the malleability of memory and has been recognized for her research with seven honorary doctorates and election to numerous prestigious societies, including the National Academy of Sciences.

Sculptor & MacArthur Fellow

One of the most accomplished American sculptors working today, Tom Joyce has opened his discipline to a new scale of monumentality and technical innovation. In the nearly two decades since his MacArthur Fellowship, Joyce has created large-scale works engaged with process and materiality, and underpinned by an abiding interest in the physical properties of his chosen medium, iron. Joyce’s work has been exhibited in solo and group shows across the United States and internationally. Since 1983, he has taught and presented at over 100 institutions, universities, and college campuses throughout the United States, and he is an inductee of the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Art.

Author, Journalist, & Executive at Braver Angels

Mónica Guzmán lives for great conversations sparked by curious questions, and strives to aid understanding across the political divide. She’s Director of Digital and Storytelling at Braver Angels, a nonprofit working to depolarize America, host of the Crosscut interview series Northwest Newsmakers, and author of several books. She was a 2019 fellow at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, where she studied social and political division, and a 2016 fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, where she studied how journalists can better meet the needs of a participatory public.

Co-Founder of Pixar

Alvy Ray Smith co-founded Pixar and Altamira Software. He was the first Director of Computer Graphics at Lucasfilm and the first Graphics Fellow at Microsoft. He has received two technical Academy Awards for his contributions to digital movie-making technology. His most recent project is his acclaimed book A Biography of the Pixel where he chronicles the revolutionary development of "Digital Light."

Explorer, Marine Scientist & Photographer

Gaelin Rosenwaks is an explorer, marine scientist, photographer, and filmmaker who seeks to share her passion for the ocean, fishing and the natural world through powerful imagery, words and adventure.

Author, Director of Media Development, Braver Angels

John Wood, Jr. is National Ambassador for the national nonprofit dedicated to depolarizing America, Braver Angels, a former nominee for Congress, & former Vice-Chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County.

Social Psychologist & Writer

Carol Tavris is a social psychologist and award-winning author of books on psychological science, most notably Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me). Known for her contributions to critical and scientific thinking, and the debunking of silly or harmful psychological ideas, she writes articles and book reviews and a column for Skeptic Magazine.

Master Bladesmith

Bob Kramer is a master bladesmith from Bellingham WA, whose trailblazing culinary knife making has given world-wide renown. After getting his start in restaurants, he was an original in his pursuit of making what he knows - culinary knives. His work is collected by both art and culinary enthusiasts. His focused pursuit of excellence has paved the way for other makers to thrive by living their art.

Former CIA Chief of Disguise

Jonna Mendez served as Chief of Disguise for the CIA”s office of technical service for 25 years before her retirement in 1993. She has worked everywhere from Beijing to Moscow to the Oval Office, and for her work she earned the CIA’s Intelligence Commendation Medal. Since her time undercover, she has published several books and is a lecturer and consultant on intelligence matters.

Dr. Cady Coleman is a former NASA Astronaut and Air Force Colonel with more than 180 days in space, accumulated during two space shuttle missions and a six-month expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), where she acted as the Lead Robotics and Lead Science officer.

Cady is a vocal advocate for inclusion in STEM/STEAM fields and a sought after speaker on a wide range of topics. She recently co-anchored ABC News Live’s coverage of the SpaceX launch and the Perseverance Mars Rover landing. Other speaking highlights include the opening speech for TED 2011 from space, extensive NASA commentary for CNN, ABC and Fox and TED Unplugged 2019.

Jeri Ellsworth is an entrepreneur, inventor, and computer chip designer. She is founder of Tilt Five, a company that brings virtual reality to board games

Cell and Molecular Biologist

Nathan H. Lents is Professor of Biology at John Jay College of the City University of New York. He studies the evolution of the human genome and is the author of Not So Different: Finding Human Nature in Animals and Human Errors: A Panorama of our Glitches, from Pointless Bones to Broken Genes. He is currently studying the recent evolution of the human genome in an effort to help understand the genetic underpinnings of human uniqueness. Of particular interest are genes and other genetic elements that are unique to humans and extinct relatives and that distinguish us from the other African apes.

Assistant Director for Public Engagement at Yale

Evan Rosa leads media and communications for the Yale Center for Faith & Culture, where he hosts the podcast For the Life of the World. When he’s not learning from some of the most interesting scholars alive today (and broadcasting that to the world), he surfs, skates, and coaches little league.

We are excited to welcome Evan back to Dent this year, and we are excited to hear him delve into the ideas, writings, and philosophies from antiquity and today that can help us all better navigate through what we all sense are unusually turbulent and uncertain times.

Ryan McAnnally-Linz

Associate Director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture

Ryan McAnnally-Linz (PhD, Yale) is a systematic theologian and Associate Director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. He works at the intersection of theology, ethics, and cultural criticism. His interests include (but are by no means limited to) the theological ethics of humility, the place of eschatology in Christian thought and life, biblical theology, the philosophy of Charles Taylor, and understanding the work of his many teachers. Ryan co-authored Public Faith in Action (Brazos), a Publishers Weekly Best Book in Religion in 2016, with Miroslav Volf, and he co-edited The Joy of Humility (Baylor University Press, 2020) and Envisioning the Good Life (Cascade, 2017). His scholarly articles have appeared in Modern Theology, The Scottish Journal of Theology, and elsewhere. (from the Yale Center for Faith & Culture)

Director and Documentary Maker

Godfrey Reggio is a renown American creator of a unique experimental cinematic poetry and is widely known throughout the world for his wordless filmography, especially the pre-eminent Qatsi trilogy. This fall he will receive the Santa Fe International Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award followed by the world premiere of his newest film, “Once Within a Time.”

Artist, Photographer, & Founder of the Asa Foundation

Asa Mathat is a passionate artist who have been working as a photographer for more than 30 years, mainly in portraiture and fashion. His work demonstrates a real talent for bringing out the best in everyone he captures on camera. Looking to give back in the most meaningful way possible, he pours his heart into service - and he created the ASA Foundation in order to do just that.

I’m his projects, he works to better the lives of others and spread awareness. His current project, Camp Enlightenment, is a photography and cinematography school for disadvantaged young people who are either homeless or in foster care, intended to offer them an opportunity to work with some of the world’s best photographers. His hope is to equip these young adults with a set of life skills and a strong understanding of the art of photography - and to inspire them to serve and give back.

Professional Opera Singer, Music Educator

Victoria Wolfe is an elementary school music educator with almost 20 years of teaching experience. She currently works with 120 three-year-olds who love singing “The Wheels On The Bus.”

She also sings opera professionally with credits in Austria, Germany, and the United States and has performed roles such as Pamina in The Magic Flute.