Upcoming Events

    • April 05, 2023
    • 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
    • UT Club, 2108 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin TX 78712
    Register

    How Should We Prepare the Next Generation of Public Leaders? 

    About our speaker:

    JR DeShazo is the 12th dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs. He previously served as the founding director of the Luskin Center for Innovation at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), one of the nation's leading environmental policy research centers. He is a distinguished scholar focusing on clean technology policies, policy design to enhance environmental equity, methods for valuing changes in environmental quality, and the performance of public agencies.

    In his leadership roles, DeShazo has made faculty research and student experience key priorities. He led campus-wide interdisciplinary research efforts, enhanced training and mentorship of students, and spearheaded efforts to increase representation among bothfaculty and students. DeShazo was also responsible for fostering strategic partnerships with leading organizations, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies.

    Through his research and appointments, he has served as a policy adviser to international organizations such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations, as well federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency.

    DeShazo earned a doctorate in Urban Planning from Harvard University, a master's in Development Economics from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and a bachelor's degree from the College of William & Mary.

    Agenda:

    6:50am - Coffee & Networking 

    7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

    7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

    7:50am - Speaker Introduction

    8:20am - Q&A

    8:30am - Have a wonderful Wednesday!

    Directions and Parking

    Breakfast Fees & Policy

    • April 12, 2023
    • 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
    • UT Club, 2108 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin TX 78712
    Register

    Public Safety Challenges and Opportunities

    About our speaker:

    Joseph Chacon is the 10th Chief of Police with the Austin Police Department, a role he has served in since April 2021. Prior to his appointment, Chief Chacon served as an Assistant Chief for almost five years, overseeing Patrol, Special Operations, Specialized Patrol, Investigations, Intelligence, Professional Standards and Training/Recruiting. Chief Chacon has served as a police officer for 30 years, and has a wide breadth of experience in almost all areas of police work.

    Chief Chacon is a native Texan, born in El Paso Texas, where he began his career and family. He is happily married with three daughters, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington School of Urban and Public Affairs, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He received his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX. He is a graduate of PERF’s Senior Management Institute for Police, Texas State University’s Certified Public Manager Program, and MCCA’s Police Executive Leadership Institute.

    Agenda:

    6:50am - Coffee & Networking 

    7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

    7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

    7:50am - Speaker Introduction

    8:20am - Q&A

    8:30am - Have a wonderful Wednesday!

    Directions and Parking

    Breakfast Fees & Policy

    • April 12, 2023
    • 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM
    • UT Club 7th floor after our meeting

    My Grandmother's Hands

    by Resmaa Menakem. 

    Plan to join fellow MBC members for lively  discussions in a relaxed atmosphere on the 7th floor.

    8:30 at the UT Club, 7th floor after our February 8th meeting.


    • April 19, 2023
    • 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
    • UT Club, 2108 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin TX 78712
    Register

    The Future of Capitalism Depends on Accountability

    Capitalism has created the greatest amount of wealth globally. Through our ingenuity we’ve literally moved mountains, secured trade routes, and insured global stability in the markets.

    This doesn’t tell the entire truth.

    Capitalism is a tool just like anything else, and it is also a methodology, and a mindset. Capitalism doesn’t just live in the external markets, it lives inside of us from a lens of which we look at the world.

    Capitalism left unchecked can be dangerous and impact our health. It is a risk to us all and it has been for a long time because we often don’t account for the level of impact due to the extraction and exploitation that it allows.

    Many things threaten the stability of Capitalism, especially in this country. These factors include warring tensions amongst nations, credit defaults, risky investments, climate change, and disruptive technology.

    In this talk we’ll talk about the history of how capitalism emerged to where we are today, what we have learned from our past, and the threats and concerns we should be monitoring for the future.

    We will explore ways in which capitalism can evolve into a more accessible, equitable, and human-centered and eco-conscious system.

    From the agrarian revolution to the virtualization of trade, we will dive into complex topics that affect our world now and tomorrow and what we need to do to secure a better social contract for our future.

    About our speaker:

    In the summer of 2018, Ruben Cantú was recruited by the University of Texas at Austin to found the Office of Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship, where he serves as Executive Director and Assistant Professor. He’s launched the Product Prodigy Institute and WIELD Texas, two student-facing programs that teach entrepreneurship, executive leadership, and human-centered design.

    As a consultant and coach in DEI, social impact, community building, and practitioner of human potential/emotional mastery, Cantú travels the world giving talks and workshops and launching movements that advance more love in the world.

    He co-founded a think and action tank, Community Resilience Trust, at the start of the pandemic in 2020. Today, CRT has played a pivotal role in operationalizing equity throughout our city and creating a model of innovation from the margins.

    Ruben graduated from Leadership Austin’s Essential Class of ‘14, and is a 2022 McBee Fellow for the Austin Area Research Organization.

    When not working, Ruben focuses on being a bridge between the local community and international issues that break barriers and foster peace and prosperity. He also is an avid music lover and Jeopardy enthusiast. 

    Agenda:

    6:50am - Coffee & Networking 

    7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

    7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

    7:50am - Speaker Introduction

    8:20am - Q&A

    8:30am - Have a wonderful Wednesday!

    Directions and Parking

    Breakfast Fees & Policy

    • April 26, 2023
    • 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
    • UT Club, 2108 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin TX 78712
    Register

    Legal Marijuana in Texas! 

    Did you know that Texas has a legal Medical Marijuana program that you can take advantage of today? Goodblend Medical Marijuana's Community Relations Manager, Terrence Baugh will walk you through how to get involved so you or a loved one can receive this plant based alternative for relief and stay away from addictive opioid treatment.

    About our speaker:

    Terrence Baugh is a native Austinite who has always had a love for the community. After completing his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from The University of Texas at Arlington, Terrence went on to earn his Masters degree in Adapted Physical education from Texas Woman's University and began his teaching career as an Adapted Physical Educator in the Arlington Independent School district.  

    During these early years, Terrence served students ranging from pre-school to collegiate and was nominated for teacher of the year. As Head Special Olympic Coach for the Arlington area he was awarded coach of the year for his region followed by receiving coach of the year for the entire state of Texas. 

    After stepping away from traditional education, Terrence gravitated towards experiential marketing where he would curate and execute small to large scale event activations for brands such as At&t, State Farm, Nissan and Live Nation. 

    Currently, Terrence is the Community Relations Manager for goodblend Medical Marijuana and is a local plant medicine advocate looking to help provide relief to those in need through this earth medicine. When he’s not working or attending yoga class, you can find him spending time with his two nieces, enjoying live music or manifesting surprising adventures across the world.

    Agenda:

    6:50am - Coffee & Networking 

    7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

    7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

    7:50am - Speaker Introduction

    8:20am - Q&A

    8:30am - Have a wonderful Wednesday!

    Directions and Parking

    Breakfast Fees & Policy

    • May 03, 2023
    • 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
    • UT Club, 2108 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin TX 78712

    Upcoming Speakers in May

    Our speakers are always engaging, informative, and insightful (and often inciteful). Our members are too! Become a member and make MBC your midweek pick-me-up every week.

    We're booked right into July, join us soon and often!
    • Margaret JustusThe One Ann Only
    • Kara KockelmanShared Autonomous Electric Vehicles
    • Amber GunstCapital Investment in Austin
    • Robert MaceED Meadows Center
    • Lizzie KarrData Aggregation

    Is there a person or organization you'd like to hear from at MBC? Send your speaker recommendations to Programs@MBCAustin.org and we'll try to set that up!

    • May 10, 2023
    • 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM
    • UT Club 7th floor after our meeting

    Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation

    by Kristin Kobes du Mez. 

    Plan to join fellow MBC members for lively  discussions in a relaxed atmosphere on the 7th floor.

    8:30 at the UT Club, 7th floor after our February 8th meeting.



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