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• Steve Adler, Hot Seat - Hot City

  • When
    October 14, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
  • Location
    Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr, Austin TX 78731

  Register

  Steve Adler, Author, Hot Seat - Hot City

  About the Program:

  Former Austin Mayor Steve Adler literally wrote the book on what it's like to run a growing, dynamic city like Austin. In Hot Seat - Hot City, Steve discusses his firsthand account of life as Mayor of Austin from 2015 to 2023. And with the book's recent release, it's "hot" off the press! 

  About the Speaker: 

  

  Steve Adler is an attorney and politician who served as the 58th Mayor of Austin from 2015 to 2023.

  In addition to his current role as  practicing attorney and author, Steve teaches at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, St. Edwards University, and Huston-Tillotson University in Austin. 

  
  

  Agenda:
  

  6:45am - Coffee & Networking

  7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

  7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

  7:50am - Speaker Introduction

  8:20am - Q&A

  8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

  
  

  Show details
• Blaise Gainey, The Texas Newsroom

  • When
    October 21, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
  • Location
    Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr, Austin TX 78731

  Register

  

  Blaise Gainey, State Politics Reporter, The Texas Newsroom

  About the Program:

  Blaise Gainey, state politics reporter for The Texas Newsroom, will offer a journalist’s perspective on Texas’ November elections, including the key statewide races, issues shaping the campaigns and what voters should be watching as Election Day approaches. Gainey is based at KUT News in Austin and covers Texas politics, elections and the Legislature.

  About the Speaker: 

  Blaise Gainey covers state politics for The Texas Newsroom, a public radio collaboration that includes NPR, KERA, Houston Public Media, KUT News, Texas Public Radio and stations across Texas. He is based at KUT News in Austin. His reporting spans the Texas Legislature, statewide elections and campaigns, voting and shifting political coalitions, major policy debates and the state’s response to natural disasters. His work has aired on the BBC and NPR’s Morning Edition, All Things Considered and national newscasts, and he has appeared on PBS NewsHour. Before joining The Texas Newsroom, Gainey covered state politics and breaking news at Nashville Public Radio and WFSU in Tallahassee, Florida.

  
  

  Agenda:
  

  6:45am - Coffee & Networking

  7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

  7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

  7:50am - Speaker Introduction

  8:20am - Q&A

  8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

  
  

  Show details
• Michele Glaze, Samsung Austin Semiconductor

  • When
    October 28, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
  • Location
    Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr, Austin TX 78731

  Register

  

  Michele Glaze, Head of Public Affairs, Samsung Austin Semiconductor

  About the Program:

  After almost 30 years of chip manufacturing in Austin, Samsung is starting up its newest fab in Taylor. Michele will give us the latest on this ambitious undertaking!

  About the Speaker: 

  Michele is Head of Public Affairs at Samsung Austin Semiconductor. In this role, she is in charge of communications and community affairs for one of the world’s most advanced manufacturing facilities as a member of the executive leadership team. In addition, she served as the “quarterback” for the economic development negotiations for the new Samsung facility in Taylor, Texas.

  Prior to Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Michele served as the Chief Development & Marketing Officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area where she led fundraising through diversified revenue development, business development, volunteer management and impactful marketing and communications and she was the Director of Community Advancement at USAA. In addition, she spent 17 years at Dell, Inc., where she served in several marketing and communications roles including the Dell Foundation, Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, Services Marketing and the Corporate Responsibility team leading corporate giving and employee engagement.

  Michele is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations, and is proud to serve on the Moody College of Communications Advisory Council.  She has supported the community in numerous leadership roles with the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin Regional Manufacturing Association, Manor Schoolhouse Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs. Michele is a graduate of Leadership Texas and Leadership Austin.

  Michele has a longstanding history in Central Texas as her great-great-great-grandfather, Daniel Lehman, was the first settler in Rockne, Texas.  Today, her family heritage is celebrated at the Lehman Log cabin.

  
  

  
  

  Agenda:
  

  6:45am - Coffee & Networking

  7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

  7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

  7:50am - Speaker Introduction

  8:20am - Q&A

  8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

  
  

  Show details
• Mando Rayo, Taco Journalist

  • When
    November 04, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
  • Location
    Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr, Austin TX 78731

  Register

  

  Mando Rayo, Taco Journalist

  Tacos of Texas Podcast

  United Tacos of America

  About the Program:

  Tacos of Texas: A Journey Through Foodways, People and Traditions

  About the Speaker: 

  Mando Rayo’s experience is deep-rooted in Latinx & BIPOC communities and is a James Beard Foundation Awards finalist and winner of two Signal Awards for podcasting. Mando is a digital story-teller and uses his Latinx identity to inspire and build bridges through his production company, IDENTITY. From working with PBS ITVS, El Rey Network, 7-Eleven/Laredo Taco Company, Beef Loving Texans, Whataburger, People en Español y más, Mando shares stories through food, culture, documentaries and digital platforms. As a Taco Journalist, food explorer and street ethnographer, Mando has traveled across the U.S. to uncover the tastiest tacos, from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to L.A. and New Orleans to New York City. Mando is the producer and co-author of the books, 'Austin Breakfast Tacos' and ‘The Tacos of Texas' (University of Texas Press) & docu-series with PBS Digital Studios, United Tacos of America TV Show on El Rey Network and the Vitamina T for Tacos children’s book series (Jade Publishing). Mando’s work has been featured on Bon Appetit Magazine, The Food Network, NPR, The New York Times and SXSW. You can listen to El Seis - Season 6 of the Tacos of Texas Podcast on KUT, Austin's NPR Station and Texas Standard, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

  
  

  Agenda:
  

  6:45am - Coffee & Networking

  7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

  7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

  7:50am - Speaker Introduction

  8:20am - Q&A

  8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

  
  

  Show details
• Jeremi Suri, UT Global Affairs Professor

  • When
    November 11, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
  • Location
    Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr, Austin TX 78731

  Register

  Jeremi Suri, UT Global Affairs Professor

  About the Program:

  Mid-term Elections: A Recap and View Forward

  About the Speaker: 

  Jeremi Suri holds the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. He is a professor in the University's Department of History and the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Dr. Suri is the author and editor of eleven books on contemporary politics and foreign policy, most recently Civil War By Other Means: America's Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy. His other books include The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America's Highest Office; Henry Kissinger and the American Century; Liberty's Surest Guardian: American Nation-Building from the Founders to Obama; and Foreign Policy Breakthroughs: Cases in Successful Diplomacy (with Robert Hutchings).

  Dr. Suri writes for major newspapers and magazines including the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, Boston Globe, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, Fortune, The American Prospect and Wired — as well as for various online sites and blogs. He is a popular public lecturer, and appears frequently on radio and television.

  Dr. Suri teaches courses on strategy and decision-making, leadership, globalization, international relations and modern history. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses, and he teaches and serves as academic director for the Executive Master in Public Leadership program (EMPL) at LBJ. His research and teaching have received numerous prizes. In 2007 Smithsonian magazine named him one of America's "Top Young Innovators" in the arts and sciences. In 2018 he received the Pro Bene Meritis Award for Contributions to the Liberal Arts. In the same year also received the President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Texas at Austin.

  
  

  Agenda:
  

  6:45am - Coffee & Networking

  7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

  7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

  7:50am - Speaker Introduction

  8:20am - Q&A

  8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

  
  

  Show details
• Bridget Grumet, Statesman Editorial Page Editor

  • When
    November 18, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
  • Location
    Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr, Austin TX 78731

  Register

  Bridget Grumet, Editorial Page Editor, Austin American-Statesman

  About the Program:

  What's the latest in Austin and in Texas? Come hear award-winning journalist, three-time recipient of the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize (most recently this year!), and Statesman Editorial Page Editor Bridget Grumet to find out!

  About the Speaker: 

  Bridget Grumet is the Editorial Page Editor for the Austin American-Statesman, where she has served as an editorial board member since 2018. She has received numerous national awards, including the National Headliner Award for local newspaper columns and the Sigma Delta Chi Award for general column writing, and she's a three-time winner of the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize. Her work covers a wide range of issues, including police use of force, efforts to address homelessness, access to health care and ensuring voters can participate in their democracy. In her previous role as Metro columnist, and now running the editorial page, she seeks to highlight untold stories and hold leaders accountable.

  
  

  Agenda:
  

  6:45am - Coffee & Networking

  7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

  7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

  7:50am - Speaker Introduction

  8:20am - Q&A

  8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

  
  

  Show details