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Lesher Foundation's Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series 24/25 Season
Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series seeks to nurture a community of enthusiastic conversationalists, inspired to discuss important issues with family, friends, and neighbors.
Newsmakers: Claire McCaskill and Mary Matalin
Presented by the Lesher Foundation
- Date: 08/12/2023 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
- Location: Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Drive
Walnut Creek, California 94596 - Introduction: McCaskill: U.S. Senator (2007-2018), Matalin: Celebrated Author, Commentator and Presidential Advisor
BUY VUKASIN TICKETS (simulcast)
The Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series is pleased to have First 5 Contra Costa as our nonprofit partner for this engagement featuring:
Claire McCaskill and Kelly Ayotte
McCaskill: U.S. Senator (2007-2018)
Matalin: Celebrated Author, Commentator and Presidential Advisor
Claire McCaskill has spent her career as a prosecutor and elected official devoted to public service and earned a reputation in the U.S. Senate as a plain-spoken, independent, and effective champion for Missourians and all Americans.
Born and raised in the Show-Me state, Claire attended college and law school at the University of Missouri and began her career as an assistant prosecutor in Kansas City, specializing in prosecuting arsons and sex crimes.
Claire was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives and made history when she became the first woman elected Jackson County prosecutor, where she launched one of the nation’s first drug courts and established a first-of-its-kind domestic violence unit. Claire continued raising the level of accountability in Missouri as the state’s Auditor and later took on her own party establishment, becoming the first person to ever defeat a sitting Missouri Governor in a primary election. Learn more about Senator McCaskill.
Mary Matalin’s commonsense, data-based civil discourse is informed by decades of senior positions in public policy, politics, publishing and media drawing on unique experiences from her front row seat to unprecedented historical events and seismic cultural shifts as a trusted advisor to America’s most powerful leaders. Mary Matalin’s intellectual integrity, practical insights and engaging commentary have earned her a widely acclaimed reputation as one of the country’s foremost and seasoned voices across a diverse spectrum of policy making, political and multi-media platforms.
Her career spans 40-plus years in senior positions as Advisor, Counselor, Chief of Staff, and campaign manager serving multiple history making Presidents and Vice Presidents, as well as federal, state and local leaders of both parties, where she was engaged in transformational policy and reform initiatives in energy, economics and security issues. Her political and policy making activities were interspersed with multiple media experiences, including hosting her own award-winning television and radio shows, penning several national best sellers, publishing dozens of renowned authors as Editor-in-Chief of Threshold Editions, the line she founded at Simon & Schuster.
She has also appeared in multiple critically acclaimed documentaries, television shows and movies, including co-starring on HBO’s avant-garde K Street, produced by George Clooney and directed by Steven Soderberg.
Running Time: approx. 90 minutes, with no intermission
Simulcast Available
The presentation in the Vukasin Theatre is a live televised, simulcast viewing.
BUY VUKASIN TICKETS (simulcast)
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About Lesher Foundation
Enhancing the quality of life for all residents in Contra Costa County, California, through the support of children and families, education, and arts and culture.
The Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation has a clear and simple mission—to enhance the quality of life for all residents of Contra Costa County, California. First established in 1989 by the late Dean Lesher and his wife Margaret, the Lesher Foundation has strong roots in Northern California. Dean Lesher was the founder and publisher of Lesher Communications in Walnut Creek, and subsequently built a chain of local newspapers throughout California. He wanted to give back to the local communities he loved so dearly by funding nonprofits in Contra Costa County. Today, the Foundation continues to uphold this value, giving more than $85 million in grants to date.
The Lesher Foundation is now principally managed by Dean and Margaret’s children and grandchildren. In honor of the philanthropic legacy established by the original donors, the Foundation is deeply committed to funding programs benefitting children and families, particularly those in underserved and low-income areas. Education grants are also a strong focus of giving, targeted toward children and young adults from vulnerable families. Additionally, funding for both the visual and performing arts is a key focus area, as the family believes that a vibrant community includes access to the arts for all its members.
The Foundation advances its mission by believing in the safety, security, and potential of every child, significantly investing in educational opportunities for those underserved, and offering the community the enrichments of the arts. We invite you to read more about our goals and strategies, and welcome your interest in the Foundation.
About Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series
Yesterday
One of the dreams of the late Dean Lesher was to showcase powerful ideals and public discourse on important matters of the day. In 2004, that dream became a reality when the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation donated $1 million to underwrite the very first speaker series at the Lesher Center for the Arts.
Today
The Lesher Foundation continues to enthusiastically produce Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series with the support of sponsors that include Diablo Regional Arts Association, KTVU Fox 2, and Diablo Magazine. Each year, the foundation, along with our sponsors and other partners, help select speakers in politics, international affairs, journalism, sports and entertainment to present an array of diverse and engaging topics.
Tomorrow
Our goal is to inspire and inform our audience who we see as warm, engaging and intellectually curious. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to having you attend our 2024/25 series and join in on the conversation.