Becky McCray

Expert for Small Towns · Cattle rancher and rural entrepreneur

Practical steps you can put into action right away to shape a better future for your community

Revitalization Placemaking Small Business Economic Development Rural

Charles Tolbert, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

Professor of Sociology · Baylor University

Dr. Tolbert's areas of research include social stratification, social demography, rural sociology and quantitative applications.

Small Businesses and Employee Loyalty Restructuring Financial Institutions in Rural/Non-Metro America Social Stratification Social Demography Rural Sociology

Neil MacKinnon, PhD

Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs · Augusta University

Dr. Neil MacKinnon is a senior university administrator, academic health leader and an expert in population health and public health.

Opioid agonist maintenance treatment (i.e. addictions treatment via Methadone and Suboxone) Opioid Abuse Rural Health Care Access & Delivery Rural Health Medication Error

Solomon Darwin

Director, Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation | Executive Director, Center for Growth Markets · Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley

Hailed as the “Father of the Smart Village Movement”

Open Innovation Smart Villages / Smart Cities Business Models Innovation Strategies for Emerging Economies Business Ecosystems

Mark Holmes, PhD

Professor of Health Policy and Management and Director of Cecil G Sheps Center for Health Services Research · UNC-Chapel Hill

A Professor in the UNC-CH Gillings School of Public Health, with interests in rural health, health policy and hospital finance.

Policy Implementation and Development Patient-Centered Outcome Research Workforce Hospital Finance Rural Health

Dominique Halaby

Director, Business Innovation Group · Georgia Southern University

Dr. Halaby oversees development of Georgia Southern University’s City Center.

Community Development Workforce and Economic Development Non-Profit Organizations Workplace Innovation Rural Entrepreneurship

Steffanie Scott

Professor, Department of Geography & Environmental Management · University of Waterloo

Leading international scholar on food security, food system change, and COVID-19 impacts on the food suppy.

Food Agriculture & Environment COVID-19 (Coronavirus) China Food Policy Local Food Systems

Thomas J. Ward Jr.

Assistant Dean, School of Arts & Sciences · Farmingdale State College

Dr. Thomas J. Ward Jr. is a historian and Assistant Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences and author of two books.

Prisoners of War Health Care History African / Afro - American Studies Civil Rights History Civil War and Reconstruction

Jeanne-Marie Stacciarini

Associate Dean/Associate Professor · University of Florida

Jeanne Stacciarini’s research interests are in the area of mental health promotion and health disparities in various populations.

Diversity Population Health Mental Health

José F. Parodi

Director of the Centre for Ageing Research · University of San Martín de Porres

Dr. Parodi served in various national & global committees for Health & Ageing and participated as an expert for international institutions

Mental Health Rural Ageing Healthy Ageing Infectious Diseases Epidemiology

Jed Johnson

Managing Director of Aging Services · CARF International

Jed Johnson is an award-winning, national leader in adult- and senior-services arenas.

Senior Transportation Rural caregiving Military or veteran caregiving Adult Day Services Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Dr. Xenia Scheil-Adlung

UN Rep for Geneva · International Federation on Ageing

Dr. Xenia Scheil-Adlung is a UN Representative for Geneva / International Federation on Ageing

Decent Work for All International Health Partnerships Workforce shortages and other issues in the health and social sectors Economic impacts of social protection Social protection financing and coverage

Dr. Adey Nyamathi

Founding Dean and Distinguished Professor of Nursing · UC Irvine

Dr. Nyamathi conducts studies among vulnerable groups, including homeless, drug-addicted and incarcerated persons and gay/bisexual youth.

Vulnerable Populations Tuberculosis Role of Nursing Hiv/Aids Hepatitis

Stephen Lisonbee

Assistant Vice President of the Office of Regional Services · Southern Utah University

Specializing in workforce and economic development, community outreach, and leadership development

Partnership Development Workforce and Economic Development Leadership Development Community Outreach Government Relations

Angela G Sebby

Assistant Professor · Western Carolina University

Angela Sebby's research interests include Destination Marketing Organizations, rural tourism, eco-tourism, and sustainable tourism.

Hospitality and Tourism Eco-Tourism Destination Marketing Organizations Rural Tourism Sustainable Tourism

Robert Richardson

Associate Professor · Michigan State University

An expert in ecological economics, ecosystem services, food security, and sustainability.

Natural Resource Management Writing and Editing Sustainability Food Security Rural Development

Don Duke, Ph.D., P.E.

Expert in water resources and pollution control · Florida Gulf Coast University

Don Duke applies science and engineering analysis to policy and management decisions.

Municipal stormwater pollution reduction Industrial stormwater pollution reduction Flood mitigation policy Water Resources Policy Water quality assessment

Rita Osborn

Executive Director of Utah Center for Rural Health · Southern Utah University

Specializing in rural Utah healthcare, community building, and project management.

Community Health Programs Rural Health Care Access & Delivery Property Management Healthcare Grants

David Hess

Dean · Medical College of Georgia

Dr. David C. Hess, a stroke specialist, educator, and entrepreneur, is dean of the Medical College of Georgia.

Stroke Neuroscience Telemedicine Neurology Stem Cell Research

Verena Seufert

Postdoctoral Fellow · University of British Columbia, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability

Scientist interested in all things food and nature. Studying how we can do agriculture better.

Sustainability organic agriculture Sustainable Agriculture Biodiversity Climate Change