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The Conference on World Affairs is pleased to announceÌýits programming executive teamÌýfor the 2021-22Ìýconference year. Laurie Leinonen will continue as CWA Program Committee Chair, working in partnershipÌýwith Alex Pham, CWAÌýStudent Program Chair. The Board created the Student Program Chair position last year in an effort to further enhance student voices in curating the conference.

Betsy Block will serve as theÌýCommunity Program Vice Chair,Ìýsupporting the programming leadership.ÌýRobin Luff will take over the role of CWA Community Outreach Chair and her appointment will also hold a seat on the CWA board.

• Laurie LeinonenÌýis a 40 years+ resident of Boulder where her two children were born and raised.ÌýHaving attended CWA for years, she became involved directly as a volunteer with CWA in 2014 when she joined the Arts Committee, later becoming its Co-Chair from 2016-2019.ÌýHer interest in volunteering for CWA has always been about reaching a more diverse community and student population. Laurie focuses on howÌýbest we can keep CWA thriving and engaging, whatever the current issues may be.

• Alexander PhamÌýisÌýa sophomore at the University of Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Boulder pursuing a degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering,Ìýand serves as a member of the Global Engineering Program. Pham is currently the CWA Student Program Chair for the 2021-22 conference year. Apart from CWA, PhamÌýalso works inÌýresearch in HIV vaccination, advocates for improved access to healthcare, and is a volunteerÌýwith Children's Hospital Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ.

• Betsy Block -ÌýAfter retiring in 2013 from a career in women's health, Betsy attended her first CWA. Entralled with the experience, she decided to volunteer. She was warmly welcomed by the Human condition sub-committee and became a co-chair two years later. During the past six years she has loved meeting and working with students and community members, searching for the finest speakersÌýand creating innovative and stimulating panels. She looks forward to meeting new challenges and continuing CWA's tradition of excellence. When not working on CWA, Betsy is passionate about watching and playing tennis, cycling, operaÌýand being with her family, including her two granddaughters.

• Robin LuffÌýis an Advisory Board member for Watson Institute and is CWA Community OutreachÌýChair for the Conference on World Affairs. Professionally, Robin had a long career in publishing, working with magazines that focused on sports or health. Robin has also worked in post-conflict countries with programming in Early Childhood Education with a Respecting Differences Curriculum. Over the years, she has served on the board of Impact on Education, Summit Charter School, The Community Foundation, The School Food Project and El Centro Amistad. She worked with Community of Sudanese and American women and hosted Sudanese Refugee, Mary Ingiria, who lived with Robin’s family as Mary she finished her degree at Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ. Her team is Kevin, Kerrick and Aidan Luff.

Other new CWA board members are as follows:

• Elise Miller (Community Seat) -ÌýOriginally from San Francisco, Elise Miller has been a Boulder resident for over 30 years. She is a University of Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ, Boulder alumna with a BA in Psychology. She worked in business development, sales and marketing for over 20 years, served as Chair of the Board of Jarrow Montessori, on the Executive Committee for the Parent Council and on the Development Committee at Alexander Dawson School. Elise has been involved in CWA in various capacities, including on the Development Committee, Chair of Keynote Committee and a member of the Business Committee. She is currently pursuing her JD at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law.
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• Benjamin Teitelbaum (Faculty Seat) -ÌýBenjamin R. Teitelbaum is Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology and International Affairs. He earned a Ph.D. from Brown University with auxiliary studies at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm and Harvard University, and a B.M., summa cum lade, in nyckelharpa performance from Bethany College. Prior to coming to the College of Music, he was Instructor and Head of Nordic Studies, also at the University of Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Boulder.
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• Yvette Lowney (Community Seat) -ÌýYvette Wieder LowneyÌýis a Boulder native and second generation CWA volunteer.ÌýAfter returning to Boulder in 1989, she re-engaged with CWA, subsequently volunteering as her parenting and professional schedules allowed. Over the last decade, she has volunteered with CWA in many capacities, and now looks forward to bringing that background to her participation on the Board.Ìý