Mary Tucker Jasper Speaker Series

National Thought Leadership

The Speaker Series supports the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s mission to increase participation in the American system of self-government by sharing the life stories, arts, and culture of an American President. Event proceeds help the Presidential Site share innovative civic education and outreach programs with more than 30,000 children and adults each year. The event annually welcomes 300 prestigious guests to enjoy a dinner and a nationally recognized speaker.

This year’s program will honor those men and women who sacrifice so much for our country. On Veteran’s Day, join us at Indiana Roof Ballroom to celebrate our country’s heroes. New this year: there will be an opportunity to attend virtually as well as in person!

Is there a future for American presidents from the past? What lessons can history share to better prepare generations for leadership?

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site president & CEO, Charlie Hyde, will moderate a fast-paced conversation with three remarkable leaders across three generations with unique perspectives on the American presidency, past and future.

Together, we’ll explore intergenerational perspectives on the enduring legacy of presidential leadership, and how our three organizations are seeking to meaningfully advance public participation in the American system of self-government.

2021 Speakers

Christina Shutt, Executive Director, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
Christina Shutt was recently selected as the Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum’s fifth director and is the first person of color to lead the organization. She has committed to bring new perspective to one of the country’s most admired leaders.

Howard Kittell, President & CEO, Andrew Jackson’s The Hermitage
Howard Kittell has led his organization through a remarkable transformation over the past 13 years, as it sought to better understand and share the controversial legacy of Andrew Jackson.

Jade Thomas, Future Presidents of America alumna, Class of 2015
Jade Thomas, a 2015 alumna of the inaugural class of Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s Future Presidents of America, recently asserted in an IBJ editorial that, “because history is bound by the ordinary, our leaders don’t have to be sensational.” She is a freshman at Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, majoring in Public Relations and Crisis Communications.

Past speakers include Brian Lamb, Iconic Political Cartoonists (Mike Luckovich, Michael Ramirez and Gary Varvel), Paula Kerger, Ron Chernow, Michael Beschloss, and Richard Norton Smith.

Seating is exclusive and limited to 400 attendees.

Interested in sponsoring this event? Please direct questions or concerns to VP of Development, Bethany Gosewehr: (317) 631-1888 or bgosewehr@bhpsite.org.