Welcome!
Welcome to the 2025 Interfaith Leadership Summit! We are delighted to have you join us for a transformative weekend of learning, connection, and collaboration. Whether you’re a returning participant or attending for the first time, your presence here strengthens the growing chorus of voices committed to building a more inclusive and interfaith America.
This year’s theme, Chords of Democracy, invites us to explore the powerful intersection of music and pluralism in American democracy. Like a symphony composed of many unique instruments, our communities thrive when we each contribute our distinct voices to a shared harmony. Through dialogue, storytelling, and active listening, we can learn to play together — not in unison, but in concert — creating a sound that is both complex and unified.
College campuses are microcosms of our national stage — spaces where students and educators alike can learn, practice, and refine their interfaith leadership skills. The Summit provides that vital rehearsal space: nine specialized training tracks, dynamic cohorts, and a network of peers from diverse faith traditions and philosophical worldviews, all gathered with a common goal — to build bridges in a divided time.
On behalf of everyone at Interfaith America, thank you for bringing your voice to this vital work. We can’t wait to see — and hear — what we create together.
Joey Haynes & Noa Nakao –The Summit Team
Important Resources
Interfaith Support Team
The Interfaith Support Team will be available throughout the weekend to assist participants with their religious, spiritual, and philosophical needs. This includes the organization of various rituals in advance of our gathering in Chicago. Recognizing the diverse identities of our Summit community, the Support Team acknowledges that it will not be possible to meet all such needs directly. Participants are, therefore, encouraged to self-organize if they wish to hold a particular service or observance not on the schedule, and the Support Team will be available to assist with these efforts. Team members are also available to meet with individuals or small groups for conversation during meals and at other designated times throughout the weekend.
To learn more about the Support Team and to contact them, please use the Cvent App. For participants who will not be using electronic devices during the weekend, please visit the help desk to be connected with the appropriate team member for support.
Interfaith Support Team Members
Adrian Bird, University Chaplain
Anthony Cruz Pantojas, Humanist Chaplain & Coordinator of Africana Spirituality
Ethan Bair, Rabbi and Bridgebuilding Consultant, Hillel International
seigen johnson, Interfaith America BRAID mentor
Syeed, El Hibri Endowed Professor of Interfaith Studies
Meal and Dietary Information
In our efforts to foster an environment that meets the religious observance needs of all attendees, the Interfaith Leadership Summit has partnered with the Marriott and Zelda’s Catering to provide Halal, Kosher, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free meal options throughout the weekend.
The Summit team has made heartfelt efforts to accommodate individual dietary needs; however, please be sure to read food labels carefully. Should you have any further questions regarding a particular food item, please feel free to contact “Dietary Darcy” at any time throughout the weekend through the Cvent App or the Help Desk.
There will be a specially marked kosher buffet available during all meals provided by Zelda’s Catering. Zelda’s is a kosher certified caterer and there will be a representative available near the buffet if you have any additional questions about the food and its preparation. If you are not keeping kosher, please refrain from eating off of this buffet but do feel free to ask questions and learn more about this observance!
Help Desk
If you need assistance at any point throughout the Summit, please visit The Help Desk located next to the registration desks, across from the 7th floor ballroom. On Sunday, after the Closing Plenary, The Help Desk will move down to the 5th floor.
Visit the Schedule at a Glance (pg. 5) for information about the Interfaith Room!
Friday: 10:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Najeeba
The Interfaith Support Team is organized by Rabbi Or Rose, Senior Consultant at Interfaith America.
Photo
App Features
Download the Cvent App to stay connected and access additional content!
How to Get the App
1. Find the app: Open either the App Store (for iOS devices) or the Google Play Store (for Android devices).
2. Search for the app: Search for “Cvent Events”.
3. Download the app: Download and install the app on your device.
4. Search for the event “2025 Interfaith Leadership Summit.”
5. Log in using the name and email address you used to register.
6. Turn on notifications so that you receive important messages and announcements. You will be prompted to enable notifications when you first log in. If you miss that opportunity, you can navigate to Profile > Settings > Notifications > Allow.
Additional Information Available on the App
Message the Help Desk and Dietary Support
• Send a message to the Help Desk by clicking on Attendees and searching for “A - Help Desk” –at the top if sorted by first name!
• Send a message to our Dietary Support Team by clicking on Attendees and searching for “ADietary Darcy” – at the top if sorted by first name!
Connect with Attendees
• Use the messaging feature on the app by navigating to Attendees, searching for someone’s name, and clicking “message.”
Meet the Speakers & Performers
• Learn about the inspiring people gracing the stage over the coming days.
Event Schedule
• View the entire event schedule and receive real-time updates.
Participate in Discussions
• Interfaith Room Whiteboard
• Heading to a service outside of the hotel and looking for others to join you? Interested in organizing a small gathering of others from your faith community? Want to see what services the Interfaith Support Team are offering? Leave a note on the Interfaith Room Whiteboard to organize and discover existing opportunities.
• The information on this virtual space will be transcribed onto the physical whiteboard outside of the Interfaith Room throughout the weekend.
View the Floor Plan
• A floor plan is an essential for navigating one of Chicago’s biggest hotels–find it in the app or printed on page 3!
Create a Profile
• Add a photo, write a bio, or share your socials by editing your profile.
Schedule at a Glance
Friday, August 8th
& Check in
Lunch & Plenary
Session 2 Dinner & an Evening with the Arts
Saturday, August 9th
Interfaith Room
Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM Floor 4: Armitage
Schedule in Detail
Friday, August 8th
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Registration and Check in → Grand Ballroom Foyer, Floor 7
Complete your Weekend Pass by visiting all the registration stops listed. Once you have completed the registration process, make sure to visit The Studio and create some art. You make the Summit, so make sure to leave your mark in our space.
Symposia
Training Session 3
Session 4
Time & Dinner
Sunday, August 10th
This space on the 4th floor will be open for prayer and reflection for the entirety of the weekend. Attendees are welcome to gather for observances, such as Jummah, Shabbat, Communion, meditation, and other practices at your own discretion. Members of The Interfaith Support team will be available to assist with observance gatherings and can be contacted via the app or The Help Desk. The Interfaith Room is equipped with prayer mats, meditation cushions, Shabbat supplies, and reading materials. We also encourage you to join a local congregation or house of worship for your religious observances. There is a list to get your search started available on the app and at The Help Desk.
Things to do now and throughout the weekend:
Make a CD cover in The Studio
Add to our interactive map of Interfaith America- come back each day for a new prompt!
Visit The Merch Stand for free merch!
Make a bracelet in The Studio and trade with a new friend!
11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
Visit the tables on Floor 7 to learn more about postSummit opportunities
Opening Lunch and Plenary
→ Grand Ballroom, Floor 7
Chords of Democracy: What is the role of pluralism in a diverse democracy?
Snap a pic in front of a photo wall
Featuring: Adam Phillips, Eboo Patel, Rahul Sharma, Allison Briscoe-Smith & Mark Rodgers
In our opening session for the Summit, following an opening from Interfaith America’s CEO, Adam Philips, founder and president Eboo Patel will share his vision of pluralism as a foundational tradition essential to our democracy. We will hear from national thought leaders on how to foster pluralism in our communities, followed by a conversation with Eboo.
1:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Training Session 1
→ Multiple Locations - see the back of your nametag for your specific room!
Your Summit experience is centered around your Training Room. Get to know your trainers and fellow participants because you’ll be spending the rest of the weekend with them!
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM Break
→ Chicago Ballroom Foyer
Grab a snack and, if you haven’t already, make sure to interact with the Building an Interfaith America map. 3:15 PM – 5:15 PM
Training Session 2
→ Multiple Locations - see the back of your nametag for your specific room!
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Dinner & an Evening with the Arts
→ Grand Ballroom, Floor 7
Join us for dinner on Friday evening with special performances by South Asian liturgical dancers and Mona Golabek with Hold On To Your Music Foundation.
Raashi Desai, Ashlesha Shah, and Harmeet Kaur Kamboj are three New York City- based dancers and choreographers who teach and perform with Moksha Arts. The Moksha Arts Dance Company has a 15-year history in New York City and the surrounding tri-state area as a leading educator of South Asian classical, folk, and Bollywood dance for K-12 students. Additionally, Moksha Arts uplifts its company of trained professional dancers through local, national, and international performance opportunities, including on stages in Prague, Athens, Nashville, and Orlando. During the Evening with the Arts, these three choreographers will present a 3-5-minute performance grounded in classical South Asian dance traditions (e.g. Kathak, Bharatnatyam). Before the performance, dancers will provide a brief artists’ statement contextualizing each piece of the performance and underscoring the interfaith elements of South Asian classical dance in the North American diaspora.
The Hold On To Your Music Foundation fosters hope through the power of storytelling and music, showing people that we can flourish, and our dreams can thrive, even when faced with adversity and prejudice. The intergenerational story of Holocaust survivor Lisa Jura is brought to life by her daughter, pianist Mona Golabek. Mona will perform “The Children of Willesden Lane,” adapted from her book. The production has been celebrated by critics and audiences with sold out theatrical runs in New York, London and many other cities. Mona has received Best Actress nominations from the New York Drama Desk and Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle.
Saturday, August 9th
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
→ Grand Ballroom, Floor 7
Fuel up for a full day! If necessary, there will be brief announcements at 8:30 a.m.
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Saturday Symposia
During the Saturday Symposia, participants will have an opportunity to choose and attend two 50-minute sessions.
• Navigating Faith at Work: Stories from MBA Students and Early Career Professionals
→ Chicago B
BYU Faith and Belief at Work Case Competition Winners: Jax Collins, Rose (Rozalyn) Maney, Gayathry Pradeep, Jacob Smith
Parth Bhansali, Director at Reddy Ice; Executive MBA Candidate at Marquette University
Matt Young, Senior Brand Manager at P&G
Join us for an inspiring panel discussion featuring MBA students and early career professionals at different levels of their journey successfully navigating religious diversity in the workplace. From participating in business case competitions to showing how they’ve leveraged their interfaith leadership skills at work and beyond, these panelists will share their personal journeys and insights on how they’ve helped their colleagues and their companies thrive. Whether you’re a student wondering how to use your interfaith training to land a job, a faculty member teaching aspiring business leaders, or a staff member in career services, this session promises to provide valuable lessons and practical strategies for harnessing the power of religious diversity in the modern workplace.
• BRAID-ing Together Student-led Interfaith Projects
→ Great America I + II
2025 BRAID Student Fellows
Inspired by this weekend but aren’t sure how you can start interfaith action on campus as a student? Hear firsthand from the 2025 BRAID (Bridgebuilders Relating Across Interfaith Differences) Student Fellows about their experience in the cohort and planning interfaith leadership projects on campus. Those interested in applying for the 2026 Fellowship should attend to learn more about the program and spark ideas about potential on-campus projects.
• Better Ancestors: Building a Legacy of Life
→ Chicago G (Note: This symposia will take place from 9:00–11:00 a.m. and will only run once)
Somava Saha, President and CEO of WE in the World
What if the human family lived as if we truly need one another to flourish? Join IA’s Faith & Health partner Dr. Somava Saha, President and CEO of WE in the World, who will share a vision for what it means to be better ancestors in this time of generational change. As part of IA’s Faith in Health Professions project (funded by the John Templeton Foundation), Dr. Saha invites present and future health professionals in faith, academic, healthcare, and community settings to look at the past with honesty and honor, to reclaim gifts from those who have gone before us and from the margins, to have the courage and fortitude to build a just future for generations to come, grounded in love, life and justice for all our children.
• Interfaith Intersections in South Asian Diasporic Dance
→ Grand Ballroom, Floor 7
Ashlesha Shah, Raashi Desai, Harmeet Kaur Kamboj
Following the Evening with the Arts, Ashlesha, Raashi, and Harmeet from the Moksha Arts Dance Company will lead a movement workshop introducing participants to various South Asian liturgical dance traditions, including classical and folk form. In addition to connecting to music through movement, you will get a chance to learn more about the interfaith elements of South Asian dance in the North American diaspora.
• Connecting through Creativity: Interfaith Bridgebuilding through Art
→ The Studio, Floor 7
Jess Smoot, Program Assistant at Interfaith America
Artists have a long tradition of using their work to create spaces for community, bridgebuilding, and connecting across differences. In this symposium, participants will experience a collective artmaking project, and leave with tips on how to create meaningful connections in their own interfaith work through artmaking.
• Collaborative Problem-Solving – Skills, Mindsets, and Tools
→ Chicago D (Note: This symposia will take place from 9:00–11:00 a.m. and will only run once)
Gabriel Herrera, Program Director at Convergence Center for Policy Restoration
The Collaborative Problem-Solving – Skills, Mindsets, and Tools workshop will help participants build the mindset, skills, and practical tools needed to navigate conflict and find solutions across divides. Together, we’ll explore why conflict arises, how our brains respond under stress, and how to shift into a problem-solving mindset rooted in curiosity, empathy, and openness. Participants will learn a proven, step-by-step process for collaborative problem-solving — covering how to define and frame issues, convene diverse stakeholders, build trust, uncover shared interests, and develop “higher-ground” solutions that meet everyone’s most important needs. Through discussion, hands-on activities, and role-play exercises, participants will leave with concrete strategies and insights they can apply to real-world challenges in their organizations, communities, and networks.
• Interfaith After Graduation
→ Lincolnshire I + II
Emerging Leader Trainers
You’ve done a great job as an interfaith leader in college, but what happens after graduation? Interfaith skills are essential because of how they touch every career and vocation. Join this session to hear from some of your alumni trainers about the different ways that they have transitioned their interfaith skills into life after graduation
• Interfaith Civic Pluralism: Bringing Faith to Politics and Public Life for the Common Good
→ Chicago E
Scott Rasmussen, Director of Democracy Initiatives at Interfaith America
Chris Crawford, Senior Director of Civic Strategies at Interfaith America
Harman Singh, Executive Director of The Sikh Coalition
Stefanie Summers, CEO of Center for Public Justice
Join us for an interactive panel discussion to be inspired about why and how you can engage faith in civic service and leadership in your community. Our panelists will discuss how personal faith can inspire people to work and engage in the civic sector and what it means to advocate and educate from a faith-based perspective. They will also reflect on how faith communities can offer hope and help bridge deepening polarization in the US today.
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
11:15 AM – 12:45 PM
Training Session 3
→ Multiple Locations - see the back of your nametag for your specific room!
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch
→ Grand Ballroom
Make a plate and pick a table for this affinity lunch! During this meal, half of the tables will have signs so that you can choose to connect with those from similar institutions. Conversations will be self guided so we encourage you to take initiative and chat! For a list of potential tables, check out the app.
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Training Session 4
→ Multiple Locations - see the back of your nametag for your specific room!
3:30 PM
Free Time & Dinner Independently
Make the most of this free time to explore downtown Chicago, connect with peers, or prioritize rest. We invite you to grab a group of friends to dine with on your own. Check out some Interfaith America staff recommendations on page 22 to get started.
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Ice Cream Social
→ The Studio
Cool down from a long day with a sweet treat! Swing by to pick up an ice cream bar or stay for a while and play some board games.
Sunday, August 10th
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Breakfast
→ Grand Ballroom
Grab the most important meal of the day and take the time to check out of your hotel rooms now! Once you check out, the front desk will be able to store your luggage for the remainder of the day. You won’t have time to do this later so make sure to get this done before you come down for breakfast!
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Sunday Plenary
→ Grand Ballroom
Building the Stage on College Campuses. How can campus leaders create space for pluralism?
Featuring Paul Lambert, Abhinav Krishnan, Sudha Wadhwani, and Mike Whitenton
To conclude the Summit, a panel of campus leaders will discuss the opportunities and challenges of creating space for pluralism on college campuses. The panelists will share stories from their own institutions, highlighting initiatives to respect difference, build relationships, and promote cooperation.
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Training Session 5
→ Multiple Locations - see the back of your nametag for your specific room!
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Grab and Go Lunch
→ Chicago Ballroom, Floor 5
The Summit might be over but we want to make sure that you are fed for your journeys back home! Grab a boxed lunch and take it to go or sneak in one more shared meal by eating in the Chicago Ballroom on Floor 5.
Plenary Speakers
Eboo Patel
Founder and President, Interfaith America
Eboo Patel is a civic leader, speaker, and author advancing the notion that diversity is a treasure and cooperation across our difference is the key for everybody to thrive. Recognized as “one of America’s best leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, he is the Founder and President of Interfaith America, the nation’s leading interfaith organization.
Under Eboo’s leadership, Interfaith America has grown into a $20 million-peryear organization that partners with governments, universities, businesses, and civic organizations to transform faith into a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division.
Eboo’s impact extends to serving on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council, delivering hundreds of keynote addresses, and authoring five influential books, including We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy. A Rhodes Scholar and Ashoka Fellow, Eboo earned a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University.
Adam Nicholas Phillips
Chief Executive Officer, Interfaith America
Adam Nicholas Phillips is the Chief Executive Officer at Interfaith America. Adam leads the institutional operations and strategy of Interfaith America, which is the nation’s largest bridge-building organization with programming and narrative efforts across campus, corporate, and civic spaces. Having spent two decades at the intersection of faith and public life, Adam previously served as a BidenHarris Administration official leading Faith-based and Localization efforts at the United States Agency for International Development, where he served in both a development and diplomatic capacity. Working closely with the White House and Department of State, in his role at USAID Adam oversaw development policy, new and non-traditional partnerships, as well as democracy initiatives in nearly 100 countries. An ordained minister, Adam has also led and started new congregations, led faith mobilization efforts at advocacy organizations like ONE and Bread for the World, and worked on various political campaigns. Adam has been a TEDx speaker, and his work has been featured in The Atlantic, CNN, Washington Post, NPR, Huffington Post, Relevant Magazine, and the Christian Broadcasting Network’s 700 Club.
Rahul Sharma
Founder, Funkadesi; Psychologist and Consultant
Dr. Rahul Sharma is an experienced keynote speaker, coach, consultant, licensed clinical psychologist and musician with expertise in emotional intelligence, leadership development, conflict management, and optimal practices that cultivate inclusion and belonging. He is former Associate Professor at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, where he Chaired its Diversity Concentration for 13 years. Dr. Sharma is also founder and bassist/sitarist for the intercultural music group Funkadesi, a 10-member band that is comprised of Indian-American, African-American, Jamaican, Latino, Haitian, and European American members who are musicians, advocates, educators, & healers. As a speaker, Dr. Sharma synthesizes his various areas of expertise and distills key kernels of wisdom to audiences with creativity and dedication to impact. In addition to his speaking engagements, Dr. Sharma maintains a small private practice. He resides with his family in Evanston, Illinois.
Allison Briscoe-Smith
Founder/Principal, Soft River Consulting P.C.
Allison is a child clinical psychologist with a specialization in trauma and ethnic minority mental health. For over 20 years, she has combined her love of teaching and advocacy by serving as a professor and by directing mental health programs for children experiencing trauma, working with schools, healthcare providers, non-profits and children’s media companies as a clinician, consultant, and trainer. She has founded a consultancy that focuses on creating spaces of belonging and connection across divides. Allison is the Diversity Lead for Student Life at the University of Washington, a Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center (GGSC), and co-instructor of the GGSC’s Bridging Differences course. She is also a Senior Fellow at Resetting the Table and works frequently with other providers that address bridging and belonging.
Mark Rodgers
Principal, The Clapham Group
Mark Rodgers is the Principal of The Clapham Group, a company that seeks to influence culture upstream of the political arena. Mark served as the thirdranking Republican leadership staffer in the U.S. Senate for six years overseeing strategic planning and strategic communications. He also served as a high profile chief of staff to Senator Rick Santorum, working on Capitol Hill for a total of 16 years. He was known on the Hill for his work on such issues as poverty alleviation and global AIDS, as well as protecting life at its most vulnerable stages. Mark is a published writer and a speaker at large and small gatherings on the topics of faith and public life, culture and caring for the least of these. His work over the years has involved consulting with some of the largest foundations in the world, Fortune 500 companies, internationally known music artists and filmmakers, and even famous comic book creators. He earned a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from Penn State, and attended Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry. Mark is married to Leanne, and together they have four children and seven grandchildren.
Mona Golabek
Founder and President, Hold On to Your Music Foundation
American concert pianist, author, and actress, Mona Golabek, learned to play the piano from her mother, Holocaust survivor Lisa Jura, whose stories inspired the critically acclaimed book, “The Children Of Willesden Lane”. Her father, Michel Golabek, fought valiantly in the French resistance and received the Croix de Guerre. Mona’s grandparents died at Auschwitz.
In 2012, Mona made her stage debut in “The Pianist of Willesden Lane”, adapted from the book. The production has been celebrated by critics and audiences with sold out theatrical runs in New York, London and many other cities. Mona has received Best Actress nominations from the New York Drama Desk and Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle.
In October, she will go to China with the publication of the book. She has shared her mother’s story with millions of readers and audiences worldwide as she continues to hold on to the music that saved her mother’s life.
Harmeet Kaur Kamboj
Assistant Director of Workplace Network, Interfaith America Choreographer and Instructor, Moksha Arts
Harmeet Kaur Kamboj has nearly 20 years of dance experience and 15 years of dance teaching experience, with expertise in South Asian folk and classical forms like Bhangra, Giddha, and Kathak, as well as Bollywood. Harmeet’s dance journey began in 2007 under the tutelage of Guru Arpita Roy at the Jhanak Dance Academy in Virginia, where Harmeet trained in Kathak (Lucknow gharana) and Bollywood. Harmeet became a founding member of the DC Metro Punjabi Arts Academy in 2009 where they learned and taught Bhangra and Giddha until 2015. Prior to joining Moksha Arts as an instructor in 2018, Harmeet captained William & Mary Dhamaal Bhangra and judged national-level Bhangra competitions along the East Coast and in the Midwest. Harmeet has performed and competed around the world, including in the U.K., Canada, Greece, and at home in New York City.
Raashi Desai
Choreographer and Instructor, Moksha Arts
Raashi Desai has been trained in folk Bollywood dance at Nupur School of Dance since 1999. As a kid, Raashi performed in competitions in New Jersey and was a part of a tour of shows in Mumbai called “My Marathi.” She went on to join a competitive dance team in college which lead to her introduction to Moksha Arts. Raashi has taught children from age 2-18 at Moksha Arts since early 2014. Her passion for storytelling continues at Moksha Arts whether on the stage or on the film screen. Her mission is to not only inspire future dancers but also be a support system for the incredible, crazy, and talented individuals who come to class every week.
Ashlesha Shah
Choreographer and Instructor, Moksha Arts
Ashlesha Shah was first introduced to dance when she was six years old and trained in the Pandanallur style of Bharat Natyam. She fell in love with the art and completed her Arangetram when she was 16. She performed with a college dance team at NYU and has been teaching with Moksha Arts since 2014. Ashlesha works full-time as a psychotherapist and is currently a clinical director at a counseling agency. However, she attributes teaching dance as a major part of her self care and loves being in a studio with kids multiple times a week. Ashlesha regularly teaches Bharat Natyam, Bollywood, and Contemporary classes at Moksha Arts.
Paul
Lambert
Religion Initiative Director, Wheatley Institute at Brigham Young University
Dr. Paul Lambert is the Religion Initiative Director at Wheatley Institute. He is a leading expert on religious pluralism in society, including the role of pluralism in economics and business. He works regularly with global businesses on this topic, including American Airlines, Accenture, Dell Technologies, Equinix, ServiceNow, and PwC. Prior, Paul was Assistant Dean at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, where he managed consulting and business education programs for global companies and university partners. Before joining Georgetown University, Paul was at the National Defense University (NDU), where he served as Professor and lead Academic Officer of a congressionally-funded Department of Defense and Department of State American Studies graduate program for students from over 75 countries.
Paul is a graduate of Georgetown University where he earned his Doctorate in Liberal Studies; the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University where he received his Masters Degree in International Relations; Brigham Young University where he studied American Studies; and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he graduated from the Seminar XXI Fellowship Program on foreign affairs and national security.
Abhinav Krishnan
Field Coordinator, One Small Step – StoryCorps
Abhinav Krishnan is a writer and organizer passionate about building community and telling stories that reshape our relationship to the world around us. He believes that understanding the lived experiences that inform our beliefs can help humanize our differences. As the Field Coordinator at Vanderbilt University, he builds programs for students to learn active listening, purposeful sharing, and curious questioning skills, practice meaningful conversations in guided settings, and model conversations across differences in the community.
Abhinav studied political science and economics at Vanderbilt University. After graduation, he was awarded the Keegan Traveling Fellowship and spent 13 months living with environmental activists across the world and writing about the ways social change must adapt to different political systems and cultural norms.
Sudha Wadhwani
Clinical and Community Psychologist, Coordinator of Inclusion and Community Initiatives. Montclair State University, Counseling and Psychological Services
Dr. Sudha Wadhwani is a Clinical and Community Psychologist of 25 years who specializes in college mental health, multicultural psychology and outreach, and creating inclusive spaces to bridge gaps, navigate intersections, and build opportunities for connection and belonging across and within systems. She serves as the Coordinator of Inclusion and Community Initiatives at Montclair State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services, where she focuses on supporting individuals with multiple marginalized intersecting identities, immigration and acculturation gap issues, and transgenerational trauma. She has been coordinating a Bridging the Gap training program on her campus, where she has trained key faculty, staff, and administrators who advise student cultural and faith-based organizations. She has served as a founding Steering Committee member of the National Association for University and College Counseling Center Outreach (AUCCCO), NJPA Diversity Committee Co-Chair, and has a private psychotherapy and consulting practice, providing training and consultation on inclusion and cultural competence.
Mike Whitenton Director of Academic Initiatives
As Director of Academic Initiatives, Mike Whitenton empowers faculty nationwide to cultivate pluralism in their classrooms and on their campuses. Before joining the team at Interfaith America, he spent ten years at Baylor University as a faculty member, designing and teaching courses on interfaith cooperation, bridgebuilding, civic engagement, and religion. Mike also co-founded Baylor’s Bridgebuilding Fellows Program, which equips both faculty and students to advance civic pluralism. Mike is a widely-published scholar of ancient Christianity (Ph.D., Baylor), specializing in the impact of Jesus narratives on ancient audiences. In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as running and cycling (preferably along Lake Michigan).
Engaging with the Environment
The Studio → Floor 7
Come to The Studio throughout the weekend to create and unwind! Feel free to use this space to engage in the following activities or just hang out between training sessions.
CD Wall
While you should never judge an album by its cover, making an album cover in the CD wall might help you share your interfaith story. Visit the CD wall to create a visual representation of why you are an interfaith leader.
Friendship Bracelets
Our hope is that you are developing lasting friendships at the Summit this weekend. Commemorate this time together by making and trading bracelets with your new friends. Beads and materials will be available at The Studio throughout the weekend for you to use. Feel free to make the bracelet there or take the supplies to go!
Map of Interfaith America → Floor 5
You have come from all across the United States to engage with pluralism this weekend! In celebration of this, we want you to leave your mark on our map of an interfaith America. Come back each day to answer a new question!
The Merch Stand → Floor 5
You visited The Merch Stand during registration to pick up your Summit Tee. Head back every day to pick up more IA merch and books!
Share your Story: #ILSummit25
Throughout the Summit, you’ll have a chance to share your story with our social media team. If you are excited to share, catch Cameron Dreher-Siefkes at the photowall or message her on the app to coordinate!
Make sure that you are following @interfaithamerica on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. We will be sharing content from the Summit throughout the weekend and beyond so keep a close eye to see if you recognize any faces!
You are all storytellers as well! Don’t forget to tag us and include #ILSummit25 so that we can see your point of view.
One Small Step
One Small Step (OSS) was founded on the belief that listening to stories humanizes our differences. They introduce their oneto-one conversation methodology to campus life, helping the next generation of leaders create authentic relationships, build collaborative campus communities, and navigate an interconnected world with curiosity, compassion, and confidence. Fueled by StoryCorps’ 20 years of narrative and oral history experience, OSS weaves dialogue and storytelling into an impactful communitybuilding experience.
During the Summit, One Small Step will be capturing your interfaith stories. Keep an eye out for these stories to be published in the fall!
Staff Recommendations
Gracie Webb Learning Team
Take the brown line to Albany Park. Walk through Chicago’s most diverse neighborhood before sitting down at Kabobi (tons of group seating available) for the best Persian food this side of the Atlantic. Every other imaginable type of food is also available, but I strongly recommend butter chicken and saffron ice cream!
Joey Haynes
Higher Education Team
I highly recommend renting a Divvy bike (you can use your Lyft app!) at Navy Pier and take a leisurely ride along the lake shore pathway heading either north or south. You have 18 miles of uninterrupted paved pathway to explore beaches, parks, restaurants, and an incredible view of the skyline! If you head north, I’d recommend a quick stop at North Avenue beach pier for photos then head about 15 minutes further north to enjoy a stroll through Jarvis Bird Sanctuary for a reflective and quiet moment. Finally, head back to Navy Pier to catch the 10:00 p.m. fireworks show on Saturday!
Rollie Olson
President’s Office
For a quintessential Chicago baseball experience, catching a game at either Wrigley Field or Guaranteed Rate Field is a must. To visit Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs since 1914, take the Red Line to the Addison stop; you’ll find yourself in Wrigleyville, a vibrant neighborhood packed with sports bars and restaurants. For a White Sox game at Guaranteed Rate Field, take the Red Line to the Sox35th stop. Just one stop away is Chinatown, perfect for exploring and enjoying delicious pre- or post-game cuisine. Note that tickets for a Sox game are usually significantly cheaper, but both stadiums offer a full day of fun!
Katherine O’Brien
Strategic Communications Team
Take the blue line to Logan Square to enjoy some local comedy and explore Chicago’s northwest side. Check out the Lincoln Lodge, a charming stand up venue just a five minute walk from the El Blue Line Western stop. Every night they host multiple shows with names like, “Laugh Now, Cry Later,” “The Cool Kids Table,” and “The Lesbian Lodge: A Queer Lady Comedy Show.” The theater is located on the first floor of the building and all areas of the facility are wheelchair accessible. Afterward, continue northeast down Milwaukee Avenue and grab a snack at Taqueria Moran, The Chicago Diner, Reno, or Cafe Con Leche or drink at Cafe Mustache, Cole’s, or The Whistler.
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Photo Credit: Lincoln Lodge
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