Speakers at the Center
Deepen Your Learning
Join us at the Wassmuth Center each month for an inspiring and thought-provoking speaker series that shines a light on critical human rights issues impacting both our local community and global society. Each session features dynamic speakers—authors, scholars, journalists, and other community leaders—who will share powerful stories, insights, and actionable ideas to foster awareness, understanding, and meaningful change. Whether you’re passionate about human rights, eager to engage with diverse perspectives, or looking to deepen your impact, these events provide an opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect with others committed to building a more just and inclusive world.
Upcoming
Pass the POTATO: Stories. Connection. Community. Shannon McGuire
September 2, 2026
6:00 - 8:30 PM MST
Every community is shaped by the stories we tell—and the stories we share.
Pass the POTATO is a gathering that brings neighbors together through food, film, and real conversation about the place we call home. At the center of the evening: the POTATO Movie—a documentary celebrating the people, traditions, and moments that reveal the heart of Idaho. More than a film, it’s an invitation to reflect on what creates our sense of belonging.
Following the screening, executive producer Shannon McGuire will facilitate a community conversation. Participants are invited to explore their own connection to the Gem State, the people who shaped them, the places that defined them, and the stories they carry.
Guests can expect to:
- Watch a film that celebrates the spirit of Idaho
- Reflect on their own connection to place and people
- Engage in real conversation with neighbors who may share more in common than they realize
Shannon McGuire is the founder of Supreme Moms® and Spark! Strategic Solutions. She’s spent 16+ years working across business, government and philanthropy as a leadership and community wellbeing strategist helping organizations tackle complex human challenges. Her work has been shaped by one conviction: the people quietly holding communities together are already leading—we simply haven’t learned to recognize or invest in them. POTATO is that belief brought to life on screen. Born from her mom heart, it celebrates everyday Idahoans and stands as her tribute to the people, places, and shared moments that make the Gem State worth calling home.
Speakers at the Center is made possible with the generous support of Marlene Southard.
Special Events
with Ellie Krug
August 14, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Gray Area Thinking Workshop from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
We hear the word “inclusion” everywhere, but what does it actually take to build organizations and lives where every person is valued, regardless of skin color, religion, politics, or country of origin? And in a time of deep division, is that even possible?
Join us for a workshop with Ellie Krug, national speaker, writer, and self-described “human inclusionist.” You’ll leave with a practical, easy-to-use toolset for welcoming everyone.
Getting to Ellen: Gleaning Authenticity from a Moment of Truth from 6:30 – 8:00 PM
We all experience moments of truth. Some of them shape us forever. For Ellie Krug, the moment came at age forty-four. She had built a full life as a man — a loving wife, two young daughters, a house in a beautiful neighborhood, and a successful career as a civil trial attorney. But she had struggled with gender identity since childhood, believing she could choose to stay male, only to learn that gender isn’t a choice. One critical day, she realized that unless she lived authentically, she would someday look back on her life with overwhelming regret.
Join Ellie for this introspective talk about overcoming enormous fear to dramatically change course, and about the rewards of finding one’s true, authentic self. Her message: life is to be lived, not endured. You don’t need to be transgender to appreciate this talk. You just need to be human.
Interested in being a speaker?
Please complete the form to let us know your interest and availability. We’ll contact you within a week to explore possibilities.
2026 Speakers
January
“Restoring America’s Promise: The Fight for Justice” with Dr. Mitch Maki, President and CEO of Go For Broke National Education Center
February
“The Art of Belonging: Women, Art, and Human Rights” with Luma Jasim, Reham Aarti, and Sue Latta
March
“The Cambodian Genocide 50 Years On: Truth, Justice, and Lessons Learned” with Dr. Alex Hinton, Director of the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights and UNESCO Chair on Genocide Prevention
April
“Authentic Conversations Across Difference” with Adrienne Evans, Executive Director of United Vision for Idaho
May
“Crayons before Constitutions: Because Real Justice Doesn’t Color Inside the Lines” with Rebecca Young, former civil rights trial attorney and two-time finalist for the Idaho Supreme Court
June
“Idaho, the Environment, and Latinos: New Stories for the Past and Future” with Emily Wakild, Professor of history and the Cecil D. Andrus Endowed Chair for the Environment and Public Lands at Boise State University
August
“The Human Right to Belong: Lessons from a Shelter Home ” with Jodi Peterson Stigers Executive Director of Interfaith Sanctuary Housing Services
September
Screening of the documentary POTATO and guided dialogue afterward with Shannon McGuire founder of Supreme Moms®, Spark! Strategic Solutions, and the Project 8B Foundation
2025 Speaker Series
January
Heath Druzin, “The Rise of Christian Nationalism and Idaho as a Laboratory for Extremism”
February
- Ousmane Kabré, “Stories of Impact, Compassion, and Community Transformation”
- Dr. Mitchell Maki, “America’s Promise: The Japanese Americans Veterans and the Fight for Justice”
March
Laurie Roberts, Rama Deen, Sarah Griffin, & Christina Lords “Her Influence: Honoring the Women Who Shape Us”
April
- Open Arms Dance Project & Open Arms Ambassadors
- Unseen and Unshaken: Narratives from the Unhoused Frontlines
May
Liyah Babayan, “Stages of Genocide in Real Time”
June
- Katie Knight & Judy Fjell, Love and Justice in Art and Music
- Gillian Walnes Perry, The Franks-An Ordinary Family Trapped in Extraordinary Times
July
“From Cambodia to Idaho: Student Perspectives on Human Rights, Education, and Hope”
August
“Voices of Belonging: Idaho Youth Speak”
September
Gregory Taylor, “Windows & Mirrors: stories that open doors to empathy and identity
October
CMarie Fuhrman, “The Power of Articles: How A, An, and The Can Shape Our Perceptions”
November
Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, “What Dispositions Do We Need for Democracy and Equity?”
December
Mari Ramos, “Cultural Heritage as a Moral Compass, Building Community Strength through Celebration”
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“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
-NELSON MANDELA, HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER