Events

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Public Leadership Awards

Portman Center Policy Symposium

Symposium banner: "Securing Our Fiscal Future" set against a dark red gradient with a white financial graph line over black bar chart silhouettes.

Securing Our Fiscal Future: Developing Solutions to Tackle America’s Debt and Deficit

Monday, March 30, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Nippert West Pavilion. Reservations required. If you require accessibility accommodations, please email PortmanCenter@uc.edu by March 23

National leaders in fiscal policy will address topics including achievable opportunities for impactful legislation, how to safeguard retirement, and how to mobilize the public for change. 

Speakers include: Shai Akabas (Bipartisan Policy Center), Bob Bixby (Concord Coalition), Alex Brill (American Enterprise Institute), Carolyn Bourdeaux (Concord Coalition), Gordon Gray (Peterson Foundation), Grace Lattyak (Aon), Andrew Lewis (University of Cincinnati), Marianne Lewis (University of Cincinnati), Maya MacGuineas (Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget), Rob Portman (former US Senator), Jessica Riedl (Brookings Institution), Kathleen Romig (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities), Jonathan Silver (Affinity Solutions)

8:30-9:15 Breakfast and Check-In

9:15-9:30 Opening Remarks Former US Senator Rob Portman, Executive Director Andrew Lewis

9:30-10:30 Panel 1: The Fiscal Crisis: Defining the Problem

  • Shai Akabas, Bipartisan Policy Center
  • Gordon Gray, Peterson Foundation
  • Moderated by Maya MacGuineas, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget

10:45-11:45 Panel 2: Building an Achievable Fiscal Policy: Opportunities for Impactful Legislation

  • Carolyn Bourdeaux, Concord Coalition
  • Rob Portman, Former US Senator
  • Moderated by Alex Brill, American Enterprise Institute

11:45-12:45 Lunch and Student Policy Solutions Poster Presentations

12:45-1:45 Panel 3: How the Fiscal Crisis Impacts Retirement: Safeguarding the Future

  • Grace Lattyak, Aon
  • Jessica Riedl, Brookings Institute
  • Kathleen Romig, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
  • Moderated by Marianne Lewis, University of Cincinnati              

2:00-3:00 Panel 4: Can We Mobilize the Public? Using Data to Understand Public Fiscal Sentiment and Effectively Communicate Potential Solutions

  • Bob Bixby, Concord Coalition
  • Maya MacGuineas, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
  • Jonathan Silver, Affinity Solutions
  • Moderated by Andrew Lewis, University of Cincinnati

3:00-3:10 Concluding Remarks Former US Senator Rob Portman

3:10-3:30 Dessert reception        

Polarization, Paradox and Civil Discourse: Workshop led by Dean Marianne Lewis

Thursday, April 16, 12:15–1:15 p.m., Lindner Hall 1220. Lunch provided. Reservations requested

Polarization can trap us in paralyzing, even vicious cycles. Yet such conflict reveals opportunities for deeper insight and innovation. This interactive workshop introduces a paradox mindset: a way of engaging tensions not as problems to eliminate, but as sources of learning. Join us to explore practical tools for fostering more constructive dialogue and building toward more creative and lasting outcomes.

This event is co-organized by the Portman Center for Policy Solutions and the Warren Bennis Leadership Institute. The Civility for Democracy series is presented by the Portman Center for Policy Solutions, Warren Bennis Leadership Institute, The Cincinnati Ethics Center and University Honors in collaboration with UC Libraries and the Cincinnati Alliance of Braver Angels.

Selected Past Events