REP. STEVE ISRAEL
Chairman, Former U.S. Congressman
Steve Israel served in the U.S. Congress between 2001 and 2017, including 4 years as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 2011 to 2015. In Congress, he created the House Center Aisle Caucus, which convened regularly to facilitate bipartisan dialogue.
In 2021, he opened a small independent bookshop, Theodore’s Books, in his historic hometown of Oyster Bay, fulfilling a lifelong dream. He also directs the nonpartisan Institute of Politics and Global Affairs at the Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell University, which serves as a platform for civic engagement and bipartisan dialogue.
He has written three widely praised novels, most recently The Einstein Conspiracy, a historic thriller. His other books include Global War on Morris and Big Guns.
As Chairman of the Birch Creek Dialogues, he convenes thought leaders and policymakers in an exploration of using the power of nature to elevate civic discourse and problem solving.
MANDA KALIMIAN
Founder
Manda Kalimian is the founder of the Birch Creek Dialogues and the President of Rewilding America Now, which for over a decade has worked to rewild America’s wild horses and land to promote environmental and climate sustainability.
Manda has raised awareness of issues surrounding America’s need for conservation and the important role nature plays in human flourishing. She owns over 1,300 private acres and 70,000 federal grazing acres in Birch Creek Valley, Idaho and is focused on ensuring its preservation as part of the critical Yellowstone corridor.
Manda is the author of Born To Rewild: Triumphs of a Now Fearless Woman. In 2019 and 2025, she presented at Cambridge University for their Conservation Forum.
She also helped secure a scientific grant to fund McMaster University’s Poinar Lab on Quaternary ecosystems using environmental DNA drawn from sediment cores, with a primary goal of collecting additional evidence regarding last appearance times for horses in North America.
Manda is a staunch believer in traditional ecological knowledge and a founding member of the Institute of Politics and Global Affairs at Cornell University. She helped create and fund the first rewilding policy curriculum at the Cornell Brooks Public Policy School.
She spearheaded the inclusion of rewilding language for managing America’s wild horses in the FY2020 Interior Appropriations budget bill and continues to partner with government entities on conservation matters.
MARC BERMAN, PhD
Board of Advisors
Professor & Chair of the Dept of Psychology University of Chicago
Marc Berman is a Professor of Psychology and Director of the Environmental Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Chicago. He is also Chair of the Department of Psychology and faculty co-director of the Masters in Computational Social Science program.
In his research, he applies novel statistical and computational models to quantify brain networks and connects those insights to broader psychological phenomena such as self-control, depression, and cognitive effort.
His lab also studies how physical and social environments influence the brain and behavior. In particular, his work explores why natural environments have beneficial effects on body and mind.
He recently authored Nature and the Mind: The Science of How Nature Improves Cognitive, Physical, and Social Well-Being.
He received his PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience and Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2010. His work has been featured in The Atlantic, The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, Chicago Magazine, The Times London, The Toronto Star, and The Wall Street Journal.
DAVID CALONE
Advisor
Dave Calone is a Long Island based entrepreneur and investor who has helped start and build companies on Long Island and around the country. He currently serves as a senior advisor to investment firms Jove Equity Associates and Strata Alliance. He also is the manager of the Australia Venture Partners Fund.
Before entering the business world, he served as a federal prosecutor fighting terrorism and international economic crime and as a NY State Special Assistant Attorney General.
He has held a number of governmental and not-for-profit leadership roles including as chair of the DAV National Veterans Entrepreneurship Council. He also helped organize the bipartisan ongressional Caucus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served for almost a decade as the Chair of the Suffolk County Planning Commission, led Suffolk County's Superstorm Sandy Review Taskforce, and co-founded Suffolk County's "Suffolk Forward" initiative to support small business recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic. He currently serves as an appointed member of the New York State Regional Economic Development Council for Long Island, as the Vice Chair of Accelerate Long Island, on the executive board of the United Way of Long Island, and as a board member of the Community Development Corporation of Long Island.
He is a co-inventor on 19 U.S. patents relating to internet data aggregation and to health care data and consumer choice. He is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School.
ERICK LUNDGREN, PhD
Board of Advisors
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Alberta
Erick Lundgren is an ecologist who uses a variety of quantitative macroecological and field-based approaches to study introduced species and novel ecosystems.
He is particularly interested in understanding these systems in the context of Earth’s history, and how cultural values influence how we interpret ecological change.
Dr. Lundgren holds a PhD in Biology from the University of Technology Sydney, an MS in Plant Conservation and Ecology from Arizona State University, and a BA in Biology from Earlham College.
THE HONORABLE PATRICK J. MURPHY
Board of Advisors
The Honorable Patrick J. Murphy is a nationally recognized leader in enterprise strategy, public service, and innovation.
As Executive Director of the Hilco Global Geopolitical Unit, he leads efforts to provide clients with actionable geopolitical intelligence and strategic insight, helping organizations navigate risk, unlock opportunity, and strengthen their competitive position.
Murphy made history as America’s first Iraq War veteran elected to the U.S. Congress. He served on the Appropriations Committee and authored bipartisan legislation including the IMPROVE Act and Improper Payments Act, saving taxpayers billions.
From 2015 to 2017, he served as the 32nd Under Secretary and Acting Secretary of the U.S. Army, leading a workforce of 1.3 million personnel and managing a budget exceeding $185 billion.
He expanded the Soldier for Life initiative, building over $250 million in public-private partnerships and recruiting more than 120,000 Gen Z Americans into the Army.
He is also a Nonresident Fellow at the Penn Wharton Budget Model and a lecturer at the Wharton School of Business. He has held positions at West Point and the University of Chicago.
An Emmy Award-winning media professional, he hosts Warrior Money on Yahoo Finance. He also chairs the $50 million Face the Fight initiative to combat veteran suicide.
TIM RYAN
Board of Advisors
Tim Ryan is a former U.S. Congressman, author, and advocate for thoughtful leadership, civic dialogue, and personal well-being. He represented Ohio in the United States Congress for two decades, where he worked on issues ranging from economic renewal and manufacturing to education, public health, and strengthening American communities.
Alongside his public service, Tim became widely known for his work bringing mindfulness and contemplative practices into leadership, education, and public life. A longtime meditation practitioner, he has written and spoken extensively about the role mindfulness can play in improving focus, reducing stress, and helping individuals and leaders approach challenges with greater clarity and compassion.
Today, Tim works with organizations, educators, and community leaders to promote healthier communities, more thoughtful leadership, and constructive civic dialogue. His involvement with Birch Creek Dialogues reflects his belief that meaningful progress often begins when people step away from the noise of politics, spend time in reflection and nature, and engage one another with openness, curiosity, and respect.
PAUL SILBERNAGEL
Board of Advisors
Paul is a third-generation farmer and rancher from North Dakota. His respect for the land and commitment to stewardship began at a young age.
He believes strongly in reusing and recycling resources, including buildings, bridges, and equipment, and sees land stewardship as both a responsibility and privilege.
His approach centers on working with nature’s original processes, including rotational grazing with native herbivores to restore healthy grasses and soil systems.
For over 30 years, the Silbernagel family has cared for more than 200 wild horses, integrating them into innovative rotational grazing systems.
Family remains central to his work, with a strong emphasis on passing down knowledge, values, and skills to future generations.
MONICA TRANEL
Advisor
Monica Tranel was raised on a ranch in eastern Montana with her nine siblings. Tranel attended Gonzaga University and Rutgers University School of Law.
Tranel has two decades of experience representing Montanans across the state. Her practice areas include: regulatory and energy issues; property and water law; labor and employment-related matters; and litigation. Tranel’s experience includes serving as staff counsel for the utility commission and ratepayer advocate for the state of Montana.
MAURA REIDY
Congressional Liaison
Maura Reidy has served as the Congressional Liaison at the National Gallery of Art since January 2020, where she directs government affairs initiatives.
Prior to this, she spent over 20 years at the Smithsonian Institution as both a Congressional and White House Liaison.
She previously worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Sidney Yates and Senator Alan J. Dixon, as well as for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.
Maura is an active supporter of the performing arts and museum community. She received her BA from Saint Mary’s College and participated in American University’s Washington Semester Program.
CASSANDRA ANDERSON
Cassandra Anderson is the interpretive programs manager at the National Gallery of Art, where she leads initiatives exploring art, awe, and social connection in partnership with UC Berkeley.
She designs interactive visitor experiences across exhibitions, tours, and public spaces. Her work earned an Excellence in Interpretation award in 2025.
From 2009 to 2024, she worked with the National Park Service, leading teams and shaping visitor experiences across multiple national parks.
She has facilitated dialogue initiatives addressing historical narratives, climate change, and Indigenous knowledge systems.
Cassandra holds degrees in anthropology and political science from the University of Washington.
CAROLINE MEHL
Caroline Mehl is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Constructive Dialogue Institute.
She specializes in translating psychological research into real-world applications and advises organizations on fostering open, constructive cultures.
She has worked with universities, workplaces, and philanthropic organizations to improve dialogue and collaboration.
Previously, she was a Research Scholar at NYU’s Stern School of Business and has experience in venture capital and social entrepreneurship.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale and a master’s degree from Oxford as a Blavatnik Foundation Scholar.
Her writing has been featured in TIME, Harvard Business Review, and the Chronicle of Higher Education.
JORDAN WHITTAKER
Board of Advisors
Jordan Whittaker was born and raised in the rural ranching community of Leadore, Idaho. He grew up on his family’s cattle ranch raising beef cattle and training horses.
After serving a two-year mission for his church, he studied corporate finance at Utah State University, where he met his wife, Susan. Together they have six children.
Jordan has developed a successful irrigation business and two hydroelectric power plants while managing the family ranch.
He is deeply committed to conservation, humane cattle practices, and community stewardship. He has instilled these values in his children, many of whom grew up working alongside him.
More recently, he has focused on managing a wild horse herd in the Lemhi Valley and continues to develop sustainable practices for these animals.