Birds and People with Christian Cooper

Christian Cooper is a New York Times best-selling author with his debut memoir, “Better Living Through Birding.” He is also the host and a consulting producer for National Geographic's hit series “Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper.” Practically born with a pair of binoculars in his hands, he served as president of the Harvard Ornithological Club in his college days, and currently as a vice president of New York City Audubon, he advocates for greater, safer access to green spaces for all, with a focus on outreach to youth in underserved communities. A longtime activist on issues of racial justice and LGBTQ equality, Cooper combined his passions in the BLM graphic short story "It’s a Bird” from DC Comics, and he continues to seek synergy at the intersections of storytelling, progressivism and environmentalism. 

Angela Russell is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at TruStage, where she is responsible for leading the development, direction and implementation of short and long-term strategies and programs that support diversity and inclusion and overseeing TruStage’s Corporate Social Responsibility program. With a background in public health and government, she has held roles at Public Health Madison Dane County, the UW Population Health Institute, and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. She also served as Policy Advisor to Governor Jim Doyle. Russell was formerly an epidemiologist with Wisconsin AIDS/HIV and Hepatitis C Program at the Department of Health Services. She is the host of the Black Oxygen podcast.

Erika Monroe-Kane is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts &Letters. In a range of professional settings, Monroe-Kane has distinguished herself as ani nnovator, collaborator, and strategic thinker. She has previously held leadership positions at national, state, and local organizations. At the Wisconsin Academy, she leads efforts to connect people and ideas through art, science, and culture, fostering civil discourse and creative exploration across the state.