Exploring Common Ground on Gun Violence Prevention

Muldrow is a mother, educator, activist and doula. She is Board of Education treasurer for MMSD and executive director at WMF Wisconsin. Muldrow, a self-described progressive, reached out to her politically diverse colleagues to co-host this event because she believes that it’s worthwhile to be in conversation and co-create solutions together.  

Halama is a clinical mental health counselor (LPC), a Wisconsin native and is passionate about her Catholic faith. Fascinated by the human person, Halama walks with individuals experiencing depression and anxiety, grief, trauma and a variety of other relational concerns. To bridge divides, Halama sees the importance of exiting the “enemy mode” and lowering our defenses to see the good in each person's humanity. 

VandenPlas is the president and founder of Door County Farm for Vets. He operates a nonprofit farm, supports veterans in his community and ran as a libertarian candidate for Wisconsin's 8th district, all of which reflect his commitment to sparking change at the local level. 

Olikara is a nationally recognized changemaker, entrepreneur and speaker at the intersection of media, politics and culture. He serves as the founding president of Bridge Entertainment Labs, which harnesses the power of entertainment to transform America’s divisions. He also serves as senior fellow for Political Transformation at the USC Schwarzenegger Institute and is an on-air political commentator for national and Wisconsin media. A proud Wisconsin native and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he has hosted bipartisan town halls on guns, drawing participants from urban, suburban and rural areas around Milwaukee. 

Franklin is a nationally recognized government scholar and pollster and has been director of the Marquette Law School Poll since its inception in 2012. Prior to joining the Marquette faculty as a professor of law and public policy, he was a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Luke is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Second Amendment supporter. He has talked to police officers, grieving mothers, veterans struggling with PTSD and others whose life experiences have shaped their views on guns. In his work, Luke has found that the same base fears are applicable to all. He believes in the value of people with differing viewpoints having a civil conversation. 

Pearman is an educator, mother and violence prevention advocate. In one year, Pearman lost two students to gun violence. She believes in addressing root causes, including trauma, to prevent gun violence. Pearman participated in the civic experiment featured in the film to become a change agent in her community. 

Steve D’Orazio is the founder and president of Max Creek Outdoors, a gun shop and range in Oregon, Wis. He is also a firearms safety instructor who believes in the value of education. In partnership with Dr. James Bigham, D’Orazio has been training doctors and medical professionals on firearms basics and how to discuss firearm-related issues with patients through the University of Wisconsin’s Health Lock, Stock & Barrel program. D’Orazio is the founder and president of Bobwhites of Wisconsin and has served as president of the Oregon Sportsman Club for 19 years.