Global Summit XVII sponsorship
Support the JES's mission of fostering dialogue for the Erie region on a global level.
Our audiences continue to show up to explore critical topics—from politics and global affairs to cutting-edge science, technology, sports, and more. And thanks to our sponsors, we’ve kept ticket prices unchanged since day one, ensuring that access to these powerful learning experiences remains open to all.
Last year, the 2024 Global Summit featured bold conversations on politics, sports, history, artificial intelligence, and social issues. It culminated in a landmark event: former U.S. Representative Liz Cheney in conversation with Erie’s own Sr. Joan Chittister—the largest event in JES history and the largest educational event ever held at the Bayfront Convention Center.
This year, we look forward to kicking off this year’s Global Summit with President Barack Obama. We will also host and welcome renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and community leader Jim Kelly, Vice President Mike Pence, and acclaimed historian Lindsay Chervinsky, plus many additional distinguished speakers who will engage and inspire audiences of all ages.
Whether you’ve sponsored the Global Summit before, supported other JES initiatives, or are considering a sponsorship for the first time, thank you for helping our community grow and thrive. Your support makes it possible for us to offer inclusive, high-quality programming that fosters civic engagement and civil dialogue—providing residents across Erie County with access to the ideas, conversations, and learning opportunities that matter most, especially in times when thoughtful public discourse is so urgently necessary.
If your organization is interested in becoming a Global Summit XVII sponsor, please contact Christine Gerlock by phone at 814-459-8000 or by email at gerlock@jeserie.org.
American Progress from the Front Lines: Examining Local-Level Action, Innovation, and Solutions to Cities Challenges in Chaotic Times
Economy, education, housing, health, and poverty – all central to the vitality of residents in cities and towns nationwide, and all impacted by state and federal-level policy. How is federal policy impacting cities today? What about state-level preemption? What's changed, and how does it stand to change further? What can we learn from past experiences and best practices to inform local-level action, innovation, and solutions today?
A panel of former mayors – including Richard J. Berry (Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2009-2017); Greg Fischer (Louisville, Kentucky, 2011-2023); and William Peduto (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2014-2022) – will offer insights into the challenges they faced while in office, and will provide observations for bottom-up pathways to progress today. They'll discuss how can cities learn from each other, and meaningfully engage in idea-sharing.
Date/Time: Monday, November 3, 2025 7:00-8:30PM
Location: Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St, Erie, PA 16508
Admission:
- General Admission (Early Bird Pricing) $25
- Preferred Seating (Early Bird Pricing) $50 (Closest Section Near the Stage)
- Additional Fees: Amusement Tax, Processing Fee
Parking: TBD
Richard J. Berry served as Mayor of Albuquerque from 2009 to 2017. Prior to his time as mayor, he was a two-term State Representative in the New Mexico Legislature and owned a successful construction company serving the Southwest. During his tenure, Albuquerque was ranked the second Best Run City in the U.S. and among the most technologically advanced. He was nationally recognized for launching “There’s a Better Way,” a program connecting the homeless with work opportunities and services.
Greg Fischer was elected Louisville’s 50th mayor in 2010 and completed his third and final term in office on January 1, 2023. Mayor Fischer was elected by the mayors of America to be president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2020. Governing Magazine named Mayor Fischer Public Official of the Year in 2013. A 2016 Politico survey named him as the most innovative mayor in America. Louisville was named an International Model City of Compassion five times and a Top 15 city for attracting millennials. Mayor Fischer is a national award-winning entrepreneur who started and invested in dozens of businesses, including SerVend International and Iceberg Ventures, a private investment firm. With the head of a businessman and heart of a social worker, Mayor Fischer set a path for Louisville’s economic renaissance including an unprecedented $24 billion+ in capital investments, the recentering of the local economy around next stage technologies, and the launches of the Evolve502 promise scholarship that ensures every public high school graduate has an opportunity for higher learning, and a new hospitality/tourism movement known as “bourbonism”.
When historic challenges struck Louisville and America in 2020, he further accelerated his administration’s focus on public safety and police-community relations; addressed systemic racism and police reform; and marshalled all resources to hasten Louisville’s recovery from COVID-19. Mayor Fischer is a graduate of Trinity High School and Vanderbilt University. He is married to Dr. Alexandra Gerassimides, the daughter of Greek immigrants who were uprooted during the Greek Civil War. The couple have four adult children and two grandchildren.
William Peduto, the former Mayor of Pittsburgh, is recognized for his transformative leadership and dedication to revitalizing the city through innovation, sustainability, and social equity. Serving as mayor from 2014 to 2022, Peduto spearheaded efforts to modernize Pittsburgh’s infrastructure, attract tech, medical and green industries, and address the city's historical environmental challenges. His administration focused on creating a more inclusive and resilient economy, championing policies aimed at combating climate change and fostering community-based development. Peduto's vision helped position Pittsburgh as a national leader in sustainability and urban renewal, while prioritizing equity and progressive governance. In 2020, Pittsburgh's leadership was recognized with first place recognition for the U.S. Conference of Mayors 14th annual Climate Protection Awards.
His legacy is one of forward-thinking leadership that has redefined Pittsburgh’s role in the 21st century. From 2018-2022, Mayor Peduto served as North America's representative on the Board of the. Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. He presently serves as a Distinguished Executive in Residency at the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University.
