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.
Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder
An expert on international studies, Michael McFaul is a former U.S. Ambassador to Russia (2012-2014) and Senior Director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council under President Obama. He is a leading expert on U.S.-Russia relations, democracy promotion, and foreign policy; has authored a New York Times bestseller; and appears regularly in national news outlets. He is now the Director of the Freeman Spogli Insitute at Stanford University and is a Senior Fellow as the Hoover Institution.
Date/Time: Thursday, November 6, 2025 7:00-8:30PM
Location: Gannon University, Yehl Ballroom, Waldron Campus Center, 628 Peach St, Erie, PA 16501
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
Michael McFaul is Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute at Stanford University, where he also serves as Professor of International Studies and a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. A former U.S. Ambassador to Russia (2012–2014) and Senior Director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council under President Obama, McFaul is a leading expert on U.S.-Russia relations, democracy promotion, and foreign policy.
He is the author of several books, including the New York Times bestseller From Cold War to Hot Peace, and is a regular analyst for NBC News and columnist for The Washington Post. Born and raised in Montana, McFaul earned his B.A. and M.A. from Stanford and a D.Phil. in International Relations from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He lives in California with his wife and two sons.
