Speaker Series
DRF began the Speaker Series in 2009 by bringing innovative thinkers to the Dan River Region as part of DRF's endeavor to transform the regional economy and create a prosperous and healthy culture benefitting all of the region's citizens. An asset of the Speaker Series has been the development of confidence within the many residents of the region. Attendees take the speakers' messages home with them and the spark grows, encouraging them in turn to create positive change.
The 2012-2013 Speaker Series, in cooperation with the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce (DPCCC), began with Tim Wilson on Monday, October 29 at 7:30 AM at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). Wilson is the Sherrell J. Aston Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia, and author of Redirect: The Surprising New Science of Psychological Change. Redirect is this year's Community Read book. Wilson also spoke with 200 students from Danville Public Schools, Danville Community College (DCC), Piedmont Community College (PCC), and Averett University (AU) at DCC's Oliver Hall the same day at 11:30 AM. Copies of Redirect are available for purchase at the Averett University Bookstore for a discounted price of $10.
This season's other speakers are Bill Strickland and Vivek Wadhwa.
Strickland will present on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 6PM. This will be held at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Wadhwa will appear on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at 7:30 AM at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).
 | | 2013 Speakers |
|
Bill Strickland |
| "Rethinking Workforce Development and Youth Education" |
| 02/26/13 6:00 PM |
 As a disadvantaged youth, Bill Strickland followed his dreams, never taking no for an answer in their pursuit. The MacArthur ″Genius″ Award recipient works with Manchester-Bidwell, a Pittsburgh-based organization focusing upon career training and youth arts education programs. The Dan River Region is similar to Bill′s hometown of Pittsburgh – we lost tobacco and textile industries, while Pittsburgh saw a significant portion of its steel industry leave its city. Bill is a natural fit to speak to our many residents who are thinking about or going through the job retraining process, as his organization retrained many of these displaced steel workers. At Manchester-Bidwell, Bill has also developed youth arts education programs. Many of the students have gone on to professional careers in the arts. He believes that creativity spurs positive growth, both in one′s personal and professional lives.
In addition, Bill will speak with locals going through or exploring workforce development training at a time and location to be determined. Bill Strickland will also talk with students on the subjects of the arts as trade or career and how creativity can benefit all aspects of one′s life. |
|
Vivek Wadhwa |
| "Creating an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Knowledge Economy" |
| 04/09/13 7:30 am |
 Vivek Wadhwa is Vice President of Academics and Innovation at Singularity University as well as Director of Research at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Research Commercialization at Duke University′s Pratt School of Engineering and a Fellow at Stanford University′s Toni Rembe Rock Center for Corporate Governance.
Vivek′s area of focus is entrepreneurship and public policy. As the Dan River Region increases its competitive advantage through engagement of entrepreneurs, both locally and from outside the region, Vivek′s work provides insights into how we can best do that.
Vivek Wadhwa will meet with community members at an event later in the day. |
|
|
View our previous speakers here.