Make your favourite hot drink, find a quiet corner, and read through these materials ahead of the session.

Derek Moscato (he/him) is a professor in the department of journalism at Western Washington University, where he teaches classes in news media, public relations, and environmental journalism. Additionally, Moscato teaches in the Canadian-American (C/AM) Studies program, and has taught previously in the Western Honors Program and the Salish Sea Minor. He has been a research fellow with Western's Border Policy Research Institute (BPRI), the Salish Sea Institute, and the Center for Canadian-American Studies. Previous to WWU's department of journalism, Moscato has previously taught strategic communication and news media courses at the University of Oregon and Douglas College. A Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication Scholar, Derek’s research is driven by the workings of global communication flows, political economy of media, and environmental persuasion. His 2022 book, Dirt Persuasion: Civic Environmental Persuasion and the Heartland's Pipeline Fight, was recipient of the 2023 Choice Outstanding Academic Title and the Nebraska Best Book Award. His most recent book, Environmental Strategic Communication: Advocacy, Persuasion, and Public Relations, provides a holistic understanding of ecological and environmental public communication. Moscato received his doctorate from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication.  

Derek's Contact Details: 

Email: derek.moscato@wwu.edu 

Sarada (she/her) was Special Assistant to the President and Senior Speechwriter for President Barack Obama.

She is the founder of Peri Communications, where she helps C-suite executives, nonprofit leaders, philanthropists, and politicians with speechwriting, speech delivery, message strategy, and more. Prior to joining the White House, she was a Principal at West Wing Writers. She was also a member of the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Democratic National Convention speechwriting teams. Sarada also writes under her own byline, and has been published in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, and other outlets.

A recovering policy wonk, Sarada worked in the U.S. Senate as a health care and education legislative staffer. She started her career as a high school English teacher in New Orleans through Teach for America, and is a graduate of Tufts University and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Sean Speer (he/him) is the editor at large at The Hub (www.thehub.ca). He was previously a senior adviser to former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. 

He previously served in different roles for the federal government, including as senior economic advisor to the Prime Minister. He has been cited by The Hill Times as one of the most influential people in government, and by Embassy Magazine as one of the top 80 people influencing Canadian foreign policy.

He has written extensively about federal policy issues, including taxes and government spending, retirement income security, social mobility, and economic competitiveness. His articles have appeared in every major national and regional newspaper in Canada (including The Globe and Mail and National Post) as well as prominent US-based publications (including the Wall Street Journal and National Review Online).‎ Sean holds an M.A. in History from Carleton University and has studied economic history as a PhD candidate at Queen’s University.

Sean's Contact Details:

X: @sean_speer

Email: sean@thehub.ca

Matthew (he/him) oversees the daily news operation at The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit online outlet devoted to covering politics and public policy in Texas. He has previously worked as a reporter at the Tribune, The Dallas Morning News and The Eagle newspaper in Bryan-College Station. 

Matthews's Contact Details:

X: @mwatkinstrib

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-watkins-56335625b/

Email: mwatkins@texastribune.org

Movie: Mrs. America 

Notable people: William F. Buckley & The National Review

Notable people: I.F. Stone