A COMPASSIONATE AMERICA: RESETTLING REFUGEES AND WELCOMING IMMIGRANTS IN TIMES OF CONFLICT

David Rennie joined The Economist in 2007 as European Union correspondent and Charlemagne columnist, based in Brussels. From July 2010 to July 2012 he was British political editor and author of the “Bagehot” column, based in London. In the summer of 2012 he moved to Washington, D.C., and from 2012 until September 2017 he was the author of the “Lexington” column on American politics. He now writes on foreign policy, ahead of a move next year to Asia.

Previously he was on the foreign staff of the Daily Telegraph, with postings in Sydney (1998), Beijing (1998-2002), Washington, D.C. (2002-2005), and Brussels (2005-2007). From 2006 until he joined The Economist, he was also a contributing editor of the Spectator magazine. He worked for the Daily Telegraph in London (1996-1998) and the Evening Standard (1992-1996).

He has given classes and public lectures on European Union affairs at Harvard and Boston universities in America, Bristol University in Britain and at the business schools ESCP (Paris) and IE (Madrid). He won the 2010 UACES/Thomson Reuters “Reporting Europe” award. He is a frequent guest on radio and television news programs.

Scott Arbeiter’s proven marketplace skills, pastoral experience, passion for mission and history with World Relief uniquely equip him for his role as President of World Relief. Arbeiter was a partner at Arthur Andersen, serving in a variety of functions over his 17-year marketplace career. In 2001, he resigned from the partnership to serve at Elmbrook Church in Milwaukee, where he became Lead Pastor.

Arbeiter has also served on World Relief’s Board of Directors for nearly a decade, including three years as Chairman. After finishing his term on the board in 2015, he became a consultant and advisor to World Relief Leadership. Scott has been married to Jewel for 33 years and together they have raised three daughters, Kelsey, Jacquelyn and Karis, all of whom have grown to love and serve Christ in their own remarkable ways.

Mario Eduardo Dorsonville-Rodríguez was born October 31, 1960 in Bogotá, Colombia. He attended the major seminary of the Archdiocese of Bogotá, receiving a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1981 and a bachelor’s in sacred theology in 1985. He was ordained to the priesthood on November 23, 1985 in Bogotá. Following ordination, he served as parochial vicar of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Bogotá (1986), chaplain of the National University of Colombia, Bogotá (1987), pastor of San Jose de Calasanz Parish, Bogotá (1987-1991), and associate chaplain (1988-1991) and professor of ethics (1990-1991) at the National University of Colombia.

He received a licentiate in sacred theology from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana de Bogotá in 1991 and a doctorate in ministry from The Catholic University of America in 1995. From 1992-1994, he served as parochial vicar of Good Shepherd and Christ the Redeemer Parishes in Arlington, Virginia, and as a lecturer at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington. He served as a professor at the Hispanic Apostolate of Arlington from 1993-1994. He returned to Colombia to serve as chaplain and professor of ethics to the National University of Colombia and professor of pastoral counseling and catechesis at the major seminary of the Archdiocese of Bogotá from 1995-1996.

He served parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish in Arlington (1996), Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bethesda, Maryland (1997-2004) and St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Hyattsville, Maryland (2004-2005). He has served as vice president for mission of Catholic Charities of Washington and director of the Spanish Catholic Center since 2005 and as adjunct spiritual director for St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington since 2011.

He has served as a member of the priest council of the Archdiocese of Washington since 2000 and a member of the College of Consultors of the archdiocese since 2011. He was a member of the board of directors for Carroll Publishing Company from 2000-2003. He completed an executive certificate in non-profit management course at Georgetown University in 2009 and served as a mentor for newly ordained priests from 2010-2011.

Dr. Jo Anne Lyon serves on the board of directors of many organizations as representative of The Wesleyan Church, including the National Association of Evangelicals Executive Committee, Bread for the World, National Religious Partnership for the Environment, Asbury Theological Seminary, Council on Faith of the World Economic Forum and the Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships appointed by President Obama. Dr. Lyon is one of the principals of the Evangelical Immigration Table, a broad coalition of evangelical organizations advocating for immigration reform consistent with biblical values.

Dr. Lyon holds a master’s degree in Counseling, continued graduate studies in Historical Theology and has been granted five honorary doctorates. She has written several articles and publications, including the book The Ultimate Blessing, and has served over 30 years in Pastoral Ministry. She has been Adjunct Professor of Church and Society at both Indiana Wesleyan University and Asbury Theological Seminary. As the founder and CEO of World Hope International, Alexandria, Virginia, she directed the faith-based relief and development organizations into over 30 countries to alleviate suffering and injustice.

Dr. Lyon and her husband, Rev. Wayne Lyon, live in the Indianapolis area. They have four children and 10 grandchildren.

Frances Fragos Townsend is an Executive Vice President for Worldwide Government, Legal and Business Affairs at MacAndrews and Forbes Incorporated. She works across MacAndrew’s portfolio companies, focusing on international, legal, compliance and business development issues. Prior to that she was a corporate partner with the law firm Baker Botts, LLP. From 2004 to 2008, Ms. Townsend served as Assistant to President George W. Bush for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism and chaired the Homeland Security Council. She also served as Deputy National Security Advisor for Combatting Terrorism from May 2003 to May 2004.

Ms. Townsend spent 13 years at the U.S. Department of Justice under the administrations of President George H. W. Bush, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush. She has received numerous awards for her public service accomplishments. Ms. Townsend is a Director on the board of three public companies (NYSE: FCX, NYSE: WU, NASDAQ: SGMS) where she serves on compliance, compensation, governance and executive committees. She also serves on three private company boards where she chairs all three compensation committees and is the chairwoman of one board.

Ms. Townsend is an on-air senior national security analyst for CBS News and, before that, she was at CNN for seven years. She regularly appears on network and cable television as a foreign policy, counterterrorism, and national and homeland security expert. Ms. Townsend also serves on several government advisory and nonprofit boards. Ms. Townsend is a trustee on the board of the New York City Police Foundation; Business Executives for National Security; the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; and the Atlantic Council. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Trilateral Commission.