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Symposium on Young American Men

Two days of dialogue

Agenda

Keynotes, research briefings, and panels across two full days at The Spire in Washington, D.C..

Day 1September 24, 2026

  1. Welcome from The Lafayette Company

    Welcome

  2. Welcome Video

    Welcome
    • Dr. Warren Farrell · Author, The Boy Crisis

  3. Polling Release from Cygnal

    Research
    • Alex Tarascio · Pollster and Principal, Cygnal

  4. On-Stage Discussion Group

    Discussion

    Moderator: Alex Tarascio · Pollster and Principal, Cygnal

  5. Coffee and Networking Break

    Break

  6. Spotlight Session with The Honorable Betsy DeVos, 11th U.S. Secretary of Education

    Keynote
    • The Honorable Betsy DeVos · 11th U.S. Secretary of Education

    Moderator: Chris Moody · Journalist and Lecturer, Appalachian State University

  7. Spotlight Session

    Keynote
    • Wynn Smiley · CEO, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity
    • Dr. Dawn Watkins Wiese · Chief Operating Officer, FRMT, Ltd.

  8. Lunch & Exhibitor Hall Visit

    Break

  9. Spotlight Session with Rob Henderson

    Keynote
    • Rob Henderson · Author and Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute

    Moderator: Emily Yoffe · Senior Editor, The Free Press

  10. The Diploma Divide: Rethinking Higher Ed for Young Men

    Panel
    • Curtis Valentine · Founding President, Male Educator Network & Policy Institute · American Institute for Boys and Men
    • Judson Horras · President & CEO, North American Interfraternity Conference

    Moderator: Doug Belkin · Reporter, Wall Street Journal

  11. Coffee and Networking Break

    Break

  12. Hot Take Fishbowl

    Discussion
    • Christina Hoff Sommers · Senior Fellow Emeritus, American Enterprise Institute
    • Del. Josh Thomas · Representative, District 21, Virginia House of Delegates
    • Brent Scher · Editor in Chief, The Daily Wire

    Moderator: Lisa Britton · Writer, Evie Magazine & Institute for Family Studies

  13. The Great American Tailgate

    Social

    Presented by The Lafayette Company and Fraternities Know Men

Day 2September 25, 2026

  1. Introductory Remarks

    Welcome
    • Ron Henry · Founder & President, Men's Health Network

  2. Making Space for Men: Programming and Infrastructure in the Post-Affirmative Action World

    Panel
    • Micah Kamrass · Partner, Manley Burke, LPA

    Moderator: Ben Jacobs · Freelance Political Reporter

  3. Spotlight Session with Joseph McInerney, Knights of Columbus

    Keynote
    • Joseph McInerney · Chief Strategy Advisor, Knights of Columbus

  4. Coffee and Networking Break

    Break

  5. Practical Policy Solutions to the Male Mental Health Crisis

    Panel
    • Dr. Andrew Hartz · Founder, President & Executive Director, Open Therapy Institute
    • Dr. Jonathan Ellen · Former Chief Executive Officer, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

    Moderator: Chris Cillizza · Founder, “So What” Substack and YouTube channel

  6. Addiction & Algorithms: Addressing the Attention Economy

    Panel
    • Steve Marshall · Attorney General, State of Alabama

    Moderator: Carlo Versano · Director of Politics & Culture, Newsweek

  7. Lunch & Exhibitor Hall Visit

    Break

  8. Young Men at Work: The Economics of Opportunity

    Panel
    • Dr. Bill Beach · Former Commissioner, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

    Moderator: Cam Joseph · Editor, POLITICO

  9. Spotlight Session with Brad Wilcox, Institute for Family Studies

    Keynote
    • Brad Wilcox · Director, Get Married Initiative, Institute for Family Studies

  10. Coffee and Networking Break

    Break

  11. Persuaded, Not Presumed: The Fight for Young Male Voters

    Panel
    • Jack Pandol · Deputy Executive Director, National Republican Congressional Committee

    Moderator: David Freedlander · Feature Writer and Political Columnist, New York Magazine

This program is still filling in. More speakers will be announced between now and September 24.

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