Wielding America’s Preeminent Power
May 2 – May 4, 2025
Wielding America’s Preeminent Power
The 2025 Sedona Forum will be held May 2-4, 2025, with the theme, “Wielding America’s Preeminent Power.” Focusing on America’s power – our economic leadership, technological innovation, military strength, and cultural diplomacy, the Forum will explore how America can effectively wield its power to address global challenges, uphold democratic values, and secure its leadership in an evolving world. Heads of state, policymakers, academics, and practitioners will share insights and offer bold ideas on how to harness American exceptionalism in an era of great power competition.
2025 Schedule To Be Announced Soon
2:30 pm - 2:40 pm
Welcome Remarks
• Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
• Dr. Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University
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2:40 pm - 2:50 pm
A View from Arizona
Introduction by Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chairman, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
• Gov. Katie Hobbs, Arizona’s 24th Governor
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3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Democracy Delivers: An Economic Case for an Uncertain Era
• Sec. Janet Yellen, United States Secretary of the Treasury
In Conversation With:
• Moderator: Dr. Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University (TBC)
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3:50 pm - 4:30 pm
Weapons of War: Combating Sexual Violence
Introduction by Kristen Abrams, Chief Program Officer, McCain Institute
• Dr. Denis Mukwege, President & Founder, Panzi Hospital and Foundation
In Conversation With:
• Sheryl Sandberg, Founder, Lean In
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4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Democracy in the Balance
• Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, United States Senator, Arizona
In Conversation with:
• Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Democracy Reporter Based in Arizona, The Washington Post
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5:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Presentation of the In The Arena Award
Presentation by Gov. Katie Hobbs, Arizona’s 24th Governor
• Hans Vestberg, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Verizon
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7:05 pm - 8:45 pm
The Sedona Leadership Dinner
Welcome Remarks by Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
Presentation of the Courage & Leadership Award:
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Remarks by Jack McCain, Board Member, McCain Institute
Tribute Video to Alexei Navalny
Presentation by David Axelrod, Founding Director, University of Chicago Institute of Politics, CNN Senior Political Commentator, & Professor of Practice, Arizona State University
• Remarks: Ms. Dasha Navalnaya
Keynote Conversation:
Introduction by Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
• Sec. Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of State
In Conversation with:
• Sen. Mitt Romney, United States Senator, Utah
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Remarks and Video Introduction:
• Kristen Abrams, Chief Program Officer, McCain Institute
Tribute Video to Secretary Henry Kissinger
Conclusion:
• Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chairman, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
8:40 am - 8:45 am
Opening Remarks
• Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chair, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
• Scott Jablow, Mayor of Sedona
8:45 am - 9:00 am
An Update from Ukraine
Virtual Remarks from Dmytro Kuleba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ukraine
In Conversation With:
• Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
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9:05 am - 9:45 am
Democracy and the Digital Revolution
Introduction by Lev Gonick, Chief Information Officer, Arizona State University
• Sen. Joe Manchin, United States Senator, West Virginia
• Damon Wilson, President & CEO, National Endowment for Democracy
Moderator:
• Sarah Margon, Director, Foreign Policy, Open Society Foundations
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9:45 am - 10:30 am
Global Hot Spots: Russia & Middle East
Introduction: “Support Ukraine” video
• Garry Kasparov, Chairman, Renew Democracy Initiative
• Vali Nasr, Professor of International Affairs & Middle East Studies, SAIS
• Amb. David Pressman, United States Ambassador to Hungary
Moderator:
• Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
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10:45 am - 11:30 am
Tools of Statecraft: Wrongful Detainees and Hostage Affairs
• Amb. Roger D. Carstens, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, U.S. State Department
• Sen. Peter Welch, United States Senator, Vermont
Moderator:
• Seung Min Kim, White House Reporter, The Associated Press
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11:30 am - 12:15 pm
US Deterrence Strategy in Asia
• Rep. Brendan Boyle, United States Congressman, Pennsylvania’s 2nd District
• Jon Finer, Deputy National Security Advisor of the United States
• Sen. Mark Kelly, United States Senator, Arizona
Moderator:
• Courtney Kube, Correspondent, NBC News
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12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
"A Cause Greater Than” Lunch: Political Courage
Tribute Video to Senator Joe Lieberman
Introduction by Steve Duprey, Former Chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party
• Gov. Chris Sununu, New Hampshire’s 82nd Governor
In Conversation With:
• Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Director, University of Chicago Institute of Politics & Board Member, McCain Institute
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1:45 pm - 2:30 pm
Surviving “America First”
• Rep. Jason Crow, United States Congressman, Colorado’s 6th District
• Amb. Alexandra Hall Hall, Former Ambassador to Georgia, Writer, Byline Times, & Co-host, "Disorder" Podcast
• Amb. Martin Kimani, Kenyan Ambassador to the United Nations
Moderator:
• Josh Rogin, Columnist, The Washington Post
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2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
Law of the Sea Versus China's Maritime Adventurism
• Adm. Linda Fagan, Commandant, United States Coast Guard
• Sen. Todd Young, United States Senator, Indiana
Moderator:
• Paul Kane, Senior Congressional Correspondent, The Washington Post
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3:30 pm - 4:15 pm
Can Transparency Curb Corruption?
• Sen. Bill Cassidy, United States Senator, Louisiana
• Gen. Laura Richardson, Commander, United States Southern Command
• Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, United States Senator, Rhode Island
Moderator:
• Roberto Patiño, Founder, Mi Convive and Director, Institute 2100
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4:15 pm - 5:00 pm
Analysis of US Elections: 2024 and Beyond
• David Axelrod, Founding Director, University of Chicago Institute of Politics, CNN Senior Political Commentator, & Professor of Practice, ASU
• Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chair, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
Moderator:
• Kelly O’Donnell, Senior White House Correspondent, NBC News
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5:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Closing Remarks
• Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
Thoughtful Leaders. Decision Makers. Activists and Experts.
The Sedona Forum is the McCain Institute’s annual, high-level gathering of national and international leaders held each spring in the red rock country of Sedona, Arizona. Starting from the assumption of character-driven leadership and core democratic values, The Sedona Forum convenes thought-leaders, decision makers, activists and diverse experts to discuss approaches and solutions to real-world problems.
