Skip to main content

McCain Institute Announces Speakers, Agenda for Sedona Forum 2023

10th Annual Sedona Forum to be held May 5-6 in Arizona with the theme “Indispensable Power”

Register for the livestream HERE

SEDONA, Ariz. (May 2, 2023) — The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) today released the agenda and speaker lineup for the 2023 Sedona Forum taking place May 5-6 in Sedona, Ariz. CBS News and POLITICO will serve as media partners for the 10th annual event.

“We are excited to welcome a prestigious group, including policymakers, business leaders, humanitarians, and journalists, to Sedona this year,” said McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn N. Farkas. “Recent events remind us of America’s indispensable role in the world and the power of individuals to effect change. We look forward to facilitating thoughtful conversations about how to harness our values and resources to advance freedom and prosperity.”

Media participants include CBS News’ “Face the Nation” Moderator and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Margaret Brennan, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent and host of “The Takeout” Major Garrett, POLITICO National Security Reporter Alex Ward, POLITICO White House Correspondent and Playbook Co-Author Eugene Daniels, FOX News Channel National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin, National Public Radio (NPR) National Security Correspondent Greg Myre, and The Washington Post Global Opinions Columnist Josh Rogin.

Other notable speakers include U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), U.S. Representatives Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.-02), Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.-06), Jason Crow (D-Colo.-06), and Seth Moulton, (D-Mass.-06), Governor Katie Hobbs, U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral John C. Aquilino, Palantir Technologies CEO Dr. Alexander Karp, SpaceX President & COO Gwynne Shotwell, and more.

View the full agenda HERE.

View the full list of speakers HERE and below.

Kristen Abrams, Senior Director of Combatting Human Trafficking, McCain Institute
Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
Kelvin Beachum Jr., Arizona Cardinals
Nadya Bliss, Executive Director, Global Security Initiative, ASU
U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.-02)
Margaret Brennan, CBS News
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.)
U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.-06)
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas)
U.S. Representative Jason Crow (D-Colo.-06)
Dr. Michael Crow, President, ASU
Eugene Daniels, POLITICO
Rick Davis, Partner, Stone Court Capital and Chairman, McCain Institute
Dr. Stacey Dixon, Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence
Paul Fagan, Director of Democracy Programs, McCain Institute
Dr. Evelyn N. Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
General Charles A. Flynn, Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific
Major Garrett, CBS News
Sue Gordon, Former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence
Jennifer Griffin, Fox News Channel
Governor Katie Hobbs, Ariz.
Ambassador Bi-Khim Hsiao, Taiwan Representative to the United States
Former U.S. Representative Will Hurd (R-Texas-23)
Kono Taro, Minister for Digital Transformation, Digital Agency of Japan
Dr. Alexander Karp, CEO, Palantir Technologies
U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) (via video)
Seohyun Lee, North Korean Defector, Human Rights Activist
Tom Malinowski, John S. McCain Senior Fellow, McCain Institute
Elisa Massimino, Executive Director, Human Rights Institute at Georgetown University
Commander Ahmad Massoud, National Resistance Front (NRF) of Afghanistan (via video)
Nate Mook, President, Ukraine Foundation
U.S. Representative Seth Moulton, (D-Mass.-06)
Former U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.-07)
Greg Myre, National Public Radio
Ali Nazary, Head of Foreign Relations, National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (via video)
Scott Nemeth, Assistant Director of Leadership Programs, McCain Institute
Juan Carlos Pinzón, Former Ambassador of Colombia to the United States
Lily Pourzand, Iranian Activist
General Laura Richardson, Commander, U.S. Southern Command
Josh Rogin, The Washington Post
Lady Lynn de Rothschild, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Inclusive Capital Partners
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah)
Gwynne Shotwell, President & Chief Operating Officer, SpaceX
Davis Simas, Former White House Political Director
U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.)
Brette Steele, Senior Director, Preventing Targeted Violence, McCain Institute
Dr. Dan Twining, President, International Republican Institute
Alexander Ward, POLITICO
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)
Damon Wilson, President & CEO, National Endowment for Democracy

*Speakers and panels are subject to change*

Established by Senator John McCain, the Sedona Forum is held each spring to advance the mission of the McCain Institute – fighting for democracy, human dignity, and security. As the McCain Institute’s signature annual event, the forum provides a unique opportunity for United States and world leaders to have informal, face-to-face discussions about real solutions to the problems facing our world today. This year’s theme, “Indispensable Power,” will examine the diplomatic, military, and economic means employed to protect democracy, human rights, and the global competitive edge. Panels will feature lawmakers, journalists, military leaders, business executives, and more.

Most panels will be available to watch via livestream. To learn more about the event and register for the livestream, visit TheSedonaForum.org.

About the McCain Institute at Arizona State University
The McCain Institute is a nonpartisan organization inspired by Senator John McCain and his family’s dedication to public service. We are part of Arizona State University and based in Washington, D.C. Our programs advance democracy and human rights, empower character-driven leaders, combat human trafficking, and prevent targeted violence. Our unique power to convene leaders across the global political spectrum enables us to make a real impact on the world’s most pressing challenges. Our goal is action, not talk, and like Senator McCain, we are fighting to create a free, safe, and just world for all.

About Arizona State University
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American research university, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.

About CBS News
CBS News and Stations, brings together the power of CBS News, 28 owned television stations in 17 major U.S. markets, the CBS News Streaming Network, CBS News Streaming local platforms, local websites and cbsnews.com, under one umbrella. CBS News and Stations is home to the nation’s #1 news program 60 MINUTES, the CBS News Streaming Network, the first 24/7 digital streaming news network, the award-winning broadcasts CBS MORNINGS, CBS SATURDAY MORNING, the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O’DONNELL, CBS SUNDAY MORNING, CBS WEEKEND NEWS, 48 HOURS and FACE THE NATION WITH MARGARET BRENNAN. CBS News and Stations provides news and information for the CBS Television Network, CBSNews.com, CBS News Radio and podcasts, Paramount +, all digital platforms, and the CBS News Streaming Network, the premier 24/7 anchored streaming news service that is available free to everyone with access to the internet.

About POLITICO
POLITICO is the global authority on the intersection of politics, policy, and power. It is the most robust news operation and information service in the world specializing in politics and policy, which informs the most influential audience in the world with insight, edge, and authority. Founded in 2007, POLITICO has grown to a team of more than 1000 across North America, and Europe.

National Security Daily
POLITICO’s National Security Daily newsletter takes readers inside the top national security and foreign-policymaking shops for insight on the global threats faced by the U.S. and its allies and what actions world leaders are taking to address them. Subscribe today.

Playbook
POLITICO Playbook, the unofficial guide to official Washington, analyzes the big stories and trends, bringing you the latest from D.C. and across the political landscape. Get the scoops you need to know – and the insider nuggets that you want to know – about the biggest political power players. Subscribe today.

###