Looking to spark your curiosity and engage with some of today’s most pressing global conversations? The Summer Exchange Lecture Series is back for 2026, bringing an extraordinary lineup of experts, advocates, and thought leaders straight to our community.
From the frontiers of medical and social science to global conservation, international security, and supreme legal history, this year’s four-part series promises to challenge your perspectives and broaden your worldview.
Event Details & Registration
- When: Mondays, June 22, June 29, July 13, and July 2
- Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Cost: $14 per individual class | $50 for all four classes
Schedule of Speakers
Demystifying Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation
Date: Monday, June 22
Speaker: Dr. Susan Trout
In 2026, gender remains one of the most fiercely debated topics in our society. What truly defines male and female? How do we understand individuals who don't fit neatly into these two categories, and how does gender identity connect to sexual orientation?
Dr. Susan Trout lays out the crucial biological and medical foundations needed for these current cultural conversations. She will walk attendees through the basics of sex chromosomes, fetal reproductive development, and the medical conditions that cause chromosomal predictions to differ from physical genitalia. Moving beyond the biology, Dr. Trout will discuss why terms like "biological gender" are scientifically inaccurate, how children develop their gender identity, and what the latest research says about the lived experience of those whose identity differs from their appearance. A dedicated Q&A and discussion period will follow the lecture.
About the Speaker: Dr. Susan Trout holds an M.D. from the Albert Einstein School of Medicine and completed her OB/GYN residency and Reproductive Endocrinology fellowship at Rutgers Medical School. A Colorado resident since 2002, she is a clinical professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and is double board-certified in OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility.
Wildlife Conservation and Cultural Compassion
Date: Monday, June 29
Speaker: Dave Johnson
How do we protect wildlife on an increasingly crowded planet? The answer lies in blending innovative technology with local community education. Dave Johnson, a self-described "Animal Nerd," will share how his global NGO, the Katie Adamson Conservation Fund (KACF), tackles endangered species protection by intertwining wildlife preservation with cultural compassion. Learn how Dave leverages his decades of hands-on experience to spearhead impactful projects across more than 32 countries.
About the Speaker: Dave Johnson has over 40 years of animal experience, including working as a bear biologist in Alaska, releasing peregrine falcons in Kentucky, and establishing a massive conservation movement in Nepal. He retired from the Denver Zoo in 2023 after 25 years caring for their elephant, rhino, and hippo populations to lead KACF full-time. In 2025, Dave was nominated for the prestigious Indianapolis Prize for his lifetime achievements in animal conservation.
Redefining Global Security: The Women, Peace, and Security Agenda
Date: Monday, July 13
Speaker: Cynda Collins
What does true security mean, and who gets to define it? While women remain drastically underrepresented in global decision-making, they have long recognized that true security isn't just about military might—it requires human well-being, environmental stability, robust healthcare, and economic opportunity. This timely lecture introduces the United Nations’ landmark Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda and the U.S. WPS Act of 2017. Cynda Collins Arsenault will examine how countries are implementing these national action plans, why representation gaps persist, and the practical steps needed to build a more inclusive, effective global vision.
About the Speaker: Cynda Collins Arsenault is a prominent philanthropist dedicated to bringing women's critical skills to global problem-solving. She serves on the boards of Pax Sapiens, One Earth Future, and the Secure World Foundation. She is also the founder of Our Secure Future: Women Make the Difference and the annual Denver conference, Women Powering Change.
Louis D. Brandeis: "The People’s Lawyer" and His Lasting Legacy
Date: Monday, July 27
Speaker: Jon Levy
While Louis D. Brandeis is famously remembered as the first Jewish person to serve on the United States Supreme Court, he is also arguably the most influential legal thinker of the 20th century. Long before his 1916 confirmation, Brandeis was a crusading attorney who championed workers' rights and pioneered the American tradition of pro bono representation. As a child of Jewish immigrants, he also led the American Zionist movement and successfully persuaded President Woodrow Wilson to support the Balfour Declaration. Retired Federal Judge Jon Levy will make the compelling case for why Brandeis remains one of the most consequential figures in American legal history, shaping our modern rights to privacy, liberty, and free speech.
About the Speaker: Jon Levy recently retired as a United States District Court Judge, having previously served as an Associate Justice of the Maine Supreme Court. Throughout his distinguished judicial career, Judge Levy developed a deep expertise in Brandeis' jurisprudence. In 2016, he was a featured speaker at Brandeis University's centennial celebration marking Justice Brandeis' historic confirmation.
Spaces are limited for these highly anticipated evening lectures. Secure your spot today to guarantee your seat for the entire summer series! Register on the Boulder JCC website.