Discussion with Malia Du Mont and Sally Cross, moderated by Peter Bienstock.

Malia Du Mont serves as Chief of Staff to President Leon Botstein at Bard. She sits on the boards of Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, Arts Mid-Hudson, and the American University of Afghanistan, and is a governor's appointee to the New York State Council on the Arts. Ms. DuMont is an expert on the Chinese military and its territorial ambitions. She was Director of Strategy in the Office of Secretary of Defense. She is winner of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. She has lived in China and speaks Mandarin. 

Ms. Cross is a consultant on development for nonprofits. She retired after a distinguished career as President and CEO of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley.

Both Ms. Du Mont and Ms. Cross are members of the Advisory Board of the Canal Society. Mr. Bienstock is President of the Canal Society. He has led capital campaigns and other philanthropic efforts which have raised over $100 million.