This August, students and educators from across the nation will meet in Chicago for the 2025 Interfaith Leadership Summit. At this year’s Summit, participants will practice their bridgebuilding skills, learn from a diverse group of pluralists, and experience impactful performances.
Throughout the course of the weekend, panelists and musicians will share stories, lessons, and advice. Plenary sessions will address how we might find harmony where there is dissonance in our democracy and how we can create space for pluralism in our campus communities. To celebrate the 2025 Summit theme — The Chords of Democracy — Interfaith America connected with some of this year’s speakers, who shared what they look forward to about the event and which songs inspire them as bridgebuilders.
Editor’s note: The following conversations have been edited for clarity and length.
Mark Rodgers
Principal, The Clapham Group
Opening Plenary Panelist, “Chords of Democracy”
IA: What are you looking forward to about this year’s Interfaith Leadership Summit?
Mark: America was built on an idea unique to the West: “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Religion and religious liberty were viewed as indispensable to the establishment, health and future of the republic. What has made America uniquely vibrant religiously is in part due to its non-establishment of a particular religion or creed. I am looking forward to celebrating America’s religious strength and diversity with a generation that is showing renewed interest in religion as a personal and public good.
IA: This year’s Summit theme is “Chords of Democracy.” Reflecting on the intersection of music and the diverse fabric of American democracy, is there a song that inspires you in your pursuit of pluralism?
Mark: I have shown the video for Tim McGraw’s song “Humble and Kind” to many organizations. The video draws from the OWN documentary series “Belief” and promotes a common teaching of virtually every religion: that we should treat others as we would like them to treat us.
Rahul Sharma, Founder of Funkadesi, Psychologist and Consultant, and Allison Briscoe-Smith, Senior Fellow, UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center and Diversity Lead of Student Life at University of Washington, will also be panelists during the Opening Plenary.
Abhinav Krishnan
Field Coordinator, One Small Step – StoryCorps
Closing Plenary Panelist, “Building the Stage on College Campuses”
IA: What are you looking forward to about this year’s Interfaith Leadership Summit?
Abhinav: I’m looking forward to being in a space where people have committed themselves, and a whole weekend, not just to learning about pluralism but also to building connections and having conversations across differences. To be in communion with students and educators from across the country who share the same values is truly exciting!
IA: This year’s Summit theme is “Chords of Democracy.” Reflecting on the intersection of music and the diverse fabric of American democracy, is there a song that inspires you in your pursuit of pluralism?
Abhinav: “Human” by Rag’n’Bone Man
Paul Lambert
Religion Initiative Director, Wheatley Institute at Brigham Young University
Closing Plenary Panelist, “Building the Stage on College Campuses”
IA: What are you looking forward to about this year’s Interfaith Leadership Summit?
Paul: I’m looking forward to being part of a movement that looks to bring people together in dignity instead of pushing them apart. There is so much to learn and appreciate about others or other perspectives, and I think we are much better off engaging with and trying to understand one another. Pluralism is an essential foundation of American life and democracy, and this will be a great opportunity for us all to learn how to be a little better at being advocates for pluralism.
IA: This year’s Summit theme is “Chords of Democracy.” Reflecting on the intersection of music and the diverse fabric of American democracy, is there a song that inspires you in your pursuit of pluralism?
Paul: There is a hymn from my Christian tradition, “Love One Another,” that quotes our sacred scripture about treating all with love and dignity — specifically to love others as Christ has loved them. For me, loving others starts by honoring their dignity and agency.
Sudha Wadhwani
Staff Psychologist, Montclaire State University
Closing Plenary Panelist, “Building the Stage on College Campuses”
IA: What are you looking forward to about this year’s Interfaith Leadership Summit?
Sudha: I am really looking forward to connecting with other higher education professionals and students who are also committed to inclusion and building bridges on our university campuses. In a time when there is so much we cannot control, being a part of this organization and having a shared commitment to create positive dialogue and opportunities for connection and understanding one another gives me hope that peace is possible. Together we can build the tools and inspire one another to make positive change on our respective campuses — and change the world — one campus at a time!
IA: This year’s Summit theme is “Chords of Democracy.” Reflecting on the intersection of music and the diverse fabric of American democracy, is there a song that inspires you in your pursuit of pluralism?
Sudha: As a Clinical and Community Psychologist who minored in Music, this theme really resonates with me. I see music as a beautiful tool for connection, whether to connect with ourselves and our emotions or collectively between and within communities, to bridge cultural divides. As someone who came of age in the ‘80s, so many amazing songs come to mind: “We are the World” by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie; “We are Family” by Sister Sledge; “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang; “We are the Champions” by Queen. I also love “Rainbow Connection” by Kermit the Frog and Kenny Loggins.
Mona Golabek
Founder and President, Hold On To Your Music Foundation
Performer, Friday Evening Dinner
IA: What are you looking forward to about this year’s Interfaith Leadership Summit?
Mona: I am so excited to share the story of my mother with everyone gathering for the Interfaith Leadership Summit, and I hope that her story will bring inspiration and much needed hope.
IA: This year’s Summit theme is “Chords of Democracy.” Reflecting on the intersection of music and the diverse fabric of American democracy, is there a song that inspires you in your pursuit of pluralism?
Mona: Building on the Summit’s theme of “Chords of Democracy”, it is quite fitting that as a pianist, I have the opportunity to share through music — the universal language that brings us all together, no matter our background or diversity. As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks said, “it is the language of the soul.”
I am excited to play the Grieg Piano Concerto during the Summit.
Moksha Arts Dance Company will be performing during the Friday evening dinner.
