
Reception, Dinner, and Conversation with Celebrated Hosts
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
6:00pm Cocktail Reception • 7:15pm Dinner
Birchwood Manor in Whippany, NJ
GREAT CONVERSATIONS is a unique event that gives guests the opportunity to dine and talk with a prominent individual while supporting the arts! Our conversationalists are made up of 27 honored guests who contribute to the diverse character of our community including: artists, top business leaders, world-class performers, entrepreneurs, authors, scientists, culinary stars, and more. We invite you to take advantage of this unique evening of exchanging ideas while savoring a delicious meal, refreshing drink, and great conversation. Read the official press release.
In celebration of its golden anniversary, Morris Arts is thrilled to incorporate the talents of two local arts grantee* organizations throughout the evening. Lakeland Youth Symphony’s Youth Ensemble will provide live music during the cocktail hour with a quintet led by the symphony’s Executive Director, Sue On. Morristown Neighborhood House will feature the captains of their Unity Stepper Dance & Drill Team in a performance led by Before & Afterschool Supervisor, Adia Harris.
Choose Your Conversationalist
When you register, you are asked to select your top 5 Conversationalist choices. We will assign you to sit with one of these choices. Seating assignments are first come, first serve. This popular event fills up quickly, so be sure to purchase your tickets early.
ARTS, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
![]() Theatre and TV actor, award-winning lyricist, and acting coach; performances include Beetlejuice, The Musical and Chicago Med |
![]() Walt Disney Studios and Disney+ – Director of Publicity for such hits as Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Black Panther, etc |
![]() Comic artist, editor, and instructor; Owner/President of The Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Arts and Dewey’s Comic City |
![]() Broad Market Media – Principal; Co-creator/producer of Public Enemy; former president of Def Jam Records; producer of Kaepernick & America film |
![]() Mixed Media Artist and Papermaker featuring Africana Iconography, antique textiles, and a spiritual quality |
AUTHORS & MEDIA
![]() NJ Advance Media – Chief Revenue Officer; award-winning multimedia advertising expert |
![]() New York Times bestselling author of Cork Dork, hailed as the “Kitchen Confidential” of wine |
![]() NJ PBS – VP & General Manager; public media leader and pioneer in community engagement |
![]() Newspaper Editor at a Pulitzer Prize winning business-focused daily newspaper based in NYC |
CLIMATE SCIENCE
![]() Rutgers Climate Institute – Co-Director; Professor of Atmospheric Science; co-author of Beyond Global Warming |
CULINARY ARTS & FOOD MARKETING
![]() Tate’s Bake Shop – CEO (part of Mondelēz International); brand innovator and consumer packaged goods expert |
![]() Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen – Executive Chef; acclaimed former chef of Le Cirque, Gotham Bar & Grill, and Ouest |
DATA PRIVACY & NATIONAL SECURITY
![]() VP of Data Privacy, Investigations, and Security at Porzio Compliance Services; former Secret Service Special Agent |
![]() Founder & CEO of Squire Solutions, tech company improving military and emergency response; former Navy SEAL Officer |
HEALTHCARE & PHARMA
![]() Chief Medical Officer at Morristown Medical Center specializing in pulmonology |
![]() Bayesian Biotech – CEO; an AI-enabled precision medicine tech company. Listen to a personal invite from John. |
![]() Chief Medical Officer at Hackensack University Medical Center specializing in geriatrics |
![]() Bayer – VP US Medical Affairs, Women’s Healthcare |
![]() Pfizer – VP of Global Hematology; pharmaceutical leader with experience in biotechnology. Listen to a personal invite from Kimberly. |
MILITARY SERVICE
![]() SgtMaj US Marine Corps (Ret); first African American sniper in US Marines; awarded two Purple Hearts. Listen to a personal invite from Al. |
REAL ESTATE & FINANCE
![]() Valley Bank – EVP & Director of Retail Banking; sought after retail banking speaker and thought leader |
![]() MetLife Investment Management – Managing Director & Head of Real Estate Equity; Columbia University Adjunct Professor of MSRED program |
SOCIAL IMPACT
![]() African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ – Founder, President & CEO |
![]() Founder & Executive Director of ANCHOR, addressing violence and economic exclusion in Uganda. Listen to a personal invite from Patrick. |
TRANSFORMATION & TECH
![]() Finn Partners – Senior Partner, Global Digital Health; digital evangelist; restaurant owner; DJ |
![]() PwC – Transformation Consulting Solutions and Products Leader; media commentator on digital trends and transformation |
Sports
![]() New York Red Bulls – President and General Manager; global brand and business builder; autism advocate |
Great Sponsors of Great Conversations
We thank the following corporate sponsors for their support of Morris Arts. Click on the sponsor’s name to link to their website.
Encore
AMHigley
Bayer
Finn Partners
Hackensack Meridian Health Network
MetLife
MCM Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley
NJ Advance Media representing NJ.com and Jersey’s Best
NJ PBS
ROI-NJ
Conversationalists’ Reception
Finn Partners
Ovation
Mondelēz International
New York Red Bulls
PwC
Valley Bank
Applause
Charles Schwab
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Morristown Medical Center
Pfizer
Star
African American Chamber of Commerce
Morris County Chamber of Commerce
NK Architects
Riker Danzig
For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tara Skirzenski, Interim Director of Development at 973.441.5516.