Alder’s go-forward strategy and investments are heavily geared to not only building our community, but increasingly leveraging the impact of our broader network of experts and influencers.
Community
The people who join Alder are already leaders. They are already committed to learning, growing, and holding themselves accountable to setting an example for those around them. They share our values and are actively engaged in pursuing a lasting, transformative impact that will benefit their families, their communities, and the world.
Our passion is equipping already successful leaders to become even more extraordinary citizens and citizen-leaders. But we are more impactful together, greater than the sum of our parts. The meaning, joy, and access that comes from community also ladders up to a higher calling.
Listen to “ Band Together,” a song written about our community values by singer/songwriter Tiffany Thompson.
The benefits of community are profound and dynamic to both our members and to our mission. A wide-reaching community ensures an unmatched range of access across sectors and interests and widens our perspectives, inspirations, and opportunities.
Perhaps most importantly, the entire idea and practice of the American Experiment depends on people coming together to grow and solve problems together.
Alder continues to actively build the community through:
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Invitation-only membership based on shared values, mission, and willingness to engage -
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Sharing of knowledge and ideas through deep dialogues and local experiences on topics from philosophy to current events
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Delegations and retreats that deepen relationships
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Alder-led relationship and community building by making strategic connections among the membership
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Sharing resources and lessons with one another for impactful collaborations
“Within the character of the citizen, lies the welfare of the nation.”
— Marcus Tullius Cicero
Meet some of our members
Dana White
Former Pentagon spokeswoman and foreign policy expert Dana White has distinguished herself in the public and private sectors, leading thousands of professionals worldwide. As a trusted policy adviser and public relations guru, her counsel has steered some of the world’s most influential organizations, including Hyundai Motors. She’s been honored with the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service and as an MIT National Security Fellow.
Erik Moreno
Erik Moreno is the EVP, Corporate Development and M&A at Sony Pictures and has worked for some of our country’s biggest Hollywood hitmaking studios and currently runs Corporate Development and M&A at Sony Pictures. His business leadership has equipped him to think outside the box about the ways that studios can optimize their footprint across our culture and expand their content and offerings for consumers. Erik is also a passionate higher education philanthropist, serving on the Board of the Strada Education Network.
Jack Carr
Jack Carr is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of some of our nation’s most popular thriller novels, The Terminal List series, which was adapted into a hit television show starring Chris Pratt. His stories are shaped by his experience as a Navy SEAL sniper who served our country for over 20 years, including in the War on Terror. Jack’s podcast Danger Close reaches hundreds of thousands of listeners.
Jared Cohen
Jared Cohen is one of the nation’s leading experts in foreign affairs, technology, and presidential history. Currently the President of Global Affairs at Goldman Sachs, he’s led some of the country’s most influential institutions from Google to the State Department. Jared’s books are New York Times Bestsellers, and he’s widely credited for coining the term “techno-democracy” which defines how leaders think about the intersection of tech and foreign affairs.
Lawrence Grey
Hollywood producer Lawrence Grey is behind some of the films that delight us and make us feel alive, working with the biggest names in the industry to create cultural impact. After beginning his career in law, he moved into entertainment, working at some of the biggest studios in Hollywood before founding his production company Grey Matter Productions. Some of their recent achievements include the release of Pain Hustlers and the upcoming Family Switch.
Michael McClellan
Discipline breeds greatness, and Michael McClellan’s dedication to waking up early each day to write his epic historical fiction novel, The Sand Sea, before going to work embodies those values. He’s a top attorney and law firm partner in Southern California, advising clients on complex litigation and risk management. He’s a passionate defender of the Constitution and studied it extensively throughout his education and career.
Dan McClory
Dan McClory is CEO of Boustead & Company Limited and runs their Equity Capital Markets, leading high profiles M&As and IPOs for clients listed on stock exchanges across the globe. He’s lent his expertise to elevating the profile of our community across the globe and listed our foundation as the first-ever foreign-funded, venture philanthropy-backed IPO on the Bovespa Social Stock Exchange in Brazil. Dan also serves on the Boards of USA Track & Field Foundation and the Eastern Michigan University Foundation. He’s also a Knight Commander of the Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus.
Carlos Curbelo
Former Congressman Carlos Curbelo is a longtime friend of our community. The son of Cuban political refugees, he’s a rare leader who values getting things done above grabbing headlines and was consistently honored as one of the most bipartisan Members of Congress. After his experience navigating the nation’s power centers, he is now leading Vocero, the public affairs firm he co-founded. He also provides expert commentary as an on-air analyst for the networks of NBC News.
Penny Schwinn
There’s no greater embodiment of legacy than teaching our children well, and as the former Tennessee State Commissioner of Education, Penny is shaping the schools building tomorrow’s leaders. She’s overseen multi-billion-dollar budgets used to educate over 1 million students across 147 districts in the state and is proud to educate her own children in TN public schools. She’s now playing a leading role advising former Senator Ben Sasse at the University of Florida to ty K-12 to higher education, and also advises the Walton family.
Jeff Weller
Jeff Weller has played a critical role in raising capital that’s changed the landscape of America. A sought-after real estate investment executive known for his savvy and reliable high-yield returns to investors, he co-founded Lion Real Estate Group, LLC., a national agency with offices in Aspen, LA, Dallas, and Nashville, managing an almost $1B portfolio. He’s led top brokerage firms throughout the U.S., and his experience makes him a sought-after thought leader shaping the next generation of real estate leaders. A civically engaged world traveler, he’s also an active philanthropist supporting causes like the Duke University art museum.