Campfire & Prairie Talks

9:40- 9:45 AM MT | Opening Remarks 
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

Speaker: Theodore Roosevelt V, Host, Good Citizen Podcast; Member, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation Board of Trustees

9:45–10:15 AM MT | Doris Kearns Goodwin: Finding Hope in History
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library 

This conversation will explore the enduring lessons of leadership, character, resilience, and citizenship through the lens of American history. One of the nation’s leading presidential historians will reflect on Theodore Roosevelt’s life and legacy, and on what history can teach in moments of uncertainty and change.

Speaker: Ms. Doris Kearns Goodwin, Historian and Author; Member, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation Board of Trustees

10:30–11:15 AM MT | Theodore Roosevelt’s Impact on U.S. Naval Leadership 
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library 

This conversation will reflect on Theodore Roosevelt’s role in shaping American naval power and the continued relevance of his leadership today. Speakers will explore sea power, readiness, command, and the responsibilities of American leadership in a changing world. 

Speakers
Ms. Beth Myers, Principal, Buckminster Strategies; Member, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation Board of Trustees (Moderator) 
Admiral Stuart B. Munsch (Ret.)
Admiral Christopher W. Grady (Ret.), 12th Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 
Rear Admiral Carlos "los" Sardiello

11:30 AM–12:15 PM MT | From the Cradle of Conservation to the Next Era
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library 

This conversation will reflect on Theodore Roosevelt’s enduring commitment to America’s lands, waters, wildlife, and outdoor traditions. Leaders from across the conservation field will discuss the future of public and private conservation, the role of partnerships, and the work required to steward natural resources for generations to come. 

Speakers
Mr. Brian Yablonski, CEO, Property and Environment Research Center (Moderator)
Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, President and CEO, Trust for Public Land 
T.H. Kate MacGregor, Deputy Secretary of the Interior
Mr. Collin O'Mara, CEO, National Wildlife Federation 
Mr. Adam Putnam, CEO, Ducks Unlimited 
Mr. Simon Roosevelt, EVP Conservation, Boone & Crockett Club
Mr. Jeff Trandahl, CEO, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

12:30–1:15 PM MT | The Square Deal at 250: Business, Community, and The American Promise 
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library 

This conversation will examine Theodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal as a lens for business leadership today. At a moment of national reflection, the panel will explore how major institutions can build trust, invest for long-term value, support communities, and advance the public good. The discussion will connect Roosevelt’s legacy to contemporary questions of capital, infrastructure, technology, energy, stewardship, and responsible leadership. 

Speakers
Mr. Matthew Swift,  Co-Founder and CEO, Concordia; Member, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation Board of Trustees (Moderator)
Ms. Doris Kearns Goodwin, Presidential Historian and Author; Member, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation Board of Trustees
Mr. Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President, Microsoft
Ms. Charity Wallace, Founder and President, Wallace Global Impact 
Mr. Mike Wirth, CEO, Chevron
Mr. Brian Moynihan, CEO, Bank of America

2:00–2:30 PM MT | Prairie Side Chat with Harold Hamm: Energy, Enterprise, and What We Pass On
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library 

This conversation will explore energy, enterprise, stewardship, and North Dakota’s role in shaping the American future. Through the lens of the Bakken and the state’s broader story of work, land, and leadership, the discussion will consider what responsible development and legacy mean across generations.

Speakers
Mr. Harold Hamm, Founder and Chairman, Continental Resources 
Ms. Hilary Hamm, Chair, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation Board of Trustees

2:45–3:30 PM MT | Prairie Side Chat with Johnny Morris: Conservation, Commerce, and the Great Outdoors
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library 

This conversation will explore the American outdoor tradition, conservation, and the role of hunters, anglers, and private leadership in protecting land, water, wildlife, and access for future generations.

Speakers
T.H. Kelly Armstrong, Governor, North Dakota, 2024–present (Moderator)
Mr. Johnny Morris, Founder and CEO, Bass Pro Shops 

3:45–4:30 PM MT | Prairie Side Chat with Arthur Brooks: The Strenuous Life and the Search for Happiness
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

This conversation will explore the pursuit of happiness, purpose, and resilience in a restless age. Drawing on Arthur Brooks’s work on human flourishing and Theodore Roosevelt’s belief in the “strenuous life,” the discussion will consider how challenge, service, love, connection, and time outdoors can shape character, deepen meaning, and help renew civic life. 

Speakers
Mr. Robbie Lauf, Executive Director, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (Moderator)
Mr. Arthur C. Brooks, Author

10:30–11:15 AM MT | Theodore Roosevelt’s Legacy in Government Today
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library 

This conversation will explore Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy in public service, conservation, and stewardship. The discussion will consider what Roosevelt’s example still offers leaders today, from the role of government and the future of public lands to the responsibilities of citizenship in a divided political moment. 

Speakers
Mr. Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO at With Honor (Moderator)
T.H. Kirsten Gillibrand, United States Senate (D-NY) 
T.H. Kevin Cramer, United States Senate (R-ND)

11:30 AM–12:15 PM MT | North Dakota Made Him: A Governors’ Conversation
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library 

This conversation will bring together current and former Governors of North Dakota to reflect on Theodore Roosevelt’s enduring connection to the Badlands. Roosevelt credited his time in North Dakota as formative to his life and presidency; this discussion will explore what the state shaped in him, and what it continues to offer the country today. Moderated by current North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, the session will emphasize place, leadership, stewardship, and legacy across generations. 

Speakers
T.H. Kelly Armstrong, Governor, North Dakota, 2024–present (Moderator)
T.H. Doug Burgum, Governor, North Dakota, 2016–2024 
T.H. Jack Dalrymple, Governor, North Dakota, 2010–2016
T.H. Ed Schafer, Governor, North Dakota, 1992–2000
T.H. John Hoeven, Governor, North Dakota, 2000–2010

12:30–1:15 PM MT | The First Lady and the Modern Presidency
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

This conversation will explore the evolving role of the First Lady in shaping the modern presidency. Beginning with Edith Roosevelt—who helped formalize the role through White House restoration, social leadership, diplomatic hosting, media management, and her role as advisor and anchor to President Theodore Roosevelt—the discussion will consider how First Ladies have influenced public life, civic culture, advocacy, and presidential legacy. Panelists will consider how the role has changed across generations, and how First Ladies continue to shape public service through partnership, purpose, and visibility.

Speakers
Ms. Kjersti Armstrong, First Lady of North Dakota (Moderator)
Ms. Betsy Fischer Martin, Executive Director, Women & Politics Institute at American University and former journalist
Ms. Anita McBride, Executive in Residence, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, American University; former Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush; Author, Remember the First Ladies, The Legacies of America's History-Making Women
Ms. Michelle Orton, Director and Assistant Professor, Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program, Dickinson State University 

2:00–2:20 PM MT | Doris Kearns Goodwin: Finding Hope in History
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

One of the nation’s leading presidential historians will reflect on Theodore Roosevelt’s life and legacy, and on how history can give us hope in moments of uncertainty and change. This talk explores what makes Roosevelt so enduringly relevant: his curiosity, courage, resilience, humor, and above all, his character.

Speaker
Ms. Doris Kearns Goodwin, Historian and Author

2:30–3:15 PM MT | Prairie Side Chat with The Hon. Rahm Emanuel: America and the World Stage
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library 

This Prairie Side Chat will explore American foreign policy through the lens of Theodore Roosevelt’s long view of national interest, strength, diplomacy, and global leadership. The conversation will consider where leaders across political traditions still find common ground on America’s role in the world.

Speakers
Mr. Matthew Swift, Co-Founder and CEO, Concordia; Member, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation Board of Trustees (Moderator)
T.H. Rahm Emanuel, Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan

3:30–4:15 PM MT | Built to Endure: Sustainability, Stewardship, and the Making of TRPL 
Location: Auditorium at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library 

This conversation will explore the making of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library as a building designed to endure. Speakers will discuss the architecture, local materials, construction partnerships, and sustainability commitments behind the project, including how the Library reflects Roosevelt’s conservation legacy through the choices made in wood, concrete, water, energy, and design.

Speakers
Ms. Jenn Carroll, Manager of Sustainability, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (Moderator)
Mr. Craig Dykers, Founding Partner Architect, Snøhetta 
Ms. Suzie Medley, Vice President, The Fisher Group
Mr. Willie Winn, Founder and CEO, Winn Construction