Plenary Sessions
Thursday, June 26th, 8:30 am - 10:00 am: David S. Liederman Opening Plenary Session
Compassion Across Generations
Intergenerational solutions value people at all ages and stages of life. They are reciprocal and respectful rooted in values including compassion. Compassion is defined as a feeling of empathy and sympathy for another person's suffering, along with a desire to help.
Early in 2025, the Muhammad Ali Center released the Muhammad Ali Index, a highly sophisticated way to measure and track a city’s compassion index.
As Muhammad Ali said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” He believed true greatness is defined not by who we knock down, but by how many we lift up.
Bill Withers’ music beautifully illustrated our human interdependence and the importance of living a life of compassion. He wrote “Lean on me, when you're not strong and I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on” and said “I feel that it is healthier to look out at the world through a window than through a mirror. Otherwise, all you see is yourself and whatever is behind you.”
Join us for an engaging, lively, and inspiring conversation about compassion and what you, as an intergenerational champion, can do to up the compassion score in your neighborhood, community, and country.
Trent Stamp (moderator)
CEO of The Eisner Foundation
DeVone Holt
CEO of Muhammad Ali Center
Marcia Withers
Wife of the Late Music Icon, Singer-Songwriter Bill Withers, and Head of Mattie Music Group
Kori Withers
Singer-Songwriter and Daughter of Bill Withers
Bill Withers was a legendary American singer-songwriter and musician. He is known for such hit songs as "Ain't No Sunshine,""Lean On Me," Just The Two Of Us," "Lovely Day," and more. He has received numerous awards in his lifetime and won three Grammy Awards. In 2005, Withers was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 2015, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"Grandma's Hands" is a timeless, universal song originally featured on Bill Withers' 1971 album, Just As I Am. With soulful lyrics, the song captures the significant impact that Withers' grandmother had on his life as a child. Multiple award-winning artist R. Gregory Christie has brought the iconic song to life through vibrant illustrations, painting a tender portrait of Bill's grandmother. Through the illustrations, readers are transported back in time to experience the comfort, security, and unconditional love that he found in his grandmother's hands. A heartwarming tribute to the enduring bond between grandmothers and their grandchildren, "Grandma’s Hands" represents how the simple acts of care and affection during childhood can leave an indelible mark for a lifetime.
Our opening session honors the late David Liederman, co-founder and former vice chair of Generations United, former executive director of the Child Welfare League of America, and former chief executive officer for the Council on Accreditation. He and Jack Ossofsky, who was executive director of the National Council on Aging and co-founder of Generations United, envisioned a society where the generations work together to improve the lives of children, youth, and older adults. Their vision led to the creation of Generations United. Throughout his life, David was a passionate advocate for vulnerable children and families and for the reciprocity between generations that frames intergenerational work. The Generations United Board of Directors created this plenary session as a lasting tribute to David.
Thursday, June 26th, 12:45 pm - 2:00 pm
Generations United’s Awards Luncheon
More info coming soon!
Friday, June 27th, 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm: Closing Luncheon
More info coming soon!