The MARC Summit Agenda

9:00 AM – 9:05 AM EST | PHASE ONE EXPLAINED

Learn why infancy and childhood — what we call Phase One — are formative years for developing minds. These sessions will help you understand gender conditioning, which starts at an early age, and how to educate the next generation.

SPEAKERS
Karl Preissner, Director, Global Equity and Inclusion, P&G
Fareena Chaudhry, Director, MARC Client Partnerships, Catalyst

 

9:05 AM – 9:15 AM EST | INTRODUCTION TO THE SUMMIT

David Taylor, Chairman of the Board and CEO of P&G, introduces Day 1 of the MARC Summit by Catalyst.

SPEAKER
David Taylor, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, P&G and Member, Catalyst Board of Directors

 

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM EST | SHAPING GENDER ATTITUDES FROM AN EARLY AGE: THE POWER OF MEDIA AND MUPPETS

Keynote: Empirical research consistently underscores the importance of the earliest years in childrens’ development to determining long-term attitudes and behaviors. Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organization behind Sesame Street, has been using the power of media and Muppets to deliver educational impact for more than 50 years. The unique combination of Muppet characters, role-modeling, multi-media messaging, and a variety of other tailored approaches has been used to reflect and shape children’s sense of gender norms around the world.

SPEAKER
Danny Labin, Vice President of International Projects, Sesame Workshop
Featuring messages from the Sesame Street Muppets

 

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM EST | THE GENDERED BRAIN

Flash Talk: Can gender differences be related to the brain as well as social conditioning? This brief talk will help you understand more about the controversial science of biological sex and the brain.

SPEAKER
Gina Rippon, Professor Emeritus, Cognitive Neuroimaging, Aston University

 

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM EST | WHEN BOYS BECOME BOYS

Flash Talk: Many boys go through a critical moment of transition in their lives. This talk presents a new way of thinking about boys that emphasizes what they are capable of knowing and doing within their relationships, and explores how their socialization towards outdated ideals of masculinity can shield those capabilities from view. It highlights boys’ relational strengths, which are often underestimated or overlooked, and provides accounts from a two-year study that reveals how boys become motivated to downplay their relational strengths. Consider how boys’ alignment with culturally prescribed gender norms — particularly when it results in a disconnect from themselves and others — can impact their health and happiness.

SPEAKER
Judy Chu, Lecturer, Stanford University and Chair, Movember’s Global Men’s Health Advisory Committee

 

10:15 AM – 11:00 AM EST | THE STATE OF BOYS

Spotlight Conversation: The changing cultural landscape for boys — at home, school, and work — could impact how process masculinity internally. This panel of subject matter experts will analyze current research and provide thought-provoking commentary.

MODERATOR
Gary Barker, PhD, President and CEO, Promundo-US

SPEAKERS
Judy Chu, Lecturer, Stanford University and Chair, Movember’s Global Men’s Health Advisory Committee
Joseph Derrick Nelson, PhD, Assistant Professor and Senior Research Fellow, Swarthmore College
Michael Reichert, PhD, Executive Director, Center for the Study of Boys’ and Girls’ Lives, University of Pennsylvania

 

11:00 AM – 11:10 AM EST | WHAT BOYS WANT YOU TO KNOW

Flash Talk: Learning critical emotional skills early on can help boys as they become men. Explore the importance of giving young men a space to talk about their feelings and create lasting connections.

SPEAKER
Ashanti Branch, Creator and Executive Director, The Ever Forward Club

 

11:10 AM – 12:00 PM EST | EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BOYS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Spotlight Conversation: This panel will cover the challenges and opportunities that come with educating the next generation of boys. Representatives from large and influential organizations will discuss gender awareness and reconstructing masculinity during pivotal transitionary moments.

MODERATOR 
Dnika Travis, PhD, Vice President, Research, Catalyst

SPEAKERS
Jake Stika, Executive Director, Next Gen Men
Hunter Johnson, CEO, The Man Cave
Michael D. Smith, Director, Youth Opportunity Programs and Executive Director, MBK Alliance

 

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM EST | EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BOYS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Forum: An open dialogue about the challenges and opportunities of raising the next generation of boys. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THIS SESSION.

MODERATOR
Joseph Derrick Nelson, Assistant Professor and Senior Research Fellow, Swarthmore College

 

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM EST | EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BOYS: A LIVE DIALOGUE

Redefine Series: Join an open dialogue with audience participation and networking to better understand who the next generation of men are and how they will make an impact in the world. SUPPORTER ONLY CONTENT. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THIS SESSION.

MODERATOR
Jonathon Reed, Program Manager, Next Gen Men

 

1:00 PM – 1:05 PM EST | PHASE TWO EXPLAINED

Learn why Teenage/Young Adulthood — what we call Phase Two — are critical years for development. These sessions will help you better understand bullying, violence, sexuality, and masculinity.

SPEAKERS
Karl Preissner, Director, Global Equity and Inclusion, P&G
Fareena Chaudhry, Director, MARC Client Partnerships, Catalyst

 

1:05 PM – 1:40 PM EST | REDEFINING MASCULINITY

Keynote: Are only men masculine? Nalo Zidan illuminates the complexities of masculinity and the role it plays beyond a single sex or gender. As a Queer, Black masculine woman, Zidan will explore masculinity and femininity, and how new definitions of these terms are necessary to shift the conversation. The future of masculinity and how it affects those coming of age is a critical dialogue to have as millions of adolescents look up to trailblazers like Zidan to guide them.

SPEAKER
Nalo Zidan, Founder, #BlackGirlMasculine

 

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM EST | MAN BOX CULTURE

Flash Talk: Tony Porter is an internationally recognized author, educator and activist for his efforts to prevent violence against women while promoting a healthy, respectful manhood. Telling powerful stories from his own life, Porter shows how the “Man Box” mentality can lead men to disrespect, mistreat, and abuse women and each other.

SPEAKER
Tony Porter, Chief Executive Officer, A Call to Men

 

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM EST | BULLYING, VIOLENCE, AND MAN BOX CULTURE

Spotlight Conversation: A panel of subject matter experts discuss the “Man Box” and the harmful behaviors it allows and encourages. The experts will also discuss how practicing healthy manhood is essential to preventing violence and pursuing equity.

MODERATOR
Ché Nembhard, Program Associate, Promundo-US

SPEAKERS
Mark Greene, Author, Speaker
Niobe Way, Professor, Developmental Psychology, NYU and Founder, Project for the Advancement of Our Common Humanity
Ashanti Branch, Creator and Executive Director, The Ever Forward Club

 

2:45 PM – 2:55 PM EST | BOYS, SEXUALITY, AND CONSENT

Flash Talk: Talking to boys about sex can be uncomfortable. But it’s also essential. When those conversations are ignored, boys often get their education elsewhere. Learn about the hookup culture, skewed perceptions about bodies and sex, how rigid gender norms harm boys, the role of vulnerability in human relationships, and more.

SPEAKER 
Peggy Orenstein, New York Times Best Selling Author, Girls & Sex and Boys & Sex

 

2:55 PM – 3:00 PM EST | CLOSING REMARKS DAY 1

Closing remarks and a recap of day one, including reflections from Catalyst President and CEO Lorraine Hariton.

SPEAKERS
Karl Preissner, Director, Global Equity and Inclusion, P&G
Fareena Chaudhry, Director, MARC Client Partnerships, Catalyst
Lorraine Hariton, President and CEO, Catalyst

 

3:00 PM – 3:10 PM EST | CATALYST VIDEO: WHAT IS MARC?

Video: This Catalyst video introduces MARC (Men Advocating Real Change) — a Catalyst initiative that inspires men to leverage their unique opportunity and responsibility to be advocates for equity. Research-based, experiential learning disrupts traditional DEI approaches to enhance gender partnership and accelerate the creation of inclusive workplaces.

 

3:15 PM– 4:00 PM EST | TEACHING AND MODELING HEALTHY MASCULINITY

Forum: An open dialogue about the challenges and opportunities that come with inspiring young men to embrace an expanded, positive view of masculinity. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THIS SESSION.

MODERATOR
Ludo Gabriele, Senior Director, MARC Branding, Catalyst

 

3:15 PM– 4:00 PM EST | TEACHING CONSENT TO BOYS

Redefine Series: Discover new ways to teach boys about boundaries and consent. Learn about everyday consent, power dynamics, the power of no, and how to educate boys without shaming them. SUPPORTER ONLY CONTENT. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THIS SESSION.

MODERATOR
Josue Arguelles, Director of Youth Initiatives, A Call to Men

 

10:30 PM – 11:30 PM EST (9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Mumbai) | EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BOYS: A LIVE DIALOGUE

SPECIAL PHASE 1, APAC REGION ONLY

Forum: Join MARC expert facilitator, Matangi Gowrishankar, in a discussion on gender and social conditioning, healthy masculinity, man box culture, leadership, and legacy through the lens of the APAC context.

MODERATOR
Matangi Gowrishankar, Strategic Advisor, People & Culture, MARC

9:00 AM – 9:05 AM EST | PHASE THREE EXPLAINED

Learn how adulthood — what we call Phase Three — is still a viable time for change, accountability, and compassion for men.

SPEAKERS
Karl Preissner, Director, Global Equity and Inclusion, P&G
Fareena Chaudhry, Director, MARC Client Partnerships, Catalyst

 

9:05 AM – 9:10 AM EST | Q&A WITH MIKE WIRTH

Mike Wirth, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Chevron, introduces Day 2 of the MARC Summit by Catalyst with a Q&A.

SPEAKER
Mike Wirth, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Chevron and Member, Catalyst Board of Directors

 

9:10 AM – 9:50 AM EST | UNDEFINING MASCULINITY: BALANCING ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMPASSION

Keynote: Challenge the stereotypes of masculinity by focusing on accountability, compassion, introspection, vulnerability, and connections. Discover what it really means to be a man during this session and learn how to tear down the walls of restrictive masculinity.

SPEAKER
Justin Baldoni, American Actor, Director, and Entrepreneur

MODERATOR
Alix Pollack, Vice President, MARC

 

9:50 AM – 10:00 AM EST | REIMAGINING MASCULINITY WITH A BEGINNER’S MIND

Flash Talk: Reporter Thomas Page McBee transitioned at 30 years old, and was initially shocked by his own susceptibility to the worst parts of male socialization — so he began investigating masculinity itself. Discover what makes a man a man and why so few of us ask that question.

SPEAKER
Thomas Page McBee, Author, Journalist

 

10:05 AM – 10:15 AM EST | CRYING LIKE A MAN

Flash Talk: Take a linear look at Jason Wilson’s life journey as he chronicles his own healing process in a world where male tears and vulnerability are considered taboo. This program will strike a universal nerve with stories of fatherlessness, extreme violence, marital challenges, and the gentle strength of divine reconciliation.

SPEAKER
Jason Wilson, CEO of The Yunion, Director of The Cave of Adullam Transformational Training Academy, Author, Speaker

 

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM EST  | EXPLORING EXPRESSIONS OF MASCULINITIES

Flash Talk: Why would a woman do a series on masculinity? Iman Amrani demonstrates why it’s so important to start a conversation with men as she discusses extreme violence, high rates of suicide, online communities, #MeToo, and more.

SPEAKER
Iman Amrani, Multimedia Journalist, The Guardian

 

10:30 AM – 11:10 AM EST | REMOVING THE STIGMA AROUND MEN’S MENTAL
HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE

Spotlight Conversation: While it’s becoming more acceptable to discuss mental health challenges, people still have difficulty raising their concerns in the workplace, where it is often considered a taboo subject. Learn why addressing mental health is a business imperative and how to reframe the issue of mental health to make it more accessible to men.

MODERATOR 
Susan Todd, US Director, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Movember Foundation

SPEAKERS
Jeff Grange, Founder and CEO, Red Lion Advisors LLC
Mark Hedstrom, US Executive Director, Movember Foundation
Gidai Maaza, LMFT, Family Therapist and Mental Health Counselor

 

11:10 AM – 11:20 AM EST | HEALTHY MASCULINITY: BREAKING OUT OF THE MAN BOX

Flash Talk: An invitation from Mark Greene to break out of the “Man Box” — the narrowly defined set of traditional rules for being a man — to build relational capacities. Mark explains how foregoing traditional masculine rules can open the door to meaningful connections to others and to our own humanity.

SPEAKER
Mark Greene, Author, Speaker

 

11:25 AM – 12:00 PM EST | AN EXPANDED VIEW OF MASCULINITY:
CREATING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS

Spotlight Conversation: Explore the work of men’s groups and how they challenge the traditional views of masculinity. Unpack what happens when men partner with other men on an emotional level.

MODERATOR
Ludo Gabriele, Senior Director, MARC Branding

SPEAKERS
Boysen Hodgson, Director of Communication, ManKind Project, US
Eka Darville, Storyteller

 

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM EST | REMOVING THE STIGMA OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE

Forum: The stigma of mental health affects everyone, especially in the workplace. Many men feel like their job would be at risk if they discussed their mental health at work. How do masculine norms feed into this perception? How can we effectively break this stigma for everyone? YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THIS SESSION.

MODERATOR
Sandra Ondraschek-Norris, Vice President, Global MARC Learning, Catalyst

 

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM EST | INTRODUCTION TO EMOTIONAL HEALTH/VULNERABILITY

Redefine Series: Some men work out their bodies and minds but neglect their feelings. During this introduction to emotional health and vulnerability, learn how to exercise your emotional intelligence to build deeper, more complete relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. SUPPORTER ONLY CONTENT. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THIS SESSION.

MODERATOR
Owen Marcus, Co-Founder, EVRYMAN

 

1:00 PM – 1:05 PM EST | PHASE FOUR EXPLAINED

Learn why legacy — what we call Phase Four — is a defining role in the lifestage of men. Explore sessions that cover partnerships, leadership, role modeling, and caregiving.

SPEAKERS
Karl Preissner, Director, Global Equity and Inclusion, P&G
Fareena Chaudhry, Director, MARC Client Partnerships, Catalyst

 

1:05 PM – 1:20 PM EST | LEGACY, REFLECTION, AND ACTION

Keynote: Wade Davis, former NFL player, will discuss the power of legacy, self reflection, and taking action when redefining masculinity, and the importance of embracing humility.

SPEAKER
Wade Davis, Former NFL Player, Thought Leader, Public Speaker, and Writer

 

1:20 PM – 1:35 PM EST | EFFECTIVE GENDER PARTNERSHIP

Flash Talk: We all have something to contribute — and something to gain — as we work together to create greater gender equity and inclusion. We can choose to accept that responsibility and opportunity to act as partners in this effort. Hear from Alix Pollack, leader of the MARC initiative, on what gender partnership is, and is not, as told through stories of her own advocacy journey.

SPEAKER
Alix Pollack, Vice President, MARC

 

1:35 PM – 1:50 PM EST | CATALYST VIDEO: A CONVERSATIONAL EXPLORATION OF GENDER PARTNERSHIP

Video: This Catalyst video features Catalyst team members and Mark Greene, founder of Remaking Manhood, as they explore the concept of gender partnership. Gender partnership refers to individuals of all gender identities assuming mutual accountability for advancing equity and inclusion and working together to achieve collective culture change.

 

1:55 PM – 2:05 PM EST | DEAR MEN, BRING YOUR HUMANITY TO WORK

Flash Talk: Can training help create inclusive workplaces? Now, more than ever, we need to bring our humanity to the workplace. Discover how creating space where people are recognized for their unique characteristics, traits, and qualities will prime businesses to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

SPEAKER
Samie Al-Achrafi, Speaker, Author

 

2:05 PM – 2:15 PM EST | CATALYST VIDEO: ENGAGING MEN IN EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Video: This Catalyst video features MARC alumni and MARC team members as they discuss the importance of engaging men as advocates for equity and inclusion in the workplace. Because men hold the vast majority of leadership roles worldwide, building inclusive cultures is a leadership challenge — and more than checking a diversity box.

 

2:15 PM – 3:05 PM EST | LEADING BY EXAMPLE: HOW LEADERS CREATE CHANGE

Keynote: Chevron CEO Mike Wirth and P&G CEO David Taylor discuss the opportunity and responsibility of leaders to create change.

MODERATOR
Cristina Santos, Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Total Well-Being and EEO, North America, Sanofi

SPEAKERS
David Taylor, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, P&G and Member, Catalyst Board of Directors
Mike Wirth, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Chevron and Member, Catalyst Board of Directors

 

3:15 PM– 4:00 PM EST | INTERRUPTING SEXISM IN THE WORKPLACE

Forum: Catalyst staff will help attendees develop a more visceral understanding of the dynamics and implications of gender inequity, challenge exclusionary dynamics, commit to building more effective gender partnership, and advocate for real change. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THIS SESSION.

MODERATOR
Leena Kulkami, Senior Associate, Consulting Services, Catalyst

PANELISTS
Heather Foust-Cummings, PhD, Senior Vice President, Research, Catalyst
Jared Cline, Director, Alumni Engagement, MARC

 

3:15 PM– 4:00 PM EST | CREATING GENDER PARTNERSHIP IN THE WORKPLACE AND BEYOND

Forum: An open dialogue about ways to create effective gender partnership in the workplace and beyond. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THIS SESSION.

MODERATOR
Kat Hoffman, Senior Earth Scientist, MCBU C&D, Chevron
Steve Stall, Vice President, MARC Facilitation and Strategic Client Partnership

 

3:15 PM– 4:00 PM EST | THE OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERS TO CREATE CHANGE

Forum: Discover steps that companies and leaders can take to break through climates of silence and create psychologically safer and more inclusive workplace cultures. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THIS SESSION.

MODERATOR
Julie Nugent, Senior Vice President, Learning and Advisory Services, Catalyst
Michael Chamberlain, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Catalyst