True Confessions Speakers for 2008

Alison Lawton

Alison is an accomplished business executive, social innovator and documentary filmmaker who has channeled her passion for social development into Mindset Media, a non-partisan, foundation that focuses attention on issues rarely featured in mainstream media outlets. Her documentary film titled "Uganda Rising", chronicles the 20-year civil war raging in Northern Uganda, has screened in over 25 film festivals worldwide and was the recipient of numerous Best Documentary Awards. As a social venture philanthropist, Alison has worked with Lloyd Axworthy, Canada's former Minister of Foreign Affairs, who inspired her to generate awareness of the situation in Northern Uganda.  She has toured Africa with UNICEF and The Clinton Foundation and has also held private audiences with other global stewards such as President Bill Clinton, Stephen Lewis, the Dali Lama, Bill Gates and Nelson Mandela.  Alison is currently the Chair of the Unite for Children Unite Against Aids Campaign for Unicef Canada. FULL BIO

Mark Deutschmann

Mark Deutschmann founded Village Real Estate Services in 1996 in Nashville, Tennessee intending to re-create core urban neighborhoods. Village has grown to nearly 200 agents and staff, and has spawned other entities including Core Development Services, CityLife Lending Group, CLG Title and Escrow, and Solve, a marketing company. Village works with urban developers to market and sell smart communities and successfully closed $469 million in sales volume in 2007. Mark attributes Village's success to its focus on the urban niche which increases in value as Americans reverse urban sprawl with their desire to cut energy costs and find community. The Village Fund, which owns 5% of Village, contributed $220,000 to the community in 2007 and continues to support smart growth initiatives and other relevant causes. FULL BIO

Adrienne Maree Brown

Adrienne Maree Brown is the executive director of The Ruckus Society, which brings nonviolent direct action training and action support to communities impacted by economic, environmental and social oppression. She sits on the board of Allied Media Project and Wiretap Magazine, and facilitates the development of organizations throughout the movement (most recently ColorofChange.org and Detroit Summer). A co-founder of the League of Pissed Off/Young Voters and graduate of the Art of Leadership and Art of Change yearlong trainings, Adrienne is obsessed with learning and developing models for action, community strength and movement building. FULL BIO

Past SVI speakers have included:

David Berge, Underdog Ventures
Amy Domini, Domini Social Investments
Mark Finser, RSF Social Finance
Margot Franssen, Body Shop Canada
Gary Hirshberg, Stonyfield Farm
Jeffrey Hollender, Seventh Generation
Valerie Hussey, Kids Can Press
Alice Klein, Now Magazine
Susan Kurz, Dr. Hauschka Skincare
David Levi, Working Opportunity Fund
Julia & Ed Levy, QLT Inc.
Lisa Lorimer, Vermont Bread Company
Drummond Pike, Tides Foundation
Jonathan Poneman, Sub Pop Records
Bruce Poon Tip, G.A.P. Adventures
Russel Precious, Capers
Peter Robinson, Mountain Equipment Co-Op
Peter Roy, Whole Food Markets
Aqueela Sherills, CSDI
Tami Simon, Sounds True
Greg Steltenpohl, Odwalla
Nina Utne, Utne Reader
Julius Walls, Greyston Bakery
Judy Wicks, White Dog Cafe
Bill Young, Social Capital Partners