Advisory Council

With more than 30 years practicing journalism on both sides of the border, Vicente Calderón understands as few others do the dynamic and complex region that defines México and the United States.

Over the course of a 34-year career in the Foreign Service, Ambassador Jeffrey Davidow became one of America’s most senior and well-respected diplomats. He has extensive experience in both Latin America and Africa, having served as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Venezuela and Zambia. He also headed the State Department’s efforts in Latin America, serving as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. He retired in 2003 from the U.S. State Department with the rank of Career Ambassador, the highest position in the Foreign Service, which, by law, can be held by no more than five individuals at one time.

Lynne Friedmann is editor of ScienceWriters magazine, published by the National Association of Science Writers. As a science journalist and educator, she has organized dozens of seminars and conferences on journalism and science communications topics throughout the United States and internationally (Canada, Japan, Qatar). For more than a decade, she has been involved in science journalism training of Latin American reporters. She is a member of the organizing committee of the World Conference of Science Journalists which will take place for the first time in the United States (San Francisco) in 2017.

Jon Funabiki’s career spans journalism, philanthropy and academia. He is a Professor of Journalism and Executive Director of Renaissance Journalism (renjournalism.org) at San Francisco State University. He joined the university in 2006 to teach and to develop projects that explore promising new forms of journalism and storytelling that serve, strengthen and empower communities. Recent initiatives include the Equity Reporting Project, Michigan Reporting Project, Imperial Valley Youth Storytelling Project and Vietnam Reporting Project.

Richard Louv is the author of eight books, including “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder” and “The Nature Principle.” Translated into 13 languages and published in 17 countries, his books have helped launch an international movement to connect children and their families to nature. Richard is cofounder and chairman emeritus of the Children & Nature Network. He has written for the New York Times, the Times of London, Parents Magazine and many other publications, and has appeared on NPR’s Fresh Air, the Today Show, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News and other programs.

Laura Walcher is indisputably recognized as the doyenne of public relations in San Diego. Opening the doors of her first one-woman shop in 1974, she quickly built a client roster that included major architects and attorneys, historical sites such as the Bazaar del Mundo, and several radio stations, eventually growing to employ a staff of 10.

Susan White has edited or co-edited three Pulitzer Prize-winning projects at three different news organizations, working with a succession of talented reporters who are as obsessive as she is about accuracy and storytelling.