Diverse talks about community and global issues.

Overit
435 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, New York, 12208
United States

Cristin Steding

Writer

Cristin Steding is a writer, backpacker and aspiring mountaineer. As a kid she thought nature was stupid and planned to move to New York City, but then a funny thing happened and she ended up falling in love with the mountains. She writes about hiking, food and feminism for publications like Misadventures and All Over Albany. Cristin is also the creator of Upstate Club, a guide to outdoor adventure in Upstate New York, which publishes a monthly mini-magazine called the Upstate Dispatch.

David Pratt

Board Certified Internist

Dr. Pratt is a board certified internist with sub-specialty certification in pulmonary medicine and preventive medicine. He has a medical degree from Tufts University and a master’s degree in public health from SUNY Albany. He was The Commissioner of Public Health Services for Schenectady County, New York from 2009-2012. Currently he is a private consultant in public health, palliative care and preventive medicine. The focus of his recent work is the provision out patient palliative care in the Schenectady area. He has been part of Care Choices team (operated by The VNS of Northeast NY) since it began in the fall 2013. Care Choices is the first large outpatient palliative care initiative in the region. He has been active in the legislative effort to pass a bill that would allow New Yorkers Medical Aid in Dying. He is a member of the Board of Directors for MVP Health Plan.

Diane Cameron

Writer

Diane Cameron is an award winning writer and journalist. She has written extensively about the history and politics of addiction and of mental illness. She writes about popular culture for the Albany Times Union and other newspapers across the United States. Diane is the author of Out of the Woods-A guide to Long-term Recovery; Looking for Signs—a collection of columns and essays; and Never Leave Your Dead about military trauma and family trauma. Excerpts of Never Leave Your Dead were nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Diane has degrees from George Mason University and Bennington College. She has a long career in human services and she is a fierce advocate for family caregivers, and for people living in poverty. She works at Unity House in Troy, New York.

Jaqi Cohen

Campaign Coordinator

Jaqi Cohen is a mass transit advocate for New York City, currently working as the Campaign Coordinator for the NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign. She has spent the past five years working as an organizer and advocate for the New York Public Interest Research Group, fighting for a more equitable transit system, cleaner environment, and affordable higher education. She is also a weekly contributor to ‘Let Your Voice Be Heard! Radio’ on WHCR in Harlem, for which she earned a 2016 New York Press Club award for best radio commentary. Jaqi is a lifelong New Yorker who currently lives off the A/C train in Brooklyn, but will always be a 7 train commuter at heart.

John Sheehan

Adirondack Council

For the past 25 years, John has been the voice of the Adirondack Council on radio and television, and on the pages of local, regional and national media. John develops and executes the Council’s public relations and communications programs. He works with the media to explain the unique nature of the Adirondack Park and to help the public understand the Council’s efforts to sustain its clean air, wilderness, wildlife, clean water and vibrant communities. He is the principal author of our annual State of the Park Report and assists with the editing of all Council publications. John was an environmental and political journalist before joining the Adirondack Council. He was managing editor of a daily newspaper (The Malone Evening Telegram) when he joined the Council’s staff in 1990. He has overseen the production of two films about the Council (The Adirondack Council, 1992; and, ACID RAIN: A Continuing National Tragedy, 1998), appeared in the independent film Inside the Blue Line (19

John Valvalo

CEO of Terradiol

John Vavalo is the founder and CEO of Terradiol, a highly diverse biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Syracuse, New York. Terradiol is focused on creating real social impact through collaboration with states where medical cannabis has been legalized and is deeply committed to changing the future of cannabinoid medicine through cutting edge research and development. At Terradiol, John is the driving force behind the culture and vision of the company. Since inception, John’s focus for Terradiol has been to build a world class pharmaceutical company to cultivate, process and dispense pharmaceutical grade cannabis based medicines. John’s personal expertise in process mapping and extraction gives Terradiol an additional competitive edge in a complex marketplace. In addition to founding Terradiol, John was a founding member of New York Canna, a medical cannabis company created to operate in the State of New York. After being a top finisher in NY, John and his partners are well p

Mal Harrison

Sexologist

Mal Harrison is an opera singer and sexologist passionate about freeing people from shame, stigma, and fear. She wants to live in a world where fluidity, compassion, and deep human connection collide, and where every human is cliterate. In 2011 she became resident sexologist and advice columnist, “Ms. M.” for the Museum of Sex. Her research and subsequent article on the Internal Clitoris went viral, changing the way women understand how their bodies work, and heralding her as a pioneer of clit-feminism. After over 10 years of transforming both individuals and couples through sexual and relationship development, as well as receiving thousands of Dear Ms. M. emails to her advice column, she knew more had to be done. In 2016, she founded the Center for Erotic Intelligence to broaden our collective understanding of human sexuality and human connection. She studies how the erotic mind can empower our everyday lives, and offers fresh new ways of teaching healthy relationships and healthy

Nitzan Hermon

Art Director

Nitzan Hermon is an art director, creative technologist and researcher. He is an alumni of the first ever museum-led incubator, New INC – and currently researching design for AI, IA (intelligence augmentation) and cognition. As a creative director, Nitzan has produced award-winning work for Wallpaper*, Le Meridian and Percolate. His work has been featured in international press and various publications; The Guardian, Gestalten, The Atlantic and Desktop Magazine. As a collaborator to The Lubalin Center of Design and Typography Nitzan promotes design and culture initiatives. His approach is research-driven, focused and accurate. Through deep understanding of the stage and collaborative ideation he is able to focus on the core of the problem and produce a solution that bridges the needs of the business and the user. Designs are not hardcoded and the logic is always transparent. Execution strives to be as simple and scalable as possible.

Philip Kim

Educator

Dr. Philip Kim is an educator, speaker and consultant. Phil has been published in over 30 academic journals and has been invited to present his research at national and international conferences. Raised by first generation Korean immigrants, Phil has worked at all of his parents’ businesses including convenience stores and gas stations to diners and food trucks. As a high school dropout turned college professor, he understands the value of hard work and education. His passion is to use his knowledge and experience as a way to help bridge the gap between millennials and the organizations that hire them.

Ric Orlando

Chef

Ric Orlando brings an inspired blend of lust for life, outspoken passion for the flavors and ingredients of the world community, and nationally renowned cooking prowess to his roles as chef, lecturer, author, and media source. His recipes and commentary are consistently in demand by the regional media. His tireless work in promoting the products, people, and beauty of the region combined with his quirky sense of humor and rock and roll pedigree has made him one of the Hudson Valley’s leading culinary spokespeople and best foodie draws for events, fundraisers and festivals. Just for fun, the Albany Times Union in February 2014 named Ric the Capital Region’s Sexiest Chef.

Sam Necrason

CommerceHub

ntrigued by AI ethics, sidewalks, and fine print Inspired by the common man, William Buckley, and Milton Glaser Native of the backwoods Adirondacks Educated by Siena College Employed by CommerceHub