Civil Discourse and Debate with The Honorable Paul Ryan and Bakari Sellers moderated by Katty Kay

Through The New Albany Lecture Series, The New Albany Center for Civil Discourse and Debate presents leaders of opposing viewpoints for discussions that cover some of the most important public policy matters of our time.

PAUL RYAN
Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives 2015-2019

Paul Ryan was the 54th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. In office from October 2015 to January 2019, he was the youngest speaker in nearly 150 years. During his tenure, Ryan spearheaded efforts to reform our nation’s tax code for the first time in a generation, rebuild our national defense, expand domestic energy production, combat the opioid epidemic, reform our criminal justice system, and promote economic opportunity.

Prior to becoming Speaker, he was chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. As chairman Ryan worked to protect health care choices, advance free trade, and strengthen the economy. Before that, he served as chairman of the House Budget Committee, where he outlined revolutionary blueprints to balance the federal budget and pay off the national debt. In 2012, Ryan was selected to serve as Governor Mitt Romney’s Vice-Presidential nominee. First elected to Congress in 1998 at age 28, Ryan represented the people of Wisconsin’s First Congressional District for two decades.

In 2019, Ryan launched the American Idea Foundation, a non-partisan, not for profit organization that expands economic opportunity by partnering with local organizations and academics to advance evidence-based public policies. In 2020, Ryan was named as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Executive Network Partnering Corporation and in 2021, he was named as a partner at Solamere Capital.

He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Fox Corporation, of SHINE Medical Technologies, LLC, and of UniversalCIS. Ryan also serves on the Advisory Board of Robert Bosch GmbH and is the vice chairman of Teneo, after previously serving as a senior advisor for the firm. He is also the author of the books The Way Forward: Renewing the American Idea and American Renewal: A Conservative Plan to Strengthen the Social Contract and Save the Country’s Finances.

Ryan is a Professor of the Practice at the University of Notre Dame and a visiting fellow in the practice of public policy at the American Enterprise Institute. Ryan serves on the Board of Trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute and on the Board of Directors for the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Ryan and his wife Janna have three children: Liza, Charlie, and Sam. He holds a degree in economics and political science from Miami University in Ohio and was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the University.

BAKARI SELLERS
Former Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Bestselling Author & Political Analyst

Bakari Sellers is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, civil rights attorney, entrepreneur, and nationally respected voice on politics, culture, and justice. The son of educator Gwendolyn Sellers and legendary civil rights leader Cleveland Sellers—who worked alongside Stokely Carmichael, Bayard Rustin, and Malcolm X—Bakari has built his own influential legacy, shaping contemporary movements alongside leaders such as Rep. James Clyburn, Attorney Benjamin Crump, and President Barack Obama.

Bakari’s path has been marked by early achievement and sustained impact. He entered Morehouse College at just 16 years old, earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, and at age 22 became the youngest legislator in South Carolina history. Raised in Denmark, South Carolina, he carries forward the values of humility, service, and community that continue to inform his leadership and advocacy.

He is the author of three books that reflect his personal journey and political insight: My Vanishing Country, a New York Times bestseller examining the erosion of opportunity in rural America; Who Are Your People?, a children’s book that celebrates heritage, identity, and belonging; and The Moment (2024), a powerful examination of national politics and public policy and their impact on Black communities across the United States.

A longtime CNN political commentator, Bakari is known for elevating public discourse with clarity, urgency, and practical insight. In addition to hosting The Bakari Sellers Podcast on The Ringer Podcast Network, he joined Native Land Pod alongside Angela Rye, Tiffany Cross, and Andrew Gillum—bringing sharp political analysis and culturally grounded conversation to one of the nation’s leading political podcasts.

Beyond media, Sellers has practiced law with the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. in Columbia, South Carolina since 2007. As a civil rights attorney, he advocates for justice, accountability, and fair access within legal and public systems. Bakari lives with his wife, Dr. Ellen Rucker-Sellers, and their three children. He continues to write, speak, and lead at the intersection of law, policy, and culture—working to ensure that the next generation inherits a country worthy of their dreams.

KATTY KAY
U.S. Special Correspondent, BBC Studios; Award-Winning Journalist & Bestselling Author

Katty Kay is an award-winning journalist whose instinctively global perspective on American politics and global affairs comes from having lived and worked in the Middle East, South Africa, Japan, Europe, and the U.S. throughout her career. Now Washington-based, Katty has been with the BBC for nearly 30 years as a reporter and lead anchor, reporting on six U.S. presidential elections, Washington politics, financial crashes, world trouble spots, sex scandals, global affairs, and much more. She is currently U.S. special correspondent for BBC Studios – where she hosts TV documentaries from both the U.S. and Europe, presents her own podcast series, and writes a weekly column. Katty is a regular contributor and substitute host of Morning Joe on MSNBC and also writes on the art and science of self-assurance in women and girls. She is co-author, with Claire Shipman, of four New York Times bestselling books: Womenomics, The Confidence Code, The Confidence Code for Girls, and Living the Confidence Code. Katty is an engaging keynote speaker on a wide range of topics as well as a brilliant moderator, interviewer, and event host.

Currently the U.S. special correspondent for BBC Studios – Katty hosts TV documentaries, presents her own podcast series and writes a weekly news column for BBC News. Her first TV documentary, Trump: The Comeback? (2022), takes a closer look at the fate of American democracy and provides insight on what may come in the 2024 presidential election. Katty is also a regular contributor on MSNBC’s Morning Joe as well as serves as a guest-host for the program on occasion.

Helping women turn thoughts into action and master a more confident mindset is one of Katty’s passions. She is co-author of five books with Claire Shipman, including four New York Times bestsellers – two were #1. Their first two bestsellers focus on women, success, and work. Womenomics: Write Your Own Rules for Success examined the workplace revolution and inspired women to take control, dream big and discover a different way of weaving work into their lives – and in the process create more profitable companies with happier and more productive employees. They followed up with The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should Know, which inspired women to understand that confidence – the lynchpin of success – is a choice.

After The Confidence Code was released, parents everywhere asked about confidence and girls. That led to three more books co-authored by Katty with Claire Shipman and JillEllyn Riley. The Confidence Code for Girls: Taking Risks, Messing Up, & Becoming Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self, was released in April 2018 and debuted at the #1 spot on The New York Times bestseller list. The empowering, entertaining guide gives girls the essential yet elusive code to becoming bold, brave, and fearless. The follow-up, The Confidence Code for Girls Journal: A Guide to Embracing Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self, is based on their in-depth research and helps teens and tweens tackle any challenge. Their most recent book, Living the Confidence Code: Real Girls, Real Stories, Real Confidence, debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list (Children’s Middle Grade) and is a collection of 30 true stories of real girls pursuing their passions, struggling and stumbling, but along the way figuring out how to build their own special brand of confidence. Katty and Claire are currently co-authoring their sixth book on women and power and have plans to launch a podcast.

On the fun side, Katty had the distinction of being immortalized in pop culture in 2018 when her name was the answer to a question on the Jeopardy game show. In the same week, she was portrayed in a skit on Saturday Night Live which satirized a moment from MSNBC’s Morning Joe program.

Katty Kay settled in Washington, DC in the mid-90s where she lives with her husband, two cats, and a dog. They have four grown children.