GFOA of the US & Canada

Mary Matalin’s speech, “Policies and Platforms: The 2008 Election,” will showcase her work as a political commentator on television and radio, writer for Newsweek and The Los Angeles Times, and the author of several books, including the best-selling political campaign book, All’s Fair: Love, War and Running for President, with her husband, James Carville. She formerly served as assistant to President George W. Bush and counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney, and was the first White House official to hold that double title. Previously, Matalin hosted CNN’s critically acclaimed debate show, Crossfire, and also is the former founding co-host of the Washington-based political weeknight talk show on CNBC, Equal Time.

Donna Shalala will address the GFOA delegates with a speech entitled, "Civility and Citizenship." Dr. Shalala’s 25 years of experience as an accomplished scholar, teacher, and administrator provide the perfect background for this discussion on diversity, the importance of open but respectful discourse, the benefits of inclusion, and the perils of exclusion. Dr. Shalala is best known as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) where she served for eight years, from 1993-2001, becoming the longest serving HHS Secretary in U.S. history. Shalala has held numerous professorships acting as a leading scholar on the political economy of state and local governments. In 2007, she was chosen to co-chair the Commission on Care for Returning Wounded Warriors. Currently, Shalala works as the Professor of Political Science and President of the University of Miami.