About the Keynote Speaker:
Pete Davis
Pete Davis is a writer and civic advocate from Falls Church, Virginia.
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He works on civic projects aimed at deepening American democracy and solidarity. Pete is the co-founder of the Democracy Policy Network, a state policy organization focused on raising up ideas that deepen democracy, and is currently co-producing a documentary on the life and work of civic guru Robert Putnam. In 2015, he cofounded Getaway, a company that provides simple, unplugged escapes to tiny cabins outside of major cities. His Harvard Law School graduation speech, “A Counterculture of Commitment,” has been viewed more than 30 million times — and was recently expanded into a book: Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in An Age of Infinite Browsing.
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Pete is also the author of Our Bicentennial Crisis: A Call to Action for Harvard Law School’s Public Interest Mission, a book on reviving Harvard Law School’s public interest mission, and the co-author of How To Get Away: Finding Balance in our Overworked, Overcrowded, Always-On World, a book articulating Getaway’s philosophy of balancing technology and disconnection, city and nature, and work and leisure. His opinion pieces have appeared in The New York Daily News, Aeon, The Guardian, Fast Company, America Magazine, and The Falls Church News-Press.
U.S. Representative
Andy Kim (D-NJ)
Representative Andy Kim was born in Massachusetts to Korean immigrant parents and raised in New Jersey. After graduating from Cherry Hill High School, he attended Deep Springs College for two years before graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Chicago with a degree in political science. Mr. Kim received both a Rhodes Scholarship and the Harry S. Truman Scholarship for studies in international relations at Oxford. After completing his PhD, Congressman Kim worked for the US Agency for International Development in 2005, followed by four years in the U.S. State Department. Congressman Kim served in Afghanistan as a civilian advisor and on the National Security Council under President Barack Obama. He was elected to New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional district in 2019. He currently serves on the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Small Business in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Shadaya Bennet, former Chief of Staff, State Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-NJ)
A young woman of faith, first generation college graduate, former student-athlete and an avid learner with an interest in the intersections of history, social justice and public policy - Shadaya Bennet earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science (Pre-Law) from Temple University and a Master's in Public Administration from Kean University. After obtaining her MPA, Bennet gained experience in education policy research at the Research Alliance for NYC Schools (RANYCS) ahead of pursuing a career in politics and government relations.
Bennet started her career in the political realm in 2018 as a Legislative Aide in New Jersey's 29th Legislative District, the state's only district represented by all women. She served as the Legislative Director to Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, eventually becoming the Assemblywoman's Chief of Staff and primary liaison throughout her first two terms. In this position, Bennet was instrumental in the development and expansion of the Assemblywoman’s legislative portfolio, including the development of policies that impact women’s health, victims of crime, individuals with disabilities, and criminal justice reform. After three years in the Assembly, Bennet went on to the NJ State Senate to serve as Director of Policy in the office of Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. In this position, she contributed to the development of a vast range of legislative initiatives which seek to combat issues facing NJ residents including a series of provisions related to the delivery and accessibility of childcare in NJ. This work included the passage and enactment of the state's “Thriving by Three Act" and subsequent grant program to provide essential funding to childcare providers.
Ms. Susan Shaffet Kanter, Princeton School Board
For 15 years as an active volunteer, Susan Shaffet Kanter has worked to support and improve the Princeton Public Schools. Kanter has extensive experience collaborating with families, teachers, staff, community members and administrators on urgent issues facing our district. She now serves on the Princeton Public School Board of Education in hopes of ensuring that the full potential of every child is achieved in a manner that is healthy and joyful.
Kanter lived in Princeton for more than 20 years. After her public school education, Kanter graduated from Duke University in 1981 with degrees in economics and political science and worked for 23 years as Vice President of Operations at a large multi-national wholesale firm in NYC, where she was responsible for budgeting, projections, and personnel for a $250 million division. After retiring from that position, Kanter volunteered extensively in the schools: five years as Princeton High School Parent-Teacher Organization (PHS PTO) Co-President; five years as John Witherspoon Middle School (JWMS) PTO Treasurer; and five years on PTO Council. These roles allowed Kanter to give a voice to issues at PHS, while staying current on issues at the elementary schools and JWMS. She has also experience as treasurer for both the 101: Fund and the Princeton Children’s Fund — two organizations that help to provide vital financial support and mentorship to families living in financial insecurity.
Ms. Patricia Hendricks Farmer, President of the Board of Education for Lawrence Township
Patricia Hendricks Farmer is a lifelong resident of Lawrence Township, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her family moved back to New Jersey when she was seven years old. Education has always been at the forefront of the Hendricks family tradition and is the primary reason for her interest in running for the Lawrence Township School Board. As a parent, an alumnus of Lawrence High School, and a resident of Lawrence Township, students, teachers, parents, and residents’ concerns and recommendations and incorporating professional development for teachers and inclusive curriculum are important to her.
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Patricia’s eight-year experience working as an administrator at a local independent grade school prepared her for the work of the Lawrence Township School Board. After serving her first term in office, she was nominated and elected by her peers and elevated to President. Currently, Patricia serves on the Negotiations, Growth and Redevelopment and Partnership/Every Child Valued committees. Past school board committees that she has chaired include, Curriculum Instruction and Professional Development, Community Relations and Legislative Affairs, Equity and Diversity, and Guidance and Mental Health. Patricia has been active in parent volunteerism both as a charter member and co-chair of the Princeton Montessori Parent Association, and past treasurer of Princeton Common Ground––a volunteer-led consortium of 16 private independent Princeton schools that provide parent education lecture series. Active in civic organizations in Lawrence, she is a second-generation member and currently the first vice president of the Eggerts Crossing Civic League.