Global Café: We the People – Religious Freedom in America
Date: August 12, 2026
Time: 8:30 - 10:00 am
Location: Chandler Museum
Presented in partnership with the City of Chandler, this Global Café welcomes a multiregional delegation of civic and policy leaders for a unique opportunity to engage with Arizona's faith and community leaders. Featuring Mayor Kevin Hartke, the Rev. Monica Whitaker of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, and Liam Julian of the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute, the panel will explore how municipal government, faith communities, civic organizations, and other sectors work together to strengthen communities, promote religious freedom, and foster civic engagement. Through a thoughtful conversation, attendees will gain insight into the power of interfaith dialogue, community partnerships, and shared values in building more connected, resilient, and inclusive communities across Arizona and the United States.
Admission: General: $15
GTAZ Ambassadors: Free
Coffee and light refreshments included with admission.
Our Guests Will Be Visiting From:
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burma (Myanmar), Cyprus, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, the People's Republic of China, the Philippines, North Macedonia, Romania, Sudan, Tunisia, and Ukraine.
Discussion Topics
During their visit to Arizona, the delegation is exploring:
The historical foundations of religious freedom in the United States and its role in shaping American identity.
How religious leaders strengthen communities, encourage civic participation, and foster collaboration across faith traditions.
The relationship between faith, public life, and the constitutional protections that safeguard the free exercise of religion.
The impact of faith-based education through visits with schools, universities, and student and faculty communities.
The importance of free speech and First Amendment protections in preserving religious liberty.
Featured Speakers
Panelists
Mayor Kevin Hartke
City of Chandler
Mayor Kevin Hartke began his second term in January 2023. Before serving as Mayor he previously served on City Council for nine years. Mayor Hartke served as Vice Mayor twice, in 2015 and 2017.
Mayor Hartke and his wife, Lynne, have been married for 42 years and have lived in Chandler since 1985. He served as Lead Pastor at Trinity Christian Fellowship in Chandler where he worked from 1985-2018. He still serves part-time at the church. He has a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Missouri, Columbia; and a master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He served nine (9) years as the statewide director of For Our City, which is a collaborative effort of government, business, nonprofit, and faith leaders gathered to find solutions for needs in a community.
Liam Julian
Chief of Programs & Public Policy, Sandra Day O’Connor Institute
Liam Julian is Chief of Programs & Public Policy at the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute. He was previously managing editor of Policy Review magazine in Washington, D.C., and a research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. His writing and commentary on public policy have appeared in publications such as The Washington Post, National Review, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, RealClearPolitics, The Atlantic, and on NPR programs including Morning Edition and All Things Considered. He also directed development of Advanced Placement curricula at the College Board, including leading the redesign of the AP U.S. Government and Politics course.
Reverend Monica Whitaker
Rector, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
Rev. Monica encourages seekers and believers of all ages to explore their spiritual gifts in service of God’s mission in their faith communities and the world. Her commitment to social justice is evident in her service on the Anti-Racism Committee for the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona and her ongoing collaboration with Becoming Beloved Community, the diocesan Council for Native American Ministry, the Union of Black Episcopalians, Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries, and the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
Rev. Monica earned a BA in Music from Kalamazoo College in Michigan, a Master of Arts in theatre management, and a Master of Music in vocal performance, both from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. In 2014, she obtained a Master of Divinity from Church Divinity School of the Pacific after dedicating 25 years to marketing in various industries, including professional theatre, home furnishings, and civil engineering.
Rev. Monica served as Associate Rector for Transfiguration Episcopal Church in San Mateo, CA, and as Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Sedona, AZ. In February 2024, she was called to serve as Rector of Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Chandler, AZ. Local community involvement includes work with Arizona Faith Network, Chandler Interfaith Coalition, and Valley Interfaith Project.
Moderator
Kristin Allen
President & CEO, Global Ties Arizona
Kristin Allen is President & CEO of Global Ties Arizona, where she leads efforts to strengthen international understanding through global exchange, public diplomacy, and cross-cultural dialogue. Having worked across international spaces for two decades, she is known for building strategic partnerships and creating spaces where diverse perspectives can come together to address complex global issues.
Before joining Global Ties Arizona in 2021, Kristin led strategic global initiatives at Northern Arizona University, developing partnerships with universities, governments, and industry throughout Mexico and Latin America. She spent significant time living and working in Nicaragua and Spain, is bilingual in Spanish, and holds degrees from Westminster College (B.A.) and New York University (M.A.).
Who Should Attend?
This program is ideal for community members, educators, faith leaders, students, nonprofit professionals, government representatives, and anyone interested in international exchange, civic dialogue, and learning from global perspectives.
We look forward to welcoming you for a thoughtful morning of conversation, connection, and citizen diplomacy.
