WMRA Books and Brews: When the Center Does Not Hold

Our May 11, 2021 WMRA Books & Brews features three authors from When the Center Does Not Hold: Leading in an Age of Polarization. The discussion will focus on navigating our current polarized environment as well as specific tactics for communicating across the divide and the importance of “Trauma and Resilience” for leaders today.

Our conversation begins at 6pm and the panel includes lead author David R. Brubaker, along with contributing authors Everett Brubaker and Teresa Haase. Register for the live Zoom Webinar on May 11, or view the discussion on WMRA's Facebook page.  Signed copies of When the Center Does Not Hold are available for online purchase here. 

WMRA's Books & Brews series is sponsored by Gaines Group Architects. The Gaines Group has offices in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg. While this is a virtual gathering, we deeply appreciate our ongoing partnership with Pale Fire Brewing Company, and will return to holding our events at the taproom once it is safe to gather in person.

David R. Brubaker serves as Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Professions and also as Professor of Organizational Studies at Eastern Mennonite University.  He has 34 years of experience in workplace mediation and training and in organizational and congregational consulting. David has consulted and trained with organizations throughout the U.S. and in a dozen international settings including Northern Ireland, Mozambique, Angola, Nepal, Myanmar, Egypt and Jordan.

David is the author of numerous articles on conflict transformation and of Promise and Peril: Understanding and Managing Change and Conflict in Congregations (published by Rowman and Littlefield), co-author of The Little Book of Healthy Organizations (Good Books), and lead author of When the Center Does Not Hold: Leading in an Age of Polarization (Fortress Press). David earned a BS in business administration from Messiah College, an MBA from Eastern University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona specializing in religion and organizations.

Teresa Haase has been an educator and counselor for over twenty years. In addition to being licensed as a professional counselor and an approved clinical supervisor, she holds a doctorate in Counseling from the George Washington University. Teresa has served in various leadership roles in both academic and organizational settings and currently serves as the Director of the Center for Grief & Healing at Hospice of the Piedmont in Charlottesville, VA.

Everett Brubaker has been active in bridge building efforts related to environmental and social issues for nearly a decade. He holds a B.A. in Environmental Sustainability from Eastern Mennonite University and an M.A. in Communication & Advocacy from James Madison University. Everett was the recipient of the Civic Engagement Award from the Graduate School at JMU in 2019 and currently works for the Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority, overseeing organizational communications and collaborating with lower-income families to increase their self-sufficiency. Everett also teaches speech and communication at Eastern Mennonite University.