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About Your Host

(photos, left to right: Rebecca on air in the studio; Rebecca backstage at an awards show; with Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP Americas)

Rebecca Blacksmith received both of her Ivy League graduate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania (M.G.A. at the Fels Institute of Government and a Masters in Political Science) and is currently completing her dissertation for her Ph.D. at Penn as well. She has held or holds the titles of Bradley Fellow, Earhart Fellow, Fox Distinguished Graduate Fellow, Mumford Fellow, and PRRUCS Fellow.

She served as a Head Teaching Assistant and Instructor for one of Penn’s most famous faculty, the former White House Senior Advisor John DiIulio. In addition to teaching for one of his groundbreaking Ivy League leadership classes, she has conducted over 200 speaking appearances for organizations on topics ranging from leadership to philanthropy/community service.

In 2006 and 2007, she traveled to The White House at the request of another Director of a White House Office to present her research to him on non-profits and national public policy.

During a 15 year period, she has conducted 2000 “elite interviews” (CEOs, politicians, and celebrities) for major markets (New York, Washington DC and Philadelphia) or national broadcast (satellite television).

Her greatest joy is in “fostering” and mentoring three inner-city siblings for 12 years, which she now is blessed to do with her husband, also a media personality.