As we gather around warm meals and familiar faces this Thanksgiving, WISE ED pauses to reflect on a year that has been nothing short of extraordinary. 2025 has been a season of growth, connection, and purpose for our community. From expanding our learning initiatives to welcoming new students, mentors, and partners, WISE ED has continued to evolve into a vibrant ecosystem where everyone can learn, lead, and belong. As we look back on this year, one theme rises above all other

By Michael Brant - President of WISE-ED Introduction – the Problem                 There have been many efforts to create peace in modern times, but our world remains a place of conflict, tensions, and wars declared and undeclared, disguised, unconventional, unrestricted.  When one situation seems to be settled, several new situations arise, like weeds in a garden.  These have the common roots of ambition for power and wealth, greed, fear, vengeance, desperation, and frustrat