Saturday, May 2, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
In partnership with Central Florida Public Media, this special presentation of the Brechner Speaker Series will explore the historical roots of civil discourse and independent media in the United States and their continuing relevance in fostering open dialogue and understanding today.
Teen Moderator: Wes Watson, Orange County Regional History Center Teen Council
Moderator: Rick Brunson, UCF Nicholson School of Communication and Media
Panelists
Judith Smelser, Central Florida Public Media
Megan Stokes, Oviedo Community News
Dr. Haley Winston, Ginsburg Center for Access and Community Engagement
Roger Simmons, Orlando Sentinel
Mark Brewer, Central Florida Foundation
About Our Panelists
Rick Brunson is a senior instructor at the University of Central Florida’s Nicholson School of Communication and Media, where he has taught journalism for 23 years. He is an award-winning media educator and professional journalist with decades of experience as a reporter, writer, and editor at news outlets in Central Florida, including the Orlando Sentinel, WFTV Channel 9, and Central Florida Public Media. Brunson is a two-time regional Emmy Award winner; in 2022, he and his students received the national Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Digital Reporting.
Judith Smelser is president and general manager of Central Florida Public Media, the only local nonprofit news organization serving the entire nine-county Central Florida region. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its local newsroom by 50%, adding new local reporting beats and programs, a local newsletter, and the Emerging Journalists Fellowship. A former reporter, news director and national consultant, she is also a co-founder of the News Collaborative of Central Florida.
Megan Stokes is co-founder and editor-in-chief of Oviedo Community News, the only independent news source for Greater Oviedo and Winter Springs. She has served as an award-winning community journalist for more than 20 years, including as associate editor for the East Orlando Sun and a reporter for the Seminole Voice, the Winter Park-Maitland Observer, and Orlando Magazine. In 2024, Stokes was named Editor of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists. With the Central Florida Foundation and Central Florida Public Media, she co-founded the News Collaborative of Central Florida, a collective of independent local news outlets and aligned partners working toward a more informed and engaged Central Florida.
Dr. Haley Winston serves as director of civil discourse and engagement at the Ginsburg Center for Access and Community Engagement at the University of Central Florida. Her work focuses on helping people stay in conversation across differences by strengthening dialogue, media literacy, and shared civic responsibility. She brings a practical, community-centered approach to sustaining trust and participation in polarized times.
Roger Simmons is the executive editor of the Orlando Sentinel. He joined the Tribune Co. in 1988 and the Sentinel in 1993, serving in news, sports, and digital positions. He was part of the team that was a Pulitzer finalist for coverage of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. A Florida native, Simmons is a UCF grad and an avid wildlife photographer.
Mark Brewer has been a stalwart in Central Florida’s philanthropic, nonprofit, and business communities for more than 25 years. He serves as the president and CEO of the Central Florida Foundation. His portfolio includes key consulting roles for business acquisitions and mergers, nonprofits aiming to create regenerative business models, and cross-sector partnerships fostering meaningful change. Brewer is a sought-after speaker and consultant on various topics, including the independent sector and its role in public policy, the role of philanthropy in America, and venture philanthropy strategies.
