Speakers

Imam ShemsAdeen Ben-Masaud

Director, Community Engagement, Crescent View Academy

Imam ShemsAdeen Ben-Masaud was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and International Business from the University of Colorado Business School and spent nearly a decade working in corporate America while actively serving the Muslim community as a youth director, MSA president, volunteer, activist, and speaker. In 2010, he traveled to Amman, Jordan, to pursue formal Islamic studies at Qasid Arabic Institute and the World Islamic Sciences and Education University, where he earned a second Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Jurisprudence and its Foundations. From 2015 to 2019, he served as Imam and Religious Director at the Metropolitan Denver North Islamic Center (Masjid Ikhlas) in Northglenn, Colorado. He currently serves as Director of Student Affairs and Community Engagement at Crescent View Academy and as Director of Tarbiyah and Personal Development at MAS Colorado. Imam ShemsAdeen is deeply committed to interfaith outreach and community bridge-building, regularly speaking at churches, universities, and public forums. Through his leadership, he fosters a supportive and inclusive environment that integrates Islamic values, academic excellence, technology, and effective communication.

Reverend Dr. Shannon Warner

Head Pastor, True Light Baptist Church

Reverend Dr. Shannon Jacob Warner is a devoted pastor, preacher, and servant-leader with a passion for biblical teaching and transformational ministry. Born the youngest of seven children to the late Rev. Levy Marshall Warner Jr. and Lillie Warner, he was raised in a strong legacy of faith and pastoral leadership. In September 1998, Rev. Warner answered his call to ministry and was soon licensed and ordained to preach the Gospel. He served under the mentorship of his father, longtime pastor of St. John Baptist Church in Plaquemine, Louisiana, where he developed a deep commitment to sound doctrine and faithful shepherding. Rev. Warner earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana, and went on to receive both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In the summer of 2005, he studied at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University, in Oxford, England, as the only African American student among thirty seminarians from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. For 13 years, he faithfully served as under-shepherd of the historic Macedonia Church in Plaquemine, Louisiana. He continues to invest in leadership development and preaching excellence through conferences and ongoing ministry training. Rev. Warner is married to Paula J. Tillman of Brusly, Louisiana, and they are the proud parents of three sons: Jardan, Jalen, and Shannon II.

Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer

Colorado District 23

Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer is a fourth-generation Coloradan and 35+ year resident of southern Weld County. A graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder, she earned a Bachelor of Science in education in 1980 and began her career as a teacher. Prior to her time in office, Kirkmeyer co-owned and operated a dairy farm and was a small business owner for 15 years. Her public service began in 1992 when she successfully organized her community against unwanted solid waste facilities. She was elected Weld County Commissioner in 1993, later serving as Acting Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs under Governor Bill Owens. She returned to the commission in 2008 and was elected to the Colorado State Senate in 2020. Recognized as Commissioner of the Year (1993, 2019) and a “40 Top Women in Energy” honoree (2015 by the Denver Business Journal), Kirkmeyer is known for fiscal responsibility and results-driven leadership. In the Senate, she has passed more measures than any Republican legislator during her tenure, co-led the defeat of Proposition HH, helped make Weld County debt-free, and supported the expansion of I-25 to Fort Collins. She is the mother of two daughters, and grandmother of six grandsons.

Gov. Jared Polis, State of Colorado

Governor Jared Polis is an entrepreneur, education leader, public servant, and Colorado native. After launching several successful companies, including one out of his college dorm room, Polis committed himself to making sure other Coloradans had the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Polis founded schools for at-risk students and new immigrants and started nonprofits to help veterans and entrepreneurs.

Prior to serving as Governor, Polis served on the State Board of Education where he worked to raise pay for teachers and reduce class size for students, and represented Colorado’s 2nd Congressional district, where he was rated the most effective member of the Colorado delegation.

As Governor, Polis has focused on saving Coloradans money, keeping our economy strong, and preserving our Colorado way of life. Polis delivered universal free full-day kindergarten, signed a number of bills to save families money on health care, and made significant progress towards the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040, all while cutting taxes for small businesses and investing in affordable housing and transportation. His efforts to expand health care access to medically underserved communities and to ensure that equity and justice remain central to building a Colorado for All have produced impactful legislation and made progress toward his administration’s bold vision.

Rabbi Hillel Goldberg

Editor/Publisher, Intermountain Jewish News

Rabbi Hillel Goldberg, PhD is the editor and publisher of the Intermountain Jewish News (IJN) in Denver, Colorado. A noted scholar of modern Jewish history, he has written extensively on Rabbi Yisroel Salanter and the Musar movement. His weekly IJN column is the longest-running weekly column in Jewish journalism, and his work has earned numerous Rockower Awards as well as an Academic Book of the Year honor from Choice. The Intermountain Jewish News has served the full spectrum of the Jewish community since 1943. Rabbi Goldberg’s father, Max Goldberg, led the paper until his passing in 1972, after which his mother, Miriam Goldberg, assumed leadership. While studying in yeshivah in Israel, Rabbi Goldberg began writing a weekly IJN column, “The View from Jerusalem.” In 1983, after teaching in yeshivos and at The Hebrew University, he returned to Denver to work with his mother. Following the death of managing editor Doris Sky in 1990, he gradually assumed greater editorial and business responsibilities. In 2017, he formally became editor and publisher, continuing the family legacy while overseeing both editorial and business operations. His most recent book is Across the Expanse of Jewish Thought: From the Holocaust to Halakha and Beyond (Ktav).

Bill Benac

Chair of Religious Freedom Alliance Council

Bill’s life exemplifies an unwavering commitment to religious freedom and human dignity. He is a dedicated board member of several non-profits, including ICLRS and the DFW Alliance for Religious Freedom and Human Dignity in Dallas, TX. He also supports civic and constitutional education for high school youth through Founding Forward, teaching across the US.

As National Chairman of the Religious Freedom Alliance Council, Bill spearheads efforts to protect and promote this fundamental right nationwide. His compassion also extends globally as co-founder of Pathway India, an organization that has educated and rehabilitated tens of thousands of disadvantaged Indian youth.

Prior to his retirement, Bill held senior executive positions across global corporations and private equity. His extensive background includes bachelor’s and MBA degrees from BYU, a JD from Pace University, and certifications as a CMA and CPA, alongside bar admissions in Connecticut and New York. Bill truly embodies a profound dedication to ensuring religious freedom and human dignity are upheld for all.

Pastor A.J. McDonald

Odom Memorial Church of God in Christ

Pastor AJ McDonald, born to Bishop W.H. McDonald and First Lady Janice McDonald, earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Psychology from Hastings College. He worked for the Colorado Department of Corrections for 26.5 years and retired from the Assessment & Classifications Division at the rank of Lieutenant. In 2002, Minister AJ McDonald was ordained as an Elder, and in 2005, he was elevated to Assistant Pastor of Odom Memorial COGIC by his father. In 2012, Elder McDonald became Jurisdictional AIM Chairman and served in that capacity for 13 years. He also directed the Odom Memorial Community Drug Bust Ministry and weekly radio broadcast. Since June 2023, he has served as the Pastor of Odom Memorial Church of God in Christ (where his father had served over 40 years). Known for his dedication to civic work and outreach, Pastor McDonald is a member of the Aurora Chapter of the NAACP and serves as Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission. Pastor McDonald has been married to Lady Claudine for over 30 years and they have two children, and two grandchildren.