Smart Ideas to Benefit the World

Michael Rich, President and CEO, RAND Corporation
Dr. Gloria Duffy, President and CEO, The Commonwealth Club – Moderator

Michael Rich heads the RAND Corporation, perhaps the nation’s most renowned think tank. Founded after World War II to continue advancing the knowledge in peacetime that civilian research scientists had been recruited to develop during the war, RAND has been an independent, nonprofit research organization now for nearly seven decades. On issues ranging from children and families to combatting terrorism, RAND’s 1,800 member staff studies important social, economic, scientific and political issues, makes recommendations to government officials, and publishes the conclusions to benefit the public good.

Rich will discuss RAND’s recent conclusions and recommendations on such issues as coping with sea level rise resulting from climate change, implementing the Affordable Care Act, improving education outcomes for kids, reducing the spread of Ebola in Africa, and cutting through political polarization. Hear about RAND’s smartest ideas and most interesting research results from the chief of this unique organization.