Gopal D. Patel is Co-Founder and Director of FutureFaith, a new faith-based think tank that aims to bring wisdom and insights from faith and spirituality to address global challenges. Born and raised in England, after graduating university, Gopal D. Patel studied at Hindu ashrams in India and England for two years, exploring the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and applying them to contemporary concerns. Two decades later and he’s still asking himself the same question: How are the wisdom, values, and knowledge of faith traditions and spirituality (including his own) relevant to the world and its challenges?

Patel is bridging the gap between the world of faith and spirituality and the secular world of technocrats and public policy. He helps people and institutions understand the significant contribution of faith-based groups by translating and applying religious teachings and ideas into policy and action that contribute to the common good. For the last decade, he has advised global interfaith and environmental initiatives and worked for the inclusion of faith voices in local and international policy. His roles and achievements include: Co-convener, Faiths for Biodiversity (2020 – Present), Co-founder and Director, Bhumi Global (previously Bhumi Project) (2010 – 2024), Lead author, World Economic Forum Faith in Action Report (2023), Co-chair, UN Multi-faith Advisory Council (2020 – 2024), Co-chair, Advisory Board to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2023 – Present), Advisor, WWF International, Beliefs and Values Initiative (2020 – 2024), and giving a TED Talk on “The unexpected way spirituality connects to climate change.”

Gopal believes in harnessing the enduring wisdom of faith traditions to support innovative approaches to global problems and building resilience for social change work. He shares his experiences as a keynote speaker and presenter and convenes spaces for faith and secular groups to engage constructively on issues of common concern.

This program is made possible by The Eleanor B. Daugherty Fund.

Erin Huber Rosen is a rural water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) expert, social entrepreneur, author, documentarian, clean water advocate, executive director and founder of the non-profit, Drink Local Drink Tap. Since 1998, she has worked in civic engagement, primarily with underserved communities, and has developed extensive environmental stewardship, leadership, and advocacy experience. In 2011, she began her international development expertise in Uganda focusing on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) crisis.

Huber has been recognized with numerous accolades by Cleveland-area organizations, media, and universities. Huber also co-directed and produced three documentaries and is the lead author of Make Waves 4 Change, a book designed to inspire the next generation of civic leaders. She advocates for equitable water and sanitation locally (USA) and globally, and has led 15 years of community beach cleanups in Cleveland. She has created robust educational programming to prevent plastic waste and increase water stewardship in the US, and implements WASH projects in East Africa in rural Uganda. She currently serves on the US Global Leadership Coalition Advisory Board for the State of Ohio, the Greater Cleveland Water Equity Partners Board, and is an active member of the Uganda Water and Sanitation Network and Sanitation and Water for All.

This program is made possible by The Dr. William N. Jackson Religious Initiative Fund.