As the CEO of Intelligence Squared U.S. ( www.intelligencesquaredus.org ) , Clea Conner is on a mission to restore civility, respect, and intelligence to the public square. Intelligence Squared U.S. is a non – partisan, non – profit organization, founded in 2006 to address a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Their mission is to restore critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to American public discourse.

Conner has produced more than 150 award – winning public policy programs spanning technology, culture, economics, law, and global affairs, offering a debate format to convene the world’s most influential voices on the most provocative questions of our time. Named one of Crain’s New York “40 Under 40,” she developed “Up For Debate” and “That’s Debatable” as television programs on Bloomberg, PBS, and Newsy, and produced the first debate between artificial intelligence and a human debater in partnership with IBM ‘s historic Project Debater. She holds more than two dozen awards for excellence in public affairs programming in radio, television, and podcasting.

Conner holds a B.A. from The New School with Dean’s Honors and studied political science at American University.