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About NCG

New Common Ground started with the idea that there is more that unites us than divides us, and that engaging others around this idea is the way to move forward. The work was supported through an endowed teaching chair sponsored by the Bank Atlantic Foundation, as well as the generous contributions of the Flink Family Foundation. The project quickly evolved into a partnership between New Common Ground, LLC, RDR Group, and Indian River State College.

The collaborators in this effort have diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, which is what has made the work so interesting and powerful.

We hope you agree:

Founding Partners of NCG

Bruce W. Fraser, Ph.D.

CEO/President, New Common Ground, LLC

Bruce Fraser is a Professor of Philosophy and the Director of the Institute for Academic Excellence at Indian River State College. In addition to his extensive teaching experience, Dr. Fraser has held managerial positions as a dean, a union president, and a contract negotiator. His academic expertise is the intersection between psychology, theories of knowledge, and linguistics. He holds a Ph.D. and masters degree in philosophy from Boston University, and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Fraser is also a longtime meditation practitioner, which informs his work on creativity, self-regulation, and conflict resolution.

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Alexander Kanter, MFA

Vice President, New Common Ground, LLC

Alexander Nathan Kanter is the Master Instructor of Theatre and Director of Theatre and Dance at Indian River State College and has worked in almost every performing arts field as a professional actor, singer, dancer, director, playwright, and Arts Management. Alex previously served as the Director of Performance Management at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey, where he produced concerts with the New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra. He was also the Coordinator of Arts and Events and Box Office Manager for The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. He has taught theatre at two other colleges in Florida and has also served as a high school theatre and dance teacher. Alex holds a BA in Russian Language, Literature, and Culture from Harvard University and an MFA in Performing Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design.

Louise Kennedy, MA

Vice President, New Common Ground, LLC

Louise Kennedy is a PhD Researcher at the University of Glasgow studying Laura (Riding) Jackson. She was formerly the Executive Director of the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation which focuses on preserving Laura’s legacy and awakening the literary minds of students and adults in Indian River County. She was the English Department Chair and a teacher at Saint Edward’s School for 13 years. Louise presented her TEDx talk entitled “Empathy in Education” in 2019. She attended Miss Porter’s School, Wellesley College, and got her MA from Sewanee, the University of the South. She has a son and a daughter who both attend Harvard College.

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Rich Brandt

Managing Partner of RDR Group

Rich Brandt is a Training Specialist and Managing Partner of RDR Group based in Chicago. Over the past twenty years, he has spoken to audiences throughout Corporate America and abroad on a variety of behavioral issues including Diversity and Inclusion, and other Leadership Development topics. He earned his B.A. from Lake Forest College and his M.A. from Trinity International University; he has offered training to a wide range of corporate clients, such as AT&T, Cisco Systems, Lear Corporation, and State Farm.

Institutional Partners of NCG

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