29th Season of The Witte Lectures

The NBPLF is pleased to announce the 29th season of The Witte Lectures, February – May 2026

The 29th season of the highly acclaimed Witte Lecture series launches in February 2026. Sifting through the massive flow of information and discerning what deserves thoughtful attention is time consuming and difficult. Our roster of nationally known speakers will once again provide a spark for igniting community conversation on the timeliest topics. Be part of the Witte community for live, dynamic, and compelling conversations in our award-winning library. Knowledge is power!

Julian Gewirtz

Julian Gerwirtz**

U.S.- China Tensions—Past, Present, and Future
Friday, February 27, 7:00pm
Saturday, February 28, 2:00pm

**Will be held at the Central Library, Friends room

Dr. Julian Gewirtz served in the Biden administration as Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs at the National Security Council (NSC), Senior Advisor to the Principal Deputy National Security Advisor, and as Deputy China Coordinator at the State Department.

Gewirtz is the author of three books including Never Turn Back: China and the Forbidden History of the 1980s, which was named the best book of the year by Foreign Affairs and BBC History, and the Making of Global China and Your Face My Flag: Poems. He was previously Senior Fellow for China Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, Lecturer in History at Harvard University and Columbia University. Gewirtz was recently named one of “50 people shaping our society” by the Washington Post. He received his doctoral degree in modern Chinese history from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and his undergraduate degree from Harvard College.

Pippa Malmgren

Pippa Malmgren

International Relations and the Future of Global Economy
Friday, March 27, 7:00pm
Saturday, March 28, 2:00pm

An economist, author, and economic advisor to President George W. Bush, Pippa Malmgren is known for her expertise in global financial markets and geopolitics. Credited with coining the term “shrinkflation,” she provides insights on emerging trends, technology, and risks shaping the global economy.

She served President George W. Bush in the White House as special assistant to the president and on The National Economic Council. After 9/11, she was also responsible for assessing terrorism risks to the economy and technology as a source of geopolitical competitiveness.  Malmgren is the author of five books, including Geopolitics for Investors and The Leadership Lab. Her most recent bestseller, The Infinite Leader, won the International Press Award for the Best Book on Leadership. She serves as a judge on The Queen’s Enterprise Business Awards and was a member of the Board of Directors for The Department for International Trade in the UK. She is a Senior Associate Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute, a defense and security think tank in London.

Annie Griffiths

Annie Griffiths

Connect with Anyone, Anywhere: Power of Photography
Friday, April 17, 7:00pm
Saturday, April 18, 2:00pm

One of the first women photographers to work for National Geographic, Annie Griffiths has photographed in more than one hundred countries during her rich and varied career. She has worked on dozens of magazines and book projects for National Geographic. In addition to her editorial work, Annie is deeply committed to using photography to support aid organizations. She is the Founder of Ripple Effect Images, a collective of prize-winning photojournalists and filmmakers who are documenting programs that empower women and children in the developing world.

Known for her warmth and humor, Annie has a gift for sharing stories and photographs that humanize situations and cultures. Annie has received awards from the National Press Photographers Association, the Associated Press, the National Organization of Women, and the White House News Photographers Association.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Strongmen

Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present
Friday, May 1, 7:00pm
Saturday, May 2, 2:00pm

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is Professor of History at New York University. She writes about fascism, authoritarianism, propaganda, and the threats these present to democracies around the world.

Her most recent book, the New York Times bestseller Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present (2021), looks at how illiberal leaders use propaganda, corruption, violence, and machismo, and how they can be defeated. She is the recipient of Guggenheim, and Fulbright fellowships.

Ben-Ghiat’s insights into the authoritarian playbook and democracy protection, and her ability to explain complex issues clearly and succinctly, have made her an expert source around the globe. She writes for The New York Times, The Economist, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic, and provides live commentary for CNN, France 24, MSNBC, and other networks. She has appeared in many documentaries about dictators and threats to democracy, such as Netflix’s How to Become a Tyrant and PBS’s The Dictators’ Playbook. Ben-Ghiat served as a historical consultant for Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning Pinocchio, which is set in Fascist Italy, and the Netflix docuseries Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial.

LECTURE DETAILS/ TICKETS

The first lecture will be held in Friends Room at Central Library, 1000 Avocado Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92660

The remaining lectures will be in the Witte Hall.

Limited Seating

The upcoming construction of Witte Hall will temporarily disrupt parking in the main lot of the Central Library with limited spaces available. There is additional parking located in the Civic Center parking structure.

Additional Parking

Friday, 7:00pm – 9:00pm || Doors open at 6:30pm
Lecture, Book Sale & Signing, Light Supper with Wine
Witte Member Season Pass $250

Individual Ticket: General $75 || NBPLF Member $70

Saturday, 2:00pm – 4:00pm || Doors open at 1:30pm
Lecture, Book Sale & Signing, Refreshments
Witte Member Season Pass $180

Individual Ticket: General $55 || NBPLF Member $50
(Discount on Individual ticket for members that are Book Collector $250 level and above)

REGISTRATION / BOOK PURCHASE

Individual Ticket on sale October 1, 2025 || Box office closes at 2pm on the day of the event
Opportunity to buy a signed copy of the speakers’ publications at the event

QUESTIONS

Contact programs@nbplf.foundation or 949-717-3892.
www.nbplf.foundation

VIDEO ARCHIVE FOR PAST PROGRAMS

2025 Sponsors

The Foundation would like to express our deepest gratitude to the funding Sponsors and Partners for the steadfast support and generosity of the Witte Lectures 2025 season.

Titanium
The Witte Family

Silver
Pacific Life Foundation
John Rallis and Mary Lynn Bergman-Rallis

Bronze
Karen and Bruce Clark
Chris and Malin Fletcher
Kelly and Randy Heyler
Drs. James B. Pick and Rosalyn M. Laudati
Barbara and Greg MacGillivray
Sophie and Manouch Moshayedi
Janet and Walkie Ray
Mary Vollmer

Iron
Tom and Elizabeth Edwards
Don and Pam Gilmour
Whitney and Michael Gomez
Morning Bliss Granola
The Hoelscher Bell Elliott Foundation
Marilyn and Francis Krahe
Kim Prickett
Rachel and Justin Reinus
Ellen Shockro
Tom and Marilyn Sutton
Jill Johnson-Tucker and Larry Tucker
Miles Yourman

Steel
Kelly and Bill Campbell
Barbara Roberts
Latika Sethi
Barry and Carole Steele
Stephanie and Ken VandeVeer
Sharon and Greg Wohl

Partners
All About You Event Planning
Barnes and Noble
City of Newport Beach
Ed Olen Photography
Firebrand Media LLC
Hi-Time Cellars
Naya Johnson Catering
Newport Beach Public Library
Sterling OC

2026 Witte Committee
Karen H. Clark
Lisa Edwards
Dani Gold
Whitney Gomez
Janet S. Hadley, Chair
Diane Hafer
Signe Keller
Marilyn Krahe
Dorothy Larson (Library Trustee Liaison)
Rachel Hass Reinus
Latika Sethi
Ellen Shockro
Lizanne Witte
Miles Yourman