Theme: Testing the Waters

"Testing the Waters” explores the role of uncertainty in sparking innovative thinking, reimagining societal structures, and fostering resilience in the face of global challenges. We aim for listeners to leave with a curiosity about how embracing uncharted paths can lead to shifts not only in their own lives but in their communities and the broader world. Instead of focusing solely on personal courage, we want to encourage questions like, “How can new perspectives on career paths, social norms, and global issues contribute to social transformation?”, “What happens when communities collectively redefine what’s possible in response to challenges?”, and “In what ways can exploring the unknown shape a more adaptive, inclusive future?”

Middlebury College Mahaney Arts Center
72 Porter Field Rd
Middlebury, Vermont, 05753
United States

Akshata Nayak

Founder, Little Patakha

It was simple, really. Akshata Nayak wanted to design a book so her daughter could learn her native language, Konkani. This single idea blossomed into Little Patakha, a minority woman-owned children's brand with a comprehensive portfolio focused on promoting inclusion by highlighting our shared experiences that exist no matter who we are, where we come from or what we look like. Akshata was born and brought up in Bangalore, India. She moved to the US in 2003 and earned two Master of Science degrees, in Biochemistry and Applied Clinical Nutrition. She is a serial entrepreneur with Little Patakha being her third successful business. Over the years, it became obvious to her that women and BIPOC business owners have plenty of ideas but are not always able to launch and grow them. She now plays an active role in empowering these entrepreneurs, especially in her home state of Vermont, to believe and invest in themselves and their ideas.

Becca Balint

US Representative

Rep. Becca Balint is a mom, teacher, and progressive leader who comes to Washington ready to fight for working families. Becca is the first woman and openly LGBTQI+ person to represent Vermont in Congress. She is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the Budget Committee, serves as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. A deep sense of justice, empathy, and service has guided Becca’s career from the beginning - first as an educator who taught middle school, then as an activist and State Senator, Majority Leader, and ultimately as the President Pro Tempore in 2021. As a leader in the State Senate, Becca led the passage of the first gun safety laws in the state’s history and worked to enshrine abortion rights in the state's constitution. She is married to her wife Elizabeth for 20 years, and together they have two teenagers. Becca lives with her family in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Brooke Mumbi

Student speaker

Brooke Mumbi is a junior at Middlebury College, pursuing a double major in Political Science and Economics. She is from Kikuyu, Kenya—a region known for its pleasant weather and refreshing breeze. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of finance and geopolitics, where she explores how global events shape financial decision-making. Fluent in Swahili, Gikūyū, and English, Brooke is also currently learning Spanish, a language she has grown to love. On campus, she works at the Q-center, the college bookstore, and also serves as part of the Reslife team. When not immersed in her studies or work, Brooke can often be found curled up with a good book or movie, wrapped in a cozy blanket. She also loves traveling, learning about diverse cultures, and fully immersing herself in new experiences.

Caroline Corrente

Founder, Haymaker Bun Company

Caroline is the chef/owner of Haymaker Bun Company, which has locations in Middlebury and Burlington, VT. She holds a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and African Studies from The University of Vermont. Prior to going to pastry school in Paris, she worked in low income housing and financial education at Champlain Housing Trust and the Champlain Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO). Caroline serves on the Board of Atria Collective (formerly WomenSafe) and the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-Op. Caroline lives in Middlebury with her husband, two sons, and dog. In her spare time she enjoys reading, biking, hiking, and doing any snow sport.

Jenna Tang

Writer & Translator

Jenna Tang is a Taiwanese writer, educator, and translator who translates between Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, French, and English. She is a board member and chair of the Equity Advocates Committee at the American Literary Translators Association. Her translations and essays are published in McSweeney’s, Lit Hub, The Paris Review, Latin American Literature Today, World Literature Today, Catapult, AAWW, Words Without Borders, and elsewhere. Her translations include works from Taiwanese feminist authors, Lin Yi-Han (Fang Si-Chi’s First Love Paradise), Lâu Tsí-û (“Not Your Child”), Leah Yang, and more. She has given talks about translation, languages, and gender movements across 16 universities in the States and Canada.