SHE SHARES EVENT PROGRAM
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
The “I Am Maria” Book Tour
Featuring Maria Shriver, Mother, Grandmother, Peabody and Emmy Award-winning Journalist, Producer and former First Lady of California
Moderated by Karen Skelton, Visiting Scholar, Stanford University Doerr School of Sustainability and former Senior Advisor, the White House Office of Clean Energy and the US Department of Energy
Join Maria for an evening of intimate conversation as we explore life’s defining moments—the heartbreaks that shape us, the healing that transforms us, and the journey back to ourselves. Through poetry and dialogue, we’ll uncover what it truly means to find our way home.
Event Schedule
- 5:00 PM – Doors Open
Westminster Presbyterian Church
1300 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
- 5:45 – 6:45 PM – Conversation with Maria Shriver & Karen Skelton
The evening will begin with a special meditation and intention setting led by Dr. Rose Moten.
- 6:45 – 7:00 PM – Walk to Reception
Guests will walk together to the reception venue.
- 7:00 – 8:30 PM – Reception
The California Museum
1020 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Post Conversation Reception at the California Museum
Upon arrival at the Reception, you'll receive your copy of the book and enjoy appetizers by Jill Zenti Catering and wine from Acheson Wine—a women-owned, refillable wine company. Food and drink will not be served during the conversation, only at the reception, so please plan accordingly.
Speaker Biography
Maria Shriver, Mother, Grandmother, Peabody and Emmy Award-winning Journalist, Producer and former First Lady of California
Maria Shriver stands as an icon in the realms of journalism, advocacy, media, and publishing with a distinguished career spanning over 40 years. A mother and grandmother, Shriver is also an inspirational leader, spiritual mentor, and builder of meaningful change. As an Emmy, Gracie, and Peabody award winning journalist and storyteller, her groundbreaking reporting has not only informed but also inspired audiences across the globe.
In addition to her impressive journalistic career and literary accomplishments as a seven-time New York Times best-selling author, Shriver is an NBC News Special Anchor, founder of Shriver Media, and co-founder of the mission-driven brain health and wellness brand, MOSH. In her capacity as founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) at Cleveland Clinic, Shriver has played a pivotal role in advancing some of the most critical conversations and research concerning women’s health today.
Recognizing the pressing need for more research addressing the unique
health challenges faced by women, Shriver is at the forefront of a movement to bring parity in women's health to the federal government and millions of women nationwide. In 2023, Shriver’s advocacy led to the establishment of the first-ever White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, which fundamentally changed how we approach and fund women’s health, ushering in the next generation of vital discoveries.
Shriver’s pioneering work also includes the influential Shriver Report in
partnership with the Alzheimer's Association, which changed the narrative around Alzheimer’s placing women front and center of the disease for the first time. Her work earned her the first-ever Alzheimer’s Association Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her lifetime of activism and leadership in the field.
Today, the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement at Cleveland Clinic is the
preeminent organization funding gender-based Alzheimer’s research in the world—with a mission to educate women and their families. The WAM Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic, the first of its kind in the U.S., was established in 2020. Shriver was also instrumental in the formation of the new Cleveland Clinic Comprehensive Women’s Health and Research Center, where she serves at Chief Visionary and Strategic Advisor and whose mission is to become the leading center for women’s health in the United States.
During her tenure as First Lady of California from 2003-2010, she tirelessly advocated for women and families, particularly those facing socioeconomic challenges. In 2016, Shriver was inducted into the California Hall of Fame, which she conceived of and brought to life during her time as First Lady. Shriver is also the recipient of the Best Buddies Spirit of Leadership Award for her life-long work on behalf of those with intellectual disabilities.
Through her for-benefit media company, Shriver Media, Shriver produces award-winning content across multiple platforms, including documentaries, films, docuseries, summits, and books that spark conversations and ignite our culture.
Shriver Media is also home to the award-winning digital publication and
platform, The Sunday Paper, which provides a Roadmap for Living an
Authentic and Meaningful Life Above the Noise. The Paper guides readers and viewers toward a deeper understanding of themselves and their purpose. Shriver’s weekly Sunday Paper column, “I’ve Been Thinking,” is the recipient of the prestigious Gracie Award.
Shriver's latest literary venture, The Open Field publishing imprint at Penguin Random House, publishes award-winning and best-selling books that Rise Above the Noise and Move Humanity Forward. Her own books, including the New York Times #1 bestseller I’ve Been Thinking and its companion journal, offer profound insights and encouragement for those embarking on their own journey toward an authentic and deeply meaningful life.
A trailblazer for moving humanity forward, Shriver’s fervent belief in the power of every individual to enact positive change drives her mission to inspire others to become “Architects of Change.” In all aspects of her life and career, Shriver continues to empower and uplift, encouraging millions to embrace their potential to make a difference in the world. Through her tireless advocacy and unwavering dedication, Shriver has cemented her legacy as a builder of a brighter, more equitable future and a beacon of hope for generations to come.
Moderator Biography
Karen Skelton, Visiting Scholar, Stanford University Doerr School of Sustainability and former Senior Advisor, the White House Office of Clean Energy and the US Department of Energy
Karen Skelton is a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University Doerr School of Sustainability. Skelton has advised U.S. Presidents, Vice Presidents, U.S. Cabinet Secretaries, Governors, First Ladies, Fortune 100 corporations, philanthropies, Boards of Directors, and dozens of young women for over 35 years.
Most recently, Skelton served as a Senior Policy Advisor to both Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and the President’s top Climate Diplomat, John Podesta. During this time, Skelton played a key role in managing political, policy, and communication strategies to accelerate the nation’s industrial policy transition to a clean energy economy. Skelton collaborated with private sector stakeholders to gain access to hundreds of billions of dollars in grants, tax credits, loans, and other investments that address the climate crisis, rebuild American manufacturing, and lower costs for consumers and businesses.
Skelton’s work included co-leading the establishment of the Interagency Working Group on Coal & Power Plant Communities & Economic Revitalization (See www.Energycommunities.gov), now responsible for identifying over $600 billion in federal resources to help revitalize America’s energy communities; organizing private and public sector engagement in key states as Congress considered support for the Inflation Reduction Act; managing a White House effort to build a coalition of philanthropies which have contributed so far over $3 Billion in pooled funds and aligned tables to implement the President’s climate package, heading the inaugural launch of the DOE’s Foundation of Energy Security and Innovation.
Karen Skelton joined the Biden-Harris Administration from California, where she spent two decades running and selling two companies. Skelton spent a decade as the founder of Skelton Strategies, a policy and political consulting firm working on energy, climate, technology, economic justice, and women’s health. Skelton served as Governor Jerry Brown's Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Global Climate Action Summit, where she drove high-level corporate commitments designed to combat climate change. With Maria Shriver, Skelton founded and managed a series of groundbreaking reports on the transformational role of women in American life, including an Emmy-nominated documentary. Clients included Governor Schwarzenegger’s Women’s Conference, HBO, Bloom Energy, Segway, the National Basketball Association, UCLA’s Baseball team, T-Mobile, Google, YouTube, Amazon, John Doerr and Mayor Willie Brown.
Previously, Skelton served in the Clinton-Gore Administration as Vice President Al Gore’s first Political Director and Deputy Political Director to the President, in the U.S. Departments of Justice as a prosecutor, and at the United States Department of Transportation as Chief Counsel of the Federal Highway Administration.
Skelton earned her B.A. in English with Honors from UCLA, a Master’s degree from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a J.D. from the UC Berkeley Law School.
Skelton and her husband, a life-long public defender, live in Sacramento and have two grown daughters and one lively Brittany spaniel.
Meditation and Intention Leader
Dr. Rose Moten (Dr. Rose), Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Author, Speaker, and Life-Transformation Specialist
Dr. Rose Moten (Dr. Rose) is a fully licensed clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and life-transformation specialist. She is the director of BLOOM Transformation Center, a full-service wellness clinic offering traditional and holistic services to assist others in psychological and emotional well-being.
Dr. Rose artfully blends traditional, integrative, and holistic methods to provide clients with practical tools proven to transform even the most challenging circumstances. In her 25 years of experience, Dr. Rose has consulted and provided services to individuals and organizations all over the world. Her cutting-edge perspective and services have been featured nationally on television, radio, and in newsprint articles.
Dr. Rose’s mental health expertise, in addition to her own challenging life experiences and subsequent re-birth, was the catalyst behind her second book, BLOOM, 7 Steps to Personal Transformation (available here and Amazon). The highly acclaimed book provides a blueprint for self-discovery, personal transformation, and unbridled success.
Dr. Rose believes it is more important than ever for people to have access to quality and revolutionary mental health services. As a native Detroiter, this was the driving force behind the 2018 relocation of her practice back to the city of Detroit and the opening of BLOOM Transformation Center. BLOOM Transformation Center has consistently garnered recognition and awards for providing revolutionary services providing individuals with emotional relief, healing, and hope.
Dr. Rose is committed to the emotional freedom and healing of others. She works with individuals and organizations all over the world to achieve optimal emotional well-being and to challenge outdated practices and belief systems that are contrary to growth.
In addition to Individual, Couples, and Group Counseling Services, Dr. Rose provides Life Transformation Coaching, Wellness Workshops, Trauma Release Services, Transformation Wellness Retreats both domestically and internationally, Media Expertise, and Organizational Consulting.