The Richmond Forum’s 2026-2027 season lineup includes Cher, Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau Sal Khan, Baroness Dambisa Moyo, and Dr. Laurie Santos.
The Richmond Forum opens its 2026-2027 season November 21 at the Altria Theater with economist Baroness Dambisa Moyo. Her program is the first of five that will bring Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Khan Academy founder Sal Khan, and pop culture icon Cher to Richmond in the coming months.
“Ideas are more powerful when we encounter them together,” said Heather Crislip, Executive Director of The Richmond Forum. “We’ve built a season around the questions we’re all asking: Are we on the brink of a global recession? How will AI change the way our children learn? What does it take to be truly happy? We hope you’ll be part of the conversation.”
Founded in 1987, The Richmond Forum is a nonprofit speaker series that has brought more than 240 speakers to Richmond, including past U.S. presidents and sitting heads of state. Each program draws more than 6,000 people, who attend at the Altria Theater or watch online.
The 2026-2027 Lineup
Moyo’s program, “Tectonic Shifts in Global Trade,” examines the forces behind current trade realignments and where they are likely to lead. Moyo has served on the boards of several multinational corporations. Her analysis bears directly on any Richmond company that buys, sells, or sources across borders.
Santos follows on January 16 with “Why We’re So Bad at Being Happy.” Santos created Yale’s most popular course in history, “The Science of Well-Being.” She will present evidence-based strategies for happiness, some of which run counter to common assumptions. Her research applies directly to managers responsible for workplace culture and retention.
Trudeau appears February 13 with “Oh, Canada!” He led one of the largest U.S. trading partners for nearly a decade and will reflect on what leadership requires in difficult periods.
On March 20, Khan presents “Classroom Reboot,” which explores how artificial intelligence can personalize learning and expand access to education. His program addresses a question employers already face: how the next generation of workers will learn and train.
Cher closes the season April 17 with “Turning Back Time,” which covers the stories, lessons, and philosophy behind her six-decade career. For business leaders, her career offers a case study in reinventing a brand without losing it.
Join fellow curious minds, in-person or online, for five timely conversations about AI, trade, leadership, and more.
Most professionals encounter new ideas alone. They read an article at their desk between meetings, listen to a podcast while walking the dog, or stream a documentary at home with half of their attention. Those ideas might come up later at dinner or in a book club, but they usually fade within a day. The Forum works on a different premise. When thousands of people hear the same speaker in the same room at the same time, they can reflect on the ideas together, add their own perspectives, and leave with a fuller understanding.
A membership extends that experience across a season of continued learning. Over five evenings and six months, subscribers hear from an economist, a psychologist, a former head of government, an ed-tech entrepreneur, and an artist. Most professional development stays within a single industry, but a season at The Forum covers five fields, including some members would not seek out on their own.
Subscriptions start at $145 and include in-person and online options.
Forum sponsors gain access to many of the season’s speakers, networking opportunities with Richmond’s business community, and visibility in front of a highly connected audience.
Corporate Engagement Opportunities
The Forum also offers a limited number of sponsorships for the 2026-2027 season, and only a few remain. Sponsors gain visibility in front of an audience of Richmond’s thinkers and civically engaged residents. They also get access to exclusive networking events with leaders from Richmond’s business community and with the evening’s speakers.
Sponsorships include premium seating blocks, brand exposure to a high-value audience, and access to VIP networking receptions. Packages are limited and expected to move quickly.
Businesses interested in sponsorship can contact Kathryn Blessing at kathryn@richmondforum.org or visit richmondforum.org.
The post Sponsored Content: Trudeau, Cher, Sal Khan headline Richmond Forum’s 2026-2027 season appeared first on Richmond BizSense.
