“Old and New Worlds Meet”

with three presentations:
Shoshana Altrichter: “Africa – the Cradle of Civilization”
Marianna Kind: “Living in Siberia”
Judy Okun: “When Worlds Connect”

January 25, 2023, 6:00pm-8:30pm
Buca D’oro Ristorante, 711 Locust St, Philadelphia 19106
featuring an elegant four-course dinner, cash bar
Tickets: $65

Our presenters will regale you with photographs and stories from their journeys through Africa… to modern life in the depths of Siberia… to the many ways the Americas have been connected to Asia, Europe and Africa in both prehistory and more current times. You won’t want to miss this insightful and engaging evening of feasts for mind and body.

    Shoshana Altrichter worked in the travel department at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia for 18 years including serving as the Vice President of Travel.  Previously, she worked for the Jewish Federation in Philadelphia. Shoshana received her B.S. from Drexel University in Film & Video production with a minor in Political Science. She worked in the local film industry before shifting her focus to the non-profit sector. Shoshana has traveled extensively in Europe, the Middle East and several destinations in Africa.  She shares a passion for travel with her husband and they enjoy watching their 11-year-old son grow into a thoughtful citizen of the world.

“Africa – The Cradle of Civilization” offers a fascinating variety of cultures, natural treasures, and unparalleled wildlife.  Journey up East Africa and become intoxicated by the beauty and immersed in its fascinating culture.  This destination, a cradle of civilization, is essential to our human story. With its long past and welcoming people, Africa beckons travelers to be amazed at every turn. Shoshana will share personal experiences from her travels there, including visits to South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Egypt.

Marianna Kind is VP of technology at the BNY Mellon office of the CIO. She manages complex IT cross-functional projects and business technology strategies for executives in over 30 countries. Marianna moved to the US in 1998 to obtain her second Master’s Degree, in Information Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Her first Master’s Degree, in Thermal Power Engineering, was obtained in Irkutsk, Russia. For the past 20 years, Marianna has provided leadership for international corporations as a strategic
thinker, problem solver, architect and data specialist. Volunteering is one of Marianna’s passions. She is an avid world traveler and has visited over 80 countries.

“Living in Siberia” reflects Marianna’s extensive personal experiences and first-hand knowledge of this vast geographical region, constituting all of North Asia, from the Ural Mountains in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east. It has been a part of Russia since the latter half of the 16th century after the Russians conquered lands east of the Ural Mountains. Marianna was born and lived in Siberia for almost three decades.VP of technology at the BNY Mellon office of the CIO. She manages complex IT cross-functional projects and business technology strategies for executives in over 30 countries. Marianna moved to the US in 1998 to obtain her second Master’s Degree, in Information Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Her first Master’s Degree, in Thermal Power Engineering , was obtained in Irkutsk, Russia. For the past 20 years, Marianna has provided leadership for international corporations as a strategic
thinker, problem solver, architect and data specialist. Volunteering is one of Marianna’s passions. She is an avid world traveler and has visited over 80 countries.

Judy Okun has taught college geography courses for the last 17 years. She currently teaches at both Rowan University and West Chester University and leads history and geography workshops for adult groups throughout the Philadelphia region and across the U.S. Judy recently developed a new course on the Geography of Russia for Rowan University and is in the process of developing an offering on the Geography of Africa. She holds master’s degrees in history from Villanova University and environmental conservation from New York University. In 2020, Judy received West Chester University Honor Program’s Outstanding Faculty Award. Her primary research interests are the Great Ice Age, the American West, the Age of Exploration, the Spice and Silk Roads, and the Lewis and Clark expedition.

“When Worlds Connect”: The Americas have been connected to Asia, Europe and Africa in both prehistory and more current times. In this lecture, we will explore the many ways the Americas have shared or transmitted technology, geology, flora, and fauna to the Old World and vice versa. Some of the varied topics to be explored: plate tectonics, human migration, plants, animals, diseases, technology, and culture. The result of these exchanges has helped create the world we live in today.