Courtesy of JES
The Jefferson Educational Society (JES) has announced that acclaimed journalist, author, and television personality Elaine Welteroth will join former First Lady Michelle Obama for a special moderated conversation during the 2026 Global Summit.
The event, titled “A Moderated Conversation with Michelle Obama,” is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Erie Insurance Arena. The appearance is part of the Jefferson Educational Society’s annual Global Summit, one of the region’s premier speaker series that brings nationally and internationally recognized leaders and thinkers to Erie.
Welteroth brings an impressive resume to the stage. An award-winning journalist, New York Times bestselling author, television host, former Project Runway judge, and founder of the nonprofit organization birthFUND, she is widely recognized for breaking barriers in the media industry. She became the youngest-ever editor-in-chief of a Condé Nast publication when she took the helm of Teen Vogue, where she expanded coverage to include issues of diversity, culture, and social justice.
In addition to writing the advice column “Ask Elaine” for The Washington Post, Welteroth serves as a cultural ambassador for Michelle Obama’s “When We All Vote” initiative, which seeks to increase voter participation among young people and underrepresented communities.
Welteroth is also the author of the bestselling memoir “More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are No Matter What They Say,” which earned an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work. More recently, she launched birthFUND, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to safe maternal healthcare and birth resources for families nationwide.
The 2026 Global Summit will feature 19 in-person events and more than 25 speakers, continuing JES’s mission of fostering thoughtful conversations on issues impacting communities around the world.
For additional information about the Global Summit and upcoming events, visit the JES website or contact the Jefferson Educational Society at 814-459-8000.
The Global Summit is hosted annually by JES in partnership with several major community sponsors, including LECOM Health and Erie Insurance.