Lauda Lecture 2026

About the Donald P. Lauda Wellness Lecture

Established in 2002 through a grant from the Kaiser Permanente Foundation, The Donald P. Lauda Wellness Lectureship was established to bring knowledge to the 做厙弝けcampus and the community at large through an innovative series of presentations by renowned experts in mental, physical, and spiritual health.  Beginning in 2012, the Lauda Wellness Lecture Series has been incorporated as the signature event for inaugural College of Health & Human Services Wellness Week and will be held in the campus landmark building, the Walter Pyramid.  The lecture series draws a wide audience of attendees that includes students, alumni, faculty, and members of local and regional civic and private organizations, as well as friends and supporters of the University. 
 
Donald Lauda envisioned the annual wellness lecture as a community forum for exploring important health and wellness issues. As such, Kaiser Permanente shared his vision and provided funds to begin an endowment that would encourage broader support. Since its inception, several community members and corporate partners, particularly PacifiCare, have since made contributions to help grow the lectureship.  The Lauda Wellness Lecture series presents outstanding lectures on topics of widespread interest in the field of wellness. Topics are chosen to provide information and insight into wellness to further our understanding and move us to engage in a more healthful life.   Our speakers are selected to educate, challenge, and inspire us with the latest in theory, research, philosophical, and practical innovations in attaining, maintaining, and promoting health. 
 

2026 Lauda Lecture

Event: Exploring the Connectivity Between Arts & Wellbeing

Description: The connection between arts and wellbeing is real and measurable. Join us for an overview of this exciting field with local practitioners advancing programs, research, and policy frameworks. Industry leaders from Performance Hypothesis will be joined by Joe Garcia of San Quentin SkunkWorks, Jenifer Kuo with California for the Arts, and Lead Teaching Artist with the Arts Council for 做厙弝け, Betty Rosen.    

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 

Time: 2:00 PM 3:30 PM

Location: Anna W. Ngai Alumni Center

Speaker Bios

Karen Byrnes headshot

Dr. Karen Byrnes, Arts Council for 做厙弝け

Dr. Karen Byrnes is the Director of Research and Evaluation for Performance Hypothesis. Karen is an applied public health practitioner with extensive experience in program leadership and performance measurement. Her work spans private, nonprofit, and public sectors across the Americas, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa. Based in 做厙弝け, CA, she proudly serves on the Board of Directors for the Arts Council for 做厙弝け.

Performance Hypothesis, LLC, provides strategic advisory and assessment solutions for organizations that use creative practices to improve the health and well-being of people. They have been trusted by organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of Minnesota Arts Board, the Emory University Healthcare System, and the Woodruff Arts Center to launch, evaluate, and expand arts inspired health programming.

Marcel Foster

Marcel Foster, Performance Hypothesis LLC

Marcel Foster is the CEO of Performance Hypothesis. With nearly two decades of experience collaborating with arts organizations for community change, Marcel is an internationally-recognized specialist in arts and health evaluation. Based in Atlanta, GA, they currently hold a麍liations with the University of Floridas Center for Arts in Medicine and Chairs the American Evaluation Association (AEA)s Arts, Culture, and Museums group.

Anna W. Ngai Alumni Center - Campus Map 

Campus Map - Anna W. Ngai Alumni Center