About i3
Past Highlights
i³ has welcomed a diverse lineup of thought-provoking speakers, including former Mexican President Vicente Fox—who, just a week after the 2016 U.S. election, addressed a sold-out audience on the future of U.S.–Mexico relations; Hedrick Smith, one of America’s most authoritative scholars on the U.S. political system, who offered insights on repairing our broken political landscape; Rob Dunn, who led audiences into the micro-world of life all around us; Erik Vance, an award-winning science journalist who explored the surprising ways our expectations shape physical and emotional experience; and Linda Greenhouse, whose presentation examined the causes and implications of the collapse of public confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Recent Talks
In recent seasons, audiences have heard Wade Davis on the relevance of ancient wisdom in today’s world; Nancy Hayden on the evolving dynamics of space and its new frontiers; Monika Maeckle on the extraordinary migration of monarch butterflies; and Carlos Bravo Regidor on the shifting political landscape in Mexico.
These talks reflect i³’s continuing commitment to bringing urgent global issues into conversation here in San Miguel and setting the stage for even more timely discussions ahead.
For a full list of past speakers and presentations, visit
Meet the i3 Team
Lisa Muhn
Director
Tina Bueche
Operations
Carol Graham
Digital Media Coordinator
Judith Gille
Patron Coordinator
Lisa Muhn, born in Venezuela, brings a rich multicultural perspective to her role as Director and Creative Director of i³. Fluent in Spanish and English, Lisa has lived in five countries before making Mexico her home in 2017. With a strong background in design and a keen creative sensibility, she continues to shape the vision of i³ while leading the organization’s daily operations and strategic initiatives.
Tina Bueche is a multifaceted cultural producer and civic leader active in both Seattle and San Miguel de Allende. Her extensive experience includes leading initiatives like Art of the Story and the Vivos y Muertos Festival, as well as serving on numerous boards such as Libros Para Todos and Seattle’s Police Accountability Board. Tina’s background in community organizing, business ownership, as well as arts advocacy enriches her volunteer work with i³.
Carol Graham, originally from the Pacific Northwest, has called San Miguel de Allende home for over a decade. As i³’s Digital Media Coordinator, Carol leverages her deep understanding of the local community to effectively communicate the organization’s message across online platforms. Her expertise with local media and communications resources ensures i³’s voice resonates clearly and consistently through its social media presence.
Judith Gille has owned a home in San Miguel since 2002. She was the founder and creative managing partner for a chain of retail stores in Seattle before selling them to move more full-time to San Miguel in 2016. She is the author of The View from Casa Chepitos and Toda via Mexico and has volunteered with the San Miguel Writer’s Conference, ABBA House, Aurora Books and numerous other non-profit organizations in Mexico and the U.S.
Pat Harding
Secretary
Susan Page
CoFounder
Susan Ruhl
Webmaster
Pat Harding, who has called San Miguel home since 2006, brings her extensive expertise from a successful career in the High-Tech industry and her subsequent service on the Board of Jóvenes Adelante, to her current position at i³. Prior to her current role, she served as i³ Patron Coordinator. Her passion for travel, wine, exquisite cuisine, and San Miguel’s vibrant cultural scene contributes a unique dimension to her work with the organization. Pat’s dedication to community engagement and her business acumen make her a valuable asset to the i³ team.
Susan Page, a long-time resident of San Miguel de Allende since 2003, is a co-founder of i³ and serves as the President of the San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival. Her leadership in the literary community has been instrumental in shaping San Miguel’s cultural landscape. Susan’s extensive experience in organizing literary events and fostering creative connections contributes significantly to i³‘s mission of informing and inspiring through ideas and storytelling.
Susan Ruhl is a passionate advocate for revolutionizing leadership development through innovative, technology-driven solutions. Susan’s commitment to influencing employee happiness extends beyond the workplace, as demonstrated by her previous role as board chair for Laradon, a Denver-based non-profit serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Her dedication to community engagement and leadership innovation aligns seamlessly with i³‘s goal of inspiring and informing through transformative ideas.
Our History
In Memoriam: Rob Lerner
On the eve of the 2016 San Miguel Writers’ Conference, where the keynote speaker John “Economic Hit Man” Perkins was being honored at a lavish and lively brunch, the spark of an idea was ignited. The setting was the home of conference ringleader, Susan Page and Mexican folk-art impresario, Mayer Shacter.
Rob Lerner, co-founder of i3, recalls the story of how SMA got its i’s…
Long after the pancakes had been consumed, and fueled by a third, perhaps fourth round of coffee; the conversation jolted up to such high-minded topics as the “state of human civilization.” Suddenly, Diane (Varney) blurted out, “Wouldn’t it be great if we had a regular lecture series here in San Miguel, something like the City Arts & Lectures series in San Francisco?” I could tell from the glint in Susan’s eye that she thought it was a good idea, too. That was the spark, and just a few meetings later we had a name — i3: ideas that inform & inspire — a volunteer steering committee, and our first presenter: former Mexican President Vincente Fox, speaking on U.S.–Mexico relations in the wake of the 2016 U.S. election.
Based in San Miguel de Allende, i3 is a not-for-profit lecture series which hosts six or more speakers each season. Since its inception in 2016 it has become a San Miguel institution, bringing prominent public intellectuals to a local stage to present on a variety of topics.
Since that serendipitous day the i3 stage has hosted over 30 outstanding speakers, many who are Pulitzer Prize winners, as well as Emmy, and Peabody winners. Curated from varied disciplines: science, health, environment, politics and culture, covering such topics as aging, cancer and Alzheimer’s, climate change, the political landscape both in Mexico and the United States as well as antibiotics, and even bugs!
Founder and Steadfast Leader
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