Melanie Brandt, GSA Executive Director and CEO

Dear Esteemed Members, Guests, and Colleagues,

As the new Executive Director and CEO of The Geological Society of America, it's a true privilege to welcome you, alongside president Christopher “Chuck” M. Bailey, to GSA Connects 2023. We are here to celebrate the vibrant tapestry of geological sciences, gathered in the spirit of community, learning, and growth. This year's theme, "Diverse Science for a Sustainable Future and the Energy Transition," speaks to the timely and critical issues that unite us all.

This year has been a transformative one for GSA, and those changes are palpably reflected in this conference, heralding a new era of possibilities, engagement, and excellence.

Revitalized Membership Experience

At the heart of our Society are its members—you. To acknowledge this, we have put an added emphasis on membership with exclusive benefits. The newly expanded GSA HQ Pavilion now showcases all 22 of GSA's scientific Divisions, serving as a nexus for diverse scientific dialogues, collaborations, and professional opportunities. As a special feature, new and renewing members will receive an exclusive bag featuring art from renowned geology artist Ray Troll.

Technology and Branding Upgrades

We have deployed technology upgrades designed to augment your attendee experience. Our new marketing initiative, "Learning to Legacy," is conceived to underline the idea that regardless of your career stage in the geosciences—from students to seasoned experts—your community is right here at GSA.

Mental Wellness: A Core Concern

This year, we are also leading the charge on an often overlooked yet immensely crucial issue—mental wellness in the scientific community. Advancing science and fostering a sense of inclusive community starts and ends with practitioners at their best, both mentally and emotionally.

Inclusion and Sustainability

At the core of this year's theme is the unity of diverse scientific thought, focused on the ambitious but essential goals of sustainability and energy transition. Our panel discussions, workshops, and presentations are geared toward instigating transformative conversations and inspiring actionable insights.

It is our sincere hope that this conference serves as your first glimpse into a reinvigorated GSA—a society deeply committed to its members and the broader scientific community. Your presence here is a testament to your role in this incredible journey that we undertake as a collective.

Thank you for being a part of GSA Connects 2023. Let us venture together into a future replete with scientific discovery, personal growth, and meaningful change.

Warm regards,

The Geological Society of America