About Us

About Us

Mission of the Baskerville Institute:

Diplomacy of the Heart  

The Baskerville Institute is dedicated to fostering global peace and understanding through the practice of “Diplomacy of the Heart.” We believe that genuine human connection, rooted in empathy, compassion, and mutual respect, is essential for building lasting partnerships and resolving conflicts. By engaging scholars, students, diplomats, and communities, we aim to create safe spaces for dialogue, promote storytelling that bridges cultural divides, and inspire future leaders to prioritize humanity in their international engagements. Through conferences, educational initiatives, and collaborative programs, we strive to cultivate a global culture of heart-centered diplomacy that transcends political and ideological barriers.

Why Baskerville Institute in Utah?

Building Bridges through Human Connection  

The Baskerville Institute embodies the spirit of “Diplomacy of the Heart” by fostering enduring human connections rooted in empathy, mutual understanding, and cultural exchange. This tradition dates back over a century, reflecting a commitment to building bridges among communities of different faiths, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds. Central to this mission is the principle of the dignity of difference—the recognition that diversity enriches our shared humanity. By facilitating dialogue and collaboration, the Institute nurtures partnerships that transcend political and social divides, emphasizing human dignity and the value of diverse perspectives. Through educational exchanges, humanitarian initiatives, and cultural programs, the Baskerville Institute continues to inspire a global movement toward peace, friendship, and deeper human connection.

About Us

The Diplomacy of the Heart initiative finds its earliest and most meaningful expression in the remarkable friendship between John A. Widtsoe (1872–1952), then president of Utah State University, and Mirza Ali Gholi Khan, Consul General for Iran. Their encounter at an international irrigation conference in Canada in 1912 was not just a meeting of two professionals—it was an early act of people-centered diplomacy rooted in empathy, mutual respect, and cultural curiosity.

Widtsoe and Gholi Khan connected over shared scientific interests, particularly in irrigation and agriculture, but their correspondence quickly evolved into something deeper. Widtsoe introduced Utah’s ecology, landscape, and educational institutions, while Gholi Khan offered insights into Persian poetry, culture, and the geographic parallels between Iran and Utah. Widtsoe’s invitation to Gholi Khan to deliver the 1915 commencement address at Utah State University symbolized not only friendship but a genuine intercultural dialogue—one that reflected the very essence of Diplomacy of the Heart.

This heartfelt exchange laid the foundation for over a century of civil society connection between Utah and Iran. Since that time, thousands of Iranian students have studied at Utah’s major universities, and hundreds of American professors, Peace Corps volunteers, and aid workers have lived and served in Iran. Many still reside in Utah, contributing to a living legacy of bridge-building that began in 1912.

The Widtsoe–Gholi Khan friendship remains a powerful historical reminder: Diplomacy that begins with the heart can transcend borders, institutions, and generations.

Objectives

Foster People-to-People Diplomacy

Promote empathetic, human-centered engagement between individuals in the United
States, Iran, and Central Asia by building relationships rooted in dignity, shared
humanity, and cultural respect.

Support Educational Diplomacy

Facilitate academic conferences and educational forums on Diplomacy of Heart ,
empathy, human dignity and respect for dignity of difference

Champion Interfaith and Intercultural Understanding

Convene forums that explore the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of “the heart” in
various religious traditions to nurture respect for the dignity of difference.

Build and Sustain a Global Network of Partners

Engage with like-minded institutions, donors, and thought leaders globally to co-sponsor
Diplomacy of the Heart conferences, research projects, and regional hubs.

Promote Education as a Tool for Global Citizenship

Integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 4: Quality Education)
into programming that empowers youth to become ethical and informed agents of
change.

Advisory Board

The Baskerville Institute is guided by a dedicated Board of Advisors, whose members come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. They share a passion for fostering understanding and cooperation between the Iranian and American peoples, and upholding the legacy of Howard C. Baskerville. The Board of Advisors includes scholars, diplomats, business leaders, and activists who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Institute’s work. Together, they help to ensure that the Baskerville Institute remains at the forefront of efforts to build bridges between Iran and the United States, and promote mutual understanding and respect.

About Us

Janet Afary

Janet Afary holds the Mellichamp Chair in Global Religion and Modernity at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she is a Professor of Religious Studies. She is a historian of modern Iran and has a PhD in History and Near East Studies from the University of Michigan, where her dissertation received the Distinguished Rackham Dissertation Award. Her books include: Sexual Politics in Modern Iran (Cambridge UP, 2009, winner of the British Society for Middle East Studies Annual Book Prize) and The Iranian Constitutional Revolution: Grassroots Democracy, Social Democracy, and the Origins of Feminism (Columbia UP, 1996, winner of Dehkhoda Institute Book Award)

About Us

Reza Aslan

Reza Aslan is an internationally-renowned writer, commentator, professor, and religious scholar, whose NYT bestselling books. A recipient of the prestigious James Joyce award, Aslan is the author of three internationally best-selling books, including the #1 New York Times Bestseller, Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth,  No god but God: The Origins, Evolution and the Future of Islam, God: A Human History, and How to Win a Cosmic War. 

Aslan is a professor at U.C. Riverside, where he teaches creative writing. Among Aslan’s many community leadership and service positions, he’s on the board of the Chicago Theological Seminary and the Yale Humanist Community. His producing credits include the acclaimed HBO series The Leftovers and the upcoming Chuck Lorre comedy, United States of Al. He is the host and Executive Producer of Rough Draft with Reza Aslan.

About Us

Jonathan Freedman

Jonathan Freedman is the president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah, where he helps Utah companies grow through international trade and investment. He is a seasoned entrepreneur and international business leader with over 30 years of experience.

Prior to joining WTC Utah, Freedman co-founded and grew Downeast, a clothing and furniture retail chain, to 64 locations with 1,100 employees. He has also served as honorary consul of Ukraine in Utah since 2007, leading the effort to support the Ukrainian community in Utah and promote cultural exchanges between Ukraine and Utah. In September 2023, he was awarded the Order of Merit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the highest honor given to a non-Ukrainian citizen.

Freedman also serves on public and private boards and commissions, including the state of Utah’s Unified Economic Opportunity Commission, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, and the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.

He is a passionate advocate for international trade and investment and believes that global engagement is essential for economic growth and prosperity. He is also committed to building bridges between cultures and promoting understanding and cooperation between people from all over the world.

About Us

Miles Hansen

Miles Hansen is the President and Board Director of the Stirling Foundation, an organization dedicated to working with governments, organizations, and individuals to address challenges facing families, communities, and nations. Their mission is to provide the resources, collaboration, and expertise to expand our partners’ impact throughout the human family – now.

Hansen was most recently the President of the World Trade Center, and previously the Director for Gulf Affairs at the National Security Council in the White House. Prior to that, he served as a staff aide to the State Department’s Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs. A speaker of Russian, Farsi and Arabic, Hansen has firsthand experience in more than 70 countries and is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

About Us

Ben Kolendar

Benjamin was most recently the Director of Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development where he oversaw the City’s economic development efforts, including arts and culture and business development. Prior to serving with Salt Lake City, Benjamin served as Senior Advisor to the Executive Director of SelectUSA, the government-wide initiative to attract and retain foreign business investment in the United States. As an official with SelectUSA, Benjamin provided guidance to the Executive Director to create jobs, spur economic growth, and promote American competitiveness. Before joining SelectUSA, he was dedicated to the development of Afghanistan’s war-torn economy as an official in the U.S. Department of Defense. Benjamin’s projects focused on stabilizing the war-torn country through economic development initiatives in the cashmere sector. Benjamin has a MBA with an emphasis in globalization and international trade from Georgetown University, and a Bachelor’s in Philosophy from Utah State University.

About Us

Jon Limbert

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iran in the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. He is a veteran U.S. diplomat and a former official at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, where he was held captive during the Iran hostage crisis. He received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. all from Harvard University. His Ph.D. was in History and Middle Eastern Studies.

About Us

Charles Randall Paul

Charles Randall Paul (Ph.D., University of Chicago, Committee on Social Thought, 2000; M.B.A., Harvard University, 1972) is board chair, founder, and president of the Foundation for Religious Diplomacy. He has lectured widely and written numerous articles on healthy methods for engaging differences in religions and ideologies. He is on the board of editors for the International Journal of Decision Ethics.

About Us

Shannon Peterson

Shannon received her BA in Political Science and Liberal Arts and her MA in Political Science from USU. In 2003, she received her Ph.D in International Relations from the Ohio State University and a post-doctorate in Marketing and Management from Tulane University in 2011. In addition to teaching in political science and international economics at USU, Shannon created and directed the Huntsman Scholar Program in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business for 9 years. Before coming to USU, Shannon worked for the Commission of the European Union in their Washington DC Embassy and Samsung’s International Business division in Seoul, South Korea. Her research and teaching interests revolve around human rights, humanitarian interventions, international economic development, environmental politics, decision making, and trade and social responsibility. She has been recognized for her teaching, mentoring, and advising of students and currently works to expand global opportunities for USU students.

About Us

Lawrence Wilkerson

Lawrence Wilkerson’s last positions in government were as Secretary of State Colin Powell’s Chief of Staff (2002-05), Associate Director of the State Department’s Policy Planning staff under the directorship of Ambassador Richard N. Haass, and member of that staff responsible for East Asia and the Pacific, political-military and legislative affairs (2001-02). Before serving at the State Department, Wilkerson served 31 years in the U.S. Army and was an advisor to General Powell. He has also taught national security affairs in the Honors Program at the George Washington University. He is currently working on a book about the first George W. Bush administration.

Research Fellows

Baskerville Institute Research Fellows enrich the Institute’s intellectual life and growth through webinar moderation, seminar participation, and potential involvement in grant-writing and proposal development. Additionally, they work on a specific Institute project aligned with their research area, contributing to the Institute’s digital presence and in-person programming.

About Us

H.E. Chehabi

Non-resident Fellow

Bridging continents and disciplines, Houchang E. Chehabi, a Nonresident Fellow of the Baskerville Institute, brings his profound expertise in Iranian politics, history, and culture to enrich the objectives of the Institute.

Houchang E. Chehabi is a renowned scholar of Iran, whose distinguished career has spanned multiple disciplines and continents. His expertise lies in Iranian politics, history, and cultural studies. He has held professorships at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, UCLA, and Boston University, and currently serves as an Honorary Professor at the University of St. Andrews.. Born to a German mother and an Iranian father in Tehran, Iran, Chehabi grew up in Iran and Germany. He received his undergraduate education in France and his MA and PhD from Yale University.

About Us

Colin Flint

Non-resident Fellow

Bridging continents and disciplines, Houchang E. Chehabi, a Nonresident Fellow of the Baskerville Institute, brings his profound expertise in Iranian politics, history, and culture to enrich the objectives of the Institute.

Houchang E. Chehabi is a renowned scholar of Iran, whose distinguished career has spanned multiple disciplines and continents. His expertise lies in Iranian politics, history, and cultural studies. He has held professorships at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, UCLA, and Boston University, and currently serves as an Honorary Professor at the University of St. Andrews.. Born to a German mother and an Iranian father in Tehran, Iran, Chehabi grew up in Iran and Germany. He received his undergraduate education in France and his MA and PhD from Yale University.