Soup & Hope

Soup & Hope 2025

The 18th annual Soup & Hope speaker series will return to Sage Chapel on Jan. 23, 2025, featuring six Cornell staff, faculty and student storytellers sharing their experiences of overcoming life’s challenges while attendees enjoy a free meal of soup and bread.

The series is open to the public and spotlights speakers and stories of hope. Events are free and do not require registration. While the series is held in Sage Chapel, the events are not affiliated with a religious organization.

Soup & Hope takes place in person on Thursdays from NOON to 1PM at Sage Chapel. 

• Noon to 12:15 – Gather and enjoy soup
• 12:15 – Talks begins
• 12:45 – Event concludes

Those who cannot attend in person can watch live via Soup & Hope Zoom. 
Passcode: soup
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Some events will be recorded and posted on this website for later viewing.
 

2025 Series: Save these Dates

• January 23: Conan Gillis
• January 30: Thomas Jones
• February 13: Dannemart Pierre
• February 27: Martina Pablo Pablo
• March 13: Sarah Janusz
• March 27: Keith Tidball

Learn about our 2025 speakers:

Conan Gillis '21

Conan Gillis is a fourth year Ph.D. candidate in Mathematics, specializing in geometry and algebra, and a Cornell alumnus.

He is currently researching for his dissertation and serving as the Assistant Director for the Mathematics Support Center, where he works alongside a team of undergraduates to provide drop-in tutoring for students in mathematics classes at all levels. As an undergraduate, he was heavily involved in disability advocacy on campus and served as the ex-officio representative for students with disabilities on the Student Assembly.

Conan was born with a rare congenital disorder called Larsen's syndrome, which affects his musculoskeletal and respiratory systems, among other things. While his medical situation is very stable, this disorder presents him with significant physical and logistical difficulties. For example, he is a wheelchair user and requires 24/7 nursing care to go about his day. Conan will discuss how these difficulties have complicated his educational career, and the various strategies and supports he's needed to deal with them.

Thomas Jones

Thomas Jones (‘24 MILR) is the Fair Practice Employment Specialist for Cornell’s Office of Human Resources.

Thomas is a purpose-driven professional and his unique journey as a returning citizen has instilled in him profound empathy and a commitment to valuing people. With diverse work experiences and a background in HR, Thomas has made significant contributions to his community, earning him the 2024 Exemplary Service Award from Cornell’s Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement.

As the Fair Practice Employment Specialist, Thomas collaborates with the Criminal Justice Employment Initiative and the Cornell Prison Education Program. He also works as a UX Designer and Implementation Lead, providing training and piloting the “Restorative Record” program. Additionally, Thomas mentors’ individuals with barriers to higher education and serves on the board of Ithaca’s Civic Ensemble.

Dannemart Pierre

Dannemart Pierre is the Associate Dean for Student Empowerment and Director of First-Generation and Low-Income Student Support.

An educator and life-long learner, Dannemart’s vision for a just and equitable higher education system stems from her own experiences as a first-generation, low-income college student who immigrated to the United States from Haiti. With 17 years as a higher education professional, Dannemart has served in directorship roles for multicultural student programs, first-year and transfer student support, mentoring, and academic student advising.

Dannemart’s passion for understanding the inner workings of people and systems led her to earn a B.S. in Organizational Management and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology, after which she taught as adjunct faculty for several years. She is a Ph.D. Candidate at Azusa Pacific University and her research centers the construction of Black women through race-based science and uses storytelling as a practice for re-membering, restoring, and re-constructing. In her spare time, Dannemart provides consultation on designing transformative experiences that facilitate critical understanding and intentional conversations on equity, inclusion, and racial identity development. Her joys include her puppy, Oreo, caring for her plants, and traveling. 

Martina Pablo Pablo '26

Martina Pablo Pablo ’26 was born and raised in the vibrant Mayan community of Todos Santos, Guatemala, a place where traditions run deep, and resilience is a way of life. Moving to the United States in 2017, Martina embraced a new world of opportunities and challenges, driven by a determination to honor her roots while building a brighter future. She graduated from high school in 2021 and is now a junior at Cornell University’s renowned School of Hotel Administration in the SC Johnson College of Business, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration.

Martina’s story is one of courage, hope, and the power of giving back. Through her venture, Martina’s Mayan Coffee, she honors her family’s legacy in coffee farming by sharing the rich flavors and traditions of Mayan culture with the world. Martina’s journey is a message to others: no matter where you come from, your dreams are valid, and your heritage is a strength. She believes in the transformative power of education and entrepreneurship to create meaningful change, inspiring others to embrace their own potential and give back to the communities that shaped them. Through her work, Martina hopes to empower others to dream boldly, act courageously, and make a difference in the world.

Sarah Janusz

Sarah Janusz is an Assistant Director and Disability Access Consultant within Student Disability Services.

When Sarah joined the Cornell community during the pandemic she faced many challenges: being in a new place, having family far away, not knowing a single person in Ithaca, and being immunocompromised. It took some time, but she realized it was an opportunity to grow, and ended up finding strength and wellbeing in the unknown. 

Sarah is excited to share her journey of hope and the resonating joy she has embraced in her everyday life.

Keith Tidball

Bio coming soon.

Soup & Hope Planning Committee

• Joel Harter, Chair - Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making
• Jennifer Austin - Skorton Center for Health Initiatives
• Kelly Chan - Center for Teaching Innovation
• Laura Gallup - SCL Communications
• Kristine DeLuca - Cornell Commitment
• Ashley Fazio - Human Resources Communications
• Linda Falkson - University Ombuds
• Toral Dhiru Patel - Human Resources Diversity and Inclusion
• Saorsa Wissman - Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making
• Victor Younger - Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Cornell College of Business
• Marcia A Easley - College of Human Ecology
• Grace Corinne DePaull - Human Resources Communications
• Cyrus Hamilton-Ferguson - Student Disability Services

Sponsors 

In the spirit of a health-promoting campus, this series is co-sponsored by the Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making, Human Resources, Cornell Health and Cornell Catering.