Season Four

Meet the Voices Behind Forged in Fire

Forged in Fire is shaped by hosts, rotating co-hosts, creators, researchers, and volunteers who help bring conversations about LGBTQ+ leadership, resilience, and lived experience to life.

Season Four Host

Season Four Host

Liz Cavallaro, Ed.D.

Dr. Liz Cavallaro is an adult development scholar, executive coach, and educator who studies how people grow as leaders through identity, reflection, and experience. A tenured Associate Professor at the U.S. Naval War College, she works with mid- and senior-level leaders to build self-awareness and cognitive capacity through developmental coaching. As the current host of Forged in Fire, Liz brings a thoughtful, research-informed lens to conversations about authenticity, leadership, and impact.

Rotating Co-Hosts

Rotating Co-Host

Itay Balely

Itay Balely is the Director of Training at LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, where he leads political training programs for LGBTQ+ candidates, campaign leaders, and public service changemakers. His work has spanned political organizing, fundraising, facilitation, and student leadership development, including roles with the Human Rights Campaign and Johns Hopkins University. He brings a grounded, civic-minded lens to Forged in Fire, shaped by his commitment to building LGBTQ+ leadership and helping people step more fully into public life.

Rotating Co-Host

Eduardo Placer

Eduardo Placer is a keynote speaker, event emcee, global facilitator, and founder of Fearless Communicators, an inclusive public speaking coaching company. A former professional actor, Eduardo helps leaders use story, presence, and language to build connection across difference. His work has supported presidential candidates, UN diplomats, startup founders, activists, and industry leaders. As a proud Cuban American and member of the LGBTQ+ community, he brings a powerful voice for belonging, authenticity, and courageous communication to Forged in Fire.

The Team Behind the Mic

Robert Garrett

Executive Producer

Kirsten Pecua

Content Developer

Trinity Downing

Research Assistant

Also Made Possible By

Forged in Fire is supported by a broader circle of collaborators, volunteers, and advisors who contribute behind the scenes. From research and guest preparation to editing, strategy, and logistics, their work helps bring each episode to life.