Brown Symposium
Debra W. Haffner
President of Religious Institute; AASECT certified sex educator; Unitarian Universalist Minister; author of several books.
The Reverend Debra W. Haffner is Co-founder and President of Religious Institute, Inc. An ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, she received a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary, a Master of Public Health degree from the Yale University School of Medicine, and an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University. In addition to publishing over 70 articles in professional journals, Rev. Haffner is the author of two award-winning books for parents: From Diapers to Dating: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Children, and Beyond the Big Talk: Every Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Teens. She has conducted training workshops around the globe, has been quoted in the New York Times and the Washington Post, and has appeared on Crossfire, Oprah, and the Today Show; she blogs regularly for the Washington Post, Huffington Post, and CNN.com. Rev. Haffner’s work has been honored by numerous organizations, including the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality and the Association for the Advancement of Health Education. Rev. Haffner served as the chief executive officer of SIECUS, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, from 1998-2000. In May 2011, Widener University presented her with a Doctor of Public Service, h.c. at their commencement.


