Speaker:

Ambassador Stuart Holliday, Chief Executive Officer, Meridian International Center

Culinary diplomacy has become a powerful tool for fostering understanding and building bridges between cultures. Our panel of esteemed chefs and cultural ambassadors will celebrate the fascinating world of culinary diplomacy, exploring the pivotal role that chefs play in fostering diplomacy, cross-cultural understanding, and the critical role of the culinary arts in celebrating culture and identity. From the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants to more accessible culinary experiences, chefs are not only masters of taste but also agents of diplomacy on the global stage.

Speakers:

Aba Kwawu (Moderator), President, TAA Public Relations

Her Excellency Maguy Maccario Doyle, Ambassador of Monaco to the United States and Canada

Jerome Grant, Executive Chef, Sweet Home Café

Rose Previte, Owner, Compass Rose, Maydan, and Kirby Club

This conversation will explore the transformative potential of art and architecture in shaping inclusive, democratic, and sustainable urban futures. How can art and culture be integrated into urban planning processes to create more livable, equitable, and sustainable cities? Public art and inclusive urban development projects can serve as a reflection of democratic ideals, amplifying voices, and challenging dominant narratives. From street murals to interactive installations, we'll explore how art in public spaces and inclusive urban development projects can inspire civic engagement, promote dialogue, and uphold democratic values of freedom, equality, and justice.

Speakers:

Elizabeth Duggal (Introductory Remarks), Chair, Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy

Ali Rogin (Moderator), Correspondent, PBS NewsHour

Megan Beyer, Director, Art in Embassies

Scott Kratz, Director, 11th Street Bridge Park

Alan van Capelle, Executive Director, Friends of the High Line

Women's sports have demonstrated the power to accelerate social change, empowering women, and girls across the globe. Women's sports are one of the fastest-growing sectors within the sporting world, and critical stakeholders view this as an opportunity to invest in a more inclusive future. Join the conversation as we explore the challenges, opportunities, and innovations driving progress toward gender equality in sports.

Speakers:

Natalie Jones (Introductory Remarks), Executive Vice President, Meridian International Center

AJ Ross (Moderator), Correspondent, CBS Sports

Lorrie Fair, Sports Envoy and Chief Program Director, Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project

Danita Johnson, President of Business Operations, DC United

Dan Mickelson, Sports Diplomacy Chief, U.S. Department of State

Speakers:

The Honorable Fred P. Hochberg, (Introductory Remarks), Chair, Meridian Board of Trustees

Ana Navarro (Moderator), Co-Host, The View

Emilio Estefan, Music, Television, and Film Producer

Gloria Estefan, Singer, Actress, Songwriter, and Author

Visual artists have long wielded their creativity as a catalyst for transformation and social awareness. Our panelists of artists will share their artistic journey, the motivations behind their work, and the specific issues addressed through their creative process. Join us with these esteemed artists to learn how the visual arts can influence public opinion and drive social change while fostering the foundation to address global issues that affect us all.   

Speakers:

Nicole Elkon (Introductory Remarks), Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Ambassador Stuart Holliday (Moderator), CEO, Meridian International Center

Elsabé Johnson Dixon, Visual Artist

Halim Flowers, Visual Artist

Jeffrey Gibson (Mississippi Choctaw/Cherokee), Visual Artist

Speaker:

Sarah Arison, Culturefix Co-Chair