The Honorable Stuart Holliday

Ambassador Stuart Holliday is the CEO of Meridian International Center, a non-partisan institution focused on promoting global security and prosperity through effective leadership and diplomacy. Previously, Holliday served as the United States Ambassador for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations (2003-2005), representing the United States in the U.N. Security Council and shaping U.S. policy on peacekeeping, sanctions, and counterterrorism programs. From 2000 to 2001, Holliday worked at the White House as the Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and as the Associate Director of Presidential Personnel, where he advised the President on government appointments. After the September 11 attacks, he was assigned by the President's Chief of Staff to help staff the first Office of Homeland Security at the White House. Holliday also served as the Assistant Policy Director to the Governor of Texas, focusing on economic development, international trade, technology, and military issues, and as the Regional Director for North Africa, the Middle East and Turkey at the International Republican Institute. A U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer with active duty during Operation Desert Storm, Holliday has earned distinctions like France’s Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, among other awards.