BPIA March First Friday - Ghana Independence Day & Women's History Month

BPIA March First Friday

Foreign Affairs Social Mixer

Join BPIA for our March First Friday — an evening of connection and celebration in honor of Ghana Independence Day and Women’s History Month! Come build meaningful relationships, exchange ideas, and recognize the leadership, resilience, and global influence reflected in Ghana’s legacy and in the women shaping diplomacy, national security, policy, and international affairs today.

The evening will celebrate Ghana’s historic role in advancing independence movements and global engagement, while uplifting the contributions of women driving strategy and impact across sectors. It will also provide a vibrant space for members, partners, and emerging leaders to connect, engage, and strengthen our growing international network.

This event is open to the public (21+).

Event Highlights:

• Networking & Social Mixer: Connect with professionals in foreign affairs and related fields
• Inspiring Conversations: Insights on leadership, advocacy, and navigating global challenges
• Celebratory Atmosphere: Music, drinks, and a vibrant community
• Venue: The Park at 14th – 920 14th St NW, Washington, DC
• ⏰ Date & Time: Friday, March 6, 2026 | 6-8 PM EDT

GUESTS OF HONOR BIOGRAPHIES 

Nicole O’Neill Ash is a retired senior U.S. intelligence executive with more than 31 years of service at the Central Intelligence Agency. She began her career as a propaganda and open-source intelligence analyst, examining how information, narratives, and influence shape public perception. Throughout her tenure, she advanced into several senior leadership positions, including Executive Director of the CIA’s Center for Cyber Intelligence. Her assignments spanned both domestic and international posts, with experience across Africa, the Middle East, and North America. Her career reflects a blend of deep analytical expertise and executive leadership within complex national security environments. After retiring from government service, Ash moved into the private sector, where she serves as an executive coach, board advisor, and leadership consultant. Her work centers on trust, decision-making, and leading through uncertainty, drawing on lessons from her intelligence career to guide executives and organizations. Through speaking engagements, coaching, and advisory roles, she offers a practical, systems-level approach to understanding how trust is built, evaluated, and sustained in high-stakes settings. Ash is a member of the BPIA Advisory Council.

Sheronda Dorsey is a retired Central Intelligence Agency senior executive, business enterprise manager, and executive leadership coach with a strong record of inclusive leadership and results-driven performance. She brings deep expertise in human capital strategy, talent management and development, workforce engagement, and organizational and business transformation, particularly in the context of mergers, stand-ups, and turnarounds. Her background also includes extensive experience in business operations, service delivery, performance management, and strategic planning. In the latter part of her 36-year CIA career, she oversaw the full employee lifecycle for the agency’s global workforce, including recruitment, onboarding, learning and development, performance management, succession planning, and retention. She is well acquainted with the National Society of High School Scholars, having served for several years as one of the CIA’s principal liaisons to the organization in support of recruitment efforts.

Afua Osei is a global strategist and media entrepreneur with deep experience in international partnerships, women’s economic empowerment, and strategic communications. She currently serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships at Foreign Policy Magazine, where she leads collaboration with government agencies, foundations, and international organizations. Afua is also co-founder of She Leads Africa, a platform that supports millennial African women across business, career development, and leadership, and has been featured by Forbes, CNN, Financial Times, and CNBC for her work advancing digital engagement and women’s economic participation worldwide. She currently serves as the Co-chair of the BPIA Diplomatic Advisory Council. 

Queen Iminah Laura Ahmad is an Oakland-based cultural strategist, educator, and community leader known for her work in youth empowerment and African-centered education. With roots spanning Oakland, Jamaica, Nigeria, and beyond, she has dedicated her career to improving life outcomes for Black girls and young women through policy advocacy, educational innovation, and cultural programming. Her leadership has driven initiatives focused on amplifying youth voice, advancing equity in schools, and elevating the educational experiences of students of color throughout the Bay Area. She currently serves on the BPIA Advisory Council.