[Virtual] "How Government Actually Works"

Leadership Seminar Series presented by the BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project

In collaboration with the Partnership for Public Service and the Leadership Council for Women in National Security (LCWINS)

Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 PM ET | Virtual

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9794618227

Details, session PPT, zoom background here: https://iabpia.org/Leadership-Project

About the Session

Foreign policy is rarely made by one person, one agency, or one memo. This session takes participants inside the machinery of government to examine how decisions move between the White House, federal agencies, Congress, career officials, political appointees, and the broader interagency system.

What We’ll Discuss

• How foreign-policy decisions move through government
• The roles of the White House, agencies, Congress, and career officials
• How interagency disagreements are negotiated and resolved
• Formal authority versus informal influence
• What executive-branch officials need to understand about Congress

Speakers

Stephenie Foster

Co-Founder, Smash Strategies | Former Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of State

Stephenie Foster is an attorney, author, and former senior State Department official whose career spans government, law, advocacy, and policy leadership. She served in the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues and later supported Afghan relocation efforts, with a focus on women and girls. She has also served as Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate.

Kristen Edwards Marquardt

Managing Partner, Fortis Vista | Former Intelligence Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security

Kristen Edwards Marquardt has served across the executive branch, Congress, and the intelligence community, including as Intelligence Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Senior Professional Staff Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and a CIA case officer.

Reta Jo Lewis

Of Counsel, Husch Blackwell | Former Chair, President & CEO, Export-Import Bank of the United States

Reta Jo Lewis is a global business leader, lawyer, and former senior U.S. government official. She served as Chair, President, and CEO of the Export-Import Bank, as Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of State, and as a Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton for Political Affairs.

Uyen Dinh

Vice President for Government Relations & Strategy, BlackSky | Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, Department of Homeland Security

Uyen Dinh brings more than two decades of experience spanning national security, intelligence, congressional affairs, and executive-branch decision-making. She previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security and now leads government relations and strategy at BlackSky.