Black Professionals in International Affairs upcoming events

(Virtual) “KEEPING IT REAL” Series: The Conversations Our Community Needs to Have (Hosted by Professional Development Committee) (08/27/2026)

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 22:30:00 GMT

“KEEPING IT REAL ” Series

The Conversations Our Community Needs to Have

BPIA Monthly Professional Development Series

Every 4th Thursday of the month

Google Meets: meet.google.com/ndw-zwtc-fer

August 27, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 PM ET — Durags, Bonnets & the “Real World”
September 24, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 PM ET — You Work Hard. So What?
October 22, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 PM ET — Maybe They Just Don’t Like You. Now What?
November 26, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 PM ET — Is It Time to Quit—or Are You the Problem?

Series Description

Professional development isn't just about résumés, networking, and landing the next job. Some of the most important lessons about navigating college, careers, and professional spaces are the ones no one formally teaches us.

Keeping It Real is BPIA's monthly professional development series creating space for candid conversations about the realities Black students and professionals encounter as they navigate academic and professional environments.

From cultural expression and professional presence to workplace politics, advancement, conflict, and knowing when it's time to move on, these conversations tackle the questions we often discuss privately—but rarely address openly in professional development spaces.

No corporate jargon. No pretending. Just real conversations, practical guidance, and perspectives you can actually use.

Sessions are held virtually every fourth Thursday of the month from 6:30–7:30 PM ET.

For questions, you can email professionaldevelopment@iabpia.org

[External Event] Comp Ticket Raffle for Pre-Reception: Howard Theatre: “This Day” Podcast Live: "The Next [Democratic] Realignment" (10/19/2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

COMPLIMENTARY TICKET RAFFLE

PURCHASE TICKETS ($15)

This Day Live: The Next Realignment, presented by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation

Join the Radiotopia history podcast This Day for a live conversation about the moment of democratic realignment we are living through right now. Are we witnessing a fundamental shift in who holds power, who gets left out, and how race and class are reshaping the coalitions that define American politics? And what can history teach us about moments like this one?

Host Jody Avirgan will be joined by co-hosts and historians Nicole Hemmer (Vanderbilt) and Kellie Carter Jackson (Wellesley) and Alex Lovit, host of the Kettering Foundation's podcast The Context. They’ll look back at the pivotal moments when America's political fault lines have shifted — from the rise of the first parties, to historic expansions of voting rights, civil rights battles that scrambled the map, and court decisions that changed who really holds power. And they'll connect those stories to the realignment unfolding today, as divisions over race, education, religion, voting rights, economic inequality and the very meaning of democracy reshape our politics heading into 2026 and 2028.

They'll be joined by special guest Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II—bishop, author, founder of the Poor People's Campaign and the Moral Mondays movement, and Kettering Foundation senior fellow— one of the most important voices in America on democracy, justice, and the long work of building a more inclusive country.

This conversation is part of a partnership between This Day and The Charles F. Kettering Foundation called “Democracy, Under Construction.” Be sure to catch the rest of their conversations in the This Day and The Context podcast feeds.

BIOS

Jody Avirgan

Jody Avirgan is a podcast host, producer, and editor, and the founder of Roulette Productions. He is the host of "This Day" from Radiotopia and the music debate show "Summer Album / Winter Album," and recently served as Executive Producer of "What Now with Trevor Noah." He has helped make shows including "The Puzzler with A.J. Jacobs," "The Line" from Apple Podcasts, Adam McKay's "Death at the Wing," and "Oprahdemics." Previously, he ran and hosted ESPN's 30 for 30 Podcasts and developed FiveThirtyEight Podcasts, where he hosted the FiveThirtyEight politics podcast through the 2016 election. Before that, he was a producer at WNYC, working with On The Media, 99% Invisible, Freakonomics, and others.

Nicole Hemmer

Nicole Hemmer is Associate Professor of History at Vanderbilt University and Director of the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Center for the American Presidency. A political historian specializing in media, conservatism, and the presidency, she is the author of "Partisans: The Conservative Revolutionaries Who Remade American Politics in the 1990s" and "Messengers of the Right: Conservative Media and the Transformation of American Politics." She is a columnist at CNN and was one of the co-founders of Made by History, the historical analysis section of the Washington Post.

Kellie Carter Jackson

Kellie Carter Jackson is the Michael and Denise Kellen '68 Associate Professor and chair of the Department of Africana Studies at Wellesley College. She specializes in slavery, abolitionism, the Civil War, and the history of political violence, and is the author of "We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance" and the award-winning "Force and Freedom: Black Abolitionists and the Politics of Violence." She also serves as Historian-in-Residence at the Museum of African American History in Boston.

William J. Barber II

William J. Barber is president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach. He is a bishop with the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries and a Charles F. Kettering Foundation senior fellow. He is also a professor in the practice of public theology and public policy and founding director of the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School. Barber is also cochair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, and an executive board member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He is the author of five books, including White Poverty: How Exposing Myths about Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy. Barber served as senior pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, for thirty years. He was president of the North Carolina NAACP from 2006–2017 and served on the national NAACP board of directors from 2008–2020. He is the architect of the Forward Together Moral Movement that gained national acclaim in 2013 with its Moral Monday protests at the North Carolina General Assembly. In 2015, Barber established Repairers of the Breach to train communities in moral movement building. A highly sought-after speaker, Barber has given numerous keynote addresses and is regularly featured in media outlets such as MSNBC, CNN, and the New York Times. He has 12 honorary degrees and is the recipient of numerous honors, including a 2018 MacArthur Foundation Genius Award, one of the 2015 Roosevelt Institute Four Freedoms Awards (Freedom of Worship), and the 2015 Puffin Prize for Creative Citizenship. Barber earned a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University, a master of divinity from Duke University, and a doctorate from Drew University.

Alex Lovit

Alex Lovit is a Senior Program Officer and Historian at the Kettering Foundation. He is the host and executive producer of the Kettering Foundation podcast The Context. On this show, he interviews scholars, politicians, journalists and public servants, to shed light on democracy’s history, current condition, and future prospects. Episodes will cover topics like inclusive democracy, citizen engagement, government accountability, and the threat of authoritarianism. As a historian, Lovit also assists in the foundation’s analysis of threats to democracy, attending to relevant academic research on these topics, including providing historical context. Lovit received his BA from Amherst College and earned a PhD in history from the University of Michigan, with a focus on 19th century political history.

[UPCOMING EVENT] Join Us October 21 at 12 PM ET: "Writing for Policy and International Affairs Audiences" (10/21/2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Communicating Global Impact: Writing for Policy and International Affairs Audiences

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Time: 12 – 1:30 PM EDT

Location (Virtual - Zoom): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81892022751

Effective policy writing is essential to informing decision-makers, shaping public discourse, influencing policy, and advancing ideas in international affairs. Whether writing policy briefs, memos, reports, op-eds, research summaries, or advocacy materials, professionals must be able to translate complex issues into writing that is clear, credible, concise, and purposeful.

Join the Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA) for a session of the 2026 Communications Training Series focused on practical approaches to writing for policy organizations and international affairs audiences. This interactive virtual session will explore how to structure policy-focused writing, adapt messages for different audiences, and communicate analysis with clarity and purpose.

What You'll Learn

Participants will learn how to:

Understand the principles of effective policy writing for international affairs audiences.
Structure policy briefs, memos, and other policy-focused communications for clarity and impact.
Translate complex research and policy issues into clear, accessible language.
Write with greater precision, clarity, and concision.
Avoid common policy writing challenges, including jargon, overly complex language, and unclear recommendations.

Whether you are building a communications strategy for a policy organization, supporting advocacy initiatives, or looking to strengthen your professional communications skills, this session will provide practical tools and actionable insights to help you communicate with greater purpose and impact.

We look forward to welcoming you to the first session of the BPIA Communications Training Series as we build the communications skills needed to lead, influence, and drive meaningful change in international affairs.

Ethel Mwedziwendira is the founder of EP Studio, a global communications and publicity studio advising leaders and organizations on executive visibility, crisis, litigation, and high-stakes communications. She has led communications strategy across more than 50 high-profile legal matters, including cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and advises athletes, executives, and organizations on strategic communications and public positioning.

Her work and insights have been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek and the American Bar Association. Ethel brings extensive experience translating complex and sensitive issues into clear, compelling narratives.

[External Event] Request to Attend: Oct 22 In-Person Lunch & Book Talk: “How Democracies Revive” hosted by the Kettering Foundation (10/22/2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

REQUEST TO ATTEND IN PERSON

REGISTER TO ATTEND VIRTUALLY

[External Event] Request to Attend

in-person Lunch & Book Talk: “How Democracies Revive: Why Illiberalism Keeps Winning and What to Do About It”

Hosted by: The Kettering Foundation

Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time: 12:00–2:00 p.m. ET
Location: Washington, DC (Exact location shared upon approval)
Format: In-Person & Virtual (Zoom)
Cost: Complimentary (Limited In-Person Availability for BPIA Members)

Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees.

REQUEST TO ATTEND IN PERSON

REGISTER TO ATTEND VIRTUALLY

Event Description

Members of Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA) are invited to request complimentary in-person attendance at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation's upcoming lunch and book talk featuring Hungarian political economist, former parliamentarian, and Kettering Foundation Global Fellow Dr. Gábor Scheiring.

A limited number of seats have been reserved exclusively for BPIA members. Interested members must submit a request to attend for consideration. Submitting a request does not guarantee admission. Approved guests will receive confirmation and additional event details, including the exact location.

Lunch will be provided, and there is no cost to attend. Those unable to participate in person are welcome to register separately for virtual attendance via Zoom.

About the Conversation

Dr. Scheiring will discuss his forthcoming book, How Democracies Revive: Why Illiberalism Keeps Winning and What to Do About It, coauthored with Benedek Jávor.

Drawing on scholarly research and firsthand political experience, the conversation will examine the global rise of illiberalism, the economic and social conditions contributing to democratic decline, and lessons from countries working to restore democratic institutions.

The discussion will explore examples from the United States, India, Germany, Hungary, South Korea, and Uruguay, followed by audience Q&A.

About the Speaker

Dr. Gábor Scheiring is a Hungarian political economist, Assistant Professor of Comparative Politics at Georgetown University in Qatar, and former Global Fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation.

He served as a Member of the Hungarian Parliament from 2010 to 2014 and earned his PhD in Sociology from the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on economic inequality, political transformation, public health, and democratic stability.

He is the author of The Retreat of Liberal Democracy: Authoritarian Capitalism and the Accumulative State in Hungary and has held research appointments at Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and Bocconi University.

Request to Attend Information

Eligibility: Active BPIA members
Cost: Complimentary
Availability: Limited in-person seats
Approval: Requests are subject to availability and confirmation
Notification: Approved guests will receive confirmation and event location details
Virtual Attendance: Open registration available via Zoom

Interested in attending in person? Submit your request today for consideration. Space is limited, and attendance is confirmed only upon approval.

For additional information about the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, visit www.kettering.org.

[UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENT] "China and Africa: Strategic Partnership or New Dependency?" - BPIA DialogueHouse Discussion (10/24/2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

REGISTER HERE

Discussion Topic: “China and Africa: Strategic Partnership or New Dependency?”

Date & Time: Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 12:00pm - 1:00 pm ET

Location (Zoom): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85762667532

Open to: The BPIA Community At-Large

CHINA AND AFRICA: STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP OR NEW DEPENDENCY?

China’s relationship with Africa has become one of the most significant partnerships shaping the continent’s economic and geopolitical landscape. From infrastructure and trade to investment, technology, development finance, and diplomatic engagement, China has expanded its presence across African countries over the past two decades.

But what does this growing relationship mean for Africa? Does China’s engagement offer opportunities for economic transformation and strategic cooperation, or could it create new forms of dependency? And how can African countries shape the relationship to advance their own long-term interests?

Join BPIA for our October DialogueHouse Policy Discussion, featuring a special guest presentation and conversation exploring the evolving relationship between China and Africa and what it means for Africa’s economic development, sovereignty, and global position.

What We’ll Explore

China’s growing economic, political, and diplomatic engagement in Africa
Infrastructure, trade, investment, and development financing
The opportunities and challenges of China-Africa economic cooperation
Debt, dependency, and African agency in negotiating partnerships
China’s role in Africa’s changing geopolitical landscape
How African countries can shape more strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships

The session will feature a 45-minute presentation and conversation, followed by 15 minutes of audience Q&A.

BPIA’s DialogueHouse Policy Discussion Series provides a conversational and accessible space for shared learning, diverse perspectives, and meaningful dialogue on the global issues shaping our world.

Sign up today and add your voice to the conversation.

Register here: [Link Here]

Winter Salons: BPIA Global Philosophy Discussion Group "Is World Peace Actually Possible?" and "Is Democracy Dying, or Simply Evolving?" (10/28/2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Upcoming 2026 Global Philosophy Discussions

Big Questions. No Easy Answers.

The BPIA Global Philosophy Discussion Group brings together curious minds to explore difficult questions underneath international affairs, politics, ethics, society, technology, and human behavior. These are guided conversations, not formal debates, and the goal is not to determine who is “right,” but to think more deeply, hear competing perspectives, and question our own assumptions. No philosophy background is required.

Session I: Is World Peace Actually Possible?

Wednesday, October 28, 2026
6:30–8:30 PM ET
Zoom Link: us06web.zoom.us/j/9794618227

Provocation

For centuries, philosophers, political leaders, religious thinkers, and diplomats have imagined a world without war. Yet violence between groups has persisted across nearly every period of human history.

So what does that tell us?

Maybe war is a political failure that humanity can eventually overcome. Or maybe conflict is built into human nature, competition for power, identity, resources, and the international system itself.

And even if we could eliminate war, would that actually mean we had achieved peace?

Questions We’ll Explore

Is lasting world peace realistically possible, or is conflict an unavoidable part of human society?
What would “world peace” actually mean: no war, no violence, justice, equality, or something else?
Can there be peace without justice?
Is violence primarily caused by human nature, political systems, inequality, ideology, or competition for power?
Do powerful states actually have an incentive to create a peaceful international order?
Would lasting peace require stronger international institutions, shared global values, or even some form of world government?
Can societies eliminate war without eliminating disagreement?

The Big Closing Question

If the only way to guarantee world peace were to create a global government powerful enough to prevent countries from going to war, would you support it?

Session II: Is Democracy Dying, or Simply Evolving?

Thursday, December 10, 2026
6:30–8:30 PM ET
Zoom Link: us06web.zoom.us/j/9794618227

Provocation

Democracy is often treated as both a political system and a moral ideal. Yet around the world, democratic institutions face declining trust, polarization, political violence, misinformation, technological disruption, and the rise of leaders willing to challenge traditional democratic norms.

But perhaps democracy is not dying at all.

Maybe citizens are questioning institutions that no longer represent them. Maybe democratic participation is changing. Maybe what looks like democratic decline from one perspective looks like democratic transformation from another.

This raises a more uncomfortable philosophical question: What exactly are we trying to preserve when we say we want to “save democracy”?

Questions We’ll Explore

Is democracy actually in decline, or are democratic institutions simply changing?
What makes a society genuinely democratic?
Is voting enough?
Can a democracy legitimately elect an authoritarian leader?
What happens when the will of the majority conflicts with individual rights?
Does democracy require citizens to share certain basic values?
Can democracy survive extreme polarization and distrust?
Should democratic institutions ever limit what citizens are allowed to choose in order to protect democracy itself?

The Big Closing Question

If citizens freely vote to dismantle democratic institutions, should a democracy respect that decision?

Discussion Purpose & Ground Rules

The Discussion Group is designed as a space where people can question, challenge, probe, and respectfully disagree. Consensus is not the goal. Intellectual curiosity is. BPIA’s published discussion norms emphasize challenging arguments rather than people, allowing others to finish speaking, respecting the facilitator and speaking order, making room for different perspectives, asking questions in good faith, and remaining open to having your own views challenged.

Participants are expected to:

Challenge ideas and arguments, not individuals.
Allow others to finish speaking without interruption.
Respect the facilitator and established speaking order.
Make space for different perspectives and lived experiences.
Ask questions in good faith and remain open to having your own views challenged.
No personal attacks, harassment, discriminatory remarks, or intentionally demeaning language.

Disagreement is welcome. Intellectual curiosity is expected. Respect is required.

[Virtual] "How Government Actually Works" Leadership Seminar Series presented by the BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project (11/19/2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 23:30:00 GMT

[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.

[Virtual] "From Policy to Action" Leadership Seminar Series presented by the BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project (12/17/2026)

Thu, 17 Dec 2026 23:30:00 GMT

[Virtual] "From Policy to Action"

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, December 17, 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

A strong policy recommendation is only the beginning. Government leaders must determine who has authority, who owns implementation, what resources are available, which stakeholders can block or accelerate action, and how success will be measured. This session examines how policy moves from an idea on paper to something government can actually execute.

What We’ll Discuss

Turning policy recommendations into executable plans
Authority, ownership, funding, personnel, and timelines
Why good policies often fail during implementation
Congressional, budgetary, and interagency constraints
Measuring whether government action is working

Speakers

Alia Awadallah

Senior Managing Director, Creative Defense Foundation | Former Director, Executive Secretariat, U.S. Department of Commerce

Alia Awadallah has held leadership and policy roles across Commerce, Defense, State, the Army, and the Office of the Vice President. Her experience includes translating senior-level priorities into policy, coordinating across government, managing executive decision processes, and implementing national-security initiatives.

Carole House

CEO, Penumbra Strategies | Former Special Advisor for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure, National Security Council

Carole House is a strategic technology and national-security executive whose career spans the White House, financial regulatory agencies, Congress, and military service. She previously served as Special Advisor for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure at the National Security Council and has worked extensively at the intersection of emerging technology, economic security, and government policy.

Jenny Mattingley

Vice President, Public Policy & Stakeholder Engagement, Partnership for Public Service

Jenny Mattingley is a senior leader at the Partnership for Public Service focused on improving the federal government and strengthening the systems that support effective public service. Her work includes presidential transition, federal personnel, leadership, and efforts to improve the capacity of government institutions.

Kristen Edwards Marquardt

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

Kristen Edwards Marquardt brings experience from DHS, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the CIA, offering a perspective on how intelligence, congressional oversight, and executive-branch decision-making shape policy implementation.

Alexandria J. Maloney

Senior Director, BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project

Alexandria J. Maloney leads BPIA’s work on preparing emerging and mid-career professionals for public-service leadership, with a focus on moving beyond access and professional pipelines toward governing readiness and implementation capacity.

[Virtual] "The Path to a Presidential Appointment" Leadership Seminar Series presented by the BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project (01/21/2027)

Thu, 21 Jan 2027 23:30:00 GMT

[Virtual] "The Path to a Presidential Appointment"

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, January 21, 2027 | 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

Presidential appointments can appear mysterious from the outside. In reality, they involve a complex process of talent identification, role matching, political trust, sponsorship, vetting, ethics review, and, for some positions, Senate confirmation. This session demystifies how appointments actually work and what prospective appointees should be doing well before an administration begins staffing.

What We’ll Discuss

How presidential appointees are identified and evaluated
Presidential Personnel and transition-team processes
Schedule C, noncareer SES, PAS, and other appointment categories
The role of sponsors, validators, and political relationships
Vetting, ethics, clearances, and Senate confirmation
How early prospective appointees should begin preparing

Speakers

Chris Piper

Center for Presidential Transition, Partnership for Public Service

Chris Piper works with the Partnership for Public Service’s Center for Presidential Transition, supporting efforts related to presidential transitions, political appointments, personnel systems, and the preparation required for effective administration leadership.

Devontae Freeland

Professor of Practice in Public Policy, Universitat Pompeu Fabra–Barcelona School of Management | Former Associate Director for National Security Agency Personnel, White House Presidential Personnel Office

Devontae Freeland served in the White House Presidential Personnel Office, including responsibility for national-security agency personnel. His government service also includes roles with the White House Chief of Staff, White House Counsel, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Biden-Harris Transition Team.

Heather Samuelson

Attorney & Strategic Advisor, HFS Strategies PLLC | Former Special Assistant to the President & Senior Confirmations Counsel, The White House

Heather Samuelson is an attorney and strategic advisor with nearly two decades of experience spanning the White House, State Department, and nonprofit sector. As Special Assistant to the President and Senior Confirmations Counsel, she guided hundreds of presidential nominees through the Senate confirmation process. She previously served as State Department White House Liaison, Assistant Counsel in the White House Counsel’s Office, and Chief Counsel to the Clinton-Kaine Pre-Election Transition Team.

[Virtual] "Political Judgment: Governing in the Gray" Leadership Seminar Series presented by the BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project (02/18/2027)

Thu, 18 Feb 2027 23:30:00 GMT

[Virtual] "Political Judgment: Governing in the Gray""

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, February 18, 2027 | 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

Senior government officials rarely choose between a clearly right answer and a clearly wrong one. More often, they operate in the gray, balancing policy objectives against legal authorities, operational realities, political considerations, institutional interests, and reputational risk. This session explores how experienced leaders make consequential decisions when information is incomplete and every option carries tradeoffs.

What We’ll Discuss

Making decisions with incomplete information
Balancing policy, legal, political, operational, and institutional considerations
When to push, pause, or escalate
Advising principals when you disagree
Maintaining trust through difficult internal debates
Developing judgment over the course of a public-service career

Speakers

Amb. Julianne Smith

President, Clarion Strategies | Former U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO

Ambassador Julianne Smith is a national-security expert with three decades of experience in U.S. and European defense policy and transatlantic relations. Her government service includes U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State, Deputy National Security Advisor to Vice President Biden, and Principal Deputy for NATO and European Policy at the Department of Defense.

Chidi Blyden

CEO, Culturally Bound Consulting | Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs

Chidi Blyden is a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs and currently serves as the CEO of Culturally Bound Consulting and the Executive Director of Harvard University’s Center for African Studies. Her experience brings a senior defense-policy perspective on leadership, national-security decision-making, and U.S.-Africa policy.

Reta Jo Lewis

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

Reta Jo Lewis has held senior leadership positions spanning the White House, Department of State, presidential transition, and an independent federal agency. Her experience includes diplomacy, economic security, international trade, political affairs, and executive decision-making.

[Virtual] "Leading Inside Government & the Interagency Table" Leadership Seminar Series presented by the BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project (03/18/2027)

Thu, 18 Mar 2027 22:30:00 GMT

[Virtual] "Leading Inside Government & the Interagency Table"

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, March 18, 2027 | 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

Getting appointed gives a leader authority. Leading effectively requires something more: credibility, trust, institutional fluency, and the ability to work across organizational boundaries. This session examines what it takes to lead career and political teams, establish priorities during the first 100 days, and represent an agency effectively at the interagency table.

What We’ll Discuss

What new political appointees often misunderstand about leadership
Building credibility with career professionals
Managing mixed career and political teams
Setting priorities during the first 100 days
Navigating bureaucratic resistance and institutional constraints
Becoming an effective participant in the interagency process

Speakers

Carole House

CEO, Penumbra Strategies | Former Special Advisor for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure, National Security Council

Carole House has served across the White House, regulatory agencies, Congress, and the military, with experience in interagency coordination, emerging technology, economic security, crisis management, and executive decision-making.

Shelby L. Pierson

Founder & CEO, Invicta Analytics LLC | Former Director of Analysis, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Shelby Pierson is a former senior U.S. intelligence executive whose career spans the CIA, NGA, and ODNI. As Director of Analysis at NGA, she led thousands of personnel and a large enterprise budget. She also served as the Intelligence Community’s Election Threats Executive and National Intelligence Manager for Russia.

Tracy Pakulniewicz

Consultant, TP Consulting | Former Senior Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower & Reserve Affairs

Tracy Pakulniewicz is a senior national-security and homeland-security executive with more than 20 years of experience advising government leaders and advancing complex policy initiatives. Her roles have included Senior Advisor at the Department of Defense and Chief of Staff in DHS’s Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans.

Kristen Edwards Marquardt

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

Kristen Edwards Marquardt brings experience from the intelligence community, Congress, and DHS, providing a cross-institutional perspective on executive leadership, oversight, interagency dynamics, and national-security decision-making.

Reta Jo Lewis

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

Reta Jo Lewis has led at the highest levels of an independent federal agency and held senior positions at the Department of State and White House. Her experience spans organizational leadership, diplomacy, economic policy, political affairs, and managing across institutional boundaries.

[Virtual] "Ethics, Vetting & Public Trust" Leadership Seminar Series presented by the BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project (04/15/2027)

Thu, 15 Apr 2027 22:30:00 GMT

[Virtual] "Ethics, Vetting & Public Trust"

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, April 15, 2027 | 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

Political appointment and senior government service bring a level of scrutiny that many candidates underestimate. Financial holdings, professional relationships, foreign contacts, public statements, social media, taxes, ethics obligations, and personal history may all become relevant. This session helps prospective public servants understand how to prepare for scrutiny while approaching government service with the transparency and judgment that public trust requires.

What We’ll Discuss

What political and presidential vetting actually examines
Ethics, financial disclosure, conflicts of interest, and recusals
Security-clearance considerations
Digital footprints and professional history
Political vetting versus legal and ethics review
Transparency, disclosure, and protecting public trust

Speakers

Devontae Freeland

Devontae Freeland’s experience in presidential personnel and White House operations gives him direct insight into the appointment process, national-security personnel, clearances, transition planning, and the preparation required for senior government service.

Charles Carithers

Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Charles Carithers is a public-policy and government-affairs professional whose work focuses on national security, public service, and the intersection of policy, institutions, and government leadership.

[Virtual] "Ready to Serve" Leadership Seminar Series presented by the BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project (05/20/2027)

Thu, 20 May 2027 22:30:00 GMT

[Virtual] "Ready to Serve"

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, May 20, 2027 | 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

The Leadership Seminar Series concludes where it began: with readiness. Participants will reassess the roles for which they are genuinely prepared, identify remaining gaps, and consider how to translate their experiences into a credible case for future government service. The goal is not simply to want a political appointment. It is to know what responsibility you are prepared to carry and what evidence demonstrates that readiness.

What We’ll Discuss

Identifying roles for which you are ready now
Distinguishing between “ready now,” “next,” and aspirational roles
Building evidence of management, policy, political, congressional, and implementation readiness
Creating a two- to three-year public-service development plan
The role of mentorship, sponsorship, and validators
Answering the questions: Why you? Why this role? Why now?

Speakers

Alexandria J. Maloney

Senior Director, BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project

Alexandria J. Maloney leads the BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project and BPIA’s broader work to strengthen leadership, talent development, and readiness for public service. Her work focuses on preparing professionals not simply to enter foreign policy, but to assume responsibility within the institutions responsible for implementing it.

Stephenie Foster

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

Stephenie Foster has worked across government, advocacy, and law, including senior roles at the Department of State and as a longtime advocate for women’s leadership. Her experience spans public-service leadership, policy development and implementation, congressional relations, and navigating transitions into and out of government.

Emmanuel Ohiri

Vice President, Policy & Leadership, Black Professionals in International Affairs

Emmanuel Ohiri serves as BPIA’s Vice President for Policy & Leadership, supporting the organization’s national policy, leadership-development, and signature programming portfolio. His work focuses on strengthening pathways for professionals in international affairs to develop the knowledge, relationships, and leadership experience necessary to influence and serve in the field.