July 16, 2018

WACA Weekly

This Week: Register for the WACA National Conference; Farewell to Global Minnesota's Carol Byrne; Council Highlights

WACA 2018 National Conference: Braving the New World Order

November 7-9

The Mayflower Hotel

Washington, DC

Foreign Policy Association Centennial

We are excited to celebrate the centennial year of the Foreign Policy Association at this year's National Conference.

FPA has dedicated the past 100 years to serving as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global issues. Through its balanced, nonpartisan programs and publications, the FPA encourages citizens to participate in the foreign policy process.

Please stay tuned for special announcements!

Speakers Announced!

Dambisa Moyo

Dambisa Moyo, international economist, author of Edge of Chaos: Why Democracy Is Failing to Deliver Economic Growth - and How to Fix It, and WACA's July Cover to Cover guest

Kelly Magsamen

Kelly Magsamen, Vice President for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress

This will be CAP's first off-site briefing at the WACA National Conference

Nina Ansary

Dr. Nina Ansary, Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics (LSE) Centre for Women, Peace and Security, and one of six UN Women Champions for Innovation

Ray Rothrock

Ray Rothrock, Chairman and CEO of RedSeal, a Sunnyvale, CA-based provider of network security solutions, and author of Digital Resilience

Further announcements on National Conference speakers and other program details will be made in the coming weeks.

The World Affairs Councils of America 2018 National Conference will be held November 7-9 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. 

We have secured a special group rate for 1 Deluxe Room: $259 per night (Single/Double Occupancy) plus tax. Click here to reserve your room!

After 21 Years of Leadership, Carol Engebretson Byrne Will Step Down From Her Role as Global Minnesota President

Under Byrne’s leadership, Global Minnesota has created groundbreaking programs on important international topics, engaging tens of thousands in Minnesota to know more about the world. The organization has financially grown by more than 300 percent and has experienced transformational change with Byrne at the helm. Byrne gives credit for the early growth of Global Minnesota under her leadership in the late 1990s to others in the WACA network who served as mentors. Byrne said she particularly appreciates former WACA head Jerry Leach's mentorship.

“I am privileged to have served as a steward of the worthy mission of this amazing organization that makes such a positive difference in our community and world,” Byrne said.

The Global Minnesota Board of Directors has engaged Ballinger|Leafblad, an executive search firm with extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, to conduct a national search. More details will be available soon on the Global Minnesota website.

World Affairs Council-Washington, DC Welcomes New President

Please join WACA in welcoming World Affairs Council-Washington, DC's Interim President and CEO, Dr. Matthew D. Shank, President Emeritus of Marymount University.

Dr. Shank, who previously served on WAC-DC's Board and received the Council’s Educator of the Year Award in 2017, begins his tenure today, July 16.

“Matt Shank is in the top tier of nonprofit executives,” said James Moran, co-chair of the Council Board and former longtime congressman for Northern Virginia’s 8th District. “The World Affairs Council looks forward to having the benefit of Dr. Shank’s intellect, wisdom, and leadership.”

A Warm Welcome to Wendy Skratt, New Head of World Affairs Forum

The World Affairs Forum has appointed Stamford, Connecticut resident Wendy Skratt as Executive Director. Formerly Director of Communications & Events at the Forum, Wendy says her top priorities will be expanding membership and enhancing public awareness of world affairs programs. For those of you who were not able to meet her at the WACA Spring Leadership Meeting in San Antonio, please extend a warm welcome to Wendy.