MERIDIAN


ANNUAL REPORT 2017

GLOBAL REACH

NATIONAL IMPACT

LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

This past year marked a turning point for the United States and its role in the world today. A polarized political climate, the economic stagnation of a large segment of Americans, and the minimized importance of global alliances have fueled a false dichotomy between globalism and nationalism. Meridian believes that we do not have to choose one or the other. The United States is stronger at home when globally engaged, setting the tone for collaboration and consensus building across nations in order to build a more secure and prosperous world for all.

Every day, in every corner of the world, Meridian advances U.S. engagement and builds global leaders through exchange, training, culture and convening programs. While our work is global in reach, the foundation and impact of our programs is national.

Meridian’s work on the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) last year brought 1,830 international participants on 244 exchange programs to 336 U.S. cities – from Guntersville, Alabama to Lawrence, Kansas to Rapid City, South Dakota. Americans coast to coast collaborated on these exchanges, benefiting from the millions of dollars of direct economic value generated in their local communities as well as the long-lasting relationships and reciprocal insights developed along the way. Congress reaffirmed the value of international exchanges by maintaining funding levels for public and cultural diplomacy initiatives, including the IVLP.

Entrepreneurship training continues to be a cornerstone of Meridian’s work. The 2017 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) brought 250 promising entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean to the U.S. for an exchange to equip them with knowledge, resources and networks to succeed in the digital commerce era. Since 2016, over 26 U.S. communities have hosted and mentored 500 YLAI Fellows, while over 70 U.S. mentors have traveled to Latin America and the Caribbean to help fellows implement community projects. These trainings connect entrepreneurs across borders to stimulate commerce, create networks, and catalyze growth in both directions.

Beyond this year’s professional exchanges, Meridian leveraged the power of American arts and culture to strengthen bilateral relationships, bridge cultural divides and address global issues. We curated a record number of exhibitions traveling from Canada to India, while arts professionals from Sweden and South Africa visited American cultural capitals like Austin, New York and San Francisco. In Japan, over 27,000 people learned about America’s value of sports from ex-Major League Baseball players Warren Cromartie and Masanori "Mashi" Murakami at the Pacific Pitch: U.S.-Japan Baseball Diplomacy exhibition.

The global reach and national impact of our work also manifests in Washington, D.C. through Meridian’s convening programs. As a non-partisan institution, Meridian offers the diplomatic community a neutral platform to accelerate collaboration with the public and private sectors on critical economic and security issues. Our convening programs enhance the foreign diplomats’ understanding of America’s democracy and their ability to effectively partner with the American people.

The challenges facing our world and our country are serious. We are thankful to our partners and supporters who share our belief that U.S. global engagement is vital for a more secure and prosperous nation and world. Our impact is possible because of your sustained support and dedication. Thank you again and we look forward to continuing our work together into the coming year.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND MERIDIAN STAFF – THANK YOU!

 

2017 HIGHLIGHTS

EXCHANGES

BUILDING EXPERTISE AND RELATIONSHIPS

We create tailored exchange programs that connect leaders from around the world with their American counterparts to foster collaboration on solutions to challenges facing their communities, organizations, and countries.

CULTURE

BRIDGING COMMUNITIES AND COUNTRIES

We curate exhibitions, exchanges, and events that bridge cultural divides through the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy (MCCD). These programs increase understanding and strengthen relationships between the U.S. and countries around the world.

FORUMS

CONVENING NEUTRAL DIALOGUE AND COLLABORATION

We connect Washington with the world by bringing business and policy communities together with the diplomatic corps through programs that provide insights on a broad range of issues. Our convening platforms create opportunities to build networks, exchange ideas, and forge sustainable solutions to shared challenges worldwide.

TRAINING

PREPARING LEADERS FOR SUCCESS IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT

We customize training programs that combine instruction and experiential learning to ensure that our private and public sector partners are equipped to navigate global challenges and opportunities. We believe that the strength of a training program lies in its ability to connect people with issues as well as broader global networks.

MERIDIAN IMPACT 2017

576,500

people worldwide impacted by Meridian Projects in 2017

 

 

MERIDIAN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

MERIDIAN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

MERIDIAN.ORG/MGLC

This year marked the launch of the Meridian Global Leadership Council, a network of leaders and advisors in Washington and around the country who are committed to broadening the depth and outreach of our important work through their financial support and engagement in our curated programs and events throughout the year. The Council exists at the center of Meridian’s engagement among the diplomatic community, government policy makers and leaders from the business, cultural and philanthropic circles. Membership ranges from $1,500 to $10,000. Program highlights this past year included:

Entrée to Dialogue Salon Dinner hosted at Masseria on Food, Global Issues and Diplomacy with the Ambassador of Ireland, Ambassador of Singapore and Ambassador of Switzerland.

New Ambassadors Reception welcomed the Ambassadors of Bahrain, Colombia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Swaziland and Togo to Meridian.

Tea with Finnish First Lady, Mrs. Jenni Haukio (right), who met with members for a discussion on the role of the arts and culture in diplomacy.

49TH ANNUAL MERIDIAN BALL

MERIDIAN.ORG/BALL

On October 20, 2017, Meridian hosted its 49th Annual Meridian Ball, welcoming the largest number of distinguished guests in the event’s history. For nearly 50 years, the Meridian Ball has served as a special opportunity for leaders across the public and private sectors in Washington, D.C. and beyond to come together in the spirit of international collaboration and celebrate Meridian's ongoing efforts to prepare leaders for a complex global future through the exchange of ideas, people and culture.

BALL LEADERSHIP

Honorary Chair: First Lady Melania Trump
Congressional Co-Chairs: Senator Mark Warner and Ms. Lisa Collis, and House Speaker Paul Ryan and Mrs. Janna Ryan
Ball Chairs: The Honorable Tom C. Korologos and The Honorable Ann McLaughlin Korologos
White-Meyer Co-Chairs: Mr. Glenn Youngkin and Mrs. Suzanne Youngkin, and Mr. Andrew Florance and Mrs. Heather Florance

EMBASSY PATRONS

Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and Tunisia.

RISING LEADERS COUNCIL

MERIDIAN.ORG/RLC

The Meridian Rising Leaders Council is a distinguished network of mid-career professionals in their 30s and 40s based in Washington, who come together for substantive exchange of ideas and support Meridian’s mission of global leadership and nonpartisan public diplomacy. These Rising Leaders are from diverse sectors of international relations, including the foreign diplomatic community, the U.S. government, the media, nonprofits, think tanks, the arts and the private sector. The Council offers members a neutral forum to explore key issues, share perspectives, engage in provocative conversation and strengthen peer relationships. The Rising Leaders Council’s constituency continues to grow to include the next generation of global leaders in and beyond Washington.

MERIDIAN CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT

MERIDIAN.ORG/CORPORATE

Meridian’s Corporate Council is a platform for U.S. and international companies to dialogue and network on key global economic issues with diplomatic and government officials. In 2017, Meridian hosted 17 installments of its Global Business @ Meridian Downtown roundtable series, which facilitates off-the-record discussions among Corporate Council members, foreign Ambassadors and U.S. government officials on business opportunities and challenges in countries around the world. Highlights included:

Meridian welcomed The Honorable Raymond W. Washburne, President and CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation for a Global Business @ Meridian Downtown breakfast. Hosted by Mr. Robert Kapla, Partner and Chair of the International Policy Practice at Squire Patton Boggs, the program drew over 20 corporate leaders together to engage on economic challenges and opportunities in trade policy negotiations in the U.S.

Meridian partnered with AT&T to co-host a Global Dialogue Dinner for His Excellency Gerónimo Gutiérrez, Ambassador of Mexico to the United States. The event gathered public and private sector leaders to discuss the U.S.-Mexico relationship, using the contentious NAFTA negotiations as a launching pad to elaborate on important political, economic and social ties between the two countries.

Smart Governance, Smart Living: Opportunities and Risks in an Internet of Things (IoT) World drew representatives from over 25 countries and nine commercial sectors to collaboratively discuss how IoT would affect their countries and communities in the future. Culminating the forum was a keynote address by Grace Koh, who served as The White House’s Special Assistant to the President for Technology, Telecom, and Cyber-Security Policy.

MERIDIAN INTERNATIONAL CENTER EXTENDS ITS THANKS TO MEMBERS OF THE MERIDIAN CORPORATE COUNCIL

MERIDIAN SUPPORTERS

$100,000 +

Chevron

$50,000 - $99,999

Aflac, Inc.
Bayer
Caterpillar
First Data Corporation

Hess Corporation
Richard Lounsbery Foundation
The Coca-Cola Company *

$25,000 - $49,999

Abbott Laboratories
His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba and Mrs. Abeer Al Otaiba
Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson, III
AT&T
Beacon Global Strategies
BGR Group
The Honorable James J. Blanchard and Mrs. Janet A. Blanchard
Boeing
Booz Allen Hamilton
DLA Piper
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Florance
Fluor Corporation
Google
The Honorable Carlos M. Gutierrez and Mrs. Edilia Gutierrez

Long & Foster | Christie's International
Real Estate
Mastercard
NBC Universal
Squire Patton Boggs
Studios Architecture
Tellurian Inc.
The Gallup Organization
Toyota Motor North America
United Airlines
U.S. News & World Report
The Honorable Beatrice Welters and Mr. Anthony Welters
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Youngkin

$10,000 - $24,999

Albright Stonebridge Group
Anonymous
The Honorable Stuart A. Bernstein and Mrs. Wilma Bernstein
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Baker
The Honorable Donald Beyer and Mrs. Megan Beyer
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP
The Honorable Timothy Carney and Ms. Victoria Butler
ConocoPhillips
Mr. Robert T. Coonrod
Mr. Pierre de Lucy and Ms. Jodie McLean
Edens
Ms. Stephanie Fischer
Ms. Stephenie Foster
Mr. James Gale and Ms. Lisa Barry
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Gund
The Honorable Fred P. Hochberg
Ms. Bonnie Larson
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Microsoft
PhRMA
Mr. Patrick Steel and Ms. Lee Satterfield
Syzygy Events International *
The Harbour Group
The Johnston-Hanson Foundation
theGROUP
Vinson & Elkins
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Williams and Connolly LLP

* Indicates portion of donation is an in-kind contribution

FINANCIAL REPORT

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

September 30, 2017

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents $ 989,305
Receivables, net 3,626,328
Prepaid expenses 710,253
Investments 7,170,920
Property held for sale 1,055,937
Property and equipment, net 4,738,109
Total Assets $ 18,290,852

Liabilities and Net Assets

Line of credit $ 600,000
Accounts payable 1,289,772
Accrued expenses 2,069,666
Capital leases 49,851
Deferred revenue – General 1,562,941
Deferred revenue – Property held for sale 2,500,000
Term loan 2,878,612
Total Liabilities $ 10,950,842

Net assets

Unrestricted $ 6,325,161
Temporarily restricted 331,242
Permanently restricted 683,607
Total Net Assets 7,340,010
Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 18,290,852

Consolidated Statement of Activities and Change in Net Assets

Year ended September 30, 2017

Revenues

Grants and contracts $ 31,493,536
Contributions 2,297,456
Events and special activities 703,056
Investment income 901,034
Total revenues $ 35,395,082

Expenses

Programs:
International visitor leadership program $ 15,826,209
Other exchange programs 11,694,011
Cultural programs 910,241
Convenings 425,116
Development 984,557
Support Services:
General and administrative 3,025,626
Maintenance and operations 1,803,774
Total Expenses $ 34,669,534
Change in Net Assets $ 725,548
Net Assets, beginning of year 6,614,462
Net Assets, end of year $ 7,340,010

ABOUT MERIDIAN

Meridian International Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan global leadership and public diplomacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. Building on more than 55 years of experience, Meridian prepares U.S. and international leaders for a complex global future through programs that help them understand critical issues and world cultures, exchange ideas, collaborate on solutions, and build valuable relationships.

Our Vision

We envision a more secure and prosperous world characterized by mutual understanding, innovation, economic growth and inclusion. The path to realizing this vision is through more effective and connected public and private sector leadership at all levels.

Our Mission

Meridian builds innovative exchange, training, cultural, and convening programs that advance three goals:

  • Strengthen U.S. engagement with the world
  • Empower leaders to address global challenges and opportunities
  • Drive collaboration across sectors, borders and cultures through a neutral platform

OUR APPROACH

Meridian’s integrated programming approach provides leaders with a variety of platforms in neutral environments to develop an informed global view, cultural awareness and collaborative peer networks to produce better outcomes. When leaders return home and implement change, the impact of Meridian’s programs is amplified across numerous arenas, including women and girls’ empowerment, business and trade, human and civil rights, and energy and the environment. Directly impacting the quality of life for people around the globe, these issue areas are pivotal to Meridian’s vision of a more secure and prosperous world today and for generations to come.

OUR PARTNERS

Meridian partners with the public, private and diplomatic sectors to develop exchange, training, culture and convening programs that help leaders address global challenges and opportunities.

MERIDIAN CAMPUS

Meridian’s campus features two historic buildings, Meridian House and White-Meyer House. Surrounded by gardens, it forms a city block of historic and architectural interest. The campus is the residential jewel of John Russell Pope, architect of the Jefferson Memorial, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Archives. Both houses are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

MERIDIAN DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT

Meridian’s digital engagement advances the global reach of our work by leveraging custom content that positions us as thought leaders on international exchange and public diplomacy. Through the power of visual and social media, we showcase the national impact of our international engagement through numerous platforms and apps. Connecting with the world beyond our Washington, DC campus also keeps our alumni networks actively engaged and our global influencer network excited to convert individuals around the world into champions of Meridian. This increased visibility of our programs that foster the exchange of people, culture and ideas helps make Meridian a more recognizable and trusted voice for global leadership.