I highly recommend being involved with Meridian. It provides a forum for open dialogue between the business and diplomatic communities. These relationships are invaluable.
– Marie Thérèse Royce
It’s been great to be here at Meridian, which I really think of as a real resource for the city, country, and the world.
– David Ignatius, The Washington Post
Meridian brings extraordinary cultural experiences to the Washington, D.C. community and plays a vital role in providing a forum to learn about cultures and people across the globe.
– Calvin Cafritz, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
Meridian Council
The Meridian Council is a global network of leaders and advisors who believe that we are stronger at home when globally engaged. Council members provide vital support that helps strengthen international capacity to solve the global challenges of our times. Through exchanges with senior and rising leaders in government, the foreign diplomatic corps, the arts, and the private sector, Meridian helps build a more just society, greater international security, and more inclusive prosperity for all people.
Meridian Council members engage with our mission and programs through specially curated programs throughout the year. From discussions on foreign policy issues at intimate salon dinners in embassies to lively cultural diplomacy receptions, these programs focus on cultivating relationships with the diplomatic community and impactful exchanges of ideas and culture from around the world. Specific benefits are outlined below.
For more information, please contact Silbi Stainton at sstainton@meridian.org and Tracy Bernstein at tbernstein@meridian.org.
Become a Member Renew your membership download information Contact For More Information
Meridian Council Membership Levels and Benefits -
- PROGRAMS: Invitations to the following:
- MeridianOnline virtual events
- Year-round engagement with Meridian's network of business leaders, public sector officials, and the international diplomatic corps
- Opportunities to engage with over 4,000 emerging leaders that Meridian hosts each year from around the world
- Recognition on Meridian's website and printed materials
- GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
- MERIDIAN DIPLOMACY FORUM
- 53rd ANNUAL MERIDIAN BALL: Meridian Council Members receive priority access to purchase Ball and Diplomacy Dinner tickets.
- FRIENDS CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS (as listed above)
- SALON DINNER SERIES - ENTRÉE TO DIALOGUE: Intimate curated dinners with special guests, intended to promote thoughtful conversation (2 invites to 2 events throughout the year)
- GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
- MERIDIAN DIPLOMACY FORUM
- ANNUAL MERIDIAN DELEGATION TRIPS: Invitation to travel abroad as a member of Meridian’s annual cultural leadership delegation (2 invites; airfare, lodging and other travel expenses are additional costs)
- MERIDIAN ONLINE VIRTUAL CONVENINGS: Invitation to Meridian Online Virtual Convenings with Senior Members of the U.S. Government, Foreign Diplomatic Corps, CEOs in the private sector, and thought leaders
- 53rd ANNUAL MERIDIAN BALL: Meridian Council Members receive priority access to purchase Ball and Diplomacy Dinner tickets.
- FRIENDS CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS (as listed above)
- PROGRAMS: Invitations to the following:
- Cultural Diplomacy programs with Artists, Exhibits and Global Excursions
- Insights and Diplocraft programs with the Diplomatic Community on the global challenges of our times (One (1) program annually)
- SALON DINNER SERIES - ENTRÉE TO DIALOGUE: Intimate curated dinners with special guests, intended to promote thoughtful conversation
- GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
- MERIDIAN DIPLOMACY FORUM
- ANNUAL MERIDIAN DELEGATION TRIPS: Invitation to travel abroad as a member of Meridian’s annual cultural leadership delegation (2 invites; airfare, lodging and other travel expenses are additional costs)
- MERIDIAN ONLINE VIRTUAL CONVENINGS: Invitation to Meridian Online Virtual Convenings with Senior Members of the U.S. Government, Foreign Diplomatic Corps, CEOs in the private sector, and thought leaders
- 53rd ANNUAL MERIDIAN BALL: Meridian Council Members receive priority access to purchase Ball and Diplomacy Dinner tickets.
- FRIENDS CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS (as listed above)
- PROGRAMS: Invitations to the following:
- Two (2) invitations to executive-level Salon Dinner with Meridian CEO, Board of Trustees, and Senior Members of the U.S. Government and Diplomatic Corps
- Cultural Diplomacy programs with Artists, Exhibits and Global Excursions
- Insights and Diplocraft programs with the Diplomatic Community on the global challenges of our times
- SALON DINNER SERIES - ENTRÉE TO DIALOGUE: Intimate curated dinners with special guests, intended to promote thoughtful conversation
- GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
- MERIDIAN DIPLOMACY FORUM
- ANNUAL MERIDIAN DELEGATION TRIPS: Invitation to travel abroad as a member of Meridian's annual cultural leadership delegation (2 invites; airfare, lodging and other travel expenses are additional costs)
- MERIDIAN ONLINE VIRTUAL CONVENINGS: Invitation to Meridian Online Virtual Convenings with Senior Members of the U.S. Government, Foreign Diplomatic Corps, CEOs in the private sector, and thought leaders
- 53rd ANNUAL MERIDIAN BALL: Meridian Council Members receive priority access to purchase Ball and Diplomacy Dinner tickets.
- FRIENDS CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS (as listed above)
- PROGRAMS: Invitations to the following:
- Underwriter privileges with opportunity to dedicate program series with your name
- Two (2) invitations to executive-level Salon Dinner with Meridian CEO, Board of Trustees, and Senior Members of the U.S. Government and Diplomatic Corps
- Cultural Diplomacy programs with Artists, Exhibits and Global Excursions
- Insights and Diplocraft programs with the Diplomatic Community on the global challenges of our times
- SALON DINNER SERIES - ENTRÉE TO DIALOGUE: Intimate curated dinners with special guests, intended to promote thoughtful conversation
- GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
- MERIDIAN DIPLOMACY FORUM
- ANNUAL MERIDIAN DELEGATION TRIPS: Invitation to travel abroad as a member of Meridian's annual cultural leadership delegation (2 invites; airfare, lodging and other travel expenses are additional costs)
- MERIDIAN ONLINE VIRTUAL CONVENINGS: Invitation to Meridian Online Virtual Convenings with Senior Members of the U.S. Government, Foreign Diplomatic Corps, CEOs in the private sector, and thought leaders
- 53rd ANNUAL MERIDIAN BALL: Meridian Council Members receive priority access to purchase Ball and Diplomacy Dinner tickets.
Individuals seeking to make a major investment in Meridian or a specific program or project can do so through our major gift program or the Linden Legacy Society. We are happy to create a customized set of benefits and naming opportunities aligning Meridian’s capabilities and your priorities. For more information, please contact Natalie Jones, SVP of External Affairs at (202) 939-5591 or njones@meridian.org.
Recent Council Events
Council Members
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| John Klein | Former CEO of agriculture company and retired college president |
| Osmar Abib | Managing Director @ Global Head of Oil and Gas |
| Stacia Ahearn Andrews | |
| Farinaz Ahkavan | Founder & CEO @ numberF |
| Dadi Ahkavan | |
| Hernan Albamonte | Head of International Affairs @ Philip Morris International |
| Bassima Alghussein | CEO @ Alghussein Global Strategies |
| Rhonda Anderson | |
| Suzan Aramaki | |
| Carmiel Arbit | Director of Strategic Engagement @ AIPAC |
| Ami Aronson | Executive Director @ Bernstein Family Foundation |
| Deborah Taylor Ashford, Esquire | Senior Partner, Washington, DC @ Hogan Lovells US, LLP |
| Lisa Barry | Retired Corporate Executive and Board Member |
| The Honorable Stuart Bernstein | |
| Wilma Bernstein | |
| Tracy Bernstein | Senior Advisor @ Meridian |
| Dr. Niteesh Bharara | Director of Regenerative Medicine @ Virginia Spine Institute |
| Timothy Bickham | |
| Judith Bishop | |
| Janet Blanchard | |
| Amanda Bowker | |
| Nell Breckenridge | Boeing |
| Bethany Aquilina Brez | Senior Policy Advisor, Department of Policy and Evaluation @ Millennium Challenge Corporation |
| Patrice Brickman | Founder and Managing Director @ Inspire Capital, LLC |
| Brooke Brogan | President @ Brogan Public Relations |
| Fritz Brogan, III | Managing Partner @ The Mission Group |
| Emily Burns | Chief of Staff @ Office of Congressman John Garamendi |
| Victoria Butler | Journalist and Writer |
| Jane Cafritz | |
| Calvin Cafritz | |
| Megan Capiak | Program Manager- Strategic Planning and Operations @ Salesforce |
| Martin Cargas | Senior Advisor @ Food & Agriculture, McLarty Associates |
| The Honorable Timothy Carney | Former U.S. Ambassador to Sudan |
| Beth Celestini | |
| Elizabeth Chatwin | |
| Timothy A. Chorba | President @ Council of American Ambassadors |
| Alexander Christoff | Consulting Associate Professor @ Stanford University’s Washington, D.C. campus |
| Robert B. Cole | Program Manager @ Department of Homeland Security |
| Tammie L. Collins | |
| Bob Coonrod | |
| Hon. R. Clarke Cooper | |
| John Cpin | Partner @ Avenue Strategies |
| The Honorable Walter L. Cutler | Former Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
| Didi Cutler | Photographer @ Isabel “Didi” Cutler Photography |
| Aaron Cutler | Partner @ Hogan Lovells |
| Zanes Cypress | Morgan Stanley |
| John Danielson | President and CEO @ Chartwell Education Group |
| Nathan Daschle | President and COO @ The Daschle Group |
| Ashley Davis | Founding Partner @ West Front Strategies LLC |
| Pierre De Lucy | Principal @ L'Heureux LLC |
| Anastasia Dellaccio | Senior Manager - Community Impact and Philanthropy, Corporate Affairs @ Booz Allen Hamilton |
| Linda Douglass | Global Head of Communications @ Bloomberg Media Group |
| Debbie Driesman | |
| Marc Duber | |
| Nancy Duber | |
| Philip Dufour | CEO and Founder @ Dufour & Co Productions |
| Caroline Dutton | CEO, Lead Planner & Designer @ Caroline Dutton Events |
| Claire Dwoskin | Founder @ Children's Medical Safety Research Institute |
| Marjan Ehsassi | Director @ Program Impact & Learning at Global Communities |
| Eddie Eitches | Former HUD Union President |
| Rachel Eitches | Former Producer VOA-Directed Hindi and Kurdish Services |
| Akram R. Elias | President and CEO @ Capital Communications Group, Inc. |
| Audrae Erickson | Vice President Global External & Public Affairs @ Reckitt Benckiser LLC |
| Alice Farmer | Legal Officer @ United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
| Mark Feierstein | Senior Advisor @ Center for Strategic and International Studies |
| Stephanie Fischer | COO @ NeverMissed, Inc. |
| Lawrence P. Fisher, II | President @ Chevy Chase Trust |
| Heather V. Florance | Philanthropist |
| Stephenie Foster | Partner @ Smash Strategies |
| Lindsay France | Journalist |
| Joel Frushone | Founder @ Crescent Consultants, LLC |
| Suzanne Fulco | Senior Advisor |
| The Honorable Alonzo L. Fulgham | President @ Galileo Energy Partners, BV. |
| The Honorable Laurie S. Fulton | U.S. Ambassador to Denmark (2009-2013) |
| Aniko Gaal Schott | Principal Owner @ A. Gaal and Associates |
| James Gale | |
| Shelly Galli | |
| Joseph Galli | Executive Vice President @ The Bernstein Companies |
| Dr. Andrea R Giacometti | Diagnostic Radiologist @ Kaiser Permanente |
| The Honorable Mark Gilbert | United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2015-2017); Vice Chairman, Private Wealth Management, UBS |
| The Honorable Marc Ginsberg | |
| Mae Greer | |
| Stephen Greer | Chairman and CEO @ Sonco Worldwide |
| Mae Grennan | Attorney and Chief Counsel @ Franklin L. Haney Company |
| David A. Gross | Chair Partner @ Wiley Rein |
| The Honorable Carlos M. Gutierrez | Albright Stonebridge Group |
| Edilia Gutierrez | |
| Karina Gutierrez | Account Executive @ Entercom |
| Paul Haar | Managing Attorney @ Immigration Counsel, LLC |
| Salim Haddad | Awards Limo |
| Benjamin Haddad | Research Fellow @ Hudson Institute |
| Patrick Hallahan | Political Consultant |
| The Honorable Fay Hartog-Levin | United States Ambassador to the Netherlands (2009-2011); Distinguished Fellow, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs |
| Barbara Hawthorn | President and CEO @ Barbara Hawthorn Interiors |
| Holidae Hayes | Senior Vice President of Wealth Management @ UBS |
| Ian Herbison | Co-founder and CEO @ SpeysideGroup |
| Gwen Holliday | The Advisory Board Company @ VP Marketing Communications |
| Edward Hughes | |
| Paula Hughes | |
| Frank Islam | |
| Marcia Jackson | |
| Alphonso Jackson | United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development |
| Dr. Richard Jonas | Division Chief of Cardiac Surgery @ Children’s National Health System |
| Cindy Jones | Producer |
| Evan Jones | |
| The Honorable James R. Jones | Chairman @ Monarch Global Strategies, LLC |
| Allison Laudicina Kahl | Director of Design @ OTJ Architects |
| Dr. James R. Kanski | Retired Endocrinologist @ Buffalo Medical Group |
| Manisha Kapani | President @ Kapani Family Foundation |
| Roy Kapani | Founder, Chairman and CEO @ KapCo Holdings, LLC |
| Andy Keiser | Principal @ Navigators Global |
| Susan Klein | |
| Kevin Klose | Dean @ Philip Merrill School of Journalism |
| The Honorable Tom C. Korologos | Strategic Advisor @ DLA Piper US, LLP |
| The Honorable Ann Mclaughlin Korologos | Former Secretary of Labor |
| Andrew Kovalcin | Advanced Advocacy |
| Leslie Lane | |
| Bruce Lane | Co-Founder @ The Meridian Group |
| Steve Lebling | Owner @ The Lebling Companies |
| Michael Ledecky | Manager, Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives, Sports and Entertainment @ EverFi |
| Stephanie Lemer | |
| Keith Lemer | Chief Executive Officer @ WellNet |
| Christina Lepore | |
| Randi Levine | |
| Molly Levinson | President @ Levinson Group |
| Beth Libow | |
| Stanley S. Litow | Vice President, Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs & President @ IBM International Foundation |
| HongXia Liu | Associate Vice Chancellor for Government and Community Relations @ New York University (NYU) Shanghai |
| Thomas Lloyd | Wealth Advisor @ Hemington Wealth Management |
| Natalia Luis | COO and Founder @ M. Luis Construction |
| Cidalia Luis-Akbar | CEO and Owner @ M. Luis Construction |
| George Lund | Chairman @ Torch Hill Investment Partners |
| Kristen Lund | Philanthropist |
| Karyl Charna Lynn | Senior International Correspondent and contributing editor @ Opera Now Magazine, London, UK |
| Ainsley MacLean | Diagnostic Radiologist @ Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group |
| Shahin Mafi | Founder and CEO @ Home Health Connection |
| Shaista Mahmood | |
| Ray Mahmood | |
| Princess Ariana Austin Makonnen | Philanthropist, Filmmaker, Writer |
| Prince Joel Makonnen Haile Selassie | Corporate Counsel @ Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies |
| Jeffrey Malinak | Managing Principal @ Analysis Group Inc. |
| Michele A. Manatt | |
| Michael Mandel | Partner Emeritus @ Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP |
| Nadia Nicolova Manuel | Bulgarian Television Correspondent |
| Shaila Manyam | Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Crisis Communications @ Burson Cohn and Wolfe |
| Sharon Marcil | Senior Partner & Managing Director @ Boston Consulting Group |
| Campbell Marshall | Vice President, International Market Development and Public Policy @ Omnispace |
| Kathryn Martel | CEO @ TI People |
| Christophe Martel | Co-Founder @ TI People |
| Lauren Mason | COO @ The Kleinman Family Office |
| Keith Mason | Senior Advisor @ Oaktree Capital Transportation Infrastructure Investing |
| April McClain-Delaney | Washington Director @ Common Sense Media, Inc. |
| John McElroy | Senior Manager @ Enterprise Solutions Engineering |
| The Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter | CEO @ Pace Communications |
| Allyson McKithen | Senior Operations Manager, Office for Trade Promotion @ Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center |
| Donna McLarty | Founding Member and Board Co-Chair @ Vital Voices Global Partnership |
| Jodie McLean | CEO @ EDENS |
| Alexandra Migoya | Co-Founder and Director @ Isabella & Ferdinand |
| Sandra Missmar | COO @ Abram Bison Investments |
| Tom Monahan | Managing Partner @ Norton Street Capital |
| Richard Morrissey | |
| Pilar O’Leary | Founder and President @ PFO Advisory Group |
| Maureen Orth | Special Correspondent @ Vanity Fair |
| Coco Pannell | Public Policy and Government Relations @ Google |
| Jared Parks | Executive Director, Advocacy and Public Affairs @ U.S. Chamber of Commerce |
| Ambassador John Phillips | Founding Partner @ Phillips & Cohen, LLP |
| Robin Phillips | Professional Speaking Coach @ Creative Resources LLC |
| Michael Pickrum | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer @ Cengage |
| Lauren Pillsbury | Real Estate Agent @ TTR Sotheby's International Realty |
| Jan Du Plain | Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center |
| Kaitlin Puccio | Bent Frame |
| Amy P. Raskin | Chief Investment Officer @ Chevy Chase Trust |
| Alessandro Rebucci | |
| Reem Sadik | Associate @ King & Spalding |
| Joel Saferstein | Executive @ American Park Network |
| Rhonda K. Schmidtlein | Commissioner @ United States International Trade Commission |
| Nash Schott | |
| Anthony Scott | |
| Ambassador Theodore Sedgwick | Commissioner @ WWI Centennial Commission |
| Smita Shah | Founder and CEO @ SPAAN Tech, Inc. |
| Hemal Shah | Director of International Policy @ U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) |
| Rina Shah | Founder @ Women's Public Leadership Network |
| Raisa Sheynberg | Director, Public Affairs @ APCO Worldwide |
| The Honorable Alan D. Solomont | Ambassador to Spain and Andorra (2009-2013); Dean, Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, Tufts University |
| Karen Sonneborn | Co-founder and CEO @ Honored |
| Jessica Springsteen | Associate @ Clifford Chance |
| Karen St. John | Former Group Vice President, Environment @ International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC) |
| The Honorable Ann Stock | Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State @ Educational and Cultural Affairs |
| Tiffany Stone | Real Estate Agent |
| Shannon Su | Co-Founder @ Ankaa Beauty |
| Robert Swope | Special Assistant @ Department of Defense |
| Augusta Tigrett | |
| Rock Tonkel | President and CEO @ Arlington Asset Investment |
| Jill Tonkel | |
| Annie Simonian Totah | Founder and President @ Sami and Annie Totah Family Foundation |
| Jessica R. Towhey | CEO @ 2e Communications |
| David Vannier | International Monetary Fund |
| Katherine Vernot-Jonas | Interior Designer @ Katherine Vernot-Jonas Designs |
| Lee Verstandig | Owner @ The Farragut Group, LLC |
| The Honorable Toni Verstandig | Executive Vice President @ Center for Middle East Peace |
| Jayne Visser | Founder and CEO @ ADEPTA |
| Josh Wachs | President @ Wachs Strategies |
| Marc Wachtenheim | President @ W International |
| Miriam Warren | Vice President @ DCI Group |
| Robb Watters | Managing Partner @ The Madison Group |
| Ruth M. Wimer | Partner @ Winston & Strawn |
| David Bruce Wollman | Associate Medical Director @ Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group |
| Lisa Wyman | |
| Timothy Wyman | Chairman @ The Frederick Richmond Foundation |
| Mei Xu | Founder & CEO @ Chesapeake Bay Candle®, a Newell Brands Company |
| Wenchi Yu | Head of Global Public Policy @ VIPKIDS International, Inc. |
| Xin Yuan | National Fisheries Institute |
| Rima Zeitouneh |
** Member of Meridian National Arts Council