Celebrating Diplomacy and Cultural Exchange: Meridian Honors Embassy Social Secretaries & Cultural Attachés

Whether they are organizing cultural events and exchange programs, engaging local media and civil society on behalf of their countries or providing vital assistance and support during crises, embassy social secretaries and cultural attachés are constantly at the forefront of diplomacy. On August 2, 2023, Meridian hosted its annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception in recognition of the integral role these diplomatic professionals play in fostering international understanding and promoting diplomacy for their countries.

Meridian’s Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Stuart Holliday, welcomed social secretaries and cultural attachés from over 30 foreign embassies, U.S. government leaders and White House Military Social Aides to Meridian’s historic campus. In his remarks, Ambassador Holliday recognized Meridian’s decades-long collaborative relationship with embassy social secretaries and cultural attachés and their contributions to the organization’s mission. Guests then heard from the evening’s keynote speaker, White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo, who offered thoughtful remarks on the critical work that social secretaries do to create memorable events for all audiences. Mr. Elizondo also took the opportunity to personally recognize members of his team for working tirelessly to produce events that have an impact on the world stage.

This year’s reception was generously catered by Spilled Milk Catering, who provided a delicious spread of hors d'oeuvres and desserts and superb service throughout the evening.

Laura Nix (Embassy of Australia) and Hannah Tyler (Embassy of Australia) in conversation with colleagues during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo highlighted the importance of social secretaries and cultural attachés’ roles in creating memorable events for audiences during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Marleine Myrvil (Embassy of Tunisia), Kristina Ver Foley (Salzburg Global Seminar) and Jan Smith engaging in conversation during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

The Honorable Carlos Elizondo, Mónica Gross (Embassy of Ecuador) and Tamara Büchel-Brunhart (Embassy of Liechtenstein) posing for a photo during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Meridian CEO Ambassador Stuart Holliday welcomed guests to Meridian’s historic campus for Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Embassy social secretaries and cultural attachés gathered to listen to The Honorable Carlos Elizondo’s remarks during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

The Honorable Catherine Fenton (Former White House Social Secretary) and Sheila Dyson (U.S. Department of State) listening to The Honorable Carlos Elizondo’s remarks during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo greeting Washington, DC Secretary of State Kimberly Bassett during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Peggy Letter (THIS for Diplomats) in conversation with Carol Bradford (THIS for Diplomats) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Emil Berg (Embassy of Norway) in conversation with Lourdes Zozaya (Embassy of Mexico) and María Rodríguez (Embassy of Mexico) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Gladys Sumbo (Embassy of Angola) and Julia Contreiras (Embassy of Angola) posing for a photo during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Pedro Figueiredo (Embassy of Australia) in conversation with Dalia Stein (Embassy of Mexico) and a colleague during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Michael Hasper (Embassy of Germany) in conversation with Pilar O’Leary (PFO Advisory Group) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Ethan Sorcher (Embassy of Israel), Silvana Ordaz (Embassy of Mexico), Clara Mosquera (Embassy of Argentina), Sara Molina (Embassy of Argentina), Dalia Stein (Embassy of Mexico) and Vanina Waingortin (Embassy of Israel) engaging in conversation during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Lourdes Zozaya (Embassy of Mexico) in conversation with Sofie Amalie Rasmussen (Embassy of Denmark), Kiyomi Buker (Embassy of Japan) and María Rodríguez (Embassy of Mexico) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Meridian CEO Ambassador Stuart Holliday and White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo pose with White House Military Social Aides Captain Adam West, Major Jean Gwon, Lieutenant Alexis Opferman, Lieutenant Commander Charles Ressel, Major Deline Tengen, Captain Michael Kirnon and Lieutenant Commander Max Caballero for a group photo during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Kit Moss (The Potomac Exchange) in conversation with Jan DuPlain (Du Plain Global Enterprises, Inc.) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Oliver Moss in conversation with Ralph Carter (FedEx Corporation) and Wendy Carter (MedStar Georgetown University) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Tornike Nikvashvili (Embassy of Georgia), David Adler (BizBash) and Francesca Craig (Palantir) engaging in conversation during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Alma Candelaria (Office of the Secretary of D.C.) in conversation with Anthony Andrews (Office of the Secretary of D.C.) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Dr. Mireille Obame Nguema Moore (Embassy of Gabon) and Leticia Kouna (Embassy of Gabon) posing for a photo during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

State Department Acting Chief of Protocol Ethan Rosenzweig listening to Ambassador Stuart Holliday’s remarks during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Gwen Holliday (Optum), Heather Florance (Meridian Trustee) and Jan DuPlain (Du Plain Global Enterprises, Inc.) listening to Ambassador Stuart Holliday’s remarks during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Servace Dabou (Embassy of Burkina Faso), Abdoul Aziz Konfe (Embassy of Burkina Faso), Gladys Sumbo (Embassy of Angola) and Julia Contreiras (Embassy of Angola) engaging in conversation during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Michael Hasper (Embassy of Germany), Didi Cutler (Meridian Council) and Jan Smith listening to The Honorable Carlos Elizondo’s remarks during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Pauline Marquez (Embassy of Malaysia), Lindsay Amini (Meridian International Center), Fazlisya Ramly (Embassy of Malaysia) and Priyanthi Kanakaratna (Embassy of Bangladesh) posing for a photo during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Kit Moss (The Potomac Exchange) in conversation with Michael Hasper (Embassy of Germany) and Oliver Moss during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Giancarlo Stefanoni (U.S. Department of State) in conversation with Lee Ann Clark (The White House) and Robert Downing (The White House) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Pauline Marquez (Embassy of Malaysia) having a conversation with Emil Berg (Embassy of Norway) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Silvana Ordaz (Embassy of Mexico) in conversation with Katherine Boyce (Meridian International Center) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Captain Adam West (White House Social Military Aide) in conversation with Meridian CEO Ambassador Stuart Holliday and Gwen Holliday (Optum) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Alexis Stangarone (Salzburg Global) in conversation with Tomoko Nakamura (Embassy of Japan) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Sonia Azzopardi (Delegation of the European Union) in conversation with Alexis Stangarone (Salzburg Global) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Samantha Peterson (Smithsonian Institution) in conversation with María Fernanda García (Embassy of Uruguay) during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Saad Ahmed (Embassy of Pakistan) and Hassan Rabbani (Embassy of Pakistan) engaging in conversation during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.

Elisabeth Herndler (Embassy of Luxembourg), David Adler (BizBash) and Jonathan Steffert (Embassy of New Zealand) engaging in conversation during Meridian’s annual Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés Reception on August 2, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.