Private Dinners

The World Affairs Council of Charlotte will host an exclusive private dinner with the Honorable Elaine F. Marshall, North Carolina Secretary of State, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 for a conversation on the role of foreign direct investments, global business, and international engagement in shaping North Carolina’s economic future. Guests will hear directly from Secretary Marshall and have the opportunity to ask questions during a discussion on how global connections continues to drive economic growth and opportunity across the state.

The World Affairs Council of Charlotte will host an exclusive, off-the-record private dinner with General (Ret.) Paul M. Nakasone on March 12, 2026, limited to just 24 guests. General Nakasone led U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency from 2018 to 2024, overseeing America’s cyber defense during a period of escalating global threats. Now Founding Director of Vanderbilt University’s Institute of National Security, he continues to shape national dialogue on cybersecurity and emerging technologies. This intimate dinner offers rare, direct access to General Nakasone’s insights on the cyber challenges defining today’s global security environment.

Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte for an exclusive private dinner with H.E. Urban Ahlin, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States, on Thursday, November 6. As the world navigates challenges including the war in Ukraine, climate leadership, and Sweden’s recent accession to NATO, Ambassador Ahlin will provide valuable insight into his country’s foreign policy priorities, democratic values, and evolving partnership with the United States.

The World Affairs Council of Charlotte is honored to host renowned expert Candace Rondeaux, Senior Director of Future Frontlines and Planetary Politics at Arizona State University, Professor of Practice, and author of "Putin’s Sledgehammer: The Wagner Group and Russia’s Collapse into Mercenary Chaos." Rondeaux will offer a compelling analysis of how Russia’s growing dependence on paramilitary forces signals a broader shift in modern warfare. She will explore the global implications of this mercenary strategy, highlighting its destabilizing impact in regions such as Ukraine, Africa, and the Middle East, and what it may signal for the future of international conflict and great power rivalry. Drawing on her groundbreaking research and firsthand reporting, Rondeaux will lead a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of authoritarian power, irregular warfare, and global security. This private, off-the-record dinner provides a rare opportunity for attendees to engage with her directly.

The World Affairs Council of Charlotte is honored to host a private dinner with Fahad Nazer, spokesperson for the Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C. This exclusive, off-the-record gathering offers a rare opportunity for in-depth conversation and nuanced insight into some of the most complex and consequential developments in the Middle East. With headlines dominated by the war in Gaza, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, shifting alliances with Iran, and broader U.S. strategic recalibrations in the region, this small-group dinner with Mr. Nazer offers a unique opportunity to move beyond the headlines. In an intimate setting, participants will gain firsthand insight into Saudi Arabia’s regional priorities, domestic reform agenda, and evolving partnership with the United States, while engaging in meaningful dialogue that explores the deeper context, motivations, and implications of today’s most pressing Middle East challenges.