Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte for an exclusive lunch event on Thursday, May 29, featuring experts from the Alliance for Securing Democracy, as they unpack how countries like Russia, China, and Iran are actively shaping public discourse and influencing communities in North Carolina and across the country through digital propaganda campaigns and misinformation.

Grounded in the Alliance’s groundbreaking new report, “The State(s) of Foreign Information Operations: A State-by-State Look at Foreign Information Manipulation in the United States,” these conversations will reveal how U.S. adversaries are targeting government institutions, exploiting trusted community voices, and using sophisticated tactics including AI-generated content to destabilize American democracy.

Featured Panelists: 

• David Salvo, Managing Director, Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund and former U.S. Foreign Service Officer with expertise in authoritarian influence operations and foreign policy strategy.

• Bret Schafer, Senior Fellow, Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund leads the Alliance’s work on tracking and countering digital propaganda focusing on foreign influence in the U.S. information space.

• Krystyna Sikora, Research Analyst, Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund and co-author of the State(s) of Foreign Information Operations report, specializing in mapping real-world examples of foreign interference in local communities.

• Private Reception Sponsorship and Underwriting Information — Download Link
• WACC Speaker Series Luncheon Sponsorship and Underwriting Information – Download Link

Program Information: 

Date:
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Check-In and Pre-Lunch Networking: 
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lunch & Presentation: 
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location:
Charlotte City Club — Directions to the parking garage (set your GPS to 116 W. 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202)
Parking is validated
Cost:
$55 (WACC Member Rate) | $70 (Non-Member Rate) | $40 (Young Professionals of the World Affairs Council of Charlotte — YPWACC) | $40 (WACC Student Member / WACC Educator Member)

• Please call 704-687-7762 for credit card payments over the phone.
• Checks can be mailed to “World Affairs Council of Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., CHHS 227, Charlotte, NC 28223.