Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte for an exclusive private dinner and discussion with Ambassador Jo Ellen Powell on October 25, 2023. As a career diplomat and former U.S. Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (2010-2013) and Executive Director of the Una Chapman Cox Foundation, Powell shares her personal insight into the importance diplomacy, the modernization of the United States Foreign Service, and the ways to increase America’s influence in the world through diplomacy. 

During the dinner,  Ambassador Powell will delve into her illustrious diplomatic career, where she played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic strategies. Drawing from her extensive experience as a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service, Ambassador Powell will answer your questions and provide valuable insights into the contemporary challenges and opportunities that the U.S. diplomatic service encounters.

This exclusive private dinner, featuring a true diplomatic rockstar, has limited seating for only 24 guests. To guarantee your spot,  please RSVP promptly. 

 

 

 

Program Information: 

Date:
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Reception:
6:00 – 6:30 PM
Dinner and Discussion:
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location:
Charlotte City Club Directions to the parking garage (set your GPS to 116 W. 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202)
Parking is validated
Cost: 
$100 (WACC Member Rate) | $130 (Non-Member Rate)
Includes pre-dinner cocktails, salad, entrée, dessert, wine during dinner, and coffee service

For non-online payments, please call 704-687-7762 or mail your check to (World Affairs Council of Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223)

 

 

 

Biography: 

Jo Ellen Powell is a career member of the United States Foreign Service who served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human Resources (2016-2017), U.S. Ambassador to Mauritania (2010-2013), and Consul General in Frankfurt, Germany (2006-2009).  She grew up in a Foreign Service family, living in Panama, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, India, Iran, and Laos.  Her father, John Millard Powell, was a diplomatic courier and later administrative officer.

Ms. Powell earned her B.A. from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and joined the State Department in 1976 as a civil servant.  She joined the Foreign Service in January 1980 and was posted to Amman, Jordan.  Following an assignment to the State Department Operations Center, she returned to the Middle East, serving as Economic-Commercial Officer at Embassy Beirut, 1983-84.  Subsequent assignments included Embassy Rome, the European Bureau Executive Office, and Embassy Paris.  In 1997, Ms. Powell served as Deputy Executive Director of the Executive Secretariat, supporting Secretaries of State Christopher and Albright.  From 1998-2001, Ms. Powell was Management Counselor at Embassy Canberra, Australia.   She returned to the Department in 2001, serving as director of the Office of Employee Relations in HR, then as Executive Director of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (2004-2006).

Ms. Powell served as Consul General in Frankfurt, Germany from 2006 to 2009.  She was confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in 2010, serving there until December 2013.  Ms. Powell served as a senior adviser to the Director General from 2014 to August 2016, when she was appointed Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources, a position she held until June 2017.  She currently serves as the Executive Director to the Una Chapman Cox Foundation.

Ms. Powell is married to retired FSO Stephen Engelken. They have one son.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]