Ambassadors Circle Series

Current and former ambassadors and high-ranking government officials who visit Charlotte share their insights on diplomatic relationships between the United States and nations around the world through the Ambassadors Circle Series.

Past dignitaries and government officials include:

  • President Luis Guillermo Solís, President of Costa Rica
  • H.E. Ebrahim Rasool, Ambassador of South Africa to the U.S. (2010-2015)
  • H.E. Sameh Shoukry, current Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ambassador of Egypt to the U.S. (2008-2012)
  • Ryan Crocker, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait and Lebanon
  • E. Peter Wittig, Ambassador of Germany to the U.S.
  • E. Emanuel Gonzalez-Revilla, Ambassador of Panama to the U.S.
  • E. Johan Verbeke, Ambassador of Belgium to the U.S.
  • E. György Szapáry, Ambassador of Hungary to the U.S.
  • E. Ichiro Fujisaki, Ambassador of Japan to the U.S. (2008-2012)
  • H.E. Björn Lyrvall, Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S.
  • H.E. D. Ramon Gil-Casares Satrustegui, Ambassador of Spain to the U.S.
  • H.E. Eduardo Medina Mora Icaza, Ambassador of Mexico to the U.S.
  • H.E. Gary Doer, Ambassador of Canada to the U.S.
  • H.E. Mauro Vieira, Ambassador of Brazil to the U.S.
  • H.E. Nuno Brito, Ambassador of Portugal to the U.S.
  • H.E. Sergey Ivanovich Kislyak, Ambassador of Russia to the U.S.
  • E. Arun Singh, Ambassador of India to the U.S.
  • E. Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, Ambassador of Singapore to the U.S.
  • E. Gérard Araud, Ambassador of France to the U.S.
  • E. Anne Anderson, Ambassador of Ireland to the U.S.
  • George W. Bush, former President of the United States
  • Chuck Hagel, former U.S. Secretary of Defense
  • Alan Krueger, former Chairman of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers
  • Tom Ridge, former Secretary of Homeland Security
  • General David Petraeus, former Commander, US CENTCOM
  • Sergei Khrushchev, Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies (Brown University) and son of the late Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev
  • Major General Michael J. Kingsley, Chief of Staff, United States Africa Command (AFRICOM)
  • Rafael Espada, former Vice President of Guatemala
  • Rick Steves, travel guru and host of Rick Steves’ Europe
  • Carrie Hessler-Radelet, Director of the Peace Corps
  • David Rothkopf, CEO and Editor of the Foreign Policy Group and author of “National Insecurity: US Foreign Policy Making in an Age of Fear”
  • Robert Walker, President, The Population Institute
  • Russell Gold, Senior Energy Reporter for the Wall Street Journal and author of “The Boom: How Fracking Ignited the American Energy Revolution and Changed the World”
  • George Friedman, Founder and Chairman of Stratfor and author of “Flashpoints: The Emerging Crisis in Europe”
  • Sophie Delaunay, Executive Director, Doctors Without Borders (U.S.)
  • Timothy Beardson, author of “Stumbling Giant: The Threats to China’s Future”
  • Shibley Telhami, world-renowned expert on the Middle East and author of “The World Through Arab Eyes: Arab Public Opinion and the Reshaping of the Middle East”
  • Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, former Minister of Defense, Former Minister of Economics & Technology of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • Adrian Wooldridge, Management Editor, The Economist

Ambassadors Circle Series Events

January 29, 2025: WACC Ambassadors Circle Series with H.E. Jovita Neliupšienė, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States

The World Affairs Council of Charlotte will host H.E. Jovita Neliupšienė, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, as part of our Ambassadors Circle Series. This exclusive discussion will explore the evolving relationship between the European Union and the United States—a partnership critical to global stability and progress. In the face of pressing global challenges, including geopolitical tensions, war, climate change, conflict, and economic uncertainty, the EU and U.S. remain united in advancing shared values of democracy, innovation, and sustainable growth.

October 23, 2024: WACC Business Breakfast Panel — “Lessons from Northern Ireland”

The World Affairs Council of Charlotte invites you to a timely and thought-provoking business breakfast featuring a distinguished panel of community leaders on the theme "Lessons from Northern Ireland" on October 23rd. As we head into what is likely to be a highly charged and divisive election season, the conversation will center on how we can draw from the experiences of Northern Ireland to foster peace, mutual respect, and unity in our communities. These insights, rooted in real-world examples of conflict resolution and peace-building, offer valuable lessons for navigating political tensions and bridging divides at a critical time.