Speaker Series
Each year, the World Affairs Council of Charlotte recruits internationally renowned government leaders, authors and policy makers for the Speaker Series Program.
Selected speakers present on diverse topics related to global economic crisis, energy policy and climate change, current events, global health, national and global security, foreign policy, public diplomacy and international affairs.
Past speakers include:
- President Luis Guillermo Solís, President of Costa Rica
- 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
Speaker Series Events
March 13, 2025: WACC Speaker Series with Dr. Nina Ansary, Dr. Nina Ansary Award-winning Iranian-American Author, Historian, Women’s Rights Advocate, Director of the Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum Women’s Leadership Initiative at the University of Cambridge, and Former Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics Centre for Women, Peace and Security
Join us on March 13, 2025, for an insightful presentation by Dr. Nina Ansary, a leading expert on women's rights and gender equality. With extensive research and advocacy on gender bias, women's empowerment, and historical inequalities, Dr. Ansary has shaped global conversations on women's rights.
March 5, 2025: WACC Global Sports Series with Zoran Krneta, General Manager (Charlotte FC) and Dean Smith, Head Coach (Charlotte FC)
Join us for an exclusive conversation on the future of Charlotte FC in 2025 with the club’s top leaders. Zoran Krneta, General Manager and Dean Smith, Head Coach, will provide insider insights on team strategy, player development, and what’s next for the club as they gear up for a competitive season ahead.
October 3, 2024: WACC Speaker Series Panel with Dean Shelly Rigger (Davidson College) & Tate Nurkin (Atlantic Council)
Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte on October 3 for an exclusive luncheon featuring two renowned experts on U.S.-China relations: Dean Shelley Rigger of Davidson College and Tate Nurkin, a leading authority on defense and Indo-Pacific security. This in-depth presentation will examine China's expanding global role, including its growing economic and political influence, military modernization, and technological advancements.
September 25, 2024: WACC Speaker Series with Talmage Boston, renowned litigator and author of “How the Best Did It: Leadership Lessons From Our Top Presidents”
Join us for an inspiring WACC Speaker Series luncheon featuring Talmage Boston, renowned author of "How the Best Did It: Leadership From Our Top Presidents," on September 25. Discover the secrets behind the leadership styles of America’s most influential presidents and how their principles can be applied to modern leadership challenges. Talmage Boston will share captivating insights and powerful lessons from his extensive research, making this a must-attend event for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills.