This exclusive off-the-record breakfast conversation with ambassadors, Members of Congress, and American business executives will explore how the President's America First doctrine is being advanced in Washington, DC and how it is redefining the economic and political landscape both in the United States and around the world.

Catalyst Conversations return for a second year—a Summit highlight offering focused, 20-minute small-group discussions with expert speakers and peers during networking breaks.

Start the day by meeting the people behind Meridian’s dynamic centers driving global collaboration. During the “Meet the Center Leads” networking hour, stop by to learn about the newly launched Centers for Technology, Innovation, and Space and for State and Local Diplomacy, and reconnect with the experts leading Meridian’s ongoing initiatives across diplomacy, culture, and leadership.

This opening session will frame the day’s Summit through the lens of Meridian’s 65-year legacy as a trusted convener across sectors, governments, and borders — and mark the launch of its new Center for State & Local Diplomacy and Center for Technology, Innovation, and Space — offering a forward-looking vision for the evolving architecture of global engagement and the new actors shaping diplomacy in a complex international landscape.

Understanding how communities perceive their economic conditions, trust in institutions, and aspirations for mobility provides powerful context for today’s geopolitical shifts. This data-driven spotlight will highlight exclusive global findings from the Gallup World Poll—tracking hundreds of key indicators across more than 140 countries—revealing trends in sentiment that are shaping local, regional, and international agendas.

In a world where geopolitical realignments and rapid technological change are reshaping influence, the leaders who succeed will be those who can build trust, develop agile talent strategies, and deploy innovation with foresight. This session maps the emerging nexus of trust, talent, and technology, asking what kind of leadership the moment demands. From cultivating next-generation executives to shaping international talent flows, explore how companies and countries alike are leveraging workforce strategy as a new form of soft power.

With escalating cyber threats from sophisticated adversaries, securing America’s digital infrastructure is a critical national priority. National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross is spearheading an aggressive strategy to unify cyber policy, modernize federal networks, and foster strong collaboration between government and industry. These efforts include reauthorizing critical cybersecurity legislation, upgrading federal technology, promoting security and privacy by design, and streamlining regulations to enable effective defense. By aligning national capabilities and shaping adversary behavior, the United States aims to maintain its leadership in cyber resilience and technological innovation, ensuring a robust and forward-leaning cybersecurity posture. This conversation explores the complex coordination and forward-looking policies required to transform national cybersecurity defenses amid evolving digital threats.

As energy access, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies redefine national competitiveness, governments and industries worldwide are reassessing the assets that service as leverage in global economic and strategic negotiations. This session explores how critical resources—such as AI capabilities, energy supply chains and digital currencies—are deployed as geopolitical bargaining chips to advance economic sovereignty and influence in a complex and rapidly shifting international landscape.

In a world defined by rising economic fragmentation and intensifying national interests, countries are recalibrating their strategies to safeguard sovereignty and secure advantages in an increasingly complex global economy. As multilateral trade agreements face strain and protectionist policies grow, this session will explore how these shifts are reshaping trade relations, investment flows, and market stability worldwide. Panelists will discuss the delicate balance between competition and cooperation, and what this evolving geoeconomic landscape means for global prosperity and economic diplomacy in the years ahead.

This tribute honors Ambassador Stuart Holliday in recognition of his 18 years as CEO of Meridian International Center. His visionary leadership has been instrumental in advancing American diplomacy, building global partnerships, and strengthening Meridian’s role as a premier platform for international collaboration and cultural exchange. His enduring legacy reflects a deep commitment to fostering diplomacy through meaningful engagement around the world.