Due to the ongoing shutdown, we have moved this event to our headquarters building at 2101 E St NW. Join us on Tuesday, January 15 beginning at 12:00 p.m for an expert panel discussion of economic diplomacy, its importance and what it achieves on behalf of the American people. A small reception will follow.

AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson will moderate the discussion; the panelists are:

• Ambassador (ret.) Stuart Jones: Currently Bechtel’s regional president for Europe and Middle East, Stuart Jones left the Foreign Service in 2017 after a 30-year career. He served as Ambassador in Iraq (2014-2016) and Jordan (2011-2014), and as Acting Assistant Secretary for Near East Asian Affairs (2016-2017).
• Ambassador (ret.) John Beyrle: As a career Foreign Service Officer for more than 30 years, Beyrle focused on Central and Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union and Russia.  He served as Ambassador to Russia from 2008 to 2012, and is currently Chairman of the Board, US-Russia Foundation.
• Virginia Bennett: An economic officer, Ms. Bennett retired from the Foreign Service in 2017, where her last position was Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. She previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece. She wrote a Speaking Out column on improving the economic career track for the current issue of The Foreign Service Journal.

We thank previously scheduled panelists Dan Crocker and Chris Milligan, who are unable to participate due to the government shutdown.

To RSVP, please email events@afsa.org. Only 40 spaces remain, so don't wait!