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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250331T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250331T170000
DTSTAMP:20260420T230731
CREATED:20250315T203532Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T214108Z
UID:45524-1743436800-1743440400@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Foreign Policy Town Hall (webinar)
DESCRIPTION:Presents\n \nForeign Policy Town Hall\nMonday\, March 31 – 11:00pm CT – 12:00pm CT\nJoin Senator Murphy and fellow citizens across the nation for a town hall on U.S. Foreign Policy. We’ll address the massive changes to the State Department\, the role of the U.S. in conflicts around the world\, and relationships with allies and adversaries alike. \n\n  \n\n\nFeatured Speaker:\n\n\nU.S. Senator Chris Murphy\nU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT)\, is a member of the Foreign Relations Committee; the Health\, Education\, Labor\, and Pensions Committee; and the Appropriations Committee. He previously served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives\, representing Connecticut’s fifth congressional district. Before being elected to Congress\, he served for eight years in the Connecticut state legislature. \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/foreign-policy-town-hall/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250409T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250409T193000
DTSTAMP:20260420T230731
CREATED:20250317T182247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T192652Z
UID:45601-1744223400-1744227000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:International Careers Panel (Hybrid Event)
DESCRIPTION:presents \n \nInternational Careers Panel\nThe International Careers Panel is part of our Global Dialogue Webinar Series. This event will bring distinguished professionals together to share their experiences and insights and discuss the preparation and transition from college to careers\, including the tools\, skills\, and competencies needed to enter the profession\, the upsides and downsides of working in those jobs\, and internship opportunities in their organizations. These panels are aimed at college\, high school\, and young professionals\, but they’re open to everyone\, including TNWAC members and partner institutions across Tennessee. \nWednesday\, April 9 I 1:30pm CT / 2:30pm ET – 2:30pm CT / 3:30pm ET\nVenue:\nUniversity of Tennessee (Toyota Auditorium)\n1640 Cumberland Ave Knoxville\, TN 37996 \nSpecial Needs\, Accommodations\, and Event Questions: \nWe strive to be open and inclusive with our events. Please contact us at either info@TNWAC.org or at (309) 550-0782 if you need any accommodations\, special requests\, or have additional event-related questions. \n_______________________________________ \nModerator:\nDr. Gretchen Neisler\, PhD (University of Tennessee Vice Provost for International Affairs\, Director\, Center for Global Engagement)\nGretchen Neisler\, Vice Provost for International Affairs at the University of Tennessee\, works with faculty\, staff\, students and key stakeholders to understand and deepen their engagement as global citizens. Dr. Neisler has successfully managed over $120 million in grant funding to support the work of international research and development. Gretchen believes higher education must support students in understanding their role as global citizens and use the institutional strength of knowledge creation to solve global challenges the world faces. Additionally\, she feels the role of higher education in a community is to understand its societal needs and work collaboratively to meet those needs. Gretchen has worked for 20 years to build global networks that enhance research productivity and preparing a new generation of leaders to take the world’s stage by understanding that problems span geographic boundaries. Her passion is derived from the belief that science has the power to positively impact society and higher education is vital to sharing this knowledge with community stakeholders. Gretchen is an experienced leader with strengths in organizational change and team development. She holds a PhD. in higher education administration from Michigan State University. \nPanelists:\nMajor General William B. Hickman\, US Army (Retired)\nHickman served 36 years in the United States Army\, much of which was spent deployed to Europe and the Middle East. He commanded troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In 2005-2006\, he was a senior leader in the Train and Assist Command in Iraq. In 2007-2008\, he commanded troops during the surge in Baghdad. He finished his Army service\, first as the deputy commander of US Army Central in Kuwait\, supporting operations across the Middle East with an emphasis on Iraq\, Syria\, and Afghanistan. His final assignment was as the Director of Strategic Plans and Policy at the Allied Command Transportation\, Norfolk\, Virginia. \nSince retiring from the US Army\, Hickman has published a political science textbook\, Understanding the US Military\, as a co-editor. Additionally\, as a Lecturer in Political Science\, he co-taught a Vanderbilt undergraduate class on the Iraq War (Spring Semester 2024). \nHickman earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Vanderbilt University and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the ROTC program. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. \nCasey Santos is the (Chief Technology Officer at Caliber)\nCasey Santos is the CTO of Caliber\, a family of automotive repair and service brands. She also is an independent board director\, and advisor with expertise in leveraging AI\, data analytics\, and cloud technologies to drive innovation and business value while managing cybersecurity\, resiliency\, and regulatory compliance. Formerly the Chief Information Officer at Asurion\, SVP of Business Process Innovation at AllianceBernstein\, and CIO at General Atlantic\, she began her career at NASA’s Mission Control as an aerospace engineer and later transitioned into IT consulting and senior technology leadership roles at McKinsey\, and McKinsey’s private investment office.\nMs. Santos serves on the boards of Omnicom\, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (as Audit Compliance and Risk Committee Chair)\, and Nashville Electric Service\, and is a Special Advisor for Generative AI at Vanderbilt University. She has also held leadership and advisory roles with organizations such as the Nashville Technology Council\, AWS\, Zoom\, and Writer. A recipient of honors from HITEC\, Nashville Tech Council\, WomenTech\, and Constellation Research\, she holds degrees from MIT (B.S.)\, Wharton (M.B.A.)\, and the Lauder Institute (M.A.). \nDr. Krystyne Savarese (Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director\, UT Knoxville Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration)\nIn her role as associate vice provost and executive director of the Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration\, Krystyne Savarese strives to ensure all UT students are set up for success in achieving their goals. In this role\, she leads the unit’s efforts including career services\, employer development\, exploration\, and the implementation of the Vol Edge. \nKrystyne has served in a variety of roles in over 20 years in higher education. She started her career at Ohio State University in residence life\, later serving in the Center for the Study of Student Life\, and finally in the Office of Legal Affairs where she managed the university’s policy portfolio. Prior to her time at UT Knoxville\, Krystyne served as the senior director of residence life at Rutgers University\, New Brunswick. \nOriginally from Southern California\, Krystyne has a B.A. in English from the University of California\, Irvine\, and a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University. She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University. \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/international-careers-panel-2025/
LOCATION:University of Tennessee – Toyota Auditorium\, 1640 Cumberland Ave\, Knoxville\, TN\, 37996\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series,Webinar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250513T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250513T180000
DTSTAMP:20260420T230731
CREATED:20250430T203829Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T171149Z
UID:46112-1747155600-1747159200@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:The power of the Olympic brand and the geopolitics of global sport (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION:presents \n \nThe power of the Olympic brand and the geopolitics of global sport (webinar)\nTues. May 13 – 12:00 pm-1:00 pm\nView Recording\n  \n\n\nFeatured Speaker:\n  \nTerrence H. Burns (Chairman and Owner\, T. Burns Sports Group\, LLC)\nTerrence H. Burns is a seasoned international sports and Olympic marketing executive with over 30 years of experience in marketing communications\, brand management\, and sponsorship marketing. As the Chairman and Owner of T. Burns Sports Group\, LLC\, based in Nashville\, TN\, he specializes in global sports consulting\, working with high-profile clients such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC)\, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee\, and bids for major events like the Salt Lake City 2034 Winter Games\, Saudi Arabia 2034 FIFA World Cup\, and Doha 2030 Asian Games. His career highlights include contributing to six winning Olympic bids (Beijing 2008\, Vancouver 2010\, Sochi 2014\, PyeongChang 2018\, Los Angeles 2028\, Salt Lake City 2034) and two FIFA World Cup bids (2018\, 2026). \nFeatured Moderator:\n  \n \nKarl Dean\nKarl Dean served as the sixth Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County.  He was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. Dean first held public office when he was elected as Nashville’s Public Defender in 1990. He was re-elected in 1994 and 1998.  He served as Metro Law Director from 1999 to January 2007\, when he resigned to run for the office of mayor. Karl Dean has taught at Vanderbilt Law School\, Belmont University\, and Boston University. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/the-power-of-the-olympic-brand-and-the-geopolitics-of-global-sport-webinar/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250824T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250824T170000
DTSTAMP:20260420T230731
CREATED:20250717T192250Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250829T200239Z
UID:46668-1756051200-1756054800@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Greenland and the Geopolitics of the Arctic (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION:presents \n \nGreenland and the Geopolitics of the Arctic\n(webinar)\nSunday\, August 24 – 11:00 am-12:00 pm\nAs climate change accelerates the melting of Arctic ice\, the region is rapidly emerging as a new geopolitical frontier. The Arctic holds immense strategic value due to its untapped natural resources—estimated to include 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30% of its natural gas—as well as critical rare earth minerals essential for modern technologies. Melting ice is also opening new maritime routes that could significantly shorten global shipping times\, increasing the region’s economic and military importance. \nMajor powers\, including the United States\, Russia\, and China\, are expanding their presence in the Arctic\, viewing it as a key arena for influence\, resource competition\, and military positioning. The Arctic’s role in global security is further underscored by its proximity to the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) gap\, a vital chokepoint for NATO defense strategy. \nWithin this broader context\, the Trump Administration renewed U.S. focus on Greenland as a strategic asset. Greenland’s geographic location makes it a cornerstone of Arctic defense\, prompting the administration to place its military installations under U.S. Northern Command in 2025. The island’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals also attracted attention\, particularly as the U.S. sought to counter China’s dominance in critical supply chains. \nPresident Trump’s controversial proposal to purchase Greenland from Denmark\, while dismissed by both Danish and Greenlandic leaders\, reflected a broader ambition to assert U.S. dominance in the Arctic. However\, this approach drew criticism for marginalizing Greenlandic voices and treating the territory as a geopolitical commodity rather than recognizing its people as autonomous actors. As Greenland moves toward greater self-determination\, future U.S. engagement will need to balance strategic interests with respect for local governance and aspirations. \nThe World Affairs Council of Atlanta speaks with the authors of the book “Greenland – A Journey from the Earliest Times to a Modern Society\,” published in March 2025. Mira Kleist is Head of the Greenland Practice\, Kaya Partners. Jens Heinrich\, Ph.D. is Head of Mission\, Greenland Representation in Denmark. Bo Lidegaard\, Ph.D. is Co-founder\, Kaya Partners. \n\nSpeakers:\nMira Kleist is a Greenland native\, based in Nuuk\, and is a former diplomat with a decade of expertise in global Arctic affairs\, Greenland–EU relations\, indigenous peoples’ rights\, and security policy. Mira’s background includes roles as a civil servant at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greenland\, a posting to the Greenlandic EU Representation in Brussels\, a Social Affairs Associate at the UN headquarters in New York\, and a Senior Advisor at the Danish Ministry of Defence. Mira is currently the Head of Greenland Practice and the climate policy advisory\, Kaya Partners. \nJens Heinrich\, Ph.D. is a Greenlandic-Danish historian\, trained at the University of Greenland. His phd-thesis was on the modernization of Greenland during and following World War II. He has worked on historical enquiries\, been a member of the Greenland Reconciliation Commission and has been an external lecturer at the University of Greenland and University of Copenhagen.  Heinrich is head of the Greenland Representation in Copenhagen\, Government of Greenland \nBo Lidegaard\, Ph.D. is an historian\, author and political advisor\, formerly long serving Danish diplomat and top foreign affairs\, national security and climate change advisor to consecutive Danish Prime Ministers. After leaving public service in 2011\, he served as editor in chief for the leading daily Politiken and in 2022 he co-founded Kaya Partners where he has since devoted his time\, presently running offices in Copenhagen\, Nuuk and London. Lidegaard has published several bestselling volumes on contemporary history\, including the US – Greenland – Denmark triangle since WWII.    
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/greenland-and-the-geopolitics-of-the-arctic/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250827T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250827T180000
DTSTAMP:20260420T230731
CREATED:20250701T195415Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T164044Z
UID:46583-1756314000-1756317600@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:The power of the Olympic brand and the geopolitics of global sport (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION:presents \n \nThe power of the Olympic brand and the geopolitics of global sport (webinar)\nWednesday\, August 27 – 12:00 pm-1:00 pm\n\nWhat do the Olympics reveal about international influence\, branding\, and global power? Join TNWAC on Wednesday\, August 27th\, for a fascinating webinar moderated by Karl Dean featuring Terrence H. Burns (Chairman and Owner\, T. Burns Sports Group\, LLC). \n\nTerrence will explore how the Olympic Games transcend sport to shape geopolitics\, national identity\, and global narratives.\n\nWhat You’ll Learn: \n– How the Olympic brand has become a tool of soft power \n– The intersection of global sports\, politics\, and diplomacy \n– Real-world insights into international branding and influence \n\n\nView Recording\n\n\nFeatured Speaker:\n  \nTerrence H. Burns (Chairman and Owner\, T. Burns Sports Group\, LLC)\nTerrence H. Burns is a seasoned international sports and Olympic marketing executive with over 30 years of experience in marketing communications\, brand management\, and sponsorship marketing. As the Chairman and Owner of T. Burns Sports Group\, LLC\, based in Nashville\, TN\, he specializes in global sports consulting\, working with high-profile clients such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC)\, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee\, and bids for major events like the Salt Lake City 2034 Winter Games\, Saudi Arabia 2034 FIFA World Cup\, and Doha 2030 Asian Games. His career highlights include contributing to six winning Olympic bids (Beijing 2008\, Vancouver 2010\, Sochi 2014\, PyeongChang 2018\, Los Angeles 2028\, Salt Lake City 2034) and two FIFA World Cup bids (2018\, 2026). \nFeatured Moderator:\n  \n \nKarl Dean\nKarl Dean served as the sixth Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County.  He was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. Dean first held public office when he was elected as Nashville’s Public Defender in 1990. He was re-elected in 1994 and 1998.  He served as Metro Law Director from 1999 to January 2007\, when he resigned to run for the office of mayor. Karl Dean has taught at Vanderbilt Law School\, Belmont University\, and Boston University. \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/the-power-of-the-olympic-brand-and-the-geopolitics-of-global-sport-webinar-2/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250919T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250919T180000
DTSTAMP:20260420T230731
CREATED:20250909T160848Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T165444Z
UID:46928-1758301200-1758304800@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Nashville at the Crossroads: Global Growth\, Local Challenges\, and Future Opportunities (webinar)
DESCRIPTION:  \n \nNashville at the Crossroads: Global Growth\, Local Challenges\, and Future Opportunities\nNashville is experiencing rapid growth\, bringing with it both unprecedented opportunities and pressing challenges. On the local front\, issues such as workforce readiness\, housing affordability\, and infrastructure—particularly transportation—remain at the center of public concern. These challenges are compounded by broader economic uncertainty and federal policy disruptions. \nAt the same time\, Nashville is positioned for transformative opportunities. The redevelopment of the East Bank presents one of the city’s most significant growth prospects\, while international connections continue to expand. From new international flights and an ambitious tourism push\, to showcasing Nashville globally through its music\, culinary scene\, and cultural assets\, the city is actively elevating its international profile. \nMiddle Tennessee is also witnessing the steady expansion of international companies and an influx of foreign investment\, further reinforcing its role as an emerging global hub. Together\, these dynamics highlight Nashville’s dual reality: a city balancing the demands of sustainable local growth with the potential of international opportunity. \nThis talk will explore the critical intersection of these trends\, asking what Nashville’s future could look like as it strives to overcome challenges and seize opportunities on both the local and global stage. \nFriday\, September 19 I 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm\n* Webinar Event *\nView Recording\n\n \nFeatured Speaker: Lori Becker (Market President and Publisher of the Nashville Business Journal)\n \nLori Becker is a strategic executive leader with a track record of driving growth\, innovation and civic impact. As market president and publisher of the Nashville Business Journal\, she leads the region’s most influential business media company. Under her leadership\, the organization has achieved double-digit profit and top-line revenue growth\, launched scalable innovations adopted across 45+ markets\, and built nationally recognized teams. She is a trusted advisor to business and civic leaders across industries\, recognized for shaping Nashville’s economy through collaborative\, high-impact initiatives. \nA native of Bowling Green\, KY.\, and graduate of Western Kentucky University\, Lori joined NBJ in 2008 after a decade as a reporter with daily newspapers. \nLori is a board member and past chairwoman for the March of Dimes’ Middle Tennessee chapter\, an executive board member for Scouting America Middle Tennessee Council and a member of the 2019 class of Leadership Nashville. \nShe and her husband\, Michael\, live in Franklin with their two children\, ages 13 and 11\, and two rescue dogs. \nModerator: Karl Dean\n \nKarl Dean served as the sixth Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County.  He was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. Dean first held public office when he was elected as Nashville’s Public Defender in 1990. He was re-elected in 1994 and 1998.  He served as Metro Law Director from 1999 to January 2007\, when he resigned to run for the office of mayor. Karl Dean has taught at Vanderbilt Law School\, Belmont University\, and Boston University. \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/nashville-at-the-crossroads/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251008T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251008T180000
DTSTAMP:20260420T230731
CREATED:20250917T221208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251015T222035Z
UID:46964-1759942800-1759946400@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Emerging Foreign Policy Doctrine in a Brutally Challenging World (webinar)
DESCRIPTION:  \n \nEmerging Foreign Policy Doctrine in a Brutally Challenging World\nThe global landscape facing the still-new hands of the Trump Administration includes a dizzying assortment of economic\, political\, and military challenges. The policy rhetoric often believes the actual courses being steered. That makes it difficult to sketch out the foreign policy doctrine that will mark President Trump’s second term. However\, there are some characteristics emerging that allow early assumptions on how America will navigate a world order that has profoundly changed from what came before. We’ll explore the trends with a distinguished panel of foreign policy historians \nWednesday\, October 8th I 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm\n* Webinar Event *\n    \n    \n    \n        Register Now    \n    \n  \nWatch now\n\n \nIntroduction: LCDR Patrick Ryan\, USN (Ret) (President Emeritus\, Tennessee World Affairs Council)\n \nPatrick Ryan is the founding president and President Emeritus of the Tennessee World Affairs Council. He served 26 years in the U.S. Navy as a Submariner\, Surface Warfare Officer\, and Intelligence Officer. He ran a newsletter publishing business focused on Middle East affairs for 17 years. Ryan serves as President of the Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association. He writes a Substack.com column titled “There and Here\,” looking at current events. \n \n \n \n \n \nPanelist: Dr. Amy Sayward (Professor of History\, Middle Tennessee State University)\n \nDr. Amy Sayward is a professor of History at Middle Tennessee State University and is the new director of its campus American Democracy Project. She recently completed a decade as the executive director of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations (SHAFR). She is the author of several books on the United Nations and Tennessee history. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nPanelist: Dr. Thomas Alan Schwartz (Professor of History and Political Science\, Vanderbilt University)\n \nThomas Alan Schwartz is a Professor of History and Political Science at Vanderbilt University. Educated at Columbia\, Oxford\, and Harvard Universities\, he is the author of the books America’s Germany: John J. McCloy and the Federal Republic of Germany (1991) and Lyndon Johnson and Europe: In the Shadow of Vietnam (2003)\, and the forthcoming\, Henry Kissinger and American Power: A Political Biography (Hill and Wang\, 2020). Along with Matthias Schulz\, he produced the edited volume\, The Strained Alliance: US-European Relations in the 1970s\, (2009). He has received fellowships fromthe German Historical Institute\, the Norwegian Nobel Institute\, the Woodrow Wilson Center\, and the Social Science Research Center. He served on the Historical Advisory Committee of the Department of State\, and was the President of the Society of Historians of American Foreign Relations. He has taught the History of the Vietnam War class at Vanderbilt for the last thirty years. While teaching at Vanderbilt\, he has received the Madison Sarratt Teaching prize (2013) and the Alumni Education Award (2008). \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nPanelist: Dr. Breck Walker (Board Member\, Tennessee World Affairs Council)\n \nBreck Walker pursued a twenty-year career in international business\, law\, and finance\, before turning to academia. For several years\, he taught foreign policy courses at Sewanee\, The University of the South\, and worked as a contract historian for the Office of the Secretary of Defense Historical Office\, researching and writing on early Pentagon policies in the computer security and cyber areas. Dr. Walker is currently retired. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/emerging-foreign-policy-doctrine/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TNWAC-10-8-2025-Rectangle.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251027T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251027T180000
DTSTAMP:20260420T230731
CREATED:20250930T171646Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251028T165127Z
UID:47040-1761584400-1761588000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:An "Americas First" Foreign Policy: Opportunities and Risks in U.S.-Latin American Relations (webinar)
DESCRIPTION:  \n \nAn “Americas First” Foreign Policy: Opportunities and Risks in U.S.-Latin American Relations\nThe United States is often accused of ignoring its relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean. However\, in the lead-up to his first international trip\, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote that the administration would have an “Americas First” foreign policy—and thus far\, much of the administration’s foreign policy has focused on the Hemisphere. While there has been an emergent bipartisan consensus on identifying some of the key issues related to U.S. hemispheric relations\, there has been a profound shift in how the Trump administration has approached regional relations and issues. \nThis shift comes at a time when the United States is increasingly concerned about growing Chinese influence in the region\, has taken a harsher line on immigration\, labeled regional criminal organizations as foreign terrorists\, and is rewriting trade relations. At the same time\, the region continues to face development and security challenges while simultaneously dealing with democratic backsliding. Adam Ratzlaff (CEO and Founder of Pan-American Strategic Advisors) will discuss continuity and change in U.S. regional relations and what the opportunities and challenges are moving forward. \nWednesday\, October 27 I 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm\n* Webinar Event *\nView Recording \n– \n\n–\nModerator: Dr. Liane Hentschke (Executive Director\, TNWAC)\n \nFormer professor and researcher in Music Education at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS – Porto Alegre\, Brazil. During her career\, she served on several organizations related to international cooperation: Director of Institutional and International Cooperation of CNP (Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development); Director of International Affairs of UFRGS; President-Elect\, President\, and Past-President of the International Society for Music Education – ISME; Vice-President of the International Music Council – IMC\, advisory body for music to UNESCO. Her publications include books\, book chapters\, prefaces\, and refereed journal articles published in Brazil\, England\, Australia\, Argentina\, Hong Kong\, Germany\, and Spain. She was an invited lecturer at the University of Nebraska and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign\, and acted as a grant development consultant for the Illinois Community College. For A3ES – Portugal\, she worked on the Accreditation of Higher Education degrees. Dr. Hentschke is currently Executive Director of the Tennessee World Affairs Council in Nashville\, TN. \n \n \n \nSpeaker: Adam Ratzlaff is the founder and CEO of Pan-American Strategic Advisors\n \nAdam Ratzlaff is the founder and CEO of Pan-American Strategic Advisors–a boutique consulting firm and think tank focused on the Western Hemisphere–and a member of Diplomatic Courier’s World in 2050 Brain Trust. With over a decade of experience researching regional affairs\, Ratzlaff has consulted for the World Bank\, the Inter-American Development Bank\, the U.S. Department of Defense\, and the U.S. Department of State. Ratzlaff is the author or co-author of over 130 public-facing analyses\, reports\, and academic works on topics related to Inter-American affairs. His work has been featured in The New Orleans Times-Picayune\, Global Americans\, The National Interest\, Responsible Statecraft\, and the Modern War Institute at West Point\, among other publications. Ratzlaff is a PhD Candidate (ABD) in International Relations at Florida International University and holds an MA from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies (University of Denver) and a BA from Tulane University\, where he triple-majored in international relations\, economics\, and Latin American studies. \n  \n\n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/an-americas-first-foreign-policy/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260115T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260115T190000
DTSTAMP:20260420T230731
CREATED:20251117T181218Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T164953Z
UID:47203-1768500000-1768503600@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:The influence and expansionist drive of China in Serbia and the threat to Western security (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION: \n  \n\n \nThe influence and expansionist drive of China in Serbia and the threat to Western security\nJoin us for a timely webinar with Miroslav Ivica Emejdi\, German Senior Police Commissioner and security policy expert\, as he explores China’s growing influence and expansionist ambitions in Serbia—and why it matters for Western security. \nDrawing on his recent book\, Emejdi will explain how the Balkans are often misunderstood or overlooked by Western policymakers and have become a key battleground where Beijing\, Moscow\, and Brussels compete for power and strategic direction. \nHe will discuss how historical miscalculations and slow Western responses have allowed rivals to gain ground\, and why Serbia—an EU accession candidate—is far more important than many realize. With insights recognized by senior European and UN officials\, Emejdi offers a clear warning: understanding Serbia’s geopolitical role is essential to safeguarding the West’s ability to meet future global challenges. \nThis is a must-attend program for anyone interested in global affairs\, European security\, or great-power competition. \n \nThursday\, January 15\, 2026 I 12:00pm – 1:00pm\n \nView Recording\n  \n  \n\n \nFeatured Speaker: Miroslav Ivica Emejdi (German Senior Police Chief Commissioner)\n \nMiroslav Ivica Emejdi is a Senior Police Chief Commissioner in Germany with long-standing experience in state security\, counterterrorism\, and the fight against organized crime. Over two decades of service\, he has worked in specialized units addressing extremism\, politically motivated violence\, and international law enforcement cooperation. \nIn recognition of his role in the investigation following the 2011 Islamist terrorist attack that targeted U.S. Air Force Airmen\, he received a personal commendation from the four-star General commanding U.S. Air Forces in Europe.International EngagementEmejdi is an alumnus of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). He has also been a featured speaker at national and international security institutions\, including intelligence services\, and at a multinational counterterrorism forum hosted by U.S. Army Europe. His career reflects a strong transatlantic dimension and a deep engagement at the intersection of European and American security concerns.Author and AnalystHe is the author of ‘Key Country Serbia – How Misjudgments Weaken the West’ (ibidem / Columbia University Press\, forthcoming 2026). The book analyzes Serbia and the wider Western Balkans as pivotal but often underestimated regions in Western security architecture\, highlighting how Russian and Chinese influence challenge Western strategies. He is also working on a forthcoming book on the Albanian Mafia and its transnational connections\, including links to Latin America\, United States and Europe’s security architecture. His work analyzes how overlooked regions and criminal networks shape the stability of the West. He has also been interviewed by Germany’s leading professional journal on criminology.Areas of ExpertiseEmejdi’s expertise covers geopolitics\, transnational organized crime\, and the strategic competition of great powers. His analyses connect ground-level security realities with broader strategic questions facing NATO\, the European Union\, and the United States. In his presentations\, he emphasizes why close transatlantic cooperation is indispensable in addressing these challenges. \nFeatured Moderator: Mark Reese (President & CEO\, Suhbat LLC)\n \nMark Reese is a Central Asia specialist with 30 years of experience\, having spent a significant amount of time in the region. As a Peace Corps volunteer in 1994\, he witnessed the immediate turmoil of the post-Soviet era and the emergence of new states where leaders tried to chart new paths. He’s currently focused on teaching and education development in Central Asia and the United States. \nHis passions also extend to sharing Uzbeki literature with the world\, presenting several works to Nashville during the Southern Festival of Books in early October. His effort to promote the Uzbek language and culture\, including his English translation of Oʻtkan Kunlar\, earned him Uzbekistan’s Presidential Order of Doʻstlik. \nPreviously\, Mark led translation and cultural advisement activities for government and private industry clients in Afghanistan and the United States. As Founding Director for the Center for Regional Studies at the United States Naval Academy\, he developed a comprehensive midshipman education program. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/how-china-is-expanding-its-influence-in-europe/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260331T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260331T180000
DTSTAMP:20260420T230731
CREATED:20260313T032939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T171046Z
UID:47447-1774976400-1774980000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Georgetown University in Qatar: Adapting to Serve Students and Advancing Qatar’s Education and Research Vision (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION:  \nIn this talk\, Khaled Al Yousuf will share an on-the-ground perspective on Georgetown University in Qatar\, how an American university operates within Education City\, and how GU-Q has adapted to meet evolving student needs while maintaining academic excellence. He will highlight practical examples of student support\, community building\, and external partnerships that help an international student body thrive and will connect these experiences to Qatar’s broader ambitions in education and research\, including building human capital\, strengthening the knowledge economy\, and expanding global collaboration. \n \nTuesday\, March 31 I 12:00pm – 1:00pm\n  \nView Recording\n\n \nFeatured Speaker: Khaled Al Yousuf (Executive Director of External Relations\, Georgetown University in Qatar)\nKhaled Al Yousuf is Executive Director of External Relations at Georgetown University in Qatar\, where he leads strategic partnerships and outreach across government\, civil society\, and the private sector\, and supports initiatives that advance student engagement\, alumni relations\, and the university’s regional and global presence. \n \n \n \n \nFeatured Moderator: Dr. Gretchen Neisler (Vice Provost for International Affairs\, University of Tennessee Knoxville)\n \nGretchen Neisler is the senior international officer at the University of Tennessee. She began work at UT in August 2018. She came to the university from Michigan State University\, where she was the director of the Center for Global Connections in Food\, Agriculture\, and Natural Resources in the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources. She has an international portfolio spanning the Middle East\, East Africa\, West Africa\, and Southeast Asia. \nHer responsibilities include:– Working closely with the university community to lead the development of the university’s strategic international agenda;– Representing the university to external constituents\, both nationally and internationally; and– Overseeing the Center for Global Engagement\, which encompasses the offices of Asia Engagement\, Programs Abroad\, International Support Services\, International House\, English Language Institute\, Global Research\, and Communications. \nNeisler obtained her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration\, Master of Science in Agriculture Extension Education\, and B.S. in Agriscience Education and Animal Science from Michigan State University. \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/georgetown-university-in-qatar-adapting-to-serve-students-and-advancing-qatars-education-and-research-vision-webinar/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260422T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260422T180000
DTSTAMP:20260420T230731
CREATED:20260410T213615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260410T213615Z
UID:76057-1776877200-1776880800@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Navigating Geopolitical Risk: How Multinational Corporations Are Adapting to a More Fragmented World (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION:A brief look at how multinational corporations are adjusting to a world shaped by geopolitical tension\, regulatory uncertainty\, and economic fragmentation. The session will explore how companies anticipate risk\, engage key stakeholders\, and build resilience into strategic decision-making. \nWednesday\, April 22 I 12:00pm – 1:00pm\n  \n    \n    \n    \n        Register Now    \n    \n\n \nFeatured Speaker: João A. de Castro Neves\, PhD (Senior Director for Global Strategic Risks\, ExxonMobil)\n\n \nJoão A. de Castro Neves\, PhD\, is Senior Director for Global Strategic Risks at ExxonMobil. With more than two decades of experience in political risk analysis\, government relations\, and external affairs\, he has advised senior executives\, investors\, and multinational organizations on how to navigate geopolitical uncertainty. Before joining ExxonMobil\, he was Director for Latin America at Eurasia Group\, where he covered political and economic developments across the region. He is a frequent speaker on geopolitics\, global risk\, and international affairs. \n \n \n \n \nFeatured Moderator: Carolyn Buccerone (Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel\, AllianceBernstein)\n \nCarolyn Buccerone is a Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at AllianceBernstein\, L.P.\, a global investment management firm. Since joining the firm in 2018\, she has played a key role in managing legal affairs related to the company’s international asset management business\, including international fund platforms\, global employment legal issues\, and data privacy compliance. She also serves as counsel to the Investment Committee and AB’s Lux Fund boards\, providing strategic legal guidance on investment decisions and fund management. \nBefore joining AllianceBernstein\, Ms. Buccerone served as Legal Counsel at UBS. She earned her J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law in 2004. \nIn addition to her professional responsibilities\, Ms. Buccerone is actively involved in AllianceBernstein’s Social Response Committee and is a former co-chair of AB Synergy\, the firm’s employee resource group dedicated to promoting a culture of community and belonging for the firm’s female employees. In the community\, she serves the Nashvillians through the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. \n—————————————————————————————————————————————————
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/navigating-geopolitical-risk/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260428T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260428T180000
DTSTAMP:20260420T230731
CREATED:20260416T212152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T212251Z
UID:76086-1777395600-1777399200@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:The Nashville Edge: How Global Thinking and Enterprise Innovation Are Building a Local Legacy (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION:  \nKumar will explore how enterprise technology investment and AI adoption are creating tangible economic impact in Nashville – and what that means for the city’s continued growth as a global hub for innovation and talent. \nTuesday\, April 28 I 12:00pm – 1:00pm\n  \n    \n    \n    \n        Register Now    \n    \n\n \nFeatured Speaker: Chief Business Officer\, Healthcare & North America (Trinetix)\n \nKumar Kolin is a technology executive and entrepreneur with 25+ years of experience driving innovation and growth across global markets. Based in Nashville\, he leads sales\, go-to-market strategy\, and strategic partnerships at Trinetix\, advancing design-led engineering and advanced technology services across North America with a focus on healthcare.As Co-Founder of CloudX\, Kumar builds and scales high-performing engineering teams across the U.S. and South America. Previously\, as President and CTO at Emids\, he doubled the healthcare technology business from $70M to $140M in three years. Earlier at Deloitte\, he led large-scale global operations\, scaling teams of 15\,000+ professionals and establishing delivery centers supporting enterprise transformation worldwide. \nKumar combines a global perspective with a strong local commitment to innovation\, talent development\, and Nashville’s growth as a hub for technology and healthcare. \nFeatured Moderator: Karl Dean (Former Mayor of Nashville)\n \nKarl Dean served as the sixth Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County. He was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. Dean first held public office when he was elected as Nashville’s Public Defender in 1990. He was re-elected in 1994 and 1998. He served as Metro Law Director from 1999 to January 2007\, when he resigned to run for the office of mayor. Karl Dean has taught at Vanderbilt Law School\, Belmont University\, and Boston University. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/the-nashville-edge/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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