BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Tennessee World Affairs Council - ECPv6.17.5//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.tnwac.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Tennessee World Affairs Council
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20240310T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20241103T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20250309T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20251102T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20260308T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20261101T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20270314T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20271107T070000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250827T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250827T130000
DTSTAMP:20250925T164044Z
CREATED:20250701T195415Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T164044Z
UID:46583-1756296000-1756299600@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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TNWAC-8-27-2025-Rectangle-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250919T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250919T130000
DTSTAMP:20250922T165444Z
CREATED:20250909T160848Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T165444Z
UID:46928-1758283200-1758286800@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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TNWAC-9-19-2025-Horizontal.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251008T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251008T130000
DTSTAMP:20251015T222035Z
CREATED:20250917T221208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251015T222035Z
UID:46964-1759924800-1759928400@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:20251027T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251027T130000
DTSTAMP:20251028T165127Z
CREATED:20250930T171646Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251028T165127Z
UID:47040-1761566400-1761570000@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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TNWAC-10-27-2025-Horizontal-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260115T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260115T130000
DTSTAMP:20260831T181929Z
CREATED:20251117T181218Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T181929Z
UID:47203-1768478400-1768482000@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  \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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/TNWAC-1-15-2026-Horizontal-Updated.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260331T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260331T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T171046Z
CREATED:20260313T032939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T171046Z
UID:47447-1774958400-1774962000@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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/TNWAC-3-31-2026-Horizontal.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260422T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260422T130000
DTSTAMP:20260831T183938Z
CREATED:20260410T213615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T183938Z
UID:76057-1776859200-1776862800@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\nView Recording\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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/TNWAC-4-22-2026-Horizontal-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260428T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260428T130000
DTSTAMP:20260501T141244Z
CREATED:20260416T212152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T141244Z
UID:76086-1777377600-1777381200@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  \nView Recording\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  \n\n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/the-nashville-edge/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/TNWAC-4-28-2026-Horizontal.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261008T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261008T190000
DTSTAMP:20261012T141120Z
CREATED:20260907T210126Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T141120Z
UID:80844-1791482400-1791486000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:All the Presidents’ Wars | 25 Years of America’s War on Terror with Peter Bergen (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION: \n  \nHow did the War on Terror reshape America – and the world? \nPeter Bergen\, the journalist who conducted the first televised interview with Osama bin Laden in 1997 and author of All the Presidents’ Wars\, joins WorldNow with Jim Falk to examine the decisions of four U.S. presidents over 25 years of conflict and their lasting consequences: from the rise of ISIS and the Taliban’s return to Afghanistan to today’s war with Iran. \nThursday\, October 8 I 6:00pm – 7:00pm CT\n \n\n \nFeatured Speaker: Peter Bergen\n \n  \nPeter Bergen is the author of seven books\, including Manhunt\, one of three New York Times bestsellers. Bergen is vice president at New America\, professor at Arizona State University\, and CNN national security analyst. \nHe is the author of All the Presidents’ Wars: Twenty-Five Years of America’s War on Terror\, available September 8th\, 2026. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nFeatured Moderator: Jim Falk\n \n  \nJim Falk is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe\, a member organization of the World Affairs Councils of America. He is the host of WorldNow with Jim Falk and the producer and host of The Forum\, the weekly public affairs program on KSFR-FM\, Santa Fe Community Radio (KSFR.org). A member of the Council on Foreign Relations\, Falk led the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth as President and CEO from 2001 to 2021\, helping expand the organization’s role as one of the nation’s leading forums for international affairs and public policy. His guests have included diplomats\, senior intelligence officials\, policymakers\, military leaders\, scholars\, journalists\, and bestselling authors from around the world. Through WorldNow and The Forum\, he continues his commitment to fostering informed\, civil dialogue on the international\, political\, social\, and cultural issues shaping our world. \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/all-the-presidents-wars/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/TNWAC-10-8-2026-Horizontal.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261015T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261015T190000
DTSTAMP:20261016T155523Z
CREATED:20260907T210747Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261016T155523Z
UID:80854-1792087200-1792090800@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Brink: Inside the Race to Free the October 7th Hostages with Brett McGurk (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION:  \n  \nBrett McGurk\, former White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa and author of Brink (available Oct. 6\, 2026)\, takes us inside the high-stakes negotiations to free the October 7 hostages and secure a ceasefire in Gaza. \nMcGurk led U.S. diplomacy on some of the region’s most consequential challenges\, offering a rare firsthand look at the negotiations and decisions that continue to shape the Middle East today. \nThursday\, October 15 I 6:00pm – 7:00pm CT\n \n\nFeatured Speaker: Brett McGurk\n \nBrett McGurk served as a top national security advisor under Presidents George W. Bush\, Barack Obama\, and Donald Trump. He has been involved in U.S. military strategy\, diplomacy\, and foreign policy for nearly two decades\, most recently as Obama and Trump’s envoy leading the campaign to defeat ISIS. He served as a law clerk to Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist on the U.S. Supreme Court from 2001 to 2002\, and was at the Court on the morning of 9/11\, a day that changed history and his life. McGurk is currently the Payne Distinguished Lecturer at Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute\, where he teaches and lectures on presidential decision-making in wartime.He is the author of the forthcoming book Brink: Inside the Race to Free the October 7 Hostages\, available October 6th\, 2026. \nFeatured Moderator: Jim Falk\n \nJim Falk is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe\, a member organization of the World Affairs Councils of America. He hosts WorldNow with Jim Falk and produces and hosts The Forum\, the weekly public affairs program on KSFR-FM\, Santa Fe Community Radio (KSFR.org). A member of the Council on Foreign Relations\, Falk led the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth as President and CEO from 2001 to 2021\, helping expand the organization’s role as one of the nation’s leading forums for international affairs and public policy. His guests have included diplomats\, senior intelligence officials\, policymakers\, military leaders\, scholars\, journalists\, and bestselling authors from around the world. Through WorldNow and The Forum\, he continues his commitment to fostering informed\, civil dialogue on the international\, political\, social\, and cultural issues shaping our world. \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/inside-the-race/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/TNWAC-10-15-2026-Horizontal.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261020T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261020T120000
DTSTAMP:20261026T135824Z
CREATED:20261012T210824Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261026T135824Z
UID:81041-1792494000-1792497600@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:The Global Race for Critical Minerals (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION:  \n  \nChina. Defense. AI. Energy. The resources powering global competition. \nCritical minerals are becoming a defining fault line in global security. From advanced weapons and defense systems to AI\, energy\, and emerging technologies\, access to these resources is increasingly tied to national power and security. \nGracelin Baskaran\, Director of the CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program\, and Michael Winter\, RTX Chief Scientist\, join the Global Security Forum: Fault Lines to explore China’s role in global mineral supply chains\, the global competition to secure critical resources\, and what it means for U.S. security\, industry\, and technological leadership. \nTuesday\, October 20 I 11:00am – 12:00pm CT\n \n\n \nFeatured Speaker:  Dr. Gracelin Baskaran (Director\, Critical Minerals Security Program\, CSIS)\n \nDr. Gracelin Baskaran is director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She is a mining economist and has spent over a decade working on critical minerals globally. \nShe began her career in South Africa’s platinum belt and later spent five years at the World Bank in South Africa\, where she coauthored the book Africa’s Resource Future: Harnessing Natural Resources for Economic Transformation during the Low-Carbon Transition. She recently published a policy playbook\, Critical Minerals and the Future of the United States Economy\, and is now writing a book on an international strategy for critical minerals engagement for the United States. \nDr. Baskaran is also an adjunct associate professor at Georgetown University\, where she teaches critical minerals in the Center for Security Studies. She was a Fulbright Scholar and has held positions at the University of Cambridge\, the University of London\, and the University of Cape Town. \nDr. Baskaran has been cited as an expert in The Economist\, Financial Times\, the New York Times\, the Wall Street Journal\, the Washington Post\, Fox\, CNN\, Bloomberg\, and BBC\, and regularly appears on television. She has authored more than 200 policy reports\, white papers\, and op-eds. \nIn 2025\, Mining Journal ranked Dr. Baskaran No. 8 on its “Top 50 Most Influential” list—the only woman in the top 12. She regularly speaks at international conferences and policymaker forums and has testified before the U.S. Congress. She holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge. \nFeatured Moderator: Michael Winter (Chief Scientist\, RTX)\n \nDr. Michael Winter\, Ph.D.\, is the Chief Scientist at RTX. RTX is a major Aerospace and defense company providing advanced systems and services for commercial\, military and government customers worldwide\, comprised of three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace\, Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon. In his role at RTX\, he shapes the company’s cross-enterprise technology strategy and accelerates innovation across aerospace and defense. He leads efforts to advance next-generation propulsion\, materials\, electrification\, hybrid-electric systems\, and defense platforms\, while strengthening the company’s global engineering tools\, processes\, and knowledge base. He also plays a central role in RTX’s external engagement strategy\, representing its technology priorities with universities\, startups\, and government stakeholders. \nWith 45 years of experience in aerospace\, and 35 of them as part of RTX\, Dr. Winter has held pivotal leadership roles across the corporation\, including 14 years at the RTX Technology Research Center and\, most recently\, as a principal fellow at Pratt & Whitney. His work has helped enable major commercial and military propulsion platforms — including the Geared Turbofan and the F-35 Lightning II — and advanced technologies spanning fuel cells\, lasers\, combustion\, and propulsion systems. \nA prolific innovator\, Dr. Winter is the inventor or co-inventor on more than 40 patents and has published over 50 technical articles. He has served on multiple engineering school advisory boards and on the National Research Council Board of Assessment of the National Academies\, and he currently serves on the NASA Advisory Council. He is a fellow of AIAA and the Royal Aeronautical Society\, and a member of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE). \nWidely respected for his deep technical insight and his ability to demystify complex aerospace challenges\, Dr. Winter is known for combining a “lab-rat” curiosity with a strategic\, enterprise wide perspective. He holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Philosophy\, as well as a Master of Science from Yale University\, and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Drexel University. He is an avid cyclist\, enjoys sea kayaking and recently received a 2nd-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/the-global-race-for-critical-minerals/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/TNWAC-10-20-2026-Webinar-Horizontal.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261030T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261030T130000
DTSTAMP:20261006T000044Z
CREATED:20261005T182939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261006T000044Z
UID:80988-1793361600-1793365200@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Lessons from Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION:The statecraft of John F. Kennedy and Winston Churchill\, with its emphasis upon standing up to dictators and forestalling the threat of nuclear war\, has become relevant once more following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The lessons of the 1930s and the 1960s\, rather than being of academic interest\, have become fearsomely relevant. Joel Nelson’s new book “Kennedy’s Only Hero” tells the story of John F. Kennedy’s fascination with Winston Churchill and shows how\, as President\, Kennedy adapted Churchill’s campaign against appeasement to combat the threat of the Soviet Union. Drawing lessons from this history\, Nelson will discuss Churchill’s strategy\, how Kennedy adapted it and succeeded\, and how it can be used again in this new age of peril. \nFriday\, October 30 I 12:00pm – 1:00pm\n    \n    \n    \n        Register Now    \n    \n\n \nFeatured Speaker: Joel Nelson (Historian and Author of “Kennedy’s Only Hero”)\n\n \nJoel Nelson is a British writer and historian. He has worked as an advisor to the Secretary of State for International Development\, an editor at Foreign Affairs\, and a Director of European Policy at an AI think tank in Washington\, D.C. He has a first-class honors degree in History from the University of Oxford\, an MPhil from the University of Cambridge\, and he was a Kennedy Scholar at Harvard. Kennedy’s Only Hero is his firstbook. \n \n \n \n \n  \n \nFeatured Moderator: Lee Pollock (Historian and Board Director\, The International Churchill Society)\n \nLee Pollock is an award-winning historian\, writer\, and public speaker on the life of Winston Churchill. His articles have appeared in the Wall Street Journal\, the New Criterion\, and other publications\, and he has been featured on CBS\, the BBC\, and numerous media outlets in the U.S. and Britain.  Lee has spoken about Winston Churchill at venues ranging from the U.S. Congress\, the Pentagon and the Supreme Court to leading universities\, museums\, and non-profit institutions. \nHe is a Director and Senior Advisor to the Board of The International Churchill Society and previously served as its Executive Director. Lee is a Fellow of the National Churchill Museum and a recipient of the Churchill Society’s prestigious Chartwell Award. He is editor of “Winston S. Churchill on Public Speaking” and the author of “Action This Day: Adventures with Winston Churchill.” \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/lessons-from-winston-churchill-and-john-f-kennedy/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/TNWAC-10-30-2026-Horizontal.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261105T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261105T130000
DTSTAMP:20261016T173412Z
CREATED:20261015T210126Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261016T173412Z
UID:81068-1793880000-1793883600@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Investing in an Uncertain World: Identifying Geopolitical Dependencies (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION: \n\nAn investment can clear every financial and regulatory hurdle and still depend on decisions its owner cannot control. A foreign export license\, a maintenance provider\, access to finance\, or a critical transport route can determine whether an asset keeps operating. As geopolitical competition reaches into everyday business\, ownership alone tells us less than we might expect about who holds the power to interrupt production\, restrict access\, or delay recovery. \nDrawing on his experience in government and the defense industry\, Shay Gal will explore how businesses can identify these dependencies before committing capital. Through a practical case and moderated discussion\, participants will examine who can stop an essential function\, what alternatives exist\, and how long they would take to activate. The conversation will connect international affairs to concrete decisions facing boards\, investors\, and communities\, with time for audience questions. \n  \nThursday\, November 5 I 12:00pm – 1:00pm\n  \n    \n    \n    \n        Register Now    \n    \n  \n\n \nFeatured Speaker: Shay Gal (Founder and Principal\, Line of State)\n \nShay Gal is Founder and Principal of Line of State\, an international strategic practice advising governments\, institutions and businesses on strategy\, security and political risk. He previously served as Vice President of External Relations at Israel Aerospace Industries\, following senior advisory roles in Israeli government. His work connects geopolitics with practical decisions about investment\, infrastructure and industrial capacity\, examining how states and companies preserve their freedom to act when suppliers\, partners or governments control something they cannot readily replace. \n  \nFeatured Moderator: Bill Hirschman (Portfolio Manager & Head of Nashville Office\, Brown Advisory)\n \nBill is a Portfolio Manager and Head of Brown Advisory’s Nashville office. With more than 30 years in the capital markets\, he has advised families\, foundations\, and businesses on investment strategy\, portfolio management\, and long-term wealth stewardship. He spent the first half of his career in investment banking with Equitable Securities and Avondale Partners\, advising companies on strategic and capital markets matters. \nHe subsequently transitioned to private banking and wealth management\, holding senior roles with J.P. Morgan and Bank of America before joining Brown Advisory. This breadth of experience—spanning corporate finance\, capital markets\, and private wealth—continues to inform his approach to investing and advising clients today. Known for combining disciplined investment thinking with a client-focused approach\, Bill works closely with clients to help them achieve their financial objectives across generations. \nBill is passionate about advancing environmental\, educational\, and community-focused organizations through board service and volunteer leadership. \nEducationWashington and Lee University\, B.A.\, Economics \nCommunity InvolvementBoard Member\, Friends of the EvergladesAdvisory Board Member\, Friends of Warner ParksVolunteer Coach\, Montgomery Bell Academy RowingPrior Community InvolvementBoard Member & Treasurer\, Nashville Conflict Resolution CenterMember\, Alive Hospice Ethics Committee \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/investing-in-an-uncertain-world/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/TNWAC-11-5-2026-Horizontal-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261203T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261203T120000
DTSTAMP:20261012T212256Z
CREATED:20261012T212256Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T212256Z
UID:81047-1796295600-1796299200@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:The World Ahead: 2027 (Webinar)
DESCRIPTION:  \n  \nEach year\, The Economist‘s The World Ahead series examines the forces expected to shape the year ahead. Covering politics\, technology\, society\, and beyond\, this series\, edited by Tom Standage\, offers an ambitious and wide-ranging look at what’s next. \nOn December 3\, Standage returns to WorldNow with Jim Falk to unpack his predictions for the trends that will define 2027. \nThursday\, December 3 I 11:00am – 12:00pm CT\nRegister now\n \n\n \nFeatured Speaker:  Tom Standage (Deputy Director\, The Economist)\n \nTom Standage is deputy editor of The Economist and editor of its future-gazing annual\, “The World Ahead.” Standage directs the newspaper’s digital strategy and the development of new digital products and is the author of seven history books\, including Writing on the Wall (2013)\, The Victorian Internet (1998)\, and A History of the World in 6 Glasses (2005). He studied engineering and computing at Oxford University and has written for other publications\, including the New York Times\, Daily Telegraph\, The Guardian\, and Wired. \n  \n  \n  \n  \nFeatured Moderator: Jim Falk\n \nJim Falk is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe\, a member organization of the World Affairs Councils of America. He hosts WorldNow with Jim Falk and produces and hosts The Forum\, the weekly public affairs program on KSFR-FM\, Santa Fe Community Radio (KSFR.org). A member of the Council on Foreign Relations\, Falk led the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth as President and CEO from 2001 to 2021\, helping expand the organization’s role as one of the nation’s leading forums for international affairs and public policy. His guests have included diplomats\, senior intelligence officials\, policymakers\, military leaders\, scholars\, journalists\, and bestselling authors from around the world. Through WorldNow and The Forum\, he continues his commitment to fostering informed\, civil dialogue on the international\, political\, social\, and cultural issues shaping our world. \n \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/the-world-ahead-2027/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/TNWAC-12-3-2026-Horizontal.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR