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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260115T180000
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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:20260420T103436
CREATED:20260313T032939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T171046Z
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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:20260420T103436
CREATED:20260410T213615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260410T213615Z
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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:20260420T103436
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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