World Affairs Council of Atlanta

World Affairs Council of Atlanta A further objective is to support the economic development of Atlanta, the state and the region.

Established in 2010, the World Affairs Council of Atlanta is a non-partisan, non-profit civic organization dedicated to amplifying informed thought leadership that prompts new thinking on critical global issues. The purpose of the Council is to provide a forum for discussion and a source of knowledge and expertise on international and global issues for the corporate community, government leaders a

nd the general public. The Council maintains close relationships with corporate leaders, government officials, the diplomatic corps and relevant international organizations. The Council will contribute greatly to the community by providing access to high-profile American and international leaders who can deepen our understanding of critical world issues and how our country can best respond to the challenges it faces.

Last week, the World Affairs Council of Atlanta celebrated the graduation of the Global Leadership Fellows Class of 2026...
06/09/2026

Last week, the World Affairs Council of Atlanta celebrated the graduation of the Global Leadership Fellows Class of 2026.

Over ten months, 12 Fellows representing the nonprofit, public, and private sectors participated in six Master Classes, traveled across two countries and three cities, and engaged with more than 80 executives, diplomats, and changemakers exploring the forces shaping our world.

The evening culminated with each Fellow sharing a Personal Impact Narrative—a reflection on how the program challenged them to think differently, lead differently, and better understand the world around them. Fellows reflected on the experiences, relationships, and insights that will continue to shape their leadership long after the program's conclusion.

The celebration was made even more meaningful by the presence of alumni, speakers, sponsors, and selection committee members, whose support helped make this year’s program possible. We extend our sincere gratitude to The Halle Foundation for graciously hosting the event, and to Eike Jordan and W. Marshall Sanders for their support in making the evening a success. Their participation underscored the strength of the Global Leadership Fellows community and welcomed the Class of 2026 into a growing network of leaders committed to making an impact in Atlanta and beyond.

A new generation is redefining political power across Africa. Join the World Affairs Council of Atlanta for a timely vir...
06/08/2026

A new generation is redefining political power across Africa.

Join the World Affairs Council of Atlanta for a timely virtual briefing with Michelle Gavin, Former U.S. Ambassador to Botswana and Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

From youth activism to shifting democratic expectations, "Demographics Meets Democracy: How Young Africans Are Reshaping Politics" will examine the forces transforming governance and leadership across the continent.

Featuring a moderated audience Q&A.

Free and open to the public. Registration required at www.wacatlanta.org/events

June 29, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. ET | Virtual

⭐️ The World Affairs Council of Atlanta is proud to highlight Raymond Phillips, a remarkable 2026 Global Leadership Fell...
06/05/2026

⭐️ The World Affairs Council of Atlanta is proud to highlight Raymond Phillips, a remarkable 2026 Global Leadership Fellow. ⭐️

Raymond N. Phillips is a strategic transformation leader and Senior Manager at K.L. Scott & Associates, where he leads the firm’s Digital Transformation Practice. With a career spanning IT strategy, operations, and public-private consulting, he helps organizations modernize systems, scale performance, and deliver enterprise-wide innovation. He brings over a decade of experience advising Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, and mission-driven organizations on maximizing impact through people, process, and technology. A two-time graduate of the University of Georgia, Raymond serves on the University of Georgia College of Engineering Advisory Board and is passionate about advancing effective leadership, global engagement, and workforce development in the digital economy.

What does it mean to lead an alliance through a world that no longer looks the way it did when the alliance was built? T...
06/04/2026

What does it mean to lead an alliance through a world that no longer looks the way it did when the alliance was built?

That's the question we'll put to Kay Bailey Hutchison — Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Former U.S. Senator from Texas, and current member of the Energy Advisory Council at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas — in a timely virtual briefing.
"NATO in a Changing World" will explore the future of the alliance, the strategic stakes for the United States, and how transatlantic partnerships are adapting to a new era of global competition.

Featuring a live audience Q&A.

Free and open to the public. Register at www.wacatlanta.org/events

July 1, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Virtual Briefing

World Affairs Council of Atlanta President Rickey Bevington and Director Jackie Davis were honored to attend the opening...
06/02/2026

World Affairs Council of Atlanta President Rickey Bevington and Director Jackie Davis were honored to attend the opening of the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center—the first-ever home for U.S. Soccer, located right here in Georgia. This state-of-the-art facility marks a major step forward for the region’s role in global sports and international engagement. While there, Council leaders also connected with current and former Global Leadership Fellows who are making an impact across the world.

What happens across Africa's rapidly changing political landscape will shape the future of democracy, economic growth, a...
06/01/2026

What happens across Africa's rapidly changing political landscape will shape the future of democracy, economic growth, and global partnerships for decades to come.

Join us for a virtual conversation with Michelle Gavin, Former U.S. Ambassador to Botswana and Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Together, we'll examine how Africa's rising generation is influencing elections, governance, civic engagement, and political accountability — and what those shifts mean for the world.

Featuring a live audience Q&A.

Free and open to the public. Registration is required at www.wacatlanta.org/events

June 29, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. ET | Zoom

⭐️ The World Affairs Council of Atlanta is proud to highlight Alex Pate, a remarkable 2026 Global Leadership Fellow. ⭐️ ...
05/29/2026

⭐️ The World Affairs Council of Atlanta is proud to highlight Alex Pate, a remarkable 2026 Global Leadership Fellow. ⭐️

Alex Pate is a nonprofit professional with expertise in grants, strategic partnerships, and mission-driven impact. Originally from Athens, Georgia, she spent most of her career in Washington, D.C. and Virginia working in post-conflict recovery, landmine clearance, and foreign assistance with international NGOs and the U.S. Department of State. Now based in Atlanta, Alex is passionate about bringing that global experience home to build locally rooted, globally informed partnerships. She believes Atlanta is a rising force in social impact, powered by its creative energy, disruptive entrepreneurs, and visionary civic leadership. Through her work at The Ray, an Atlanta-based nonprofit with a bold vision, she hopes to connect ideas, people, and resources to power innovative, forward-thinking solutions.

What does China's future really look like — and what does it mean for the U.S.? We recently sat down with Kerr Gibbs, au...
05/28/2026

What does China's future really look like — and what does it mean for the U.S.?
We recently sat down with Kerr Gibbs, author of The Fragile Dragon and a leading voice on U.S.-China relations, for a timely and thought-provoking conversation. Kerr challenged simple narratives about China — neither an unstoppable superpower nor a system on the brink — and offered a refreshingly honest look at where things stand today.
Read the full recap and watch the recording here 👉 https://www.wacatlanta.org/post/strength-or-fragility-what-china-s-future-means-for-the-world

NATO is being tested in ways it hasn't been in a generation — and the decisions made now will shape transatlantic securi...
05/28/2026

NATO is being tested in ways it hasn't been in a generation — and the decisions made now will shape transatlantic security for decades to come.

Join the World Affairs Council of Atlanta for a virtual conversation with Kay Bailey Hutchison, Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and Former U.S. Senator from Texas.

In "NATO in a Changing World," Ambassador Hutchison will share her perspective on the alliance's evolving role, the future of U.S. leadership abroad, and the security questions defining our moment.

Featuring a moderated audience Q&A.

Free and open to the public. Registration is required at www.wacatlanta.org/events

July 1, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Virtual Briefing

05/26/2026

On Friday, May 15, 2026, the World Affairs Council of Atlanta convened its final Master Class of the year on Governance & Policy at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Throughout the day, Fellows explored how institutions build trust, make decisions under pressure, and maintain credibility in moments of uncertainty.

The day opened with remarks from Mark Jensen, who grounded Fellows in the Federal Reserve’s role within the broader economic and policy landscape.

Paige Alexander, CEO, The Carter Center, challenged Fellows to think critically about institutions — what gives them legitimacy, where trust breaks down, and why strong leadership matters in sustaining public confidence.

The panel discussion featuring Brent Furse, Executive Vice President at the Baim Institute for Clinical Health, Dennis Lockhart, Former President & CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and Lisa Robinson, CEO of OnBoard, explored how governance works in practice — from board composition and accountability to decision-making in high-stakes environments.

The Honorable John Tien, Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, led a tabletop case study based on General Stanley McChrystal’s Risk: A User’s Guide, placing Fellows in C-suite leadership roles navigating geopolitical uncertainty and real-time risk assessment.

Fellows also received an inside look at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta through a tour of the Bank’s board room and Monetary Museum led by with Mark Jensen and Amy Hennessy, Director of Outreach and Economic Education, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, exploring the institution’s history, governance structure, and role in shaping public trust and economic stability.

This Master Class would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta staff, Rickey Bevington, Elena Fernandez, Jackie Davis, Carliss Braswell, whose work behind the scenes helped bring the day together seamlessly. Special thanks as well to Caroline Wattrick and the team at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta for their partnership, hospitality, and generosity in hosting the Fellows for such a meaningful day of learning and engagement.

To learn more, explore the World Affairs Council of Atlanta blog. Link in bio.

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