News

Announcing Deborah Lehr as Chair of the Meridian Board of Trustees

June 8, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Meridian International Center today announced that Deborah Lehr has been elected Chair of its Board of Trustees, effective June 3, 2026. Lehr succeeds The Honorable Fred P. Hochberg , who has served as Chair since June 2023. Meridian is a nonpartisan, nonprofit diplomacy center that empowers leaders for the next era of diplomacy. Lehr has been a member of Meridian's Board of Trustees since 2022 and most recently served as Vice Chair and Chair-Elect.

Earlier this year, she also served as Interim Chief Executive Officer, helping guide the organization through a leadership transition while advancing Meridian’s mission and strategic priorities. “Deborah has consistently demonstrated the kind of leadership Meridian needs for this next chapter: globally fluent, strategically grounded, and deeply committed to advancing diplomacy through collaboration,” shared The Honorable David Bohigian, Chief Executive Officer of Meridian.

“At a time when global challenges are growing more complex, her leadership positions Meridian to not only respond to this moment, but to help shape the future of diplomacy in meaningful and lasting ways. I am personally honored to be working with her to advance Meridian's important mission.” Lehr is Chief Executive Officer of Basilinna and Executive Director of the Paulson Institute. She has worked across Asia, the United States, the Middle East, and Europe, with a focus on business advisory, sustainability, finance, and culture.

Earlier in her career, she worked at the New York Stock Exchange and Merrill Lynch and served in the U.S. government as a Director at the National Security Council and Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative. She is also the Founder and Chairman of the Antiquities Coalition, which combats the illicit trade in cultural heritage. “I am honored to accept the chairmanship of Meridian,” Lehr said. “Throughout my career, I have seen that the most enduring progress is built through relationships — between countries, communities and people.

That belief is at the heart of Meridian’s mission, and I look forward to working with our trustees, supporters and staff to build on its remarkable legacy and help shape its future.” Meridian also announced the appointment of distinguished new members to its Board of Trustees: AJ Jones II , Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic and Corporate Communications Officer at Monumental Sports & Entertainment; Theresa “Terri” Fariello , Executive Vice President of Government Affairs & Global Public Policy at United Airlines; Manisha Kapani , President of the Kapani Family Foundation; and Nick Tzitzon , Vice Chairman of ServiceNow.

These leaders bring deep expertise across business, government, philanthropy, and technology, further strengthening Meridian’s ability to convene cross-sector leaders and drive impact on global challenges. Biographies Deborah Lehr, Chair, Meridian Board of Trustees Deborah Lehr is the Chief Executive Officer of Basilinna, Executive Director of Paulson Institute and is Chair of the Board of Trustees at Meridian. After her firm was acquired, Deborah launched a new public affairs firm for the global PR firm, Edelman, where she doubled both the revenues and staff in three years.

Basilinna relaunched in 2023. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Paulson Institute, created by former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson. In addition, Deborah is the founder and Chairman of the Antiquities Coalition, which fights against the illicit trade in antiquities. Earlier in her career, Deborah worked on Wall Street at the New York Stock Exchange and Merrill Lynch, as well serving in the U.S. Government as a Director at the National Security Council and a Deputy Assistant U.S.

Trade Representative. Her dedicated efforts in fighting the illicit trade in antiquities have earned her global recognition, including the Hadrian Award from the World Monuments Fund and UNESCO has recognized her as one of its accomplished global women. Deborah is on the Board of the National Geographic, the World Monuments Fund, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and the Middle East Institute, and on the advisory boards of Sesame Workshop and ALPIH Foundation.

She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. AJ Jones II, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategic and Corporate Communications Officer, Monumental Sports and Entertainment (MSE) AJ Jones is a globally recognized corporate executive and communications leader with experience spanning media, entertainment, sports, retail, financial services, technology, philanthropy, investor relations, and public policy.

He has held senior leadership roles across the corporate, government, nonprofit, and multilateral sectors and has worked extensively throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic & Corporate Communications Officer at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, reporting directly to the Chairman and CEO. He leads corporate strategy, communications, investor relations, and stakeholder engagement across the company's portfolio, including NBA, NHL, WNBA, esports, media, and venue operations.