Convening
2025 Meridian Holiday Party
Meridian’s annual holiday gathering brought Washington’s diplomatic, government, and corporate leaders together for an evening that celebrated not only a successful Meridian Ball, but a pivotal moment in the institution’s history. The event honored the collective leadership that delivered a record-breaking year and paid tribute to Ambassador Stuart Holliday, Meridian’s CEO Emeritus, whose nearly twenty years at the helm transformed Meridian into one of the most trusted conveners in global affairs.
The celebration underscored the scale and strength of the Meridian community. This year’s 57th Meridian Ball leadership team, including Sela Art Collins, Congressional Co-Chairs Senator and Mrs. Mark and Lisa Collis Warner and Senator David McCormick and The Honorable Dina Powell McCormick, together with corporate partners General Motors, Intel, and Cisco, were recognized for driving a milestone amount raised to advance Meridian’s mission of empowering leaders to advance the next era of diplomacy.
The evening also looked forward. Guests welcomed Sarah and Ross Perot as Chairs of the 58th Meridian Ball, signaling continued momentum for one of Washington’s most enduring diplomatic traditions. And with America’s 250th anniversary approaching, attendees celebrated the launch of Meridian’s Diplomacy at 250 Embassy Program Series, led in partnership with BP, which will spotlight the essential role of diplomacy in shaping the nation’s next chapter.
A defining moment of the night was the tribute to Ambassador Holliday. A video featuring national leaders and global partners captured the breadth of his impact: expanding Meridian’s reach across technology, business, culture, and state and local leadership; modernizing its approach to open diplomacy; and cultivating a community that instinctively turns to Meridian as a trusted, neutral platform. The announcement of the Ambassador Stuart W.
Holliday Open Diplomacy Innovation Fund cemented his legacy, creating a permanent engine for new diplomacy fellowships, programs, and cross-sector initiatives that reflect the values he embedded in the institution. The evening concluded with a toast to Ambassador Holliday and to the partners whose belief in Meridian’s mission makes this work possible. It was a celebration not only of a successful year, but of a shared commitment to ensuring American leadership, openness, and diplomacy remain strong for decades to come.
Ambassador Paolo Zampoli, United States Special Representative for Global Partnerships, Interim CEO Deborah Lehr, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Natalie Jones at Meridian’s Annual Holiday Party on December 10, 2025 at Meridian House. (From left to right) Katherine Vernot-Jonas, Richard Jonas, Gwen Holliday, Puru Trivedi, and Shaila Manyam at Meridian’s Annual Holiday Party on December 10, 2025 at Meridian House.
Ambassador Stuart Holliday at Meridian’s Annual Holiday Party on December 10, 2025 at Meridian House. Susan Toffler, Ben Chang, and Tracy Bernstein at Meridian’s Annual Holiday Party on December 10, 2025 at Meridian House. Gökhan Coşkun, Anne Brady Perron, and Eddie Eitches at Meridian’s Annual Holiday Party on December 10, 2025 at Meridian House. Ambassador Stuart Holliday speaking at Meridian’s Annual Holiday Party on December 10, 2025 at Meridian House.
Deborah Lehr, Congressman Michael McCaul, and Linda McCaul at Meridian’s Annual Holiday Party on December 10, 2025 at Meridian House. Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (D-MD) and Former Congressman Glenn Nye (D-VA) attend Meridian’s Annual Holiday Party on December 10, 2025, at Meridian House. Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA), Dr. Janine Bera, and Linda McCaul attend Meridian’s Annual Holiday Party on December 10, 2025, at Meridian House.
Ambassador Stuart Holliday and 58th Meridian Ball Chair Sarah Perot attend Meridian’s Annual Holiday Party on December 10, 2025, at Meridian House. Attendees celebrating at Meridian’s Annual Holiday Party on December 10, 2025, at Meridian House. Project summary 2025 Meridian Holiday Party Program Areas: Corporate Diplomacy .