Convening
Empowering Leaders. Advancing Diplomacy. With Special Guest Jacob Helberg, U/S of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Nominee
Jacob Helberg, nominee for Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, delivers remarks at the Empowering Leaders, Advancing Diplomacy reception at Ned’s Club in Washington, DC on June 17th, 2025. Photo by John Harrington. As nations navigate the increasingly complex interplay between economic security, technology policy, and international cooperation, public-private dialogue remains essential.
On June 17, 2025, Meridian International Center convened a reception in partnership with the General Catalyst Institute, featuring remarks from Jacob Helberg, nominee for U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment. Joined by Ambassador Stuart Holliday and General Catalyst Institute President Teresa Carlson, the gathering brought together members of the diplomatic corps, U.S. government officials, and private sector leaders to discuss how emerging technologies and global economic shifts are reshaping diplomacy and national resilience.
Technological innovation and diplomacy are now deeply intertwined, with leadership in areas like AI and semiconductors shaping global resilience. Across all fronts, public-private partnerships remain essential to driving innovation, investment, and strategic advantage. GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY From left to right, Teresa Carlson (President, General Catalyst Institute) and Ambassador Stuart Holliday (CEO, Meridian International Center) observe remarks by Jacob Helberg, nominee for Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, at the Empowering Leaders, Advancing Diplomacy reception, held at Ned’s Club in Washington, DC on June 17, 2025.
Photos by John Harrington. Teresa Carlson, President of General Catalyst Institute, delivers remarks at the Empowering Leaders, Advancing Diplomacy reception held at Ned’s Club in Washington, DC on June 17, 2025. Photo by John Harrington. Meridian International Center CEO Ambassador Stuart Holliday delivers opening remarks at the Empowering Leaders, Advancing Diplomacy reception held at Ned’s Club in Washington, DC on June 17, 2025.
Photo by John Harrington. Ambassador Stuart Holliday (CEO, Meridian International Center), Jacob Helberg (Nominee for Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment), and Teresa Carlson (President, General Catalyst Institute) pose for a photo following remarks at the Empowering Leaders, Advancing Diplomacy reception at Ned’s Club, Washington, DC on June 17, 2025. Photo by John Harrington. From left to right, Her Excellency Birgitta Tazelaar (Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands), Gwen Holliday (Meridian International Center), Her Excellency Nicole Bintner-Bakshian (Ambassador, Embassy of Luxembourg), and His Excellency Frédéric Bernard (Ambassador, Embassy of Belgium) at the Empowering Leaders, Advancing Diplomacy reception held at Ned’s Club in Washington, DC on June 17, 2025, hosted by General Catalyst Institute and Meridian International Center.
Photo by John Harrington. From left to right, Teresa Carlson (President, General Catalyst Institute); Jacob Helberg, Nominee for Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment; Michael Kratsios (Office of Science and Technology Policy, The White House), Anita McBride (American University), and Maryam Mujica (General Catalyst Institute) at the Empowering Leaders, Advancing Diplomacy reception held at Ned’s Club in Washington, DC on June 17, 2025, hosted by General Catalyst Institute and Meridian International Center.
Photo by John Harrington. Project summary Empowering Leaders. Advancing Diplomacy. With Special Guest Jacob Helberg, U/S of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Nominee | June 2025 Impact Areas: Foreign Policy Program Areas: Diplomatic Engagement , Technology, Innovation, & Space .