Convening
Welcome to Washington – Spring 2022
On March 3, 2022, Meridian International Center hosted an evening reception to welcome newly arrived foreign ambassadors to Washington, DC. Meridian honors new ambassadors twice a year through Welcome to Washington receptions, which provide Chiefs of Mission with an opportunity to meet and engage with a cross-section of Washington leaders from the government, business, and policy communities. (From Left to Right) Vivian de Rivero Barreto, His Excellency Oswaldo de Rivero (Ambassdor of Peru), His Excellency Georg Sparber (Ambassador of Liechtenstein), Megan Beyer, Ambassador Stuart Holliday, Her Excellency Mariangela Zappia (Ambassador of Italy), Ann Stock, Her Excellency Lilit Makunts (Ambassador of Armenia), and His Excellency Ahmed Boutache (Ambassador of Algeria).
Meridian CEO Ambassador Stuart Holliday and Senior Official for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Jennifer Hall Godfrey provided special remarks acknowledging the ambassadors’ pivotal roles in strengthening international relations. Building relationships in Washington is crucial for diplomats to exchange information and promote bilateral cooperation on a wide variety of global issues. This reception introduced five new ambassadors from Algeria, Armenia, Italy, Liechtenstein, and Peru.
Many distinguished guests from Meridian’s network were present, including The Hon . Ed Royce (U.S. Representative, R-CA, 2013-2019), The Hon . James Blanchard (Governor of Michigan, 1983-1991) and Mrs. J anet Blanchard, The Hon . Clarke Cooper (Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs) , Maryland Secretary of State John Wobensmith, The Hon. Reta Jo Lewis, Ambassador Rufus Gifford, Jennifer Hall Godfrey, Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Ambassador Kathleen Doherty, Ambassador Vinai Thummalpally, Meridian’s Board of Trustees, Diplomatic Engagement Advisory Committee, Global Leadership Council and Corporate Council were also well-represented.
Special thanks goes to the sponsors of the evening, Poligage and Sahouri Insurance. Symone Sanders, The Hon. Rufus Gifford, Dean Lieberman, and Amanda Mansour. Photo By Stephen Bobb Photography. Gwen Holliday, Manisha Kapani. Photo by Stephen Bobb Photography. Bond Payne, Megan Beyer (Meridian), Ryan Leonard (State of Oklahoma). Photo By Stephen Bobb Photography. Dan Rosenthal (Albright Stonebridge Group), Ethan Rosenzweig (Department of State), Aviva Rosenthal (Smithsonian Institution), Nicole Elkon (Department of State), The Hon.
Ann Stock (Meridian), Jonathan Spalter (US Telecom), and Carrie Goux. Photo By Stephen Bobb Photography. The Hon. Rufus Gifford and H.E. Mariangela Zappia (Italy). Photo By Stephen Bobb Photography. Kezia McKeague (McLarty Associates), Carlos Irigaray (IDB), Sebastian Di Luca (Embassy of Argentina), Marcos Stancanelli (Embassy of Argentina), Paula Pinha (Netflix). Photo By Stephen Bobb Photography. Chief of Staff Bond Payne (State of Oklahoma), H.E.
Lilit Makunts (Armenia), Christina Lepore (Office of the Governor of Oklahoma), and The Hon. Marie Royce. Photo By Stephen Bobb Photography. Vivian de Rivero Barreto (Embassy of Peru), H.E. Oswaldo de Rivero (Peru), H.E. Georg Sparber (Liechtenstein), H.E. Mariangela Zappia (Italy), H.E. Lilit Makunts (Armenia), H.E. Ahmed Boutache (Algeria), and Senior Official Jennifer Hall Godfrey. Photo By Stephen Bobb Photography.
H.E. Oswaldo de Rivero (Peru), H.E. Georg Sparber (Liechtenstein), H.E. Mariangela Zappia (Italy), H.E. Lilit Makunts (Armenia), H.E. Ahmed Boutache (Algeria), Senior Official Jennifer Hall Godfrey, and The Hon. Stuart Holliday (Meridian). Photo By Stephen Bobb Photography. The Hon. Rufus Gifford. Photo By Stephen Bobb Photography. John Klein, Susan Klein, The Hon. Ann Stock (Meridian), and Anastasia Obis. Photo By Stephen Bobb Photography.
Fuad Sahouri (Sahouri Insurance), H.E. Mariangela Zappia (Italy), Secretary Kimberly Bassett, The Hon. Rufus Gifford, and H.E. Ahmed Boutahce (Algeria). Photo By Stephen Bobb Photography. First Secretary Varduhi Melikyan (Embassy of Armenia) and Kathryn Unger (Cargill, Inc.) Photo by Stephen Bobb Photography. Natalie Jones (Meridian) and The Hon. Reta Jo Lewis (EXIM). Photo by Stephen Bobb Photography Project summary Welcome to Washington – Spring 2022 | March 2022 Regions: Europe and Eurasia , Near East and North Africa , Western Hemisphere Countries: Algeria , Armenia , Italy , Liechtenstein , Peru Impact Areas: Sports and Cultural Diplomacy , Public Diplomacy Program Areas: Diplomatic Engagement Partners: Diplomatic Corps , Private Sector See Program Page .