Category: Past Events

Wednesday December 3rd | 5:30 – 6:30 PM EST 

This past Wednesday, we had the pleasure of hosting Her Excellency Svanhildur Hólm Valsdóttir, Ambassador of Iceland to the United States of America. The conversation highlighted diplomacy and the importance of genuine connection with one another. Her Excellency Svanhildur reminded us that learning one another’s cultures and collaborating with one another helps to bring the best public diplomacy.

Each series will explore the following themes: 

1. Savvy diplomats understand that to succeed in advancing foreign policy goals in Washington D.C., it is not enough to communicate in strictly government-to-government channels; they must act as public diplomats, engaging a range of audiences to influence perceptions. The interplay between public diplomacy actions and policy goals is frequently addressed from a U.S. government perspective, or in treating foreign governments’ actions in a third country setting, but this series explores Embassies’ engagement with the U.S. public. 
2. What does it take to be an Ambassador assigned by your government to Washington, D.C.? What sort of personality, background, and skills are required? Once assigned, how does an Ambassador prepare for their assignment, and once here, how do they continue a process of learning about their country of assignment? Most importantly, how does an Ambassador assigned to Washington D.C. connect with America outside the beltway? If every savvy diplomat is a public diplomat, then how do Ambassadors remain connected with the broader American public?

Current Position
2024 – Ambassador of Iceland to the United States of America.

Professional Career
Secretary General of the Iceland Chamber of Commerce, 2020-2024.
Senior Advisor at the The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, 2017-2020.
Senior Advisor at the Prime Minister‘s Office, 2017-2017.
Senior Advisor at the The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs , 2013-2017.
Advisor to the Chairman of the Independence Party, Alþingi, 2012-2013.
Secretary General of the IP‘s Parliamentary Group, Alþingi, 2009-2012.
Host and editor at Stöð 2 (Channel 2), 2004-2009.
Newsreporter, radio and television host and editor at RÚV (The Icelandic National
Broadcasting Service), 1999-2004.

Education
Reykjavík University, MBA
University of Iceland, Cand. jur.

Boards, Committees, Working Groups and Social Activities
The Culture and Business Affairs Minister’s Working Group on the Merger of
Institutions, 2022-2023.
The Prime Minister‘s Working Group on Foreigners Employment Rights, 2022-2023.
Leikfélag Reykjavíkur (Reykjavík City Theatre), 2022-2024.
Grunnstoð ehf. 2021-2024.
Háskólinn í Reykjavík (Reykjavík University), 2021-2024.
Íslandspóstur (Iceland Post), 2014-2019.
Íslandsstofa (Business Iceland), Investment Advisory Council, 2013-2016.
The Culture and Education Minister‘s Committee on Access to Media in the Lead-up to
Elections, 2012-2013.

Various other social activites: Vice-Chair of the Economic and Business Committee of
the Independence Party from 2015-2018 and in the Coordination Committee of the
Independence Party 2011-2018. Various projects for the Ministry of Education from
1997 – 2002: chairperson and vice-chairperson of the State Youth Council, participation
and chairmanship in Youth for Europe and the Children's Culture Fund, and
representative in the Nordic Youth Committee under the Nordic Council of Ministers
1999-2001. In the Gender Equality Committee of Reykjavík City from 1998 – 2001.

 

Thursday, November 6 | 7 – 8:15 PM EST  

Our Ambassador Panel to discussed how shifts in geopolitics, media, and technology are shaping the future of public diplomacy

1. Jose Manuel “Babe” del Gallego Romualdez was appointed Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States of America in 2017 and reappointed in 2022. As the head of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Romualdez is concurrently the Philippines’ emissary to the Commonwealth of Jamaica, Republic of Haiti, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia. Ambassador Romualdez has extensive experience as a media practitioner and business executive. He used to be the Chief Executive Officer of Stargate Media Corporation and Publisher of People Asia Magazine (The Philippine Star affiliate). He was president of the Manila Overseas Press Club and vice-president of the Rotary Club of Manila. Born and raised in Manila, Ambassador Romualdez received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from De La Salle College in 1970.

2. Catalina Crespo Sancho is the Ambassador of Costa Rica to the United States. She is a human rights specialist with over 20 years of experience in international development. In 2018, the Costa Rican Congress elected her for a 4-year term as the Head of the National Human Rights Institution. During that period, the Central American and Caribbean Council of National Institutions of Human Rights also elected her as the 2019-2020 President, where she implemented a regional approach, to deal with the migration crisis. From 2013 to 2018 Ambassador Crespo-Sancho worked at the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank on development issues in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

3. Frank Sesno serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Professor at the School of Media and Public Affairs. An Emmy-award winning journalist, Sesno’s journalism career spanning four decades has put him at the reporting forefront of major events including presidential campaigns and debates, superpower summits, and conflicts worldwide. He served as director of the School of Media and Public Affairs from 2009-2020 and has extensive experience and an abiding commitment to environmental journalism and stewardship.

Thank you to all those who joined for an engaging, meaningful conversation on the Future of Public Diplomacy.

Wednesday, October 29th | 5:30 – 6:30 PM EST 

Each series will explore the following themes: 

1. Savvy diplomats understand that to succeed in advancing foreign policy goals in Washington D.C., it is not enough to communicate in strictly government-to-government channels; they must act as public diplomats, engaging a range of audiences to influence perceptions. The interplay between public diplomacy actions and policy goals is frequently addressed from a U.S. government perspective, or in treating foreign governments’ actions in a third country setting, but this series explores Embassies’ engagement with the U.S. public. 
   
2. What does it take to be an Ambassador assigned by your government to Washington, D.C.? What sort of personality, background, and skills are required? Once assigned, how does an Ambassador prepare for their assignment, and once here, how do they continue a process of learning about their country of assignment? Most importantly, how does an Ambassador assigned to Washington D.C. connect with America outside the beltway? If every savvy diplomat is a public diplomat, then how do Ambassadors remain connected with the broader American public?

The featured speaker is His Excellency Mr. Nazar Issa Abdulhadi Al-Khirullah, the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the United States.

Check out this amazing article written by GW’s Hatchet about this event: https://gwhatchet.com/2025/10/30/iraqi-ambassador-talks-cultural-diplomacy-building-partnerships-with-us/

PDCA’s October 6 program featured Michele Sumilas, who serves as the National Engagement Director at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC). Sumilas described how the USGLC is defining the challenges and how the Coalition is working to ensure, in Secretary Rubio’s words, America is safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

Michele Sumilas is the National Engagement Director at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.  From 2025-2021, she served as the Acting Deputy Administrator for Management and Resources and the Assistant to the Administrator for the Bureau for Planning, Learning and Management at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Previously, she served as Executive Director of Bread for the World, an anti-hunger Christian advocacy organization. Her prior government experience includes serving as USAID Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff during the Obama administration, and on the House Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. Prior to serving in government, she worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Global Health Council.  She attended Mount Holyoke College and received her Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The USGLC works to strengthen America’s civilian-led tools — development and diplomacy — alongside defense. It advocates for a strong International Affairs Budget and is working to make America’s international affairs programs a keystone of U.S. foreign policy. It brings together more than 500 businesses and non-profits from across the country. As the premier advocacy organization for America’s Engagement in the World and International Assistance (the 150 account), USGLC has a unique perspective and capacity to impact U.S. diplomacy in the years ahead.

Friday October 3, 2025

This was the Global Communications MA’s first-ever event, bringing together alumni and current students. It was a great opportunity to make connections, develop mentoring relationships, and learn about different career paths for current students. 

The M.A Global Communication program gathered for a dinner to start off the Fall 2025 semester. We welcomed new students, current students, faculty and staff members. It was an evening filled with engaging conversations, shared stories, and a strong sense of camaraderie. This gathering not only highlighted the diverse backgrounds and global perspectives that define our program, but also fostered meaningful connections that will support collaboration and growth throughout the semester ahead.