Unprecedented Challenges —Future of State Department and Public Diplomacy

PDCA's October 6 program will feature Michele Sumilas, who serves as the National Engagement Director at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC). Ms. Sumilas will describe 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.

The event will take place at noon at GWU's Lindner Family Commons (1957 E Street, NW, Room 602, Washington, D.C. 20052) and will also be available via Zoom. For those who arrive before 11:40 a.m., a light lunch will be provided.

The First Monday Forum is co-sponsored by PDCA and its partners the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy, the GWU Institute for Public Diplomacy & Global Communication, and the Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training.

Host or Publisher The Public Diplomacy Council of America