The Meridian Center for Corporate Diplomacy
The future of diplomacy depends on greater cooperation between the private sector, government and civil society.
Companies have emerged as new, powerful diplomatic actors. Business is shaping how the world works through their decisions on supply chains and investments, innovations and stances on environmental and social issues. They have the power - and responsibility - to contribute and add value to society, in addition to their shareholders and customers. At the same time, our global challenges are too big and technically complex for governments to solve alone, given their fiscal, political and long-term strategic planning limitations.
However, the private sector needs support and resources to take on this new role successfully.
Business leaders need deeper geopolitical insights, robust networks, diplomatic resources and a platform to bridge the gaps between business, government and diplomatic leaders.
Mission
The Meridian Center for Corporate Diplomacy advances diplomacy and international collaboration through effective engagement of the private sector and by equipping business leaders with the tools, insights and networks needed to:
- Accelerate collaboration on shared global challenges
- Navigate increasingly complex geopolitical risks and opportunities
- Strengthen America’s global competitiveness
Our Approach
For over 60 years, Meridian International Center has worked at the intersection of business and diplomacy to strengthen U.S. engagement worldwide and equip companies with the tools they need to conduct business internationally. The Meridian Center for Corporate Diplomacy convenes and trains corporate leaders with the diplomatic skills, strategies, and insights to succeed in a competitive global business environment.
Meridian’s signature offerings include the Meridian Corporate Council and the Corporate Diplomacy Global Leaders Program, which serve alongside longstanding programs like Global Business Briefings and the Meridian Ball and Summit, which are the backbone of the Meridian Center for Corporate Diplomacy.
Why Corporate Diplomacy Matters
Meridian believes that corporate diplomacy is advancing global collaboration through effective leadership and engagement of the private sector.
Our work within the Center for Corporate Diplomacy focuses around these three principles:
Business leaders need diplomatic skills and insight to navigate new geopolitical risks and opportunities effectively.
The private sector must rewire for a world where the geopolitical landscape is increasingly complex, and businesses or governments are inextricably linked. Leaders at all levels within a company must have diplomatic skills, geopolitical context and networks to navigate the risks and opportunities of these new dynamics.
Companies are new diplomatic actors central to addressing shared global challenges.
Companies are now at the center of the most challenging issues of our time – climate change and the energy transition, disruptive technologies and global health emergencies. They have the power – and responsibility – to collaborate with the government and civil society to address these issues. Companies must better understand their role and resources in the diplomatic ecosystem to fully leverage their power.
Stronger companies lead to stronger nations and international relationships.
The strength of a country’s private sector is directly tied to its economic prosperity, security and standing in the world. Companies are now expected to have more significant value propositions – creating value for society and their shareholders and customers. In turn, governments must approach businesses as a partner to strengthen international relationships and collaborate on complex policy challenges.
Our Programs and Offerings
The Meridian Center for Corporate Diplomacy platform allows business leaders to navigate an increasingly complex and volatile global business environment. Our programs deepen understanding of geopolitical issues to protect companies from risk better, leverage new opportunities, strengthen relationships with leaders in the government and diplomatic community and empower companies to collaborate on shared global challenges. Our four program pillars include the following:
Curated convenings provide leaders with timely insights and exchange with Ambassadors, high-level U.S. government officials and industry leaders to better forecast risks and opportunities for their companies. These programs connect decision-makers in government and the diplomatic corps to build deeper relationships in a neutral, non-partisan environment.
Global Business Briefings: Global Business Briefings connect members of the diplomatic community with the private sector by providing a platform for dialogue on key global issues. Attendees gain unique insights from policy leaders and international representatives and learn about effective leadership in global environments through the Corporate Council’s customized programs.
Meridian Huddles: The Meridian Huddle provides a platform for participants and relevant thought leaders to convene and discuss critical issues. Restricted to a small number of participants, the Meridian Huddle cultivates nonpartisan thought leadership and partnership.
Global Dialogue Series: Featuring “salon style," off-the-record conversations, the small audience format facilitates thoughtful conversation and encourages audience participation on central policy challenges facing the U.S. and world leaders. Participants include representatives from the public and diplomatic sectors, Meridian trustees and corporate council members.
Dive beyond the headlines to understand the top issues in the United States. Meet the policy- and thought leaders shaping politics and economics in Washington and beyond.
Do you want to connect with American policymakers? Do you want to strengthen your relationships with American business leaders? Do you have recommendations for policy discussions and trainings? Please contact Amanda Kalyan, Director of Corporate Relations and Member Engagement, at akalyan@meridian.org.
Our training program equips leaders with greater geopolitical insight and diplomatic skills, including cross-cultural intelligence, geopolitical risk analysis, protocol, negotiations and more. These skills and insights are necessary to inform strategic and operational decision-making on complex and uncertain business issues. We work with companies to co-create international exchange programs to help with their international regulatory stakeholder engagement, market access and ESG goals.
Corporate Diplomacy Trainings: Meridian leverages its experience in diplomacy, cross-cultural expertise and global affairs to train corporate leaders and staff to Think Like a Diplomat, enabling private sector partners to cultivate a workforce with the skills and insights to operate in a rapidly globalizing business environment.
Customized Exchanges: Meridian helps companies and organizations create custom exchanges for your strategic talent and network that provides the unique opportunity to share and expand market understanding and grow your international presence to better navigate market expansion, cross-border transactions, government relationships, international talent acquisition, workforce development, and geopolitical/economic instability.
Connect on pressing policy and economic matters with foreign and domestic leaders in a neutral, nonpartisan space.
Do you want to build stronger ties with foreign leaders? Do you have ideas for timely or upcoming issues that the U.S. government and diplomatic corps will be tackling? Please contact Amanda Kalyan, Director of Corporate Relations and Member Engagement, at akalyan@meridian.org, to explore how your company can connect with key influencers and decision-makers through Meridian’s convening programs.
As a trusted partner of the State Department, government agencies and multilateral organizations, we work with companies to align strategic interests through public-private partnership development.
Working Groups: The Corporate Council Working Groups are tailored, facilitated groups that will serve as an asset and resource to both the private sector and the Office of Commercial and Business Affairs at the State Department. The goal is to strengthen the bridge between the business, Meridian, and the Department of State. Working group members will develop a plan for how their office can help advance and support the shared U.S.-business priorities.
Partnerships with International Institutions. Meridian partners with international institutions on programs to bring insight to Corporate Council members, including the OECD, European Parliament, United Nations General Assembly, and the G-20.
Strengthen relationships with members of the private and public sectors, exchanging perspectives on current and burgeoning domestic and foreign policy issues.
Are you interested in speaking about a timely, relevant issue with members of the diplomatic corps from 180 embassies and business leaders in Washington? Please contact Amanda Kalyan, Director of Corporate Relations and Member Engagement, at akalyan@meridian.org.
The Center is a platform for businesses to access content and resources on corporate diplomacy.
The Meridian Diplomacy Forum provides a platform for the U.S. State Department and global leaders to convene and discuss modernizing U.S. diplomatic practices to meet today’s challenges. Through our plenary and concurrent Solution Sessions, key policymakers and influencers from the U.S. Government and private sector share a holistic approach to retool and strengthen the United States’ engagement abroad.
Global Leadership Summit: The Meridian Summit is the premier convening of diplomatic, business and policy leaders in a neutral, nonpartisan forum to exchange ideas and collaborate on solutions to today’s most pressing global challenges and opportunities. Recent Summit themes include global health, energy and trade. Summit speakers have included members of Congress, foreign Ministers and Ambassadors, key members of academia and policy experts.
Would you or your company like to be a thought leader in the corporate diplomacy space? Please contact Amanda Kalyan, Director of Corporate Relations and Member Engagement, at akalyan@meridian.org.
Contribute to the diplomatic discourse by leveraging your expertise, insight, and experience to develop the future of corporate diplomacy.
Curated convenings provide leaders with timely insights and exchange with Ambassadors, high-level U.S. government officials and industry leaders to better forecast risks and opportunities for their companies. These programs connect decision-makers in government and the diplomatic corps to build deeper relationships in a neutral, non-partisan environment.
Global Business Briefings: Global Business Briefings connect members of the diplomatic community with the private sector by providing a platform for dialogue on key global issues. Attendees gain unique insights from policy leaders and international representatives and learn about effective leadership in global environments through the Corporate Council’s customized programs.
Meridian Huddles: The Meridian Huddle provides a platform for participants and relevant thought leaders to convene and discuss critical issues. Restricted to a small number of participants, the Meridian Huddle cultivates nonpartisan thought leadership and partnership.
Global Dialogue Series: Featuring “salon style," off-the-record conversations, the small audience format facilitates thoughtful conversation and encourages audience participation on central policy challenges facing the U.S. and world leaders. Participants include representatives from the public and diplomatic sectors, Meridian trustees and corporate council members.
Dive beyond the headlines to understand the top issues in the United States. Meet the policy- and thought leaders shaping politics and economics in Washington and beyond.
Do you want to connect with American policymakers? Do you want to strengthen your relationships with American business leaders? Do you have recommendations for policy discussions and trainings? Please contact Amanda Kalyan, Director of Corporate Relations and Member Engagement, at akalyan@meridian.org.
Our training program equips leaders with greater geopolitical insight and diplomatic skills, including cross-cultural intelligence, geopolitical risk analysis, protocol, negotiations and more. These skills and insights are necessary to inform strategic and operational decision-making on complex and uncertain business issues. We work with companies to co-create international exchange programs to help with their international regulatory stakeholder engagement, market access and ESG goals.
Corporate Diplomacy Trainings: Meridian leverages its experience in diplomacy, cross-cultural expertise and global affairs to train corporate leaders and staff to Think Like a Diplomat, enabling private sector partners to cultivate a workforce with the skills and insights to operate in a rapidly globalizing business environment.
Customized Exchanges: Meridian helps companies and organizations create custom exchanges for your strategic talent and network that provides the unique opportunity to share and expand market understanding and grow your international presence to better navigate market expansion, cross-border transactions, government relationships, international talent acquisition, workforce development, and geopolitical/economic instability.
Connect on pressing policy and economic matters with foreign and domestic leaders in a neutral, nonpartisan space.
Do you want to build stronger ties with foreign leaders? Do you have ideas for timely or upcoming issues that the U.S. government and diplomatic corps will be tackling? Please contact Amanda Kalyan, Director of Corporate Relations and Member Engagement, at akalyan@meridian.org, to explore how your company can connect with key influencers and decision-makers through Meridian’s convening programs.
As a trusted partner of the State Department, government agencies and multilateral organizations, we work with companies to align strategic interests through public-private partnership development.
Working Groups: The Corporate Council Working Groups are tailored, facilitated groups that will serve as an asset and resource to both the private sector and the Office of Commercial and Business Affairs at the State Department. The goal is to strengthen the bridge between the business, Meridian, and the Department of State. Working group members will develop a plan for how their office can help advance and support the shared U.S.-business priorities.
Partnerships with International Institutions. Meridian partners with international institutions on programs to bring insight to Corporate Council members, including the OECD, European Parliament, United Nations General Assembly, and the G-20.
Strengthen relationships with members of the private and public sectors, exchanging perspectives on current and burgeoning domestic and foreign policy issues.
Are you interested in speaking about a timely, relevant issue with members of the diplomatic corps from 180 embassies and business leaders in Washington? Please contact Amanda Kalyan, Director of Corporate Relations and Member Engagement, at akalyan@meridian.org.
The Center is a platform for businesses to access content and resources on corporate diplomacy.
The Meridian Diplomacy Forum provides a platform for the U.S. State Department and global leaders to convene and discuss modernizing U.S. diplomatic practices to meet today’s challenges. Through our plenary and concurrent Solution Sessions, key policymakers and influencers from the U.S. Government and private sector share a holistic approach to retool and strengthen the United States’ engagement abroad.
Global Leadership Summit: The Meridian Summit is the premier convening of diplomatic, business and policy leaders in a neutral, nonpartisan forum to exchange ideas and collaborate on solutions to today’s most pressing global challenges and opportunities. Recent Summit themes include global health, energy and trade. Summit speakers have included members of Congress, foreign Ministers and Ambassadors, key members of academia and policy experts.
Would you or your company like to be a thought leader in the corporate diplomacy space? Please contact Amanda Kalyan, Director of Corporate Relations and Member Engagement, at akalyan@meridian.org.
Contribute to the diplomatic discourse by leveraging your expertise, insight, and experience to develop the future of corporate diplomacy.
Corporate Diplomacy in the News
