Ambassador Stuart Holliday is CEO of Meridian International Center, a leading non-partisan institution advancing global security and prosperity through effective leadership and diplomacy. Under his leadership, Meridian, founded in 1960, has emerged as an essential catalyst for collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the diplomatic community.

Meridian works closely with the U.S. Department of State and other U.S. government agencies, NGOs, international governments, and the private sector. It creates global leadership exchange and education programs, partnerships, and initiatives that strengthen international cooperation on key issues such as security, energy and the environment, economic statecraft, emerging technologies, global health, and culture. Meridian's three-acre campus in the heart of Washington, D.C., is a national historic landmark.

Ambassador Stuart Holliday served as United States Ambassador for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations (2003-2005) after the President's nomination and the Senate's confirmation. Holliday's primary duties involved representing the United States on issues in the U.N. Security Council. This included responsibility for U.S. policy on U.N. Peacekeeping, Sanctions, and Counterterrorism programs.

Before serving at the United Nations, Holliday was Coordinator (Assistant Secretary) of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.

From 2000 to 2001, he was Special Assistant to the President and Associate Director of Presidential Personnel at the White House. At the White House, he advised the President on appointments to the State Department, the Defense Department, the Veterans Department, FEMA, NASA, OPIC, Peace Corps, USAID, and Ambassadorships. Following the attacks of September 11, Holliday was tasked by the President's Chief of Staff to work with government agencies to staff the first Office of Homeland Security at the White House.

From 1998 to 2000, he served as Assistant (Deputy) Policy Director to the Governor of Texas. In this capacity, he had specific responsibility for economic development, international trade, technology, and military issues. Previously, Holliday served as Executive Director of the Dallas Council on World Affairs and Regional Director for North Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey at the International Republican Institute (IRI), where he worked on political reform and elections.

Holliday served on active and reserve duty as an Officer in the United States Navy (Intelligence) from 1988 until 1995 and was recalled to active duty for Operation Desert Storm. He is a recipient of the Joint Service Commendation Medal and other awards.

He obtained his B.S.F.S. (International Affairs) from Georgetown University and his M.A. (International Affairs and History) from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Holliday is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He also serves as a Trustee of the Center for the Study of Presidency and Congress, the Blair House, and the Global Leadership Council of the United Nations Foundation. Previously, he served as the Chapter Chair of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and on the board of the Council of American Ambassadors, the American Academy of Diplomacy, and The International Foundation for Election Systems.

In the private sector, Holliday is engaged in the private equity field in the aerospace, defense, and energy sectors.

Holliday is a frequent speaker on foreign affairs and international institutions, appearing on television programs on MSNBC, Fox Business, CNN, BBC, Bloomberg News, and various international media networks. He often speaks to businesses and educational organizations on national security, foreign policy, and presidential politics.

In 2022, Holliday was honored with the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, France's highest and oldest award, by His Excellency Philippe Étienne, Ambassador of France to the U.S.