Natalie Jones Hallahan serves as Executive Vice President of Meridian, leading Meridian’s programs to advance American diplomacy and leadership. She works closely with Meridian’s four program centers, Global Leadership, Diplomatic Engagement, Corporate Diplomacy, and Culture, to cultivate strategic partnerships and engage stakeholders from the government, business, and diplomatic communities. Since joining Meridian in June 2017 as Vice President for External Affairs, Jones has driven ​financial growth and mission impact by leading the organization’s strategy and operations and spearheading the development of critical initiatives, including the Meridian Council, the Center for Diplomatic Engagement, DiplomacyRISE and Culturefix.

Before joining Meridian, she served as Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States from 2011-2016 and as Acting Chief of Protocol in 2013, working with over 100 foreign governments and delegations on their visits to the United States and traveling with the President, Vice President, and Secretary of State to advise on protocol considerations of overseas trips. She led large teams to plan and execute high-level international summits, state visits, and diplomatic events and served as a central interlocutor between foreign governments, the U.S. Department of State, and the White House. She started at the State Department in 2009 as Assistant Chief of Protocol for Ceremonials, overseeing the planning of ceremonial events hosted by the Secretary of State.

Jones began her career in Washington, D.C., fundraising for political campaigns and organizations, including the Democratic National Committee, Secretary Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, and Senator Evan Bayh.

Jones graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Patrick Hallahan, daughter Eleanor, and son Henry.