Silbi Kelly Stainton serves as Meridian's Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Philanthropy, where she strengthens U.S. diplomatic engagement globally to build a more equitably just, prosperous, peaceful, and secure world.  At Meridian, she helps advance U.S. diplomatic capacity through culture, global leadership, and diplomatic engagement. She also helps build partnerships empowering the new ecosystem of diplomats in the cultural, science & technology, and corporate sectors.  Previously, Stainton served on the Aspen Institute’s Institutional Advancement team as East Regional Director for the Society of Fellows. Prior to her role with the Aspen Institute, she was Founder and Executive Director of Marshall Direct Fund, an NGO empowering women and children in Pakistan via education and economic opportunities; and on the international business development team for Bechtel. Stainton earned a Master’s in Law and Diplomacy with a focus on counter terrorism from the Fletcher School where she cross enrolled at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government taking courses in asymmetric threats to international security and leadership. She holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado where she majored in international affairs and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. Stainton is the proud mother of two teenagers and enjoys spending free time with her family exploring new cultures and the great outdoors.