Cover Image: Ms. Kellee Wicker, Vice President of Meridian’s Center for Technology, Innovation & Space, kicked off the Tech Labs Reception with opening remarks on October 14, 2025, at Meridian Internation Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz.
Technology is evolving more rapidly than ever, making it essential that policymakers have the resources needed to navigate the changing landscape. To support this need, Meridian is excited to officially welcome the Tech Labs to its repertoire of programming. On October 14, 2025, Meridian, in partnership with SeedAI, hosted a celebratory reception to mark this milestone. The event brought together program alumni and supporters as well as leaders in the technology space. Kellee Wicker, Vice President of Meridian’s Center for Technology Innovation & Space, and Teresa Carlson, Meridian Board of Trustees member and president of General Catalyst Institute, opened the reception with a toast, emphasizing the importance of equipping policymakers with a wide array of tools to understand emerging technologies and reaffirming Meridian’s continued commitment to fostering collaboration across sectors.
Originally launched in 2016, the Tech Labs aim to demystify the most pressing topics that affect the government and provide the knowledge foundation needed to support salient policy conversations around technology. This 6-week curriculum introduces participants to foundational tech topics through engaging sessions led by experts from public, private, and non-profit sectors and featuring hands-on exercises, tabletops, and debates.
Attendees at the Tech Labs Reception on October 14, 2025, at Meridian Internation Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz.
Dr. Elizabeth Newbury (SeedAI) at the Tech Labs Reception on October 14, 2025, at Meridian Internation Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz.
From left to right, Ms. Teresa Carlson (General Catalyst) and Ms. Kellee Wicker (Meridian) at the Tech Labs Reception on October 14, 2025, at Meridian Internation Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz.
Ms. Sharmila Bhatia (National Archives and Records Administration) at the Tech Labs Reception on October 14, 2025, at Meridian Internation Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz.
From left to right, Ms. Kellee Wicker (Meridian), Ms. Kate Beale (Meridian), and Ms. Teresa Carlson (General Catalyst) at the Tech Labs Reception on October 14, 2025, at Meridian Internation Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz.
From left to right, Ms. Meghan Murphy (Meridian), Mr. Daniel Horowitz (U.S. Small Business Administration), Mr. Doug Weinstein (U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence), Mr. Nick Wagner (Learning Journey AI), and Mr. David Mikosz (U.S. Department of State) at the Tech Labs Reception on October 14, 2025, at Meridian Internation Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz.
From left to right, Mr. Paul Fericelli (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and Ms. Karen Minatelli (FBI) at the Tech Labs Reception on October 14, 2025, at Meridian Internation Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz.
Meridian board member Ms. Teresa Carlson (General Catalyst) raises a toast to celebrate the launching of the Tech Labs at Meridian International Center at the Tech Labs Reception on October 14, 2025, at Meridian Internation Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz.
