Ambassadors of Honor (from left to right): H.E. José Miguel Alemán (Ambassador of Panama), H.E. Svanhildur Hólm Valsdóttir (Ambassador of Iceland), H.E. Leena-Kaisa Mikkola (Ambassador of Finland), H.E. Victor Anthony Fernandes (Ambassador of Barbados), H.E. Jean Bosco Barege (Ambassador of Burundi), H.E. Ana Irene Delgado (Ambassador of Panama to the OAS), T.H. Stuart Holliday (CEO, Meridian), H.E. Lantosoa Rakotomalala (Ambassador of Madagascar), H.E. Lantosoa Rakotomalala (Ambassador of Madagascar), T.H. Fred Hochberg (Chair, Meridian Board of Trustees), H.E. David Kipkorir Kiplagat Kerich (Ambassador of Kenya), H.E. Daniel García-Peña (Ambassador of Colombia), H.E. Ebrahim Rasool (Ambassador of South Africa), and H.E. José Luis Sardón (Ambassador of Peru to the OAS) at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
Washington, D.C. is more than the nation’s capital—it’s a hub where diplomacy shapes the future. In keeping with its longstanding tradition, Meridian International Center hosted its biannual “Welcome to Washington” reception on February 2025, offering a warm introduction to newly appointed Chiefs of Mission. Held on Meridian’s historic campus, the evening provided a dynamic space for fostering global connections and strengthening international partnerships.
This signature gathering brought together newly arrived ambassadors, giving them the opportunity to engage with peers and key stakeholders in an evening dedicated to diplomacy, collaboration, and cross-cultural exchange.
We were honored to welcome eight new ambassadors to the United States: His Excellency Victor Anthony Fernandes (Ambassador of Barbados), His Excellency Daniel García-Peña (Ambassador of Colombia), Her Excellency Leena-Kaisa Mikkola (Ambassador of Finland), Her Excellency Svanhildur Hólm Valsdóttir (Ambassador of Iceland), His Excellency David Kipkorir Kiplagat Kerich (Ambassador of Kenya), Her Excellency Lantosoa Rakotomalala (Ambassador of Madagascar), His Excellency José Miguel Alemán (Ambassador of Panama), and His Excellency Ebrahim Rasool (Ambassador of South Africa) for this special occasion.
By facilitating meaningful dialogue and connections, Meridian strengthens diplomatic relationships that drive international cooperation. The Welcome to Washington reception provides a unique space for ambassadors to build relationships with leaders across government, business, philanthropy, and policy—enhancing collective efforts toward global progress and security.
About Welcome to Washington
Welcome to Washington honors newly arrived Chiefs of Mission and provides them with an opportunity to meet and engage with a cross-section of Washington leadersfrom the government, business and policy communities. Building peer-to-peer relationships in Washington is crucial for diplomats to exchange information and facilitate bilateral cooperation on a wide variety of global issues.
Welcome to Washington reception at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
Her Excellency Svanhildur Hólm Valsdóttir (Ambassador of Iceland), and Fransico Sanchez, Meridian Board of Trustees at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
Her Excellency Svanhildur Hólm Valsdóttir (Ambassador of Iceland),Her Excellency Ana Irene Delgado (Ambassador of Panama to the OAS) and Christina Sevilla at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
T.H. Fred Hochberg, Chair, Meridian Board of Trustees, and Her Excellency Leena-Kaisa Mikkola (Ambassador of Finland), at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
His Excellency Ebrahim Rasool (Ambassador of South Africa) exchanges business cards at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
His Excellency José Miguel Alemán (Ambassador of Panama) at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos
Attendees network at Meridian’s biannual Welcome to Washington reception at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
Tracy Bernstein, Meridian, Gwen Holliday, Amb. Stuart Holliday, Meridian, Victoria Dutari de Alemán, and H.E. José Miguel Alemán, Embassy of Panama at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
His Excellency Ebrahim Rasool (Ambassador of South Africa) at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
Amb. Stuart Holliday, CEO, Meridian, and Sean Cahill, Board of Trustees, Meridian at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
Victor Shilbie, The Washington Diplomat and Brad Bosserman, NOTUS at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
His Excellency Daniel García-Peña (Ambassador of Colombia) and His Excellency José Miguel Alemán (Ambassador of Panama) at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
Her Excellency Lantosoa Rakotomalala (Ambassador of Madagascar) at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
Her Excellency Leena-Kaisa Mikkola (Ambassador of Finland), Her Excellency Svanhildur Hólm Valsdóttir (Ambassador of Iceland). Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
H.E. Jean Bosco Barege, Ambassador of Burundi and H.E. Daniel García-Peña, Ambassador of Colombia. Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
T.H. Stuart Holliday, CEO, Meridian, welcomes eight new ambassadors to their posts in Washington, DC at Meridian’s biannual Welcome to Washington reception held at Meridian House on February 19, 2025. Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.
