1/22/2008 - AFS-USA Announces 2008 Returnee Speaker Series
About the Speakers Series
Now in its third season, the AFS Returnee Speakers Series brings together prominent AFS alum from a wide range of professions to share their experiences with fellow AFSers. These events provide entertaining networking opportunities for AFS constituents and their guests.
Being an AFS-USA Returnee puts you in some interesting company. Many AFS Returnees have gone on to become quite well known in their respective fields of endeavor. To highlight these individuals and to provide a platform for them to share their stories, a group of three passionate AFS Returnees, Michael Jakob (Germany to Costa Rica, 1982), Dale Ponikvar (U.S. to Germany, 1967), and Andrea Sehl (U.S. to Switzerland, 1972), formed a committee to invite well-known returnees to speak to fellow returnees and friends of AFS.
To attend an AFS Returnee Speakers Series Event fill out and return the attached 2008 Returnee Speakers Series form.Upcoming Returnee Speakers Series Events
February
Monday, February 11
Zalmay Khalilzad
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Returnee, Afghanistan to the US, 1966
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad is the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations since March 2007. Previously, he served as U.S. Ambassador to Iraq and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan. His life-long career in diplomacy will make for an informative evening. Cocktails and light snacks will be served. Price per person: $100/$200 for Patron ticket.
March
Thursday, March 13
Craig Wilson
Columnist, USA Today
Returnee, US to Great Britain, 1966
Yale Club
Noon – 2:00 PM
Craig Wilson, returnee from the US to Great Britain, has been a columnist at USA Today for 10 years. His popular Wednesday column, the Final Word, appears in the national newspaper’s LIFE section where he has been a feature writer for 23 years. Lunch will be served. Price per person: $75/$150 for Patron ticket.
May
Thursday, May 8
Linda Wells
Editor in Chief
Allure Magazine
Returnee, US to Turkey, 1975
Yale Club
Noon – 2:00 PM
Linda Wells, returnee from the U.S. to Turkey, is the founding editor-in-chief of Allure Magazine. After graduating from Trinity College, she began her journalism career at Vogue before joining the New York Times where she was a beauty and food editor. Please join us for this special event at the Yale Club. Lunch will be served. Price per person: $75/$150 for Patron ticket.
Past Events
In May 2006, alumnus R. James Woolsey (U.S. to Sweden, 1958) was the inaugural speaker in this series. He has been, among many other accomplishments, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1993 to 1995. He is an expert in the field of energy. Read R. James Woolsey’s biography below.
In June, Tony Award-winning actor Bill Irwin (U.S. to Northern Ireland, 1968) shared his AFS story in the same venue as Mr. Woolsey – the University Club in New York City. Read Bill Irwin’s biography below.
To read excerpts from R. Nicholas Burns’ speech from his March 5, 2007 Returnee Speakers Series click here: R. Nicholas Burns Returnee Speakers Series Excerpt
For more information, please email Patricia Davis, or call 1-800-876-2376, ext. 1108.