Young Professionals Briefing Series | Council on Foreign Relations

Why It Matters Live Podcast Taping on Food Diplomacy

Please join us for a LIVE! taping of the CFR Why It Matters podcast. During this special taping and livestream, host Gabrielle Sierra and podcast guests discuss food diplomacy and share stories from White House state dinners where food helped create a lasting partnership. Why It Matters explains some of the least-understood issues that are shaping our world. Every two weeks, host Gabrielle Sierra speaks to a diverse lineup of guests with the goal of simplifying a complicated global topic. Will the world run out of coffee? Will wars be fought by killer robots? Is Hollywood giving in to Chinese censorship? With a little bit of humor and a lot of curiosity, Why It Matters is here to dig in and find out. Please note Why It Matters LIVE! will appear on all podcast feeds and stream live through CFR.org. The CFR Young Professionals Briefing Series provides an opportunity for those early in their careers to engage with CFR. The briefings feature remarks by experts on critical global issues and lessons learned in their careers. These events are intended for individuals who have completed their undergraduate studies and have not yet reached the age of thirty to be eligible to apply for CFR term membership.

Virtual Event with Matthew Costello, Johanna Mendelson-Forman and Gabrielle Sierra April 17, 2025

United States

Young Professionals Briefing: Youth Social Media Engagement and Views on Foreign Policy

Panelists discuss media consumption and views on foreign policy among youth in the United States and globally. The CFR Young Professionals Briefing Series provides an opportunity for those early in their careers to engage with CFR. The briefings feature remarks by experts on critical global issues and lessons learned in their careers. These events are intended for individuals who have completed their undergraduate studies and have not yet reached the age of thirty to be eligible to apply for CFR term membership. We are pleased to extend this invitation to you through the recommendation of a CFR member. If you no longer wish to receive these invitations, please let us know by replying to this email. If you wish to attend virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website.

Virtual Event with Elise Labott, Andreas Sandre and Kat Duffy March 17, 2025

United States

Young Professionals Briefing: Securing the Future—Navigating Careers in Defense and National Security

Panelists discuss careers in defense and security within the U.S. government and the many forms they can take. The CFR Young Professionals Briefing Series provides an opportunity for those early in their careers to engage with CFR. The briefings feature remarks by experts on critical global issues and lessons learned in their careers. These events are intended for individuals who have completed their undergraduate studies and have not yet reached the age of thirty to be eligible for CFR term membership. We are pleased to extend this invitation to you through the recommendation of a CFR member. If you no longer wish to receive these invitations, please let us know by replying to this email.

Virtual Event with Stephanie Ahern, Peter I. Belk and Tammy S. Schultz January 8, 2025

United States

Young Professionals Briefing With CFR Military Fellows

CFR Military Fellows discuss ways their respective branches are meeting the challenges of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, climate change, and an evolving global threat landscape. The CFR Young Professionals Briefing Series provides an opportunity for those early in their careers to engage with CFR. The briefings feature remarks by experts on critical global issues and lessons learned in their careers. These events are intended for individuals who have completed their undergraduate studies and have not yet reached the age of thirty to be eligible for CFR term membership. We are pleased to extend this invitation to you through the recommendation of a CFR member. If you no longer wish to receive these invitations, please let us know by replying to this email. If you wish to attend virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and the transcript of this hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website.

Virtual Event with Nathan M. Colvin, Thomas P. O'Donnell, Tina J. Peña, Todd E. Randolph, Wilfred Rivera and Meena Bose November 20, 2024

United States

A Conversation With Mike Froman

CFR President Mike Froman discusses his career, priorities for the Council, and the current events affecting U.S. foreign policy, including the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The CFR Young Professionals Briefing Series provides an opportunity for those early in their careers to engage with CFR. The briefings feature remarks by experts on critical global issues and lessons learned in their careers. These events are intended for individuals who have completed their undergraduate studies and have not yet reached the age of thirty to be eligible for CFR term membership.

Virtual Event with Michael Froman and Margaret E. Richardson September 5, 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Young Professionals Briefing: Artificial Intelligence and the Economy—How Cities are Embracing New Technologies

Panelists reflect on how the digital transformation is reshaping the economy and how cities like New York can embrace new technologies, like artificial intelligence, to foster economic growth. Please note that speakers are appearing in their personal capacities.

Virtual Event with Jiahao Chen, Joni Kletter and Kat Duffy March 20, 2024 Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program

Terrorism and Counterterrorism

Young Professionals Briefing: What to Worry About in 2024

Panelists discuss potential and ongoing crises that may erupt or escalate in 2024, as well as their global political implications. This event will explore the results of CFR’s 2024 Preventive Priorities Survey.

Virtual Event with Courtney Cooper, Elizabeth M. Hoffman, Paul B. Stares and Ali Wyne January 16, 2024 Center for Preventive Action

Intelligence

Young Professionals Briefing: Pathways to Service in the Intelligence Community

Panelists discuss their distinguished careers in intelligence and offer advice to young professionals interested in or already pursuing a career in the intelligence space, as well as the challenges confronting the field on federal and local levels.

Virtual Event with Yael Eisenstat, Rebecca U. Weiner and Jacob Ware November 28, 2023 National Security and Defense Program

Saudi Arabia

Young Professionals Briefing Series: Investing in the Game: Is it Sportswashing?

Panelists discuss the unprecedented investment in international sports by Gulf nations, the phenomenon of “sportswashing” in the region, and the political, economic, and human rights implications of those campaigns.

Virtual Event with Sarah Yager, Karen E. Young and Elise Labott September 6, 2023

Iran

Young Professionals Briefing: After the Protests: Human Rights in Iran

Panelists discuss the implications of the recent human rights protests in Iran for the nation’s domestic political regime, U.S.-Iran relations, and the wider Middle East geopolitical landscape. The CFR Young Professionals Briefing Series provides an opportunity for those early in their careers to engage with CFR. The briefings feature remarks by experts on critical global issues and lessons learned in their careers. These events are intended for individuals who have completed their undergraduate studies and have not yet reached the age of thirty to be eligible for CFR term membership.

Virtual Event with Nazanin Boniadi, Suzanne Kianpour, Alex Vatanka and Henry Rome April 10, 2023

Americas

Young Professionals Briefing Series: Corporate Social Responsibility and Development Around the World

Panelists discuss the role of the private sector in promoting social responsibility, development, and change at scale around the world. The CFR Young Professionals Briefing Series provides an opportunity for those early in their careers to engage with CFR. The briefings feature remarks by experts on critical global issues and lessons learned in their careers. These events are intended for individuals who have completed their undergraduate studies and have not yet reached the age of thirty to be eligible for CFR term membership.

Virtual Event with Boris Bulayev, Ella R. Gudwin, Bhakti V. Mirchandani and Jove R. Oliver February 21, 2023

United States

Young Professionals Briefing: The State of the U.S. Armed Forces in 2023

CFR’s Military Fellows discuss the state of the U.S. armed forces, including defense priorities for 2023, U.S. deterrence in the face of escalating geopolitical tensions, military recruitment and retention efforts, and other non-combat operations. The CFR Young Professionals Briefing Series provides an opportunity for those early in their careers to engage with CFR. The briefings feature remarks by experts on critical global issues and lessons learned in their careers. These events are intended for individuals who have completed their undergraduate studies and have not yet reached the age of thirty to be eligible for CFR term membership.

Virtual Event with Christa N. Almonte, Timothy J. MacDonald, Jeffrey K. Randall, Erin M. Staine-Pyne, Alison J. Thompson and Jennifer E. Kavanagh January 23, 2023