Category: Monthly Luncheon

Preview – Event Registration Coming Soon

SPEAKER

Dr. Craig Whiteside
Lt. Col., U.S. Army, Retired

Professor, National Security Affairs,
U.S. Naval War College

WACMB August 2025 Dinner Lecture

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Overview

Some view the costly and long wars with Islamic terrorists around the globe as a mistaken distraction. However, many observers believe the ability of violent non-state actors to execute attacks like 9-11 is only increasing. Dr. Whiteside draws on his latest book released this month, Non-state Special Operations: Capabilities and Effects, to explore how violent non-state actors continue to pose a challenge to global stability.

Date and Times

• Tuesday, August 26th, 2025
• 5:30 PM: Registration
• 6:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:45 PM: Speaker

Menu

• Salad: California Field Greens Salad with Arugula, Cherry Tomato, Pine Nuts with Shaved Parmesan Lemon & Balsamic Dressing
• Entree: Sun-Dried Tomato Seared Chicken in a Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce, Creamy Mashed Potatoes and a Sauté of Seasonal Vegetables
• Vegan/Vegetarian Alternative: Portobello Mushroom, Ratatouille of Eggplant, Zucchini, Bell Pepper, & Ripe Roasted Tomatoes, Creamy Polenta & Sautéed Green Beans
• Dessert: Strawberry Short Cake with House Made Whipped Cream, Mint Chiffonade & Salinas Valley Strawberries

Cost

• $45 for World Affairs Council members
• $55 for Guests

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Registration

Registration information coming soon.

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Location

Hilton Garden Inn, Monterey
1000 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93923

SPEAKER

Michael Ipson

International Banker (retired)

Wednesday, July 30th, 2025

WACMB July 2025 Dinner Lecture

Overview

The U.S.-China relationship faces major challenges as the two nations
pursue their respective objectives. Comments in the press are often
erroneous and various aspects of the relationship do not get the attention
they deserve. In this illustrated presentation Michael Ipson provides an
up-to-date outline of the complexities of interactions between the United
States and China. He will explore the benefits and challenges for each
country, ranging from immigration and education to financial markets,
investments and trade.

Michael Ipson is a China specialist and retired international banker. As
a commercial banker he lived and worked in Hong Kong for over 20 years
with Chemical Bank (now incorporated into JP Morgan). He subsequently
spent 5 years in Beijing with the International Finance Corporation (IFC),
a member of the World Bank Group. He earned a BA from UC Berkeley,
an MA in East Asian Regional Studies from Stanford, and an MBA from
DePaul University.

Date and Times

• Wednesday, July 30th, 2025
• 5:30 PM: Registration
• 6:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:45 PM: Speaker

Menu

• Salad: Spring Pea & Watermelon Radish Salad with Chickpeas & Crumbled Feta over a bed of California Field Greens with Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
• Bread and Butter
• Entree: Grilled Salmon Filet with a Mediterranean Salsa of Cucumber, Tomato & Cracked Green Olive over Apricot Cous Cous with a Sauté of Seasonal Vegetables
• Vegetarian Alternative: Colorful Bell Peppers Filled with Mediterranean Vegetable & Apricot Cous Cous Stuffing
• Dessert: Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting & Blueberries

Cost

• $45 for World Affairs Council members
• $55 for Guests

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Registration

If you encounter difficulties with our online registration, please email info@wacmb.xyz or tel. 831-643-1855 to reserve a spot by the close of registration – Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025

Registrations are now closed.

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Location

Hilton Garden Inn, Monterey
1000 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93923

SPEAKER

Col. Christopher Welch

U.S. Air Force (retired)

Friday, June 27, 2025

Luncheon Lecture

Overview

Drawing on his experience as the U.S. Air Attaché and Chief of Attaché Operations in Ankara, Turkey, Colonel Welch will explore key factors shaping Turkey’s international outlook – from nationalism and energy insecurity to the pursuit of flexibility and influence in a volatile region. In a slide-illustrated presentation he will explore how these forces play out in areas like Syria, U.S.-Russia relations, Turkey’s growing defense sector, and its role in regional diplomacy, offering insight into what drives Turkish behavior, especially when it seems at odds with Western expectations.

Chris Welch is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, special operations pilot and former Chief of Attaché Operations and Air Attaché in Ankara. In that role, he led the U.S. military attaché team coordinating on NATO issues, bilateral defense relations, and regional security during a pivotal period in U.S.-Turkey relations. A command pilot with 2,300+ flight hours, he previously served as Chief of Strategy at the Combined Air Operations Center, directing air operations across U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), particularly in the counter-ISIS campaign in Iraq and Syria.

As an Olmsted Scholar in Istanbul, Chris Welch studied Turkish politics and history at Bogazici University. He holds master’s degrees in public policy and national security from Harvard’s Kennedy School and the National War College. He now lives in Albuqurque, New Mexico, where he continues to support national security efforts and serves as a subject matter expert on Turkey.

Date and Times

• Friday, June 27, 2025
• 11:30 AM: Registration
• 12:00 PM: Luncheon
• 12:45 PM: Speaker

Menu

• Salad: Arugula Salad with Radicchio, Honey Roasted Beets, Spicy Pecans with Feta Cheese & Shredded Jicama and finished with a Raspberry Vinaigrette
• Breads and Butter
• Entree: Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breast, Scalloped Potatoes, Charred Broccolini with Carrot-Tumeric Puree, Blistered Grape Tomatoes & Lemon Thyme Cream Honey
• Vegetarian/Vegan Alternative: Al Pastor Cauliflower Steak with Achiote Marinade, Heritage Grains, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Grilled Pineapple, with a Vegan Ancho Crema
• Dessert: Limoncello-Streusel Cream Cake

Cost

• $55 for World Affairs Council members
• $65 for Guests

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Registration

If you encounter difficulties with our online registration, please email info@wacmb.xyz or tel. 831-643-1855 to reserve a spot by close of registration – Sunday, June 22nd, 2025.

Registrations are now closed.

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Location

The Ferrantes Room
Monterey Marriott
350 Calle Principal
Monterey, CA, 93940

SPEAKER

Ambassador Robert M. Kimmitt

Wilmer Hale
Meta Platforms, Inc.

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Dinner Lecture

Overview

The term “national security” is used frequently, but its definition has evolved significantly since the National Security Council was created in 1947. During the Cold War, national security was defined predominantly by the diplomatic and military dimensions of the struggle against the Soviet Union, Warsaw Pact nations, and other Communist regimes. When the Cold War ended, economic and financial considerations began to play a more important role. Our guest, Ambassador Robert Kimmitt, has held a variety of positions at the intersection of international business, finance, and public policy. In his remarks he discusses how we must be versed in both traditional political-military as well as emerging financial topics and concepts to understand U.S. national security policy.

Robert Kimmitt serves as Lead Independent Director of Meta Platforms, Inc. and is also Senior International Counsel at the law firm of Wilmer Hale, where his practice focuses on cross-border investment and compliance. From 2005–2009, he served as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. In a career that has focused on international affairs his appointments have included American Ambassador to Germany, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, General Counsel to the U.S. Treasury, and in the Reagan White House, National Security Council Executive Secretary and General Counsel.

Ambassador Kimmitt graduated with distinction from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in combat in Vietnam. He retired as a Major General in the Army Reserve. Ambassador Kimmitt received his law degree from Georgetown University.

Date and Times

• Tuesday, May 27th, 2025
• 5:30 PM: Registration
• 6:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:45 PM: Speaker

Menu

• Salad: Butter Lettuce Salad with Roasted Beets, Oranges, California Goat Cheese with a Citrus Vinaigrette
• Bread and Butter
• Entree: Maple & Mustard Glazed Salmon with Basmati Rice & a Stir Fry of Seasonal Vegetables
• Vegan/Vegetarian Alternative: Maple & Mustard Glazed Roasted Cauliflower “Steaks”, Basmati Rice & a Stir Fry of Seasonal Vegetables
• Dessert: Raspberry Cheesecake Swirl over Chocolate Drizzle & Mint

Cost

• $45 for World Affairs Council members
• $55 for Guests

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Registration

If you encounter difficulties with our online registration please email info@wacmb.xyz or tel. 831-643-1855 to reserve a spot before close of registration.

A limited number of seats for auditors (at no charge) will be available. Please notify the WACMB office by email to info@wacmb.xyz or by phone to 831-643-1855 before close of registration.

Registrations are now closed.

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Location

The Big Sur Room

Hilton Garden Inn, Monterey
1000 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93923

Honoring the Monterey High School Team who will compete at the World Affairs Councils of America AWQ contest on April 28th, 2025 in Washington D.C.

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Dinner Lecture

Overview

AWQ Competition 2025 Monterey High School Team

Date and Times

• Thursday, May 15th, 2025
• 5:00 PM: Registration
• 5:30 PM: Dinner
• 6:15 PM: Presentations

Menu

Salad: California Field Green Salad with Arugula, Cherry Tomato, Pine Nuts, Shaved Parmesan with Lemon & Balsamic Dressing

Bread and Butter

Entree: Seared Chicken Cordon Bleu in a Mushroom Cream Sauce with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and a Saute of Seasonal Vegetables 

Vegan/Vegetarian Alternative: Spinach & Cheese Ravioli Tuscan Sauce of Sun Dried Tomato, Artichoke, Kalamata Olives & Capers

Dessert: New York Cheesecake with Chocolate & Caramel Drizzle & Spiced Walnuts

Cost

• $45 for World Affairs Council members
• $55 for Guests

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Registration

A limited number of seats for auditors (at no charge) will be available. Please notify the WACMB office no later than Thursday, May 08, 2025 at www.wacmb.xyz or tel 831-643-1855. Auditors will be allowed entry at 6:40 pm.

Registrations are now closed.

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Location

The Big Sur Room

Hilton Garden Inn, Monterey
1000 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93923

SPEAKER

Mark Ward

Instructor
Oregon State University

Thursday, April 24th, 2025

Dinner Lecture

Overview

In the belief that our foreign aid program has not served our national interest, the new Administration has dismantled the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and froze nearly all the contracts and grants that it funded. Our guest, Mark Ward, worked for USAID in the Foreign Service for over 30 years in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Ward will discuss the need for long overdue reform of our foreign aid program but argue that the United States will suffer without foreign aid.

Date and Times

• Thursday, April 24th, 2025
• 5:30 PM: Registration
• 6:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:45 PM: Speaker

Menu

• Salad: Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges, Blueberries, Feta Cheese with a Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Bread & Butter
• Entree: Honey Dijon Garlic Chicken Breast over Toasted Almond Cous Cous served with Green Beans
• Vegan/Vegetarian Alternative: Colorful Bell Peppers filled with Almond Cous Cous, Raisins, Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Green Olives served with Green Beans
• Dessert: Classic  Italian Tiramisu

Cost

• $45 for World Affairs Council members
• $55 for Guests

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Registration

Registration is now closed.

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Location

The Big Sur Room

Hilton Garden Inn, Monterey
1000 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93923

SPEAKER

Captain John Tully

Navy Foreign Area Officer Chair
Naval Postgraduate School – Monterey, CA

Wednesday, March 26th, 2025

Lecture Luncheon

Overview

Captain John Tully is the Navy Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Chair at the Naval Postgraduate School. Prior to assuming this position, he was Director, Africa Campaign Integration at Commander U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa. His FAO assignments took him overseas for eighteen consecutive years. He has served as Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy Djibouti where he witnessed firsthand the establishment of China’s first overseas base, in the U.S. Africa Command, as the Africa Command Liaison Officer to the Economic Community of West African States in Nigeria, and in the U.S. Embassy, Cameroon with additional accreditation to Equatorial Guinea. Earlier in his career he served as submarine operations and Tomahawk missile strike officer on the staff of the Commander, U.K. Maritime Forces.

Captain Tully earned his Bachelor of Science in History from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.

Date and Times

• Wednesday, March 26th, 2025
• 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Menu

• Salad: Greek Salad – Persian Cucumbers, Diced Tomatoes, Baby Spinach, Pitted Kalamata Olives, Feta Cheese with Oregano-Lemon Vinaigrette
• Artisan Breads and Butter
• Entree: Grilled Salmon with Lemon Risotto, Roasted Asparagus, Beet-Ginger Purée, Blistered Grape Tomaotes with a Béarnaise Sauce
• Vegetarian/Vegan Alternative: Grain Bowl with Farro, Garlic-Teriyaki Marinated & Grilled Tofu, Baby Kale, Roasted Sweet Potato, Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Broccolini, Sliced Avocado, Black Sesame Seeds with a Vegan Teriyaki Sauce
• Dessert: Apple Galette

Cost

• $55 for World Affairs Council members
• $65 for Guests

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Registration

Registration is now closed.

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Location

The Ferrantes Room
Monterey Marriott
350 Calle Principal
Monterey, CA, 93940

How Monterey County’s single largest civilian employer provides trained and educated linguists essential to the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency.

SPEAKER

Colonel Christy Whitfield

Commandant, DLI

Thursday, February 20th, 2025

Lecture Luncheon

Overview

The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) is the largest foreign language school in the world. With 1,000 plus civilian faculty of which 95% are foreign born and educated in the countries of their birth. 84% of the faculty have graduate degrees and of those 21% have PhDs. The 2,000 plus student body is multi-service (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps) and must meet strict recruiting standards to include background investigations providing a Top-Secret Security Clearance. Depending on the language they will study, they will undergo six to 15 months of daily intense language and cultural training and education. The student body includes officers and enlisted and is 26 % female. 66% of the student body is under the age of 25.

Please join us to meet the new Commandant of DLI, Colonel Christy Whitfield, and hear her discuss the global footprint of DLIFLC, its mission and vision. Colonel Whitfield is the 32nd Commandant of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Prior to her appointment to DLI she served as the senior intelligence officer in the Intelligence Directorate at the United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Her career has taken her to Korea and Italy and four year-long combat deployments in Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq. Colonel Whitfield graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Louisiana State University.

Date and Times

• Thursday, February 20th, 2025
• 11:30 AM: Registration
• 12:00 PM: Luncheon
• 12:45 PM: Speaker

Menu

• Salad: Baby Iceberg Wedge, Bacon Lardons, Heirloom Tomatoes, Crumbled Blue Cheese, Pickled Red Onion with Point Reyes Blue Cheese Dressing
• Artisan Breads and Butter
• Entree: Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breast, Scalloped Potatoes, Charred Broccolini with Carrot-Tumeric Purée, Blistered Grape Tomatoes with a Lemon Thyme Cream
• Vegetarian Alternative: Al Pastor Cauliflower Steak with Achiote Marinade, Heritage Grains, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Grilled Pineapple with a Vegan Ancho Crema
• Dessert: Pineapple-Carrot Walnut Cake

Cost

• $55 for World Affairs Council members
• $65 for Guests

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Registration

If you encounter difficulties with our online registration please email info@wacmb.xyz or tel. 831-643-1855 to reserve a spot by close of registration – Thursday, February 13th, 2025

We regret that we cannot accommodate auditors on this occasion.

Recording of this event is not permitted.

Registrations are now closed.

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Location

The Ferrantes Room
Monterey Marriott
350 Calle Principal
Monterey, CA, 93940

SPEAKER

Dr. Larry Diamond

Mosbacher Senior Fellow of Global Democracy at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University & Senior Fellow – Hoover Institution

Monday, January 27, 2025

Overview

More people voted in competitive elections in 2024 than in any year in human history. From big countries like India, Indonesia, and the United States, to small ones, barely reported on, such as Botswana amd Guatemala; from backsliding democracies struggling to reverse the tide, such as Senegal and
Sri Lanka, to liberal but challenged Taiwan. Our guest will explore how democracy fared during this critical year of electoral tests.

Larry Diamond is an Americal politcial sociologist and leading contemporary scholar in the field of democracy studies. His research focuses on democratic trends and conditions around the world and on policies and reforms to defend and advance democracy. He is the Mosbacher Senior Fellow in Global Democracy at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, both at Stanford University. For more than six years, he directed FSI’s Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law. He now leads its Program on Arab Reform and Democracy.
Dr. Diamond has served as an advisor to numerous govenrmental and international organizations including the U.S. Department of State, United Nations, World Bank and the United States Agency of International Development (USAID).

Larry Diamond received his B.A. in Political Organization and Behavior, his M.A. from the Food Research Institute, and his Ph.D. in Sociology all from Stanford University.

Date and Times

• Monday, January 27, 2025
• 11:30 AM: Registration
• 12:00 PM: Luncheon
• 12:45 PM: Speaker

Menu

• Salad: Greek Salad with Persian Cucumbers, Diced Tomatoes, Baby Spinach, Pitted-Kalamata Olives & Feta Cheese with Oregano-Lemon Vinaigrette
• Artisan Breads and Butter
• Entree: Miso-Glazed Halibut, Forbidden Rice Baby Bok Choy with Garlic,
• Micro Shiso Kimchi, Sesame Seeds, with a Miso-Teriyaki Sauce
• Vegetarian Alternative: Vegan Grain Bowl Farro, Garlic-Teriyaki Marinated & Grilled Tofu, Baby Kale, Roasted Sweet Potato, Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Broccolini, Sliced Avocado, Black Sesame Seeds with a Vegan Teriyaki Sauce
• Dessert: Apple Galette

Cost

• $65 for World Affairs Council members
• $75 for Guests

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Registration

If you encounter difficulties with our online registration or wish to audit, please email info@wacmb.xyz or tel. 831-643-1855 to reserve a spot
by close of registration – Monday, January 20th 2025

A limited number of seats for auditors (at no charge) will be available.
Auditors will be allowed entry at 12:40 pm

Registrations are now closed.

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Location

The Ferrantes Room
Monterey Marriott
350 Calle Principal
Monterey, CA, 93940

SPEAKER

Dr. Thomas Fingar

Former Deputy Director of National Intelligence
Now a Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute
for International Studies at Stanford University

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Overview

Foreign policy was not a major focus of the 2024 presidential campaign but developments beyond our borders do not take time out while the new American administration appoints officials and establishes priorities. Dozens of transition papers were prepared by the Biden administration and incoming officials will receive help from the professional bureaucracy, but coping with legacy problems, unanticipated developments, and efforts by other countries to shape administration policy will pose daunting challenges for the new foreign policy team. Tom Fingar, who held senior national security positions during four presidential transitions, will describe the process and illustrate the kinds of problems the new administration will face.

Tom Fingar is Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Center Fellow at Stanford’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. His previous positions include Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Chair of the National Intelligence Council, Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Analysis. Dr. Fingar is a graduate of Cornell University (A.B. in government and history) and Stanford University (M.A. and Ph.D. both in political science).

Date and Times

• Tuesday, December 17, 2024
• 11:30 AM: Registration
• 12:00 PM: Luncheon
• 12:45 PM: Speaker

Menu

• Salad: California Field Greens Salad with Arugula, Cherry Tomato, Pine Nuts & Shaved Parmesan with Lemon & Balsamic Dressing
• Bread & Butter
• Entree: Seared Chicken Cordon Bleu in a Mushroom Cream Sauce, Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Sauté of Seasonal Vegetables
• Vegetarian Alternative: Spinach & Cheese Ravioli, Tuscan Sauce of Sun-Dried Tomato, Artichoke, Kalamata Olives & Capers
• Dessert: New York Cheesecake with Chocolate & Caramel Drizzle & Spiced Walnuts

Cost

• $45 for World Affairs Council members
• $55 for Guests

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Registration

If you encounter difficulties with our online registration please
email info@wacmb.xyz to reserve a spot by the registration deadline.

A limited number of seats for auditors (at no charge) will be available.
Please notify the WACMB office no later than Tuesday, December 10th to
www.wacmb.xyz or tel 831-643-1855. Auditors will be allowed entry at 12:40 pm

Registrations are now closed.

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Location

The Big Sur Room

Hilton Garden Inn, Monterey
1000 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93923