We are excited to share Meridian's Blueprint for the Future: 2025-2035 Strategy + Vision that will guide our organization through the next decade. Please click HERE to read. This blueprint, unanimously approved by our Board of Trustees in October, represents our collective vision for Meridian’s future and our role in the world. Your insights, input, and support over the past year have been instrumental in creating a framework that will guide Meridian's future success even in uncertain times. Stuart and I will host a special all-staff meeting on Friday, December 6th at 10:00 AM to dive into our strategic and operational shifts and discuss how we are navigating this transition period – calendar invite forthcoming.

 

We will roll out this framework to our stakeholders in early 2025 to kick off our 65th anniversary through a communications campaign which will include a refreshed website, updated collateral, social media and more. In the meantime, we will be working closely with staff to integrate this new messaging into our day-to-day work.

 

Overview

Since 1960, Meridian has served as America's gateway to the world. As we approach our 65th anniversary, we stand at a pivotal moment in history. We believe that a better shared future depends on American leadership in the world, but changing global dynamics are challenging our nation’s role and require a new approach to diplomacy. Meridian is evolving to meet this moment. We're rethinking diplomacy from the ground up, creating a resilient, future-forward approach that opens diplomacy to a new era of leaders from beyond government. Business leaders, governors and mayors, scientists, athletes, and artists—these are the new diplomats bringing fresh perspectives and bold solutions to global challenges, strengthening our international partnerships at a time we need them most. In collaboration with our Board and key partners, we have developed a strategy centered on three core elements:

 

  1. A mission and strategic priorities focused on emerging global challenges and opportunities, backed by a compelling narrative and a clear theory of change based on “open diplomacy”.

Our mission: Empower the next era of leaders to advance diplomacy for a better shared future

Our strategic priorities: 

  • Build Geopolitical Resilience: Equipping leaders to navigate a complex global landscape
  • Increase U.S. Competitiveness: Advancing economic interests and sustainable development
  • Strengthen Alliances and Democratic Institutions: Accelerating collaboration on shared challenges
  1. A financial and program model that transitions Meridian from primarily a government service provider to an outcomes-driven organization that draws greater support from philanthropists and the private sector.
  2. A $20M+ capital campaign, launching in 2025, to renew our campus and ensure we have the resources to back our vision.

 

Thank you again and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions in advance of our all-staff meeting.