The series offers students of the School and throughout Princeton unparalleled opportunities to engage with some of the world's most influential leaders. Through multiday campus visits, SPIA hosts public lectures and exclusive student discussions with renowned alumni, acclaimed authors, trailblazing innovators, thought leaders, distinguished policymakers, and global changemakers.

Whether presenting in Arthur Lewis Auditorium or elsewhere in Robertson Hall, the speakers were met by capacity crowds eager to hear from them. They reflected Dean Amaney Jamal’s desire to host speakers from across the political spectrum in an environment of civil, constructive dialogue.

“We were honored to welcome such an accomplished slate of guests,” Jamal said. “We have a responsibility to our students to provide an opportunity to hear from as wide a variety of perspectives, and at the highest levels, as possible. I am pleased we were able to do exactly that this past fall.”

The series began in late September with speakers on three consecutive days. First up was Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who met with Alex Glaser, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and international affairs and co-director of the Program in Science and Global Security, for a fireside discussion. A seasoned diplomat and nuclear policy expert, Grossi has played a key role in global nuclear security and nonproliferation efforts. He and Glaser discussed the challenges and opportunities in international nuclear governance and safety.

Following Grossi, two heads of state visited. The first was President Mohamed Muizzu of the Republic of Maldives, who spoke with Razia Iqbal, the John L. Weinberg/Goldman Sachs & Co. Visiting Professor and Lecturer at Princeton SPIA. An engineer and former mayor of Malé, Muizzu has been instrumental in the country’s urban development and environmental initiatives. He and Iqbal talked about the Maldives’ challenges and strategies in climate resilience, sustainable development, and regional diplomacy.

The following day, Santiago Peña, the president of Paraguay, was at the School to speak. A former finance minister and economist, Peña has played a pivotal role in Paraguay’s economic reforms and regional leadership. He discussed the country’s evolving role in Latin American politics, economic development, and the challenges shaping its future.

General Mark A. Milley, a Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor and the 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke the next week. Milley, a 1980 Princeton graduate, chatted with Iqbal in an event cosponsored by the Afghanistan Policy Lab. They conversed about U.S. foreign policy options in the country post-2021, addressing challenges such the Taliban’s resurgence, humanitarian crises, and regional security, as well as U.S. engagement under the incoming administration, alongside the roles of neighboring countries like Iran, China, and Russia, in shaping Afghanistan’s future.

In late October, Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, engaged in conversation with Iqbal on the current state of human rights there. Drawing from her extensive experience in refugee and human rights law, Albanese provided unique insights into the challenges facing the region and the global implications for human rights advocacy.

The rest of the speakers appeared after the U.S. elections and were part of a bipartisan slate of guests who visited the School during the semester to provide pre- and post-election analysis.

Just days after Election Day, Edward Wong, the New York Times diplomatic correspondent and an expert on global affairs, was at SPIA for an in-depth discussion on international events. He discussed his new book, “At the Edge of Empire: A Family’s Reckoning with China,” as well as the outlook on U.S. foreign policy in the wake of the election.

Amy Walter, the editor-in-chief of The Cook Political Report, spoke with Frances Lee, a professor of politics and public affairs and co-director of the Center for the Study of Democratic Politics. Walter broke down the election results in her presentation. Deploying her typical sharp, nonpartisan insights, she examined key voting trends, shifts in power, and what the results mean for the future of U.S. politics.

Amber Greene MPP '12, a former acting special representative for racial equity and justice at the U.S. Department of State during the Biden-Harris administration, closed out the fall series with an insightful discussion with Jamal on advancing racial and economic justice, increasing equity in government investments, and public service careers. She also addressed the challenges and opportunities in these areas under the incoming administration, offering guidance for students interested in impactful public service pathways.

“I am grateful to all of our speakers for sharing their time and insights with us,” Jamal said. “My thanks as well to the hundreds of students and community members who joined us for these stimulating and thought-provoking discussions. I look forward to much more in the spring.”

Princeton SPIA’s Dean’s Leadership Series picks back up in February, when Yael Braudo-Bahat, co-director of Women Wage Peace, and Reem Al-Hajajreh, founder and director of Women of the Sun, begin the spring schedule. The remainder of the semester will bring more accomplished speakers with diverse perspectives to the School, including:

• Robert Doar ’83, president of the American Enterprise Institute
• Michael Froman ’85, president of the Council on Foreign Relations
• Dahlia Scheindlin, a political scientist and advisor to nine national election campaigns in Israel
• Molly Jong-Fast, the MSNBC political analyst
• Kyung-Wha Kang, president and CEO of the Asia Society

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