Members of Congress, analysts, activists, and thinktank leaders were among the 17 distinguished guests to appear as part of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs’ Dean’s Leadership Series this spring.

The series offers students of the School and throughout Princeton the chance 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.

“We were honored to host such a diverse lineup of eminent speakers,” said Princeton SPIA Dean Amaney Jamal. “Their varied backgrounds gave our students multiple perspectives to consider — an important component when developing inclusive and equitable public policy.”

The spring’s events focused primarily on constructive dialogues, pathways to public service, and international perspectives.

Constructive dialogues

The first Dean’s Leadership Series event of the semester was a discussion featuring Yael Braudo-Bahat and Reem Al-Hajajreh, founders of groundbreaking organizations that seek to foster dialogue and understanding between Israeli and Palestinian communities. Braudo-Bahat, who leads Women Wage Peace, and Al-Hajajreh, head of Women of the Sun, shared stories of resilience and hope with moderator Udi Ofer, a John L. Weinberg Visiting Professor and lecturer of public and international affairs.

The School presented a pair of panel discussions examining antisemitism and Islamophobia, respectively. The first discussion featured Deborah Lipstadt, a former U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism with the State Department, and journalist and author Mark Oppenheimer, who spoke with Jamal about the alarming rise of antisemitism today and concrete policy solutions to address it. With deep expertise in policy, media, and history, Lipstadt and Oppenheimer shared insights on effective strategies for countering hate, strengthening communities, and shaping policies to address the challenge.

In the second installment, Dalia Fahmy, a political scientist and expert on Islamophobia and U.S. foreign policy, and Farah Pandith, former U.S. Special Representative to Muslim Communities and a global counter-extremism strategist, were on hand for a discussion on combatting Islamophobia. In a panel again moderated by Jamal, they examined the roots of anti-Muslim bias, its global implications, and effective strategies for fostering inclusion and resilience in an age of rising hate.

Finally, a bipartisan group of current and former members of the U.S. House of Representatives gathered for a pair of discussions about the 119th Congress. Former Representatives John Sarbanes ’84 and Leonard Lance ’82 led off with reflections on how the House evolved during their terms in office. Moderated by Frances Lee, a professor of politics and public affairs, their talk covered key shifts in congressional dynamics, the challenges of governing in a polarized era, and perspectives on reforms that could strengthen the legislative process and restore public trust. In part 2, current Representatives Terri Sewell ’86 and Brendan Boyle assessed the opportunities and obstacles facing the new legislative session. In conversation with Iqbal, they discussed areas where progress is possible — and where it may not be — and shared their outlooks on key issues shaping the nation’s political landscape.

Paths to public service

Robert Doar ’83, the president of the conservative thinktank the American Enterprise Institute, visited for a conversation with Lauren Wright, an associate research scholar and lecturer in politics and public affairs. Doar discussed the critical issues shaping U.S. public policy — including economic reforms, tax policy, immigration, and reducing poverty — under the new administration and Republican-led Congress.

Princeton SPIA alumnus Michael Froman ’85, the president of the Council on Foreign Relations and a former U.S. trade representative, discussed global economic challenges, U.S. trade policy, and the evolving geopolitical landscape, and offered insights into the future of globalization and multilateral cooperation. Moderating was Razia Iqbal, a John L. Weinberg/Goldman Sachs & Co. Visiting Professor and lecturer.

MSNBC political analyst Molly Jong-Fast unpacked the sweeping changes at the federal level and their far-reaching implications. Speaking with Julian E. Zelizer, the Malcolm Stevenson Forbes, Class of 1941 Professor of History and Public Affairs, Jong-Fast brought to bear her signature wit and sharp analysis to explore the shifting political landscape, policy changes, and what they mean for the future of governance in the United States.

Meg Whitman ’77, a former U.S. ambassador to Kenya and a former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and eBay, returned to her alma mater to discuss U.S.-Africa relations, economic growth, and the role of innovation in foreign policy. Moderating was Barbara Buckinx, a research scholar with the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination.

International perspectives

The series’ global focus included an appearance by Dahlia Scheindlin, a Tel-Aviv based American-Israeli political consultant, pollster, and journalist, and a leading expert on political trends in Israel and Palestine, public opinion research, and conflict resolution. In a conversation with Amb. Daniel C. Kurtzer, a lecturer and the S. Daniel Abraham Professor of Middle East Policy Studies, she explored the shifting political landscape, public sentiment, and the prospects for the future.

Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, sat with Ofer to talk about how the U.N. is working to safeguard human rights amid global crises and a shifting world order. And the School welcomed Asia Society President and Chief Executive Officer Kyung-wha Kang for a conversation with Rory Truex, an associate professor of politics and international affairs, on key challenges shaping the region, from geopolitical tensions to humanitarian issues.

Princeton SPIA’s Dean’s Leadership Series will resume in the fall. Sign up for the At the Podium and SPIAction newsletters to stay apprised on DLS and other upcoming events at the School.