Stamford, Conn.-Oct. 21, 2015 – The public is invited to attend an Ambassadors’ Roundtable dinner presentation by Molly Williamson, Middle East Institute Scholar and Former Foreign Service Officer, on “Geoeconomic Factors in Diplomacy”. This event will take place at the Stamford Yacht Club on Nov. 4, 2015.

Williamson is a former Foreign Service Officer, having served six presidents, achieving the rank of Career Minister. She is a scholar with the Middle East Institute, a consultant, and frequent guest lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management (DISAM), and National Joint Staff College. From 2005-2008, Williamson was the Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Secretary of Energy, with global responsibilities at the nexus of foreign policy and energy policy.

“Oil is what this planet runs on, for good or for ill…And every single day, this planet consumes 94 million barrels of oil”, said Molly Williamson.

Williamson has held numerous other positions in the U.S. government, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce (1999-2004), Principal Deputy (1996-1999), Acting Assistant Secretary of State International Organizations Bureau and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (1993-1995). In addition, she has had held postings in the Middle East, including interim ambassador to Bahrain, as well as Chief of Mission and Consul General in Jerusalem during the Madrid Peace Process (1991-1993), which culminated in the Oslo Accords.

Williamson has been awarded two Presidential Meritorious Service Awards, the Secretary of Energy’s Exceptional Service Award, Secretary of Commerce Performance Award, the Secretary of Defense’s Service Award, and 14 awards from the Department of State.

The cost for the dinner and presentation is free for AR series members, $110 for Guest of AR members and $110 for the general public. The event will start at 6:15 p.m. with a cash bar. Dinner will begin at 7 p.m. and will be followed by the presentation. Reservations and advance payment are required. Space is limited. Please contact the World Affairs Forum at 203-356-0340 or E-mail: info@worldaffairsforum.org to reserve.

The World Affairs Forum is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to expanding understanding of global affairs and America’s role in the world. The Forum is an affiliate of the World Affairs Councils of America.