Ambassador Stuart Holliday is CEO of Meridian International Center, a leading nonpartisan institution advancing global security and prosperity through diplomacy. He served as U.S. Ambassador for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations (2003-2005). His primary duties involved representing the U.S. on issues in the U.N. Security Council. Previously, Holliday was Coordinator (Assistant Secretary) of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. From 2000-2001, he was Special Assistant to the President and Associate Director of Presidential Personnel at the White House. Following September 11, he was tasked by the President's Chief of Staff to staff the first Office of Homeland Security. From 1998-2000, he served as Assistant Policy Director to the Governor of Texas. Previously, Holliday served as Executive Director of the Dallas Council on World Affairs and Regional Director for North Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey at the International Republican Institute. He served on active and reserve duty as an Officer in the U.S. Navy (Intelligence) from 1988-1995 and is a recipient of the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He obtained his B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University and his M.A. from the London School of Economics and Political Science and serves as a Trustee of the Center for the Study of Presidency and Congress, Blair House, and the Global Leadership Council of the U.N. Foundation.