Category Archives: Education

Strong Impact, Deep Insight: FPLC’s 09/11 Event Exceeds Expectations

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Cincinnati, OH — On the evening of Thursday, September 11, 2025, the Foreign Policy Leadership Council (FPLC) hosted a truly special dinner event at The Literary Club. With the convergence of date, discourse, and distinguished attendees, the gathering proved to be not just informative, but deeply meaningful.

A Night That Resonated

From its opening moments, the event carried significance that went beyond its agenda. Gathering on September 11, a date etched into the American memory, heightened the feeling that the subject matter was not academic abstraction, but part of a larger, urgent conversation about security, resilience, and responsibility.

Following a great introduction by our Board Member, former US Congressman, Mr. Steve Driehaus, our distinguished guest speaker, Dr. Richard J. Harknett, Professor and Director of the Center for Cyber Strategy and Policy at the University of Cincinnati, guided discussions that were as timely as they were powerful. His presentation “Cyber Persistence and International Security: Insights from the Russo-Ukraine Conflict and Kettering Health” shed light on how cyber threats now cut across borders, sectors, and institutions. Listeners were given rare glimpses into how theory, policy, and technology are colliding, and how individuals, communities, and organizations must adapt.

What Made It Exceptional

Several elements combined to make the evening truly exceptional. Dr. Harknett’s remarkable depth of expertise brought an uncommon level of insight. He translated complex cyber-strategy concepts into clear, actionable ideas, leaving attendees with both new knowledge and practical ways to think about cybersecurity in their own lives and work. Equally striking was the relevance of his topic. By linking high-level geopolitical cyber warfare to more local concerns such as infrastructure vulnerabilities, cybercrime, and threats to personal data, Dr. Harknett made the global conversation immediately applicable to everyone in the room.

The timing added an extra layer of meaning. Held on September 11, the event carried the weight of remembrance and reflection. On a date when the nation honors sacrifice and resilience, it felt especially fitting to confront modern threats in cyberspace and to commit ourselves to heightened awareness and preparedness.

Finally, the Q&A and networking sessions created a sense of vibrant community. Attendees from legal, policy, and business backgrounds exchanged ideas freely, leaving not only more informed but also energized and connected.

Looking Ahead

If this event is any indicator, FPLC’s calendar will be rich with indispensable conversations. We’re reminded that our world is changing fast, technologies evolve, threats morph, but our need for shared understanding, strategic thinking, and clear action remains constant.

We encourage everyone who joined us to stay involved, and those who missed it to mark their calendars for what’s next. Expect more evenings that combine expert insight, timely topics, and thoughtful discussion. We look forward to growing the community, widening the conversation, and deepening our collective capacity to face the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Thank you to all who attended, to Dr. Harknett for his outstanding presentation, and to everyone who helped to bring this remarkable evening together. More extraordinary, informative, and impactful events are on the horizon. Stay tuned.

April 10 Event

A Night to Remember: Our April 10th Event at The Literary Club

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On April 10, 2025, the Foreign Policy Leadership Council (FPLC) hosted our first in-person event in a very long time, an exciting and unforgettable evening at the historic Literary Club of Cincinnati. Nestled right downtown, across from Lytle Park, this venerable institution – America’s oldest continuously operating literary club – provided a setting rich in history and character, perfectly complementing the evening’s profound discussions.

The event commenced with a wonderful, delicious dinner, courtesy of one of Northern Kentucky’s premier catering houses. Guests were treated to a culinary experience that matched the evening’s intellectual fare, setting the stage for the engaging discourse to follow.

The highlight of the evening was a compelling conversation featuring esteemed University of Cincinnati Professors Willard Sunderland and Ivan Ivanov. Professor Sunderland, an expert in Russian history, and Professor Ivanov, specializing in European and Russian politics, offered deep insights into the complexities of current geopolitical tensions involving Russia, Ukraine, NATO, and the evolving dynamics of long-standing alliances.

Skillfully guided by a very gracious host and gentle yet firm moderator, our own FPLC Board member Mr. Joe Dehner – who shared personal anecdotes from his 1969 journey through the Soviet Union – the discussion delved beneath the headlines to explore the historical underpinnings and future implications of these current and very important global developments.

The event drew a full house, with attendees actively participating in the dialogue, posing thoughtful questions, and engaging in meaningful exchanges. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and shared purpose, reflecting the FPLC’s commitment to fostering informed discussions on pressing international issues.

Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to The Literary Club of Cincinnati for graciously opening their doors to us. The club’s storied past and intellectual ambiance added immeasurable value to the evening, reminding us of the enduring power of thoughtful discourse in shaping our understanding of the world.

We look forward to welcoming you to our future events, where dialogue and collaboration continue to unite minds and meals in pursuit of global wisdom, camaraderie, and understanding.

Take the Next Step, Where Insight Meets Influence:
Join the FPLC Community

Whether this was your first event with the Foreign Policy Leadership Council or you’ve been part of our extended family of supporters in the past, we warmly invite you to deepen your connection by becoming an active member. For just $50 a year, FPLC membership offers more than access – it opens the door to a dynamic community of globally engaged leaders, thought-provoking events, and rare insights shared by our esteemed guest speakers.

As a member, you’ll receive exclusive insider access, priority registration, and special discounts for the majority of our programs and premier networking gatherings.

Join Us – and be a part of the dialogue that shapes our world and brings global insight right to our doorstep.

The Strong-Willed Student: Shifting Expectations and Policy Implications for Global Education

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Please join us for an FPLC special event with Michelle Johns, PhD – Academic Director of International Programs at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati.

Thursday, Oct. 28 at 6:30PM

The politics of international student mobility and global education are as chaotic as ever – yet the strong-willed student survives! The rapid shift and cheerleading behind the last two years of virtual education programming has been a testament to the true agility of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and students around the world. Two years later, those same adaptable international students are craving more, be it overseas or in the classroom. As each nation continues to manage their own approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, international student flows are slowly ticking up, with both sides of the aisle grappling with shifting expectations. Testing, vaccines, safety, freedom, rights, rigor, and leveling-up! We will discuss how international students’ expectations are shifting as they continue to acquire the global business experiences they need to remain relevant and competitive in the uncertain times ahead, and how this translates to foreign policy and HEIs as they look to meet future demand for resilient, culturally competent human capital.

Michelle JohnsMichelle Johns is an Assistant Professor of Management and International Business with research and teaching focused in organizational behavior and resilience, and leadership in change and crisis management across cultures. The past few decades have found Michelle working in the U.S., Spain, and Australia in corporate communications in the aerospace industry, as well as, tourism sustainability and IT projects with regional and local governments in the European Union and the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Michelle has served as the Academic Director of International Programs in the Lindner College of Business since 2019, and oversees the college’s growing International Business programs, study abroad programming, global strategic partnerships, and innovative international projects such as #BearcatsWithoutBorders and the Lindner Global Lounge podcast.

Michelle received her Ph.D. in Management and Organizational Behavior from the University of Wollongong, Australia, M.S. in Economic Integration from University of the Basque Country /Universidad del País Vasco, Spain, M.S. in Tourism Management from Texas A&M University – College Station, and her B.A. in Communications and Media Studies at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. When she is not traveling the world with her students, or husband and four kids, Michelle is consulting on crisis preparedness and recovery, volunteering, hiking, cycling, or you guessed it… planning her next foreign adventure.