Keynote Speaker 

Melissa "Mel" Windecker, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs

Mrs. Windecker offered strong advice in her keynote address, telling students that the best mentors she’s ever had are not the “Gandalfs” and “Obi Wans” of the world, but the people next to her.

She shared a story in which she and some other young members of the State Department were sitting in a coffee shop, when one of them pitched an idea that shaped policy. To quote Mel: "This was a table of ‘kids’ in Departmental terms — I think the average age of people at the table was 25. But then suddenly it was February of 2016 and President Obama was reading talking points I had written and announcing a global de-mining initiative for Colombia which was going to bring together the international community in a show of support for the people who had been impacted by the conflict." History, she emphasizes, is made in the smaller moments, with the people right beside you. 

Watch Melissa Windecker's Keynote Speech