Events with Stephenie

Having worked and traveled in over 100 countries, Stephenie has spoken and presented at international conferences on women’s leadership, politics and international women’s rights. Stephenie connects with your audience, understands your issues in context and delivers information on target with your conference agenda. Her passion for gender equity issues and international work combined with her background in law and public policy enable her to provide focused, enlivened speeches that inspire and engage. Stephenie’s areas of expertise include but are not limited to: women and foreign policy, women and national security, women’s leadership, and women’s economic and political empowerment.

Are you interested in having Stephenie speak to your members or group?

Featured Events

2024 Stephenie Foster Advocate of the Year Program

The Power of Education & Advocacy in Global Change

On November 21, 2024, the Stephenie Foster Advocate of the Year Program took place in Boston, MA. The event featured experts on how education and advocacy intersect to drive meaningful change on a global scale and the panelists shared various insights on the impact of education, particularly in conflict zones. During the closing of the event, Stephenie presented the 2024 Advocate of the Year Award to Shabana Basij-Rasikh, the Co-Founder & President of School of Leadership Afghanistan (SOLA) who’s made exceptional contributions to global advocacy. Check out the highlights below or watch the full recording here.

Recent Events

Speaker/Presenter, “Stephenie Foster Advocate of the Year Award: The Power of Girls’ Education and Advocacy in Global Change,” Boston, MA, November 21, 2024.

Guest Lecturer, “Feminist Foreign Policy,” Class on Gender and Security, George Washington Elliott School of International Affairs, Washington, DC, November 14, 2024.

Speaker, “Feminist Foreign Policy: A Conversation with Stephenie Foster,” UN and Global Studies (UNMA) Global Policy Forum, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, October 23, 2024.

Inaugural Speaker, “Feminist Foreign Policy,” Feminist Foreign Policy Fellowship, The Asia Foundation/Impact and Policy Research Institute (India), virtual, October 18, 2024.

Guest Lecturer, “Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice,” Course on International Actors and Issues, Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, virtual, October 16, 2024.

Guest Lecturer, “Importance of a Gender Perspective in Foreign Policy,” Policy and Gender Workshop, Carnegie Mellon University, Washington, DC, September 21, 2024.

Panelist, “Feminist Foreign Policy: Views from the Field,” American Society of International Law, virtual, July 24, 2024.

Panelist, “Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice: An Introduction,” Woman’s National Democratic Club, Washington, DC, July 9, 2024.

Guest Lecturer, “Feminist Foreign Policy,” Course on Gender, War and Peace, George Washington University, Washington, DC, June 27, 2024.

Inaugural Speaker, “Feminist Foreign Policy: Past, Present and Future,” The Asia Foundation/Impact and Policy Research Institute (India), virtual, June 24, 2024. See shortened Video. See full recording.

Panelist, “ Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice,” PLEN Global Policy Seminar, Washington, DC, May 13, 2024.

Panelist, “Approaches to Gender Inclusion: Discussing Strategies for Building a More Inclusive Future,” Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Washington, DC, May 7, 2024.

Guest Lecturer, “Feminist Foreign Policy,” Class on Gender, War, and Peace, George Washington Elliot School of International Affairs, Washington, DC, April 24, 2024.

Moderator, “Innovation in Philanthropy,” Concordia Americas Summit, Miami, FL, April 23, 2024.

Speaker/Trainer, “Articulating the Impact of the Local Level in Economic Development and Women’s Empowerment, National Democratic Institute, Prishtina, Kosovo, April 17, 2024.

Panelist, “Rethinking Security through Adequate Financing: Advancing Effective Approaches to Tackle Security Threats,” Women Peace and Security Forum, Prishtina, Kosovo, April 16, 2024.

Speaker, “A Conversation with the Authors of Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice,” Georgetown Institute of Women, Peace and Security, Washington, DC, March 27, 2024.

Guest Lecturer, “Feminist Foreign Policy,” Class on Gender, Sex & Power, Ohio State University, virtual, March 26, 2024.

Speaker/Workshop Leader, “Leadership, Advocacy and Coalition Building,” International Visitor Leadership Program (International Women of Courage awardees), US Department of State, Washington, DC, March 7, 2024.

Panelist, “Rights. Resources. Representation – Why We Need Feminist Foreign Policy,” Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Washington, DC, March 4, 2024.

Panelist, “Shaping Tomorrow’s World with Feminist Foreign Policy,” Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with Women’s Foreign Policy Group and Meridian International Center, Washington, DC, February 7, 2024.

Panelist, “A New Way Forward: Feminist Foreign Policy,” DACOR Bacon House, Washington, DC, January 24, 2024.

Additional Speaking Engagements

2023

Speaker/Book Talk, “Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice,” Heinrich Boll Foundation, Washington, DC, December 14, 2023.
Panelist, “Feminist Foreign Policy,” George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs, Washington, DC, December 11, 2023.
Speaker, “Women’s Leadership,” Women’s Entrepreneurship in US Markets: A Project for Gabon, International Visitor Leadership Program, Meridian International Center, Washington , DC, December 5, 2023.
Speaker/Book Talk, “Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice,” University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies, Denver, CO, November 8, 2023. Video.
Speaker/Book Talk, “Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice,” Feminist Foreign Policy Community Festival, The Hague, October 31, 2023.
Speaker/Book Talk, “Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice,” Nina McLemore, Bethesda, MD, October 28, 2023.
Speaker/Book Talk, “Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice,” Vital Voices Poland Delegation, Washington, DC, October 26, 2023.
Guest Lecturer, “Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy: International Frameworks and Local Realities,” From Crisis to Compassion: Humanitarian Action, Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, virtual, October 19, 2023.
Speaker/Book Talk, “Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice,” Foreign Policy for America, Washington, DC, October 17, 2023.
Speaker/Book Talk, “Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice,” U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC, October 4, 2023.
Keynote Speaker, “Women in Manufacturing: Building Back Better, A Sub-Regional Project for Canada and Mexico,” International Visitor Leadership Program, Meridian International Center, Washington, DC, October 3, 2023.
Speaker/Book Talk, “Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice,” Baroness Goudie Blog Breakfast, Washington, DC, October 3, 2023. Video.
Speaker, Roundtable on Feminist Foreign Policy, Embassy of Croatia, Stockholm, Sweden, September 27, 2023.
Moderator, Roundtable: “The Changing Nature of Philanthropy,” Concordia Summit, New York, NY, September 18, 2023.
Moderator, “Book Discussion: Dinners with Ruth by Nina Totenberg,” Sagamore Beach Colony Club, Sagamore Beach, MA, July 17, 2022.
Keynote Speaker, “Women as Agents of Change,” Women as Drivers of Social and Economic Change International Visitor Leadership Program, Meridian International Center, Washington, DC, June 13, 2023.
Book Talk, “The Future is Female: Take Action Fighting for Women and Girls,” Rosen, Bien, Galvan & Grunfeld, San Francisco, CA, April 10, 2023.
Host and Moderator, “Take Action: Stop Violence Against Women and Girls,” StephenieFoster.com, virtual, April 5, 2023.
Guest Lecturer, “Overview of Advocacy Landscape and Importance of a Gender Perspective in Policy Development,” Policy and Gender Workshop, Carnegie Mellon University/Heinz College, Washington, DC, April 1, 2023.
Moderator, “Breaking the Cycle of Violence Against Women,” Women’s Forum USA, Washington, DC, March 29, 2023.
Featured Speaker, “Advocacy Challenges: Overcoming Roadblocks & Building Coalition Support,” General Federation of Women’s Clubs, virtual, March 22, 2023.
Mentor, “Army War College International Strategic Crisis Negotiation,” University of Pennsylvania Law School/Army War College, Philadelphia, PA, March 16-18, 2023.
Speaker, “Femina Vox: International Women’s Rights Day,” UNESCO, March 7, 2023, virtual.
Guest Lecturer, “Interdisciplinary Health Policy,” Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, School of Nursing and School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, February 17, 2023.

2022

Speaker/Book Talk, “Take Action: Fighting for Women & Girls,” Baroness Goudie Blog Breakfast, Washington, DC, December 7, 2022.
Moderator, “Breaking the Barrier Between Work and Home: What Role for the Corporate Sector Against Domestic Violence,” Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society, Paris, France, November 30, 2022.
Speaker, “Women’s Leadership in Politics and Civil Society,” International Visitor Leadership Program (India), Meridian International Center, Washington, DC, November 16, 2022.
Speaker, “Advocating for Policy Change,” She’s the First, virtual, November 12, 2022.
Panelist, “Women of Courage,” Executive Women’s Leadership Program, George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, virtual, October 21, 2022.
Moderator, “Take Action for Girls: International Day of the Girl and the Importance of Girls’ Education, StephenieFoster.com, virtual, October 12, 2022. Link to recording.
Panelist, “Education in Emergencies,” Global Campaign for Education, virtual, October 11, 2022.
Speaker, “Take Action: National Voter Registration Day,” University of Richmond College Democrats, virtual, September 20, 2022.
Moderator, “Legacy and the Role of Women’s Voices in Shaping Generation Amazing and the Future of Sports for Development,” Concordia Summit, New York, New York, September 20, 2022.
Speaker, “Taking Action for Pay Equity and Equal Representation of Women in Leadership,” EDGEtalks, EDGE Certified Foundation, virtual, September 15, 2022. Link to video clips.
Keynote Speaker, “The Importance of Women’s Leadership,” Empowering Roma Women, International Visitor Leadership (IVLP) Program, Meridian International Center, Washington, DC, September 13, 2022.
Keynote Speaker, “Take Action: Fighting for Women & Girls,” General Federation of Women’s Clubs Annual Board Dinner, Washington, DC, August 18, 2022.
Speaker, “Conversation with the Author: How to Take Action for Women and Girls,” Circle of Sisterhood, virtual, August 2, 2022.
Book Talk, “Take Action: Fighting for Women and Girls,” Sagamore Beach Colony Club Arts on the Beach, Sagamore Beach, MA, July 29, 2022.
Speaker, “A Framework for Advocacy & Action,” Mikva Challenge Summer Fellows, Washington, DC, July 22, 2022.
Speaker/Workshop Facilitator, “Advocacy 101: Take Action, Make Change,” Girl Up Leadership Summit, Virtual, July 13, 2022.
Moderator, “Security in the Western Hemisphere,” Concordia Americas Summit, Miami, FL, July 13, 2022.
Speaker/Workshop Leader, “Leadership, Advocacy and Coalition Building,” Women in Politics and Civil Society International Visitor Leadership Program, American Councils for International Education, Washington, DC, June 15, 2022.
Speaker, “Opportunities for Future Strategy Within the Human Domain” National War College, virtual, June 1, 2022.
Guest Speaker, “Legislative Advocacy,” NEW Leadership Program, John Glenn College of Public Affairs, Ohio State University, virtual, May 25, 2022.
Speaker, “Women Changemakers: Social and Business Entrepreneurs Remaking Communities,” International Visitor Leadership Program, Meridian International Center, Washington, DC, May 17, 2022.
Keynote Speaker, PLEN Global Policy Seminar, Washington, DC, May 16, 2022.
Briefing, “Take Action: Women in Leadership During Crisis,” San Francisco Gender Breakfast, virtual, May 11, 2022.
Book Talk, “Take Action: Fighting for Women and Girls,” Launch of Vital Voices Global Headquarters for Women’s Leadership, Washington, DC, May 6, 2022.
Guest Lecturer, “Advocating for Women and Girls Globally,” Course: Women, Peace and Security, Harvard University Extension School, virtual, May 2, 2022.
Speaker, “Women: Conflict, Peace & Security,” Soroptimists International, virtual, April 28, 2022.
Panelist, “Girl Talk: How to Be an Advocate for Climate Justice,” Girl Up, virtual, March 31, 2022.
Speaker, “Take Action: Fighting for Women and Girls,” Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital, Silver Spring, MD, March 24, 2022.
Speaker, “Take Action: Fighting for Women and Girls,” Way Forward Lunch Break, Cleveland (Ohio) Leadership Center, virtual, March 23, 2022. Link to the video.
Speaker, “Advocacy for Women and Girls,” Mikva Challenge Election in Action Fellows, virtual, March 16, 2022.
Speaker, “Take Action: Fighting for Women and Girls,” World Affairs Council of Greater Reading, virtual, March 16, 2022. Link to the video.
Book Talk, “Take Action: Fighting for Women and Girls,” Hogan Lovells, virtual, March 3, 2022.
Panelist, “The Book In You,” International Women’s Forum (IWF) – DC, virtual, February 23, 2022. Link to the video.
Book Talk, “Take Action: Fighting for Women and Girls,” Baroness Goudie Blog Event, virtual, February 17, 2022. Link to the video.

2021

Book Talk, “Take Action: Fighting for Women and Girls,” Nina McLemore, Washington, DC, December 11, 2021. Link to the video.
Fireside Chat, “Discussion with Jon Finer,” Insights @ Meridian, Meridian international Center, Washington, DC, December 7, 2021.
Fireside Chat, “The Long War: The Inside Story of America and Afghanistan Since 9/11,” Washington, DC, December 4, 2021.
Book Talk, “When Women Lead — Take Action: Fighting for Women and Girls,” Colombian American Association, New York, NY, November 17, 2021.
Panelist, “Navigating Your Career in Global Gender Advocacy,” Women’s Foreign Policy Group, virtual, November 16, 2021. Link to the video.
Moderator, “Business for Climate Justice: Driving a Green Transition for All,” Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society, virtual, November 15, 2021. Link to the video.
Interviewer, “Climate Innovation Intersections: Energy and Beyond,” The New York Times Climate Hub, Glasgow, Scotland, November 8, 2021.
Moderator, “Everyone’s Claim, Nobody’s Responsibility: Sustainable Ocean Governance,” The New York Times Climate Hub, Glasgow, Scotland, November 8, 2021. Link to the video.
Facilitator, “All for One, One for All: Supercharging Individual Climate Action,” The New York Times Climate Hub, Glasgow, Scotland, November 8, 2021.
Moderator, “Feminist Action for Climate Change in Latin America,” Women’s Foreign Policy Group, virtual, November 4, 2021. Link to the video.
Book Talk, “Take Action: Fighting for Women and Girls,” American University Women & Politics Institute, “Women on Wednesdays,” virtual, November 3, 2021. Link to the video.
Panelist, “Bringing Young Women to the Policy Making Table,” Generation Democracy Global Member Advisory Board Assembly, International Republican Institute, Washington, DC, November 3, 2021.
Book Talk, “Take Action: Fighting for Women and Girls,” Circle of Sisterhood, virtual, October 24, 2021.
Speaker/Book Talk, “Advocating for Women and Girls Globally,” Harvard Extension Student International Relations Club, virtual, October 16, 2021.
Keynote Speaker, “Girls’ Education: A Global Perspective,” Girls’ Education: Driving Leadership for the 21st Century, Room to Read India, virtual, October 11, 2021.
Guest Lecturer, “Overview of Advocacy Landscape and Importance of a Gender Perspective in Policy Development,” Policy and Gender Workshop, Carnegie Mellon University/Heinz College, Washington, DC, September 25, 2021.
Panelist, “Women, Peace and Security: The U.S. Perspective,” Canadian Global Affairs Institute, virtual, July 22, 2021.
Speaker, “Leadership, Advocacy and Coalition Building,” Women in Politics and Civil Society, International Visitor Leadership Program, Meridian International Center, virtual, May 26, 2021.
Panelist, “Women, Democracy and Global Politics, PLEN Women in Global Policy, virtual, May 19, 2021.
Guest Lecturer, “Using UN Mechanisms to Advance Gender Equality,” Course: Women, Peace and Security, Harvard University Extension School, virtual, April 19, 2021.
Panelist, “Empowering, Enhancing, and Mainstreaming Women’s Inclusion in Parliament,” House Democracy Partnership/National Democratic Institute (NDI), virtual, April 8, 2021.
Panelist, “Women Trailblazers: Hear Their Stories,” Girl Scouts National Capital Region, virtual, March 30, 2021. Link to the video here.
Moderator, Daring Circle Panel, “The Green She-Recovery,” Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society, virtual, March 25, 2021. Link to the video here.
Moderator, “Building Back Better: The Role of Women in the Recovery,” Baroness Goudie Blog Breakfast, virtual, March 25, 2021. Link to Baroness Goudie’s blog about the event.
Panelist, “Implementing the Women’s Empowerment Principles in Fragile & Conflict Affected Countries,” Committed to Good (CTG), virtual, March 15, 2021. Link to the video here.
Speaker, “Celebration of International Women’s Day,” Post Advisory Group, virtual, March 8, 2021.
Panelist, “Empowering, Enhancing, and Mainstreaming Women’s Inclusion in Parliament,” House Democracy Partnership/National Democratic Institute (NDI), virtual, February 26, 2021.
Speaker, “Feminist Foreign Policy,” World Affairs Council of Connecticut, virtual, February 10, 2021. Link to video here, and the podcast here.