WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- NAFSA: Association of International Educators is proud to announce that former Secretaries of State Dr. Madeleine K. Albright and General Colin L. Powell (retired) will appear together at the NAFSA 2019 Annual Conference & Expo in Washington, D.C. Dr. Albright and Gen. Powell's conversation will be moderated by Dr. Esther Brimmer, NAFSA Executive Director and CEO, at the conference's opening plenary on May 28, 2019.

"Dr. Albright and General Powell have dedicated their lives to public service," stated Dr. Brimmer. "After leaving office they have supported education and opportunities for youth. Drawing on their broad sweep of experiences in different administrations, they will comment on the changing roles of the United States in the world and the implications for the environment in which international educators will work."

Albright is chair of Albright Stonebridge Group, a global strategy firm, and chair of Albright Capital Management LLC, an investment advisory firm focused on emerging markets. Albright was the 64th and first female Secretary of State of the United States. In 2012, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Albright is the author of six New York Times best-sellers including her most recent book "Fascism: A Warning" (2018). Dr. Albright is a Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. She chairs the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and serves as president of the Truman Scholarship Foundation. Additionally she serves on the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Policy Board, a group tasked with providing the Secretary of Defense with independent, informed advice and opinion concerning matters of defense policy.

Powell served in the U.S. military and as a government official for more than 60 years.  As a soldier in the United States Army he rose to the rank of four-star general. He was appointed as national security advisor to President Ronald Reagan, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and served as the 65th secretary of state to President George W. Bush.

Powell's numerous awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom.  He is the author of two books including his best-selling autobiography, "My American Journey" (2010). His second book, an instant New York Times best-seller titled, "It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership" (2012), reveals the lessons that shaped his life and career.

This opening plenary session featuring former Secretaries of State Albright and Powell is sponsored by Education in Ireland. Learn more about all the plenary speakers at www.nafsa.org/ac19plenaries.

About the NAFSA Conference

NAFSA's 71st Annual Conference & Expo is the world's largest gathering of professionals in international education with an expected 10,000 attendees from more than 100 countries. The conference offers a wide array of learning and networking opportunities for international educators and features more than 200 sessions and workshops focusing on the most crucial topics in international education and exchange and global learning.

A major highlight of the conference is the International Education Expo Hall, which features more than 400 exhibitors representing hundreds of organizations from around the world, including colleges and universities; study abroad and intensive-English programs; embassies and government agencies; and more. The conference theme for 2019 is "Global Leadership, Learning, and Change." It will be held in Washington D.C. May 28 - 31, 2019.

Learn more at www.nafsa.org/washington.   

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About NAFSA: With more than 10,000 members, NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world's largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education. Visit us at www.nafsa.org/press. To learn more about our advocacy efforts on behalf of international education, visit www.ConnectingOurWorld.org and @ConnectOurWorld on Twitter. Resources to guide our members on these issues can be found at www.nafsa.org/reginfo.

SOURCE NAFSA: Association of International Educators

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