The Year Ahead: A Town Hall with Council President Leslie Vinjamuri
Council President and CEO Leslie Vinjamuri speaks with Tom Wyler to share her insights on the opportunities and challenges facing the United States and the world in 2026.
Jan
8
Ana Miyares Photography
About This Event
As we enter 2026, the global order is being reshaped in real time. New technologies, evolving diplomacy, and the rise of emerging powers are changing how nations interact. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, it does so amid deep uncertainty about its role in the world and the future of the international system. What challenges and opportunities lie ahead in the coming year? What role can a city like Chicago play in shaping how Americans engage globally? Join Council President and CEO Leslie Vinjamuri in conversation with Tom Wyler as she shares her outlook on the year ahead and spotlights the Council’s work connecting Chicagoans to global conversations that matter.
About the Speakers
President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri joined the Council in 2025 as the president and chief executive officer, after previously serving as director of the US and the Americas program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. She brings nearly 30 years of experience working at the intersection of international affairs, research, policy, and public engagement.
Tom Wyler
Partner, Hakluyt & Company
Tom Wyler is a board member at the Chicago Council and a partner at Hakluyt & Company, a global strategic advisory firm. Previously, he was senior vice president for global strategy at PSP Capital, and during the Obama administration, he served as counselor and senior advisor for international economics to the US Secretary of Commerce.
Young Professionals Network
Jan
8
Ana Miyares Photography
Members of the Young Professionals network are invited to attend this private reception following the public program "The Year Ahead: A Town Hall with Council President Leslie Vinjamuri."
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