Dear AAFSW Community,

I am deeply honored and humbled to address you for the first time as your President. Thank you to our members for entrusting me with the privilege of leading this extraordinary organization. This election brought a record number of candidates, demonstrating immense vibrancy, energy, and commitment to renewal within our community. Seeing so many talented, dedicated individuals step forward to serve was truly inspiring, and our Board is looking forward to engaging these leaders across our committees and initiatives.

Since joining the Foreign Affairs community in 2006, I have continually volunteered during seven overseas tours across as many regions to benefit our foreign affairs community. Over the past several years—serving as First Vice President, chairing the EFM Employment Committee, and co-creating FSHub.org and FSBizHub—my goal has always been to deliver practical solutions, strong advocacy, and a welcoming home for our community. As President, I intend to build on this momentum, expanding and renewing our programs, creating opportunities for EFMs to grow, and ensuring AAFSW serves as a true "CLO in D.C." for us all.

We owe tremendous gratitude to our immediate past President, Celine Ford, for her four years of steadfast leadership. Just in the past year, the Art & BookFair (ABF) recorded a historic success; the AAFSW Evacuee Support Network (ESN) stood strong in support of families returning from the Middle East during difficult transitions, and Celine published an extraordinary SOSA Legacy Report highlighting the remarkable impact of our volunteers overseas.

Looking ahead, we are kicking off the new term with great momentum! We started by a very well attended Coffee Morning just before school started, and we are hosting our August Happy Hour at Il Canale in DC. We are thrilled to launch this year’s Ambassador Speaker Series with Her Excellency Jovita Neliupšienė, Ambassador of the European Union, and a guided tour of the Art of Japan at the National Museum of Asian Art.

Finally, please mark your calendars for our flagship event: the Art & BookFair, taking place October 9–19 for badge holders (and escorted guests), with weekend access open to the general public. Be sure to visit more than once, as our team replenishes shelves daily with incredible new finds!

Because we are hosting the ABF in a significantly larger venue this year, we urgently need volunteers to join our team. Whether you are looking to get your 10,000 daily steps in or prefer a seated position, we have a spot for you. If you can lend a hand, please sign up to volunteer, and reach out to us at office@aafsw.org with any questions or call (703) 820-5420.

Thank you again for your trust, your enthusiasm, and your continued support. I look forward to serving you and working alongside each of you to make this an extraordinary year for AAFSW.

Kind regards,

Catherine Pierce