About - World Affairs Forum

ABOUT US

Serving Fairfield and Westchester counties, World Affairs Forum was established in 1946 in response to the founding of the United Nations.

We are a non-partisan, non-profit organization serving over 500 members and the larger community through a variety of quality programs.

We bring the best thinkers, writers and policy makers involved in world affairs to our audiences through approximately 30 events each year.

MISSION

Create conversations in our community about global affairs and America's role in the world.

LEARN

A lot is happening in the world around us. Attend our events and see the world through the eyes of those at the fore-front of the news.

NETWORK

Meet business leaders, entrepreneurs & motivated people just like you from Fairfield and Westchester Counties and beyond at our events.

TRAVEL

See the world! Cuba, Vietnam, Italy... Just some of the places our members have visited on trips sponsored by member World Affairs Councils.

We are affiliated with World Affairs Councils of America (WACA), with more than 95 affiliate Councils representing 86,000 members nationwide.

DON’T JUST READ THE NEWS.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION.

UPCOMING EVENTS

OUR STAFF

The World Affairs Forum's staff is dedicated to bringing events that are relevant to our lives and go beyond the media sound bites. In addition to our office staff, we have a wonderful group of volunteers that make sure our events run smoothly.

WENDY SKRATT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Wendy was appointed Executive Director in 2018. Previously, she was the Forum’s Director of Events & Communications. Before joining the Forum, she was President of the League of Women Voters of Stamford. After running her own photography studio for 15 years, she discovered an interest in civic engagement and became a local leader with the League of Women Voters. Her interest in community building and educational events brought her to the World Affairs Forum in 2016. She studied photography at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C. and the San Francisco Art Institute. She has also lived and worked in Italy and Great Britain.

KARINE HILS

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & COMMUNICATIONS

Karine leads marketing strategy, creates all internal and external print, digital communications and marketing content. In addition, she manages all social media and events. After moving to the U.S. from her native France in 1990, Karine held various managerial positions in industries such as retail, fashion, design and financial. She has a BA in Marketing from Paris V.

KERRY FAUGHNAN

BOOKKEEPER

Kerry Faughnan received her BSBA from St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine and has served as the bookkeeper on a part-time basis for the Forum since September of 2006. Her other customers include non-profit organizations, contractors and sole proprietor service companies. She also served as Treasurer and President of the Newfield PFO from 1998 – 2002 and has worked in AARP Tax Assistance Program.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Maudie Long

Chair

Senior Vice President, U.S. Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management

Dr. John D. Knopf

Vice Chair

Director, School of Business, University of Connecticut

Basam Nabulsi

Treasurer

Partner, McCarter & English, LLP

David Osborn

Secretary

Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor, Wells Fargo, The Private Bank

Robert C. Babkowski, MD

President, Stamford Pathology Group PC

Elizabeth Behnke

US Head of Marketing, AXA Real Estate (ret.)

H. Perry Boyle

Managing Director, Point72, L.P.

Frank R. Bria

Vice President & Treaty Account Executive, General Reinsurance Corp.

Marianne Drost

Sr. V.P., Deputy General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Verizon Communications, Inc. (ret.)

William V. Ferdinand

Managing Director & Senior Portfolio Manager, U.S. Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management, (ret.)

Joseph Goett

Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors

Joanna Gwozdziowski

Political Consultant

Wilmot L. Harris, Jr

Partner, Ivey, Barnum & O’Mara LLC

Derek Harvey

Exxon Mobil Corp. (Ret.)

Alice Knapp

President, Ferguson Library

Richard S. Lukaj

President, Lukaj Foundation

Adam S. Mocciolo

Member, Pullman & Comley, LLC

J. David Nelson

Former Board Chair, AARP Foundation

Scott C. Nevins

Principal, Bernstein Global Wealth Management

George F. Paik

Lord Capital, LLC

Gregory Saum

The Law Office of Gregory A. Saum LLC

Michelle A. Thompson

Emergency Response Manager, AmeriCares

Sara L. Tucker

Senior Vice President & Director of Business Banking, First County Bank

Damon N. Vocke

Partner, Vocke Law Group

WANT TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT WORLD EVENTS?

A Forum for Global Education and International Affairs

Since 1946, we have been providing top-level and thought-provoking presentations, debates, and discussions of global education and international affairs. WAF provides a neutral forum for speeches by presidents, prime ministers, cabinet officials, economists, diplomats, scholars, academics, corporate leaders, authors, researchers, pundits, journalists, and Nobel laureates. These worldwide speakers join Council members, VIP guests and the public for in-depth discussions of major foreign policy and education issues that have global impact.

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