Click through the tabs below to explore the full agenda.
Please note the agenda is subject to change. Check this page often for updates.
Please note the agenda is subject to change. Check this page often for updates.
9:45 - 11:45 AM
We'll open with remarks by SID-US leadership setting the stage for the day:
Then we'll go into our Opening Plenary session described in the "Opening Plenary" tab above.
- Katherine Raphaelson, SID-US President
- Wade Warren, SID-US Board Chair
- Mike Shanley, SID-US 2026 Annual Conference Chair & Founder and CEO, GovDiscovery AI
Then we'll go into our Opening Plenary session described in the "Opening Plenary" tab above.
Beyond Aid: The Future of Development and Global Engagement
Jefferson/Lincoln Ballroom
The global development landscape is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in decades. Traditional models of foreign assistance are being reexamined, funding structures are shifting, and governments, businesses, philanthropies, and civil society organizations are all reassessing how they engage internationally. At the same time, countries across the Global South are forging new partnerships, pursuing new sources of financing, and asserting greater ownership over their development priorities. These changes raise fundamental questions about what development cooperation will look like in the years ahead—and what role the United States should play in an increasingly complex and competitive global environment.
This plenary session will bring together leading thinkers and practitioners who are helping to shape the next generation of development cooperation and will explore emerging models of global engagement and the ideas, partnerships, and strategies that may define the next era of international cooperation.
Speakers
Religious Freedom, Human Rights, and U.S. Global Engagement
Jefferson/Lincoln Ballroom
We'll close our Opening Plenary with a discussion on Religious Freedom, a fundamental human right and an important component of inclusive, stable, and prosperous societies. Around the world, governments, faith-based organizations, civil society groups, and development practitioners are grappling with rising restrictions on religious expression and the persecution of minority communities. Yet religious freedom plays a critical role in promoting social cohesion, economic opportunity, and democratic governance. The United States continues to prioritize the protection of such fundamental freedoms as a central element of its engagement with partner countries.
Join us for a conversation with Kent Hill, one of the founders of the Religious Freedom Institute, and David Trimble, who serves as the Institute's President. Kent is also a former USAID Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Global Health and Bureau for Europe and Eurasia. The discussion will be moderated by Randy Tift, a longtime development professional who worked for former Representative Frank Wolf, a leading advocate for international religious freedom and the namesake of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016. Drawing on decades of experience at the intersection of development, faith, and public policy, the speakers will explore why SID members and development practitioners should care deeply about the role of faith communities in advancing sustainable development outcomes. In many of the world's most fragile and conflict-affected settings, faith-based organizations are among the most trusted, enduring, and locally rooted institutions, often remaining engaged long after governments, donors, and international organizations have departed. The conversation will examine how faith communities contribute to humanitarian response, peacebuilding, education, health, and economic recovery, and why meaningful engagement with these actors is essential for building locally led, innovative, and sustainable models of assistance. Participants will gain insights into both the opportunities and challenges of partnering with faith communities as part of broader strategies for development and global engagement.
Speaker
The global development landscape is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in decades. Traditional models of foreign assistance are being reexamined, funding structures are shifting, and governments, businesses, philanthropies, and civil society organizations are all reassessing how they engage internationally. At the same time, countries across the Global South are forging new partnerships, pursuing new sources of financing, and asserting greater ownership over their development priorities. These changes raise fundamental questions about what development cooperation will look like in the years ahead—and what role the United States should play in an increasingly complex and competitive global environment.
This plenary session will bring together leading thinkers and practitioners who are helping to shape the next generation of development cooperation and will explore emerging models of global engagement and the ideas, partnerships, and strategies that may define the next era of international cooperation.
Speakers
- Victoria Coates, PhD, Vice President, Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, The Heritage Foundation
- Enoh T. Ebong, President, Global Development Department, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
- Alexia Latortue, Head of Secretariat, Future of Development Cooperation Coalition & Distinguished Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Elissa Miolene, Global Development Reporter, Devex
Religious Freedom, Human Rights, and U.S. Global Engagement
Jefferson/Lincoln Ballroom
We'll close our Opening Plenary with a discussion on Religious Freedom, a fundamental human right and an important component of inclusive, stable, and prosperous societies. Around the world, governments, faith-based organizations, civil society groups, and development practitioners are grappling with rising restrictions on religious expression and the persecution of minority communities. Yet religious freedom plays a critical role in promoting social cohesion, economic opportunity, and democratic governance. The United States continues to prioritize the protection of such fundamental freedoms as a central element of its engagement with partner countries.
Join us for a conversation with Kent Hill, one of the founders of the Religious Freedom Institute, and David Trimble, who serves as the Institute's President. Kent is also a former USAID Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Global Health and Bureau for Europe and Eurasia. The discussion will be moderated by Randy Tift, a longtime development professional who worked for former Representative Frank Wolf, a leading advocate for international religious freedom and the namesake of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016. Drawing on decades of experience at the intersection of development, faith, and public policy, the speakers will explore why SID members and development practitioners should care deeply about the role of faith communities in advancing sustainable development outcomes. In many of the world's most fragile and conflict-affected settings, faith-based organizations are among the most trusted, enduring, and locally rooted institutions, often remaining engaged long after governments, donors, and international organizations have departed. The conversation will examine how faith communities contribute to humanitarian response, peacebuilding, education, health, and economic recovery, and why meaningful engagement with these actors is essential for building locally led, innovative, and sustainable models of assistance. Participants will gain insights into both the opportunities and challenges of partnering with faith communities as part of broader strategies for development and global engagement.
Speaker
- Kent Hill, Senior Fellow for Eurasia, Middle East, and Islam, The Religious Freedom Institute
- David Trimble, President, Religious Freedom Institute
- Randy Tift, Senior Advisor, The Accord Network
11:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Exhibit Hall Open
Concourse
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Networking Break
Concourse
Visit the Exhibit Hall and network with fellow attendees over coffee.
Visit the Exhibit Hall and network with fellow attendees over coffee.
12:00 - 1:00 PM
The Role for Development Actors in the Age of Energy Security and Resource Deal-Making
Georgetown West Ballroom
Energy and water are not only foundational to growth and development—they are increasingly central to global security, economic stability, and geopolitical competition. Today, foreign assistance is evolving.
Development cooperation is increasingly shaped by strategic, government-to-government deals and large-scale investments in energy infrastructure, critical minerals, and supply chains. As some areas become more transactional and less accessible, traditional development actors risk being sidelined from spaces where they have historically delivered value. At the same time, their role may be more critical than ever—not only in addressing gaps left by large-scale deals (such as local capacity building, governance, and community engagement), but also in helping to shape and operationalize emerging priorities, including investment facilitation, risk mitigation, regulatory reform, and workforce transitions.
This panel will examine whether development actors are becoming less relevant in a more transactional, deal-driven model of foreign assistance—or whether this moment represents a critical opportunity to redefine their role. Bringing together perspectives from government, donors, private sector, and implementing organizations, the discussion will explore where development actors are being squeezed out, where they remain indispensable, and how they can reposition in a rapidly changing landscape. The session will focus on practical pathways for engagement, offering concrete insights and recommendations for sustaining and amplifying development impact in the energy and natural resource sectors.
Speakers:
Moderator:
Energy and water are not only foundational to growth and development—they are increasingly central to global security, economic stability, and geopolitical competition. Today, foreign assistance is evolving.
Development cooperation is increasingly shaped by strategic, government-to-government deals and large-scale investments in energy infrastructure, critical minerals, and supply chains. As some areas become more transactional and less accessible, traditional development actors risk being sidelined from spaces where they have historically delivered value. At the same time, their role may be more critical than ever—not only in addressing gaps left by large-scale deals (such as local capacity building, governance, and community engagement), but also in helping to shape and operationalize emerging priorities, including investment facilitation, risk mitigation, regulatory reform, and workforce transitions.
This panel will examine whether development actors are becoming less relevant in a more transactional, deal-driven model of foreign assistance—or whether this moment represents a critical opportunity to redefine their role. Bringing together perspectives from government, donors, private sector, and implementing organizations, the discussion will explore where development actors are being squeezed out, where they remain indispensable, and how they can reposition in a rapidly changing landscape. The session will focus on practical pathways for engagement, offering concrete insights and recommendations for sustaining and amplifying development impact in the energy and natural resource sectors.
Speakers:
- Katie Auth, Deputy Executive Director, Energy for Growth Hub
- Hope Herron, Senior Advisor (Acting), Infrastructure, Environment, and Private Sector Division, Department of Compact Operations Environmental and Social Performance, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)
- Roukaya El Houda, Principal, CrossBoundary
- Alex Macdonald, Director, Africa Policy, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
Moderator:
- Bill Meade, Vice President, International Energy Services, Tetra Tech
Learning from Asia: Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Growth
Georgetown East Ballroom
The global development challenges facing our world, such as climate change, water security, health, energy, food insecurity and poverty, can only be resolved at an international level. From critical minerals, to education and economic development, Asia is prospering on many fronts. This session will explore areas where Asia is thriving with the Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. and the Asian Development Bank. Topics of discussion will include energy, AI, resilience, youth and women. As the region gears up for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting taking place in China later this year with its theme of "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together," our community can learn from the Philippines Embassy and the ADB’s experiences.
Join us for a fireside chat where we have the benefit of both a regional and country lens to examine new and evolving strategies for sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth with Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez from the Philippines and Alain Borghijs from the Asian Development Bank.
Speakers:
Moderator:
The global development challenges facing our world, such as climate change, water security, health, energy, food insecurity and poverty, can only be resolved at an international level. From critical minerals, to education and economic development, Asia is prospering on many fronts. This session will explore areas where Asia is thriving with the Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. and the Asian Development Bank. Topics of discussion will include energy, AI, resilience, youth and women. As the region gears up for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting taking place in China later this year with its theme of "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together," our community can learn from the Philippines Embassy and the ADB’s experiences.
Join us for a fireside chat where we have the benefit of both a regional and country lens to examine new and evolving strategies for sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth with Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez from the Philippines and Alain Borghijs from the Asian Development Bank.
Speakers:
- Alain Borghijs, Deputy Representative in the North American Representative Office, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- Jose Maunuel G. Romualdez, Ambassador, Republic of the Philippines to the United States
Moderator:
- Anne Simmons-Benton, SID-US Deputy Board Chair, Chair of the Women20 (W20) USA 2026, and Chair of the Board of UNA-NCA
AI for Development
Monroe Ballroom
When the commercial sector adopts artificial intelligence, the priority is profit maximization. For the international development community, however, the mandate is measurable sustainable development impact. Because this is our bottom line, we cannot simply copy-paste corporate tech strategies. The development sector requires a fundamentally distinct framework—one that shifts our focus from rigid process compliance to readiness governance and outcome delegation.
This panel will explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities, that AI presents to both government decision-makers and international development organizations.
Speakers:
Moderator:
When the commercial sector adopts artificial intelligence, the priority is profit maximization. For the international development community, however, the mandate is measurable sustainable development impact. Because this is our bottom line, we cannot simply copy-paste corporate tech strategies. The development sector requires a fundamentally distinct framework—one that shifts our focus from rigid process compliance to readiness governance and outcome delegation.
This panel will explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities, that AI presents to both government decision-makers and international development organizations.
Speakers:
- Alexis Bonnell, Head of AI Adoption and Deployment, OpenAI for Government
- Lindsey Moore, CEO and Founder, DevelopMetrics, and Adjunct Professor, AI and Policy Leadership, Georgetown University
Moderator:
- Mike Shanley, Founder and CEO, GovDiscovery AI
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Lunch and Keynote Address
Jefferson/Lincoln Ballroom
Pick up a sandwich at our lunch buffet in the Crystal Corridor (directly outside the Jefferson/Lincoln Ballroom) and network with your fellow attendees over lunch before our address on Artificial Intelligence and development by Alexis Bonnell, Head of AI Adoption and Deployment at OpenAI for Government. Alexis has broad experience in technology leadership roles in government and the private sector, serving as CIO and Director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Senior Business Executive at Google, and Chief Innovation Officer at USAID.
Pick up a sandwich at our lunch buffet in the Crystal Corridor (directly outside the Jefferson/Lincoln Ballroom) and network with your fellow attendees over lunch before our address on Artificial Intelligence and development by Alexis Bonnell, Head of AI Adoption and Deployment at OpenAI for Government. Alexis has broad experience in technology leadership roles in government and the private sector, serving as CIO and Director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Senior Business Executive at Google, and Chief Innovation Officer at USAID.
- Alexis Bonnell, Head of AI Adoption and Deployment, OpenAI for Government
2:00 - 2:30
Networking Break
Concourse
Visit the Exhibit Hall and network with fellow attendees over coffee.
Visit the Exhibit Hall and network with fellow attendees over coffee.
2:30 - 4:00 PM
Untapped Models of U.S. Global Engagement: Trade, Investment, and Development
Jefferson/Lincoln Ballroom
As the international aid landscape continues to evolve, organizations are increasingly looking beyond traditional models towards infrastructure, trade, investments, and economic partnerships that drive long-term growth and prosperity. Join us for a forward-looking conversation with Thomas R. Hardy, who leads the U.S. Trade and Development Agency's efforts to develop bankable critical infrastructure projects in emerging countries, and Daniel Petrie, acting Chief of Staff of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. MCC partners with countries who share our values and are committed to democratic governance, economic freedom, and investing in their populations. MCC invests in time-limited infrastructure, policy, and institutional reforms that unlock long-term economic growth, stability, and prosperity in partner countries while furthering American interests.
Fireside Chat
Moderator
As the international aid landscape continues to evolve, organizations are increasingly looking beyond traditional models towards infrastructure, trade, investments, and economic partnerships that drive long-term growth and prosperity. Join us for a forward-looking conversation with Thomas R. Hardy, who leads the U.S. Trade and Development Agency's efforts to develop bankable critical infrastructure projects in emerging countries, and Daniel Petrie, acting Chief of Staff of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. MCC partners with countries who share our values and are committed to democratic governance, economic freedom, and investing in their populations. MCC invests in time-limited infrastructure, policy, and institutional reforms that unlock long-term economic growth, stability, and prosperity in partner countries while furthering American interests.
Fireside Chat
- Thomas R. Hardy, Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
- Dan Petrie, Acting Chief of Staff, The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)
Moderator
- Keri Lowry, SID-US Board and Vice President of Global Affairs, Wilson Center
The Shift from Soft Power to Reciprocal Economic Statecraft: Rethinking U.S. Foreign Assistance in a New Era
Jefferson/Lincoln Ballroom
U.S. foreign assistance is undergoing a major transformation. Historically, foreign aid—rooted in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961--has been grounded in a soft‑power approach that supports economic and social development abroad to advance U.S. foreign policy and security interests.
Today, however, the orientation of U.S. foreign assistance is shifting sharply toward economic statecraft, reciprocity, and “trade, not aid.” Foreign assistance from the U.S. Government is increasingly framed as a tool for advancing U.S. commercial and strategic interests through bilateral economic engagement.
This panel will discuss what this shift means for global development and partner countries. By addressing potential problems, this panel will explore approaches to achieve the spirit and intent of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961in this new era of economic statecraft.
Speakers:
Moderator:
U.S. foreign assistance is undergoing a major transformation. Historically, foreign aid—rooted in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961--has been grounded in a soft‑power approach that supports economic and social development abroad to advance U.S. foreign policy and security interests.
Today, however, the orientation of U.S. foreign assistance is shifting sharply toward economic statecraft, reciprocity, and “trade, not aid.” Foreign assistance from the U.S. Government is increasingly framed as a tool for advancing U.S. commercial and strategic interests through bilateral economic engagement.
This panel will discuss what this shift means for global development and partner countries. By addressing potential problems, this panel will explore approaches to achieve the spirit and intent of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961in this new era of economic statecraft.
Speakers:
- Eric Bjornlund, Founder and CEO, Democracy International
- Jim Kunder, Affiliated Expert, Lugar Center, & Steering Committee, MFAN
- Nathaniel Soule, Executive Director, Campaign for America First International Assistance (CAFIA)
Moderator:
- Gloria Steele, Chair, DevelopMetrics & SID-US Board Member
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Networking Break
Concourse
Visit the Exhibit Hall and network with fellow attendees over coffee, tea and snacks.
Visit the Exhibit Hall and network with fellow attendees over coffee, tea and snacks.
Exhibit Hall Closes
The Exhibit Hall will close at 4:30 PM.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
The Future of Global Health Engagement: A Conversation with Jeff Graham
Jefferson/Lincoln Ballroom
To conclude the conference, SID-US Board Chair Wade Warren will sit down with Jeff Graham, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD) at the U.S. Department of State, for a fireside chat on the evolving role of global health in advancing U.S. interests and engagement around the world. As the United States reexamines its approach to international assistance and partnerships, Mr. Graham will discuss the strategic goals and structure of GHSD and its role in administering foreign assistance under the America First Global Health Strategy.
Speaker:
Moderator:
To conclude the conference, SID-US Board Chair Wade Warren will sit down with Jeff Graham, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD) at the U.S. Department of State, for a fireside chat on the evolving role of global health in advancing U.S. interests and engagement around the world. As the United States reexamines its approach to international assistance and partnerships, Mr. Graham will discuss the strategic goals and structure of GHSD and its role in administering foreign assistance under the America First Global Health Strategy.
Speaker:
- Jeff Graham, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD) at the U.S. Department of State
Moderator:
- Wade Warren, SID-US Board, Chair
5:30 - 7:00
Closing Reception
Crystal Corridor (outside Jefferson/Lincoln Ballroom)
Join us for a closing reception to discuss the days sessions with old friends and new faces over light hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Cash bar.
Join us for a closing reception to discuss the days sessions with old friends and new faces over light hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Cash bar.