Speakers: Diverse, timely, expert perspectives
We participate in the ACFR National Speakers Program which provides prominent speakers at the ready edge of responsibility and expertise regarding timely foreign policy issues & events. We have hosted sitting Ambassadors, former Ambassadors, State Department officials, Officers of the military, policy experts & more from foreign relations organizations and consultancies in the nation.
We also feature Iowa based speakers with special expertise and experiences in foreign relations from our congressional representatives, universities, and major news outlets.
At the Committee on Foreign Relations, our monthly meetings are dedicated to advancing discourse of relevant U.S. foreign relations issues and events while supporting our non-partisan, non-profit position. We provide a high quality personal experience with a unique intimate forum for dialogue and discussion. We support diverse, timely, well-informed perspectives that contribute to understanding concerning foreign relations.
October 28th, 5:30pm at the Wakanda Club – Mr. Rajat Jay Seghal
Mr. Sehgal is no stranger to central Iowa having lived in and raised a family in Clive area. Most recently Jay and the Sehgal Foundation sponsored the World Food Prize Foundation DialogueNEXT conference in New Delhi and his team of volunteers and interns will represent the Sehgal Foundation at the World Food Prize’s Borlaug symposium. On October 28th, Mr. Sehgal’s presentation will focus on “the work and impact of the Sehgal Foundation both in India and in the US. He will also give background on the founders and why they established the two foundations”.
Our meeting on October 28th will be at the Wakonda Club, 3915 Fleur Dr in Des Moines. The meeting will begin with hors d’oeuvres and conversation at 5:30pm followed by Mr. Sehgal’s presentation at 6pm. The meeting fee is $20 ($10 for students).
We hope you can join us on the 28th to hear from Mr. Sehgal!
To confirm your attendance, please reply directly to this message at: events@gdmcfr.org
Rajat Jay Sehgal (Jay) is a distinguished leader in rural development and philanthropy, currently serving as the Chairperson of S M Sehgal Foundation, a role he assumed on April 1, 2025, following the visionary leadership of Dr. Suri Sehgal. He also serves as Executive Vice President of the Sehgal Foundation in the United States, based in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jay holds a background in Business Administration and Management Information Systems with a focus on Computer Science. He has been instrumental in advancing the foundation’s mission to empower rural communities in India. Under his leadership, the foundation has expanded its impact to over 3,000 villages across 13 states, implementing transformative programs in water management, sustainable agriculture, rural school development, and women’s empowerment.
Before joining the foundation, Jay worked in the private sector in information technology and was later recruited by Proagro Seed Co. Ltd. in India.
Jay’s contributions to international development have earned him several honors, including the University of Iowa’s International Impact Award in 2018. On behalf of the Sehgal Foundation, he received the 2017 Iowa Ag Leadership Award for outstanding service in agriculture from then Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Bill Northey. Jay and Sehgal Foundation has been recognized by India Association of Minnesota with the person of the year (2020-2021) as well as Vision of Gandhi Award (2025).
He currently serves on the board of the Iowa International Center, supporting programs for immigrants and refugees, and is Vice Chair of the India Philanthropy Alliance, a coalition of leading U.S.-based nonprofits advancing development in India.
Jay remains deeply committed to building sustainable, equitable communities through strategic partnerships, innovation, and grassroots empowerment.
If you wish to RSVP for this event and are a current member please email us at events@gdmcfr.org
If you would like to become a member please visit our Membership and Sponsorship page for more information
Past Speakers:
Meetings: High Quality Personal Experience
For the 2023-2024 season our meetings will be held at Wakonda Club in Des Moines. We meet each month from September through May of the following year. Please email events@gdmcfr.org for more information.
Because we limit the size of the membership and the size of the venue, we provide a unique intimate format for our members…giving the opportunity to meet the speaker, engage in discussion, and gain additional knowledge and information.
Agenda & Venue
Our meetings are currently being held at the Harkin Center, 2800 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
The typical agenda includes:
5:30PM – Reception and Happy Hour with the speaker
6:00PM – Speaker’s presentation and Q&A
7:00PM Wrap up and closing comments
