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.
May: Director General Dennis Lei of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office @ the Wakonda Club, Wednesday, May 20th
Event Details
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Date: Wednesday, May 20th
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Location: Wakonda Club, 3915 Fleur Drive, Des Moines
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5:30 PM: Social (Hors d’oeuvres and Conversation)
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6:00 PM: Presentation
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Fee: $20 for members | $10 for students
- To confirm your attendance, please email: events@gdmcfr.org
Director General Dennis Yen-Feng Lei serves as Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, where he leads Taiwan’s diplomatic, economic, cultural, and educational engagement across the U.S. Midwest. A seasoned Taiwanese diplomat with decades of service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Director General Lei has built a distinguished career advancing international cooperation, trade, and bilateral relations. He holds advanced degrees from National Chengchi University and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. In Chicago, he has been a strong advocate for strengthening Taiwan-U.S. partnerships, particularly in trade, technology, education, and cultural exchange throughout the Midwest.
If you would like to become a member please visit our Membership and Sponsorship page for more information
Past Speakers:
- 2026-2027
- 2024-2025
- 2023-2024
- 2022-2023
- 2021-2022
- 2020-2021
- 2019-2020
- 2018-2019
- 2017-2018
- 2016-2017
- 2015-2016
- 2014-2015
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
Iowa Public Radio Interviews
Want to hear more from our speakers? Look below to find some of their Iowa Public Radio Interviews, provided by the American Committee on Foreign Relations.