Program Recap: Africa in the Global Order with Chidi Blyden

This past week, the Alaska World Affairs Council was honored to host Chidi Blyden for a full and impactful week of programs across Alaska, bringing together students, educators, and community members for timely conversations on global security, diplomacy, and Africa’s evolving role in the international order.

Chidi’s visit began in Juneau, where we collaborated with our friends at the Juneau World Affairs Council to host a presentation for their community. In Anchorage, we welcomed Chidi for a luncheon program that brought together community members alongside students as part of our Evangeline Atwood Distinguished Speakers Series. We also hosted an evening lecture with the University of Alaska Anchorage Department of Political Science, which was thoughtfully moderated by Professors Kimberly Pace and Dr. Forrest Nabors. The discussion explored Africa’s place in the global order, security challenges and opportunities on the continent, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy. 

Chidi’s visit coincided with Black History Month, offering an especially meaningful moment to reflect on how history, leadership, and lived experience intersect with today’s global challenges. Her perspective added depth to conversations about representation, expertise, and the importance of diverse voices in shaping international policy and understanding.

We extend our sincere thanks to the students, educators, and community members who attended these programs; to Chidi Blyden and her sister for spending this week with us in Alaska; to our dedicated staff and volunteers whose hard work made the visit possible; and to our colleagues in Juneau for hosting the first stop of this journey. 

Visits like this underscore the value of bringing global voices to Alaska and creating space for informed, respectful dialogue on the issues shaping our world today.

Exploring Alaska

Beyond the formal programs, we were pleased to share some of what makes Alaska unique. Chidi (and her sister, who joined us for the visit) took a flight to see Alaska’s glaciers and toured the Anchorage Museum. We are thankful to the Museum for their longstanding support in welcoming visiting speakers and helping them better understand Alaska’s history, cultures, and place in the world, and to longtime friend of the Council, Paul Anderson, for his generousity flying our speakers around.

About the Speaker

Chidi Blyden is an accomplished executive leader and former U.S. foreign policy advisor, with over two decades of transformative experience spanning national security, defense, economic development, and international policy. As the Principal of Culturally Bound, she develops actionable strategies to address Africa’s complex challenges and unlock its potential by leveraging the African Diaspora. Her extensive government service includes significant roles in both the Biden-Harris and Obama administrations. Notably, as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), she managed the agency’s daily operations and chaired the Investment Management Committee, overseeing a $1 billion annual investment portfolio and an $8 billion active program portfolio. In the Pentagon, as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, she managed relationships with 53 African nations and played a pivotal role in redefining U.S.-Africa defense relations, securing billions in funding for various security initiatives.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Blyden served as the Special Assistant and Africa Peacekeeping Senior Advisor to the Office of the Secretary of Defense during the Obama administration, where she oversaw defense policy for East and Central African countries and led the Department of Defense’s efforts for the President’s African Leaders’ Summit. Her expertise also extended to advising the House Armed Services Committee on African nations and Western Hemisphere defense and security priorities. A socio-cultural expert, Ms. Blyden’s work emphasizes the cultural underpinnings of policy and community-driven security. As the first Africa Director at the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), she developed and implemented culture-specific training for the Nigerian Armed Forces to minimize civilian harm during the Boko Haram crisis.

Beyond her governmental and consulting roles, Ms. Blyden is deeply committed to mentoring and advocating for women and young leaders. She is a passionate advocate for ethical leadership and uplifting others in the national security and defense sectors, which has earned her numerous accolades, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service, (x2) TrailBlazer Award from Black Professionals in International Affairs and the Aggie Impact Award from Texas A&M University. Ms. Blyden contributes to academia, as a regular lecturer at institutions such as Harvard University and Texas A&M University School of Public Service and previously as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Sitar Arts Center and has held various roles in various organizations such as the Board and Leadership Council Member for Memunatu Magazine, a magazine empowering young women in the African diaspora and the Leadership Council for Women in National Security (LCWINS) and Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security (WCAPS).

Program Recap: Africa in the Global Order with Chidi Blyden

This past week, the Alaska World Affairs Council was honored to host Chidi Blyden for a full and impactful week of programs across Alaska, bringing together students, educators, and community members for timely conversations on global security, diplomacy, and Africa’s evolving role in the international order.

Chidi’s visit began in Juneau, where we collaborated with our friends at the Juneau World Affairs Council to host a presentation for their community. In Anchorage, we welcomed Chidi for a luncheon program that brought together community members alongside students as part of our Evangeline Atwood Distinguished Speakers Series. We also hosted an evening lecture with the University of Alaska Anchorage Department of Political Science, which was thoughtfully moderated by Professors Kimberly Pace and Dr. Forrest Nabors. The discussion explored Africa’s place in the global order, security challenges and opportunities on the continent, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy. 

Chidi’s visit coincided with Black History Month, offering an especially meaningful moment to reflect on how history, leadership, and lived experience intersect with today’s global challenges. Her perspective added depth to conversations about representation, expertise, and the importance of diverse voices in shaping international policy and understanding.

We extend our sincere thanks to the students, educators, and community members who attended these programs; to Chidi Blyden and her sister for spending this week with us in Alaska; to our dedicated staff and volunteers whose hard work made the visit possible; and to our colleagues in Juneau for hosting the first stop of this journey. 

Visits like this underscore the value of bringing global voices to Alaska and creating space for informed, respectful dialogue on the issues shaping our world today.

Exploring Alaska

Beyond the formal programs, we were pleased to share some of what makes Alaska unique. Chidi (and her sister, who joined us for the visit) took a flight to see Alaska’s glaciers and toured the Anchorage Museum. We are thankful to the Museum for their longstanding support in welcoming visiting speakers and helping them better understand Alaska’s history, cultures, and place in the world, and to longtime friend of the Council, Paul Anderson, for his generousity flying our speakers around.

About the Speaker

Chidi Blyden is an accomplished executive leader and former U.S. foreign policy advisor, with over two decades of transformative experience spanning national security, defense, economic development, and international policy. As the Principal of Culturally Bound, she develops actionable strategies to address Africa’s complex challenges and unlock its potential by leveraging the African Diaspora. Her extensive government service includes significant roles in both the Biden-Harris and Obama administrations. Notably, as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), she managed the agency’s daily operations and chaired the Investment Management Committee, overseeing a $1 billion annual investment portfolio and an $8 billion active program portfolio. In the Pentagon, as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, she managed relationships with 53 African nations and played a pivotal role in redefining U.S.-Africa defense relations, securing billions in funding for various security initiatives.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Blyden served as the Special Assistant and Africa Peacekeeping Senior Advisor to the Office of the Secretary of Defense during the Obama administration, where she oversaw defense policy for East and Central African countries and led the Department of Defense’s efforts for the President’s African Leaders’ Summit. Her expertise also extended to advising the House Armed Services Committee on African nations and Western Hemisphere defense and security priorities. A socio-cultural expert, Ms. Blyden’s work emphasizes the cultural underpinnings of policy and community-driven security. As the first Africa Director at the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), she developed and implemented culture-specific training for the Nigerian Armed Forces to minimize civilian harm during the Boko Haram crisis.

Beyond her governmental and consulting roles, Ms. Blyden is deeply committed to mentoring and advocating for women and young leaders. She is a passionate advocate for ethical leadership and uplifting others in the national security and defense sectors, which has earned her numerous accolades, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service, (x2) TrailBlazer Award from Black Professionals in International Affairs and the Aggie Impact Award from Texas A&M University. Ms. Blyden contributes to academia, as a regular lecturer at institutions such as Harvard University and Texas A&M University School of Public Service and previously as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Sitar Arts Center and has held various roles in various organizations such as the Board and Leadership Council Member for Memunatu Magazine, a magazine empowering young women in the African diaspora and the Leadership Council for Women in National Security (LCWINS) and Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security (WCAPS).