Colleen GraffyFormer US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Global Diplomacy Expert

Colleen Graffy is a distinguished authority on international relations, currently serving as the Chair of the Society of English and American Lawyers. As an Associate Professor and Director of Global Programmes at Pepperdine University’s London campus, she possesses deep academic and practical expertise in how nations and organisations project their values on a global stage. During her tenure as US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy under the George W. Bush administration, she visited more than 40 nations to communicate policy and culture. A pioneer in digital communication, she established the first US government media hub in Brussels and was the first high-level official to adopt social media for diplomatic purposes. Her forward-thinking approach to engagement and crisis management remains a benchmark for modern strategic communication. On the speaking circuit, she explores the vital parallels between international diplomacy and the corporate world. From negotiation strategies to managing public perception during a crisis, her presentations offer senior leaders a comprehensive understanding of geopolitics and foreign policy. Audiences book her for her unique ability to translate complex governmental frameworks into clear, strategic lessons for today's interconnected business landscape. On stage, Colleen Graffy is best known for talks on Politics & Geopolitics. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Education and Politics & Government, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Colleen Graffy is regularly booked for Business Speaker and Conference Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, Colleen Graffy travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Colleen Graffy would approach your audience.