As part of Launch Week for the 
NYC AI Landing Pad
, we’re excited to host an 
International Founders & Funders Happy Hour, co-hosted with Lightspeed, NYCEDC, Anthropic.

This gathering brings together international founders and investors for an evening focused on what it takes to build and scale across borders — from entering the U.S. market and establishing a New York presence, to navigating fundraising, hiring, partnerships, and long-term growth strategy.

We will be joined by the inaugural 
NYC AI Landing Pad
 cohort, 
alongside SOSA’s ILPN cohort
: with growth-stage AI founders building companies visiting from countries including the 
UK, Canada, Spain, France, Israel, Poland, Australia, Belgium, Singapore, South Korea, and the UAE.

What you can expect:

🍸🥂 
AMA with a Partner from Lightspeed
, followed by a 
Happy Hour reception hosted at Lightspeed’s NYC office

💬 High-signal conversations on U.S. expansion, market entry, and scaling globally

🤝 Meaningful connections between international founders and funders shaping the next wave of AI

🔥 Candid founder-to-founder insights on what it really takes to build across markets

Spots are limited. 
Only approved attendees will be allowed through security.

Baruch College

Supermomos

Strategic Programs Lead

Head of Startup and VC Partnerships

You are the social spark who knows everyone, everywhere, and loves connecting people like pieces of a puzzle

The Connector/Social Butterfly

The Wharton School

Co-Founder & CEO

SOSA

You are the cheerleader who believes in everyone’s potential, celebrating every milestone with genuine excitement

The Nurturer/Cheerleader

National University of Singapore

Assistant General Manager, New York

As part of Launch Week for the NYC AI Landing Pad, we’re excited to host an International Founders &amp; Funders Happy Hour, co-hosted with Lightspeed, NYCEDC, Anthropic. This gathering brings together international founders and investors for an evening focused on what it takes to build and scale across borders — from entering the U.S. market and establishing a New York presence, to navigating fundraising, hiring, partnerships, and long-term growth strategy. We will be joined by the inaugural NYC AI Landing Pad cohort, alongside SOSA’s ILPN cohort: with growth-stage AI founders building companies visiting from countries including the UK, Canada, Spain, France, Israel, Poland, Australia, Belgium, Singapore, South Korea, and the UAE. What you can expect: 🍸🥂 AMA with a Partner from Lightspeed, followed by a Happy Hour reception hosted at Lightspeed’s NYC office 💬 High-signal conversations on U.S. expansion, market entry, and scaling globally 🤝 Meaningful connections between international founders and funders shaping the next wave of AI 🔥 Candid founder-to-founder insights on what it really takes to build across markets Spots are limited. Only approved attendees will be allowed through security.

General Admission

International Founders & Funders Happy Hour, Co-hosted with Lightspeed, NYCEDC, Anthropic

To be shared on approval

What if the only thing standing between you and the seemingly impossible…was belief?

We’re kicking off the second year of the 
SGN Global Leaders Series
 with a thought-provoking evening in New York City, featuring bestselling author and two-time exited founder 
Nir Eyal
, as he unveils his latest book: 
Beyond Belief
.

Join us for an exclusive 
book launch event with bestselling author and 2× exited founder Nir Eyal
, celebrating the release of his newest book, 
Beyond Belief
 — a powerful exploration of how beliefs shape behavior, decisions, and success. 

In this intimate evening for founders, operators, and investors, Nir will share 
 insights into his book
, including actionable frameworks on 
breaking limiting beliefs, influencing behavior, and unlocking personal and professional growth
. The sharing will be moderated by 
Gretchen Rubin
!

Expect a
 high-signal conversation, live Q&A and networking with fellow builders from NYC!
 
All attendees will receive a free copy of Beyond Belief!

Who should attend:
 Founders, VCs, operators, creators, and ambitious professionals who want to 
think clearer, act faster, and reshape what they believe is possible. 

You are the calm presence who’s perfectly happy to go with the flow, bringing peace and balance wherever you are

The Chill One/Laid-Back Hangout Buddy

Singapore Global Network

Regional Director (Americas)

Assistant General Manager

What if the only thing standing between you and the seemingly impossible…was belief? We’re kicking off the second year of the&nbsp;SGN Global Leaders Series&nbsp;with a thought-provoking evening in New York City, featuring bestselling author and two-time exited founder&nbsp;Nir Eyal, as he unveils his latest book:&nbsp;Beyond Belief. Join us for an exclusive book launch event with bestselling author and 2× exited founder Nir Eyal, celebrating the release of his newest book, Beyond Belief — a powerful exploration of how beliefs shape behavior, decisions, and success.&nbsp; In this intimate evening for founders, operators, and investors, Nir will share insights into his book, including actionable frameworks on breaking limiting beliefs, influencing behavior, and unlocking personal and professional growth. The sharing will be moderated by&nbsp;Gretchen Rubin! Expect a high-signal conversation, live Q&amp;A and networking with fellow builders from NYC! All attendees will receive a free copy of Beyond Belief! Who should attend: Founders, VCs, operators, creators, and ambitious professionals who want to think clearer, act faster, and reshape what they believe is possible.&nbsp;

NirAndFar.com is the personal brand and blog of Nir Eyal, a bestselling author, speaker, consultant, and investor specializing in behavioral design. The platform focuses on the intersection of psychology, technology, and business to help create habit-forming products and promote healthy habits. Eyal shares insights on habit formation, productivity, and managing distractions, drawing from his extensive experience in marketing and the tech industry.

Bestselling Author

NYT Bestselling Author, Podcaster & Speaker

SGN Global Leaders Series: Belief as a Competitive Edge In Conversation with Nir Eyal (Beyond Belief) and Gretchen Rubin (The Happiness Project)

Special Thanks to the Event Sponsor: ICAA
Event Host: Sunday Studio
Watercolor Art Supply: Sketch Box

​🎨 Watercolor Painting Workshop — Create, Relax, and Bring Art Home （ beginners friendly, bring the watercolor set home with you )

​📍 Midtown Manhattan
Room 2-2
134 W 29th St floor 2, New York, NY 10001, USA

​🗓 Sunday, March 8, 2026
​🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

​Step into a world of color and calm in the heart of New York City! Whether you’ve never held a paintbrush or already love to paint, our Watercolor Painting Workshop is the perfect creative escape.

​Under the guidance of professional instructors, you’ll learn essential watercolor techniques — blending colors, layering washes, and creating soft, dreamy textures. Our teaching process is friendly, structured, and designed for absolute beginners.

​✨ What’s included:
​All painting materials provided — just bring yourself!
​Step-by-step guidance from professional artists
​A relaxed and inspiring atmosphere
​A complete watercolor tool set to take home, so you can keep painting long after the class ends

​No experience needed — just curiosity and a love for creativity. Come enjoy a mindful afternoon surrounded by color, art, and good vibes.

​Reserve your spot now — seats are limited!

Pratt

Pratt Institute

Interior Designer

Special Thanks to the Event Sponsor: ICAA<div>Event Host: Sunday Studio</div><div>Watercolor Art Supply: Sketch Box</div><div> </div><div>​🎨 Watercolor Painting Workshop — Create, Relax, and Bring Art Home （ beginners friendly, bring the watercolor set home with you )</div><div> </div><div>​📍 Midtown Manhattan</div><div>Room 2-2</div><div>134 W 29th St floor 2, New York, NY 10001, USA</div><div> </div><div>​🗓 Sunday, March 8, 2026</div><div>​🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM</div><div> </div><div>​Step into a world of color and calm in the heart of New York City! Whether you’ve never held a paintbrush or already love to paint, our Watercolor Painting Workshop is the perfect creative escape.</div><div> </div><div>​Under the guidance of professional instructors, you’ll learn essential watercolor techniques — blending colors, layering washes, and creating soft, dreamy textures. Our teaching process is friendly, structured, and designed for absolute beginners.</div><div> </div><div>​✨ What’s included:</div><div>​All painting materials provided — just bring yourself!</div><div>​Step-by-step guidance from professional artists</div><div>​A relaxed and inspiring atmosphere</div><div>​A complete watercolor tool set to take home, so you can keep painting long after the class ends</div><div> </div><div>​No experience needed — just curiosity and a love for creativity. Come enjoy a mindful afternoon surrounded by color, art, and good vibes.</div><div> </div><div>​Reserve your spot now — seats are limited!</div>

NYC Workshop for art Lover | Watercolor

Cre8ive NYC - Multipurpose Office/Studio/Rehearsal Spaces

We’re bringing the living room concert energy back ✨
Join us in a friendly living room in LES for Live music, warm vibes, and a space made for connection.

BYOB - light refreshments will be available

Date: Sat, March 7th
Time: 5:30 - 8:30PM
Location: One Manhattan Square - apt # 73H
Cost: FREE

Space is Limited 
RSVP & join us Saturday, March 7✨

Hope to see you there!

About Dear Community:

DearCo hosts intimate shows with all kinds of talent (music, comedy, poetry, magic, etc). Come with friends, co-workers, or a date and check out this unique, 1-of-a-kind New York experience!

We support artists, nonprofits, and organizations with great causes and love to collab! Follow us on IG for our next show and feel free to reach out if you're interested in learning more about us!

Dear Community IG : @Dear_Community


Chase

Finance

You are the compassionate listener who holds space for everyone’s secrets and offers wisdom that runs deep

The Therapist/Confidante

Columbia University

Human Ventures

Senior AI Product Lead

We’re bringing the living room concert energy back ✨Join us in a friendly living room in LES for Live music, warm vibes, and a space made for connection. BYOB - light refreshments will be available Date: Sat, March 7thTime: 5:30 - 8:30PMLocation: One Manhattan Square - apt # 73HCost: FREE Space is Limited&nbsp;RSVP&nbsp;&amp; join us Saturday, March 7✨ Hope to see you there! About Dear Community: DearCo hosts intimate shows with all kinds of talent (music, comedy, poetry, magic, etc). Come with friends, co-workers, or a date and check out this unique, 1-of-a-kind New York experience! We support artists, nonprofits, and organizations with great causes and love to collab! Follow us on IG for our next show and feel free to reach out if you're interested in learning more about us! Dear Community IG : @Dear_Community

Living room Comedy & Music Show in LES

Join 
Feed2Succeed Fund
 for our first‑ever NYC event to celebrate our 10 year anniversary as a non-profit. An evening of 
mahjong, community, and impact
 at 
Georgie’s Cafe
! Whether you’re brand new to the game or a seasoned player, instructors from 
Sparrow’s Nest
 will guide you in a relaxed, social setting.

​Feed2Succeed Fund 
supports malnourished children in the Philippines
 by providing nutritious meals and community‑driven care as well as a scholarship program for nursing students. We founded this non-profit over 10 years ago and we are so excited to share with you all! Your support directly helps children grow, learn, and thrive.

​Your ticket includes food and beverages (open bar for first hour!), and all proceeds support Feed2Succeed Fund’s mission to provide nutritious meals to malnourished children in the Philippines. Come learn, play, and hang out!

​Kindly RSVP as soon as you can, as space is limited!

If you buy ticket, discounted day pass to Vital Gym (LES) will be provided - $20 day pass (usually $38). Show proof of ticket purchase at front desk.

Twentyeight Health

Partner

Join&nbsp;Feed2Succeed Fund&nbsp;for our first‑ever NYC event to celebrate our 10 year anniversary as a non-profit. An evening of mahjong, community, and impact at&nbsp;Georgie’s Cafe! Whether you’re brand new to the game or a seasoned player, instructors from&nbsp;Sparrow’s Nest&nbsp;will guide you in a relaxed, social setting. ​Feed2Succeed Fund&nbsp;supports malnourished children in the Philippines by providing nutritious meals and community‑driven care as well as a scholarship program for nursing students. We founded this non-profit over 10 years ago and we are so excited to share with you all! Your support directly helps children grow, learn, and thrive. ​Your ticket includes food and beverages (open bar for first hour!), and&nbsp;all proceeds support Feed2Succeed Fund’s mission to provide nutritious meals to malnourished children in the Philippines. Come learn, play, and hang out! ​Kindly RSVP as soon as you can, as space is limited! If you buy ticket, discounted day pass to Vital Gym (LES) will be provided - $20 day pass (usually $38). Show proof of ticket purchase at front desk.

Everything in the Community Ticket plus an additional donation that feeds 4 more students for a month!

Impact Ticket

Attend the event + mahjong instruction + light bites + open bar first hour

Community Ticket

Mahjong For A Cause Night!

Georgie’s Cafe & Bar

MARCH 6 >>> Join me for Tech Talk & Chill... 🖥️ 🍻 ☕✨

At LLM Day, we’re bringing together the ML community for a day of rigorous technical talks and high-caliber networking. 

🔬 Technical Rigor: From multi-modal transformer architectures to synthetic data generation, our speakers give real-world advice as true industry practitioners.

🤝 Supported Socializing: Feed your mind & body in prime NYC office headquarters with hearty refreshments & convos with like-minded technologists. 

No rushed transitions—just plenty of space to connect, recruit, or find your next collaborator. 

🧠 It’s 50% masterclass, 50% community hangout. 🎉 

Checkout the agenda here! 👉 https://lnkd.in/erX9c3j7 👈 

#GenerativeAI #MLOps #DataScience #TechNetworking #AIInnovation

leaptraceconsulting.com

Principal

MARCH 6 &gt;&gt;&gt; Join me for Tech Talk &amp; Chill... 🖥️ 🍻 ☕✨<div> </div><div>At LLM Day, we’re bringing together the ML community for a day of rigorous technical talks and high-caliber networking.&nbsp;</div><div> </div><div>🔬 Technical Rigor: From multi-modal transformer architectures to synthetic data generation, our speakers give real-world advice as true industry practitioners.</div><div> </div><div>🤝 Supported Socializing: Feed your mind &amp; body in prime NYC office headquarters with hearty refreshments &amp; convos with like-minded technologists.&nbsp;</div><div> </div><div>No rushed transitions—just plenty of space to connect, recruit, or find your next collaborator.&nbsp;</div><div> </div><div>🧠 It’s 50% masterclass, 50% community hangout. 🎉&nbsp;</div><div> </div><div>Checkout the agenda here! 👉 https://lnkd.in/erX9c3j7 👈&nbsp;</div><div> </div><div>#GenerativeAI #MLOps #DataScience #TechNetworking #AIInnovation</div>

LLM Day

1900 Broadway

We are going to hear from the NYC folks who made it to the Reality Hack at MIT!

Join for an inspiring night of community and discovery! 

🥽 Demo Sessions: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM  
📺 Presentations: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM  
🥽 Demo Sessions: 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM

UCLA

AiSU

Founder, Experiential Designer, Architect

We are going to hear from the NYC folks who made it to the Reality Hack at MIT!<div> </div><div>Join for an inspiring night of community and discovery!&nbsp;</div><div> </div><div>🥽 Demo Sessions: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM &nbsp;</div><div>📺 Presentations: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM &nbsp;</div><div>🥽 Demo Sessions: 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM</div>

XR Guild x MIT Reality Hack Projects

Selling isn’t just about persuading customers anymore. It’s about being chosen by algorithms.
As AI agents and recommendation systems increasingly control discovery and comparison, traditional levers like PDPs, SEO, and paid media are being reinterpreted or bypassed. Some founders are adapting to AI-native shopping and algorithmic rankings. Others are realizing they trained the systems that quietly buried their products.
This Ugly Talk cuts through the noise to explore what actually drives visibility and sales in an LLM-first world and how to stay relevant when machines increasingly decide what buyers even get to see.
 
🎯 Why You Should Attend
Learn from real wins and missteps. Hear firsthand from founders experimenting with AI-driven commerce and what worked, what failed, and what surprised them.
Avoid repeating expensive mistakes. Learn which AI optimizations backfired and why some experiments quietly hurt growth
Get practical approaches you can use now. Concrete tactics for adapting PDPs, catalogs, and go-to-market strategies in algorithm- and agent-led environments.
Gain clarity on where to focus. Understand which channels still matter (SEO, paid, marketplaces) and which are being deprioritized as AI interfaces take over discovery.
Set realistic expectations for algorithmic selling. Learn how to measure impact, avoid over-optimizing too early, and recognize when AI is helping or quietly hurting your growth.
 
🙋 Who You’ll Meet
Founders and operators selling physical or digital products
E-commerce, consumer, and marketplace builders navigating new discovery channels
Growth, marketing, and product leaders adapting to AI-driven buying behavior
Builders testing ChatGPT, TikTok Shop, and other emerging AI-native commerce paths
 
🎤 Who’s on the Panel
Yiqi Wu
 - Founder & CEO of Aimerce
Yiqi is the founder of Aimerce, a first-party data intelligence app for Shopify brands, designed to address today's data tracking challenges. Before launching Aimerce, she spent a decade as an engineering lead at Meta and Reddit, where she helped create Instagram Stories and Direct Messaging.
 
Nihar Kulkarni
 
- Managing Director at Roswell NYC
Perfecting the art of the pivot, Nihar Kulkarni transitioned from a long career in the music industry (spanning 13 years working at labels such as Bad Boy Records and Republic Records) to the tech industry at Roswell NYC.
Ten years ago, he transitioned into the eCommerce world, harnessing his strategic thinking as he applied his managerial, business development, and operational expertise to grow the firm from 4 original partners to a team of over 40 worldwide today.
Roswell NYC is a full-service 360-degree eCommerce agency and is currently the agency of record for 70+ merchants, a Shopify Platinum Partner, a Klaviyo Platinum Partner, and Attentive Signature Partner - with three core divisions: Creative, Engineering, Growth. Combined together, Roswell lives up to our motto - “We’re in the business of building businesses.”

Frank Pacheco
 - Amazon Guru at Nearly Natural
Frank has been an Amazon insider since Day One. Led go-to-market strategy at Kindle, launched 20+ brands for Amazon Accelerator. Drove strategy for Stanley Black & Decker, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein. Built brands with Steve Harvey and Dr. Kellyann. Now scaling Nearly Natural. Harvard, Columbia. He doesn't follow best practices—he writes them.
 
Moderator:
Manish Chowdhary
 - Founder & CEO of Cahoot
Manish Chowdhary is the Founder & CEO of Cahoot, the most comprehensive post-purchase logistics platform for ecommerce brands. We help merchants scale profitably with a bundled suite of services that includes:
- Fast, cost-effective fulfillment (1-day and 2-day nationwide coverage)
- AI-powered multi-warehouse shipping software that selects the cheapest label automatically
- An industry-first peer-to-peer returns solution that eliminates return shipping and restocking costs

With over 100 warehouses and advanced shipping automation, we help brands maintain control, boost speed, and cut logistics costs without the overhead of traditional 3PLs. I’m passionate about helping ecommerce businesses grow smarter. If you’re looking to improve your margins, delight customers, and future-proof your logistics, let’s connect.

My work has been recognized with multiple industry accolades, most recently winning the SaaStock USA Global Pitch Competition 2024. I’m passionate about using technology and collaboration to push the boundaries of ecommerce and logistics and create new opportunities for merchants worldwide.
 
💬 What We’ll Talk About
Selling in an AI-mediated funnel
How discovery, comparison, and conversion change when AI agents influence buying decisions.
PDPs, catalogs, and machine-readable truth
What’s changed in how founders structure product pages, metadata, and catalogs for AI interpretation.
Customers coming from AI interfaces
Early signals from ChatGPT, TikTok Shop, and other AI-driven entry points—and what those customers do differently.
Optimizing for algorithms, too early or too late?
When it makes sense to invest in AI-channel optimization, and when it’s wasted effort.
Brand vs. the bot
How to maintain differentiation, trust, and positioning when AI flattens messaging into comparisons.
What founders would do differently
Hard-earned lessons from experiments that helped—and those that trained the algorithm against them.
 
🤝 
Co-hosted With
Cahoot
 
- Cahoot is not just another post-purchase platform—we’re a movement. One built on peer-to-peer power, AI precision, and profit-first thinking. You don’t need more tools. You need control.
 
🤝 Supported By
GREY Journal
 – Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).
 
🤝 Venue Partner
Nomadworks
 
- We are dedicated to providing innovative solutions that empower our members and drive success. Nomadworks is a hub for innovation, incubating companies new and tenured across New York City. Our commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and flexibility sets us apart in the industry.
Get up to 2 months free for Nomadworks
[
Claim here
]

 
⭐ About Ugly Talk:
Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.
With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.
Official Website: 
UglyTalk.com
 
🎥 Get a taste of past Ugly Talk energy:
2025 Year Recap

 
 



discover GREY

Business

Director

Selling isn’t just about persuading customers anymore. It’s about being chosen by algorithms.As AI agents and recommendation systems increasingly control discovery and comparison, traditional levers like PDPs, SEO, and paid media are being reinterpreted or bypassed. Some founders are adapting to AI-native shopping and algorithmic rankings. Others are realizing they trained the systems that quietly buried their products.This Ugly Talk cuts through the noise to explore what actually drives visibility and sales in an LLM-first world and how to stay relevant when&nbsp;machines increasingly decide what buyers even get to see.&nbsp;<h4>🎯 Why You Should Attend</h4><ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Learn from real wins and missteps. Hear firsthand from founders experimenting with AI-driven commerce and what worked, what failed, and what surprised them.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Avoid repeating expensive mistakes.&nbsp;Learn which AI optimizations backfired and why some experiments quietly hurt growth</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Get practical approaches you can use now. Concrete tactics for adapting PDPs, catalogs, and go-to-market strategies in algorithm- and agent-led environments.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Gain clarity on where to focus. Understand which channels still matter (SEO, paid, marketplaces) and which are being deprioritized as AI interfaces take over discovery.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Set realistic expectations for algorithmic selling. Learn how to measure impact, avoid over-optimizing too early, and recognize when AI is helping or quietly hurting your growth.</li></ul>&nbsp;<h4>🙋&nbsp;Who You’ll Meet</h4><ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Founders and operators selling physical or digital products</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">E-commerce, consumer, and marketplace builders navigating new discovery channels</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Growth, marketing, and product leaders adapting to AI-driven buying behavior</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Builders testing ChatGPT, TikTok Shop, and other emerging AI-native commerce paths</li></ul>&nbsp;<h4>🎤&nbsp;Who’s on the Panel</h4><img src="https://greyjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Elliot-30-300x300.jpg" alt="Elliot (30)" height="300" width="300" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/yiqi-wu-62490479/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(254, 12, 1); background-color: transparent;">Yiqi Wu</a>&nbsp;- Founder&nbsp;&amp; CEO of AimerceYiqi&nbsp;is the founder of Aimerce, a first-party data intelligence app for Shopify brands, designed to address today's data tracking challenges. Before launching Aimerce, she spent a decade as an engineering lead at Meta and Reddit, where she helped create Instagram Stories and Direct Messaging.&nbsp;<img src="https://greyjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Elliot-31-300x300.jpg" alt="Elliot (31)" height="300" width="300" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/niharkulkarni/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(254, 12, 1); background-color: transparent;">Nihar Kulkarni&nbsp;</a>- Managing Director at Roswell NYCPerfecting the art of the pivot, Nihar Kulkarni transitioned from a long career in the music industry (spanning 13 years working at labels such as Bad Boy Records and Republic Records) to the tech industry at Roswell NYC.Ten years ago, he transitioned into the eCommerce world, harnessing his strategic thinking as he applied his managerial, business development, and operational expertise to grow the firm from 4 original partners to a team of over 40 worldwide today.Roswell NYC is a full-service 360-degree eCommerce agency and is currently the agency of record for 70+ merchants, a Shopify Platinum Partner, a Klaviyo Platinum Partner, and Attentive Signature Partner - with three core divisions: Creative, Engineering, Growth. Combined together, Roswell lives up to our motto - “We’re in the business of building businesses.” <img src="https://greyjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Sabir-79-300x300.jpg" alt="Sabir (79)" height="300" width="300" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fpacheco/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(254, 12, 1);">Frank Pacheco</a>&nbsp;- Amazon Guru at Nearly NaturalFrank has been an Amazon insider since Day One. Led go-to-market strategy at Kindle, launched 20+ brands for Amazon Accelerator. Drove strategy for Stanley Black &amp; Decker, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein. Built brands with Steve Harvey and Dr. Kellyann. Now scaling Nearly Natural. Harvard, Columbia. He doesn't follow best practices—he writes them.&nbsp;Moderator:<img src="https://greyjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Copy-of-Copy-of-Dominic-4-300x300.jpg" alt="Copy of copy of dominic (4)" height="300" width="300" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish-chowdhary/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(254, 12, 1); background-color: transparent;">Manish Chowdhary</a>&nbsp;- Founder &amp; CEO of CahootManish Chowdhary is the Founder &amp; CEO of Cahoot, the most comprehensive post-purchase logistics platform for ecommerce brands. We help merchants scale profitably with a bundled suite of services that includes:- Fast, cost-effective fulfillment (1-day and 2-day nationwide coverage)- AI-powered multi-warehouse shipping software that selects the cheapest label automatically- An industry-first peer-to-peer returns solution that eliminates return shipping and restocking costs With over 100 warehouses and advanced shipping automation, we help brands maintain control, boost speed, and cut logistics costs without the overhead of traditional 3PLs. I’m passionate about helping ecommerce businesses grow smarter. If you’re looking to improve your margins, delight customers, and future-proof your logistics, let’s connect. My work has been recognized with multiple industry accolades, most recently winning the SaaStock USA Global Pitch Competition 2024. I’m passionate about using technology and collaboration to push the boundaries of ecommerce and logistics and create new opportunities for merchants worldwide.&nbsp;<h4>💬&nbsp;What We’ll Talk About</h4><ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Selling in an AI-mediated funnel</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">How discovery, comparison, and conversion change when AI agents influence buying decisions.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">PDPs, catalogs, and machine-readable truth</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">What’s changed in how founders structure product pages, metadata, and catalogs for AI interpretation.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Customers coming from AI interfaces</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Early signals from ChatGPT, TikTok Shop, and other AI-driven entry points—and what those customers do differently.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Optimizing for algorithms, too early or too late?</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">When it makes sense to invest in AI-channel optimization, and when it’s wasted effort.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Brand vs. the bot</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">How to maintain differentiation, trust, and positioning when AI flattens messaging into comparisons.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">What founders would do differently</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Hard-earned lessons from experiments that helped—and those that trained the algorithm against them.</li></ul>&nbsp;<h4>🤝&nbsp;Co-hosted With</h4><img src="https://greyjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/bfeb23e3-55c6-4611-ac96-7d1d22417a4d-0-2company_logo-Cahoot-Logo-Tagline-980-300x106.png" alt="Bfeb23e3 55c6 4611 ac96 7d1d22417a4d 0 2company logo cahoot logo tagline 980" height="106" width="300" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;"><a href="https://www.cahoot.ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(254, 12, 1); background-color: transparent;">Cahoot</a>&nbsp;- Cahoot is not just another post-purchase platform—we’re a movement. One built on peer-to-peer power, AI precision, and profit-first thinking. You don’t need more tools. You need control.&nbsp;<h4>🤝 Supported By</h4><img src="https://greyjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/GREY-Journal-Logo-apple-news-300x90.png" alt="Grey journal logo apple news" height="90" width="300" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;"><a href="https://greyjournal.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(254, 12, 1); background-color: transparent;">GREY Journal</a>&nbsp;– Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).&nbsp;<h4>🤝 Venue Partner</h4><img src="https://greyjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/unnamed-1-300x40.jpg" alt="Unnamed (1)" height="40" width="300" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;"><a href="https://nomadworks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(254, 12, 1); background-color: transparent;">Nomadworks</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;We are dedicated to providing innovative solutions that empower our members and drive success. Nomadworks is a hub for innovation, incubating companies new and tenured across New York City. Our commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and flexibility sets us apart in the industry.Get up to 2 months free for Nomadworks[<a href="https://uglytalk.com/perks/nomadworks/?__hstc=149698537.02d3a3067355aeed59c3216c338d3fd4.1759237887972.1771878211246.1771882523221.267&amp;__hssc=149698537.1.1771882523221&amp;__hsfp=1e77ef2dec359d1af97f3d97fe02ca82" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(254, 12, 1); background-color: transparent;">Claim here</a>] &nbsp;<h4>⭐ About Ugly Talk:</h4>Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.Official Website:&nbsp;<a href="http://uglytalk.com/?__hstc=149698537.02d3a3067355aeed59c3216c338d3fd4.1759237887972.1771878211246.1771882523221.267&amp;__hssc=149698537.1.1771882523221&amp;__hsfp=1e77ef2dec359d1af97f3d97fe02ca82" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(254, 12, 1); background-color: transparent;">UglyTalk.com</a>&nbsp;<h4>🎥 Get a taste of past Ugly Talk energy:</h4>2025 Year Recap<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7415100341500801024?compact=1" height="399" width="504"></iframe> <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7370925768924663808?compact=1" height="399" width="504"></iframe>&nbsp;&nbsp;<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7360758363997016064?compact=1"></iframe> <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7373430354923167744?compact=1"></iframe>

Ugly Talk: Selling in the World Run by Algorithms

You crossed the globe, and built something BIG in the big apple!
Yes it was hard, but you did it anyway.
Celebrate the highs, the lows, and everything in between with our fellow global citizens.

City, University of London

meetin10.com

Founder / CEO

You crossed the globe, and built something BIG in the big apple!Yes it was hard, but you did it anyway.Celebrate the highs, the lows, and everything in between with our fellow global citizens.

Foreign Founders Happy Hour

As the Philippines assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship this year, Southeast Asia finds itself at a defining juncture. Intensifying great-power competition, shifting economic alignments, and evolving security risks are reshaping the region’s strategic landscape. Under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the Philippines will advance an agenda grounded in ASEAN’s core principles while focused on three priorities: strengthening peace and security, expanding pathways to economic growth, and empowering communities across the region.
At this pivotal moment, how will Manila position ASEAN amid global uncertainty? What role will the bloc play in balancing relations with major powers while sustaining regional stability and prosperity?

Join the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York City for a timely discussion with Secretary of Foreign Affairs
 Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro
. She will outline the Philippines’ vision for its ASEAN Chairmanship and will join Ambassador (ret.) 
Philip S. Goldberg
 for a fireside conversation on the strategic outlook for the country and the broader foreign policy direction guiding its engagement with the United States, China, India, and other key partners.

Speakers
H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro
 has taken up her position as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines since 1 July 2025. Prior to that, she was Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs (June 2021-June 2025); Assistant Secretary, Office of Consular Affairs (January 2021- May 2021); Assistant Secretary, Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs (2011- 2014); Executive Director, Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs (2002-2005); and Director, Southeast Asia Division, Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs (1993-1996). H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro is a distinguished career diplomat, having served in the Philippines’ mission in Paris, Berne, Sydney, New York, Madrid, Geneva and Bangkok. She was awarded Gawad Mabini, Dakilang Kamanong, and Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross (Datu), Gold Distinction. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Maryknoll College, and Juris Doctor, College of Law from the University of the Philippines. 

Ambassador (ret) Philip S. Goldberg
 is the inaugural Distinguished Ambassador-in-Residence at New York University's Center for Global Affairs and a member of the NYU president's Global Council. Amb. Goldberg retired in January 2025 after more than 35 years in the U.S. Foreign Service. Between 2022-2025, he served as United States Ambassador to South Korea. He served previously as Ambassador to the Philippines, (2013-2016), Colombia (2019-2022), Bolivia (2006-2008) and chief of the U.S. mission in UN-administered Kosovo (2004-2006). He served in Washington as Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research (2010-2013). Amb. Goldberg holds the personal rank of Career Ambassador, the highest in the U.S. Foreign Service. From June 2009 until June 2010, he was the coordinator for the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1874 (Sanctions) on North Korea. He has also been charge d'affaires, a.i. at the U.S. embassies in Chile and Cuba. His other overseas tours include Bogota, Colombia, where he served as Coordinator of Plan Colombia, and as political-economic officer in Pretoria, South Africa in the years leading up to that country's first democratic elections. 
 
Amb. Goldberg was a senior member of the State Department team handling the transition from the Clinton to Bush administrations, and served as acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs (2000-2001) and Special Assistant and Executive Assistant to Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott (1996-2000). As the Bosnia Desk Officer and Special Assistant to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke (1994-1996), Amb. Goldberg was a member of the American negotiating team in the lead-up to the Dayton Peace Conference and Chief of Staff for the American delegation at Dayton. Amb. Goldberg has received numerous awards, including Presidential Distinguished and Meritorious Service Awards; the Department’s Distinguished Honor Award and the Silver Seal Medallion for Meritorious Service in the U.S. Intelligence Community. 

Asia Society

Assistant Director

As the Philippines assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship this year, Southeast Asia finds itself at a defining juncture. Intensifying great-power competition, shifting economic alignments, and evolving security risks are reshaping the region’s strategic landscape. Under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the Philippines will advance an agenda grounded in ASEAN’s core principles while focused on three priorities: strengthening peace and security, expanding pathways to economic growth, and empowering communities across the region.At this pivotal moment, how will Manila position ASEAN amid global uncertainty? What role will the bloc play in balancing relations with major powers while sustaining regional stability and prosperity? Join the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York City for a timely discussion with Secretary of Foreign Affairs&nbsp;Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro. She will outline the Philippines’ vision for its ASEAN Chairmanship and will join Ambassador (ret.)&nbsp;Philip S. Goldberg&nbsp;for a fireside conversation on the strategic outlook for the country and the broader foreign policy direction guiding its engagement with the United States, China, India, and other key partners. SpeakersH.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro has taken up her position as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines since 1 July 2025. Prior to that, she was Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs (June 2021-June 2025); Assistant Secretary, Office of Consular Affairs (January 2021- May 2021); Assistant Secretary, Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs (2011- 2014); Executive Director, Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs (2002-2005); and Director, Southeast Asia Division, Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs (1993-1996). H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro is a distinguished career diplomat, having served in the Philippines’ mission in Paris, Berne, Sydney, New York, Madrid, Geneva and Bangkok. She was awarded Gawad Mabini, Dakilang Kamanong, and Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross (Datu), Gold Distinction. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Maryknoll College, and Juris Doctor, College of Law from the University of the Philippines.&nbsp; Ambassador (ret) Philip S. Goldberg&nbsp;is the inaugural Distinguished Ambassador-in-Residence at New York University's Center for Global Affairs and a member of the NYU president's Global Council. Amb. Goldberg retired in January 2025 after more than 35 years in the U.S. Foreign Service. Between 2022-2025, he served as United States Ambassador to South Korea. He served previously as Ambassador to the Philippines, (2013-2016), Colombia (2019-2022), Bolivia (2006-2008) and chief of the U.S. mission in UN-administered Kosovo (2004-2006). He served in Washington as Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research (2010-2013). Amb. Goldberg holds the personal rank of Career Ambassador, the highest in the U.S. Foreign Service.&nbsp;From June 2009 until June 2010, he was the coordinator for the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1874 (Sanctions) on North Korea. He has also been charge d'affaires, a.i. at the U.S. embassies in Chile and Cuba. His other overseas tours include Bogota, Colombia, where he served as Coordinator of Plan Colombia, and as political-economic officer in Pretoria, South Africa in the years leading up to that country's first democratic elections.&nbsp;&nbsp;Amb. Goldberg was a senior member of the State Department team handling the transition from the Clinton to Bush administrations, and served as acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs (2000-2001) and Special Assistant and Executive Assistant to Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott (1996-2000). As the Bosnia Desk Officer and Special Assistant to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke (1994-1996), Amb. Goldberg was a member of the American negotiating team in the lead-up to the Dayton Peace Conference and Chief of Staff for the American delegation at Dayton.&nbsp;Amb. Goldberg has received numerous awards, including Presidential Distinguished and Meritorious Service Awards; the Department’s Distinguished Honor Award and the Silver Seal Medallion for Meritorious Service in the U.S. Intelligence Community.&nbsp;

A Conversation with the Hon. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Philippines

Asia Society and Museum

Invite & Approval Only: LPs and GPs

An exclusive evening in New York City for limited partners and general partners to kick off 2026.

Join a curated group of LPs and GPs for a private winter soirée hosted in collaboration with the 
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
 — the City’s public-benefit organization for economic development.

As we enter a new investment cycle, this invite-only gathering brings together allocators and fund managers shaping the next generation of venture and private markets in the city.

What you can expect:
💭 Unfiltered conversations on fundraising dynamics, deployment strategies, and how capital is being re-allocated as AI reshapes portfolios and underwriting

🤝 Curated networking between fund managers and investors with the goal of building lasting LP–GP relationships.

🚀 Thought-provoking dialogue on portfolio design, fund performance drivers, and emerging sector opportunities.

🥂 Mingling over an open bar and light bites.

Limited capacity. Attendance is by approval only.

Invite &amp; Approval Only: LPs and GPs An exclusive evening in New York City for limited partners and general partners to kick off 2026. Join a curated group of LPs and GPs for a private winter soirée hosted in collaboration with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) — the City’s public-benefit organization for economic development. As we enter a new investment cycle, this invite-only gathering brings together allocators and fund managers shaping the next generation of venture and private markets in the city. What you can expect:💭 Unfiltered conversations on fundraising dynamics, deployment strategies, and how capital is being re-allocated as AI reshapes portfolios and underwriting 🤝 Curated networking between fund managers and investors with the goal of building lasting LP–GP relationships. 🚀 Thought-provoking dialogue on portfolio design, fund performance drivers, and emerging sector opportunities. 🥂&nbsp;Mingling over an open bar and light bites. Limited capacity. Attendance is by approval only.

Fordham University's Investment Office provides investment management for the University's endowment and related financial assets.

Contributions have enabled industry-leading financial aid programs, groundbreaking discoveries in scientific research, and hundreds of professorships across a wide range of academic fields.

Chief Investment Officer

New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy.

Head of Strategic Investments & Executive VP

The mission of Empire State Development is to promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation, and support diverse, prosperous local economies across New York State through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing and other forms of assistance including equity investments in high growth start-ups.

ESD also oversees the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand (www.iloveny.com) & NYLovesFim New York State's Film, TV & Commercial Incentives (www.nylovesfilm.com)

Empire State Development is the parent organization of the New York State Department of Economic Development & the Empire State Development Corporation.  For more information on Empire State Development, visit www.esd.ny.gov.

Managing Director, New York Ventures

The New York State Comptroller is the State’s chief fiscal officer who ensures that State and local governments use taxpayer money effectively and efficiently to promote the common good.

The Comptroller’s responsibilities include:
- Serving as sole trustee of the $267.7 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund (value as of March 31, 2024), one of the largest institutional investors in the world.
- Administering the New York State and Local Retirement System for public employees, with more than one million members, retirees and beneficiaries and more than 3,000 employers.

Director of Investment Program Management

Everywhere Ventures is a global pre-seed venture capital firm with over $100 million in assets under management, backing founders at the earliest stages of company creation. Founded in 2017, the firm focuses on pre-seed and seed investments across the themes of money, health, and work, supporting entrepreneurs from first check through early company formation. Everywhere Ventures has invested in 300+ companies worldwide and is backed by a community of 500+ founders and operators who contribute to sourcing, diligence, and hands-on support, partnering closely with founders on company formation, early hiring, and go-to-market strategy with a strong emphasis on founder-first, community-driven investing.

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

NYC Private LP & GP Soirée feat. NYC's Top Institutional Investors, in Partnership with NYCEDC

Join us for a timely roundtable featuring former U.S. officials with deep experience in China policy and bilateral negotiations – Amb. 
Nicholas Burns
, 
Sarah Beran
, and 
Ryan Hass
, with Amb. 
Winston Lord 
providing introductory remarks virtually
.
 The discussion will be moderated by 
Daniel Kurtz-Phelan
, the Editor of 
Foreign Affairs
, and
 Orville Schell
, the Arthur Ross Vice President of the Center on U.S.-China Relations. The discussion will assess the current state of U.S.–China relations and explore what is likely to be on the table as the two governments prepare for one of this year's most consequential diplomatic engagements.

The global geopolitical landscape is shifting rapidly under President Donald Trump's second term. The U.S.' dramatic military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reverberated across the Americas and challenged China's strategic influence in Latin America nurtured over the past two decades. At the same time, Trump's renewed tariff threats to non-supportive European countries over the control of Greenland have caused unprecedented strain on U.S. relations with key European allies, prompting fierce discussions within the European Union about deploying its anti-coercion instrument to defend EU economic interests.

Against this backdrop of realignment and uncertainty in alliances, President Trump is set to visit Beijing from March 31 to April 2 for direct talks with President Xi Jinping – a critical moment for U.S.-China relations that could shape the direction of trade, technology, policy, and global security.

This event is presented with Foreign Affairs.

Speakers
Nicholas Burns
 was the Ambassador of the United States of America to the People's Republic of China from 2022 to 2025. Ambassador Burns is Goodman Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, where he founded the school's Future of Diplomacy Project. Ambassador Burns has had a long career in American diplomacy, serving six Presidents and nine Secretaries of State. As a career Foreign Service Officer, he was Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2005-2008), when he led numerous negotiations, including on the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Deal, a long-term military assistance agreement with Israel, and on Iran's nuclear program.

Sarah Beran 
leads the China practice and is a partner at Macro Advisory Partners, a geopolitical risk and strategic advisory firm. Sarah had a distinguished 23-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service, most recently serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and as Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs at the White House National Security Council under President Biden. Sarah also served as Deputy Executive Secretary for the Indo-Pacific, led the office responsible for U.S. engagement in APEC, and served as director of the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs. She has been posted overseas in Beijing, Islamabad, Jerusalem, Tunis, and Quito. Sarah is a senior fellow at UC San Diego's 21st Century China Center, a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, and a member of the Asia Society Center on U.S.-China Relations' Task Force on U.S.-China Policy.

Ryan Hass
 is director of the John L. Thornton China Center and the Chen-Fu and Cecilia Yen Koo Chair in Taiwan Studies at Brookings Institution. He is also a senior fellow in the Center for Asia Policy Studies. From 2013 to 2017, Hass served as the director for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia at the National Security Council staff. In that role, he advised President Obama and senior White House officials on all aspects of U.S. policy toward China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, and coordinated the implementation of U.S. policy toward this region among U.S. government departments and agencies. Prior to joining NSC, Hass served as a Foreign Service Officer in U.S. Embassy Beijing. Hass also served in Embassy Seoul and Embassy Ulaanbaatar, and domestically in the State Department Offices of Taiwan Coordination and Korean Affairs. Hass received multiple Superior Honor and Meritorious Honor commendations during his 15-year tenure in the Foreign Service.

Winston Lord 
(joining virtually) was U.S. Ambassador to China from 1985 to 1989 under President Ronald Reagan, and served as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 1993 to 1997 under President Bill Clinton. In the 1970s, he was Special Assistant to National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger and then Director of the State Department Policy Planning staff. During this period, he was on every China trip and attended every meeting that President Nixon, President Ford, and Dr. Kissinger had with President Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai, and Deputy Premier Deng Xiaoping, and was a principal drafter of both the 1972 Shanghai Communiqué and the 1973 Paris Peace Accords.

Daniel Kurtz-Phelan
 is Editor of 
Foreign Affairs
, a position he has held since January 2021. He previously spent three years as Executive Editor of the magazine and served in the U.S. State Department, including as a member of the Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff. His narrative history of George Marshall's post-World War II mission to China, 
The China Mission
, was published by WW Norton in 2018 and named a best book of the year by 
The Economist
 and an editor's pick by the 
New York Times Book Review
. He has been a fellow at New America, the Wilson Center, and the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi and taught at New York and Yale Universities. His writing has also appeared in publications including
 New York Times
, the 
Washington Post
, and the 
Atlantic
.

Orville Schell
 is the Arthur Ross Vice President of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at Asia Society. He is a former professor and Dean at the University of California, Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism. Schell is the author of fifteen books, ten of them about China, and a contributor to numerous edited volumes, including 
The New Yorker
, 
The Atlantic
, 
The New York Times
, 
The Nation
, and 
The New York Review of Books
. His most recent book, 
My Old Home: A Novel of Exile
 was published in 2021. Schell worked for the Ford Foundation in Indonesia, covered the war in Indochina as a journalist, and has traveled widely in China since the mid-70s.

Join us for a timely roundtable featuring former U.S. officials with deep experience in China policy and bilateral negotiations – Amb.&nbsp;Nicholas Burns,&nbsp;Sarah Beran, and&nbsp;Ryan Hass, with Amb.&nbsp;Winston Lord&nbsp;providing introductory remarks virtually.&nbsp;The discussion will be moderated by&nbsp;Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, the Editor of&nbsp;Foreign Affairs, and&nbsp;Orville Schell, the Arthur Ross Vice President of the Center on U.S.-China Relations. The discussion will assess the current state of U.S.–China relations and explore what is likely to be on the table as the two governments prepare for one of this year's most consequential diplomatic engagements. The global geopolitical landscape is shifting rapidly under President Donald Trump's second term. The U.S.' dramatic military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reverberated across the Americas and challenged China's strategic influence in Latin America nurtured over the past two decades. At the same time, Trump's renewed tariff threats to non-supportive European countries over the control of Greenland have caused unprecedented strain on U.S. relations with key European allies, prompting fierce discussions within the European Union about deploying its anti-coercion instrument to defend EU economic interests. Against this backdrop of realignment and uncertainty in alliances, President Trump is set to visit Beijing from March 31 to April 2 for direct talks with President Xi Jinping – a critical moment for U.S.-China relations that could shape the direction of trade, technology, policy, and global security. This event is presented with&nbsp;Foreign Affairs. SpeakersNicholas Burns&nbsp;was the Ambassador of the United States of America to the People's Republic of China from 2022 to 2025.&nbsp;Ambassador Burns is Goodman Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, where he founded the school's Future of Diplomacy Project. Ambassador Burns has had a long career in American diplomacy, serving six Presidents and nine Secretaries of State.&nbsp;As a career Foreign Service Officer, he was Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2005-2008), when he led numerous negotiations, including on the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Deal, a long-term military assistance agreement with Israel, and on Iran's nuclear program. Sarah Beran&nbsp;leads the China practice and is a partner at Macro Advisory Partners, a geopolitical risk and strategic advisory firm.&nbsp;Sarah had a distinguished 23-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service, most recently serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and as Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs at the White House National Security Council under President Biden. Sarah also served as Deputy Executive Secretary for the Indo-Pacific, led the office responsible for U.S. engagement in APEC, and served as director of the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs. She has been posted overseas in Beijing, Islamabad, Jerusalem, Tunis, and Quito.&nbsp;Sarah is a senior fellow at UC San Diego's 21st Century China Center, a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, and a member of the Asia Society Center on U.S.-China Relations' Task Force on U.S.-China Policy. Ryan Hass&nbsp;is director of the John L. Thornton China Center and the Chen-Fu and Cecilia Yen Koo Chair in Taiwan Studies at Brookings Institution. He is also a senior fellow in the Center for Asia Policy Studies. From 2013 to 2017, Hass served as the director for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia at the National Security Council staff. In that role, he advised President Obama and senior White House officials on all aspects of U.S. policy toward China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, and coordinated the implementation of U.S. policy toward this region among U.S. government departments and agencies. Prior to joining NSC, Hass served as a Foreign Service Officer in U.S. Embassy Beijing. Hass also served in Embassy Seoul and Embassy Ulaanbaatar, and domestically in the State Department Offices of Taiwan Coordination and Korean Affairs. Hass received multiple Superior Honor and Meritorious Honor commendations during his 15-year tenure in the Foreign Service. Winston Lord&nbsp;(joining virtually)&nbsp;was U.S. Ambassador to China from 1985 to 1989 under President Ronald Reagan, and served as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 1993 to 1997 under President Bill Clinton. In the 1970s, he was Special Assistant to National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger and then Director of the State Department Policy Planning staff. During this period, he was on every China trip and attended every meeting that President Nixon, President Ford, and Dr. Kissinger had with President Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai, and Deputy Premier Deng Xiaoping, and was a principal drafter of both the 1972 Shanghai Communiqué and the 1973 Paris Peace Accords. Daniel Kurtz-Phelan&nbsp;is Editor of&nbsp;Foreign Affairs, a position he has held since January 2021. He previously spent three years as Executive Editor of the magazine and served in the U.S. State Department, including as a member of the Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff. His narrative history of George Marshall's post-World War II mission to China,&nbsp;The China Mission, was published by WW Norton in 2018 and named a best book of the year by&nbsp;The Economist&nbsp;and an editor's pick by the&nbsp;New York Times Book Review. He has been a fellow at New America, the Wilson Center, and the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi and taught at New York and Yale Universities. His writing has also appeared in publications including&nbsp;New York Times, the&nbsp;Washington Post, and the&nbsp;Atlantic. Orville Schell&nbsp;is the Arthur Ross Vice President of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at Asia Society. He is a former professor and Dean at the University of California, Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism. Schell is the author of fifteen books, ten of them about China, and a contributor to numerous edited volumes, including&nbsp;The New Yorker,&nbsp;The Atlantic,&nbsp;The New York Times,&nbsp;The Nation, and&nbsp;The New York Review of Books. His most recent book,&nbsp;My Old Home: A Novel of Exile&nbsp;was&nbsp;published in 2021. Schell worked for the Ford Foundation in Indonesia, covered the war in Indochina as a journalist, and has traveled widely in China since the mid-70s.

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