Segal Diplomacy Series
U.S. Intelligence in The 21st Century: National Security in an Era of Disruption
September 17, 2026 | 6pm reception | 7pm ET program
Paul Hollingsworth, President, Association of Former Intelligence Officers; former senior US intelligence official at CIA & National Security Council
About The Segal Diplomacy Series
This annual series is supported in part by a gift to IAF from Laura Stein Goldfeder & Leigh Stein Macnamara in memory of Jack Segal and in recognition of his wife, Karen Puschel Segal. Together, Jack and Karen served our country with distinction in the foreign service and later elevated our community as co-chairs of the International Affairs Forum. Lifetime champions of global understanding, diplomacy, and civic engagement, they exemplified a lifelong commitment to public service, education, and bridging global issues through humility and informed dialogue.
Learn more about the life of Jack Segal (1945-2026)
About the event
Modern national security is at a critical inflection point. As the U.S. Intelligence Community shifts focus from counterterrorism to great-power competition, rapid technological advancements—from artificial intelligence and synthetic media to pervasive digital surveillance—are fundamentally reshaping statecraft and spycraft. At the same time, debate surrounding the structure of America’s 17 intelligence agencies, the reach of Director of National Intelligence authorities, and key legal frameworks like FISA Section 702 raises urgent questions about how the nation assesses risk and protects public trust. Navigating this volatile landscape requires balancing cutting-edge technology with human judgment while fostering a renewed commitment to civic service.
For the inaugural Segal Diplomacy Series, join the conversation with
Paul Hollingsworth, President of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and former CIA senior executive. Drawing on decades of leadership spanning government operations and private-sector threat analysis, Hollingsworth will examine the structural reforms and technological forces disrupting American intelligence today. Grounded in Jack Segal and Karen Puschel Segal’s legacy of public service and civil discourse, this discussion will highlight the changing skillsets needed for national security careers and explore AFIO scholarship opportunities designed to inspire and support the next generation of our country's Intelligence Community.
Gold Sponsors
Event Details
Thursday, September 17, 2026
7:00 pm Eastern US program | 6:00 pm reception
Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium
Northwestern Michigan College
1701 E. Front St. Traverse City, MI
Parking in Aspen Lot
Hybrid event |
in-person audience and online livestream
In-person admission* |
$20 advance purchase | $23 at venue
Online admission |
$10 per person | watch online
Students & educators |
free admission for current students and educators, including NMC and area secondary schools.
Members | Supporters of IAF do not need to purchase tickets. Members make these programs possible via membership gifts. Explore membership options here.
*We believe in equitable access to community dialogue. To keep our programs accessible to everyone, confidential ticket assistance is available. Please contact us
here.
About the speaker
Paul Hollingsworth
retired in 2014 as a senior executive from the CIA after a 27-year career in analysis and operations, including three overseas tours and rotational assignments at the FBI and the NSC. He subsequently served in the private sector for ten years as the senior intelligence advisor on Europe and Eurasia for the energy company BP. Prior to joining the U.S government, he worked as a managing editor for the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. Paul has served on the Board of Trustees of Hollins University since 2020 and AFIO since 2023. He holds a B.A. degree in theology from Georgetown University and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in medieval Slavic and Byzantine history from the University of California (Berkeley). Learn more about Paul Hollingsworth & AFIO
here.
About the moderator
Major General Mike Lehnert, USMC Ret.
is the chair of the International Affairs Forum Advisory Board. He retired from the Marine Corps after 37 years of service in 2010. During that time he held thirteen separate commands and participated in military operations in Panama, Kuwait and Iraq where he led 5,000 Marines and sailors during the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. He ran the Cuban and Haitian migrant camps during Operation Sea Signal in Guantanamo and returned there in 2002 as the Joint Task Force Commander responsible for securing the detainees transferred from the Afghan conflict. In 2010 he was honored with the Peacemaker award by the National Conflict Resolution Center for his work defending human rights at the Guantanamo Detention Facility where his experience was documented in Karen Greenberg’s book, The Least Worst Place. He holds a Masters degree in International Relations from the University of Maryland earned while he attended the Naval War College.
