Clinton25: Georgetown Reflects on the Vision of Bill Clinton

A presidential summit built on trust, speed, and joy

Role: Project Lead, Program Strategist, and Event Producer
Timeline: Fall 2017
Core Skills: Strategic visioning, executive engagement, high-profile event production, storytelling through live experiences, multi-stakeholder coordination, brand alignment, presidential-level protocol, brand positioning

The Opportunity

In 2017, Georgetown University wanted to honor the 25th anniversary of President Clinton’s election with a multi-day summit, Clinton25. The idea was bold, and more than a commemorative event. We would convene global leaders, alumni, faculty, students, and dignitaries and shine a light on public service, and engage Georgetown’s most influential alumni in a celebration of legacy and leadership.

So the idea was in place, but there was no one prepared to step in and run the show. While balancing my full-time job and pursuing my Master’s degree, I raised my hand and said, “Put me in, coach.” (The first and last time I’ve ever used a sports metaphor.)

The Approach

From that moment on, I served as point person with President Clinton’s team and led every facet of the summit’s development: strategy, program design, logistics, communications, stakeholder engagement, and student experience.

Over the course of four days, we hosted:

10+ sessions and panels across Georgetown’s campus
Dozens of global leaders, including foreign royalty, ambassadors, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and elected officials like then-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Four original documentary-style video productions, including a collaboration with renowned historian Douglas Brinkley on a video about Clinton’s upbringing
An intimate culminating dinner with President Clinton, program participants and special guests, and student leaders

We ensured the summit wasn’t just a retrospective, but a conversation about what’s next, thanks in large part to student leaders who introduced speakers and participated throughout.

The internal and external politics of this event could have filled a semester-long course. I navigated debates over which faculty members would moderate which panels, which of President Clinton’s friends would be invited to the private dinner, and – critically – which of them would get to sit at his table. It was like producing a live event and playing chess at the same time. And I loved every minute of it.

One unexpected challenge: the day of President Clinton’s keynote, we discovered that one of our special guests was turning 100. I quickly orchestrated a surprise birthday celebration in the holding room before his speech, because sometimes, the most memorable moments are the ones you never saw coming.

The Outcome

The summit was widely praised for its ambition, elegance, and flawless execution. It was an example of the kind of high-level, multi-stakeholder event that required not just detailed planning but strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and a calm, steady hand under pressure.

Perhaps the best endorsement came later: Secretary Hillary Clinton asked me to plan a similar symposium for her the following year, a project I also led, this time on the future of diplomacy.

“I can’t remember doing an event for the President over the years where we had so many movements and we kept everything on time.”
— President Clinton’s longtime staff member

“Everything went beyond our expectations.”
— President Clinton’s Chief of Staff

The Most Meaningful Part

In many ways, this was the most complex project I’ve ever led. The logistics were intense, the timeline was short (just two months!), and the expectations sky-high. But what I’m most proud of isn’t just what we pulled off. It’s how we did it.

I made it a priority to keep the experience joyful, even in moments of chaos. I never missed a chance to say ‘thank you’. After the summit, I hosted a celebration for everyone involved – from university staff to freelance camera operators to Secret Service agents – and gave each person a small gift and handwritten note. Big events don’t have to come at the cost of team morale. Sometimes, they can deepen it.

Key Takeaways

Pulling off a high-stakes, high-visibility summit in under two months taught me more than I could’ve imagined, not just about project management, but about trust, momentum, and joy in the work. Here’s what I’ll carry with me:

Step into the stretch. Taking on something completely new can feel risky, but it might also feel like home.
Build trust fast. The success of the summit hinged on forming quick, authentic relationships across institutions, teams, and egos.
Delegate for impact. It’s tempting to do it all, especially on a tight timeline, but future projects benefit when others learn alongside you.
Invest in lasting assets. Producing short-form documentaries turned a single weekend into a digital legacy that continued long after the event.
Don’t forget the fun. High-pressure moments are better when you choose to enjoy them and make space for others to do the same.