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Speaking of long-time friends, Leif Easley invited me to speak to his Globalization course at Ewha Womans University in Seoul about my career in diplomacy and offer thoughts on current events and foreign policy challenges facing Korea and the United States. Great students, great conversation! Back in DC but forever committed to Korea, Seekonk Global Strategy Group is now a corporate member of The Korea Society and I have started as a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) where I will represent KEI both in print and in person around the country, informing people about the potential of the US-Korea relationship. Great organizations I am happy to contribute to! To kick off the new position at KEI, I participated in a conversation about the relationship on the podcast Eye on Korea with KEI President and CEO Scott Snyder and published a piece about how prospective presidential candidates could benefit from a trip to Seoul and the DMZ in 2026 before the campaign heats up. On the topic of getting out of DC to talk about Korea, my college friend Alec Holcombe, now a distinguished Vietnam scholar and Ohio University professor as well as a legendary collegiate rower, hosted the 2026 Baker Peace Conference on “The State of American Power” and asked me to participate along with Ludovic Hood, Michael Kleinman, Robert Ingram, Kyle Balzer, Carrie Filipetti, and Andrew Preston. Really enjoyed the conference and a chance to discover Southeast Ohio. With regard to portfolio work, it has been a great adventure to collaborate with Ambassador Marc Knapper and his new venture Knapper Global Advisors on client proposals and business development. In addition, Marc has joined the team at WestExec Advisors, where I received a recent promotion to Principal after two years of work learning the consulting business from some of the best—special thanks to Sergio Aguirre for his guidance and leadership. Recent press commentary included an Arirang TV interview about the impact of e-commerce giant Coupang on security talks between Seoul and Washington, and with CNA about the meaning of Xi’s visit to Pyongyang and how it might have been less geopolitically consequential than advertised. On a more personal note, I was interviewed for the Phillips Exeter Academy Project 90 podcast—a cool endeavor hosted by classmates Brian Shactman and Kakki Reynolds Lewis featuring conversations with members of our graduating class about high school memories and lives since. What a great group and how wonderful to get back in touch with classmates in this unique and meaningful way. Next up—July 17–19 USRowing Masters National Championships at Ford Lake Park, Ypsilanti, Michigan. Wish us luck :) All the best! Henry + Jessica
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