Arter-Rowland National Security Forum – Sept. 17
In this presentation of the Forum, Tom Sheehy, principle of Quinella Global, and Todd Schmidt, director of the CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center, will engage in a “fireside chat,” discussing U.S. foreign policy in Africa and beyond in a period of great power competition. They will talk about how and why American foreign policy has changed course over the past several years and how public opinion has changed as it relates to foreign aid. They will also discuss how recent reinvestment initiatives by the current administration may have signaled a reverse of past policy and recognition of the importance of Africa both to the U.S. and the world.
Tom Sheehy is the principal of Quinella Global, a public policy consultancy. He also serves as a senior advisor at KRL International, a boutique consultancy providing comprehensive, client-fit services to bridge the divide between Washington, D.C. and the world’s emerging markets, with a particular focus on business development in Africa.
From 2019-2025, Sheehy was a distinguished fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace, where he served as executive director of its senior study group report, Critical Minerals in Africa. Sheehy served for more than 20 years on the staff of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he was staff director from 2013-2019, overseeing committee operations and legislative activity. His time on the committee included serving as staff director of the Africa Subcommittee and Trade Subcommittee. The committee played an instrumental role in developing the African Growth and Opportunity Act, landmark legislation signed into law in 2000. Before joining the committee staff, Sheehy was a policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, where he co-developed the Index of Economic Freedom, a globally-recognized analysis of national economies, now in its 32nd edition.
Sheehy earned a bachelor’s from Trinity College in Connecticut, and an master’s from the University of Virginia.
The event is only open to members of the Arter-Rowland National Security Forum and their guests.
If you are not a member of the Arter-Rowland National Security Forum, CLICK HERE TO JOIN.
ARNSF Members may register below.
Questions about registration? – Contact Stephenie Cole, scole@cgscf.org or call 913-651-0624.
For questions about the ARNSF contact Col. (Ret.) Todd Schmidt at tschmidt@cgscf.org.
The 2026 Arter-Rowland National Security Forum is sponsored by:
