FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. – The Rumsfeld Foundation hosted its 14th Annual Graduate Fellowship Network Conference in Washington, D.C., bringing together members of its Fellowship Network, including current 2026 Graduate Fellows, program alumni and Advisers, for discussion, professional development and networking.
The 2026 conference continued the Foundation’s tradition of annually convening members from across the country to exchange ideas, build professional relationships and discuss issues relevant to national security, public service and the broader policy community.
This year's conference coincided with America's 250th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of September 11th, reminding participants that history is shaped by individuals willing to stay the course through uncertainty while adapting to change. Amidst that background, the conference offered network members a chance to step away from the day-to-day and to think about those notable overarching milestones.
Conference events opened Thursday evening with a Welcoming Reception at the home of Foundation Board President Torie Clarke.
Formal sessions began Friday morning at The Army and Navy Club with breakfast and opening remarks from Sarah Tonucci, Executive Director of the Rumsfeld Foundation, and Lawrence Di Rita, Foundation Board Member (pictured above.) Tonucci and Di Rita welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of continued engagement across the Fellowship Network as well as congratulated attendees on their dedication to public service.
The morning’s keynote presentation, “In the Room: Sixty Years on the Frontlines of History,” featured David Hume Kennerly, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and longtime friend of Secretary Rumsfeld. Throughout his remarks, Kennerly (pictured below) reflected on six decades behind the camera and shared lessons from pivotal moments in modern history, including his experience photographing the Pentagon in the aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 attacks.
Following Kennerly’s remarks, attendees participated in a series of dynamic roundtables led by network members (one pictured below.) Discussions explored a range of timely topics, including best practices in staffing senior leaders, artificial intelligence and ethics in a new era of national security, and the evolving tools and challenges of economic statecraft.
The conference continued over lunch with a Network Opportunities Open Mic, providing attendees an opportunity to share projects, initiatives, and professional opportunities with one another.
In the afternoon, attendees participated in one of three breakout intensives designed to provide interactive, hands-on opportunities for professional development and strategic thinking.
These intensives included a personal branding workshop offering participants practical guidance on developing their professional presence and brand; a wargame at RAND on “Strategic Competition and Conflict in the India-Pakistan-China-U.S. Theater,” challenging participants to consider strategic decision-making and potential dynamics in a complex regional security environment; and a policy simulation at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA), facilitated by Dr. Thomas Mankhen, President and CEO of CSBA, which provided an opportunity for participants to explore the challenges of intelligence analysis, decision-making and strategic surprise.
The conference concluded with a reception and closing dinner in downtown Washington, D.C., featuring the presentation of the 2026 Alumnus of the Year Award to Sheriff Almakki (pictured below), recognizing his dedication to public service and the Graduate Fellowship Network.
In his acceptance remarks, Almakki spoke about Secretary Rumsfeld’s legacy serving as a source of inspiration in his public service journey and how his participation in the network has offered generous mentorship, important support and meaningful friendship.
The 2026 conference concluded with attendees reflecting on the day’s conversations and experiences, strengthening connections across the Fellowship Network and looking ahead to continued opportunities for collaboration, professional growth and service.
Through its Graduate Fellowship Program, the Rumsfeld Foundation has awarded more than $4.2 million in grants to over 230 graduate scholars dedicated to public service and hosted over 90 events for the Fellowship Network since 2008.
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