Where Policy Talks

Where thought-leaders and decision-makers connect to shape the future through dialogue and action.

In the past few years, McCourt has hosted Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, former Director of NIAID Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Craigslist founder Craig Newmark, former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Senator Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Representative Jay Obernolte, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York Times columnist David Brooks, former IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and many more.

Events at McCourt


Positioned at the epicenter of global policymaking, McCourt policy events convene the nation’s most influential thought leaders and decision-makers who are actively shaping our collective future. Our Capitol-adjacent location provides extraordinary access to speakers at the forefront of today’s most pressing challenges—from cabinet officials and international development experts to advisors who counsel governments worldwide.

McCourt hosts diverse programming from policy forums addressing breaking issues to intimate roundtables fostering deep dialogue. These events transform policy from theory into practice, with students regularly opening major lectures and engaging directly with decision-makers through dynamic Q&A sessions.

This approach reflects our fundamental commitment to experiential learning—training future leaders not through passive observation, but through direct engagement with those confronting the world’s most critical challenges. At McCourt, students don’t just study policy; they participate in its creation alongside the leaders defining our global future.

Whittington Lecture Series

The Whittington Lecture honors the memory of Georgetown professor Dr. Leslie Whittington through an annual event that features leading voices in public policy and fosters dialogue on salient policy issues.

Learn more about the Whittington Lecture series

McCourt Advisory Board Speaker Series

The McCourt Advisory Board Speaker Series hosts intimate, off-the-record conversations with the members of the McCourt Advisory Board on a variety of timely policy and political topics.

Upcoming Talks

Conversations On


McCourt’s “Conversations On” series brings renowned thought-leaders directly to students for intimate discussions on today’s most pressing policy challenges, fostering unparalleled access to the decision-makers shaping our future.

McCourt Annual Commencement

McCourt is intentional about launching graduates ready to lead. Commencement celebrates their journey and sends them into the world equipped to tackle complex challenges with data, integrity, and a deep commitment to public service.