Stuart and Gwen Holliday

Stuart Holliday is the current president of the Meridian International Center, a prestigious Washington-based organization devoted to expanding international cooperation. A protégé of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, from 2003-2005 Holliday served as Ambassador to the United Nations for Special Political Affairs, where his primary role was representing the United States on the U.N. Security Council.

Holliday is no stranger to diplomacy: born in Malawi, he was raised in Europe and Asia, where his father served in various posts with the United States Foreign Service.

Earlier in his career, Holliday worked in the public affairs office at the Department of State as well as serving as a special assistant to President George W. Bush.

In addition to raising their two children, Stuart's wife, Gwen Holliday is an avid horsewoman who competes in local show jumping competitions, often placing well enough to win prize money. She also helps to raise funds for the Washington Humane Society.

The attractive and down-to-earth Hollidays consistently appear on lists of Washington's most invited couples. Now that the Obama administration has redoubled its international diplomacy efforts, the Hollidays, and The Meridian International Center, are both poised for a banner year.