At a moment when public discourse often fractures along ideological lines, Palm Beach Atlantic University is making a deliberate case for something rarer: thoughtful conversation grounded in experience.
On Thursday, February 26, the university will launch its 2026 LeMieux Speaker Series with an evening featuring two of the most consequential diplomatic figures of the modern era: former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. at DeSantis Chapel on PBA’s West Palm Beach campus and is free and open to the public with advance registration.
Hosted by the university’s LeMieux Center for Public Policy and moderated by former U.S. Senator George LeMieux, the event brings together leaders whose careers reflect sharply different political traditions but a shared depth of global experience. It is a pairing that feels intentional rather than performative, designed to model civil dialogue rather than score points.
“This speaker series exemplifies Palm Beach Atlantic University’s dedication to preparing students for lives of leadership, service, and informed civic engagement,” said PBA President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn. “By welcoming leaders with extensive experience in diplomacy, governance, and national security, and by engaging them in meaningful conversation led by Senator LeMieux, the LeMieux Center strengthens our academic mission and serves as a valuable forum for the broader community.”
Pompeo, who served as the nation’s 70th Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021, brings a résumé shaped by national security and private enterprise. Prior to leading the State Department, he served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency and as a four-term congressman representing Kansas’ 4th District. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Harvard Law School, Pompeo began his career as a U.S. Army cavalry officer before entering the manufacturing sector. During his tenure at State, the United States advanced the Abraham Accords and strengthened its position as a global energy exporter. Since leaving government, he has remained active in international affairs and investment through private equity and legal advisory roles.
Kerry, the nation’s 68th Secretary of State, offers a contrasting but equally consequential diplomatic legacy. Serving from 2013 to 2017, he played a central role in nuclear nonproliferation efforts, coalition-building against extremism, and advancing global environmental cooperation. He later returned to the international stage as U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate from 2021 to 2024, the first cabinet-level role focused exclusively on climate policy. A decorated U.S. Navy combat veteran, Kerry represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate for five terms and was the Democratic nominee for president in 2004. His public service has been recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and an honorary knighthood from King Charles III.
For George LeMieux, the evening underscores the mission behind the center that bears his name. “Bringing Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Kerry together reflects our commitment to meaningful discussion that challenges perspectives and prepares the next generation for informed civic leadership,” he said.
The LeMieux Speaker Series marks PBA’s continued investment in positioning its campus as a forum not just for academic inquiry, but for real-world leadership conversations that resonate beyond university walls. In a region increasingly engaged in global finance, diplomacy, and policy-driven enterprise, the series also reinforces South Florida’s growing role as a venue for consequential dialogue.
Registration details and additional information are available through Palm Beach Atlantic University’s events calendar.
