Visiting Fellow Lauren Bernstein

Lauren Bernstein is the founder and CEO of The Culinary Diplomacy Project, a non-profit organization that seeks to promote cross-cultural awareness through global culinary engagement. She partners with an ever-growing global network of world-renowned celebrity chefs to engage communities, governments, NGOs, and the media, in an effort to build and strengthen international relationships. Bernstein is a leading expert in culinary diplomacy with a breadth of experience in global culinary exchange, program development, strategic partnerships, and community engagement. Prior to launching The Culinary Diplomacy Project, Bernstein served as the director of the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership at the US Department of State. In addition to over ten years of experience in culinary diplomacy, Bernstein worked as a public defender for over a decade and remains a member of the Bars of the District of Columbia and Commonwealth of Virginia. She serves on the Meridian International Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council and the Advisory Council of the (LIFE) Project for the Center for International Private Enterprise.