Registration Open for Fall Ethical Leadership Conferences

Free to High School Students: September 27-28 and October 30

Attention parents and high school juniors and seniors: we're excited to offer two sessions of our transformative – and FREE – Ethical Leadership Training program for high school students in the next two months.

The first two-day session will take place the evening of Friday, September 27 and all day Saturday, September 28. The October session is a 1-day program during a Loudoun County Public Schools professional development day. Both will be packed with unique and fun opportunities to learn and grow as a leader.

New Articles: “Time for Leadership” Series Examines Pivotal Decision Points in Final Months of WWII

Starting in June 2024, when we marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, the Marshall Center launched an effort to share insights from the final months of World War II, when leadership made all the difference. From the “longest day” of June 6, 1944, to the signing of Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945, allied leaders navigated a series of pivot points on the way to final victory over fascism and preparation for the Allies to “win the peace.”

We encourage you to check out the latest in our ongoing series of articles examining key decision points and leadership lessons from this historic period, including:

“Keep the Main Thing”: The Post-Normandy Debate, which analyzes the high-stakes debate within the Allied ranks over how to ensure the success of Operation Overlord and the liberation of Western Europe following the Normandy invasion – with Marshall's approach of a supporting invasion in southern France that would clamp down on the German army ultimately prevailing over Winston Churchill's desire to focus more resources the Italian campaign.

“Dear and Admirable Allies”: The Enduring Leadership Lessons of the Liberation of Paris, which explores how this iconic achievement on the Allies’ road to victory in Europe illustrates leadership qualities General Marshall demonstrated throughout his storied career – effective teamwork, listening to partners and sharing credit for success.

Over the coming months, we will share other stories about how General Marshall and his fellow leaders arrived at decisions during this exceptionally chaotic and confusing 15-month period.

September 18 Off Duty Features Selfless Loudoun Leaders

Claude Moore Charitable Foundation Officials to Discuss Lasting Legacy of Moore and Marshall’s Commitment to Service

Join us Wednesday, September 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Leesburg for an engaging discussion with Dr. Robert Holcomb & John H. Cook IV, Senior Deputy Executive Director and Chief Legal Counsel at the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation.

Holcomb and Cook will discuss two of Virginia’s most respected residents, George C. Marshall and Dr. Claude Moore, who shared a dedication to selfless public service and philanthropy. Both men, who were World War I veterans, came away from the conflict with a deep understanding of their duty to serve our nation.

Prior to the main discussion, join Marshall Center docents from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. for short presentations about historic St. James Church and General Marshall's connection to it.

Off Duty is a speaker series hosted by the Marshall Center. Events feature a speaker discussing topics that touch on history adjacent to George C. Marshall. Runtime: 90 min.

September 11: Off Duty Featuring Filmmaker David Taylor (Waitlist Only)

The Inspiration Behind “The Great Escape”

September 19: Foreign Policy Forum with Marc Susser

Troubled Waters: Inside the U.S.-Cuba Relationship

Join us on Thursday, September 19 from Noon – 1 p.m. ET for a Zoom discussion with international affairs expert Marc Susser, who will discuss the U.S.-Cuba relationship from his inside perspective as a former senior U.S. diplomat in Cuba.

Marc J. Susser spent almost 37 years with the U.S. Department of State. His final position before retiring in 2021 was as a Senior Advisor in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

Susser joined the Foreign Service in 1984, moved to the Civil Service in 1994 and became a member of the Senior Executive Service in 2001. He served overseas in Mexico and Spain, as well as in several offices in the Department, including as a country desk officer for Cuba. He has negotiated with the Cubans, Russians and Chinese, as well as in the UN arena. 

Susser has been awarded the State Department’s Superior Honor Award twice, its Meritorious Honor Award twice, the Secretary’s Award for Public Outreach and a Senior Executive Service Presidential Rank Award. He earned his doctorate in history from Harvard University.

 2024 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Now Open!

Marshall Center Participation in CFC Offers Current and Retired Federal Employees a New Opportunity to Support Our Mission

For the second year, the Marshall Center is a registered CFC charity, giving current and future supporters an opportunity to contribute to our mission of educating and inspiring future leaders to live out General Marshall’s inspiring example of ethical leadership.

Federal employees and retirees can make recurring or one-time donations through the CFC’s online giving system by entering our CFC number: 51415.

We hope you will join us in spreading the word and encouraging your friends and colleagues in the federal workforce community to support the Marshall Center through the CFC.

The CFC solicitation period runs from September 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025. Whether you plan to support the Marshall Center or another worthy cause close to your heart, your generosity is appreciated!

Heartwarming Harvest: Family Pitches in to Support Local Food Bank

Meet Ava, who recently pitched in and joined her grandmother – our wonderful garden volunteer Diane Jenquine – in harvesting delicious vegetables from our garden.

The fruits of their labor have been donated to Loudoun Hunger Relief, a local food bank in Leesburg.

Here’s to the power of family and the joy of giving!

Call To Artists: Submit Your Photos of Dodona for Leesburg’s Town Calendar

The Town of Leesburg’s Commission on Public Art is seeking photograph and artwork submissions for the upcoming 2025 Town calendar. If you’ve taken a favorite photo in or around Dodona Manor this year, we encourage you to submit it for consideration!

The deadline is November 1 – full guidelines and submission information are available here!