Past Speaker

Former President of Latvia

On October 14, 2014, the former President of Latvia, Dr. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, delivered a stirring address at our Distinguished Speakers Series Luncheon, held at the Arizona Biltmore. During her U.S. visit, she most recently spoke at Harvard and Stanford universities before coming to Phoenix.

She was introduced by Ambassador Barbara Barrett, who noted her remarkable biography. Born in Riga, the Latvian capital, in December 1937, Europe was immersed in the conflict of World War II, with Latvia finding itself occupied by the Soviet Union, then by Nazi Germany, then again by the USSR. President Freiberga lived her childhood in the difficult conditions of German refugee camps. Later moving to Canada, she became a distinguished academician, followed by a meteoric rise to leadership for her native Baltic nation, Latvia.

She played a key role in Latvia's NATO membership and its ascension to the European Union. During her presidency, Dr. Vike-Freiberga was a Member of the Council of Women World Leaders and was a Special Envoy to the Secretary General on United Nations reform, as well as an official candidate for UN Secretary General in 2006. President Freiberga is the current president of Club de Madrid, which includes nearly 100 former heads of state, presidents and prime ministers.
President Freiberga provided keen insight into world affairs and a deep knowledge on Russia and the Ukraine.

Following her address, Ambassador Kurt Volker of the McCain Institute moderated the Q&A session which was well received by the inspired audience. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor provided closing remarks, expressing appreciation to everyone in attendance.

O'Connor House thanks its luncheon sponsors Jerry Hirsch and the Lodestar Foundation, Ambassador Barbara Barrett and Dr. Craig Barrett, Francis Najafi, Joe Anderson, the Arizona Community Foundation and Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations for their support.