Suzanne DiMaggio
Negotiating Peace Face-to-Face

Vice President of Global Policy Programs, United Nations Association of the USA

Behind the scenes, often in undisclosed venues, Suzanne DiMaggio sits down with influential political figures from the U.S. and Iran to discuss the thorny issues that divide them. Tension between the two countries over nuclear development and regional conflict has reached dangerous levels. With no official diplomatic relationship, the kind of unofficial dialogue Suzanne convenes is sometimes the only opportunity for adversaries to meet face to face, explore areas of common ground and propose possible solutions or new ways forward. These discussions are rooted in “cooperative internationalism,” the notion that countries’ interests overlap and that the best way to advance nations and the planet itself is to act multilaterally.

Suzanne remembers taking a field trip to the United Nations in elementary school, when she immediately knew that she wanted to be part of that institution. The diversity of background, ethnicity and language at the U.N. was mirrored in her own home, where she was raised by a Japanese mother and Italian father. After working at the U.N. University in Japan researching peace and security issues, she now serves as the vice president of global policy programs at the United Nations Association of the USA, where she works to bring all sides of international disputes to the table.

After September 11, 2001, Suzanne and her husband considered moving from New York City, but they want to raise their daughter, now 2 years old, in an environment that offers opportunities to learn about the world and experience its diversity. She hopes that by the time her daughter is grown, cross-cultural and international cooperation will be the norm.