The American Red Cross // From South Carolina to the World

Providing vital services across our Lowcountry, the state, and the nation as a whole, the American Red Cross assists in disaster relief, health and safety classes, blood collection for hospitals, and services to the armed forces. International efforts of the Red Cross range from Ukraine to Gaza to Sudan, and its impact has resulted in three Nobel Prizes. Join us in the Main Reading Room to hear from Meaghan Silsby, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Lowcountry Chapter, and Ivan Sterpin, Director of Service to Armed Forces and International Services for the American Red Cross SC Region, introduced by Ambassador Tom Carter, as they share the crucial impact the American Red Cross has here at home and abroad. From worldwide programs such as the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to advancing awareness of International Humanitarian Law, dive into all the important work the American Red Cross continues to do for our world.

This program is in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Charleston. 

About Meaghan Silsby

Ivan Sterpin is the Director of Service to Armed Forces and International Services for the American Red Cross South Carolina Region, overseeing programs like International Humanitarian Law (IHL), the Youth Action Campaign, and Restoring Family Links. A retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant with over 20 years of active duty and multiple deployments, Ivan brings a deep firsthand understanding of military life and its challenges. His military service included deployments around the globe, where he experienced the impact of separation on troops and families. Now, he leads teams that support service members, veterans, and their families through readiness, resiliency, and family connection services. Ivan is also a certified IHL instructor who educates community members on the rules of war and the importance of humanitarian neutrality. He attributes his resilience and connection to service to the love of his children, whose encouragement during deployments fueled his dedication.

About Ambassador Tom Carter

Ambassador Carter has had the honor to serve at the very highest levels of the US government, including the White House, US Senate, and Departments of Defense (DOD) and State (DOS).  His career began in the US Air Force as an Instructor/Evaluator Pilot and commanded numerous priority worldwide airlift and special operations missions. Separating from active duty after 10+ years, he staffed Senate Leader Bob Dole as a National Security Advisor and subsequently performed duties at DOD as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense.  Further subsequent government service included the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) and the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Baghdad, Iraq.  Throughout these years and between tours of federal service, he successfully led two separate government relations firms for over five years each. Later during his consulting career, Tom also flew commercially, and this experience, combined with his continued Air Force Reserve service, resulted in achieving 10,000 flight hours.  He retired from the Reserve after 34+ years at the rank of Major General. In 2017, he was nominated and unanimously confirmed by the Senate as the US Representative to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with the rank of Ambassador.  In this capacity, he represented the United States on all international aviation issues within the United Nations from 2017-2020. Tom is a graduate of both the University of Memphis (BS) and Georgetown University (MA).  He is married to Mary Graham and lives in Mt. Pleasant, SC.  He presently serves on the Low Country Red Cross Board of Directors.

About the World Affairs Council

The World Affairs Council of Charleston (WACC), formerly the Charleston Foreign Affairs Forum, was founded in the early 1980s as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. The Council works to deepen our community’s global perspective through speaker programs, discussion groups, and educational experiences. The membership represents a cross-section of individuals from the business community, academia, government service, and civic backgrounds. We welcome participants of all ages and from all backgrounds. The WACC is a 501(c)(3) organization and is a member of the World Affairs Councils of America, a network of 90+ independent, nonpartisan councils across 40 states.