34th Annual Mikulás Dinner Celebrates Young Professionals; Robert J. Palladino Delivers Keynote Address; Coalition Chair Piros Pazaurek Receives Hungarian Government Award
Washington, DC – On December 6, 2025, the Hungarian American Coalition (Coalition) held its Annual General and Board Meetings at the Kossuth House in Washington, DC.
The previous afternoon, Coalition members and guests attended a briefing on U.S.-Hungary relations with Deputy Assistant Secretary Daniel J. Lawton at the Kossuth House. The discussion focused on opportunities and challenges in the bilateral relationship, including energy cooperation, transatlantic security, support for Hungarian minorities in the Carpathian Basin, and prospects for a future double taxation treaty. The event was moderated by Luca Morocz, Senior Fellow of the Hungarian American Coalition.
Luca Mórocz, DAS Daniel J. Lawton I Coalition Members
On the evening of December 5, Coalition members and guests attended the 34th annual Mikulás Dinner hosted at the Embassy of Hungary. The evening began with a welcome from the Master of Ceremonies, HYPE Co-Founder Attila Nás, who introduced Coalition President Andrea Lauer Rice. She presented this year’s Coalition award to Julius Várallyay, long-time Coalition supporter, who was not able to attend the Gala award ceremony in October.
This year’s Mikulás Dinner celebrated the second graduating cohort of the Hungarian Young Professional Engagement (HYPE) Network. Co-founded by Reka Veres Lenox and Luca Morocz, this Coalition initiative offers a six-month leadership and mentorship program for young Hungarian students and professionals living in the United States. Over the past two years, 37 HYPErs have completed the program.
HYPE Network Graduation Ceremony
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Szabolcs Takács underscoredthe enduring partnership between Hungary and the United States and highlighted recent developments in bilateral relations, culminating in the recent meeting between Prime Minister Orban and President Trump in Washington, D.C.
Coalition President Andrea Lauer Rice
Mrs. Lauer Rice reflected on the deeper purpose behind the Coalition’s work: not only its programs, but also the “why” that motivates them. She highlighted the powerful legacy of mentorship from community leaders such as Zsolt Szekeres, Edith Lauer, and Max Teleki, whose guidance helped shape generations of Hungarian American leaders. She described Coalition programs as a launching pad for “change agents and big dreamers,” and shared hopes for continued success for the 105 participants of the Leadership Training Program, 37 HYPE participants, and scholarship alumni worldwide. She also emphasized the partnership with the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and the importance of preserving and sharing the stories of those who lived behind the Iron Curtain, including survivors of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Finally, she shared plans for the America250 Super Gala to be held April 27, 2026, at the Library of Congress. The Super Gala is being organized in partnership with two Coalition member organizations: the American Hungarian Foundation and the Tulipán Foundation.
Keynote Speaker: Former Charge d’Affaires Robert Palladino
The evening’s keynote address was delivered by Robert J. Palladino, former Chargé d’Affaires to Hungary, who shared heartfelt reflections on his recent experience working in Hungary, noting that “When Hungarian brilliance meets American opportunity, powerful things happen.” He highlighted several successful projects from his assignment, including reestablishment of the visa waiver program and renewal of several bilateral agreements.
Ambassador Szabolcs Takács presenting Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary to Chair of Board Piros Pazaurek
As the highlight of the Mikulás Dinner, Coalition Chair of the Board Piros Pazaurek received the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary, presented by Ambassador Takács. The Order of Merit recognizes Piros Pazaurek’s many initiatives on behalf of Hungarian-American relations, including her work as Chair of the Board of the Coalition, Honorary Consul, President of the HungarianHub, and organizer of many annual Hungarian Summits.
The dinner concluded with Hungarian Christmas caroling led by Balázs Náray, Emese Pandrovszky, and Dalma Kálmán; and toasts from Mrs. Susan Hutchison, Dr. Eric Patterson, and President Emeritus Max Teleki.
Renata Kilroy, Csilla Grauzer, Zsolt Szekeres, Gabriella Sinka Heath
Attendees of the Mikulás Dinner included: H.E. Szabolcs Takács, Ambassador of Hungary to the United States and his wife Mrs. Emese Gaál; Keynote speaker and former Charge d’Affairs Robert Palladino; Wesam Hassanein, Special Advisor to J.D. Vance at the White House; Deputy Assistant Secretary (Acting) Will Beach, U.S. Department of Treasury; Ambassador April Foley; Dr. Pál Péter Schmitt, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Hungary; Honorary Consuls: Mr. John Embry Parkerson Jr., Dr. Andrea Zsombok, Mr. Dennis Bechara and Mrs. Sally Bechara; Ms. Sylvia Tina Rich, Ms. Csilla Grauzer, Ms. Sidonia Nicolae; Mr. Balázs Mártonffy, Consul General; Mr. István Gróf, Consul General; Mr. Olivér Fodor, Deputy Chief of Mission; Dr. Eric Patterson, CEO of VOC; Renáta Kilroy, trustee of the Kilroy Foundation; Dóra Szilágyi, RMDSZ; Mrs. Susan Hutchison, and Colonel Andy Hutchison; Ms. Aniko Gaal Schott and Mr. Nash Schott; Alex Kaufman.
Coalition member organizations were represented by:
Gabriella Sinka, President of the Minnesota Hungarians; Emese Latkóczy, Executive Director of the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation (HHRF); Gabriella Vajtay, Director of HHRF’s Reconnect Hungary Birthright Program; Mrs. Éva Kovács, St. Stephen of Hungary Catholic Community of Washington, DC; Gábor Mózsi, President of the Hungarian Club of Chicago; Sándor Végh, Chair of the Kossuth Foundation; Melissa Katkó Pepin, Director of the American Hungarian Foundation; Csaba G. Krasznai, Bishop of the Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ; Ágnes Virga, Vice-President of the Hungarian Society of Massachusetts; Péter Forgách, Coalition Board member; Kinga Porst Hydras, Hungarian Academy/DC Magyar Iskola, Washington, DC.; Irén Dala, Commissioner of the Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris (KMCSSZ). Coalition leadership included: President Andrea Lauer Rice, Chair Emerita Edith K. Lauer; President Emeritus Maximilian N. Teleki; Vice Presidents Csilla Grauzer and Dr. Ágnes Virga; and Treasurer Zsolt Szekeres.
The Hungarian American Coalition held its Annual General Meeting and Board of Directors Meeting on Saturday, December 6, at the Kossuth House, where the Chair of the Board Piros Pazaurek welcomed 44 participants. The agenda included the Chair’s Report, a Presidential Report with an extensive update on USA 250 Anniversary plans for 2026, as well as the Membership Committee Report, Nominations Committee Report, and Treasurer’s Report. Individual board memberships were renewed for Anne C. Bader, Csilla Grauzer, Leslie L. Megyeri, George Pogan, Tibor Purger, Emese Varga, Dr. Endre Szentkirályi, and Dr. Ágnes Virga. The Annual Meeting approved new Board members Attila Nás, János Szekeres, Judit Trunkos, and Klára Schmitt. The afternoon Board meeting reviewed Coalition plans for 2025/26 in greater detail and approved the Board membership of the following organizations: HungarianHub, Cleveland Hungarian Heritage Society, Hungarian Americans of Washington, and Minnesota Hungarians. The Board elected Gabe Mózsi, President of the Hungarian Club of Chicago, as the rising Chairman of the Board for 2026-2028 .
The Board meeting concluded with President Andrea Lauer Rice and Chair of the Board Piros Pazaurek expressing their gratitude to all Coalition leaders, members, and supporters for their tireless work