Dear Colleagues,
It is bittersweet for me to share the news that I will be moving on from Global Ties U.S. at the end of October.
I was offered and accepted the role of President & CEO of Cultural Vistas, starting November 6 of this year.
I have enjoyed working with such a diverse range of partners including our amazing staff and board, Department of State colleagues, Community-Based Members and National Program Agencies, alumni organizations, businesses, the diplomatic corps, supporters, volunteers, and so many others. It has been a nearly six-year journey of transformation, team-building, resilience, ingenuity, and camaraderie.
I am so proud of what we have accomplished. We have expanded the vision, scale, and scope of the organization and the Network through our re-branding efforts and exchange program development, in partnership with our members. We have seen our Community-Based Members help us spread the impact of exchanges, embrace change, and meet the challenges and opportunities before each of us. We have significantly expanded engagement with alumni organizations around the world, and added new staff and board members with a diversity of skills, experiences, and backgrounds. We launched the Global Ties Foundation to infuse a spirit of innovation and philanthropy into the organization and the Network. We also increased the overall visibility and reputation of the Network as an important force for public and citizen diplomacy in DC, the United States, and the world.
My last day with Global Ties will be on Monday, October 23. Daniel Valle will serve as our Chi
ef Operating Officer and interim leader. The Board of Directors is currently assembling a board search committee and will be sharing more information in the coming weeks.
Cultural Vistas, founded in 1963, is a nonprofit exchange organization promoting global understanding and collaboration among individuals and institutions. Cultural Vistas develops international professional experiences that create more informed, skilled, and engaged citizens. They implement 30+ unique exchange programs that reach over 6,000 participants from 130 countries annually. They have a staff of 100 with teams split between New York City, Washington, DC, and Berlin.
Global Ties shares office space with Cultural Vistas, and both organizations have collaborated on numerous fronts including joint staff events, engaging our CMBs with their intern-trainee program, and even hosting Cultural Vistas international interns.
It has been a true honor and privilege to steward this amazing organization and Network, and I hope that I have done my part to contribute to the ongoing evolution and advancement of our shared mission of strengthening ties between individuals and nations.
Thank you for your leadership, partnership, friendship, and support throughout these years. I look forward to continuing to work together to promote the importance of public and citizen diplomacy!
Warm regards,
