June 2019
Your Monthly News & Updates
Crosslin Receives Asian Pacific American Heritage Award
Recognizing the contributions of St. Louisans of Asian Heritage 
(Front row from left): APAH Inaugural Award Recipients Helena and Harold Law, Lona Luo, Anna Crosslin IISTL President, and Kiku Obata. (Back row from left): Alderman Bret Narayan, recipient Suchin Prapaisilp, and Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler. Awards were given on May 6 in the City Hall Rotunda in recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2019.   (Photo by Wayne Crosslin/International Institute)
Festival of Nations Volunteers Needed
Recruiting 600 volunteers to ensure the festival's success
Festival of Nations is one of our region’s most popular events, annually attracting more than 100,000 visitors from more than 100 zip codes. (Photo by Wayne Crosslin/International Institute)
Festival of Nations 2019 will be held on August 24 and 25 in Tower Grove Park. To provide even more shade, it is being relocated to the west on the park grounds. The new location will take advantage of the extensive tree cover in the park’s center.

Almost 600 volunteers are necessary to ensure the event’s success. Shifts are available August 23 – 26 and can last from a few hours to a full day. Follow this link for more information and to sign up today for specific shifts.
2019-21 IISTL Strategic Plan Approved
Setting the stage for innovation & growth
Participants practice using a pipette as part of a job training outreach initiative in STEM.  (Photo by Wayne Crosslin/International Institute)
Recently, the Board of Directors approved the International Institute's three-year strategic plan. Key initiatives include expanded community engagement for immigrants, as well as, access to credit builder and more business loans along with small business technical assistance.

Under the new plan, we will expand recertification and training services for immigrant professionals as well as career counseling for newly arrived immigrant youth. We will also expand our fee-based remote video and telephonic interpretation services throughout Missouri. Learn more here.
Board of Directors Transitions
Electing new members & officers
Chair of the Board
Anh Pham-Nguyen
Vice Chair
Arindam Kar
Secretary
Cullen Andrews
Treasurer
Alice Tharenos
The following members were elected as officers of the Board on May 1: Chair of the Board - Anh Pham-Nguyen, Managing Director for Strategy & Innovation at Wells Fargo Advisors; Vice Chair – Arindam Kar, Partner (Antitrust) at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP; Secretary – Cullen Andrews, VP of Sales & Marketing for Dot Foods, Inc.; and Treasurer – Alice Tharenos, VP of Financial Strategies for Peabody Energy.

Eric Hansen, Audit Manager for Deloitte & Touche LLP was elected to a three-year term on the Board. Two Board members retired: Anthony Gonzalez-Angel, Partner at Tota Investments; and Mary Heger, SVP & CIO at Ameren.
Upcoming Events
IISTL's Festival of Nations
August 24 - 25, Tower Grove Park, St. Louis
The festival is relocating within Tower Grove Park, moving closer to the park's center. Shady trees and ease of access will further improve the festival for new and long-time guests. For more information, click here.
Wednesday Lunch
Each Wednesday, 11:30 am - 1 pm, IISTL Cafeteria (lower level)
Buy lunch from an immigrant caterer. Dine-in or carry-out, credit cards accepted. Menus posted weekly on  IISTL's Facebook page .
Tours of IISTL
Last Wednesday of each month at 10 am
Click here for reservation form. Group tours for more than five visitors can be arranged at other times with advance notice, also by using the form .