Why Advocacy Matters: Reflections from Alliance Board Chair Tara Hofmann

I am truly honored to serve as the new Board Chair of the Alliance for International Exchange

I want to thank Jennifer Clinton, President and CEO of Cultural Vistas, for her leadership as Chair for the past four years. As Vice Chair, I had a front row seat watching her navigate what has been the most challenging period of time in the Alliance’s history. Her steady hand and her ability to “see through the trees” have significantly contributed to all of our organizations still being here and being aligned in our advocacy efforts.

I want to begin by recognizing the extraordinary dedication of our members, our partners, our staff, and our Alliance team — people who, in every sense, represent the beating heart of the international education and exchange field. You have faced a year unlike any other, marked by headwinds that have tested our endurance, our creativity, and, at times, our faith in what’s possible.

Yet, I am filled not with worry, but with conviction. Conviction that what we do matters more today than perhaps at any point in recent memory.

Tara Hofmann, AFS-USA President & CEO and newly-appointed Alliance Board Chair at the 2025 Alliance Annual Conference.

In my recent article in Foreign Affairs, I wrote about what happens when people come face to face across cultures — when they live, study, and work side by side, not as headlines or stereotypes, but as human beings.

These exchanges are not soft diplomacy; they are soul diplomacy — the kind that changes how people see the world and each other.

Whether it’s

• a high school student discovering a new way of thinking about freedom and responsibility.

• a Fulbright professor conducting research abroad.

• an undergraduate arriving in the United States for the first time and finding their way on a new campus.

• a young professional sharing dinner with a local family through IVLP.

• an au pair learning to navigate life within a new household.

• a teacher bringing a fresh global perspective to a classroom full of curious middle schoolers.

• a Work & Travel student stepping into their first real job at a bustling amusement park.

• or a trainee returning home with new skills that will transform a local business —

Each of these experiences, and countless others like them, strengthen the fabric of peace and understanding, one person at a time.

“These exchanges are not soft diplomacy; they are soul diplomacy — the kind that changes how people see the world and each other.”

— Tara Hofmann, AFS-USA President & CEO and Alliance Board Chair

That is the work we do. That is what we defend. And that is what unites every member of the Alliance for International Exchange.

This past year has challenged all of us — not just organizationally, but philosophically. New regulations, policy uncertainty, and shifting political winds have tested our resilience and our ability to adapt.

But they’ve also reminded us why advocacy matters — not just in Washington, but in every community where exchange participants live, study, and work. The Alliance’s recent commentary said it well: “Home is where the impact is.”

Our stories don’t start or end in D.C. They begin in host families, on college campuses, in workplaces, and in communities where people from around the world discover a shared humanity. When those stories are told — locally, authentically, and passionately — we build understanding from the ground up. That is how we endure.

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As I begin my tenure as Chair of the Alliance, I see our task not as reinventing the Alliance, but as reinvigorating the movement it represents.

We must:

• Stand shoulder to shoulder — across every sector and program category — to present a united front in the face of uncertainty.

• We must amplify visibility — because the more people know about our programs, the harder they are to dismantle or dismiss.

• We must invest in local advocacy — ensuring that mayors, business owners, teachers, and families understand that exchanges aren’t just global; they’re profoundly local in their impact.

• And most importantly, we must stay true to our purpose — that what we do is not transactional, but transformational.

I see this next chapter for the Alliance as one of renewed clarity. We are not just managing programs; we are sustaining a vision of the world that values curiosity over fear, empathy over division, and collaboration over isolation.

The challenges before us are significant — but so is our resolve. We are part of something that transcends politics and policy cycles. We are custodians of a legacy built on belief: belief in the transformative power of human connection.

Our responsibility now is to protect and expand that legacy, to nurture the next generation of bridge builders, and to ensure that our programs — every single one of them — continue to open hearts and minds across borders.

Let this be our rallying cry:

“No matter how turbulent the moment, we will continue to make the case for exchange — boldly, collaboratively, and relentlessly. Because when the world becomes more divided, our work becomes more essential.”

As we gather under the banner of the Alliance, let’s recommit ourselves to that purpose — to advocacy that is grounded in unity, integrity, and hope. Let’s lift each other up, share our stories widely, and remind this nation — and the world — that the United States is at its best when it opens its doors, not when it closes them.

Thank you for your leadership, courage, and belief in this mission. Together, we are the voice of global exchange — and the future we are shaping is one that the world desperately needs.

5 Reasons to Register for the 2024 Annual Conference

Five Reasons You Should Attend the 2024 Alliance Annual Conference

The Alliance Annual Conference is a unique opportunity for professionals from across the international education and cultural exchange sector to connect with and learn from peers and featured speakers. Here are just five of the reasons why you should attend this year’s conference:

1. Engage directly with Department of State senior leadership: Senior leaders from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and Consular Affairs will be present throughout the conference, providing remarks and networking with attendees.

2. Hear from critical thought leaders: Featured speakers at this year’s conference will include former Congressman Charles Dent (House Appropriations Committee), who now serves as the Executive Director and Vice President of the Congressional Program at the Aspen Institute.

3. Grow in your work: Concurrent breakout sessions will enable attendees to bring tips and tools back to their organizations and work on a wide variety of topics.

4. Feel prepared going into the 2024 Presidential and Congressional elections: Plenary panels will feature valuable insights into the political landscape leading up to and post election, as well as provide attendees with the tools necessary to take action.

5. Connect with passionate exchange professionals like yourself: One of the best things about the Annual Conference is the incredibly knowledgeable, driven, and forward-thinking exchange leaders and professionals who attend! Ample networking opportunities allow attendees to build their networks and learn from their peers.

Register by September 16 to secure your spot!

A Note from the Executive Director: Join us at the 2023 Annual Conference!

I’m thrilled to invite you to the Annual Conference this November 2-3 in Washington, D.C. – registration is now open! After an inspiring and productive conference last year, we’re looking forward to building on those successes and bringing even more opportunities to learn, engage, and contribute to our community.

Since the Alliance’s founding 30 years ago, our community has gathered each year to share information, grow our networks, and think deeply about our field. This year will be no different. The conference is an opportunity for exchange professionals to hear from thought leaders in the field, participate in peer-led best practice sessions, engage with key government officials in small group settings, and much more.

We’ll engage on critical big picture topics, such as the role of exchanges in combatting authoritarianism, broadening accessibility to exchange programs, and cultivating the next generation of leaders in our field.

I’m also so happy that we’ll continue our signature tradition of welcoming a large array of our ECA program and leadership colleagues, including a keynote address from Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Lee Satterfield.

I hope you’ll join us in November to celebrate our community’s past, present, and future. To learn more about the conference and register, visit our website here. Make sure to register by Monday, October 2.

I also hope you’ll consider supporting the Alliance through one of our many contribution levels. Additional contributions go a long way in helping to develop an ever-expanding conference and to support our broader work throughout the year to serve our shared mission.

For questions regarding registration, please contact Gabrielle Cascio at gcascio@alliance-exchange.org. We hope to see you in November!

Best,
Mark Overmann

ACPD Special Report: Exploring U.S. Public Diplomacy’s Domestic Dimensions: Purviews, Publics, and Policies

The U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy (ACPD) released a special report exploring the role that public diplomacy plays in advancing Americans’ understanding of the domestic impact of U.S. global engagement. Exploring U.S. Public Diplomacy’s Domestic Dimensions: Purviews, Publics, and Policies examines the use of USG public diplomacy programs and resources to engage domestic audiences. The report offers key takeaways about the scope and authorities of public diplomacy’s domestic dimension, the identification of key domestic audiences, stakeholders, and potential partners, and the policy and resource implications of a focus on domestic public diplomacy.Learn more about the report and access it here.The ACPD is a bipartisan panel created by Congress in 1948 to formulate, assess and recommend policies and programs to carry out the Public Diplomacy (PD) functions vested in U.S. government entities, to include the Department of State.

2020 Annual Conference

The Alliance held its 2020 Annual Conference virtually over the days of October 28-29. The Alliance welcomed 245 attendees, including Alliance members, supporters, and more than 50 U.S. government representatives (many from the U.S. Department of State). The conference featured remarks from keynote speaker Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Marie Royce. In her video remarks, Assistant Secretary Royce discussed the value of exchange programs during these uncertain times and BridgeUSA, the new brand identity for the Private Sector component of the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP).

Other conference highlights included: breakout sessions with ECA program staff; discussion with Alliance leadership; and content sessions on travel and 2021 and beyond. The Alliance extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to all its members, supporters, and partners in the U.S. government in ensuring a successful conference.

Our conference in 2021 will be at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel on November 9 and 10.

Alliance Annual Conference 2020

Alliance Virtual Conference – October 28 and 29

Registration for the 2020 Alliance Annual Conference is now closed. Thank you to our conference sponsors and speakers for helping make this event possible.

Conference attendees can access the event through this link. We look forward to seeing participants on October 28 and 29.

2019 Alliance Annual Conference

In 2019, the Alliance held its largest conference to date, with an unprecedented 338 attendees. For both attendees and those unable to make it this year, please find brief highlights of the conference below.

With input from our members, we developed sessions to address timely issues, such as emotional first-aid, F-1 student recruitment and preventing sexual harassment, inspired by last year’s session on the #MeToo movement.

A major highlight of our Annual Conference was the strong presence of and increased participation by U.S. government representatives, including the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Bureau of Consular Affairs, and as well as the U.S. Department of Commerce. More than 70 government officials joined us for the conference this year. We were honored to welcome Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce, as well as other ECA senior leadership.It was a pleasure connecting with many colleagues throughout the Conference and at our Networking Reception.

For a visual recap of the two content-filled days, take a look at our Photo Album.

2018 Alliance Annual Conference

2018 Annual Conference Highlights

For the first time ever this year, the Alliance expanded its traditional Annual Meeting into a Conference to include non-Alliance members. We developed a number of new sessions to address timely issues, including sessions related to ROs/AROs, Consular Affairs updates, F-1 exchanges, Communications/Branding, and how the #MeToo movement impacts our community.

We welcomed an unprecedented 319 attendees this year, including 217 Alliance members and supporters, and 20 non-Alliance members. (Click here for full participant list).A major highlight of our Annual Conference was the strong presence of and participation by the Department of State, Department of Commerce and Congressional staff. Over 60 government officials joined us for the conference this year. We were honored to welcome Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce, as well as other ECA’s Deputy Assistant Secretaries.

It was a pleasure connecting with many colleagues throughout the Conference and at our Networking Reception. For a visual recap of the two content-filled days, take a look at our Photo Album.

25th Anniversary Gala Dinner

On the eve of the Annual Conference, in celebration of the Alliance’s 25th Anniversary, we organized the first-ever Alliance Gala dinner, where we looked back on the accomplishments of the Alliance and its members over the years. Our 25th Anniversary Gala dinner hosted 256 attendees, including 105 Alliance members and supporters, 11 government officials, and 5 previous Alliance staff.

2016 Annual Meeting

Thanks to all who attended the 2016 Alliance Annual Meeting!

Over 250 people from 79 member organizations and other stakeholders, including four Alliance Supporters, joined this year's gathering (Click here for full participant list).

A brand-new plenary panel featured Alliance members providing insights into the importance of external engagement as described in the Alliance's recently released Playbook of External Engagement Strategies. The Playbook will help increase exposure of the exchange community in the media, as well as foster support for public diplomacy from the foreign policy establishment.

A major highlight of our Annual Meeting was the strong presence of and participation by the Department of State. Over 50 representatives from ECA joined us. We were honored to welcome Evan Ryan, ECA Assistant Secretary, as well as ECA's Deputy Assistant Secretaries.

It was a pleasure connecting with many colleagues throughout the Meeting and at our Networking Reception!

If you attended, but haven't already completed our survey, please do so now to help us prepare for 2017. See below for some additional updates and highlights.

Keynote Speaker

Assistant Secretary Evan Ryan delivered the opening remarks at our 2016 Annual Meeting. Please see below for an excerpt and click here to access her full remarks.

"It has been said many times, and nonetheless bears repeating, that the U.S. Government cannot do this work alone and the private sector cannot do this work alone. We have to work together. The role of the citizen diplomat is vital.We live in a world, as Tom Friedman presciently noted some years back, where the big no longer eat the small, instead the fast eat the slow. With programs like IVLP-On-Demand, enhanced virtual programming and expanded social media presence, we intend to be among the fast. . .”

McCarry Leadership Awardees

The McCarry Leadership Award is a new initiative promoting the professional development of emerging leaders in the U.S. exchange community. The Award honors former Alliance Executive Director Michael McCarry – a leader who has conveyed the importance of exchange through his unyielding commitment to the exchange community. We are proud of the first cohort of McCarry Leadership Award recipients:
Elizabeth Azeizat  AIFS - Au Pair in America
Alison Gold  Spirit Cultural Exchange
Megan Lysaght American Councils for International Education

A Special Thanks to Award Donors:

• Jennifer Clinton

• American Councils for International Education

• William Gertz

• Greenheart International

• Cultural Exchange Network (CENET)

• Lisa & Christoph Heyn

• Cultural Homestay International

• Michael Hill

• German American Chamber of Commerce - CA

• Mark Overmann

• Global Educational Concepts

• Karyn & James Pellow

• Mountbatten Institute

• Lynn Shotwell

• Spirit Cultural Exchange

• Christine Schulze

• World Education Services