Alumni Summit 2025

Opening Connections | Welcoming Every Journey
Maz Bednarczyk, Senior Manager, Program Learning & Impact
Harry Gilliard, Program Manager, Participant Support & Engagement

Start the day by getting to know your vibrant community. This interactive activity will set the tone for a day of reflection, storytelling, and connection.

Shaping Tomorrow Together | CEO Address
Jennifer Clinton, PhD, President & CEO, Cultural Vistas

Our shared journey begins with inspiration. Hear from our CEO about the vision for the alumni community and how your individual path shapes the collective future.

Voices that Guide | The Alumni Council Snapshot
Eva Poppe, Alumni Council Co-Chair
Angie Whitney Schmidt, Alumni Council Co-Chair

Meet the leaders representing the voices of alumni in Cultural Vistas. Through a fun, interactive quiz or poll, learn how the Council supports your journey and how you can play a role.

Lightning Talks | Alumni Stories in Motion
Diara Giles, Cultural Vistas Board Member
Zunaira Ali, Alumni Council Member

Hear quick, powerful stories from alumni whose journeys have taken surprising turns. These mini-talks will spark ideas, inspiration, and maybe even a new direction.

Speed Networking | Community Connections

Jump into quick, meaningful conversations with fellow alumni. Discover shared experiences and uncover new opportunities – because you never know where a connection will lead.

Session Closing
Maz Bednarczyk, Senior Manager, Program Learning & Impact
Harry Gilliard, Program Manager, Participant Support & Engagement

Reflect on new faces, fresh insights, and where we are headed next.

Turn Your Story Into Strength | Alumni Elevator Pitch Lab – Pt. 1
Dr. Maria Gallo, Author of The Alumni Way, Founder of KITE – Keep in Touch Education
Lombe Tembo, Virtual Leadership Institute (Cohort 3) Alumna

Explore how to shape your exchange experience into a compelling, confident pitch that translates your impact and unique skills to a professional setting. Learn the power of your alumni story and how to communicate it with authenticity and purpose for various audiences.

Turn Your Story Into Strength | Alumni Elevator Pitch Lab – Pt. 2
Dr. Maria Gallo, Author of The Alumni Way, Founder of KITE – Keep in Touch Education
Lombe Tembo, Virtual Leadership Institute (Cohort 3) Alumna

Now, it is your turn! Collaborate in small groups to begin shaping and sharing your own elevator pitch. With feedback from your peers, you will explore how to articulate the value of your journey with confidence. One member from each group will be nominated for the opportunity to present their pitch.

Journeys Unlocked | The Alumni Story Expo

Be inspired by fellow alumni presenting newly crafted elevator pitches that showcase how their exchange experiences fueled professional growth. Hear how your shared competencies translate to career impact – and discover how you, too, can craft your narrative. A select number of alumni, nominated earlier in the breakout groups, will be randomly chosen to lead by example.

Session Closing
Maz Bednarczyk, Senior Manager, Program Learning & Impact
Harry Gilliard, Program Manager, Participant Support & Engagement

Reflect on new faces, fresh insights, and where we are headed next.

Guides on the Path | Meet Your Community Leaders
Cultural Vistas Alumni Award Recipients & Leaders

Get introduced to standout alumni who have blazed meaningful trails. These leaders are here to support, challenge, and encourage you on your journey forward.

Crossroad Conversations | Their Journey Here
Cultural Vistas Alumni Award Recipients & Leaders

In intimate group discussions, explore the highs, lows, and turning points of your path. This is your space to be heard – and to listen.

One Vision, Many Roads | Cultural Vistas Alumni Strategy
Maz Bednarczyk, Senior Manager, Program Learning & Impact
Harry Gilliard, Program Manager, Participant Support & Engagement

Be part of the evolving alumni strategy and vision. Learn how your voice will shape the direction of our shared future.

Together Forward | Call to Action & Closing
Eva Poppe, Alumni Council Co-Chair
Angie Whitney Schmidt, Alumni Council Co-Chair

We’ll close not with an end, but with momentum. Find out how you can stay connected, contribute, and lead in this growing global community.

This event is open to all Cultural Vistas alumni — from every program and year. Whether you were an intern, trainee, fellow, or a scholar of one of our programs, you are invited! Below are just some of the programs and projects we have implemented in the past: 

• Alfa Fellowship 
• Atlas Corps Fellowship 
• Atlas Corps Virtual Leadership Institute (VLI) 
• Beyond Washington 
• Building a Diverse and Inclusive Culture of Remembrance (DAICOR) 
• Citizen Ambassador Program (CAP) 
• Climate Action Artist Residencies (CAAR) 
• Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) 
• Connect With Rwanda 
• Edmund S. Muskie Fellowship 
• International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experiences (IAESTE) 
• International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) 
• Intern in Germany Program (IGP) 
• Independent Work Authorization Services in Switzerland (IWACH) 
• J-1 Exchanges (Intern, Trainee, Specialist, Research Scholar, Teach) 
• Journalism in the Era of Disinformation (JED) Fellowship 
• Korea WEST 
• Parlamentarisches Patenschafts-Programm für junge Berufstätige (PPP) 
• Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program 
• STEM & Enterprise LAUNCH 
• Welcoming Communities Transatlantic Exchange (WCTE) 
• Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) Short-Term Exchanges 
• Young Pacific Leaders Professional Fellowship Program (YPL PFP) 
• Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) 

Yes, the Alumni Summit is free and open to all Cultural Vistas alumni. 

The event will be held virtually, on Zoom. The meeting link will be sent to you upon registration.

Not at all. You’re welcome to join for the sessions that fit your schedule. 

Yes! Please share the registration link with fellow alumni in your network. 

Select sessions will be recorded and shared with registered participants after the event. 

In case you’re having trouble locating the registration link, email alumni@culturalvistas.org. Make sure to include your full name, the Cultural Vistas program you’re an alum of, and the year or cohort in which you participated.