Washington D.C. — Cultural Vistas, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has facilitated intercultural exchange programs and experiential learning opportunities since 1963, is pleased to announce the appointment of Stewart Beck and Esayas Wureta to its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2022.
“We are thrilled to welcome Stewart and Esayas to our dynamic Board,” said Cultural Vistas’ President and CEO, Jennifer Clinton. “Stewart and Esayas each bring a unique blend of private and public sector experience that will, coupled with their enthusiasm for the work and mission of Cultural Vistas, play a critical role in elevating the impact of our work and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organization.”
“Canadian citizens and universities represent a large market for Cultural Vistas, and Stewart’s expertise in fostering economic and diplomatic relations between Canada and the U.S. and between Canada and Asia is invaluable,” Clinton continued. “Cultural Vistas is committed to advancing intercultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion through our diverse portfolio of program offerings. Esayas’ experience in the Peace Corps, and in his current role as Head of Inclusion and Belonging and Community Impact at CSAA Insurance Group, will bring important perspective and expertise to our work.”
Mr. Beck is the former President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Prior to joining AFP Canada, Mr. Beck served as the Canadian High Commissioner to the Republic of India with concurrent accreditation to the Kingdom of Bhutan and to Nepal. He joined Canada’s Department of External Affairs and International Trade (now Global Affairs Canada) in 1982 and served abroad in the United States, Taiwan, and the People’s Republic of China. Mr. Beck is an expert on trade and investment issues with wide ranging ties into the Canadian government and the private sector at the highest level.
“In the complex geopolitical environment we live in today, solutions reside in a global community that, despite differing values and approaches, works together to address the common challenges. I believe Cultural Vistas’ mission of promoting global understanding and collaboration is fundamental to building that community,” said Mr. Beck.
Mr. Wureta currently serves as the Head of Inclusion and Belonging and Community Impact at CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer. Born in Sudan to Eritrean parents, Mr. Wureta now resides in the Washington D.C. area. Previously, he lived and worked for 3 years in Central Asia (Mongolia), including working directly with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia. A strategic thinker and skilled implementer, Mr. Wureta was a founding member of the ICDEI initiative at Peace Corps and facilitated week-long transformational learning events for staff in dozens of posts around the world.
“Through participation in exchange programs and my Peace Corps service in Mongolia, I gained critical skills such as intercultural communication, perspective taking, and empathy. I believe in the power of exchange programs and their ability to foster intercultural dialogue and innovative solutions to our world’s most pressing problems. That is why I am excited to support Cultural Vistas as they support the next generation of global leaders to solve complex challenges,” said Mr. Wureta.
Cultural Vistas’ Board of Directors guides the overall philosophy and direction of the organization and is committed to our mission of equipping leaders of all kinds – from college students to experienced executives – to solve complex challenges by connecting lives to exchange knowledge, values and ideas. Learn more about our Board and meet all of our directors here.
About Cultural Vistas
Founded in 1963, Cultural Vistas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with nearly six decades of experience harnessing the power of international exchange to foster a more vibrant and resilient global society. We empower individuals and institutions to increase their global fluency and to drive positive change in themselves, their communities, and the world. Every year Cultural Vistas administers 30+ exchange programs and experiential learning opportunities that invite participants from all backgrounds to broaden their critical thinking skills, expand their appreciation of diversity, build resilient global networks, and to approach complex challenges with an inclusive mindset. Learn more about our programs, their impact, and the transformative power of exchange at culturalvistas.org.
Meet Our New Board Members
Stewart Beck is the former President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Prior to joining AFP Canada, Mr. Beck served as the Canadian high Commissioner to the Republic of India with concurrent accreditation to the Kingdom of Bhutan and to Nepal. He joined Canada’s Department of External Affairs and International Trade (now Global Affairs Canada) in 1982 and served abroad in the United States, Taiwan, and the People’s Republic of China. In Ottawa, he held a number of progressively more senior positions, including Director General of the North Asia Bureau, Director General Responsible for Senior Management and Rotational Assignments, and Assistant Deputy Minister for International Business Development, Investment, and Innovation. He was Consul General in Shanghai and prior to his posting to India, he was Consul General in San Francisco. In Ottawa, he served as Head of Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service and is an expert on trade and investment issues with wide ranging ties into the Canadian government and private sector at the highest level. He is also a corporate governance expert and shaped the APF to align more with Canadian business and financial interests. In the not-for-profit sector, he is the Chair of the Governance Committee for the Board of Canada’s Digital Supercluster and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for the Board Venture for Canada. He is also a member of the Nominations Committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Esayas Wureta serves as the Head of Inclusion & Belonging and Community Impact at CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer. Esayas was born in Sudan to Eritrean parents, and now lives in the Washington D.C. Area. He lived and worked for 3 years in Central Asia (Mongolia), including working directly with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia. While on staff at Peace Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Esayas first led diversity recruitment for program participants and then led the ICDEI training area. A strategic thinker and skilled implementer, he was a founding member of the ICDEI initiative at Peace Corps and facilitated week-long transformational learning events for staff in dozens of posts around the world. He holds a Masters in International Development and Social Change and is an ICF certified coach. He has expertise in DEI, organizational development/change management, intercultural competence development, youth development, and curriculum design.