Washington D.C. (October 6, 2021)—Cultural Vistas is pleased to announce that Cordell Carter, II, has been named the recipient of its 2021 Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award. The award will be presented at the Cultural Vistas Annual Awards Benefit honoring Visionaries on the Frontlines of Global Community Building taking place virtually on October 27, 2021 at 12pm ET.

This award recognizes alumni of Cultural Vistas exchange programs who have attained distinction in their chosen field while fostering international understanding and collaboration in their communities and organizations. It is the highest honor bestowed upon Cultural Vistas alumni.

“Being selected as a Bosch Fellow opened my mind to the beauty of transformation by travel. I was forced beyond my comfort zone, learning a new language while navigating new professional environments. If one can do that in such a short amount of time, what can one not do?”

Since his participation in the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship to Germany in 2007, Cordell has been an active member of the Cultural Vistas exchange community. He served as a founder member of the Cultural Vistas Alumni Council, using his experience to impact current and prospective participants. He has frequently lent his expertise to international programs and was a speaker and mentor for our Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative (YSEALI) Summit in Manila in 2017.

Cordell is the Executive Director of the Socrates Program at the Aspen Institute where he brings over 20 years of experience in global education and dialogue, working to elevate discourse surrounding inclusion and diversity.  In June 2021, President Biden appointed Cordell to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. Numerous honors include the Eisenhower Fellowship to China, a White House Champion of Change for Computer Science Education, a designation as a “40 under 40” by business and civic organizations in Washington State and Tennessee and a University of Notre Dame Law School alumni of the year award.

“I can attest to the personal transformation that international exchange has brought to my life and career. My choice to serve as a Cultural Vistas Alumni Council member was piqued by a desire to help younger leaders discover this same transformation that only international settings can provide.”

[Cordell speaking at the 2017 YSEALI Summit in Manila]

Cordell speaks at global forums around the world on topics such as global leadership, racial equity and national unity. He is a featured speaker at the upcoming Festival of the Diaspora, a convening of leaders from across the Americas to collaborate for the greater good. Both through his personal and professional endeavors, Cordell works to create opportunities for the next generation of global leaders.

Cordell earned a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School, a M.Sc. in Public Policy and Management Studies from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington.

Established in 2018, the Cultural Vistas Awards Benefit recognizes individuals and institutions for their influence and notable contributions toward the advancement of global skills, leadership development, and cross-cultural understanding. This signature event brings together leaders from across the business, education, government, and diplomatic communities for an evening celebrating the diversity of people, ideas, knowledge, and skills shared through international exchange.