
45 Years of Painting a Better World
Thank you to everyone who supported our 2024 Partner Appreciation Event! What a tremendous evening of celebrating all that makes the San Diego Diplomacy Council community so special. We are grateful for your support these past 45 years, and look to the next 45 years with excitement, commitment, and a pledge to connect people and improve the world.
Thank you to our generous event sponsors and donors.

Enjoying outdoor space at the beautiful Mingei International Museum

Executive Director Heidi Knuff (L) and Board President Mark Ballam (R) welcome Sean Elo-Rivera, Council President of District 9, to our event

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Program Officer Carmelina Herrera was integral in ensuring we had plenty of food and drinks for everyone

Attendees had the option of participating in a paint and sip experience, where they painted an iconic sunset in Balboa Park

Artist Marcus Thorne and his wife Carolyn did an incredible job of catering to our attendees

Welcome to the beautiful Balboa Park!

Sean Elo-Rivera shared remarks, encouraging everyone to remain committed to citizen diplomacy, and continue supporting the San Diego Diplomacy Council

Our talented artists hard at work

We were joined by visitors through three fellowship programs currently hosted in San Diego; the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, Professional Fellows Program Eurasia, and the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative

Some of our YSEALI fellows creating a masterpiece

We always like to keep remarks to a minimum, to enable maximum time for networking and sharing stories

In true “paint and sip” fashion, we served charcuterie boards and other appetizer-style food options

Program Manager Adrianna Borja, and Senior Manager for Programs & Communications, Lulu Bonning Elamri, ready to help out at the information table

Thank you to our Board President, Mark J Ballam
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