Announcing Executive Director Transition and Search for a New Leader

San Diego Diplomacy Council Announces Executive Director Transition
Nonprofit Promoting International Diplomacy to Locals and Beyond Seeks New Leader

SAN DIEGO (April 26, 2021) – The San Diego Diplomacy Council has announced that it is seeking a new executive director to helm its work promoting trust, cultural understanding and collaboration between San Diego and the world. The nonprofit’s current Executive Director Fabienne Perlov departs after significantly growing the organization over the last five years.

Since 1979, the San Diego Diplomacy Council has brought established and emerging world leaders to the area in partnership with the U.S. State Department’s prestigious International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). The organization also develops custom programs, including public and private conferences, fellowships, training, global events, overseas educational tours, and international exchanges for all ages and industries. In addition to government and corporate partners, the Diplomacy Council offers a range of programming and volunteer opportunities for the general public.

“We are so grateful for Fabienne’s contributions during her tenure. Over the past year, especially, our work has become more challenging as social, racial and political unrest increased, while opportunities for in-person connections and learning decreased,” said Board President Yen Tu. “In 2020, Fabienne’s leadership allowed us to host 10,000 professional interactions, most virtually, representing 100 countries. We are excited to find a new executive director who can continue this critical work and expand our reach, promoting and building global prosperity, peace, and understanding.”

Perlov joined the San Diego Diplomacy Council in 2015 and grew the nonprofit’s capacity and impact, locally and globally, by 50% in five years. Key achievements include strategically growing the nonprofit’s professional and educational exchange programs, securing key partnerships with local, national, and international organizations, launching new programs for San Diego high school students and international alumni, and successfully pivoting the organization to online programs during the pandemic. Perlov will continue to support the Diplomacy Council and its partners as vice-chair of the City of San Diego International Affairs Board.

Jim Davis, who has been the Diplomacy Council’s operations director for the past six years, will serve as interim director. Davis will continue the organization’s strong programming and partnerships, including a May 18 virtual talk on Vaccine Diplomacy and the Global Leadership Youth Summer Program, as well as work with the board of directors to identify and transition the incoming executive director.

The new executive director will lead the organization, maintaining and building its government, academic, private, and nonprofit partners and program opportunities. This management role will create a pipeline of San Diego global leaders, equipped with the knowledge and skills to address global challenges. Disrupting racism, prejudice and bigotry, while promoting equity within and outside the organization, this position will help design successful international exchange programs and events, in-person and virtually.

To learn more or apply, visit bit.ly/SDDCExecDir.

About San Diego Diplomacy Council
Since 1979, the San Diego Diplomacy Council has worked to create professional, cultural, and educational experiences that drive individuals and organizations to create positive change in themselves, their communities, and the world around them. The San Diego Diplomacy Council also works to allow San Diego to participate on the global stage. The San Diego Diplomacy Council is honored to be one of approximately 90 organizations designated by the U.S. Department of State to promote foreign policy and play a key role in allowing future generations of leaders to gain firsthand experience in the United States as a part of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) program.

The San Diego Diplomacy Council is proud to be a partner with the U.S. Department of State for the past 42 years and hosts one of the top 10 IVLP programs in the country.

Learn more about San Diego Diplomacy Council’s efforts to empower local and global leaders to promote a more peaceful, prosperous, and stable world at www.sandiegodiplomacy.org, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

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