Meet the Inaugural Cohort of Cultural Ambassadors

The Inaugural Cohort

The San Diego Diplomacy Council is proud to introduce the exceptional individuals selected for our 2024 Cultural Ambassadors Cohort! This year-long initiative is designed to foster meaningful cross-cultural exchanges and deepen connections between San Diego’s local communities and international visitors.

As Cultural Ambassadors, these volunteers will play a vital role in advancing global understanding and citizen diplomacy. From hosting international guests and sharing the vibrant culture of San Diego to assisting with events and engaging the broader community, their contributions will be instrumental in shaping impactful cultural exchange experiences.

The Cultural Ambassador Program by the San Diego Diplomacy Council is an exciting opportunity for individuals looking to make a meaningful impact while enhancing their resumes. We are seeking passionate volunteers who can dedicate approximately 15 hours per year to foster cross-cultural understanding and build connections between local communities and international guests.

Participants will support a variety of activities, including:

Cultural Engagement and Hosting: Sharing local traditions and daily life with international guests to help them integrate into U.S. culture.
Fundraising and Event Support: Assisting in the planning and execution of events that sustain the council’s mission.
Recruitment and Community Engagement: Promoting the council’s initiatives and inspiring others to join this vital work.

This opportunity not only enriches our work at SDDC, but also empowers local volunteers to build meaningful connections that bridge cultures and create lasting impact.

We are so proud to introduce our inaugural Cultural Ambassadors cohort.

Meet Our Cultural Ambassadors

Daniella Abbott

Daniella Abbott (any pronouns) is going into their third year at San Diego Mesa College. They are currently studying sociology and plan to transfer. As a Jewish queer student, Daniella strives to advocate for themselves and communities. Daniella previously served as the Social Action Vice President on the Southern California regional board for NFTY: The Reform Jewish Movement and as a member of the North American board. In that space, they collaborated with other regions and worked to create social action-oriented programming. Daniella is grateful for the opportunity to join the Cultural Ambassadors for the San Diego Diplomacy Council!

Maria Del Mar Chacon

María Del Mar Chacón is a versatile and global-minded professional with a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of San Diego and fluency in Spanish, English, and French. With extensive experience leading international projects, managing cross-functional teams, and driving community engagement, she has developed a strong foundation in diplomacy, advocacy, and strategic planning. She is passionate about creating positive social impact and advancing global collaboration.

Brittany Emal Hurd

Brittany Emal Hurd has a master’s degree in international education policy, with a special focus on girls’ and women’s literacy around the globe. Now a human resources professional with over 15 years of experience, she helps to create more productive, creative, and equitable workplaces. Brittany has led initiatives to develop women leaders globally at Oracle and provided consulting insights to companies including Meta, Genentech, Intuit, and Toyota. In addition to her deep experience in leadership development, she is known as a natural connector, relentless optimist, and podcast enthusiast.

Steve Kappes

Steve Kappes is a former career Navy officer with a passion for travel and cultural exchange. Having lived overseas, visited more than 30 countries, and met fascinating people from all walks of life, he believes in the vital role of diplomacy in world affairs and knows first-hand what can happen when it fails. He currently leverages extensive work experience in government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors to improve the quality of life for military members, veterans, and their families through his volunteer service with several community-based organizations. He holds master’s degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies, and in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. He is thrilled to serve as a Cultural Ambassador!

Jesus Martin

Jesús Martín (he/him) is a Legal Assistant and Accredited Legal Representative at Al Otro Lado, Inc., where he represents asylum seekers and immigrants fleeing political and identity persecution. He also serves as a liaison to the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, advocating for equitable and progressive policies that protect immigrant communities in San Diego. As a community leader, he serves as an Advocate Organizer for the Friends Committee on National Legislation, advocating for peace and justice. He is also the Vice Chair for the San Diego Community Colleges District Trustee Advisory Council and has served as a Youth Commissioner for the City of San Diego.

Max Reinke

Max Reinke is the International Agreements & Communications Analyst for Global Initiatives. In his current role, he drafts and executes international MOUs and agreements for General Campus and uses his technological acumen to streamline processes and develop marketing and communications strategies.

Max started at UC San Diego in 2019. Previously, he worked for the Australian public service in the fields of immigration, ministerial visits, and in the program and events office for the Premier of New South Wales. Max is a native of Morgantown, West Virginia, but lived in Washington, D.C. Santiago, Chile and Sydney, Australia prior to making San Diego his home. Max is a true product of international education; he studied abroad in Spain, Sweden and Estonia while pursuing his B.A. in Geography at West Virginia University. He also completed a transatlantic dual M.A. degree program that awarded him master’s degrees in History and International Relations from West Virginia University and Collegium Civitas in Warsaw, Poland. He speaks English and Spanish and is currently learning Italian.

The Inaugural Cohort