U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE ALUMNI IN CANADA NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2017 Inspire. Empower. Connect.

The U. S. Mission Welcomes Kelly Craft, the 24th U.S. Ambassador to Canada

Ambassador Craft has hit the ground running, literally and figuratively. Not only is she an avid runner, but

she has been getting to know Canada and promoting U.S.-Canadian relations. Ambassador Craft, who

hails from Kentucky, is a leader, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has made community service and

improving education the cornerstone of her career. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, she holds

an Honorary Doctorate from Morehead State University. She and her husband, Joe Craft, who is also a

Kentucky native and UK graduate, share six children and 10 grandchildren. Get to know the Ambassador

and her background here.

SPOTLIGHT ON CANADA

Public Affairs Officer Anne Seshadri

Hosts Toronto Fulbright

Dinner

On November 28, Public Affairs organized a dinner for U.S. Fulbright and Killam students studying and

researching in the Greater Toronto Area. Also in attendance were a Canadian Fulbright alumnus in-

terested in starting a Toronto alumni Fulbright chapter and Fulbright Canada's Public Affairs and Alum-

ni Relations Coordinator, Alanna Blackie. Consul General Juan Alsace discussed the importance of

cross-border education. The students are focusing on a variety of research topics, including public

health, psychology, justice studies, Latin American studies, robotics, and chemistry, and attend various

universities in the Greater Toronto Area.

Calgary Consul General Tom Palaia Hosts Alumni "Breakfast with Champions"

Calgary, host of the 1988 Winter Olympics, maintains world-class

training and competition facilities frequented by athletes from all

over the world, including American Olympic teams. The Olympic

legacy is a source of local pride and Consulate Calgary highlights

American ties to this shared history by showcasing visiting Ameri-

can teams. In preparation for the upcoming Winter Olympics in

South Korea, many international teams used the facilities for train-

ing The Consul General welcomed Winter Olympic athletes at the

annual alumni breakfast. At “the Breakfast with Champions”, three

Americans and one Canadian spoke of their experiences training

for the Olympics as well as their volunteer work to improve their

communities through youth engagement. It was a unique oppor-

tunity to hear inspiring stories as well as to meet the Lieutenant

Governor of Alberta Lois Mitchell.

Embassy Ottawa Hosts Newly Returned IVLP Alumni for “A Conversation on Canadian

Perspectives of U.S. Policies in Transition”

AndrewAndrew Burrows Johnson, Depart-

ment of National Defence, IVLP

“Environmental Sustainability and Crisis

Management” and Louisa Taylor, Refu-

gee 613, IVLP “Best Practices for Inter-

grating Displaced Person into the Com-

munity” spoke of their IVLP experiences

in a discussion moderated by Kay May-

field, Minister-Counselor for Public Af-

fairs. The audience was eager and inter-

ested to hear about their trip and their

view of the United States.

Consul General Palaia

And Chargé d'Affaires Aubin Attend Award

Ceremony for Livia Castellanos, IVLP 2016

Livia is the recipient of the 2017 Consortium for North American

Higher Education Collaboration’s (CONAHEC) Award of Distinction

for exemplary leadership in building a bridge of understanding across

the borders of Canada, Mexico, the United States. and beyond, in

celebrating our diverse education systems. Livia, Associate Vice Presi-

dent of International Affairs at the University of Regina, has led the

university to become the leader in student mobility in Saskatchewan.

Her work has resulted in an exponential growth in the number of

Saskatchewan students seeking experiences abroad, as well as the

number of international students seeking a study abroad experience

at the university. Livia participated in the U.S. – Canada Education

Exchanges IVLP and reflects on her experience as one of the most eye-opening professional opportunities of her career. She took away

much better insight into the American higher education system which

positions her and the University of Regina to engage effectively with

American universities to increase student mobility between the Unit-

ed States and Canada.

Winnipeg IVLP Alumni Gather in November

To Meet Consul Tony Pagliai and Alumni

Coordinator Eleanore Boyse

(L-R) Denys Volkov, Tony Pagliai, Derek Earl, Greg

Smith, Jeff Browaty, Susan Thompson, Greg Dan-

dewich, and Louis Allain.

Halifax Alumni Participate in “Wake Up Halifax!”

On December 7, alumni gathered to participate in Wake Up Halifax, a city-wide day of action to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the

Halifax Harbor Explosion and the outpouring of compassion and com-

munity-building that followed.

Alumni volunteered to paint at the Veith House in Halifax, a communi-

ty-based organization that provides programming for families in need

and located in an area destroyed by the December 6, 1917 explosion.

The tragedy occurred when two ships, one carrying a heavy load of

explosives, collided in the Halifax harbor. The resulting explosion flat-

tened a large area of Halifax/Dartmouth, created a tsunami, killed 2,000

people, injured more than 9,000, and left 20,000 homeless.

A special thanks to Johnny McPherson for organizing the crew!

(L-R) Jason Mullen, Gary Logan, Arylene Reycraft, Kelli

WooShue, and Johnny McPherson.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE INTERNATIONAL VISITORS PROGRAM

Consulate Calgary Kicks off Global

Entrepreneurship Week with

Women's Tech

& Empowerment Conference

Organized by IVLP Alumna

Kylie Woods (Toh), 2016 IVLP Women in STEM, launched a program for NGOs, for-

profit, and educational institutions on how to engage women in STEM. Kylie received

funding via the U.S. Mission grant program for the 2017 Geeky Summit, a conference she

founded to celebrate the journeys of women in technology and entrepreneurship in addi-

tion to fostering female empowerment. American author and all-around inspirational role

model Caroline Paul, was the keynote speaker. This event brought more than 200 women

together to explore opportunities in technology, and recognize women leaders and role

models in the start-up and tech sectors. A perfect way to kick off 2017 Global Entrepre-

neurship Week!

(L-R) Keynote speaker Caroline Paul and Kylie Woods (Toh)

Combating Hate: 12/11-12/20

The IVLP allowed five Canadian municipal-level policymakers, community stakeholders, and law enforcement officials who work directly with

racialized communities to study how their counterparts in the United States build social cohesion and community resilience in the face of vio-

lent extremism in all its forms. Their three-week trip included visits to Washington, Chicago, and Orlando.

Participants:

Abdel Hakim Bellal, Acting Staff Sergeant in charge of the Terrorism Prevention Program for the "C" Division (Québec) of the Royal Cana-

dian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Harpreet Jhinjar, Constable, Edmonton Police Service.

Daoud Kermiche, President of Muslim Scouts, Quebec Cultural and Islamic Center.

Roxane Martel Perron, Prevention and Skills Development Section Manager, Montreal Centre for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading

to Violence

Hidden No More: Empowering Women Leaders in STEM: 10/09-10/28 This multi-regional project examined women’s contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through research and

development, education and teaching, leadership, and public policy formation. The project was inspired by the hit film Hidden Figures and sought

to empower global leaders in STEM who may represent hidden talent in their home communities. Participants explored best practices in the

recruitment, training, and development of women and other underrepresented groups in STEM and learned how to institutionalize opportuni-

ties for women in their own countries.

Participant: Mady Slade: Outreach Instructor, Actua

Women in Entrepreneurship: 10/02-10/21

This multi-regional project explored the impact of women-owned businesses on the U.S. economy and the progress of women’s participation in

the global economy. The participants visited private companies, business incubators, financial institutions, schools, and mentorship institutions.

They discussed the social, economic, and political factors that influence and encourage women as entrepreneurs and owners or managers of

small, medium, and large businesses. Participants examined leadership development, job creation, and access to capital, as well as best practices

in marketing, education, and innovation in encouraging entrepreneurship in the United States.

Participant: Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the Fabienne Colas Foundation

Combating TIP: Cross-Border Collaboration: 11/13 – 23

This project focused on enhancing cross-border cooperation with Canada in combatting trafficking in persons by engaging Canadian law enforce-

ment officials, civil servants, and a community activist with the U.S. Government, state and local government bureaucracies and working models

dedicated to combatting trafficking in persons. The program included visits to Washington,

Boston and Portland, Maine. See: Cross Border Collaborations and Solutions to address Human Trafficking

By Ashley Franssen Tingley, Program Coordinator, The Canadian Centre to End Human

Trafficking, Toronto. Other Participants:

Darren Anger, Federal Prosecutor, Niagara Region

Tina Chalk , Inspector, Ontario Provincial Police

Eric Davis, Detective Constable, Special Investigation Section / Counter Exploitation Unit,

Vancouver Police Department

Oliver Fleck, Deputy Regional Crown Counsel, BC Prosecution Service

Maria Elena Koniuck, Detective Sergeant, Counter Exploitation Unit, Winnipeg Police

Service

Mark MacDonald, Lead Investigator International Human Smuggling, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Airdrie, Alberta

Parks and Protected Management: 8/21-9/09

This 23-participant project focused on preservation of natural and cultural heritage sites. On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson

signed the act creating the National Park Service. This act and the founding of Yellowstone National Park 50 years earlier began a worldwide

national park movement. Today more than 100 nations oversee some 1,200 national parks and preserves. The U.S. National Park Service cen-

tennial engaged communities through recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs and promoted the nearly 150 years of shar-

ing a worldwide effort to preserve treasured landscapes and significant ecosystems for future generations. The program, which took place dur-

ing the 100th anniversary, focused on areas of geological, environmental, biological, or cultural significance, and explored challenges and manage-

ment strategies. Participants looked at relationships between local communities and protected areas and how preservation of the parks and

their natural and cultural resources provide settings for physical activity and spiritual well-being. Promotion of eco-tourism and economic re-

sources was also a focal point of the program.

Participant:

Ashley Campbell, Manager of International and Intergovernmental Affairs, Directorate of Indigenous Affairs, Heritage Conservation and Com-

memoration, Parks Canada, Ottawa

Healing the Wounds of Trafficking: 6/16-7/07

This program examined the philosophical and practical methods of American counter-trafficking, mental health and disability organizations use in

treating people dealing with trauma. Despite the unique potential resources of the disability community to help TIP survivors with the repercus-

sions of their experiences, the connection between disability advocacy (and access) and TIP trauma is underdeveloped. The program enhanced

the connection between TIP and disability communities on both sides of the border to improve trafficking victims’ recovery from trauma.

Bonnie Lee Brayton, National Executive Director, Disabled Women’s Network of Canada:

Human Trafficking And Disability – Looking For A Light In The Darkest Of Places, Huffington Post.

Other Participants:

Larissa Christina Maxwell, Director of Anti-Human Trafficking Programs, The Salvation Army

Peter Moreira, Unit Commander, Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force, Organized Crime Enforcement, Toronto Police Service

Anthony Morissette, Constable, Aboriginal Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Isabelle Nelis, Crime Prevention Analyst, Unit of Strategic Affairs, Quebec City Police Department

International Trade and the Global Economy: 6/05-6/23

This multi-regional project focused on the steps to encourage economic

growth via greater trade integration and development. It examined the

role of the central government in enacting regulation and reforms to

support trade and investment, as well as market-based reforms to in-

crease competitiveness, promote integration of supply chains, and en-

courage foreign direct investment. The project introduced visitors to

the U.S. economic system and the domestic economic forces that influ-

ence U.S. trade policy, and the policy-making process itself; examined

trends in economic globalization and their impact on the United States

and other Pacific countries; and presented an overview of how major

developments in international, regional, and sub-regional trade alliances

contribute to facilitating economic growth via trade and investment.

Kal Whitnell, Senior Director, Economic and Trade Negotiations, Gov-

ernment of Prince Edward Island:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-nafta-whitnell-negotiations-1.4338111

Derek Earl, Vice-President, World Trade Center Winnipeg, a personal perspective:

“In June, I participated in the IVLP “International Trade and the Global Economy.” Kal and I were matched up with an impressive group of international

delegates, all with a wealth of experience and notable credentials. The eleven participants represented a wide range of countries; Canada, Uruguay,

Haiti, Australia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Taiwan. Together we proceeded on a cross-country tour of the U.S. The breadth

and complexity of the federal system and regional dynamics were on full display. We moved from the grand capital of Washington, where we met with

federal officials in the halls of power, to the New England city of Burlington (home to about 40,000), to speak with small-scale exporters. We continued

across country to Dallas to tour the massive inland port, home to global distribution giants like Amazon and Walmart, then continued on to California’s

capital, Sacramento, to see a mid-sized city focused on urban revitalization, followed by San Francisco to encounter the tech world of Silicon Valley and

the global trading hub of the Port of Oakland.

During the three-week program, we met with more than over 30 different organizations to discuss trade policy and

international trade issues – a veritable marathon of meetings and talks! The IVLP is unique in that it seeks to impart a

deep understanding of the U.S. with prolonged visits to different regions and meetings with a wide variety of organiza-

tions and stakeholders. Beyond the business program and formal meetings, we were able to partake in numerous cultur-

al activities, to include the Smithsonian museums and Arlington Cemetery, a major league baseball game, a local music

festival, a visit to a family-owned maple syrup farm in Vermont, sampling some Texas BBQ and visiting the 6th Floor

Museum in Dallas.

These are most interesting times when it comes to international trade, where a range of issues and current affairs make

world headlines on a daily basis. Topics such as NAFTA, TPP and the future direction of U.S. trade policy under President

Trump ruled the day in our discussions. There was no shortage of lively discussion as we put our heads together to

understand how these issues will affect our respective countries and economies. Some memorable moments came from

meeting with the Chief Trade Counsel of the Ways and Means Committee, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative,

the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas, and a special one-one one session

with a U.S. Congressman in California.

As a Canadian, and a 15-year professional in business and international trade, this was nothing short of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a deeper

dive into understanding our closest neighbour and trading partner. I have come away with many new experiences, contacts, colleagues, and friends in the

U.S. and around the world, and look forward to pursuing these new relationships.

Blue Economy: 8/14-8/23

This project brought together Canadian and American experts on ocean coastal zones to strengthen partnerships that address sustainability in

the growing the “blue economy”. The exchange examined the challenge of promoting socioeconomic development while preventing environ-

mental degradation. The program connected researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and policy-makers to Canadian policy-makers to create

legislation, business models, and platforms of collaboration that affect the oceans and the economies the oceans sustain.

“The IVLP program was an incredible experience. It enabled me to expand my professional network

across the U.S. with government and non-government groups with a vested interest in coastal policy

and conservation. I was also thrilled to learn from the

three other water leaders who were part of the trip.”

Katherine Balpataky, Senior Editor, Water Canada/

Actual Media, Program Chair, Canadian Water Sum-

mit Toronto

Other Participants:

Jaspal Aulakh, Senior Advisor, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada,

Surrey, BC

Noemie Giguere, Executive Director, Technopole Maritime du Québec, Rimouski, Quebec,

Haley Guest, Ocean School Program coordinator, Dalhousie University, Halifax

SPOTLIGHT ON OTHER USG-SPONSORED PROGRAMS

Gabriel Bran Lopez Attends the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad.

Montreal-based entrepreneur Gabriel Bran Lopez participated on the 2017 Global Entrepre-

neurship Summit in Hyderabad, India. His company, Youth Fusion, encourages schools to in-

corporate STEM education into curricula to lower drop-out rates by motivating students with

after-school activities like robotics competitions. Gabriel will brief the start-up incubator pro-

gram at HEC business school in Montreal about his experience at GES. The governments of

India and Bangladesh are also interested in what Youth Fusion can do to increase the accessibil-

ity of education, especially to women and girls.

“What struck me was that throughout GES, education kept coming up in every speech, panel and

workshop. Education not just in a conventional sense, but developing vocational skills that kids will

need for a future work force that embraces artificial intelligence.”

Youth Ambassadors

August saw a group of 16 high school students going off to the United States for the three-week Youth Ambassador program. Below are pho-

tos of the group while in Ottawa for orientation and articles describing the tour. This year’s class had the privilege of meeting Ambassador

Craft to discuss their service projects.

See the Markham Review interview with this year’s student Mabel Yang and

“Corner Brook Caleigh Edwards has plan to improve high school life” ,The Western Star.

SPOTLIGHT ON ALUMNI

MP Garnett Genuis, IVLP 2016, was named Maclean’s 2107 Parliamentarian of the Year. MP Genuis is the youngest, newest MP to be voted

by his colleagues for the award. MP Nathan Cullen, IVLP 2016, the Commons’ explainer-in-chief, has been selected by his peers as Best

Orator in the Parliamentarians of the Year awards two years running.

Mike Bal, Youth Ambassador Educator 2016, named one of world’s top 40 under 40 law enforcement officers.

Glen Murray, IVLP 2004, is the new executive director of Pembina Institute.

Dominique Anglade, IVLP, appointed as Québec Deputy Premier in October.

Denys Volkov, IVLP 2007, Director of Advocacy and Communications, Association of Manitoba Municipalities, shared with us his interview

with the City University of London.

Jonathon Penney, Fulbright 2008, Assistant Professor at the Schulich School of Law Dalhousie University, married Suna Hanoz, whom

he met at Fulbright's gateway orientation. Suna was a Fulbright participant from Turkey in 2008-2010.

Renny Khan, IVLP 2001, is Director of International Programs (Medical and Dentistry) at the University of Alberta. Also studying at the

University are 2014 Youth Ambassador alumni Jemima Balbastro and Sean Sander.

Levon Martirosyan Armenian IVLP alumnus, was appointed Armenia’s Ambassador to Canada. https://horizonweekly.ca/en/levon-

martirosyan-appointed-armenias-ambassador-to-canada/

Joël Plouffe, IVLP 2012, is currently working on his PhD thesis on U.S. Foreign Policy in the Arctic Region and is a guest lecturer in the

Department of Political Science at McGill University. He will teach Canadian Foreign Policy from WWII to the present. Read his latest

article on the Canadian Global Affairs Institute website.

Dr. Peter Stoett, Fulbright 2012, left Concordia after 17 years and is now Dean of Social Science and Humanities, University of Ontario

Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario.

John Kirton and Don Munton (Fulbright fellows, 1993), along with U.S. and Canadian colleagues, participated in a binational anniversary

conference of the International Joint Commission in September 2017 in Ottawa.

Shelagh McCartney, Fulbright, did a TED xRyerson U. talk, Design of Everyday Places and Homes Can Heal Wounds, reflecting the work

she is doing in her lab.

Shannon M. Risk, Fulbright 2009, associate professor of history at Niagara University, was elected to the Executive Council of the Associ-

ation for Canadian Studies in the United States (http://www.acsus.org.) She is excited to join the team in promoting cross-border scholar-

ship and understanding. Risk teaches Canada-U.S. Relations at Niagara University and advises student Fulbright applicants.

David Mitchell, IVLP 1992, former President & CEO of Canada’s Public Policy Forum, is now President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber

of Voluntary Organizations in Alberta.

The CEO of Hillberg & Berk, Rachel Mielke, Global Entrepreneur-

ship Summit alumna, is the creator of the brooch presented to the

Queen by former Governor General David Johnston during his final

trip to London. The stunning sapphire, diamond, and 18k white gold

pendant was designed by the Saskatchewan-based jeweler to com-

memorate the country's 150th anniversary of confederation.

Cori Bender, Fulbright 2010, has returned to Calgary to work on her PhD dissertation. She

is a doctoral candidate and instructor, Department of Anthropology, University of South

Florida.

Do you have a new job? Have you changed jobs? News to report? Send me your submissions for the newsletter! We are also eager to have your updated contact information so we can keep in touch! You can email me at:

Alumnicanada@State.gov or Boysee@state.gov

Join Canada-U.S. Exchange Alumni and, if applicable,

Atlantic Canada State Alumni Network (ACSAN)

Keep up with Embassy news by joining our Facebook page:

Facebook.com/Canada.USEmbassy

U.S. Mission Public Affairs Staff

Canada-Wide Alumni Coordinator

Eleanore Boyse 613-688-5313 alumnicanada @state.gov or

boysee@state.gov

Halifax Marcia Seitz-Ehler 902-442-2085 Seitz-ehlerMR@state.gov

Montreal Chantale Breton 514-908-3657 BretonC@state.gov

Quebec City Alexandre Ruel-Bourassa 418-692-4008 RuelBourassaA@state.gov

Toronto Claudia Valladolid 416-595-1541 valladolidCL2@state.gov

Winnipeg Brad Kirbyson 204-940-1801 kirbysonBR@state.gov

Calgary Casey Bohn 403-444-5221 bohnCX@state.gov

Vancouver Corina Vlad 604-642-6657 vladct@state.gov

Follow the Embassy on Twitter @usembassycanada