Mobilizing Citizen Diplomats to Address Global Challenges
Join PYXERA Global and the U.S. Department of State’s National Museum of American Diplomacy for an interactive workshop with top government officials, private and social sector executives, and influential thought leaders. During the day-long event, we will explore how lessons from the diplomatic service, organizational strategies for talent development, cross-sector partnerships, and alignment of business and social goals move the needle on solving global challenges.
Keynote Speakers

Marie Royce
Assistant Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State

Michelle Giuda
Assistant Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State

Mary Kane
Director of the U.S. Department of State’s National Museum of American Diplomacy

Deirdre White
CEO, PYXERA Global

Matt Clark
Director, Center for Citizen Diplomacy
Flash Chats

Ovie Mughelli
Founder, Ovie Mughelli Foundation

Paurvi Bhatt
President, Medtronic Foundation

Roger-Mark De Souza
President & CEO, Sister Cities International

Jailan Adly
CEO, RefuSHE
Conversation Speakers
JOBS & SKILLS

C.D. Glin
President & CEO, U.S. African Development Foundation

Monique Baptiste
Vice President of Workforce Readiness, JPMorgan Chase

Balaji Ganapathy
Head of Workforce Effectiveness, Tata Consultancy Services

Melanie Ciolek-Panno
YLAI Network Team Lead, U.S. Department of State
HEALTHCARE

Trevor Gunn
VP, International Relations, Medtronic

Neeta Bhandari
Deputy Director, Private Sector Engagement, Global AIDS Office, U.S. Department of State

Michael Bzdak
Global Director of Employee Engagement, Johnson & Johnson

Becki Lynch
Director, U.S. Community Partnerships, GSK
HUMAN RIGHTS

Wanida Lewis, Ph.D.
Sr. Economic Program Lead, Office of Global Women’s Issues, U.S. Department of State

Alexandra van der Ploeg
Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, SAP

Yash Ranga
Stakeholder Engagement Partner, Jaipur Rugs Foundation

Jenny Buccos
Founder, ProjectExplorer
ENVIRONMENT

Haley Lowry
Global Sustainability Director, Dow

John Hocevar
Oceans Campaign Director, Greenpeace USA

Ali Hartman
Director, Head of Global Citizenship, KKR

Gregory Holliday
Senior Water Policy Analyst, Bureau for Oceans & International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State
More About the Interactive Workshop
Through person-to-person interactions, individuals take on not just the role of envoy for their employer, they also act as citizen diplomats, representing their home country and community through their words and actions. To win the global talent race and achieve bottom-line success, companies need to provide opportunities for employees to find purpose through programs that create positive social impact while equipping them with the skills of a citizen diplomat—adaptability, cultural and mental agility, and the ability to quickly solve complex problems.
Employee Leadership Skills
In such a highly globalized operating environment, the skills and competencies long recognized as critical for a successful foreign service officer mirror the “human skills” noted as the unique requirements for 21st century leaders in Deloitte’s 2019 Human Capital Trends Report. Companies that invest in their employees’ skill development see measurable return on that investment by way of increased job performance and satisfaction.
Talent Acquisition and Retention
As technology further shrinks the space between work life and home life, employees yearn to find purpose and fulfillment in their professional lives. Employees are increasingly seeking out positions that enable them to link their work back to the social impact it has on society. Companies that are intentional about connecting personal fulfillment and professional development are more likely to attract and retain next generation top talent.
Social Impact
Investors are focusing more and more on the net positive that business creates in society—as Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, wrote in his most recent annual investor letter, “Profits are in no way inconsistent with purpose—in fact, profits and purpose are inextricably linked.” Companies that embolden their employees to see themselves as social change agents are the epitome of the oft-repeated mantra of ‘doing good while doing well.’
Interactive Workshop Agenda
DECEMBER 10, 2019


JOBS & SKILLS

ENVIRONMENT

HEALTHCARE
