By Jess Emanuel, Coordinator for International Programs at International Institute of Wisconsin and Julian Mydlil, Program Coordinator at World Affairs Council of Seattle, both 2025 Emerging Leaders.
Editor’s Note: Jess Emanuel and Julian Mydlil are alumni of the 2025 Global Ties U.S. Emerging Leaders Program. We caught up with these young professionals to reflect on their time as Emerging Leaders and learn how the program shaped their professional development. In the Q&A below, they discuss working with Community-Based Members of the Global Ties Network in Milwaukee and Seattle; the intersection of mentorship, leadership, and community service; and their thoughts on why exchange matters.
How did your involvement with the Global Ties Network, first as an intern and then as an Emerging Leader, shape your career path and work to your current role?
Jess: The Global Ties Network has given me an invaluable opportunity to learn more about international exchanges and public diplomacy. I gained many skills that have been beneficial to me on my career path in international affairs. My work and participation in the Global Ties Network helped me see the power of local action in driving international understanding.
Julian: My involvement with the Global Ties Network in Seattle came at a perfect time. After some time working in local and state politics, I decided to pivot into international relations in spring 2024. The World Affairs Council offered me an internship in June 2024. Within a few months, I became a program assistant.
From the very beginning, the Global Ties Network has served as an accelerator for my long-term career goals. Formal mentorship through the Global Ties Network has served as a source of inspiration and practical guidance for my long-term career goals and day-to-day work. Whether it is connecting with U.S. Department of State program officers in Seattle, participating in the National Meeting as an Emerging Leader, or engaging in Network staff exchanges, my involvement with the Global Ties Network has connected me to an incredible public diplomacy and international exchange community.
Tell me about your Emerging Leaders Service Project. What did you do, and how do you think engaging in community service supported your professional skills and leadership abilities?
Julian: My service project aimed to facilitate cross-cultural understanding and global awareness among community college students. In the long run, I hope to build a pathway for nontraditional students to pursue international relations as a field of study and emphasize the importance of cross-cultural exchange. Engaging in this kind of community service has supported my public speaking, mentorship, and event coordination skills.
Jess: For my service project, I organized a panel focused on breaking barriers to studying abroad and sharing strategies for student success. My alma mater is located in a rural area with limited resources and a small international presence, so I felt that it was important to bring global perspectives to campus. I wanted to ensure students were informed about the value and accessibility of international opportunities.
Mentorship has been an important part of my experience. Everyone needs a little guidance to ensure success and, more often than not, when you have more than one person, more ideas are likely to come about. Professionally, this project helped me realize what I am capable of when I am given the chance. Coordinating the event with my former professor and the panelists, as well as managing logistics, allowed me to develop key real-world skills such as leadership, public speaking, and effective communication.
As you look back on this last year as a Global Ties U.S. 2025 Emerging Leader, what stands out to you?
Julian: The Global Ties U.S. 2025 National Meeting was a highlight for me. It was invigorating and insightful to attend both as an Emerging Leader and as someone new to the Network. I was truly inspired to meet hundreds of people across the country who work tirelessly to make U.S. public diplomacy programs a success. My participation in the National Meeting clarified why we do the work that we do. The Emerging Leaders Celebration at the National Meeting stood out to me. Being introduced on the stage and having the opportunity to have 1:1 conversations with other attendees was incredibly helpful, not only to learn about others in the Network but also to meet, in person, everyone with whom I had worked virtually.
Jess: Looking back, being an Emerging Leader has helped me understand the importance of people-to-people diplomacy. As a member of the Global Ties Network, I enjoy learning about the facilitation of international exchanges and the promotion of cross-cultural connections. This kind of work matters because, at the end of the day, it is about human connection and the small moments of cultural exchange that open minds and build trust
Do you have any final thoughts or advice for other young professionals considering careers in international affairs or public diplomacy?
Jess: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. As a huge introvert myself, I know it can be difficult, but going out of your way to meet new people will only benefit you. I have only grown as a person, and professionals in the field are willing to help you gain experience and knowledge. They were once in your position, too!
Julian: You can start engaging in international affairs and public diplomacy across the country. In fact, starting at smaller organizations allows you to gain relevant experience in the field. Additionally, there is no one path to this work and so many skills can transfer over from other fields. For example, skills that I used in political work, such as public speaking, strategic outreach, volunteer relations, and communication, have all transferred into the work that I do now.