Supported by the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation, the accelerator will expand professional development opportunities for future leaders in the nationwide Global Ties Network
The Washington, DC-based nonprofit Global Ties U.S. is pleased to announce a new collaboration with the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation to enhance the Global Ties U.S. Emerging Leaders Program, which equips outstanding young professionals throughout the nationwide Global Ties Network for careers in international affairs and public diplomacy. The new Cyril Taylor Leadership Accelerator will expand professional and leadership development opportunities, including individualized career coaching and more rigorous skills-based training, to ensure participants‘ success in today’s global workforce. It will also help us expand our cohort for 2027.
Said Global Ties U.S. President and CEO, Katherine A. Brown, Ph.D.: “We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation, which will deepen our impact and strengthen the next generation of international exchange and public diplomacy leaders. For 15 years, the Emerging Leaders Program has played a catalytic role for young professionals across our nationwide Global Ties Network, cultivating a generation of purpose-driven leaders and strengthening their careers in service, internationally and their communities at home.”
The year-long Emerging Leaders Program currently includes a virtual training series, mentorship and career conversations with industry leaders, community service projects, and a fully funded trip to Washington, DC to participate in the Global Ties U.S. National Meeting, the premier annual event for international exchange and public diplomacy professionals.
The Cyril Taylor Leadership Accelerator represents a significant expansion of the Emerging Leaders Program, which marked its 15th anniversary cohort in 2026. Beginning with the upcoming 2027 Emerging Leaders Cohort (fall 2026 – summer 2027), the new support will grant an increased number of young diplomats across the country access to transformative opportunities that advance their professional and leadership development, including expanded:
- Access to the Program: The cohort will increase in size, broadening the impact and reach of the program.
- Skill-Based Trainings: New 1×1 career coaching and rigorous skill-based trainings, will help the Emerging Leaders identify and sharpen their skills, strengths, and professional goals.
- Financial Support: Micro-grants will enable the Emerging Leaders to successfully implement community service projects that leverage their exchange experience to benefit their local communities.
- Alumni Engagement: Emerging Leaders alumni currently serve as program mentors, and strengthening this relationship will deepen the program’s impact.
“The Cyril Taylor Leadership Accelerator honors the legacy of Sir Cyril Taylor by preparing the next generation of public diplomacy leaders with hands-on leadership skills and access to experiential learning opportunities,” said William L. Gertz, Chairman of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) and trustee of the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation. “We are proud to work with Global Ties U.S. and advance our shared purpose to engage more young people in international exchange opportunities.”
Since its founding in 2011, the Global Ties U.S. Emerging Leaders Program has supported the professional growth of more than 250 young leaders representing 36 states across the country. Program alumni work in international affairs, including within the Global Ties Network, the U.S. Government, and in international education and business. The Cyril Taylor Leadership Accelerator builds on the program’s 15-year track record and will shape the future of public diplomacy for generations to come.
More Information
Global Ties U.S. is the national leader for connecting people and communities in the United States with global leaders through international exchange programs. Since 1961, Global Ties U.S. has powered a community-based network of 70+ nonprofit organizations that serve all 50 U.S. States and implement the International Visitor Leadership Program and a wide variety of other international exchange and public diplomacy programs. The Global Ties U.S. Emerging Leaders Program launched in 2011 to mark the organization’s 50th anniversary and to ensure a pipeline of future leaders of the Global Ties Network. The work of Global Ties U.S. advances U.S. strategic priorities abroad and boosts prosperity at home by harnessing the diplomatic protentional of our country’s greatest asset: our people.
The Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation is the beneficial owner of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), which provides an annual dividend for grants and scholarships to nonprofit organizations and students.