Washington, DC– After an extensive review process, the United States – Spain Council is excited to announce the 2018 Young Leaders Program Cohort.
These ten young professionals have the unique opportunity to travel to Madrid and Salamanca, Spain for a week-long immersion program in Spanish culture, including meetings with Spanish government and business leaders, in-depth cultural tours, and conversations with fellow young Spanish leaders.
In Madrid, the Cohort will enjoy exclusive tours of several cultural highlights, meet the European Council on Foreign Relations and The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, have an in-depth presentation at the United States Embassy in Spain, and converse directly with Spanish business leaders.
Launched in 2001, this annual Program brings ten young American leaders to Spain to familiarize them with the social, cultural, economic, and political realities of contemporary Spain and to foster a stronger understanding between Spain and The United States. Since then the program has hosted 160 young leaders representing federal and state government agencies, innovative businesses and corporations, and community organizations.
“I am delighted by the record number of exceptional applications we received for this year’s Cohort,” said United States – Spain Council Honorary Chair U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. “This program gives participants an amazing opportunity to explore the important relationship between the two countries while offering each individual professional and cultural development. Congratulations to all the young leaders selected for this program!”
The United States – Spain Council is proud to welcome the following young professionals into this year’s cohort:
- Natalie Armijo, United States House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.
- Jonathan Beutler, Pacific Rim Global Advisory, Manhattan Beach, CA
- Karla Duran, Northside ISD -John Jay High School, San Antonio, TX
- Douglas Garcia, Educational Testing Service, Alexandria, VA
- Amilcar Guzman, CASA de Maryland, Washington, D.C.
- Nathan Robinson, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX
- Adam Sotomayor, United States Department of State, Washington, D.C.
- Simon Tafoya, Office of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Denver, CO
- Emerita Torres, United States Mission to the United Nations/United States Department of State, New York, NY
- Victoria Weatherford, San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, San Francisco, CA
The 2018 Young Leaders Program will take place September 28 – October 6. You can follow the Cohort’s journey on twitter and here on the United States – Spain Council’s website.
