Category: Young Leaders

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.

Washington, DC – After an extensive review process, the United States – Spain Council is thrilled to announce the 2017 Young Leaders Program Cohort. 

These ten young professionals have the unique opportunity to travel to Madrid and Bilbao, 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. 

The Cohort will continue their journey to Bilbao to enjoy a personal tour of the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum and meet with local government and 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. 

“When the United States strengthens ties with our allies around the world, we strengthen our standing on the world stage and our role in leading the global economy,” said United States – Spain Council Honorary Chair U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. “I congratulate these young leaders from across the U.S. for their selection for this program, and I am excited about the strong bonds they will forge with Spanish leaders and the Spanish people during their experience in Madrid and Bilbao. They will undoubtedly contribute to the shared success of our two countries for years to come.”

The United States – Spain Council is proud to welcome the following young professionals into this year’s cohort: 

• Ryan James Evans, DSPolitical 
• Ruben Gonzales, Victory Institute 
• Kemp Gouldin, Sakhr Software USA
• Christina Grant, The School District of Philadelphia 
• Marisol León, California Department of Justice 
• Jasmine Mora Garcia, Airbnb 
• Roberto Martinez, Braven Agency 
• Jackie Puente, Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo 
• Lisa Reijula, Metro Chicago Exports
• Andrés Torres, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office

January 29, 2015, Washington D.C.– As another successful chapter of the Young Leaders Program comes to a close, we would like to thank this year’s program participants, our Spanish counterparts, our airline partner, United Airlines, and our partners for their continued support of the U.S. Spain Council’s mission of expanding young leaders’ knowledge of Spanish business, the economic environment, its changing political system, and its history and culture. 

During their trip to Madrid and Seville, the 2014-2015 Young Leaders had the opportunity to engage directly with Spain’s political environment, tackle important economic discussions, and become immersed in Spanish culture. This year’s Young Leaders had the opportunity to meet heads of government agencies, leaders of different political parties, and local leaders with whom they discussed the importance of twenty-first century diplomatic partnerships abroad and the shifting domestic political sphere with regards to the upcoming elections. Visits to the Ministry of Defense and the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation encouraged conversations describing Spain’s foreign policy, the NATO partnership, and the adapting security strategy in addressing issues like the attacks at Charlie Hebdo and terrorism. On their trip from Madrid to Spain, participants were exposed to Spain’s high-speed rail and the importance of investment in infrastructure. While at their visit to the Abengoa Solar Plant, Young Leaders got a first-hand look at the breathtaking view from atop the solar tower, where discussions of energy diversification and investment were had. 

“As we welcome back the returning class of Young Leaders, we hope that their experiences and exposure to government and business counterparts enhances their understanding of Spain and the importance of the U.S.-Spain relationship. It is the partnerships and relationships that are fostered through programs like the Young Leaders that make us stronger in an increasingly global society,” commented Honorary Chairman Senator Tim Kaine. 

Please visit this link for the in-depth summary of each event:  https://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=4334a6039ac47de2f4c901ee0&id=00a6688d49&e=