A Letter from Our President and CEO, Kevin Mather

As 2024 draws to a close, I am filled with gratitude and pride as I reflect on an extraordinary year for Global Ties San Francisco. This year, we welcomed 529 international visitors from 136 countries, creating countless opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange and collaboration through our international exchange programs.

By fostering dialogues on critical global topics — from climate action and human rights to entrepreneurship and cybersecurity — our programs have built bridges across borders and strengthened San Francisco’s role as a hub for citizen diplomacy.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our incredible team and interns, the support of our partners, and the generosity of our Home Hospitality community.

As I prepare to step down as President and CEO of World Trade Center Northern California /Global Ties San Francisco, I am deeply humbled by the experiences we’ve shared and the impact we’ve achieved together. It has been a privilege to lead this organization and to witness the power of diplomacy in action. I am confident that the dedicated team at Global Ties San Francisco will continue to expand its reach and deepen its impact in the years to come.

Thank you to our supporters, partners, and community for making this journey so meaningful. While I may be stepping away from my role, I will always remain a proud champion of the work we do here at Global Ties San Francisco.


With warm regards and best wishes for the new year,

Kevin Mather
President/CEO
Global Ties San Francisco
World Trade Center Northern California

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Our 2025 Exchange Programs Portfolio

International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)

  1. Urban Search and Rescue in Earthquakes | Republic of Türkiye (5 visitors) – January 23-28
  2. Renewable Energy and Energy Security | Israel (6 visitors) – February 27 – March 4
  3. Renewable Energy as an Economic Driver I | Multi-Regional Project (24 visitors) – March 18-22

Customized Fee-For-Service

  1. Tackling Cybercrimes – A Key to Modern Trade International Exchange and Leadership Program (IELP) | Pakistan (10 participants) – February 13-19
  2. Friends, Partners, and Allies Program for Journalists | Japan, Philippines (participants TBD) – June 4-10

Interested in serving as a Professional Resource or Home Hospitality Host for our international visitors?

Express Interest Today!

This running list is updated on a monthly basis.

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Our 2024 Exchange Program Portfolio

Review all our 2024 international exchange delegations and highlights.

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Event Highlight: Global Social Hour (Sept. 2024)

On September 24, 2024, Global Ties San Francisco hosted a free community social hour and networking event with meaningful conversations over delicious food!

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Recent Intern Leila Shawrieh Selected for Global Ties U.S. 2025 Emerging Leaders Cohort

Global Ties San Francisco is thrilled to announce that our summer 2024 intern Leila Shawrieh has been selected for the 2025 cohort of the Global Ties U.S. Emerging Leaders Program due to her outstanding potential to lead and shape the future of public diplomacy and international exchange!

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Global Ties San Francisco Meets with Rep. Barbara Lee’s Office on the Community Impact of International Exchange Programs

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Event: Global Social Hour (Sept. 2024)

Join Global Ties San Francisco on September 24th for a free community social hour and networking event with meaningful conversations over delicious food!

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Global Ties San Francisco to Lead Community Advocacy for Exchanges this Summer

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Looking Back to our 2021 Earth Month Collaboration with IVLP Alum Saad Abid

This is the power of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP): Building meaningful, lasting connections that keep us together while 5,969 miles (9,606 km) apart. In April 2021—five years after arranging Saad Abid’s local IVLP experience—we at Global Ties San Francisco partnered with Saad’s Association Bahri to engage our respective communities in a series of Earth Month challenges to #RestoreOurEarth.

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