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During the 2024-2025 academic year, I am serving as a Cultural Ambassador and English Teacher Assistant in the Canary Islands working with students in English, Physical Education, Science, and Art! I am thrilled to participate in this prestigious program and apply my education in International and Global Studies with a focus in Global Migration and Diaspora Studies from Middlebury College. Thanks to WorldChicago’s nomination, I attended Middlebury College through the Posse Scholarship which allowed me to study abroad in Spain in Fall of 2022, and Cameroon in Spring of 2023. These were my first opportunities for complete linguistic and cultural immersion for an extended period of time where I attended local universities, stayed with host families, and learned about my local communities gaining critical experience and insight into our global dynamics.

Studying abroad in Spain inspired me to apply for the Fulbright Program to continue immersive educational experiences through integrating myself as an English Teaching Assistant. This role is special because of how I am an active participant in children’s education and serve as a cultural ambassador which allows for direct intercultural education. My placement on Tenerife in the Canary Islands is also uniquely special because of how the increasing migrant and tourist populations impact local communities. These themes will also be explored through my supplementary project where I hope to volunteer with one of the migrant organizations on the island.

The Fulbright Program is a culminating experience in my professional journey in the world of international relations and intercultural education which was ultimately made possible by the WorldChicago high school program, Youth Diplomats. From 2018 to 2020, my understanding of working in international relations opened drastically as I met teachers, entrepreneurs, and government officials from all over the world. I was truly inspired seeing the local and global impact of the international visitors that WorldChicago hosted and opened my eyes to what’s possible. Most importantly, I was able to connect with peers that had similar interests as me which was rare at the time.

From Youth Diplomats to the Fulbright Program, I have continuously sought out and participated in opportunities that applied my passions in intercultural education, travel, and language learning!

Reflecting on “The Power of ‘Yes’,” I am reminded of the immense potential unlocked by embracing unexpected opportunities. Saying “yes” to my friend Jennifer Dixon, the Executive Director of World Chicago, has allowed me to step into experiences that have enriched my personal and professional journey in ways I hadn’t imagined. When Jennifer came to me to see if I would be a host for the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative, I had no idea what impact these experiences would have on me. Through each affirmative choice, I’ve encountered new collaborations, skills, and ideas, propelling my journey forward. Embracing the unknown has empowered me to make an impact far beyond the familiar, proving that even the smallest “yes” can drive profound transformation.

Introduction to WorldChicago and Exchange Programs

My introduction to WorldChicago began as a simple connection, but it soon transformed into a path that has brought incredible women, experiences and collaborations into my life. Serving as a Fellowship Host has been a fulfilling role where I’ve had the privilege of hosting international fellows from Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina and supporting their growth while gaining invaluable insights. While I was initially concerned that the aspects of Marketing we were each in were not an “exact match” – that was never a problem. The experiences as a Fellowship Host also led me to serving as an expert panelist, expanding my reach in fostering cross-cultural dialogue and innovation with global entrepreneurs across many sectors. Through these engagements, I was honored to travel through YTILI to Madrid, Spain and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, experiences that enriched both my life and work. My journey with WorldChicago culminated in the honor of becoming a Department of State Exchange Alumni. The testament to the lasting impact these exchanges have had on me is when Jennifer asked me again to participate, I said “Yes”.

Collaborating with Isabel Bustos and her company, Atlas Marketing, has been a transformative journey that connected us with other women business owners across borders, underscoring how collaboration at all levels can spark meaningful change. Working with a Fellow of another program who was a graduate student where I was inspired by her creative insights from her previous experience shaped new and effective marketing strategies for my clients, while her exposure to the experiential marketing approach at ADROC helped prepare her to excel in graduate school in Ireland. Most recently, my trip to Sarajevo with Sladja Bogdanovic of NostraLex helped us lay the foundation for a transatlantic mentorship network aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in Bosnia Herzegovina. This collaborative initiative seeks to foster cross-border support, knowledge-sharing, and lasting growth for women-led businesses.

Programs like YTILI are vital for nurturing innovation, building international partnerships, and creating mentorship opportunities that shape the future of entrepreneurship. These “YES” experiences reaffirmed my belief in the power of shared knowledge, diversity, and collaboration as catalysts for personal growth and economic transformation.

Thank you, Jennifer Dixon and WorldChicago, for making it so easy to say “YES” to these life-changing opportunities. I look forward to deepening these connections and amplifying our impact on women-led businesses worldwide.

Jennifer Dixon Appointed Executive Director of WorldChicago

Chicago, IL (December 2023) — Chicago civic leader Jennifer Dixon has been named Executive Director of WorldChicago, an organization dedicated to promoting citizen diplomacy through programs that connect the Chicago community with the world.

As Executive Director, Dixon will have the opportunity to continue to elevate the profile of WorldChicago, increase its role in promoting citizen diplomacy in the Chicago region, and develop the next generation of citizen diplomats. Currently, Dixon is Vice President of WorldChicago, a role that includes providing primary oversight and administration of the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI), a fellowship program that serves 60 fellows from 59 countries.

Dixon’s career in the nonprofit sector spans 30 years. Prior to joining the WorldChicago team in 2021, she served in civic leadership roles for over 25 years for organizations such as Urban Alliance, Umoja (now New Root Learning), Girls on the Run – Chicago, and UCAN. She has also been an entrepreneur, having founded and successfully run her own business for 10 years and served as a consultant in the not-for-profit sector.

“After a lengthy and rigorous local and national search conducted by an external executive search firm, we are thrilled to announce the appointment of Jennifer Dixon as the next Executive Director of WorldChicago to lead our 70+ year organization in this exciting new chapter for citizen diplomacy,” said Lisa Harwood, Board Chair.

She was unanimously voted in by the Board, reflecting our confidence in Dixon’s robust leadership skills developed through her years of service as WorldChicago’s Vice President overseeing flagship programs. Her unparalleled passion for citizen diplomacy, diversity and inclusion further affirms her suitability for this role. With Jennifer Dixon at the helm, WorldChicago is committed to cultivating and fostering a culture that prioritizes diversity, equity and inclusion. Her dedicated agenda to encourage and promote diversity in recruitment and selection, ongoing professional development and training, and various initiatives will persist in elevating WorldChicago.

Currently, Dixon serves on the Board of Directors for CPS Lives, an organization placing Artist-in-Resident Fellows in Chicago Public Schools, and the Firehouse Community Arts Center, dedicated to offering year-round, multi-disciplinary cultural arts programming. The Center also focuses on mentorship, leadership and workforce development with a central emphasis on the prevention and interruption of violence.

Expressing enthusiasm for the role, Dixon stated, “I look forward to bringing my background, skills and networks to meet the needs of WorldChicago and engaging and advancing citizen diplomacy equitably throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods while continuing our important work across the country and throughout the world.”

Dixon’s own citizen diplomacy travels have included trips to Croatia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Georgia, Japan, Sarajevo, Slovenia and Sweden, and a Habitat for Humanity volunteer experience, which served as her honeymoon. Over the last 12 years, she and her family have also generously served as a host family to twenty international exchange visitors.

Dixon is a proud alum of Chicago Public Schools and holds an M.S. in Human Services from National-Louis University and a B.A. in Sociology from North Park University. She will assume her responsibilities as Executive Director of WorldChicago on January 2, 2024.

As Chicago’s official host for U.S. government-sponsored international visitors, WorldChicago has served over 70,000 guests from 190 countries since 1952. By connecting Chicagoans with international peers, WorldChicago promotes mutual understanding and fosters global dialogue and innovation. Its citizen diplomats are individuals who help shape U.S. foreign relations through person-to-person interactions with citizens of other countries.

WorldChicago engaged Kittleman & Associates to search for its Executive Director. Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities, and philanthropic organizations. Kittleman recruits leaders for the entire nonprofit sector including foundations, advocacy organizations, and professional and trade associations

For more information, visit https://www.kittlemansearch.com/