About the Award
The Global Ties U.S. Citizen Diplomat Award honors individuals and institutions for outstanding achievements in furthering the cause of international understanding and global engagement. Nominees are motivated by a deep understanding of world issues and committed to the exchange of persons and ideas.
Awardees are selected from a broad range of fields, including the arts, culture, government service, science, media, business, and education. The award is presented at the Global Ties U.S. National Meeting and accompanied by an acceptance speech to an audience of nearly 1,000.
Who can submit a nomination?
Any current or former staff member associated with a Community-Based Member, National Program agency, the U.S. Department of State, as well as Interpreters and Liaisons working on IVLP projects is welcome to submit a nomination for the Citizen Diplomat Award.
2025 Award
Nominations closed on Friday, September 27. Stay tuned for the results.
Awardees By Year
2024
Daisy Khan, Doctor of Ministry, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE), and the Rid-All Green Partnership from Cleveland, Ohio
2023
Justin Powell, Executive Director of the Salt Lake City youth humanitarian organization Youthlinc, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, with special recognition to Andrea Bertrand, the Museum’s Programming Manager for International Audiences
2022
Susan Sygall, CEO and co-founder, Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and Life Pieces to Masterpieces
2020
Dave Fortier, Founder, One World Strong Foundation
2019
Serve2Unite – Arno Michaelis & Pardeep Singh Kaleka
2018
Mohamed Amin Ahmed, Founder, Average Mohamed
2017
Clifton L. Taulbert, CEO, The Freemount Corporation
2016
Seth Goldman, Co-Founder and TeaEO Emeritus, Honest Tea
2015
Richard C. Morais, Author, The Hundred-Foot Journey
2014
Taharka Brothers Ice Cream Company and De La Sol Haiti
2013
Dr. Aaron Shirley, Founder of the HealthConnect program in Jackson, Mississippi, Chairman of the Board for the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, and co-founder of the Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center
2009
Rick Steves, Author and Founder, “Europe Through the Back Door”
2008
Garth Fagan, President, Garth Fagan Dance
2007
Keith Reinhard, President, Business for Diplomatic Action, and Chairman Emeritus, DDB Worldwide
2000
Richard Stanley, Founder and CEO of the Stanley Foundation
1993
Maya Angelou, internationally-acclaimed Poet and Activist
1990
The Honorable John Richardson, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs and Director of Education and Training at the U.S. Institute for Peace
1987
Senator J. William Fulbright