ABOUT IVCLA
IVCLA offers a tangible way to make a difference in the world. Our exchange programs connect Angelenos with emerging international leaders and foster international collaborations, enabling great people to do even greater things!
Working since 1980 to increase international understanding and cooperation, the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (IVCLA) arranges people-to-people exchanges between emerging international leaders and the citizens of the Los Angeles region. IVCLA's citizen diplomacy exchanges bring first-hand information about the rest of the world to Angelenos and provide international policy and opinion leaders with the opportunity to see with their own eyes the challenges and opportunities that define the Los Angeles region. These exchanges begin dialogues that would not otherwise be possible.
Each year IVCLA arranges professional meetings, cultural visits and home hospitality for nearly one thousand policy and opinion leaders from more than 100 countries. IVCLA International Visitors have one goal in common: to seek a greater understanding of the United States, its people, ideas, attitudes, and lifestyles. IVCLA Citizen Diplomats welcome people who are working to solve global issues that impact us all. IVCLA is dedicated to our vision of creating peace and prosperity for our community, our country and our world.
Meet the Team
Janet Elliott
President & CEO
Under the direction of the IVCLA Board of Directors, Janet is responsible for leading the organization as it creates global dialogue through citizen diplomacy. Janet has been dedicated to promoting IVCLA’s mission and expanding its reach in the Los Angeles area throughout her more than two decades with the organization. She is deeply passionate about the critical importance of building international understanding and cooperation. She is also involved in the local community, serving on the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce’s World Trade Week Committee, and as Chair of the Heidelberg Club L.A. Chapter. She also recently served on the L.A./Beirut Sister Cities Board. When she’s not busy at IVCLA, she enjoys visiting the fantastic L.A. area museums, and traveling - wherever and whenever she has the chance to go.
Ho Lo
Chief Operating Officer
Ho Lo joined IVCLA in 2001. As IVCLA's Chief Operating Officer, Ho is responsible for maintaining the operations of the organization to meet program goals and projections, and for the organization’s financial reports. He also prepares the financial information for IVCLA's public and private grant applications and provides tech support for the IVCLA office. Ho finds fulfillment in working with IVCLA because it helps him further his goal of creating a more peaceful world. Outside of IVCLA, Ho enjoys the simple things in life, like cooking, barbecuing, fishing and camping. He and his wife also love to explore America.
Danica Kreculj
Director of International Programs
Danica graduated from UCLA, majoring in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in French. She speaks fluent French, Serbian, and Croatian. She started working at IVCLA as a Projects Coordinator before becoming a Program Officer. Her experience working internationally at the United Nations Development Program in Belgrade, Serbia piqued her interest in the intersection of diplomacy and social justice. Her favorite part about working at IVCLA is how rewarding it feels to create programs which change lives, not only professionally, but by bridging cultural barriers, promoting open dialogue, and allowing visitors to connect with Americans on a personal level. She enjoys traveling, exploring new hiking trails and playing basketball.
Victoria Meza
Program Officer
Victoria Meza has been with IVCLA since 2018. She started working as the Projects Coordinator before transitioning to Program Officer. As Program Officer, Victoria is responsible for arranging professional exchange programs for international participants taking part in the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). Her favorite part about working at IVCLA is meeting with the participants of the IVLP and exchanging culture. Victoria graduated from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa with a Bachelor’s degree in Korean through the Language Flagship Program and speaks fluent Korean. She spent her senior year abroad studying at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea. She has a pitbull-boxer dog named Jojo.
Eleanor Alberg
Communications and Events Coordinator
Eleanor graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and Spanish Cultural Studies and a minor in Studio Art. She is fluent in Spanish and spent time in college abroad in Havana, Cuba studying at the University of La Habana. While there, she studied language, art, and Caribbean culture. Eleanor is responsible for the monthly newsletter, membership, planning events, and the IVCLA website and social media. She loves IVCLA’s dedication to cultural exchange and citizen diplomacy. In her free time, Ellie enjoys hiking, making art and spending time with her friends and 13-year-old pug, Leilett.
Tu Le
Projects Coordinator
Tu Le graduated from California State University at Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration focusing on Management Information Systems. He worked in corporate I.T. for seven years before joining ICDLA in 2012. Tu enjoys working for ICDLA because he believes in its mission of bettering the world through cultural exchange, and especially loves interacting with visiting citizen diplomats from all corners of the globe. He is fluent in Vietnamese and can also carry a simple conversation in Spanish. In his free time, Tu likes to travel with his wife and daughter, particularly visiting the national parks.
Board of Directors
The Honorable Holly J. Mitchell, Chair of the L.A. County
Board of Supervisors
L.A. County Board of Supervisors
Michael McDowell
Chair
L.A. Cultural Tourism, Inc.
Michael McDowell is an award-winning, nationally recognized leader in cultural-tourism marketing strategies and programs. He is currently a consultant at L.A. Cultural Tourism, Inc. Previously, he was Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for Japan House Los Angeles, a public diplomacy initiative of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to grow awareness and appreciation of Japanese culture and contributions to contemporary life globally. It is one of only three such facilities in the world. Prior to that, McDowell was the first Vice President for Cultural Tourism at the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, where he promoted Los Angeles as a premier cultural center for visitors worldwide since 2004. Before that, McDowell held leadership positions at the California Institute of the Arts and the University of Southern California as well as top positions in higher education, government and publishing on the East Coast.
Wafa Hoballah
Secretary/Legal Counsel
WJH Law Group
Wafa J. Hoballah, attorney at law, specializes in International and
Immigration law, representing clients across the globe in business,
commercial and corporate law. She has worked with clients from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, focusing on major aspects of international business transactions, negotiations, due diligence investigations, development, financing and joint ventures. Her practice focuses on international investments, employment and investment based immigration. Ms. Hoballah has a strong commitment to giving back and has been a keynote speaker and featured panelist on a broad range of topics at conferences, organizational meetings and for special delegations. She has given presentations and is an educator of communities, not only in business, but also on topics such as Human Rights Political Asylum, VAWA, and the dangers and aftermath of Human Trafficking. For all her years of community contributions, Ms. Hoballah is a proud past recipient of the Arab American Lawyers Association's Judge James Kaddo Award. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Beirut Sister Cities Committee; the Corporate Financial Officer for the Lebanese American Foundation, L.A. Charter; and a Member of DHS/USCIS Community Based Organizations Committee.
Norman Arikawa
Port of Los Angeles
Norman Arikawa has worked at the Port of Los Angeles for over 40 years and is currently the Assistant Director of Trade Development for the Port. His responsibilities include developing inbound and outbound trade, promoting the port and supporting the staff of the L.A. Mayor’s Office of International Trade. He also coordinates visits by foreign officials to the Port, frequently meeting with heads of state, ministers and ambassadors from around the world. He has arranged discussions for IVCLA’s International Visitor Leadership Program participants on topics such as trade development, environmental initiatives, and port security. He is a member of the L.A. Area Chamber's World Trade Week committee, and a board member of the Los Angeles Regional Export Council. He also served as advisor to the Brazil California Chamber and is an Advisory Board member of the U.S. Africa Opportunity Network.
Haifa Azawi, M.D.
New Woman Medical Care
Haifa Azawi is a medical doctor, board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Through her New Woman Medical Care she fulfills her desire to help women understand their conditions and provide for their best possible care. Her practice also includes the Multi-Specialty Network, a group of primary care physicians and specialists throughout the greater Long Beach area. She received her medical certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Royal College of OB/GYN in London. She lectures on issues of OB/GYN locally and internationally. She was born in Iraq and served as president of the National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA) and is present Chair of the Iraq Liaison Committee for NAAMA. She lives in Long Beach with her husband, who is a surgeon. They have three children.
Kathy Jones Irish
Kathy Jones Irish Consulting, LLC
Kathy has more than 30 years of public and private sector experience in project and personnel management in the fields of transportation, engineering, procurement, local government, waste management, water resource planning, workforce development, and corporate philanthropy. Immediately prior to founding her firm, Kathy was vice president with Arnie Berghoff & Associates. She also had an active career with the City of Los Angeles, where she served as City Councilman Tom LaBonge’s Chief of Staff and was named Interim General Manager for the Department of Cultural Affairs by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Kathy’s most recent city service was as Assistant General Manager for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. She is a graduate of Occidental College and holds a Certificate in Public Policy Analysis from the Claremont Graduate School. Kathy was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the Board of Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists, and has received numerous commendations for public service, public policy engagement and community investment. She lives in Pasadena and is the proud mother of her son, Brandon Carleton Irish.
Jonathan Kaji
Kaji & Associates
Jonathan Kaji is President of Kaji & Associates, a real estate development and brokerage firm located in Torrance, California. The firm has developed commercial, industrial, retail and residential properties in Southern California and has been in operation since 1984. Jonathan is a member of the Board of Governors of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. He formerly served as the Director of the State of California Office of Trade and Investment, Tokyo, Japan for 7 years. Jonathan has also served as a past President of the University of Southern California Asian Pacific Alumni Association; Board Member of the Torrance South Bay Family YMCA; and member of the President's Export Council. Jonathan is a graduate of the University of Southern California and resides in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Michelle Kezirian
Attorney at Law
Michelle M. Kezirian is a sole practitioner with more than twenty years of legal experience. She previously served as the Director of Litigation and Policy Advocacy at Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, Directing Attorney at Bet Tzedek Legal Services, and Senior Staff Attorney at Inner City Law Center. Prior to her work in public interest, Michelle was in private practice. Over the years, she has taught law at UCLA, USC and Santa Clara University Schools of Law and served on boards of directors of nonprofits serving communities in Los Angeles County and statewide. Currently, Michelle serves on the boards of International Visitors Council of Los Angeles and Tenants Together and is a member of the Southern California Leadership Council of the Armenian Assembly of America. Michelle is also a sustaining member of the Pacific Council on International Policy where she co-chairs the Council’s Guantanamo Bay Task Force. Michelle graduated in 1992 summa cum laude and phi beta kappa from University of California, Davis, and received her J.D. in 1996 from Santa Clara University School of Law.
Patti MacJennett
Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board
As the Senior Vice President for Business Affairs at the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Patti develops and implements the organization's community engagement strategy with local, state and federal organizations and serves as liaison with key policymakers, civic and business organizations. Previously she was SVP of the Global Marketing Division and head of the International Marketing Department, and was responsible for opening L.A.'s first international marketing offices. Patti has served in volunteer leadership capacities with U.S. Travel and Visit California and locally sits on the boards of the Valley Economic Alliance, San Pedro Chamber of Commerce and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. A native of California, she is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program with a B.A. from Arizona State University.
Lene Martin
Lene Martin teaches blockchain business applications and analytics at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. She is the founder and director of the “Blockchain at Pepperdine” program, offering blockchain technology conferences, curriculum, certificates, and collaboratories. With 20 years dedicated to the communications, media, and technology industry, Lene has been an advocate for digital start-ups, is a founder of a Malibu consulting company, and a leader in innovative solutions for blockchain, cybersecurity, and communications at top organizations such as Lockheed Martin Corp., Amgen Inc., and The Crypto Company Inc. She holds M.A. degrees in Communications and Women’s Studies, a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, a Ph.D. candidacy in Pepperdine’s Global Leadership and Change program, and has received a Pepperdine Waves of Innovation grant award. As an author, speaker, and advisor, her research focuses on global economic and social strategies for women and leadership, corporate social responsibility, and emerging technologies.
Rima Nashashibi
Hope 365
Ms. Nashashibi has over two decades of experience in non-profit leadership and has been recognized for her community involvement, leadership and fundraising skills. In addition to her work in non-profits, Ms. Nashashibi is accomplished in the private sector. She spent over 20 years in management with AIG, where she interfaced with leaders and executives in Fortune 500 companies and was responsible for accounts and projects valued up to tens of millions of dollars. In this role, Ms. Nashashibi also trained and managed a team of 80 sales representatives, 600 production sources and a budget of $158M. Recognized internationally as a skilled speaker, Ms. Nashashibi has led lectures, seminars and training including as a guest of the U.S. Department of State in places such as Jerusalem, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as well as local and regional speaking engagements. She has received many awards for her work, such as, the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce's 2017 Member of the Year Award, WELead OC's 2016 Empowered Women Award, the 2012 Congressional Recognition Award and the Harry S. Truman Lifetime Achievement Award.
Zachia Nazarzai
City of Los Angeles, Office of the Mayor
Zachia Nazarzai is the Director of International Affairs, Policy, & Protocol in the Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti. Previously she served on the Mayor’s Neighborhood Services team, where she promoted access to public open space and increased equitable recreation programs. In 2018, she helped launch SwimLA, a citywide campaign that resulted in doubling enrollment in the City’s summer swim classes. Zachia also serves as the Executive Director for the Afghan-American Community Organization, a nonprofit that convenes the Afghan-American diaspora and through dialogue creates a more supportive, empowered and engaged community. She received her BA in International Development Studies and Political Science from UCLA and her Master’s in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Stephen Ozoigbo
ARM
Stephen Ozoigbo is Senior Director of Business Development for Emerging Economies for the technology company ARM. In this position he oversees all aspects of business across a new set of digital economies and growth markets. Stephen's prior roles include CEO of the African Technology Foundation and Managing Partner for Lions@frica where he was responsible for innovation, investment and internationalization activities for startups and technology ecosystems. He also served as a Foreign Direct Investment Manager for the Government of Catalonia and oversaw a myriad of technology projects, policies and initiatives that supported stakeholders related to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Within the greater Los Angeles Area, Stephen has served as the International Advisor to Studio school and was previously a Banker at Citigroup.
Stephen has an MBA in Global Business from the Graziadio School at Pepperdine University and a certificate in Behavioral Finance and Investment Decisions from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Lourdes Saab
County of Los Angeles
Lourdes Saab is Chief of Protocol for the County of Los Angeles. In her position she represents the L.A. County Office of Protocol on the IVCLA board and serves as the liaison between the protocol office and the county’s international community. In addition, she aids foreign missions in the county by coordinating visits for dignitaries. Lourdes served as Chief of Protocol of the City of Los Angeles from 1993 to 1997. She previously worked in Mayor Yorty’s Office of Latin American Affairs and in the offices of Mayors Bradley and Riordan. She was a founding member and has served as executive director of the Hispanic Women’s Council, Inc. She was Commissioner for the County Department of Children’s Services and has been recognized for her work with community based organizations.
Gregory C. Scott
Community Action Partnership of Orange County
Gregory Scott serves as the President & CEO of Community Action Partnership of OC (CAP OC), a leading national network championing the war on poverty, racial and economic equity, strengthening families, education and youth development, financial stability, and community and economic development. He also has served as President and CEO of New Directions for Veterans and the Weingart Center, both in Los Angeles, California. Gregory has been honored with many accolades; among them are the Joining Forces award from Former First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden Lifetime Achievement Award.
A longtime Orange County resident, Gregory currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Anaheim Workforce Development Board, Southern California Edison Consumer Advisory Board, the Southern California Counseling Center (SCCC), Nonprofit Insurance Alliance of California (NIAC) Gregory holds a B.A. degree from William Paterson University and received his M.S. degree in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University.
William 'Jerry' Silva
William ‘Jerry’ Silva was a Senior Advisor and manager of compliance for Southern California Edison, a Fortune 250 company, with 25+ years combined operational, external and public affairs, community relations, and project management experience. Jerry was intimately involved with the restructuring of the energy industry meeting with State Wide legislators to support legislation changing the industry. Jerry is an active member of the community and serves on a variety of boards including the Hispanic 100, and recently served 10 years as Governor Appointee to the Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor Commission. He also served as regional judge and Chair of the Los Angeles Regional Panel for the prestigious White House Fellows Program from 2000-2010.
David Stepp
Crowell & Moring LLP
David Stepp is a partner with Crowell & Moring LLP. His practice spans a variety of customs and international trade issues, including those related to motor vehicles, steel, textile and apparel products, footwear, retailing, electronic products and other consumer goods. Mr. Stepp's practice focuses on customs compliance and counseling, including tariff classifications, valuation, country of origin marking, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) participation and other regulatory requirements. His practice includes global customs and international trade audits of multinationals and advice on improving and benchmarking compliance programs. He also advises clients on local trade and customs options for companies in China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. He is a frequent speaker on global customs and international trade issues.
Yael Swerdlow
Women's Empowerment Foundation
Yael Swerdlow is the CEO and Founder of Maestro Games, SPC as well as co-founder of the Women's Empowerment Foundation. Yael is an Independent Visiting Scholar in the Gender Studies Department of the University of Southern California and consultant for USC’s groundbreaking Game Pipe Lab. She is a board member of Shelters for Israel. She is a graduate of USC's Master of Public Diplomacy program and is an associate member of the Los Angeles Consular Corps. A native Angeleno, Yael has been a freelance photojournalist based in Los Angeles for over twenty years, shooting for United Press International, the Associated Press, and the Los Angeles Times, where she was a part of the Pulitzer Prize winning teams for the Los Angeles Riots in 1992 and the Northridge Earthquake of 1994. In summer of 1994, Yael went to Somalia, Southern Sudan, and Rwanda for International Medical Corps, to document the reestablishing of the medical infrastructure in those war-torn countries. Yael also writes fiction, including the cinematic script for Activision’s best-selling video game, “True Crime: Streets of LA”.
Tim Watkins
Watts Labor Community Action Committee
Tim Watkins is President and CEO of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC). His primary concern is in the area of public policy and how it often exacerbates and perpetuates poverty. Along with his day-to-day responsibility for operating the WLCAC, he researches and develops legislative recommendations that positively impact the quality of life for residents of Watts and neighboring communities. Because Tim is a firm believer in the use of cultural enrichment as a means of healing the human spirit in places like Watts, he is leading a much needed discussion on the concept of Social Enterprise as a long-term solution to poverty and neglect.
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Mary Walden
Mary Walden is a Human Resources Expert at Expert Effect, a company dedicated to assisting corporations and small businesses with their human resources needs. Mary has a well tenured career as an HR and Operations leader in multiple sectors including entertainment, legal services, social services, behavioral health, childcare and housing. Previously, Mary served as Executive Director of HR & Operations for KCET TV (now Public Media Group of Southern California). Before joining KCET, Mary was VP of HR & Operations at Bet Tzedek Legal Services. Mary is an avid writer and resides in Redondo Beach, California.
Advisory Board
William 'Bill' Bogaard
Mayor Bill Bogaard was first elected mayor of Pasadena in 1999 and was the City’s first directly elected mayor. He won subsequent elections with overwhelming majorities. In 2011 he ran unopposed. He retired as mayor in 2015 having been the longest serving mayor in Pasadena's history. Prior to being elected mayor he was engaged in private law practice, and then served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of First Interstate Bancorp. He has taught law at the University of Michigan and USC Law School. The Mayor is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He received his juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School after serving as a U.S. Air Force Captain in Los Angeles and Casablanca, Morocco.
He holds a strong belief in the importance of international dialogue and has supported many of Pasadena’s international programs including the Pasadena Sister Cities Program. He served on the board of directors of the Pasadena Educational Foundation and the Pasadena YMCA, and served as President of the Board of the League of California Cities. In 1997 the City of Pasadena granted him its highest civic recognition, the Arthur Noble Award.
Amarjit Marwah
Dr. Amarjit Marwah is known as a generous philanthropist and a respected pillar of the Los Angeles community. He was born in the Punjab region of India, where he lived until coming to the United States in 1950 to study dentistry. He became the first dentist of Indian descent in America. In addition to his community work in the L.A. area, he remains active in his home region, where he endeavors to advance women’s education and rural development. In the 1980s, he co-founded the Bank of Punjab, built on the principles of social justice and community service. Dr. Marwah and his wife have adopted the entire village of Gurudidhabb, equipping the town with running water, paved roads, and a town hall. He is also the founder of the first Sikh temple in California located on Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles.
Dr. Marwah’s commitment to citizen diplomacy is based in part on his own experiences as an immigrant being warmly welcomed when he arrived to the U.S. In addition to hosting IVCLA International Visitors every year, he also hosts the annual Fulbright Luncheon. He has served on the boards of IVCLA and the LA World Affairs Council, chaired the Hollywood Arts Commission and LA/Mumbai Sister Cities, and served as president of the LA Cultural Heritage Commission. Along with numerous other awards Dr. Marwah received the 2006 Outstanding Citizen Diplomat Award from IVCLA.
Sebastian Zacharia
Sebastian Zacharia served with the United Nations for 26 years in senior diplomatic and executive management assignments world-wide. During his time with the U.N. he worked and lived in four continents and traveled to over 100 countries gaining a global perspective and high level networking with people of diverse interests and expertise. His last position with the U.N. for more than eight years was Director of the Division for Asia Pacific Regional Programs.
After an early retirement from the U.N. he taught a wide spectrum of global issues as Adjunct Professor at USC. He was recommended by the Parent's Association of USC for the best teaching and mentoring award. Until his retirement in 2012, he was the Director of International Studies at Woodbury University and Adjunct Professor for such courses as Modern Middle East, Arab Spring and Social Media, and International Business and Negotiations to name a few. He also conducted a senior-level training workshop in Cairo, Egypt on behalf of the University of California, Irvine in 2001. He is a member of many organizations including the Oxford University Round Table and the United Nations Association for USA, and he was the former Vice Chair for the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.
History
1980's
When the World Affairs Council ended its role in the International Visitor Program, Mayor Tom Bradley recognized the importance of the program and recruited civic leaders to keep it going. With startup funds from supporters, office space from Arthur Anderson, one telephone and a typewriter, the L.A. Council for International Visitors (LACIV) was born.
The early 80's saw several executive directors and locations for LACIV, but by 1985 the three staff members and several volunteers settled into office space at Cal State L.A. Board President Bob Kleist and LACIV Executive Director Clare Ricci are pictured welcoming the Director of the U.S. Information Agency, Charles Wick to L.A.
Dedicated volunteers kept the program functioning in the 1980's. Board Members such as Caroline Ahmanson, Bob Kleist, William Pagen and Walter Ralphs set policies for the new organization. Volunteers assisting with all aspects of the program, included Maurine Ruzek, Dorothy Mendelson, Dick Dommes, Mary Dee Romney, Maria Wrigley and Jo Roskam, who is pictured with the President of Gambia on his visit to Los Angeles in 1989.
The decade ended with new stability for LACIV. The name changed to the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (IVCLA); the office moved to the newly renovated Biltmore Court; the city of L.A. provided needed funding; and Robin Hincliffe, pictured welcoming visitors, took the helm as Executive Director.
1990's
Following the first successful International Citizen of the Year Awards Dinner in 1989, 1990's gala was equally successful, honoring long-time IVCLA supporter Caroline Ahmanson. She is pictured with Mr. & Mrs. Art Linkletter recognizing her dedication to creating international understanding.
Bob Kleist lobbied for support and sang IVCLA's praises to all who would listen. He is pictured with other dedicated board members, Ginger Barnard, Bee Lavery, and Ned Munger in 1992.
IVCLA hosted 10 Ukrainian professionals in its first Community Connections Program. The program was created for participants from the former Soviet Bloc countries after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union.
1999 marked the 10th Fulbright Luncheon hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Amarjit Marwah. Pictured are friends Rodney Punt, Ethelda Singer and Greta Peck enjoying the event with Dr. Marwah.
2000's
IVCLA has always appreciated the many elected officials who take time to meet with International Visitors, and was thankful to begin the new decade with greatly needed funding from the County of Los Angeles. Pictured is L.A. County District Attorney Steve Cooley meeting with visitors.
The 9-11 tragedy focused the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on improving understanding to help end the violence shattering our world. IVCLA hosted the first IVLP group of Afghan women after the fall of the Taliban. CA Assemblyman Bob Pacheco is pictured presenting them with commendations at a reception hosted by Southern California Edison.
IVCLA was pleased to welcome the first IVLP delegation from Iraq in 2004. IVCLA arranged a full program for them, providing the opportunity to share information with many Angelenos. The six Iraqi's are pictured during a discussion at Manual Arts High School.
Dick Dommes, the familiar voice calling members for home hospitality for more than 20 years, "retired" from his position in 2009. Gohar Grigorian, Shafia Mir, and Wafa Hoballah, board member and former IVCLA Board Chair thank Dick for his dedication.
FAQs
Does IVCLA arrange travel services and tours for visitors vacationing in Los Angeles?
No, IVCLA works directly with private and public sponsors, including the U.S. Department of State, to set up professional meetings, home hospitality and cultural arrangements for participants in the International Visitor Leadership Program, or similar international programs.
Does IVCLA provide tourism information, such as hotel recommendations and sightseeing information?
No, IVCLA does not provide this type of information for individuals traveling to the Los Angeles Area. For tourism information, please visit Discover LA, the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.
Is IVCLA part of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board?
No, while IVCLA works with L.A. Tourism to help promote Los Angeles through our exchange programs and they support the work of IVCLA, we are a completely separate organization.
Who qualifies for the International Visitor Leadership Program?
Participants in the International Visitors Leadership Program must be nominated by an American Embassy in their country of origin and complete a series of interviews with Embassy officials.
Do International Visitors only travel to Los Angeles?
While some programs, such as the Open World Program, travel only to Los Angeles, most programs start in Washington D.C. and travel to several cities throughout the U.S. To learn more, click here.
How can I become involved with IVCLA?
There are many ways to get involved with IVCLA: become an IVCLA Citizen Diplomat, meet with visitors as a professional resource, or support IVCLA as a Corporate Sponsor or Ambassador. For more information about how to get involved, click here.
Are Citizen Diplomats required to host visitors in their home?
No, while Home Hospitality is a benefit you can enjoy as a Citizen Diplomat, it is not required. Some of our members choose to take visitors to a restaurant or not host at all. There are many other benefits and events you can participate in as a Citizen Diplomat.
Can I keep in contact with International Visitors I have hosted when they return to their country of origin?
Absolutely! It is IVCLA's mission to create connections between International Visitors and people in Los Angeles both through professional meetings and home hospitality.
If I am traveling abroad, may I contact IVCLA International Visitor Alumni?
Yes, as an IVCLA member, IVCLA will conduct a complimentary search of the International Visitor Alumni with whom you share interests and who would look forward to meeting you in their country.
How are professional meetings arranged with International Visitors?
Each International Visitor or group of visitors has a specific topic or theme on which their program focuses. Professional Resources in the selected field are contacted by IVCLA program officers prior to the visitors' arrival. If the Professional Resource is available, a meeting time is arranged with the visitors. IVCLA encourages an open exchange of ideas.
How are professional meetings arranged with International Visitors?
There is no formal selection process to become a Professional Resource. IVCLA is always looking for professionals in all fields to meet with International Visitors. If you are interested in becoming a Professional Resource, please contact us.