Serving the City of San Diego's International Affairs Board (2022-2025)
Updated: Jul 30
The Invitation to Serve
In May 2022, I had the honor of being appointed by Mayor Todd Gloria and the San Diego City Council to serve on the International Affairs Board (IAB) and later lead the IAB Sister Cities Committee as Chair (2022–2023). What began as an opportunity for public service became one of the most meaningful leadership experiences of my journey.
Having lived, studied, and worked across diverse communities, I have long believed that meaningful progress happens when we build bridges rather than barriers. Serving alongside dedicated board members, community leaders, diplomats, and volunteers reinforced a belief that has guided much of my life's work: Leadership is not a position—it is a decision. A decision to serve to the greater good!
Why Sister Cities Matter
When people hear the term "Sister Cities," they often think of ceremonial relationships between municipalities. In reality, sister city partnerships serve as bridges that connect people, cultures, and communities across borders. Through citizen diplomacy, they promote peace, foster global collaboration, strengthen economic and educational opportunities, and cultivate mutual understanding.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my service was helping cultivate relationships that connected San Diego with communities across multiple continents. Working closely with the San Diego International Sister Cities Association (SANDISCA), fellow committee members, and community partners, we supported initiatives that expanded San Diego's global engagement and strengthened international partnerships.
Throughout this period, I had the opportunity to meet with leaders, diplomats, and delegations from Japan, Korea, Brazil, France, Portugal, Mexico, and other parts of the world. Each interaction deepened a powerful lesson: while our cultures, languages, and traditions may differ, global collaboration allows us to recognize our shared humanity, see unity across differences, and work together toward a more peaceful, connected, and thriving world.
The Ripple Effect of Service
One of the most inspiring aspects of this work was witnessing the ripple effect that international partnerships can create:
A conversation can become a collaboration.
A collaboration can become a program.
A program can create opportunities that impact hundreds—or even thousands—of lives.
Whether supporting cultural celebrations, participating in the U.S.–Mexico Mayors Summit, engaging with international delegations, contributing to dialogue around youth leadership, strengthening relationships among global partners, or joining the Trade Delegation to Japan, I saw firsthand how local action can create global impact!
Those experiences deepened my conviction that peace begins not in conference rooms or diplomatic agreements alone, but in relationships we cultivate across cultures and communities. This belief led to expanded collaboration with the San Diego–Yokohama Sister City Society to launch the San Diego–Yokohama Leadership Academy (SYLA), transforming decades of friendship between our sister cities into a platform for leadership, innovation, and global collaboration!
As I embark on this new chapter, I carry with me a simple yet powerful conviction: when individuals from different backgrounds come together with curiosity, empathy, and a shared purpose, they do more than exchange ideas—they create possibilities, strengthen communities, and shape a more peaceful future for generations to come.
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