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SYLA: Where Leadership Becomes Global Impact!
As the San Diego–Yokohama Sister City Society prepares to celebrate 70 years of partnership through the Yokohama Festival San Diego, we are proud to announce the launch of the San Diego Yokohama Leadership Academy (SYLA) on July 30, 2026, the United Nations International Day of Friendship—celebrating how friendship between peoples, countries, cultures, and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
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SYLA is the first leadership innovation ecosystem grounded in sister city principles (people-to-people diplomacy) and Yoga for Leadership framework (leading with mind, body, & heart) designed to connect leaders and change-makers, bridge cultures, foster collaboration, and promote peace by creating customized leadership retreats, workshops and events to:
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Strengthen collaboration between the U.S.|San Diego, Japan|Yokohama, and global community by connecting current and emerging leaders
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Foster stronger partnerships between academia, government, industry, and community organizations
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Create opportunities for talent exchange, mentorship, career exploration, and global learning
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Advance entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, innovation, and social impact initiatives
SYLA Featured on KUSI
In this interview, Dr. Leila Naderi, Founder and Co-Chair of San Diego-Yokohama Leadership Academy (SYLA) joins Good Business San Diego on the International Day of Peace. Leila shares SYLA's vision for fostering global collaboration and promoting peace.
Steven Sigafus on KUSI TV
Roy Robertson speaks with Steven Sigafus, President of the San Diego–Yokohama Sister City Society and Co-Chair of SYLA, about the nearly 70 years of sister-city partnership friendship between the two cities, the vision behind SYLA, and the importance of developing tomorrow's global leaders.
