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Global Philadelphia Conversations -- Interview Series, Curated by Global Philadelphia Association

Global Philadelphia Association conducts interviews offering new insights into Philadelphia's current and potential involvement in global projects and how leaders of the Philadelphia region are taking great strides towards creating a more global Philadelphia.

Read the full interviews below and join the conversation on our Global Philadelphia Facebook page.

Global Conversations with: Mauro Guillén, Director, The Lauder Institute
Linguistic abilities and cross-cultural sensitivities are skills sometimes overlooked in higher education management and business programs. In 1983, the Lauder family of Estée Lauder Companies decided to address this by establishing the Joseph H. Lauder Institute in the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. A dual-degree and intensive language program prepares students for careers in international business. Director of the Lauder Institute Mauro F. Guillén spoke with GPA staff member, Kait Lavinder, about the importance of global awareness, his experiences as a native of Spain, and how Philadelphia can capitalize on its rich cultural history.
July 25, 2013
Global Conversations with: Carol Wong, Director, Chinatown Learning Center
Chinatown Learning Center was founded 20 years ago by Carol S. Wong, M.Ed. Wong and the first teacher hired to work at the center, Mrs. Chan, have been teaching preschoolers and school age children Chinese and English since February 1993. Wong’s official title is Director of Chinatown Learning Center. I attended the preschoolers’ end of the year celebration where the children performed songs and received their certificates. After the ceremony, Wong and I sat down to talk about the center and Philadelphia’s immigrant community.
June 18, 2013
Global Conversations with: Dr. Stephen S. Tang, President and CEO of the University City Science Center
Dr. Stephen S. Tang is the President and CEO of the University City Science Center. Founded in 1963, the Science Center is the oldest and largest urban research park in the United States. Tang is an expert in life sciences, energy technology, and management consulting and has resided in Greater Philadelphia for most of his life. In this interview, Tang discusses the Science Center and his thoughts on how to expand Philadelphia’s international reach.
May 28, 2013
Global Conversations with: Jan Campbell-Westlind, Honorary Consul of Sweden in Pennsylvania
Jan Campbell-Westlind is the President and Founder of Campbell-Westlind & Associates. As a cross-cultural trainer, consultant and executive coach, Jan has assisted and facilitated the adjustment process to a new culture for a large number of corporate executives and their families from various countries. As a Foreign Service Officer, Jan has spent more than 25 years overseas in ten different countries on four continents. With extended assignments in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, South Korea, the United States and Sweden he has, together with his family, acquired an intimate knowledge of the challenges that expatriates’ face in an overseas environment. He speaks English, Swedish and French, and has been the Honorary Consul of Sweden in Philadelphia since 2009.
April 26, 2013
Global Conversations with: Lynn McMaster, Executive Vice President of Please Touch Museum
Hailing from Ottawa, Canada, Lynn McMaster joined the Please Touch Museum administration in July 2012 and serves as the storied institution's Executive Vice President. She spoke with Global Philadelphia Association about her move to a new country and the manner of welcome she has experienced in Philadelphia. This transplant to the United States is certainly making the most out of the "adventure" that moving to Philadelphia has been, and eloquently shares her favorite discoveries so far.
March 30, 2013
Global Conversations with: Dr. Julian Siggers, Director of the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Dr. Julian Siggers came to Philadelphia from Toronto earlier in 2012 after accepting the position of Director of the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. GPA Executive Director Zabeth Teelucksingh interviewed Dr. Siggers on the eve of the Penn Museum's 125th Anniversary, and learned more about the Museum's international prominence as well as Dr. Siggers's vision for its future.
December 19, 2012
Global Conversations with: Alan Luxenberg, President of the Foreign Policy Research Institute
A New York native, Alan Luxenberg has worked at the Foreign Policy Research Institute since the 1970s when he was a student at the University of Pennsylvania. Luxenberg has long been an advocate of education and bringing FPRI’s assets to the wider public, particularly to educators. With his profound and invaluable understanding of the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s legacy, Alan Luxenberg is an absolutely outstanding Global Philadelphian.
November 23, 2012
Global Conversations with: Dr. Leonard Swidler, Founder and President of the Dialogue Institute
For almost fifty years, Dr. Leonard Swidler has been the head of the Dialogue Institute, which is headquartered at Temple University as part of its religion department. Speaking with Global Philadelphia Association, Dr. Swidler illuminated the many fascinating aspects of his work, including why interreligious dialogue is essential for peace in our world.
September 13, 2012
Global Conversations with: Linda Conlin, President of World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia
President of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, Linda Mysliwy Conlin, offers in-depth insight into the WTCGP’s mission of increasing Philadelphia’s economic prominence on a global scale. Ms. Conlin brings to light the global outlook of WTCGP and how it is an invaluable asset to the city of Philadelphia.
September 8, 2012
Global Philadelphia Conversations -- Interview Series, Curated by Global Philadelphia Association
Global Philadelphia Association conducts interviews offering new insights into Philadelphia's current and potential involvement in global projects and how leaders of the Philadelphia region are taking great strides towards creating a more global Philadelphia.
August 19, 2012