Home ›

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: Dr. Stacey Sauchuk, President of Valley Forge Military Academy
Dr. Stacey Sauchuk is the first civilian woman to be appointed president at Valley Forge Military Academy and College. She took the time to speak with GPA's Alison Vayne about her career path, future plans for the school and its role in Philadelphia's growing international standing.
June 4, 2014
Global Conversations With: Enid Adler, Local Human Rights Activist and Founder of International Criminal Court
Enid Adler is a lawyer, a journalist and an artist, but above all she is a philanthropist dedicated to securing justice for those persecuted at home and abroad. For her human rights activisim as a lawyer and a founder of the International Criminal Court, Adler will be recongized with the Marian Anderson Historical Society's Legacy Humanitarian Award on May 31.
May 26, 2014
Global Conversations With: Mallika Dutt, Founder of Breakthrough
Mallika Dutt is the founder, president and CEO of Breakthrough, a global human rights group that won the University of Pennsylvania's 2014 Barry and Marie Lipman Family Prize for leadership and innovation among organizations creating positive social impact. GPA's Aesha Desai caught up with her to discuss Breakthrough's work, the next generation of human rights and her native India.
May 12, 2014
Global Conversations With: Krista Bard, President of The Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia
Krista Bard is the honorary consul of the Republic of Lithuania to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has recently been appointed president of the Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia. She sat down with GPA's Peak Johnson to discuss her continued consular role, her new responsibilities and the importance of raising cultural awareness.
April 9, 2014
Global Conversations with: Jeremiah White, CEO of JaySocial and Former International Soccer Player
Soccer took Jeremiah White around the world and back again. As a native of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, he was a youth soccer standout with the Haverford School and eventually embarked on a professional career that spanned eight years. He played for clubs in Serbia, Greece, France, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Poland and the United States. After retiring from Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution, White returned to Philadelphia to begin a career in global entrepreneurship. Today, he is involved with several area companies and nonprofits with international ties, including JaySocial, a graphic design and development company he founded in 2011. Through the friendships he has formed, the businesses he has built and the legacy he will leave behind, Jeremiah strives to bridge cultural gaps and bring the world to his hometown.
February 18, 2014
Global Conversations With: Richard Negrin, Deputy Mayor for Administration & Coordination and Managing Director for the City of Philadelphia
Richard Negrin currently holds the position of Deputy Mayor for Administration & Coordination and Managing Director for the City of Philadelphia in the Nutter Administration. Negrin is an ardent supporter of the Global Philadelphia Association and several of its long-time partners. As a first-generation American, Deputy Mayor Negrin reveals in this interview how he feels very connected to the multicultural compositions of the communities he serves in his working life. 
December 5, 2013
Global Conversations with: Allison Vulgamore, President & CEO, the Philadelphia Orchestra
When younger, Allison Vulgamore moved quite frequently with her parents, who worked in academia. She says growing up with this lifestyle is part of the reason why she believes connecting with other cultures is vital. Vulgamore also emphasizes the importance of learning multiple languages in order to better understand other peoples’ perspectives. As a trained singer, she speaks English, German, French, and Italian. Kait Lavinder visited the Kimmel Center to talk with Vulgamore about how her international-mindedness affects the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Greater Philadelphia area.
September 17, 2013
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