Despite social science research showing that diverse and inclusive leadership leads to more effective organizations, international development and foreign policy institutions continue to lack diversity at their senior levels in the United States. Although there is a long way to go, there are organizations and programs trying to help cultivate more diverse leaders in international affairs.

Recognized as a successful leadership program, the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP) is a professional development and leadership program - sponsored by the Aspen Institute and the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies - for mid-career professionals in international affairs in the United States. The program provides career advising, peer support, senior mentors, workshops on leadership, and policy discussions to help professionals from underrepresented groups and diversity and inclusion advocates have a more effective voice, achieve their potential, and assume leadership positions.

With over 500 alumni, ICAP has helped its participants advance to senior positions in all employment sectors – U.S. Ambassadors, non-profit executives, and CEOs in the private sector. The success of ICAP has prompted the U.S. State Department, USDA, USAID, the US African Development Foundation, the Council on Foreign Relation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the UN Foundation, and others to sponsor staff members to participate in the program. Applications for the 2020 cohort will launch in April.

SID-Washington invites its members to join an informational webinar to hear more about the ICAP program and hear from a panel of its alumni. This event is aimed at mid-career professionals, especially those from underrepresented groups, who want to learn about the ICAP program, why it is important, and what impact it has made on the careers of those working in international development.

This is event is part of our Series on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.

Chapter events require an active SID-Washington membership to attend. For more information on membership and to become a member, please click here.