CIEE Announces 2026 Young Civic Leadership Summit Fellows and First-Ever Winter Summit

CIEE is proud to announce the 2026 cohort of Young Civic Leadership Summit (YCLS) Fellows and to mark a major milestone for the program: the launch of the first-ever Winter Young Civic Leadership Summit, taking place March 9–12, 2026, in Salt Lake City / Park City, Utah.

For the first time in the program’s history, the Young Civic Leadership Summit will convene across two seasons in one year, bringing together a projected 80 fellows in 2026 – including 30 Winter Fellows and 50 Summer Fellows.

Expanding the Summit Across Seasons

Historically, the Young Civic Leadership Summit has served as a capstone experience for participants in CIEE’s BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program, bringing fellows from Northern Hemisphere countries together each August.

In 2026, CIEE is expanding the Summit model to include BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel participants from the Southern Hemisphere, whose summer work placements take place during the U.S. winter season. This expansion enables Fellows to participate in leadership programming that aligns with their seasonal work schedules, resulting in the first-ever Winter Young Civic Leadership Summit.

The Winter Summit brings together 30 exceptional young leaders currently participating in the Winter 2026 CIEE BridgeUSA Work Travel program. Collectively, the Winter cohort represents six countries, 25 host employers, and 15 U.S. placement states.

About the Young Civic Leadership Summit

The Young Civic Leadership Summit is CIEE’s biannual leadership program for emerging international changemakers. Named in honor of Ambassador Johnny Young and Angie Young, the Summit recognizes the couple’s lifelong dedication to public service, public diplomacy, and building bridges across cultures and nations.

Built on the belief that if one person can make a difference, together we can change the world, the Summit brings together young participants from across the world for intensive leadership training. Since its founding, more than 450 Fellows have participated in the YCLS program.

The organizations listed alongside each Fellow’s name reflect their BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel host employers, where they are currently completing seasonal placements, and the CIEE-designated international agencies in their home countries that supported their sponsorship and participation in the exchange program. 

The 2026 Young Civic Leadership Winter Summit Fellows are:

• Jace Khai Shuan Ang (Malaysia) — Host Employer: Tahoe Snowmobiles; Agency: Speedwing
• Fray Abarca Moscoso (Costa Rica) — Host Employer: Vail Resorts (Mount Snow Resort); Agency: SEP Work and Travel Costa Rica
• Luana Barrios (Peru) — Host Employer: One & Only Moonlight Basin; Agency: USE
• Nadine Barrazueta (Peru) — Host Employer: Lahouts Ski Shop; Agency: INTEJ
• Adrian Manuel Berlanga Salas (Peru) — Host Employer: Dunkin’ Donuts; Agency: American Cultural Exchange
• Daryel Brenes Brenes (Costa Rica) — Host Employer: Whitefish Big Mountain Resort; Agency: SEP Costa Rica
• Luz Cahuascanco (Peru) — Host Employer: Sunday River Ski Resort; Agency: INTEJ
• Xiara Carpio Florian (Peru) — Host Employer: Montage Big Sky; Agency: USE
• Ka Keat Chai (Malaysia) — Host Employer: Bluefin Bay Resort; Agency: Infinity Abroad
• Angie Chavez (Peru) — Host Employer: Spark by Hilton; Agency: INTEJ
• Joaquin Cordon (Argentina) — Host Employer: Vail Resorts; Agency: WeUSA
• Andrez Cruz Gonzales (Peru) — Host Employer: Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage; Agency: INTEJ
• Galo Flores Tello (Peru) — Host Employer: Quality Inn & Suites Missoula Westside; Agency: INTEJ
• Maria Luiza Guimarães Coutinho (Brazil) — Host Employer: McDonald’s (Bennington, VT); Agency: Student Travel Bureau
• Joaquin Grizzuti (Argentina) — Host Employer: Vail Resorts; Agency: WeUSA
• Santiago Huaco (Peru) — Host Employer: Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Petoskey; Agency: Intercambios Culturales SAC DBA
• Maite Lues (Chile) — Host Employer: Deer Valley; Agency: WeUSA
• Benjamin Mendez (Chile) — Host Employer: Sierra-at-Tahoe; Agency: WeUSA
• Dario Minan (Peru) — Host Employer: Aramark Destinations (Togwotee Mountain Lodge); Agency: INTEJ
• Camila Scalenghe (Argentina) — Host Employer: Jay Peak Resort; Agency: WeUSA
• Kimberly Montesinos Gamarra (Peru) — Host Employer: Vail Resorts (Okemo Mountain Resort); Agency: INTEJ
• Treysi Nunnonca Marron (Peru) — Host Employer: Best Western Plus Eau Claire Conference Center; Agency: Dargui Intercambios
• Josué Ortega Monge (Costa Rica) — Host Employer: YMCA of the Rockies; Agency: VEMSA
• Diana Pinto (Peru) — Host Employer: Vail Resorts; Agency: INTEJ
• Mary Prado (Peru) — Host Employer: Utah Olympic Park; Agency: INTEJ
• Elizabeth Alexandra Ruiz Valer (Peru) — Host Employer: Olympia Companies (Sun and Ski Inn and Suites); Agency: INTEJ
• Rosie Salazar Esqueche (Peru) — Host Employer: The Occidental Hotel; Agency: Oversees
• Diana Paulina Suyo Mamani (Peru) — Host Employer: Big Sky Resort; Agency: USE

• Angelica María Espinoza Rodríguez (Costa Rica) — Host Employer: YMCA of the Rockies (Estes Park Center); Agency: VEMSA

   

The 2026 Winter Summit Experience

The 2026 Winter Young Civic Leadership Summit will take place March 9–12 in Salt Lake City / Park City, Utah, offering fellows a fully immersive experience focused on civic engagement, leadership development, and global collaboration.

Fellowship Awards and Support

CIEE awards fellowship grants to selected participants to attend the Summit. Each fellowship includes:

• Round-trip travel to and from Utah
• Accommodations
• Meals

• All Summit programming and activities

   

Honoring a Legacy of Public Diplomacy

As a young man growing up in inner-city Philadelphia, Ambassador Johnny Young was sponsored by the YMCA and YWCA to attend an international exchange program at the American University of Beirut – an experience that inspired his nearly 40-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service.

Angie Young was an equal partner in that journey, known for her ability to build trust and foster mutual respect through diplomacy, hospitality, and service. She continues the Youngs' legacy through her ongoing support of the Summit.

CIEE renamed the biannual Leadership Summit in honor of Ambassador and Mrs. Young shortly before Ambassador Young’s passing in July 2021, ensuring their commitment to service and international understanding lives on through future generations of leaders.

Looking Ahead

With the 2026 Winter Fellows now confirmed and planning underway for the 2026 Summer Summit, CIEE is preparing for its first-year hosting two Young Civic Leadership Summits in one calendar year – a milestone that reflects both the program's growth and its expanding global reach.

Additional information about Summit programming and the Summer 2026 Fellows will be shared in the weeks ahead. Learn more about CIEE BridgeUSA programs at ciee.org/in-the-usa/work/work-travel-usa.