CIEE’S 2nd Annual International Exchange Conference

The 2nd Annual CIEE International Exchange Conference (IEC) was held from October 6th to 8th in Washington D.C. at the iconic Watergate Hotel with the theme of "Democracy at Work." This year’s program highlighted the vital role that the BridgeUSA program plays in driving economic growth, advancing public diplomacy, and reinforcing national security. BridgeUSA is not only shaping lives – it is shaping the future of our country.

This year’s IEC brought together over 200 stakeholders from the BridgeUSA community – dignitaries, host employers, high school host families, international agents, BridgeUSA participants & alumni, community leaders, and supporters – to celebrate and showcase the power of the U.S. Department of State's BridgeUSA program and to celebrate how BridgeUSA makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous

2025 INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE CONFERENCE AWARD WINNERS

The 2025 IEC Awards ceremony honored individuals and organizations across the global BridgeUSA community whose excellence, innovation, and impact make these important public diplomacy programs possible. IEC Award winners included:

• Marie Royce, Former Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, the CIEE BridgeUSA Vision and Impact Award Winner
• Rick Ruth, Former Senior Advisor, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, the 2025 Bridge Builder Award Winner
• Daniel Mulhall, Former Ambassador of Ireland to the U.S., the CIEE BridgeUSA Alumni Impact Award Winner
• Hannah Brizuela, Lee’s Summit North High School (MO), the CIEE BridgeUSA High School Host Award Winner
• Jessica Lora, Lockheed Martin (TX), the CIEE BridgeUSA Public Diplomacy Partner Award Winner
• Kathy Winfree, Myrtle Beach Community Support Group (SC), the CIEE BridgeUSA Local Community Support Award Winner
• Matt Eckert, Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari Water Park (IN), the CIEE BridgeUSA Leadership Award Winner
• Josh Ouellette, Old Orchard Beach Collection of the Lafayette Hotel Group (ME), the CIEE BridgeUSA Cultural Development Award Winner
• Amy Therien, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (OH), the CIEE BridgeUSA Individual Contributor Champion Award Winner
• Snjezana Strunje & Guido Lavezzo, WEUSA, the CIEE Growth & Partnership Award Winners
• Modesto Reyes Fuerte & Marleny Pena, OFIT: Oficina de Turismo e Intercambio Cultural, the CIEE Participant Preparation Champion Award Winners
• Silvio Marenco & Patrizia Groppo, YouAbroad, the CIEE Cultural Connector Award Winners
• Rumyana Sotirova & Catalin Iova, Usit Colours Bulgaria & GTS Romania, the CIEE Legacy of Exchange Award Winners
• Carol Cecillia, the CIEE “Democracy at Work” Video Contest Award Winner

Since the inception of the BridgeUSA program in 1961, CIEE has supported more than 1.5 million alumni – a powerful global network of individuals whose experiences in America have helped foster peace, mutual understanding, and enduring partnerships across borders.

In just the past year, CIEE supported over 30,000 BridgeUSA participants representing 147 nationalities, placed in communities across all 50 U.S. states. Their contributions enrich our workplaces, energize our communities, and create lasting connections that benefit us all.

We hope to see you in Fall 2026 for the next CIEE International Exchange Conference (IEC) being held from October 5th to 7th at the iconic Watergate Hotel to celebrate the BridgeUSA program, industry stakeholders, and a safer, stronger, and more prosperous America.

If you would like to learn more about CIEE's work with BridgeUSA – including our three-year, nationwide, Celebration Tour – please reach out to Carye Duffin, CIEE Senior Vice President of External Affairs, at CDuffin@ciee.org.