YPFP Counselors

YPFP Counselors are a select group of seasoned and distinguished foreign policy professionals who serve as strategic advisers to YPFP's leadership and as informal mentors to promising YPFP members. The Counselors Program holds a variety of events throughout the year, such as Quarterly Strategy Roundtables that focus on addressing challenges in YPFP's growth, as well as more casual events aimed at fostering relationships between experienced foreign policy professionals and members in the early stages of their careers. 
Our Counselors include:

Wendy Anderson  
Alex Anyse
Nora Bensahel
Ian Bremer
Tom Callahan
A. Heather Coyne
Steve Clemons
Patrick Cronin
Dr. Karen Donfried
Stephen Ewell
Dr. John Hillen
Linda Jamison
Frank Kelly
Gordon Lederman
Danielle Camner Lindholm
Alexia von Lipsey
Rod von Lipsey
Adam N. Marks
Bruce McNamer
Dr. John A. Nagl
Neal Pollard
John Pomfret
Libbie Prescott
Celina Realuyo
Peter A. Reiling
Randall Schriver
Joseph Sigelman
Devin T. Stewart
Nigel Sutton
Mark V. Vlasic
Brian White
.... among others.

Who are YPFP Counselors and what do they do?
YPFP Counselors are distinguished professionals with extensive and varied experience in foreign policy or a related field. Like YPFP members, Counselors work in all areas of international affairs: government, public and private sectors, academia, and the media. They are lawyers, scholars, soldiers, diplomats, activists, entrepreneurs, and authors, all of whom are active in and making significant contributions to the foreign policy community. Counselors share a commitment to shaping the career paths of young professionals who wish to follow in their footsteps. Counselors support the YPFP mission by:

• Engaging with YPFP members - the best and the brightest future foreign policy leaders – and help YPFP harness the power and potential of the next generation through informal mentoring and career advice
• Serving as YPFP’s strategic advisers by shaping a dynamic organization and assisting YPFP’s institutional growth and development

The Selection Process for Counselors
Counselors are chosen by a committee of YPFP leaders based on four criteria:

• Their successful careers which serve as an example to aspiring young professionals
• The important role they play as part of the foreign policy community
• Their expertise and experience that support the mission of YPFP
• Their demonstrated interest in and willingness to promote the success of future generations of foreign policy professionals

Nominate a counselor by emailing counselors@ypfp.org.
 
Information for Counselors
Being a YPFP Counselor is a flexible, but meaningful commitment. YPFP recognizes that the very qualities that make someone ideally suited to be a mentor and adviser often constrain that person’s schedule. YPFP wants to enable these highly-demanded professionals to make a meaningful contribution to YPFP and its members.  In addition to the regular events open to YPFP members, Counselors are invited to participate in Quarterly Strategy Roundtables organized specifically for them. Apart from these structured events, YPFP leaders may occasionally call upon Counselors for guidance and assistance.
 
The Counselors Program is designed to provide the framework for mid-career foreign policy professionals to make a meaningful impact on the future of the foreign policy community. YPFP is a 501(c)(3) organization with a proven record of excellence in fostering the next generation of America’s foreign policy leadership. YPFP is dedicated to providing our global network of members with opportunities for honest, thoughtful discussion of international affairs. Investing time and energy into YPFP and its talented members is a great opportunity to pass on professional knowledge and career insight to a large group of promising young people. In addition, Counselors receive:

• Invitations to four exclusive YPFP Counselors receptions every year
• Opportunities to network with other YPFP Counselors
• Exclusive, invitation-only access to and VIP presence at all YPFP events with a panoply of foreign policy leaders and experts
• Opportunities to speak or preside at YPFP events throughout the year
• Online subscription to The Wire, YPFP’s bi-monthly newsletter

Request more information by emailing counselors@ypfp.org.