List of YPFP – SF events and workshops
Young Professionals in Foreign Policy – San Francisco (YPFP – SF) hosts a number of events, workshops and social gatherings toward the mission of fostering the next generation of foreign policy leaders. Select activities since the SF hub launched are listed below.
YPFP – SF welcomes inquires about potential speakers and topics. To contact the leadership team, please email san.francisco@ypfp.org.
Workshop: Communicating with Presence
Anne Ricketts of Lighthouse Communications led a professional development workshop on public speaking. YPFP – SF members learned about the theory and practice of creating “presence” while speaking and also had the opportunity to simulate amongst one another.
Young Professionals Mixer with Global Ties – SF
YPFP – SF in collaboration with Global Ties – SF held a young professionals mixer. The occasion marked the visit of a group of social entrepreneurs from Europe who was sponsored by Global Ties through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.
Information Session on the Fulbright-Clinton Fellowship
Katelyn Leader, an alumna of the Fulbright-Clinton Fellowship Program, spoke with YPFP – SF members about her experience as a fellow in Haiti. Hosted at the Institute of International Education, she also shared her perspectives and an overview of the fellowship application process.
Workshop: Building your Personal Brand
YPFP – SF hosted a peer-led workshop on personal branding. The workshop covered the theory and practice of personal branding, and included writing exercises that encouraged reflection on and improvement of one’s own brand. Afterwards, YPFP – SF members held an informal happy hour.
Careers in International Policy and Development
YPFP – SF in collaboration with IDEX – Young Professionals Group held a panel discussion. Hosted at the Asia Foundation, the panelists Megan Garcia of New America, Arezoo Miot of the Institute of International Education, Oliver Petzold of the Asia Foundation, and Rajiv Khann of IDEX discussed their careers in the fields of international policy and international development. Each panelist each shared tips, resources and answered questions from the audience. Afterwards, YPFP – SF and IDEXypg held an informal happy hour.
Happy Hour with Volunteers in Asia (VIA) and Boomerang
YPFP – SF in collaboration with Volunteers in Asia and Boomerang held a happy hour to bring the like-minded groups together for good conversation and drinks.
Industries of the Future with Alec Ross
Alec Ross, former senior advisor for innovation at the U.S. Department of State, was featured at an event held by YPFP – SF and Startup Policy Lab. Members had the opportunity to learn about Ross’ new book Industries of the Future and to engage in a question and answer session with him.
Workshop: Lewis Lukens, Ambassador in Residence, U.S. Department of State
Lewis Lukens, an ambassador in residence at the U.S. Department of State, spoke with YPFP – SF members about his experience in the foreign service. He provided information about the foreign service examination and desired skills for such a career. Afterwards, YPFP – SF members held an informal happy hour.
YPFP Happy Hour
YPFP – SF held a happy hour to bring YPFP members and friends together for good conversation and drinks.
Book Club: Vali Nasr’s The Dispensable Nation
YPFP – SF held a book club gathering to discuss The Dispensible Nation, written by Vali Nasr, an academic and expert on the Middle East. Going forward, YPFP – SF may host additional book club gatherings, dependent on interest and availability.
YPFP Happy Hour
YPFP – SF held a happy hour to bring YPFP members and friends together for good conversation and drinks.
Risk and Reward: Digital Innovation in Foreign Policy
To kick-off the YPFP – SF hub, a panel discussion focused on digital innovation and its intersections with foreign policy was held with Ravi Gundlapalli of MentorCloud, Raina Kumra of Juggernaut Agency, Charles Belle of Startup Policy Lab, Laura Erickson of swissnex San Francisco, and Juliano Alves Pinto of the Consulate General of Brazil in San Francisco. Each panelist shared reflections about their experiences in government, non-profit and private sectors.