:Category: Non-Profit Organizations

Founded in 1966, the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that conducts bipartisan international exchanges, enabling emerging leaders (aged 25 to 40) to experience firsthand the political and cultural dynamics of other countries. U.S. delegates are chosen annually from a pool of approximately 1000 local, state and national nominations by Governors, Members of Congress, National and State political party chairs, state legislative leaders, board members, alumni, corporate contributors and other ACYPL supporters.

Since ACYPL's founding, more than 6,000 promising young leaders from 90 countries have participated in ACYPL exchanges, producing a global network of several thousand alumni, a large number of whom have risen to positions of great influence in the United States and in nations around the globe. Distinguished alumni include two former Prime Ministers of Japan, the former Prime Minister of Hungary, the Foreign Minister of Australia, the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Uruguay and the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of China’s National People’s Congress. Here at home, 36 members of Congress, three Bush Cabinet members, three Ambassadors and seven sitting Governors are among the program's alumni.

Corporations, foundations, individuals, and a generous grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State provide ACYPL funding.

In June, 2006, a H. Con. Resolution 430 was introduced on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. William Thomas (R-CA) to commemorate ACYPL's 40th anniversary and recognize the organization's accomplishments. The bill was co-sponsored by 29 Congressmen from both sides of the aisle. The bill passed in the House of Representatives on Sep. 25, 2006 and in Senate on Dec 6. 2006 by Unanimous Consent.

Exchanges

The exchanges are intensive two-week study programs conducted in conjunction with ACYPL's counterpart organizations in every region of the world including:

°Asia & the Pacific Rim ° Central & Eastern Europe ° Central & South America ° Indian Subcontinent ° Middle East & North Africa ° Russia ° Sub-Saharan Africa

During the program, delegates engage in candid dialogue with senior government and political officials, industry executives, and community leaders on a wide range of political, cultural, and economic issues. For many rising leaders, an ACYPL exchange program provides their first substantive experience abroad and early exposure to international affairs. ACYPL is strictly bipartisan. It is governed by a 42 member Board of Trustees consisting of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. All incoming and outgoing delegations must also be bipartisan or multi-partisan. An independent evaluation of ACYPL’s exchanges by the American Institute for Research completed in March 2002 concluded that ACYPL is effective in promoting the U.S. State Department’s foreign policy objectives, promoting a greater understanding of foreign affairs and promoting mutual understanding.

ACYPL Board of Trustees

Ex-Officio<br />
Howard Dean – Chairman, Democratic National Committee<br />
Ken Mehlman – Chairman, Republican National Committee<br />
Chris Gallaway – President, Young Democrats of America<br />
Nicolee Ambrose – Chairman, Young Republican National Federation

Chairman<br />
Danny Lee McDonald

President<br />
Deborah M. Hohlt - Federal Represenative, State of Indiana

Executive Vice President<br />
Leo C. Jardot - Vice President, Government Relations, Wyeth

Vice-President<br />
Kevin C.W. Mulvey - Vice President, Government and Corporate Affairs, Asia-Pacific, AIA

Treasurer<br />
Kristin A. Mannion - Senior Client Partner, Korn/Ferry International

Secretary<br />
Abigail P. Blunt - Director, Government Affairs, Altria

Alumni Co-Chairs<br />
Kenneth A. Cutshaw – Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Cajun Operating Company
Cristina Rose – Chair, GCG Rose & Kindel

Delegate Selection Committee Co-Chairs<br />
H. Benson Dendy III – President, The Vectre Corporation<br />
Joseph M. Kyrillos, Jr. – Senator, State of New Jersey

UN Representatives<br />
Mary E. Arnold - Vice President, SAP America, Inc.<br />
John A. Hurson - Exec. Vice President of Government Affairs, Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Assoc.

Trustees<br />
Rich Bagger - Worldwide Public Affairs & Policy, Pfizer<br />
Andrew B. Blunt, Esq.- Attorney, Schreimann, Rackers, Francka & Blunt, L.L.C.<br />
Jay Footlik – Principal, Rabin, Sheves, Lipkin-Shakak & Birger Inc.<br />
Gina Glantz - Assistant to the President for Strategic Issues and Political Action, SEIU
Frances H. Glendening<br />
Leslie A. Goodman - Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts<br />
Janet Mullins Grissom - Johnson, Madigan, Peck, Boland & Stewart<br />
Jonathan M Harris – Partner, Alternative Investment Management<br />
David W. Jones – President, DWJ Consulting, Inc.<br />
Daniella Landau - Public Policy Advisor, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC<br />
Peter Lefkin - Senior Vice President, Allianz of America Corporation<br />
Patrick M. Murphy – Partner, Colling Murphy Swift Hynes Selfridge<br />
Andrea Fischer Newman - Senior Vice President, Government Affairs Northwest Airlines<br />
Jane E. Norton - Lieutenant Governor, State of Colorado<br />
Margaret Alexander Parker – President, The Alexander Company<br />
Alicia D. Ping – Councilmember, City of Saline, MI<br />
Mark N. Poole<br />
Ralph E. Reed, Jr. - President and CEO, Century Strategies, LLC<br />
Charles M. Seigel - Vice President for Government Affairs, Ashford University<br />
Bill Thomas – Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives<br />
Eric L. Vautour – Managing Director, Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc.<br />
Dick Williams – Special Assistant to the General Manager, Baseball Operations, Cincinnati Reds<br />
Peter B. Zimmerman – Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Development, John F. Kennedy School of Government<br />

Legal Counsel<br />
Kenneth A. Gross – Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP<br />
Trevor Potter – Member, Caplin & Drysdale

External Links

ACYPL Website

Footnotes

See: Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance

A list of bill co-sponsors