About the Speakers Series
Being an AFS-USA Returnee puts you in some interesting company. Many AFS Returnees have gone on to become quite well-known in their respective fields of endeavor. To highlight these individuals and to provide a platform for them to share their stories, a group of three passionate AFS Returnees, Michael Jakob (Germany to Costa Rica, 1982), Dale Ponikvar (U.S. to Germany, 1967), and Andrea Sehl (U.S. to Switzerland, 1972), formed a committee to invite well-known returnees to speak to fellow returnees and friends of AFS. For three seasons, the AFS Returnee Speakers Series has brought together prominent AFS alum from a wide range of professions to share their experiences with fellow AFSers. These events have provided entertaining networking opportunities for AFS constituents and their guests.
Past Speakers
2008 Season- Linda Wells, Editor in Chief, Allure Magazine, Returnee, U.S. to Turkey, 1975
- Craig Wilson, Columnist, USA Today, Returnee, U.S. to Great Britain, 1966
- Alejandro Wolfe, U.S. Deputy Permanent Resident to the U.N.
- R. Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary of State, Returnee, U.S. to Luxembourg, 1973
- Vishakha Desai, President, Asia Society, Returnee, India to U.S., 1967
- R. James Woolsey, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Returnee U.S. to Sweden, 1958
- Bill Irwin, Actor, Returnee, U.S. to Northern Ireland, 1968
- Mitch Besser, Founder, The Mother’s Programme, Returnee, U.S. to South Africa, 1972
The program is currently on hiatus while a venue is sought for the 2008-2009 program year. Please check back for future programming information. For more information about the Speakers Series, please email Patricia Davis, or call 1-800-876-2376, ext. 1108.
