World Affairs Council - Cincinnati & NKY

Established: 1923 - Connecting The World To Our Region For Over 100 Years

Mission: To ignite our community’s engagement in foreign affairs and its diverse cultures.

Serving our community: Through global education, international exchange, and cultural awareness initiatives, the World Affairs Council strengthens Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s international identity and engages individuals with foreign affairs. 

The Council educates globally-minded students today for globally-minded graduates and employees tomorrow. We seek to provide access to global opportunities to the underserved student population in the region (low cost or no cost programs).  

Professional development opportunities for teachers around global competency and skill building is a top priority. 

While exploring regional trade issues, countering gender-based violence, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and more, the Council provides opportunities for local specialists to build global ties with more than 150 international leaders annually through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. 

We value our strong global community. Click here to donate now!

EXPLORE through understanding the world, its people and cultures: “When young leaders bring a global mindset to local action, our community becomes a platform for real impact.” 

Two Cincinnati students bring fresh perspectives to the 19th Annual International Education Summit.

The Council welcomed two high‑school students, Stephanie and Cassidy, to its planning team for the 19th Annual International Education Summit. These young leaders aren’t just observers: they will help shape the agenda, curate student‑sessions, and bring grass‑roots insight into how global issues matter in our region’s classrooms. Their participation embodies our mission to explore the world and its cultures because when local students exchange ideas with peers around the globe, they open a window onto new perspectives and possibilities.

Your support enables Stephanie and Cassidy to step beyond their textbooks and into a global forum—forged right here in our region. By funding student leadership roles like theirs, you help young people move from awareness to action, deepening cultural understanding and creating tomorrow’s global citizens.

Donate now to empower student global leadership | Read more about Stephanie & Cassidy’s journey

ENGAGE in discussing global perspectives on relevant topics from around the world: Local companies step up to mentor young women from around the world—bridging global perspectives with STEM pathways. In summer 2025, we hosted a cohort of international and U.S. high-school girls through the TechGirls program. Local firms like Connico opened their doors, inviting these young women to shadow engineers, participate in workshops, and engage in meaningful dialogue about tech careers, cultural exchange, and global problem-solving. Sri Kumar, President at Connico, highlighted the impact:

“One of the best parts of being involved with the World Affairs Council is seeing the impact of global connection and cultural exchange up close. Veronica Takacs and the Connico team gave TechGirls students hands-on experience in project leadership and a real taste of the construction world.” 

By connecting international students with local mentors, the program fosters dialogue and exchange that benefits both participants and our region. Your support enables these mentorships, hands-on learning opportunities, and global conversations that prepare youth to become the next generation of leaders. 

Support global youth in STEM today | Read the full TechGirls 2025 recap

EXPERIENCE meetings and dinners with international visitors: In August 2025, the Council brought international delegates to our region’s farmers market, inviting local residents to join a casual “Dinner Diplomacy” style gathering. Over pastries and conversation, attendees from around the world shared their life stories and cultural perspectives — and our community discovered that global isn’t distant, it’s personal.

These immersive experiences are where donors’ support truly comes to life: your gift makes the world less “out there” and more “in here”. For every hand‑shake, every story shared, our region deepens its understanding and connection. “The best diplomacy often happens over dinner — when stories are shared, barriers drop, and global becomes local.”

Help fund immersive global experiences | Read more about this event

Click here to donate now!

Staff 

Michelle Harpenau Glandorf, CFRE, President & CEO

Melissa McDonald, Vice President

Azalea Laverde, Administrative & Communications Associate

Manasa Pragada, Events Intern

Board Leadership 

Dale Dean, Board Chair, DeanHouston, Inc.

Tim Roberts, Vice Chair, The ROBERTS Group – Comey & Shepherd Realtors

Asawari Deshmukh, Treasurer, University of Cincinnati

Cheryl Young, Secretary, Miami University