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There is a new Sister Cities opportunity for an organist to visit Aix-en-Provence!Philadelphia Organist Invited to Aix-en-Provence
Sister Cities Program seeks local organist to participate in French festival in May.
Philadelphia's Sister Cities Program offers opportunities each year for local citizens to participate in various exchanges here and abroad. The latest opportunity is for a local organist to perform in France - in Aix-en-Provence - during its 7th Annual Organ Festival, Le Festival d’Orgue St Sauveur.
Aix-en-Provence, which "twinned" with Philadelphia in 1999, has invited a Philadelphia organist to perform a one hour recital at the historic Cathédrale Saint Sauveur. The festival is being arranged by the l'Association Orgue Plus on Sunday, May 2, 2010 with two days of rehearsals prior to the concert. This opportunity is open to a professional organist or teacher.
The organist chosen to participate will receive an honorarium, as well as meals and accommodations for three days. The organist is responsible for his/her travel arrangement to and from Aix, with the Sister Cities Office providing special Sister Cities health insurance.
The deadline for organists and teachers to submit their interest and CV to the Sister Cities Office is February 5, 2010. Information about applying for the exchange can be found at www.ivc.org/sister_cities.
About the Association "Orgue Plus"
The Association was founded in1995 to “give life” to the organ of the Cathedral of Aix en Provence. The president is Chantal de Zeew, organist and organ teacher at the Academy of Music in Aix en Provence. She is also an international performer. Since 2003, the Association has organized an organ festival every year in France and throughout Europe.
Sister City Opportunities:
Earlier this year the Sister Cities Office began organizing a yachting exchange between retired Russian naval officers and their Philadelphia counterparts for sailing expeditions here and in Russia. Philadelphia's Sister City is Nizhny Novgorod, Russia's third largest city. Nizhny Novgorod, formerly Gorky, was a "secret" city during the Cold War and is where atomic submarines were made.
Sister Cities is administered by IVC, the International Visitors Council of Philadelphia, a non-profit international relations, citizen diplomacy organization founded in 1954 to promote Philadelphia internationally through the State Department and other sponsored programs.
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IVC Staff, Interns & Sister City Fellows
Scroll down for photos & info on our current and former
in-house citizen diplomats who make IVC run so smoothly
Nancy J. GILBOY, IVC President & CEO
"I've got the best job in the city - it's diverse, a challenge and never dull! I've been at IVC since 1990 and have created new programs and opportunities for IVC's members to become citizen diplomats and meet our distinguished visitors and provide positive American experiences for them. This includes member programs such as First Thursdays, Conversations With, Discover Philadelphia, International First Friday, and Doing Business Abroad. I work with IVC's staff to market the region's professional resources so we're competitive with the other 92 IVCs across the country. I'm responsible for keeping IVC financially on its feet and work with our dedicated Board of Trustees to raise funds as well as to identify new, diverse and interesting resources to support our international visitors' program themes. I also speak to civic and business groups about how we combine IVC's mission of international understanding with internationalizing the Philadelphia region's businesses and institutions. I am working on making Philadelphia the "easiest city in the U.S. for non-English speakers to visit, live and work" and invite you to join me in the effort. I'm pleased to work with a skilled and dedicated staff who make every day and every visitor program they arrange better than the last one. And, last but not least, I get to meet some of the most interesting people in the world - established and emerging leaders who are destined to make their countries better - and our members, who show the generous and unique volunteer nature of our country and their pride in being Philadelphians and Americans." |
Ann L. STAUFFER, Executive Vice President & Project Director, Discover Philadelphia
Ann (center) is surrounded by Discover Philadelphia program participants.
"I have been affiliated with IVC for many years, and involved with all aspects of its operations! I am a great supporter of IVC's mission and proud of its accomplishments in the international relations and international leadership exchange fields. In addition to my Executive Vice President duties, I supervise our involvement in the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program and have managed several major projects for IVC. Since 2005, I have been the Project Director for Discover Philadelphia: Attracting, Engaging and Retaining Philadelphia's International Graduate & Professional Students, which provides professional, social, cultural and networking opportunities for a select group of international graduate students at Philadelphia universities. From 1997 to 2005, I managed one of our most successful training projects, Community Connections - Linking Philadelphia with Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan & the Kyrgyz Republic, which was a collaborative effort between the State Department and countries of the former Soviet Union. It established and strengthened ties between business entrepreneurs, women leaders, local government officials, Muslim religious leaders and other professionals and their American counterparts. (Since 2005, we have continued involvement in this project under the auspices of the U.S. Agency for International Development.) Also, I have had the great opportunity to lead American delegations to Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan for the State Department and the Philadelphia Sister Cities Program. I strongly encourage you to support IVC and get involved in our many programs and events!"
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C. Alan HATFIELD, Director of Development, Membership and Special Events
"I enjoy being the liaison between the members and IVC. My position involves maintaining member and donor data and transactions and coordinating special events such as our First Wednesday @ the Courtyard International Salon Series, International First Friday networking sessions, Conversations With panel discussions, the Philadelphia Discovery Series, and Champagne Trolley Tours. All of the projects are designed to inspire dialogs and relationships between our international visitors, IVC members and Trustees. I also coordinate the Annual International Barbecue and many other international events throughout the year to which you are all invited. If you are interested in joining IVC, making a donation to our important work, or attending an event, I'm your first point of contact and look forward to hearing from you!" |
Jennifer McGINN, Director of Special Projects & Sister Cities Director
"I administer Philadelphia's 'Sister Cities' program, where every days we facilitate cultural and professional exchanges between Philadelphia and its partners worldwide. I also assist private agencies in the U.S. and overseas by providing "fee-for-service" programs. I design programs for delegations that may include technical visits, one-on-one professional appointments, city tours, dinner hospitality and more. I have a B.A. in Public Relations and a background in meeting planning. I strongly believe in Citizen Diplomacy and enjoy bringing our visitors and members together for mutually beneficial exchanges." |
 | Colleen HARDIMON, Administrative Director
Colleen Hardimon joined us at the end of April 2009 as IVC's Administrative Director after fourteen years with Philadelphia Hospitality in a similar position. She handles our financials, photography, is a wiz with the computer and is often the first friendly voice you'll hear when you call our main number. Welcome Colleen! |
 | Matthew L. DREXLER, Program Officer
Matt took over our core program, the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program, when Ron retired at the end of June, 2009. Matt had been in training for several months for this challenging position and when July 1st came, he hit the ground running - and hasn't stopped since. |
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Stephen J. FORTE - Database Manager
Steve has been a loyal friend and true to IVC for more than a decade, starting as a volunteer and then transitioning to a part-time staff member in spring 2007. He is responsible for managing and updating our membership database as well as assisting our full-time staff with mailings and special events, such as First Thursdays and our Annual BBQ.
When not helping out at IVC, Steve contributes his time and expertise to Greater Philadelphia Cares, the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, where he provides administrative support to the staff and management. Prior to that, he had also served as a consultant to Urban Industry Initiative and the Women’s Business Development Center. He’s also volunteering for WXPN and is a great sports “enthusiast”. Steve would amaze you with his knowledge of Philadelphia's sports teams! Steve is a native Philadelphian, residing in South Philadelphia and an active member of Saint Monica Parish.
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Ron D'ALONZO, Former Senior Program Officer, International Visitors Leadership Program
Ron retired on June 30, 2009 after 15 years & we miss him!
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Aneta KOMENDARCZYK - Communications and Research Manager & Director of Educational Exchanges
Aneta has moved to New Orleans. We miss her!
Aneta is originally from Philadelphia’s Sister City in Poland, Torun. She has her Master’s degree in International Relations from Georgia Institute of Technology and joined IVC in November 2006 as a volunteer intern and had been the Director of Educational Exchanges for Sister Cities as well as IVC's Communications & Research Manager. She has more than seven years of experience working in a variety of settings related to international affairs. Aneta created a database and internet solutions, and had been responsible for researching grant opportunities and creating a new grants database. Her other responsibilities included editing IVC’s newsletter and managing the content of IVC's website. Aneta participated in writing grant proposals and collaborates with Nancy on a variety of projects. |
Jill M. JACOBUS, Former Administrative Director
Jill has moved to Florida & we miss her, too!
After almost 7 years with IVC, I have left to explore my more creative side in the sunny state of Florida. I have enjoyed, so much, meeting all of those affiliated with IVC, from the members to the visitors. It is a very rich culture that surrounds the friendships that are made through this organization, and I will often re-visit this website to stay in touch with what IVC and you are up to, and remember fondly, all of the events that brought us all together for a common cause.
So if you ever come to Florida, you may find me scuba diving, out on a photograpy excursion or working to protect our wildlife. I will continue to spend my spare time on the golf course, in a plane, on a horse or being creative in whatever way life allows me. I take with me the knowledge that I have made a difference here, if only with one person at a time, and that philosophy will stay mine as long as I breathe. Be happy, be safe. |
 | Sister City Fellow - We were pleased when Hu "Meller " Pengfei came to IVC from Tianjin, our Sister City in China. He works for the Foreign Affairs Office, which is our liaison with Tianjin. Nancy met him in Tianjin in May, 2009 and learned he was on his way to Temple Law School for two months as part of his LL.M. program in Beijing and Philadelphia. After arranging a homestay for a month, his Sister City Fellowship included shadowing IVC, City and State officials to their appointments, scouting Penn Charter as a potential Sister School for exchanges, visiting Daroff Design to discuss their current and potential work in Tianjin, enjoying American experiences, including the BBQ (where he met Mayor Nutter), and getting to know his Sister City. |
FALL and SPRING 2009-2010 Interns
Watch IVC interns in action here.
 | Rosetta Dweh-Volunteer 2009-2010
Rosetta is a recent graduate of the Masters of Science of Global Affairs program at Rutgers University-Newark Campus. In the near future, she plans to go to law school. Her main hobbies include reading, singing, and ice skating.
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 | Elizabeth Fields-Intern-Community Connections Senior Program Associate and International Visitor Leadership Program Associate, Fall and Spring 2009-2010.
Elizabeth is currently in the process of attaining her MBA at Saint Joseph’s University. She speaks Mandarin fluently and always tries to study and practice speaking many other languages. Elizabeth's favorite hobbies include researching, cooking, and studying languages and cultures. A fun fact about Elizabeth is that she occasionally teaches Salsa dance classes.
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 | Michael Hess-Intern-International Visitor Leadership Program Associate and Community Connections Program Associate, Fall and Spring 2009-2010.
Michael is a sophmore at Drexel University with a double major in History and Political Science. His extra-curricular activities include participating in Student Mock Trials and Drexel University College Republicans. Michael loves to read during his free time. Michael's favorite movie is Dark Knight, which he saw five times at the movie theatres and twice in IMAX. |
 | Sabeen Kalyanmasih-Intern-International Visitor Leadership Program Assoicate, Fall and Spring 2009- 2010.
Sabeen is a junior at Drexel Univeristy and is majoring in History and Political Science and minoring in Spanish. Sabeen have been playing the violin since she was four years old. During her free time, Sabeen likes to sing, paint, cook, and travel.
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 | Renee Merritt-Intern-Assistant to the President, Fall and Spring 2009-2010.
Renee is a junior at Drexel University majoring in psychology. She was born in Trinidad, but currenlty reside in New York. In her spare time, she likes to do freeform artwork, and volunteer work with her sorority Gamma Sigma Sigma in places such as the Philadelphia Zoo and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
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Fellows & Intern Hall of Fame!
Alexandra Forlini – Intern – Community Connections Program, Discover Philadelphia and Special Projects, Spring & Summer 2009
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Tiffany Kurokawa – Intern – International Visitor Leadership Program Associate, Spring & Summer 2009
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Steve O’Connor – Intern – International Visitor Leadership Program Associate, Spring & Summer 2009
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Shadi Vahidi - Intern – Assistant to the President, Spring & Summer 2009
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John Bernhardt – Intern – Development, Membership & Special Events, Summer 2009
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| Andrew Ergemlidze - – Intern – Community Connections Program, Discover Philadelphia and Special Projects, Fall & Winter 2008
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Kaitlin Morrissey – Intern – Assistant to the President, Fall & Winter 2008 |
| Stephanie Toronidis – Intern – International Visitor Leadership Program Associate, Community Connections Program and Special Projects, Fall & Winter 2008
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 | Liam CORR - Intern - Discover Philadelphia, International Philadelphia Project, International Visitor Leadership Program, and Special Projects,
Spring & Summer 2008
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 | Sister City Fellow - Dr. Yun-Hwan KO - Senior Government Official from Incheon, Republic of Korea, Fall 2007- Summer 2008
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 | Kate FRUHMAN - Intern - International Visitor Leadership Program Associate, Spring & Summer 2008
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 | Juliana LINDGREN - Intern - Discover Philadelphia, International Philadelphia Project, International Visitor Leadership Program, and Special Projects, Spring & Summer 2008
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 | Theodora MARCANTONIS – Intern – Assistant to the President,
Spring & Summer 2008
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Elsy ESCALON - Intern - IVLP Program Associate, Development, Membership and Special Events Winter 2006, Summer, Fall & Winter 2007
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 | Amanda McARTHUR – Intern – Assistant to the President, Fall & Winter 2007
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 | Chelsea RAWLS -Intern - Discover Philadelphia and International Philadelphia Project, Fall & Winter 2007
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 | Nora McLAUGHLIN -Intern - Discover Philadelphia and International Philadelphia Project, Fall & Winter 2007
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 | Nicholas MULCH - Intern - International Philadelphia Project, Fall & Winter 2007
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Rachel Chilkotowsky - Intern - International Visitors Leadership Program Summer 2007 |
| Beni Curley - Intern - Discover Philadelphia and International Philadelphia Project Summer 2007 |
Janeile Johnson - Intern - International Visitors Leadership Program Summer 2007 |
Christopher LeGoff - Intern - International Visitors Leadership Program Summer 2007 |
Kathleen Ludgate - Intern - Assistant to the President Summer 2007 |
Irene Tsikouras - Intern - Development, Membership & Special Events Summer 2007 |
Carina Weidmann - Intern - International Visitors Leadership Program Summer 2007 |
Laura Young - Intern - Discover Philadelphia & International Philadelphia Project Summer 2007
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Diana Chiorean - Intern, Discovery Philadelphia and the International Philadelphia Project Spring 2006 |
Erin Morton - Intern, International Visitors Leadership Program Winter 2006 |
Gavin McCullion - Intern, Assistant to the President Winter 2006 |
Iris Lobhova - Volunteer, Discover Philadelphia and International Philadelphia Project Winter 2006 |
Michelle Benitez - Intern, International Visitors Leadership Program Winter 2006 |
Matt Palm - Intern, Assistant to the President Summer 2006
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Eric Butcher - Intern, Discover Philadelphia & Community Connections Programs Summer 2006 |
Amanda George - Intern, International Visitors Leadership Program Summer 2006 |
Elisabeth Bosley - Intern, International Visitors Leadership Program Summer 2006 |
Monica Billig - Administration Volunteer, International Visitors Council Summer 2006 |
Max Kind - Volunteer Program Associate Winter 2005 |
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Jing Chen - Intern, Discover Philadelphia & Community Connections Programs Winter 2005 |
Dineen Williams - Intern, Assistant to the President Winter 2005
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Charles Imbesi - Intern, International Visitors Leadership Program Winter 2005
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Jenna Rose Pepe - Intern, International Visitors Leadership Program Winter 2005
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Walter M. Schmidli - Intern, Discover Philadelphia Program Winter 2005
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Margo Szabo - Intern, Discover Philadelphia Program Winter 2005
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Make friends. Make contacts. Make peace.
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Support IVC's citizen diplomacy work to engage the public in making friends around the world. The best time to make friends is before you need them.
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