American Council of Young Political Leaders

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American Council of Young Political Leaders

Connecting political & policy leaders through international exchange since 1966.

08/21/2026

You never know who you’ll run into on an ACYPL exchange!

In 1985, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan greeted a delegation of Australian leaders as they visited the White House.

08/14/2026

A bipartisan delegation of American leaders just returned home after an exchange to Argentina!

They traveled to Buenos Aires and Mendoza, met with U.S. Ambassador Peter Lamelas of Embajada de Estados Unidos en Argentina, and spent time with governors, mayors, judges, and business leaders, discussing topics from energy production and critical minerals to political reforms and economic development.

The delegation included Ariana Beno, Chief of Staff, Wisconsin State Assembly; Speaker Kyle Hilbert, Oklahoma House of Representatives; Sen. Michelle Hinchey, Member, New York Senate; Garrison McMurtrey, Commissioner, Ramsey County, MN; Cynthia Niemeyer-Tieskoetter, Senior Policy Advisor, American Petroleum Institute; Rep. Lindsay Powell, Member, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and was led by alum Mike Detoy, Mayor, Hermosa Beach, CA.

A special thanks to our partners, U.S. State Department and FURP, (Fundación Universitaria del Río de la Plata) for making this exchange possible!

08/04/2026

A sneak peek from our exchange in Argentina!

Our bipartisan delegation from across the United States kicked off the week with a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Peter Lamelas — a fitting start to a week of high-level conversations.

We can't wait to share more from this exchange in the days ahead.

07/30/2026

We had a blast in Chicago earlier this week — joining our friends at Stateside for a reception during NCSL, and hosting a Board meeting to plan our work for the year ahead.

It was great connecting with so many alumni and friends new and old and chatting about the power of bipartisan exchanges!

07/24/2026

We just wrapped up an inbound exchange with emerging leaders from Australia visiting DC; Boise, ID; and Fresno, CA!

A huge thanks to alums Kathy Griesmyer, Director of Government Affairs, City of Boise (Australia 2023), Amanda Brown, Chief of Staff, Boise City Council (Australia 2018), and Blake Zante, Executive Director, Maddy Institute (Northern Ireland 2024) for serving as state hosts in both locations and organizing an amazing array of bipartisan meetings and activities for these leaders from Down Under!
In DC, the delegation met with alum Congressman Jim Costa (Germany 1987), enjoyed briefings at the U.S. Department of State and Australia's Embassy, and held meetings on issues from energy policy and immigration to polling and the bilateral security relationships with groups from American Gas Association to CSIS.

They then traveled to Boise, Idaho where they met elected officials from both parties — including Idaho Governor Bradl Little, Speaker of the Idaho House Mike Moyle, alumni Reps. James Petzke (Japan 2024) & Britt Raybould (Japan 2019), and Boise Mayor Lauren McLean (China 2018). They also enjoyed a dinner hosted by alum Jayson Ronk, Vice President, Blue Cross of Idaho (Australia 2025), learned about the state judicial system and economic priorities, and toured Micron Technology with alum Mat Erpelding (India 2013) as well as Boise State University and their iconic Blue Turf field.

In Fresno, CA, the delegation toured multiple farms, discussed local politics with Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and other elected officials, learned about higher education with Fresno State's Provost Melinda Roberts, visited Yosemite National Park, toured sixth-generation manufacturing facility Betts Company, went on a canoe trip to learn about local parks and river management, and discussed local politics and California's business regulations. Thanks to alum Nathan Alonzo of PG&E (North Macedonia 2025) for helping to organize meetings in Fresno!

And thanks to the State Department, Australia Political Exchange Council, and all the alums who made this exchange possible!

07/14/2026

Our exchanges often offer the chance to connect with political leaders from around the world who go onto important leadership positions.

In 1973, an American delegation was interviewed on Japanese television with eventual Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi (seated far left).

07/06/2026

Six emerging American leaders just returned home after a memorable exchange to Northern Ireland!

In DC, they met with representatives from the State Department and Northern Ireland Bureau before traveling to Belfast for 7 days of programming — meeting with members of the Northern Ireland Assembly from multiple parties, observing Question Time, touring Giant’s Causeway, & discussing issues from criminal justice with Northern Ireland Attorney General Dame Brenda King to economic development, the local film industry, and public safety!

The delegation included Sen. Wlnsvey Campos, Member, Oregon State Senate; Rep. Quantá Crews, Member, Arizona House of Representatives; Rep. Emily Gise, Member, Oklahoma House of Representatives; Scott Harriford, Partner, Hilltop Public Solutions; Andrew Wagner, Executive Director, Minnesota House Republican Caucus; and es**rt Caroline Wicker Sims, Senior Government Relations Advisor, Butler Snow LLP (Cambodia & Malaysia 2019).

A special thanks to the U.S. Department of State and our partners at Northern Ireland Assembly for making this exchange possible!

07/03/2026

ACYPL is excited to celebrate America's 250th birthday!

We're proud to have shown off the best of America to leaders from around the world — and strengthened our own leaders by introducing them to diplomacy and international dialogue through our exchange programs.

Happy 250th, America! 🇺🇸

06/30/2026

In 1971, our first American delegation traveled to the then Soviet Union. Delegates included ACYPL founder Spencer Oliver, conservative leader Pat Buchanan, and former Senator Wyche Fowler among others.

06/18/2026

A delegation of leaders from Taiwan just wrapped up their 10 day exchange to DC and Colorado!

In DC, they enjoyed lunch with Taiwan's Representative to the U.S. Amb. Alexander Yui, discussed the bilateral relationship with experts from the State Department, met with Sen. John Curtis from Utah, learned about healthcare policy and tech with Rohini Kosoglu (Mexico 2022), toured the capital, discussed the American rail industry with Trustee Wes Lujan of GATX (Taiwan 2025) and Larry Lloyd of CPKC and the film industry with Alivia Roberts (Mexico 2026) and Greg Saphier (New Zealand 2016) of MPA and were hosted for dinner by Trustee Chris Hosek (Taiwan 2008), and attended by alums Valerie Dowling (Mexico 2019), Leigh Moyers (Qatar 2019), and Kate Sheerin (Indonesia and Malaysia 2015).

In Colorado, State Rep. Meghan Lukens (Australia 2025) served as State Host and scheduled an array of powerful meetings and experiences for the delegation. In Denver, they met with Mayor Mike Johnston and multiple state legislators from both parties (thank you Dominick Moreno (Germany & Poland 2023) for arranging!), discussed the challenges and opportunities of data centers with Gregg Thomas of Denver's Dept. of Public Health (Vietnam 2019), toured the innovative Maybell Quantum Industries and the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater, and connected with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and Director General Debby Huang. They also visited Steamboat Springs, discussing local challenges on a hike with Routt County Commissioner Angelica Salinas, learned about the agriculture industry on a visit to a ranch, and engaged with city leaders on issues like water use, local economic development, and community engagement.

Thanks as always to Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State, and all our alumni & partners who made this exchange possible!

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