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Diplomats

International Visitors Council of Columbus was created in 1965 as a 501(c)3 non-profit international educational exchange organization to serve international visitors to Central Ohio.

Mission and Values

International Visitors Council of Columbus creates international understanding between Central Ohio and the rest of the world. Through citizen diplomacy and mutual understanding, we have created meaningful interactions between foreign delegations and valued leaders in Columbus. Leveraging deep connections at the Ohio Statehouse, our programs showcase our region and connect it to elected officials, political professionals, and entrepreneurs from across the globe. 

Board of trustees

Michael F. Curtin

Former Member, The Ohio House of Representatives

Joseph P. Garrity

Senior Director of Government Affairs, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

Terrence E. Donelon

Director of Government Advocacy, Greater Cleveland Partnership

Elizabeth Haavisto

Legislative Aide, Ohio House of Representatives

Phyllis P. Duryee

Retired Professor, Franklin University

Joseph L. Mas, EsQ.

Mas Law Offices

Susan V. Eichinger

Past President, Fireproof Records Center

Barcy F. McNeal

CPM

Randall J. Meyer

Ohio Inspector General

J. Craig Mohre

New Albany Community Foundation

The Honorable Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

Judge, US Southern District Court of Ohio

Edward J. Pauline

President & CEO, Bio Ohio

Adam Slane

Franklin County Board of Elections

Andrew T. Smith

Project Manager, Innovate Ohio

David R. Payne

Deputy Director, Franklin County Board of Elections

Nathan SlonakeR

Creative Director, The Strategy Group Company

Douglas J. Preisse

Chairman, Van Meter Ashbrook & Associates

Shalendra Porwal

CEO, Technology Solutions International

Bryan L. Stout

Legislative Liaison, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Christopher Washington, Ph.D

Executive Vice President and Provost Franklin University

Thomas Taneff Company, LPA

Thomas N. Taneff, Esq.

Elizabeth Tracy

Member, Ohio Ethics Commission

Annette Z. Trembly

Broker, Trembly Real Estate

Wealth Management Advisor and Founder,
Blake Wealth Partners

Scott Blake, MBA

Sam J. Vogel, CFP

Vice President, Stifel Nicolaus & Company

Michael Stinziano

Franklin County Auditor

STAFF

Palmer C. McNeal

President and CEO

Sofia Zinkovskaya

Senior Program Officer

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