CAPDL Relaunched!

The Coalition for American Public Diplomacy and Leadership Relaunches with a Focus on Best Practices and Storytelling to Amplify the Power of BridgeUSA

January 15, 2025 - The Coalition for American Public Diplomacy and Leadership (CAPDL) announced its relaunch with a focus on education, best practices sharing, and storytelling in support of the whole BridgeUSA community.

Founded in 2020, CAPDL is an independent non-profit whose mission today is to strengthen and expand the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA programs by:

  • Educating key constituents on the history and power of BridgeUSA to advance U.S. public diplomacy, economic prosperity, and national security, and

  • Cultivating a global network of supporters who promote best practices in BridgeUSA program delivery.

“I am excited to see CAPDL bring together so many constituencies and beneficiaries of BridgeUSA,” said CAPDL Board Member and Former Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Rick Ruth. “I am honored to be on the board of CAPDL, because – in my mind – all BridgeUSA programs are about learning [which] leads to understanding, the most valuable commodity in the world.”

CAPDL membership is open to hosts, international agents, sponsors, alumni, service providers, chambers of commerce, community groups, and allies of all sizes and locations. “By welcoming all stakeholders around the world, CAPDL can advance excellence and deliver even more benefits to participants and the United States,” noted CAPDL Executive Director Carmen Iezzi Mezzera. “There is so much we can achieve together.”

Thanks to the generosity of its incubating host, the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), CAPDL will not assess dues for the first year of operation. Instead, all support during this time will go to the new Scholarship Fund for BridgeUSA. The Scholarship Fund will enable individuals to participate in any of the thirteen categories via any CAPDL member.

“Our BridgeUSA community grows stronger when we engage all stakeholders," says Carye Duffin, CAPDL Board Chair and CIEE Senior Vice President of External Affairs. "By cultivating an inclusive environment focused on best practices, we create a powerful culture of shared learning and accountability – ensuring that we uphold the highest standards to protect and expand these life-changing programs. Additionally, through our commitment to storytelling, we can complement others’ work and ensure that more communities across the U.S. recognize the transformative impact of BridgeUSA programs.”

 Learn more about CAPDL, find resources, or sign up for an upcoming event today!

Watch this new video to hear what CAPDL Board Members have to say about the relaunch!