The French-American Foundation on Friday announced this year’s class of Young Leaders, which includes academics, researchers, policy advisers, entrepreneurs and military officers.
Since 1981, the program has brought together “vibrant” classes of French and American professionals to foster collaboration between France and the United States, according to the foundation.
Alumni include former President Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) and French President Emmanuel Macron.
“The Young Leaders program stands out because it is singularly focused on building relationships between our participants,” Caroline Naralasetty, the foundation’s president, said in a statement to The Hill.
“The Foundation firmly believes that by bringing high-potential young people together for intensive debate and discussion, we can help lay the groundwork for continued collaboration between our two countries.”
Young Leaders participate in a two-year program with an annual seminar that alternates between France and the United States. This year’s program will be in Austin, Texas, in October with a focus on “Entrepreneurship and the Innovation Economy.”
The selection of 24 Young Leaders this year adds to a growing list of more than 500 alumni over four decades.
“The Young Leaders alumni reflect the values and the mission of the program itself: a hunger to embrace risk and new challenges, a commitment to excellence, and a desire to give back to their communities and society at large,” Naralasetty said. “We could not be prouder not only of their accomplishments, but of who they are as citizens and leaders.”