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Dear WorldBoston Community,
We are energized to step into our new roles as CEO and President & COO of WorldBoston, and we want to thank you for the warm support we’ve already received. This moment marks an exciting opportunity — not just for us, but for the entire WorldBoston community — to push forward with renewed momentum.
Our mission has never been more important. As global challenges evolve, so does the demand for stronger connections, deeper understanding, and more dynamic international engagement. With your partnership, we are ready to accelerate this work.
In the months ahead, we will be reaching out to build new collaborations across sectors, strengthen our core programs, and expand the ways people can participate whether as hosts, volunteers, speakers, sponsors, or thought partners. We believe WorldBoston can play an even greater role in shaping Boston’s global footprint — in Eastern Massachusetts and beyond.
As part of this effort, we want to highlight that WorldBoston is also equipped to support private-sector visitor delegations. With more than 75 years of experience and nearly 100 high-level international delegations hosted annually, our team is exceptionally adept at managing high-demand, high-stakes visitors with precise logistics and culturally fluent programming. If you or your organization — or anyone in your network — plans to bring an international delegation to Boston in 2026, we warmly encourage you to reach out. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss how WorldBoston can provide support and help make the visit a success.
We are grateful for the dedication of our staff, board, volunteers, alumni, and supporters whose leadership brings this mission to life every day. And we invite you — whether you’re a longtime champion or newly connected — to join us as we grow, innovate, and broaden our impact. Thank you for believing in this organization and for helping us build a more globally engaged Eastern Massachusetts.
With appreciation and excitement,
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Sarah Sibley
President & COO
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WorldBoston is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Haynes as Chief Executive Officer and Sarah Sibley as President & COO, effective November 2025. Together, Haynes and Sibley will lead the organization into its next chapter, combining deep institutional knowledge with a shared vision for innovation, expanded partnerships, and broader community impact. Their appointments mark an exciting evolution in WorldBoston’s leadership structure—reflecting both continuity with its proud legacy and a bold commitment to growth and collaboration.
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Read Joe's full bio here.
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Read Sarah's full bio here.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming an invaluable tool across sectors, from interdisciplinary academic research, business innovation and economic growth, to public policy. Boston is a city rich in resources related to AI, and WorldBoston has already hosted several delegations this year with a principal focus on AI and innovation.
In September, WorldBoston welcomed six visitors from Indonesia for a U.S. Department of State sponsored International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on the topic of “Artificial Intelligence: Policy and Innovation.” The group kicked off their program with a visit to Boston University's Wheelock College of Education and Development to discuss the school's AI & Education initiative and the digital technologies that Boston University is implementing in the classroom. The delegation also met with representatives of the Executive Office of Technology Services & Security (EOTSS) to explore the agency’s complex role in coordinating data at the Secretariat level. Additionally, the group then met with representatives of McDermott, Will & Schulte LLP to learn about the firm's cybersecurity practice and Artificial Intelligence Law Center. To cap off their program, visitors met with the President of the Boston Public Library, David Leonard, and Chief of Online & Digital Services, Jessica Chapel, to discuss the new AI initiative to digitize records and promote transparency for historic documents.
Later in September, WorldBoston welcomed ten visitors from Uruguay for another IVLP project titled “Artificial Intelligence: Innovative Higher Education Practices.” At Bridgewater State University, the visitors saw the groundbreaking Cyber Range and met with several professors for a wide-ranging discussion on AI in higher education, trans-atlantic collaborations, cybersecurity programs, and professional development programs offered within the Cyber Range. Following this, the visitors engaged in a panel discussion at the Colleges of the Fenway to discuss innovation in U.S. higher education, and how smaller institutions of higher education adapt and meet students' wants and needs. Additionally, the group met with the President of Epistimi, Angeliki Rigos. The conversation centered around how Epistimi prepares scientists and engineers working in AI to make the best and most ethical decisions about AI's use.
Thank you to our community for making these programs a success! If AI is a critical component of your research or work and you would like to meet with our IVLP groups, please reach out to President & COO, Sarah Sibley (ssibley@worldboston.org).
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To celebrate #America250, WorldBoston brought Fulbright Visiting Scholars and their families to Plymouth to experience the country’s second-largest Thanksgiving Parade.
This historic outing connected scholars with the birthplace of a national tradition and America’s early beginnings, tracing the journey from the English Pilgrims’ arrival to Wampanoag land via the Mayflower in 1620 to today’s national celebration of gratitude and community. The annual parade stands as a core expression of American culture and blends history, festivity, and civic pride in a way that unites people across generations.
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, this event highlights how enduring traditions like Thanksgiving continue to reflect our shared values of unity, gratitude, and heritage. Thank you to the parade organizers, local Plymouth officials, and community members who provided a warm welcome on a cold, rainy day for our international group.
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A Regional Project for the Western Hemisphere
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We welcome your thoughts and ideas for in-person visitors programming. If you have suggestions, please contact WorldBoston's President and COO, Sarah Sibley.
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Great Decisions with Michael Poznansky | American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads
Thursday, December 11th
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Boston Public Library, Rabb Hall
As the global landscape continues to evolve, we find ourselves asking pivotal questions about the future. What is America's changing role on the world stage? How do we navigate the complex mix of risks and opportunities ahead? And perhaps most importantly, how can foreign policy adapt to meet this new era? Exploring these answers is key to understanding the future of American foreign policy and the global order.
This newest installment of our Great Decisions series will feature Michael Poznansky, Professor and Author on International Relations, who will discuss the topic “American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads.” The conversation will be moderated by WorldBoston Board Member, Ryan Morhard.
This program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.
Disclaimer: All views expressed at this event are the speaker's own and do not represent those of the U.S. Naval War College, the Department of the Navy, or the Department of Defense
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Disclaimer: WorldBoston is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, non-advocacy, educational organization dedicated to fostering civil discourse on international affairs. Our speakers' opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WorldBoston, our affiliates, or our community.
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Now more than ever, WorldBoston relies on the support of our community to fulfill our mission. Donors who contribute $25 – $999 are proudly recognized on our website as Community Supporters. (Donors of $1,000 and above are Sponsors and enjoy year-round benefits; learn more here!)
You can also donate to WorldBoston through a Donor Advised Fund!
And we want to thank our new community supporters: John Minahan, James Kaddaras, Yvette Morrill, Katharine Brengle, Henry Ancona, Joseph Ash, Katherine A. Judge, Susan Kazanas, Janet Ghattas and John Hand, Warren Thaler, and Maureen Bennett.
We encourage you to contribute to WorldBoston to become a 2025 Community Supporter. Donors will receive this year's special pin to recognize their support!
Thank you all for donating to WorldBoston and helping make our mission possible!
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Asterisks indicate first-time sponsors to WorldBoston.
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Check your inbox every Friday for WorldBoston Recommends – our staff picks for high-quality programs and opportunities on global topics in the coming week.
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Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for updates!
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Wait, Did You Miss Something?
Check our News section for announcements and past newsletters.
And for the latest, be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram!
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WorldBoston is now on Bluesky!
@worldboston.bsky.social
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