WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a ceremony at the U.S. State Department today, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) received the American Foreign Service Association’s (AFSA) 2023 Foreign Service Champions Award in recognition of the coalition’s “innovative and inclusive approach that has helped bring the value of diplomacy to a wide range of sectors, organizations, and audiences.”

“What an honor to receive this award from AFSA on behalf of USGLC’s broad-based coalition,” said Liz Schrayer, USGLC President and CEO in accepting the award on behalf of the USGLC. “I am inspired by the professionalism, dedication, and passion of the Foreign Service. Our nation’s diplomatic team are true heroes who serve—often in harm’s way—to make our world and our country a better, safer place. That’s why the USGLC is so committed to ensuring they have the resources, personnel and skills needed to meet today’s global challenges.”

The ceremony honored the 2023 AFSA Award Recipients that also included Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy, Constructive Dissent, and Exemplary Performance. Members of USGLC’s Board and leadership, along with senior State Department leadership attended the program where Schrayer shared stories of the hundreds of townhall meetings USGLC has hosted around the country from Kalamazoo to Sioux City to Charleston to Little Rock with constituents and their members of Congress on the imperative for American global leadership and our nation’s development and diplomacy tools.

“The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition continues to be a leading voice on the value of diplomacy, the importance of a strong Foreign Service for keeping America safe, and on how businesses and NGOs are partnering with the U.S. government – including the State Department and USAID – to find solutions to confront the world’s toughest challenges,” said AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi. “They are a tremendous asset to those of us who do the work of diplomacy and development and whose mission is to ensure that the needed resources are always available.”

Schrayer added, “I remember fondly my countless conversations with General Powell and Secretary Albright, who both served on USGLC’s National Advisory Council. They not only cherished the Foreign Service, but also did so much during their lives and careers to strengthen our diplomatic corps and its work around the world. Their service is one of the reasons we launched our NextGen program with a goal to increase the number and diversity of young people who are engaged in U.S. foreign policy, because it’s essential that America’s face to the world looks like America.”

Established in 2021, AFSA’s Foreign Service Champions Award honors the accomplishments of influential non-career members of the foreign affairs community who have made meaningful contributions to diplomacy and the Foreign Service. USGLC joins last year’s recipients Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX).