Front-line
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
Joseph P. Garrity
Senior Director of Government Affairs, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
Phyllis P. Duryee
Retired Professor, Franklin University
Barcy F. McNeal
CPM
The Honorable Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.
Judge, US Southern District Court of Ohio
Andrew T. Smith
Project Manager, Innovate Ohio
Douglas J. Preisse
Chairman, Van Meter Ashbrook & Associates
Christopher Washington, Ph.D
Executive Vice President and Provost Franklin University
Annette Z. Trembly
Broker, Trembly Real Estate
Michael Stinziano
Franklin County Auditor
Scott Blake, MBA
Wealth Management Advisor and Founder, Blake Wealth Partners
Terrence E. Donelon
Director of Government Advocacy, Greater Cleveland Partnership
Joseph L. Mas, Esq.
Mas Law Offices
Randall J. Meyer
Ohio Inspector General
Edward J. Pauline
President & CEO, Bio Ohio
David R. Payne
Deputy Director, Franklin County Board of Elections
Shalendra Porwal
CEO, Technology Solutions International
Thomas N. Taneff, Esq.
Thomas Taneff Company, LPA
Sam J. Vogel, CFP
Vice President, Stifel Nicolaus & Company
Elizabeth Haavisto
Legislative Aide, Ohio House of Representatives
Michael F. Curtin
Former Member, The Ohio House of Representatives
Susan V. Eichinger
Past President, Fireproof Records Center
J. Craig Mohre
New Albany Community Foundation
Adam Slane
Franklin County Board of Elections
Nathan Slonaker
Creative Director, The Strategy Group Company
Bryan L. Stout
Legislative Liaison, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Elizabeth Tracy
Member, Ohio Ethics Commission
STAFF
Palmer C. McNeal
President and CEO
Sofia Zinkovskaya
Senior Program Officer