ABOUT US
ICDLA offers a tangible way to make a difference in the world. Our exchange programs connect Angelenos with emerging international leaders and foster international collaborations, enabling great people to do even greater things!

Our MISSION
ICDLA creates international understanding and cooperation between the Los Angeles region and the rest of the world.
Our Vision
ICDLA is committed to creating a world of peace and prosperity through Citizen Diplomacy.
Working since 1980 to increase international understanding and cooperation, International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles (ICDLA), formerly the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (IVCLA), arranges people-to-people exchanges between emerging international leaders and the citizens of the Los Angeles region. ICDLA's citizen diplomacy exchanges bring first-hand information about the rest of the world to Angelenos and provide international policy and opinion leaders with the opportunity to see with their own eyes the challenges and opportunities that define the Los Angeles region. These exchanges begin dialogues that would not otherwise be possible.
Each year ICDLA arranges professional meetings, cultural visits and home hospitality for nearly one thousand policy and opinion leaders from more than 100 countries. ICDLA International Visitors have one goal in common: to seek a greater understanding of the United States, its people, ideas, attitudes, and lifestyles. ICDLA Citizen Diplomats welcome people who are working to solve global issues that impact us all. ICDLA is dedicated to our vision of creating peace and prosperity for our community, our country and our world.

staff
Janet Elliott
President & CEO
Ho Lo
Chief Operation Offier
Danica Kreculj
Director of International Programs
Victoria Meza
Senior Program Officer
Kristina Yucel
Communications and Events Coordinator
Tu Le
Projects Coordinator
board of directors
Honorary Chairs
Mayor Karen Bass
City of Los Angeles
Hilda L. Solis
L.A County Board of Supervisors Chair
Karen Abe
BrightStar Care of Conejo Valley
ICDLA Treasurer
Dr. Estera Borcsa
Teach Train Transform LLC
Julie Duhaut-Bedos
Diplomat-in-Residence & Interim Director, USC Center on Public Diplomacy
Wafa J. Hoballah
WJH Law Group, Attorney at Law
Jonathan Kaji
Kaji & Associates
Michelle M. Kezirian
Attorney at Law
Patti MacJennett
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Dr. Lene Martin
Professor, Pepperdine University
Rima Nashashibi
Global Hope 365
ICDLA Board Chair
Stephen Ozoigbo
ARM-Advanced RISM Machines
Lourdes Saab
L.A. County Office of Protocol
Jerry Silva
Energy Consultant
Yael Swerdlow
Women’s Empowerment Foundation
Tim Watkins
Watts Labor Community Action Committee
Mary Walden
Expert Effects
Janet Elliott
President & CEO, ICDLA






