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OUR MISSION - MADAM AMBASSADOR PROGRAM (MAP)


Mission Statement

Founded in 2023, The Madam Ambassador Program (MAP) empowers young women to lead with purpose, confidence, and global awareness. Through mentorship, leadership development, and experiential learning, MAP equips future diplomats, changemakers, and innovators with the tools to navigate diverse cultural, professional, and civic spaces. Our mission is to cultivate a generation of women who embody diplomacy in action — bridging communities, fostering understanding, and shaping a more compassionate and connected world.



Why This Program Matters Now 

The United States workforce and international affairs field at large is facing major challenges in addressing diversity in recruiting and retention efforts. The Madam Ambassador Program (MAP) supports the preparation and exposure of diverse students for career paths in the U.S. foreign service and the international affairs field. The challenge of lack of funding for programs threatens the existence of programs such as Madam Ambassador that are committed to increasing and preparing broad talent pools in our field. Our post-program evaluation highlights the impact and exposure of the program learning objectives.

In January 2023, BPIA launched the first cohort of the Madam Ambassador International Affairs Career Exposure Program. This program educates a group of young ladies ages 13-21.  


WATCH 1 MINUTE PROMO VIDEO

Program Objectives

  • Exposure to leadership development from world leaders including U.S. and international ambassadors
  • Learn international affairs career paths, cultural and social etiquette, attire, and more
  • Gain insights into the pillars of democratic institutions
  • Engage with diverse leaders at the US Department of State and other agencies to learn leadership lessons
  • Develop S.M.A.R.T. strategies toward academic career and personal goals
  • Develop skills such as elevator pitch, personal brand building, and building a professional network
  • Identify and build a professional network


Making An Impact 


Testimonial 

"Participating in the Madam Ambassador Program changed how I see my future and my responsibility to the world. Before this experience, diplomacy felt distant and out of reach, but through Model United Nations and the chance to interview real Ambassadors, I realized that young people like me can have a voice in solving global challenges. Hearing how leaders work across cultures to build understanding made me believe that peace is something we can actively create, not just hope for. This program gave me the confidence to speak up, think beyond my own community, and imagine a path where I can help bring people together and improve lives. Because of Madam Ambassador, I no longer just dream about making the world better, I now believe I have a real role in doing it." 

-Shanaiya Miller [pictured left], Freshman at Yale University; 2025 BPIA Goodwill Ambassador

PAST SESSIONS AND ACTIVITIES


[Delegates participating in the 2023 Garden Party Celebration hosted by Saudi Ambassador to the US Her Royal Highness Princess Reema Al Saud]  

RECAP AFTERNOON TEA GARDEN PARTY VIDEO 


PAST SESSIONS HAVE INCLUDED 

  • Interactive International Career Paths Seminar
  • 1:1 Mentorship with International Affairs Professionals 
  • Building your Dream Career Vision Board Session
  • Dress for Success and Cultural Etiquette 
  • Participating as a delegation at the annual State Department's Model United Nations Conference hosted by UNA-NCA and meeting senior-level officials
  • Afternoon Tea Garden Party hosted by Saudi Ambassador to the United States, HRH Reema bint Bandar Al Saud AND DACOR
  • NATO Exposure Briefing Day ft. NATO leaders
  • Meeting women leaders of color across industries


[Madam Ambassador Delegates participating in a Diplomatic Simulation hosted by the Meridian International Center's DiplomacyRISE program featuring Meridian VP of Diplomatic Engagement & BPIA Advisory Member Frank Justice, Guest Speaker MJ Crawford, and BPIA Advisory Member Tammie Smiley.]

[2024 Delegates participated in a NATO Day Briefing with Founding Co-Chair of the BPIA Diplomatic Council Shawanesh Underwood, and US State Department NATO Washington Summit Senior Advisers LeAnne Noelani Howard Torrey Taussig, PhD, and Katie Nutt.] 

2023 Closing Garden Party Ceremony hosted by Saudi Ambassador HRH Princess Reema Al Saud.

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP & MENTORS




Alexandria J. Maloney

Program Founder

Zoe McClendon

Vice Chair

Morgan Mickle | SID-US

Morgan Mickle

Program Chair


Michelle C. Washington 

Mentor, Past Chair

Kelly Scavella

Vice Chair

Ethel Mwedziwendira - University of Mississippi - Washington, District of  Columbia, United States | LinkedIn

Ethel Mwedziwendira

Mentor

Dr. Khulud Kudur

Vice Chair 



London McCloud

Mentor

Tammie F. Smiley

Founding Program Partner Adviser


Tycely Williams

Program Partner Adviser 



Kia Floyd

Program Partner Adviser


Jennifer Dargan

Program Partner Adviser 


Annette Tran

Program Partner Adviser 

PROGRAM PARTNERS

United States Department of State - Wikipedia

Meridian International Center - Wikipedia

United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA)


DACOR and DACOR Bacon House Foundation | LinkedIn

Association of Black American Ambassadors  (ABAA)


ALL COHORTS

Madam Ambassador Alumni may contact madamambassador@iabpia.org for access to the Alumni Intranet Site for resources and contact sheet. Madam Ambassador Alumnae are encouraged to continue participating and mentoring in the program. 

2026 COHORT

2026 DMV Cohort

Abigail Tzeggai

Addison Armstrong

Addison Brent

Adedoyin Abimbola

Alaina Givans

Allysia Anamelechi

Ashley Nava

Awa Fall

Aziza McClain-Baxter

Bianca Norris

Blen Mamo

Breanna Johnson

Bryanna Whitehead

Cameron Hendrick

Cecilia Miller

Chanae Davis

Chloe Cohen

Ericka Adhame-Gnan

Fatumata Dia

Gabrielle Whitfield

Izabella Pardo Awad

Jasmine Johnson

Jeanne Yade Zimet

Kaitlyn Smiley

Kennedy Jones

Lady Nyarko

Leigh Baker

Makayla Morrell

Mariamawit Getachew

Maya Oliver

Melina Teklu

Myelle Thomas

Nakoryia Jones

Nardos Wondimu

Nina Lavoie

Nina Keefe

Nuhamin Fantahun

Orrin Jones

Reese-Salynnn Muse

Rokheya Doucoure

Sara Rameto

Shaila Diaz Furment

Sienna Sandiford

Sige Molla

Simone Eddings

Sydney Hawkins

Tasnim Hussien

Tatum Jones

Tosiana Mpanu Mpanu

Violet Augustine

Winnie Kpissay

Yasmin Abrar

Yelena Bongo

Yorkabiel Tekle

2026 Global (Virtual) Cohort

Ada Duru Ak

Addison Anders

Alana Sturgis

Alyssa Hicks

Aniuta Gupta

Ariana Diaz

Ashley Kankam

Ava Edwards

Ayaan Mohammed

Camille Scott

Dancy Ziqui

Daylah Corbin

Destiny Brown

Emilia Safir

Gagnado Diedhiou

Iyanna Snaer

Jaylen Adams

Layla Leiva

Liliana Boyd

Makayla Jade Mendez

Mami Masoka

Maryshawntel Obilor

Miya Jackson

Nara Morais

Natalia Daniel

Nyla Smith

Samantha Mujica

Sophia Abbey


2025 COHORT

2025 DMV Cohort

Addyson Mitchell

Aicha Lo

Anani Geleto

Annalise Richardson

Aniya Ty McIver

Assemoy Manarbekova

Arisemma Sophia Okrah

Aziza Thomas

Bethsaida Gizaw

Christiane Morton

Claire Elizabeth Tate

Delina Afewerki

Dorothy Quanteh

Ellyn Victoria Chebet Kilimo

Eleyeou Marie Georgia Agbokou

Evangeline

Gabrielle McLemore

Gia Michelle Williams

Ivy Gomes

Jasmine Johnson

Jessica Persaud

Jillian Elyse Latham

Kaitlyn Smiley

Kaitlynn Joseph

Kennedy Christan King

Kennedy Elease Williams

Kerri-Lee Owens

Leena Nxumalo

Madison Faith Delk

Madison Smith

Maya Martin

Morgan Chanel Smith

Raegan King

Riley-Simone Muse

Sabry Tate

Shanaiya Miller

Sienna Correy

Sifa Karume

Sierra Flynn-Nesbeth

Soha Karim

Sydney Tate

Theryn Gray

Vanessa Soyla Mbella

Yewoinhareg Kebede

Zeinab Dembele

Zeinab Yassin

Zoe McClendon

Zori Brown

2025 Global (Virtual) Cohort

Antima Gupta

Areeba Ishtiaq

Ayesha Awan

Chandler Ray

Christine Kangwa

Courage Markine

Daniela Ariana Manrique Gil

Deborah Abel

Ekondaho Ama Francesca Dassinie

Ehigbochie Alphonsus Onofelaga

Enoch Kiprotich Koech

Estefanía Victoria Robalino Guanoluiza

Ewubajo Bukola Anne

Krisha Bhagat

Kriti Lamichhane

Maureen Timothy Mhando

Maryam Muhammad Akram

Mugisha Françoise

Nabiha Fatima

Natasha Nyondo

Nicol Alexandra Condori Sarmiento

Powj Nyibong

Quemil Ebunoluwa Edun

Rahma Mohamed Mahat

Raji Rukayat

Rita Nyara Martin

Sierra Flynn-Nesbeth

Ubongabasi Peter

2024 COHORT

Abigail Taylor

Evangeline Billips

Gia Michelle Williams

Julie Tendo

Karson Nicole Smith

Kat Bricourt

Klonese Aisha Williams

Lauren K. Harris

Lillian Magdalena Aguirre

Makay abdimajid shale

Meagan McKinney

Namara Mugamba

Nyiohbe Anxe Reyes

Obaahemaa Mensah

Priya Rubio

Sabry Tate

Sahara Abdimajid Shale

Savannah Daley

Shanaiya Miller

Sienna Rollins

Stephanie Bityeki

Susan Shale

Sydney Tate

Taylor Elizabeth Kyei

Vivienne Taliaferro Price

Zahra Rahimi


2023 COHORT

Adonya Hailu

Chisom Kelechi

Elena Motayne

Eloah M Makassi

Jasmine N Tucker

Jordyn DePina

Kaffe (Kathy) Grimes

Kaffe Grimes

Kennedy Cordle

Leah Mann

Mariah A. Williams

Nyiohbe Reyes

Priscilla Adarkwa

Sabry Tate

Sama Kubba

Taylor C. Gibbs

Watscia Duke

Zoie Richelieu

PARTNERSHIP: THE LINKS, INCORPORATED 


This Program would not be possible without the generous contributions of the Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc., Metropolitan (DC) Chapter of The Links, Inc., and the Potomac (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc. The Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc. is the Founding Partner for Madam Ambassador.

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of more than 17,000 professional women of African descent in 299 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.

These chapters have passionately and enthusiastically has served the local community for more than five decades rendering countless hours of volunteer service, promoting social activism, awarding scholarships and cultivating the Arts. This presence is strengthened through the focused energy exhibited in the five program facets:

  • Services to Youth
  • The Arts
  • National Trends and Services
  • International Trends and Services
  • Health and Human Services

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Email
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