Diplomacy Across the Decades: Global Ties Arizona Celebrates 60 Years of Connecting Arizona and the World

Written By Kristin Allen

Global Ties Arizona marked its 60th anniversary on October 9, 2026, with Diplomacy Across the Decades, an evening celebrating six decades of citizen diplomacy and the people and partnerships that have made its work possible.

Held at the Adobe Ballroom and lawn at the Biltmore Golf Club, the celebration brought together community members, partners, supporters, and international engagement leaders. The evening began with an outdoor reception against a beautiful Arizona backdrop, offering guests time to reconnect, meet new faces, and reflect on their shared connections to Global Ties Arizona.

Vanessa Araiza, Arizona’s Family weeknight anchor, guided the evening as emcee. A highlight of the program was a fireside chat with former Mexican Ambassador to the United States Gerónimo Gutiérrez Fernández, moderated by Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. Their conversation underscored the importance of international relationships and Arizona’s connections with its neighbors and the wider world.

Throughout the evening, speakers reflected on Global Ties Arizona’s legacy and the community that continues to advance its mission. Remarks were shared by President and CEO Kristin Allen; Board Chairman David Luna; Event Chair and Board Member Karin Jimenez; Fareed Bailey of SRP; and Dave Sprentall, GTAZ Board Member and Of Counsel at Snell & Wilmer.

Honoring Leadership, Service, and Global Impact

The celebration recognized three outstanding contributors whose work reflects the values of international engagement and citizen diplomacy.

The Arizona Commerce Authority received the Global Impact Award, accepted by Sandra Watson, for strengthening Arizona’s international connections and advancing its global economic presence.

Arizona State Representative Justin Wilmeth received the Global Leadership Award for his commitment to international engagement and representing Arizona’s role on the world stage.

Thunderbird School of Global Management’s Campus Ambassadors received the Volunteer Excellence Award for their dedicated service and warm hospitality to international visitors hosted through Global Ties Arizona’s programs. Their contributions help turn professional exchanges into meaningful personal connections.

Music from The Dina Preston Band brought energy and joy to the celebration. Beginning with a strolling acoustic set during the reception, the band shared music throughout the evening, reflecting its own legacy of representing the United States around the world.

A Celebration Made Possible by Our Community

Global Ties Arizona extends heartfelt thanks to the sponsors and partners who made this milestone celebration possible:

  • Presenting Sponsor: Arizona Commerce Authority

  • Supporting Sponsors: Salt River Project & Snell & Wilmer

  • Global Leader Sponsors: City of Phoenix Community & Economic Development; Discover Vein and Vascular Center; Maricopa Community Colleges; Nicole Hollenbeck & Suzanne Lawrence; QTS; Resolution Copper; Richard & Mary-Jeanne Fincher; Thunderbird School of Global Management; Withey Morris Baugh, PLC.

  • Global Patron Sponsors: APS; Cactus & Tryzub; Chicanos Por La Causa; City of Chandler; City of Scottsdale; City of Surprise; Cushman & Wakefield; Annie Hsu; Medicare Advocates, LLC; Phoenic Committee on Foreign Relations; Dr. Edgardo Rivera.

  • Citizen Diplomat Sponsors: Kristin Allen & Dustin Brown; Blink Public Policy; BMO Bank; Richard & Maryglenn Boals; Francesca Miller/Cole Architects; FCT Strategies, LLC; Ethel Luzario-Smith & Ron Smith; Lisa Liu Ritchie; Realty ONE Group; Ryan Williams; Honorable Barry Wong; Michael & Pat Zientek.

  • Media and Production Partners: AZ Reels; Matt Young Photography; Paul Leigh Productions.

For 60 years, Global Ties Arizona has connected Arizona and the world through international exchange, global education, and people-to-people relationships. This anniversary offered an opportunity to honor that history while looking ahead to the connections and collaborations still to come.

To everyone who celebrated with us—and to the volunteers, partners, and supporters who have contributed throughout the years—thank you for being part of our story and helping carry the spirit of citizen diplomacy into our next chapter.

Photography credit: Matt Young Photography

THANK YOU TO OUR RAFFLE DONORS!

Thank you to our generous raffle donors for helping make our 60th Anniversary Celebration so special! Your contributions brought together an exciting collection of experiences and prizes while supporting Global Ties Arizona’s work connecting Arizona with the world.

  • Lake Hills Golf Club

  • Las Palomas Resort

  • Louis A. DeLeon, Soaring Wines LLC, Willcox, AZ

  • Luci’s Restaurants & Marketplace

  • Main Event

  • Mesa Arts Center

  • Paul Kent, Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course

  • Phoenix Raceway

  • Raconteuse Cigars

  • Right on Target Arizona

  • Salt River Project

  • The Element at Scottsdale SkySong

  • The Legacy Golf Club

  • The Nash: Jazz Venue & Education Center

  • The Wigwam

  • University of Arizona Scottsdale Center

  • Village Gym

  • Vincent Orleck

  • Alexi’s Grill, Phoenix

  • Arizona Diamondbacks

  • Arizona Museum of Natural History

  • Arizona Opera

  • Arizona Restaurant Association

  • Boyce Thompson Arboretum

  • Bruzzi Vineyard

  • Camelback Golf Club

  • Courtyard by Marriott Old Town Scottsdale

  • Desert Botanical Garden

  • DoubleTree Downtown Flagstaff

  • Exchange City Golf Course

  • Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

  • Genuine Concept Restaurants

  • Great Wall Cuisine

  • IDEA Museum

  • Impact Delivered / Human Unicorn

Kristin Allen
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