The International Career Advancement Program (ICAP) stands as a pivotal initiative designed to cultivate a more diverse and inclusive landscape within senior management and policy-making roles across international public service and non-profit sectors. Recognizing that the strength of global leadership lies in reflecting the multifaceted nature of society, ICAP is dedicated to propelling the careers of highly promising mid-career professionals from underrepresented groups, guiding them towards impactful senior positions in international affairs.
ICAP operates on the fundamental belief that the rich tapestry of U.S. society should be mirrored in its global leadership. While acknowledging the existence of valuable programs aimed at broadening the pool of minority candidates equipped for public service and international careers, ICAP addresses a critical gap. Simply increasing the number of talented professionals from diverse backgrounds with advanced degrees and a passion for international affairs is not enough to ensure diversity at the highest echelons. Concrete steps are essential to actively support and mentor minority professionals, enabling them to ascend to leadership levels within international public service. ICAP is meticulously structured to achieve this vital objective.
The ICAP Seminar Experience at Aspen
The cornerstone of ICAP is its intensive week-long seminar held annually at the Aspen Institute. This immersive experience convenes mid-career professionals from underrepresented communities with distinguished senior officials, esteemed faculty, and experienced Aspen Institute staff. The seminar is further augmented by ongoing activities strategically designed to amplify ICAP’s lasting impact on participants’ career trajectories.
The serene and inspiring mountain setting of the week-long Aspen seminar provides a unique environment, removed from the distractions of daily work pressures. This allows participants to fully engage with the program, engage in deep self-reflection on their professional journeys, and forge meaningful connections with their cohort. The ICAP seminar in Aspen incorporates a rich blend of learning methodologies, including:
- Insightful Lectures & Seminars: Exploring critical international issues and policy challenges confronting senior leaders in the coming decade.
- Leadership Development Discussions: Examining the qualities, values, experiences, and credentials inherent in effective leadership and strategies for acquiring these attributes.
- Career Path Exploration: Detailed analyses of career trajectories and experiences of individuals who have reached senior positions, providing relevant insights for mid-career professionals.
- Navigating Career Stages Workshops: Addressing common career and life stages and equipping participants with effective problem-solving approaches.
- Addressing Unique Challenges: Open discussions on the specific obstacles faced by professionals of color and strategies for overcoming systemic barriers.
- The Imperative of Diversity: Understanding the crucial role of diversity in fostering effective and high-quality U.S. leadership in the global arena.
- Cultivating Future Leaders: Developing actionable plans to encourage more individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue international careers, including outreach initiatives to high school and college students led by ICAP participants.
- Mentorship and Networking: Emphasizing the significance of mentorship in international careers, facilitating mentorship connections between senior officials and mid-career professionals, and empowering participants to become mentors themselves.
- Building a Supportive Community: Fostering strong bonds and mutual support among participants that extend far beyond the Aspen seminar.
A key component of the seminar is personalized career counseling. Each mid-career participant benefits from individual sessions with a dedicated career counselor, providing tailored advice, career exploration, and strategic planning guidance.
Learn more about the ICAP Seminar at Aspen.
The Vision of E. Thomas Rowe: Architect of ICAP
ICAP was conceived and established by E. Thomas Rowe, Associate Professor at the Josef Korbel School and Director of ICAP. Professor Rowe’s motivation stemmed from his direct experience as Associate Dean and Dean, where he observed the persistent lack of diversity in U.S. international leadership despite existing initiatives. He recognized that while graduate fellowship programs successfully produced talented graduates from underrepresented groups, senior leadership positions across government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector remained overwhelmingly homogenous.
Professor Rowe identified a critical flaw in the prevailing assumption that simply increasing the candidate pool and reducing overt discrimination would automatically lead to diverse leadership. He understood that less visible barriers, such as the scarcity of mentors and role models, limited access to crucial professional networks, inadequate support systems, and subtle yet persistent institutional biases, significantly hindered the advancement of professionals of color. ICAP was purposefully created to provide essential mid-career support, mentorship, and strategic guidance to directly address these systemic obstacles, paving the way for a more diverse and effective generation of international leaders.
