ICAP Alumni Group

​

​

ICAP HAS HAD OVER 730 FELLOWS OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS. Nearly all have had advanced degrees (Masters, JDs or PhDs), command of two or more languages and had five or more years of professional experience when they first became ICAP Fellows. Current employment of ICAP alumni is roughly similar in sector distribution to their distribution when recruited although there has been much movement across sectors and to senior positions. At present, 58.5% are at middle to senior level positions in government (including several currently serving on the National Security Council), with the State Department (including 10 current or former Ambassadors) and USAID most heavily represented.  There are also many from Agriculture, the International Trade Commission, Labor, Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Government Accountability Office, the Center for Disease Control, Hill staff and others as well.  In addition, 19.9% are in NGOs (including several executive directors) and foundations (including senior program officers); 8.4% are in the private sector (including a number of CEOs and other senior officers); 2.6% are in universities, educational or research institutions; and 1.6% are in state and local governments. The remaining 9.0% are independent consultants, in media or entertainment or in transition between positions.

​

The diversity of alumni in employment sectors ensures a wide range of perspectives on international issues and provides trusted and supportive individuals to whom alumni can turn for help on both personal and professional matters. Having senior Congressional staff, non-governmental leaders, private sector executives and officials from across governmental agencies as an on-going support group is invaluable.

Women have accounted for 67.3% of the total number of participants and men were 32.7%. 47.3% of the participants have identified as African-American, 27.7% have identified as Asian-American, 20.7% identified as Latinx-Americans, 1.2% identified as Native American/American Indians and 3.2% have identified as white (non-Hispanic) participants.  While applicants have not been asked these questions, a significant number have self-identified with the LBGTQ+ community and a small number have had disabilities. This diversity ensures that the program focuses not only on the issues faced by a particular marginalized group but by problems of marginalization more broadly.

In short, the success of ICAP is clear in this network of talented, credentialed and highly accomplished professionals ready to assume senior management and policy-making positions in government, non-profits and the private sector. The United States can have the high quality and diverse leadership it needs if we assist these professionals in achieving their potential.