GLOBAL ENVOY AWARD
The Global Envoy Award recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of PCFR, demonstrating exceptional leadership in fostering meaningful connections across the globe.
| 2024 Honoree, Major General Kerry L. MuehlenbeckThe Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations is deeply honored to present the 2024 Global Envoy Award to Major General Kerry L. Muehlenbeck. As Adjutant General of Arizona, Maj. Gen. Muehlenbeck has demonstrated outstanding leadership in advancing Arizona's role on the global stage. Through initiatives like the State Partnership Program with Kazakhstan and the Sultanate of Oman, she has fostered crucial international connections that embody the spirit of PCFR. Her dedication to building bridges across cultures and her commitment to collaboration have set a remarkable example for us all. We thank her for her tireless service and are proud to recognize her with this prestigious honor. Join us for the Award presentation at the PCFR Holiday Party on December 11, 2024 at 6pm at the University Club of Phoenix. RSVP Here |
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Past Honorees
| 2023 Honoree, Dr. Sanjeev KhagramDr. Sanjeev Khagram, Director General and Dean of the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, was honored with the 2023 Global Envoy Award. Dr. Khagram, a world-renowned scholar and practitioner, has made remarkable contributions to globalization, transnationalism, leadership, and sustainable development. His distinguished career includes leading initiatives such as the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data and International Open Data Charter. Dr. Khagram's extensive background includes founding the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency, and he was recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. "I am deeply honored and immensely proud to receive the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations Global Envoy Award for 2023. Joining the esteemed ranks of previous honoree and my dear friend, Ambassador Barbara Barrett, is truly humbling. This recognition reaffirms Thunderbird School of Global Management's commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable prosperity, and peace worldwide. My and our goal at Thunderbird is to be a partner of choice to make Phoenix a premier global city and Arizona a world class state for the 21st century.” - Dr. Sanjeev Khagram, Director General and Dean, Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University |
 | 2022 Honoree, Speaker Rusty BowersFrom his position of leadership, Speaker Rusty Bowers has been instrumental in elevating Arizona’s global prominence. In countless meetings with foreign diplomats and business leaders across the globe, Speaker Bowers has represented the best that Arizona has to offer to the world. Through his tireless leadership, he has helped strengthen and expand Arizona’s international economic ties and create greater cultural exchange. In all these efforts, Speaker Bowers has embodied the spirit of the PCFR Global Envoy Award. “The Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations is honored to recognize Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, Speaker Rusty Bowers with the 2022 Global Envoy Award. Speaker Bowers embodies the spirit of PCFR as we seek to raise the level of international awareness in Arizona in both public and private sectors. His steadfast commitment to building enduring international connections, promoting Arizona’s interests abroad and welcoming visiting foreign dignitaries to exchange ideas on critical foreign policy issues are a testament to his devotion to the pursuit of PCFR's mission. Thank you, Mr. Speaker for your advocacy on behalf of international engagement, Arizona and PCFR.” - Claire Sechler Merkel, PCFR President |
| 2021 Honoree, Secretary Barbara BarrettSecretary Barbara Barrett embodies the PCFR Global Envoy Award spirit. Here’s how Secretary Barrett reflected on her experience as a PCFR member in a student fellow interview while serving as Secretary of the Air Force:“I believe that PCFR is one of those great community institutions that makes us stronger. There was a time when Phoenix wasn’t that international...but PCFR was always the place where leaders of the community from diverse backgrounds, from government and business and from academia, all people with an international interest could come together and meet in a critical setting where we talk about policy issues; we build enduring relationships. That was an enrichment to me. I don't think I would be in this job if it weren’t for the global opportunities I got because of the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations and the people I got to meet through the PCFR. I think it’s an enrichment to our community and like so much in life, I think PCFR is what you make of it. The opportunity is there to make new friends, build new relationships and to learn about a lot more of our community because of PCFR. When we have speakers come to Phoenix to speak to the committee, we have the opportunity to hear from great leaders and learn what they’re working on and what their expertise is. But I look at it another way too. It’s an opportunity for us to show off our community, we bring people in and we get to show them not just the great place we have to live, but we also show them some of the leaders in our community. We show them the academic leaders, the business leaders and some of the academic leaders as well. So we are hearing from and learning from our PCFR speakers and visitors. We are also showing off some of the best of Phoenix because that’s who attends PCFR gatherings.” |
