We welcomed community leaders, members, supporters, and friends to our 2026 Annual Meeting, centered on the theme “Connecting Today. Leading Tomorrow.” The gathering celebrated the power of international relationships, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections in enriching the Fort Worth community and developing the next generation of global leaders.
The meeting recognized several outstanding individuals and organizations for their contributions to our mission. The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce received the Eisenhower Award for Organizational Involvement, Rachel Bradford received the Bob Bolen Award for Board Leadership, Courtney Upp was named Volunteer of the Year, and Ana Sofia Garcia Domingo received the Youth Award. Cindy Johnson was also presented with the Board Chair Award in recognition of her leadership and dedication during her time as Board Chair.
In her remarks, Cindy reflected on the organization’s future, highlighting several organizational changes designed to strengthen governance, improve efficiency, and support FWSCI’s long-term growth. As she concluded her term as Board Chair, she emphasized that the organization’s success depends on the continued commitment of its members, volunteers, staff, and community partners.
President and CEO Kippen de Alba Chu shared updates on international partnerships, upcoming exchanges, and new initiatives, including FWSCI’s participation in the European Union-funded Cities Gateway Project. He also illustrated the lasting impact of citizen diplomacy through stories of friendships formed through exchanges, host family experiences, and connections that continue across generations. At the heart of these relationships, he emphasized, is curiosity and a willingness to learn from others.
A particularly meaningful highlight was hearing from FWSCI alumna Adagui Aguilera Gomez, Director of Student Advising and Navigation at Tarrant To & Through Partnership. Adagui reflected on her experiences as a Sister Cities student, sharing how her first international exchange to Nagaoka, Japan, opened her world to new possibilities. Through the support of the Harashin Scholarship and FWSCI volunteers, she was able to overcome financial and logistical barriers to participate. Today, she draws on those experiences in her work helping students and families access educational opportunities and envision their futures.
The program also featured a fireside chat led by Carlo Capua with the Cady family, exploring the lasting impact of international exchange and the relationships that develop when families open their homes and lives to people from around the world.
As Fort Worth Sister Cities looks ahead, the 2026 Annual Meeting served as a reminder that global connections begin with individual relationships. Through education, exchanges, and cultural understanding, the organization continues to create opportunities that connect communities and inspire future leaders.
Thank you to our members, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners for making these connections possible. Together, we are connecting today and leading tomorrow!
