Home » IFE Leadership Program

IFE Leadership Program

Leadership is the spark that ignites -- the action that gets things moving. The inspiration to kick things off.

IFE provides this spark. It's the catalyst that connects people, governments, organizations, and philanthropies most effectively.

This is the leadership program at the Institute for Education. IFE works behind the scenes to facilitate process and dialogue, to promote change, to forge strategic alliances that will benefit the world community.

The leadership program's activities often involve introducing key players to one another, so that they, in turn, may spark new initiatives and efforts. The process of providing and promoting leadership involves working as a trusted facilitator. The process is non-linear, but it is crucial in nurturing cooperation, participation, and conversation.

IFE is frequently called upon to provide leadership in various ways. Some examples include:

  • IFE provided the spark in bringing the local cultural leadership of the Capital City to welcome and celebrate Mayor Adrian Fenty and Michele Fenty at The Phillips Collection.
  • IFE co-hosted a special kickoff for the 2008 Olympics with the Chinese Ambassadress, Madame XIE, at her residence. Included were congressional and cabinet spouses and special friends of IFE.
  • IFE has provided the spark of leadership to several philanthropic organizations, including the founding of the Center for International Education at Washington International School.
  • IFE assists various developing nations in communicating the nuanced states of their countries to the media, opinion makers, and special friends of IFE.
  • IFE frequently welcomes new Ambassadors informally to the Capital City's leadership. These activities might include a golf or tennis outing, a meal in the Senate dining room, or an invitation to attend the IFE/INFO Public Policy Roundtable forum with special friends of IFE.

2010 IFE Leadership Award

On May 13, 2010, at a lavish dinner reception at the Egyptian Embassy, the Institute for Education (IFE) presented its 2010 IFE Leadership Award to Christopher Caine, President and CEO of Mercator XXI, in honor of Mr. Caine's leadership in every IFE program. (Videos)

Chris was honored one year after President Obama's historic speech at Cairo University, to recognize the importance of economic and cultural partnerships for leaders from Egypt, the US and the global community.

In addition to honoring Chris Caine, the evening provided the occasion to announce LearnServe Egypt, IFE's first-ever LearnServe program in the Middle East. Funds raised from the dinner will enable students in the Washington, DC area to travel to Egypt, partner with Egyptian students, and help build the next generation of social and cultural enterpreneurs. IFE will partner with Mercator XXI to encourage and promote entrepreneurship, innovation, risk taking and leadership.

Finally, the evening brought together esteemed opinion leaders with Egyptian diplomats featuring a vibrant discussion on the topic of "Egypt and USA: Leading Through Economic and Cultural Partnerships" one year after President Obama's historic speech at Cairo University.

His Excellency Sameh Hassan Shoukry, Ambassador of Egypt, opened the evening by welcoming distinguished guests. IFE's Founder and CEO, Coach Kathy Kemper, echoed Ambassador Shoukry's sentiments and highlighted the role that initiatives like LearnServe Egypt will play in drawing the United States and Egypt closer together.

After an elegant, multi-course dinner, Coach Kemper introduced His Excellency Jan Matthysen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, and Samuel Palmisano, Chairman and CEO of IBM Corporation. Ambassador Matthysen and Chairman Palmisano presented Mr. Caine with the 2010 IFE Leadership Award as well as a prized replica of Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator's famous globe.

In his acceptance remakrs, Chris Caine emphasized the importance of cultural and economic exchanges in the United States and the Arab and Muslim worlds. Such constructive engagement, he noted, will play a critical role in efforts to generate solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.

A deserving recipient of the 2010 IFE Leadership Award, Mr. Caine will be working closely with IFE over the next several months to launch LearnServe Egypt.

Chinese Ambassador honors Coach Kemper

Ambassador and Mrs. Zhou Wenzhong dinner "In appreciation of Coach Kathy Kemper's friendship and goodwork for better understanding between China and US" May 16th, 2007 at their residence.

Coach Kemper, Tom Friedman, Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
Coach Kathy Kemper, Tom Friedman, Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong at a dinner at the Chinese Ambassadors residence honoring Coach Kathy Kemper

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Coach Kemper, Judy Woodruff, Tom Friedman
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Coach Kathy Kemper, Judy Woodruff, Tom Friedman

Jim Valentine, Xie Shumin, Coach Kemper, Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
Jim Valentine, Xie Shumin, Coach Kathy Kemper, Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong

Chris Caine, President and CEO of Mercator XXI, receives 2010 IFE Leadership Award (PDF)

Read Coach Kemper's opening remarks for the May 13, 2010 Leadership Dinner honoring Chris Caine >>


Ina Ginsburg, Institute for Education Steward, receives France’s Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. (PDF)

IFE Leadership award recipient, Chris Caine, Mercator XXI and Coach Kathy Kemper at the Chinese Embassy

"As someone who attends a lot of activities in Washington, Kathy Kemper's IFE INFO gatherings are unique. They combine a rare mix of leaders from nationally renowned journalists, to local and national business people, Ambassadors and even Supreme Court Justices. They allow me to widen my view and expand my thinking."

- Chris Caine, Mercator XXI, IFE Leadership 2010 recipient.