The Robertson Foundation for Government (RFG) is proud to announce a recent partnership with the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP). ICAP is a professional development and leadership program for highly promising mid-career professionals from underrepresented groups in international affairs in the United States. It provides a support network, career advising, mentors, policy and research background, and other forms of assistance in order to help professionals from underrepresented groups reach their potential and attain leadership positions in international affairs in both the public and private sectors.
The inauguration of the program involves an introductory day in Washington, DC and a week in Aspen at the Aspen Institute, where participants engage in professional development activities, hear from panels of policy and research experts, work with senior mentors and career advisors, and interact with other participants.
As a new partner, RFG was honored to sponsor a 2022 ICAP Fellow, Luis González, and facilitate his participation in the Aspen program on October 1-9, 2022. Mr. González is a political-coned Foreign Service Officer serving as a Political Officer in the Department of State’s Office of the Coordinator for Cuban Affairs.
“My participation in the ICAP Aspen program, generously sponsored by the Robertson Foundation for Government, was a transformational experience,” Mr. González recounts. “During my week in Aspen, I embraced my authentic self and story, my new ICAP community of peers and mentors, and professional development experiences that will advance my career goals and help me lift others to reach their potential.” He shared how the ICAP Aspen program expertly focused on the realities and challenges faced by underrepresented and historically disadvantaged mid-career foreign policy professionals, commenting that “it filled us with new energy, hope, and connections to carry on as change agents in our professions.” Reflecting on his experience as an ICAP Fellow, Mr. González states, “The experience provided me a moment to pause and review my personal and professional journey and helped me define steps to further achieve my career and personal service goals.”
Following the ICAP Aspen program, Mr. González began a 13-month assignment in the State Department’s Operations Center as a Watch Officer. RFG looks forward to hearing more about his career and future accomplishments, while also advancing its newly established partnership with ICAP!