In 1999, I arrived at the University of California, Berkeley, as the J. William Fulbright Distinguished Professor of International and Area Studies. At the time, I was a professor of international relations at Queen's University, with a particular interest in Canada–U.S. relations, public diplomacy, and the role of education in building stronger international partnerships.

My year at Berkeley proved transformative, both professionally and personally. I had the opportunity to work with remarkable colleagues, including Professor Tom Barnes, whose intellectual curiosity, generosity, and enthusiasm for Canada and Canadian Studies left a lasting impression. I discovered the extraordinary power of the Fulbright community to open doors, create friendships, encourage new ideas, and bring people together.

What stayed with me most was a simple but powerful lesson: international understanding begins with people. Academic exchange is about much more than research and teaching. It is about discovering how others live, what they value, and how our shared experiences can help us build a better future.

When I returned to Canada, I wanted others to have that same opportunity. In 2001, I became President and CEO of Fulbright Canada. For the past 25 years, I have had the privilege of helping successive generations of students, scholars, and emerging leaders experience the transformative power of international exchange. Along the way, we have expanded our programs, created new research chairs, established the Killam Fellowships program, launched initiatives that address contemporary public policy challenges and meet societal needs, and built partnerships that continue to enrich and expand human capacity in both countries.

My Fulbright experience changed the direction of my career and my life. More importantly, it reinforced my conviction that education, curiosity, and meaningful personal relationships can make a genuine difference in the world.

As we celebrate Fulbright's 80th anniversary, I am proud to give back to a program that has given me so much. I hope fellow alumni will join me in paying it forward.

Every gift matters. Every connection matters. And every new Fulbright opportunity is an investment in our shared future.