What does American government look like from the statehouse to the school district? In Northwest Florida, international exchange participants saw it in action and meet the people who make it work.
In August 2026, Gulf Coast Diplomacy welcomed an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) focused on U.S. State and Local Government. It connected Northwest Florida professionals, students, families, and community members with leaders from around the world, expanding networks, exchanging perspectives, and putting local expertise into an international conversation. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs sponsored the project, and Meridian International Center administered it nationally.
Over three programming days, participants explored how government works at the city, county, and state levels; how elections are administered; how courts and prosecutors support accountability and the rule of law; and how public education is governed locally. Just as importantly, they met the Northwest Floridians behind those institutions.
Their time in Pensacola also included conversations with Gulf Coast Diplomacy’s Youth Diplomats, an Exchange Café with locals, home hospitality, and opportunities to experience Northwest Florida’s history and culture.
Program Highlights
- Official Welcome & Orientation at Pensacola City Hall
City Administrator David Stafford and Economic Development Director Steven Baham welcomed participants to Pensacola and discussed municipal government, public services, economic development, demographic trends, and community engagement. Ginger Brauneis and Elaine Mager helped coordinate the meeting. - Escambia County Government
Escambia County Commissioner Steve Stroberger discussed county government responsibilities within the American federal system, including how county officials set priorities, allocate resources, engage constituents, and respond to local challenges. - State and Local Leadership
Attorney and former state legislator and Pensacola City Council member James J. Reeves joined Florida Representative Michelle Salzman and Legislative Aide Anna Grace Michael for a conversation about constituent representation, public policy, the legislative process, consensus building, and the relationship among government, business, and civic institutions.
One participant later singled out the conversation with Representative Salzman:
“The session with her gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of community engagement and building trust. I especially appreciated the humility with which she shared her experiences.”
- Youth Diplomats & Historic Pensacola
Twenty-one students from six area high schools and one homeschooling program began Gulf Coast Diplomacy’s 10th Youth Diplomats cohort by meeting the exchange participants and exploring Historic Pensacola Village together. For many of the students, it was their first Youth Diplomats meeting and their first opportunity to engage directly with international exchange participants.
The experience made an impression on the adults, too:
“It was so refreshing to see Gen Z take up an interest in international relations, asking questions, listening to our experiences, and sharing their perspective. I had a blast understanding the Gen Z culture in the U.S. What stood out most was their curiosity about the world beyond their own borders. Conversations like these are a meaningful way to build understanding and make this world feel just a little bit closer. Thank you, Youth Diplomats.”
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender introduced participants to local election administration during an active early-voting period. Participants explored voter registration, poll worker training, voter outreach, electoral integrity, and different ways Floridians can cast their ballots. They also participated in a mock election using actual voting equipment. Mark Mizrahi helped coordinate the appointment. - Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
Court Services Director Laura Campbell and her colleagues welcomed participants to the Santa Rosa County Courthouse for a closer look at court administration, public records, financial oversight, audits, accountability, and the work of the judiciary. Campbell also helped coordinate the appointment.
For one court leader from Cambodia, the meeting offered more than an introduction to an American institution:
“I greatly appreciated their openness in exploring the important role of the Clerk of Court and Comptroller in supporting the court system, maintaining public records, ensuring accountability, and providing services to the community. Their practical example helped me better understand effective court administration and transparency. This meeting gave me the idea that I hope to reflect upon in my own work as a court leader in Cambodia.”
- Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit
Assistant State Attorney Frederick Longmire discussed the legal and institutional mechanisms that promote transparency, accountability, and ethical governance in Florida, including Florida’s Sunshine Law and public corruption cases. Gabby Grice helped coordinate the appointment. - Exchange Café
Thirteen Northwest Floridians joined participants over coffee, tea, and apple pie for conversations about civic life, public service, and community engagement. The locals brought perspectives from education, public service, environmental sustainability, the Foreign Service, the arts, the military, and other areas of community life. - Escambia County Public Schools
Superintendent Keith Leonard met with participants to discuss the relationship among local, state, and federal education policies, the responsibilities of elected school boards, and how public education policy is implemented locally. Dana Harris helped coordinate the appointment. - Home Hospitality
Vicki and Brian Barlow, Leigh and Kent DeSantis, and Leslie and Gerry Yandle opened their homes to the exchange participants for an evening of dinner and conversation.
One participant described what that welcome meant:
“Hospitality felt like I have someone very close in Pensacola. They just made me feel at home. … I learned a lot from him. I wish this family every happiness in the world.”
Why It Matters
One participant summarized the Pensacola experience this way:
“Your exceptional leadership and organization made our IVLP visit to Pensacola both highly productive and dearly memorable. The insightful sessions, seamless coordination, and warm, meaningful diplomatic engagements provided invaluable opportunities to exchange ideas and build lasting connections.”
Participants did not simply hear about American state and local government. They talked with people who work within it. They used voting equipment. They visited the courthouse. They heard from elected officials and public administrators. They talked with American teenagers about civic engagement and international affairs. Around dinner tables and over coffee, they met a variety of Northwest Floridians.
The professional impact was equally tangible. A court leader from Cambodia left the Santa Rosa County Courthouse with an idea to reflect upon in their own work. Another participant left a conversation with Representative Salzman thinking more deeply about community engagement and trust. The Youth Diplomats also learned that their questions and perspectives mattered to accomplished professionals from around the world.
That is what professional exchange can do when local expertise and international perspectives are brought into the same room.
Thank You to Our Partners
Programs like this depend on Northwest Floridians who are willing to give their time and share their expertise.
We are grateful to Steven Baham, Robert Bender, Ginger Brauneis, Laura Campbell, Gabby Grice, Dana Harris, Keith Leonard, Frederick Longmire, Elain Mager, Anna Grace Michael, Mark Mizrahi, James J. Reeves, Representative Michelle Salzman, David Stafford, and Commissioner Steve Stroberger, as well as the teams and colleagues who participated in these meetings.
We also thank our Youth Diplomats, the 13 Northwest Floridians who participated in the Exchange Café, and home hospitality hosts Vicki and Brian Barlow, Leigh and Kent DeSantis, and Leslie and Gerry Yandle.
Your time, expertise, questions, and hospitality gave our exchange participants the opportunity to experience American state and local government not simply as a system, but through the people and communities that make it work.
With Representative Michelle Salzman