We at Gulf Coast Diplomacy love to give our visitors volunteer opportunities, especially those that highlight the beauty of the natural environment. Sharon Gincauskas, co-president of Ocean Hour, is always more than willing to meet with our visitors and provide an opportunity to explore our beaches and walkways while helping to keep them clean. Each...
Most Community Spotlights highlight the work of adults in Pensacola, Florida. This spotlight, however, focuses on an honorary citizen with a special connection to the City of Five Flags. Abraão José da Silva first came to Northwest Florida from his hometown in Brazil on a World Learning Youth Ambassadors exchange in high school. While here,...
Dr. Mohamed Khabou of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of West Florida (UWF) is the epitome of how international exchange can start small and grow into something greater. Dr. Khabou first learned of Gulf Coast Diplomacy through his daughter, a former Youth Diplomat. As an immigrant from Tunisia, Dr. Khabou encouraged...
When international visitors come to Pensacola, Florida, not only do they explore their fields of expertise through formal meetings, but they also frequently volunteer in roles to enhance our community. From feeding the hungry to building living shorelines, they contribute in many ways. Zachary Schang with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection always welcomes our...
As a program assistant with Escambia County 4-H Youth Development, Jereme Johnson helps shape young leaders through hands-on learning and community engagement. A dedicated partner of Gulf Coast Diplomacy, Johnson regularly hosts international visitors eager to learn from 4-H’s positive youth development model. To make visits meaningful, Johnson and his team design interactive experiences where...
As CEO of Cognitive Big Data Systems, Inc. in Pensacola, Lloyd Reshard demonstrates how entrepreneurship and innovation can strengthen both local business and global understanding. Reshard also regularly engages with international visitors interested in technology, leadership, and business development who come to Northwest Florida on international exchanges. Through these interactions, Reshard and the participants compare...
Grace McCaffery is always pleased to meet with international visitors and speak about her experience as the La Costa Latina Newspaper publisher. She looks forward to sharing ideas and stories with the visitors to foster better connections with different communities worldwide. La Coast Latina Newspaper is a free bilingual newspaper serving to bridge the Spanish...
When Gulf Coast Diplomacy has international visitors studying human trafficking, domestic abuse, or any other women’s rights project, we frequently partner with Pace Center for Girls Escambia Santa Rosa. Through advocacy and education, they have created a strong support network for struggling young women in Florida for over 26 years. In an interview with their...
Recently retired from Gulf Breeze High School, Spanish instructor Mary Montcalm spent her career helping students grow into more informed, engaged citizens. Through her partnership with Gulf Coast Diplomacy, she played a key role in introducing international visitors to American education and values, while reinforcing the importance of those values here at home. Montcalm regularly...
Dr. Megan Pratt, founder of the Pensacola MESS (Math, Engineering, Science, and Stuff) Hall, is dedicated to inspiring curiosity and learning in both youth and adults through hands-on STEM education. A passionate supporter of Gulf Coast Diplomacy’s international exchanges, she regularly welcomes visitors as both a professional host and in a personal setting with her...
