Remembrance of Bruce Gelb, by Sherry Mueller
When I learned of the passing of Bruce Gelb, I immediately thought about his lasting impact on the field of public diplomacy and PDCA. My first image of him came when I worked at the Institute of International Education as director of the professional exchange programs PEP. PEP was one of the private sector program agencies that worked with USIA specifically on the International Visitor Program and other exchanges. I remember hearing Bruce speak at the NCIV (now Global Ties U.S.) National Meeting when he was first appointed Director of the U.S. Information Agency. His passion for public diplomacy in general and international exchange in particular was clearly in evidence.
Later in his career when he served as Co-president of the Council of American Ambassadors CAA) I was privileged to observe his role in establishing the Davis Fellows Program. In 2008 he convinced a remarkable woman in our field, Kathryn W Davis, to endow this program that benefits two or three mid-career FSOs in the public diplomacy cone each year.
One of my favorite memories is attending some of the Council of American Ambassadors welcome dinners for Davis Fellows and hearing Bruce speak so passionately about the need for effective public diplomacy that comes from well-trained and broadly-educated Foreign Service Officers.
Bruce was instrumental in establishing the partnership between the Public Diplomacy Council and CAA so that PDC (and now PDCA), each year since the program was founded, conducted a variety of mentoring sessions for the Davis fellows. Just last Thursday, Mark Overmann, Executive Director of The Alliance for International Exchange and I enjoyed a lively discussion with the three current Davis Fellows. I would characterize these sessions as less mentoring and more of an active exchange of information and perspectives. Our topic was public-private partnerships. The conversation ranged from my recommending they read Bruce Gregory‘s book American Diplomacy‘s Public Dimension to their highlighting the PD initiatives they’ve spearheaded that gave them the greatest pride.
As we discussed ways of navigating contemporary challenges, Mark and I certainly learned as much as we shared. That session is just one example of Bruce’s continuing legacy. I certainly am most grateful for his enduring commitment to putting Uncle Sam‘s best foot forward.
Dr. Sherry Mueller was president of the Public Diplomacy Council and co-president of the Public Diplomacy Council of America. She is Distinguished Practitioner in Residence in the School of International Service at American University and co-author (with Mark Overmann) of Working World.