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OUR MISSION

Building Bridges of International Understanding and Goodwill

Our mission is to promote the City of Scottsdale and the Scottsdale Sister Cities Association, Inc., as ambassadors of international friendship and goodwill. The mission is accomplished through programs such as student, educational, cultural and economic development exchanges, which create long-term international partnerships.

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Message from the President

Thank you for visiting the Scottsdale Sister Cities website. Please take your time and explore our site to learn about our mission, our activities, and how we hope to enrich the relationships we have with our eight sister cities.I would personally like to welcome you.

 

I have been on the Board of Directors since 2007, and I can honestly say it has been one of the most worthwhile and rewarding activities I have been involved with.

 

We are all about the people: our colleagues here in Scottsdale and abroad; our community partners who have shared their expertise and resources; our students, both here and in our sister cities, who have participated in and learned so much from exchanges; our City Administrators who have shown continued support; and, we hope, YOU.

 

Please join us as a member, participate in our activities, and get ready for a journey to our “eight” corners of the world.

 

Neil Ciarfalia

President

Our Board of Directors
 
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Neil Ciarfalia

President 2024-2026

BA & MBA Stanford University. Former CFO of Aztar Corp, ran worldwide customer finance function for SAAB Aircraft.

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Lisa E White

Secretary,
Past President 2018-2020, Interlaken Committee Chair

Retired after 30 years from Scottsdale Schools and then five years at Paradise Valley Community College. Wrote curriculum for Scottsdale Schools and University of Phoenix. Taught in Interlaken, Switzerland for nine months as a Fulbright Teacher. Has helped coordinate twelve student exchanges to Interlaken. Master Docent at Phoenix Art Museum. BA in Education and Psychology from ASU. MAE in Counseling from NAU.

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Sandra Zally

Immediate Past President 2022-2024 and Art Program Chair

Sandra Zally studied Fine Art at U. of Southern Maine, and Advertising Art at MCCC. She has created fine art programming for Scottsdale Artists' School, Phoenix Center for the Arts, Phoenix & Peoria Youth Theaters, City of Phoenix Community Centers, Senior Centers, and Arizona State Fair. She currently serves as Youth & Outreach Director for Scottsdale Artists' School, and Department Head for Youth Art & Teen Artist Guild at Phoenix Center for the Arts.

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Donna Hartz

Past President 2020-2022, Youth Committee Chair

A climatologist, with a PhD from ASU and a specialization in climate and health issues. Her research is widely published, and she has had the opportunity to present her research at conferences around the world. She has a passion for encouraging science education in the schools, and a yearning for exploration and travel - visiting 80+ countries on all seven continents.

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Bob Rink

Alamos Committee Chair

Bob is a freelance photographer and has a house in Alamos. He served as the city of Phoenix’s photographer for 25 years, and currently assists local governments, organizations and non-profits with their photography needs. His photography has appeared in numerous publications, including Arizona Highways, Arizona Republic, Boston Globe, Mesa Tribune, New Times, Phoenix Business Journal, Sunset Magazine, The Oregonian, USA Today and Washington Post. Bob is also involved with Through Each Others Eyes, a group of Phoenix area photographers who promote global cultural understanding through photography. He has completed exchanges between Phoenix and the following communities: Himeji, Japan; Havana, Cuba; Hermosillo, Mexico; Baguio, Philippines and recently, Cairns, Australia. He and his sister have developed an annual international photo festival with the Sonoran Cultural Institute in Alamos, Mexico, which travels throughout the state of Sonora and Arizona. He is currently serving on the board of the Japanese Friendship Garden located in downtown Phoenix.

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Moulay Zougari

Marrakech Committee Chair

Born in Marrakech, Morocco. BS in computer science from University of Texas. Senior Software Engineer and project management from 1993 to present. CEO and proprietor of a Scottsdale restaurant. Member of Scottsdale Soccer League.

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Raul Guevar

Director-at-Large

A native Arizonan, Raul is a dynamic serial entrepreneur with a strong academic background in Management & Entrepreneurship, Global Leadership, and International Business. He's an avid contemporary art collector, and he's also known for his innovative ventures in emerging technologies and real estate, leading to successful exits from multiple endeavors. His diverse portfolio includes Global Real Estate Assets, Emerging Technology Companies, and Intellectual Property in augmented, virtual, and mixed reality sectors. As the driving force behind CAVR, a multinational Marketing Agency, and Arcadia Design Co., Raul excels in crafting cutting-edge solutions for a global clientele. Facilitated by his entrepreneurial ventures Raul has visited over 38 countries, which has given him invaluable life experiences, and has helped him perfect his language skills, gaining fluency in English and Spanish, and proficiency in French, Italian, and Portuguese.

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Glen Loveland

Vice President

Glen Loveland's passion for public service took root early on during his internship for Senator Pete V. Domenici (R-NM). He went on to serve as Press Secretary for Congressman Tom Udall (D-NM) before taking his talents abroad. Living in Beijing for over a decade from 2007-2020, Loveland broke barriers as the first foreigner hired by China Central Television (CCTV)/China Global Television Network (CGTN) in a human resources role. His successes with Pearson, The Walt Disney Company, and CCTV displayed the power of bridge-building and cross-cultural collaboration. As Head of HR for semiconductor construction firm UIS's landmark Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) project in Arizona, Loveland spearheaded talent acquisition and employee relations strategies on a massive scale. Today, he lends his global perspective as a Senior Specialist at the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Loveland studied Mandarin Chinese at the Beijing Language and Culture University and holds a B.A. in History from the University of Massachusetts.

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George Hartz

Treasurer, Past President 2012-2014, Cairns and Uasin Gishu Committee Chair

BA Georgetown University. Retired Senior Vice President of CIGNA where he managed international reinsurance business with clients in over 120 countries. He currently provides expert witness consulting for international disputes. George is past Chairman of Scottsdale’s Historic Preservation Commission, director and past President of the Friends of the Library, and on the state and local Boards of the Arizona Historical Society. Signed Uasin Gishu, Kenya as a Sister City during his presidency.

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Suzan Austin

Kingston Committee Chair

Born in Orange, New Jersey. BA and MA from University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Taught high school English in Burlington, NC for 10 years. Moved the Scottsdale in 1980. Taught English and was a staff developer in the Phoenix Union High School District for 20 years. Retired in 2004 from position as English Department Chair at Metro Tech High School in Phoenix. Member and former officer of the Calgary Committee of Phoenix Sister Cities. Vice President, Annual Meeting Chair, and Chapters Chair of the Arizona Education Association – Retired.

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Kathy George

Past President 2016-2018, Membership Committee Chair

Received an MA from ASU. Enjoyed 28 years as an Organizational Consultant for a national association with a focus on strategic planning for effective membership recruitment, retention and engagement. Trained contract negotiations, legislative advocacy, political action and leadership development skills.

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Dory Gosar

Director-at-Large, SCC Liaison

Dory's upbringing in Tehran, Iran amidst geopolitical turmoil sparked her passion for global understanding and cultural exchange. She holds a BS in Journalism from Northern Arizona University. With over 25 years of funding and nonprofit executive experience, she has dedicated her career to community empowerment through initiatives with government agencies and key stakeholders. Dory's commitment to service has continued throughout her journey with a portfolio that includes diverse roles and contributions to various Arizona Boards and Committees. Dory currently oversees the Grants Office at Scottsdale Community College.

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Emily Wininger

Director-at-Large, Experience Scottsdale

Born into a military family, Emily moved between 10 states throughout her childhood before settling in Arizona to attend college at ASU. Emily graduated with a BS in Psychology, a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, a minor in Women Studies and an honors degree from Barrett Honors College where she defended an original thesis on social media practices in the luxury hospitality segment. Emily worked in the travel and tourism public relations sector in Las Vegas for MGM Resorts International and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Emily has since relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona and currently serves as the Tourism Sales Manager for Experience Scottsdale overseeing international tourism efforts and is glad to be back in her desert home.

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Terri Thorson

Director-at-Large

Terri is an instructor with the Technical Writing and Communication program within Arizona State University, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, School of Applied Professional Studies. She teaches undergraduate and graduate technical communications, digital media writing, and writing communication for management courses. Terri is vice president, Arizona Chapter, Society for Technical Communication. She has more than 25 years of high-tech experience specializing in technical writing and editing, marketing, employee communications, and worldwide corporate communications. Terri currently serves on the Scottsdale Sister Cities Killarney Committee. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations and M.A. Mass Communication, Arizona State University, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

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