Rising Leaders 2019-2020 Cycle Kickoff

AmCham and the US Embassy welcomed 11 new members to the Rising Leaders program on August 20, officially launching the 2019-2020 cycle of the program. Rising Leaders is an initiative of the US Embassy and AmCham to provide access for young, up-and-coming leaders from diverse backgrounds to high-level representatives of the established business community. 13 continuing members of the program also joined the 2019-2020 cycle kickoff event that was hosted at the US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Richard Riley’s residence.

The members of the 2019-2020 Rising Leaders class is comprised of a wide range of personal, professional, and academic backgrounds. Nine countries are represented amongst the participants, a group that includes student leaders, diplomatic staff, young professionals, and entrepreneurs. (Read more about the 2019-2020 Rising Leaders class)

The 2019-2020 kick-off reception began with a leadership roundtable for program participants hosted by Deputy Chief of Mission Riley (DCM). DCM Riley shared insights from a global career that has included stops in Afghanistan, China, Russia, and Iraq, reflecting on the challenges he has faced and overcome in the course of his time with the US Foreign Service and engaging in a personal, reflective dialogue with program participants.

Speaker Profile

Deputy Chief of Mission Richard Riley – US Embassy in Norway

Richard H. Riley, a 27-year veteran of the US Foreign Service, assumed his responsibilities as Deputy Chief of Mission for US Embassy Oslo, Norway on September 17, 2018. He is a member of the US Senior Foreign Service and holds the rank of Minister Counselor. He most recently served as Assistant Chief of Mission for US Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan, the largest US Embassy in the world (2017-2018). In the course of his career with the US Foreign Service, DCM Riley has also served in Yemen, Canada, Iraq, China, Russia, Jamaica, Estonia, and Kazakhstan.

In the course of the roundtable, the DCM noted the importance of having long-term perspective and highlighted why it is critical to keeping oneself above the fray and operate at “30,000 feet.” He also talked about the difficulties people face when making career decisions with a young family, how to further your career and pursue your passions simultaneously, and the dynamic geopolitical and economic changes the world is currently undergoing.

After the conclusion of the leadership roundtable, program participants then joined member company representatives for a networking reception featuring American wines. DCM Riley, AmCham Member & Communications Consultant Tyler Barrott, and Rising Leaders Board President Caroline Pledger addressed attendees on the importance of leadership initiatives such as Rising Leaders to the Norwegian business community and thanking member companies Badenoch & Clark, Cognizant, Korn Ferry, MSD Norge, Simonsen Vogt Wiig, and ReputationInc for their support of the program’s 2018-2019 cycle.

2018-2019 Cycle Supporters

About Rising Leaders

Rising Leaders is an initiative of the US Embassy and AmCham to provide access for young, up-and-coming leaders from diverse backgrounds to high-level representatives of the established business community. AmCham Managing Director Jason Turflinger and US Ambassador Kenneth Braithwaite officially inaugurated the program in April 2018.

The 24 program participants — consisting of 12 women and 12 men from nine countries between the ages of 22 and 35 — have demonstrated leadership, entrepreneurial, and/or business excellence in their educational pursuits and careers thus far. Participants engage business leaders, learn about AmCham member companies, and gain business and leadership skills.

For more information about the program or to learn how your organization can get involved, please contact tb@amcham.no.