On May 15-16, 2026, more than 40 U.S. exchange alumni from Texas and across the country gathered for Career Connections Dallas-Fort Worth: Translating Exchange into Entrepreneurship. The seminar prompted alumni to explore how their international exchange experience can be harnessed to drive local economic impact, while helping to build their career paths in business and entrepreneurship. Through hands-on sessions around entrepreneurial leadership and practical skill-building, conversations with local business leaders, and opportunities to network with fellow alumni, the program highlighted the many ways U.S. exchange alumni can use their skills and experience to drive economic impact in North Texas and across the United States. 

The seminar opened with remarks from Andie De Arment, Global Alumni Coordinator for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, who encouraged alumni to draw on their exchange experiences, strengthen connections, and explore how global perspectives can inform entrepreneurship, leadership, and career growth.

Michael Sherrod of Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business led a small business leadership session that walked alumni through a small business playbook and helped them turn skills developed abroad into entrepreneurial confidence and actionable next steps.

Local business insights, lasting momentum

Day two opened with alumni ready to deepen connections and translate global experiences into local impact. In his keynote, Jonathan Hoeflinger, Founder and CEO of Athletic Estate and a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship alumnus, underscored the importance of resilience, collaboration, and strong networks, emphasizing how global awareness can strengthen leadership and decision-making. This was complemented by a panel featuring representatives from the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Visit Fort Worth, and regional entrepreneurial accelerators, including exchange alumni David Steele (U.S. Speakers Program) and Natalie Lundsteen (Fulbright Specialists Program). Together, they offered a practical look at the North Texas business landscape, highlighting mentorship networks, market expansion strategies, and the local resources that support small business growth from early ideas to sustained ventures.

Alumni participated in breakout sessions that translated broad ideas into actionable tools for entrepreneurship. They gained a clearer understanding of funding pathways and business planning, along with strategies for defining customers, setting pricing, and refining outreach— grounded in their existing expertise and supported by local resources for growth. 

Transforming connections into opportunities

The final program block focused on visibility and action, with sessions on branding, digital positioning, and alumni engagement. Alumni reflected on key takeaways and identified concrete next steps to sustain momentum. As one alumnus shared, “The information felt current, needed, and interesting. It was also easy to understand, even for someone without a business background.” Speakers included local entrepreneurs, marketing experts, City of Fort Worth economic development specialists, and representatives from lending institutions, alongside alumni of U.S.  Department of State-sponsored exchange programs like Patricia Sutherland (English Language Fellow alumna) and Brandon Compean (Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship alumnus). Alumni noted that the seminar was “a great opportunity to practice my networking skills in a positive and supportive environment.”

Career Connections Dallas-Fort Worth demonstrated how U.S. exchange alumni can turn international experience into momentum for small business growth. Over two days, alumni networked with one another and engaged in dialogue with entrepreneurs, ecosystem leaders, and regional experts, who offered both concrete guidance and a broader vision for how international exchange can fuel business innovation, leadership, and community impact. As one U.S. exchange alumnus reflected, the seminar “left me feeling encouraged about starting a business and reenergized about my career.”

Career Connections seminars are a component of the U.S. Exchange Alumni and Capacity Building Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. government and supported in its implementation by IREX.