Staff

Rick Gerrard is Vice President of Phoenix Sister Cities Inc. and Deputy Director of the City of Phoenix International Relations Office. Phoenix Sister Cities is a non-profit corporation that manages ten sister city relationships on behalf of the city. He has served in this capacity since 1999. His work includes the design and coordination of international exchange projects and events around the world.

Among the major projects that he has managed was the fundraising initiative to finance the construction of a new kindergarten school in Chengdu, China, built after the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan Province. The kindergarten, named for the City of Phoenix, replaced a school that was destroyed during the earthquake. Rick also took the lead in the development of a training program for doctors and nurses in partnership with the Maricopa County Burn Center to address a critical need for the care of burn victims in Hermosillo, Mexico after the tragic day care fire of 2009 which took the lives of over 50 infants and toddlers. In addition to his sister city related duties, Rick works with international delegations visiting Phoenix on official business, briefing the mayor and city council, and managing matters of protocol for international visitors on official business with the city.

Prior to his arrival in Phoenix, Rick served as Deputy Director at Sister Cities International (SCI) in Washington, DC. He spent ten years with SCI in various capacities. Among his major achievements, Rick organized political, educational, and trade delegations to more than a dozen industrialized and developing countries including some sponsored by the US Department of State. These included the first visit of US mayors to South Africa after the collapse of apartheid (1995); the first visit of US mayors to Vietnam after the normalization of diplomatic ties (1996); and the first visit of US mayors to Northern Ireland, just prior to the Good Friday Agreement (1997). Rick also worked closely with the SCI Board to organize and conduct four Western Hemispheric Fora for municipalities held in the US and Latin America.

Rick has been involved in international affairs for over thirty years. He served for two years as SCI’s State Representative in Arizona and served one year as President of the Arizona State Sister Cities Association. Rick received his Master of Arts in Latin American History from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences and Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He speaks Spanish and Portuguese and served for two years as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay.

Cindy Braun was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived in Los Angeles before recently relocating to the metro area. Cindy’s primary emphasis has been in the Arts, Entertainment and Non-Profit sector, specializing in development, events, operations, community relations and strategic partnerships. She recently joined Phoenix Sister Cities as Events and Membership Coordinator, where she will focus on increasing membership as well as organizing events specifically geared towards our sister cities.

Before moving to Arizona, Cindy was Administrative Director for Everybody Dance LA! Prior to that, Cindy was Director, Membership, Operations and External Relations for the Paley Center for Media, where she launched a variety of membership initiatives and strategic community partnerships resulting in a 62% increase in revenue; drove rental sales which resulted in a 32% rise in new clients and 44% in profits.

Prior to joining the Paley Center, Cindy was AVP, Membership Group where she was responsible for creating appropriate strategies, incentives and programs for recruiting and retaining members. She organized and executed programs and special events for the Board of Directors and top-earning members. She supervised a department of six, as well as overseeing the Group staff of 45. Additionally, Cindy recruited student interns for five national Membership offices, acting as mentor to aide and foster career development. Cindy began her career in advertising and promotions working for the largest promoter in Southern California.

Cindy received her Associate of Arts degree from SD Mesa College. Her passions include music, travel, reading and gardening.

Jovana Vinčić recently graduated with the highest distinction from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, where she pursued Peace Studies with a focus on Social and Cultural Analysis. At ASU, Jovana participated in an international internship in Kyrgyzstan through the ASU Lab of Leadership, Diplomacy, and National Security. Alongside her study abroad experience, Jovana engaged in the Foreign Policy program's Policy Design Studio at ASU, where she learned about U.S. diplomacy while interning for the American Academy of Diplomacy. Furthermore, she was selected for a fellowship program with the Center for the Study of Conflict and Religion, where she assisted the Assistant Director with his research on Global Citizenship and Religion.  Jovana received two awards from the Department of State: first with a Gilman International Scholarship and later for attending a Global Food Security seminar. Jovana’s honors thesis examined the human rights crises of the Crimean Tatars, highlighting current diplomatic efforts and proposing a possible diplomatic resolution.

What motivated you to come to Phoenix Sister Cities?

"As I plan to pursue a career in diplomacy, the Phoenix Sister Cities provide an excellent opportunity to learn how city governments forge connections with other countries on a global scale. A cosmopolitan perspective is essential for succeeding in an international affairs career, and the Phoenix Sister Cities, which promote peace, friendship, and prosperity, will support me in achieving this ideal."

What are you excited to accomplish with this internship?

"Majoring in Peace Studies, I developed an interest in diplomacy and, more significantly, in various strategies for strengthening bilateral relationships. Throughout my time with Phoenix Sister Cities, I firmly believe that I will deepen my understanding of the significance of citizen diplomacy and the role of local government in fostering diplomatic ties with other countries. I am extremely excited to contribute to and support the values and mission of Phoenix Sister Cities, which will prepare me for a career in diplomacy."