Switch: Professional & Student Exchanges for Economic Development
From North Capital Forum by US-Mexico Foundation
May 20, 2026 · 45 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the economic value of exchange programs and their integration into Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies.
This interactive panel aimed to showcase the economic value of exchange programs. Conversation leaders will share insights on how international exchanges generate economic value and how they can be strategically integrated into Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) to promote trade and investment. Experts explored ways to leverage exchanges in supporting cluster-to-cluster growth, enhancing regional connectivity, and strengthening global competitiveness. Speakers: América Ávalos, National Manager of Education and Family Philanthropy, Coppel Hazel Blackmore, Executive Director, COMEXUS (Fulbright Mexico) Pato Bichara, CEO, Collective Academy Puru Trivedi, Senior Vice President, Meridian International Center Courtney Breckenridge ,Co-Chair, Illinois Innovation Network’s Education and Workforce Committee
People in this episode
Guests: América Ávalos, Hazel Blackmore, Pato Bichara, Puru Trivedi, Courtney Breckenridge
Topics covered
- economic development
- exchange programs
- international trade
- regional connectivity
- global competitiveness
Keywords
- exchange programs
- economic value
- trade
- investment
- cluster growth
- regional connectivity
- global competitiveness
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Coppel, COMEXUS (Fulbright Mexico), Collective Academy, Meridian International Center, Illinois Innovation Network
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