Purpose of the organization: |
In a shrinking world dominated by dollars and digits, cultural compression, unprecedented migration, and bloody national borders, the ESU believes in building a better world through the English language and international exchange. The ESU works to advance common bonds, person-to-person—one conversation, one presentation and one exchange at a time. By promoting creative and confident civil discourse, we enable participants to rise to their potential as individuals, thrive as global citizens, and join worldwide in pursuing conditions for peace. The English-Speaking Union of the United States was created to fulfill a mission. It was formally organized in the United States in 1920, two years after the establishment of its counterpart in Britain, the ESU of the British Commonwealth, and arose from the conviction of its founder, Sir Evelyn Wrench and a group of like-minded American and British friends, that maintenance of the close personal and national ties forged during World War I was necessary for the preservation of peace. Sir Evelyn firmly believed that given the opportunity to know one another personally, people who shared a common language would soon discover that they also shared similar values, whatever their differences in nationality or background. He imagined the ESU as an inclusive organization "founded in no narrow attitude of race pride, in no spirit of hostility to any people." |
A list of members of the governing body of the organization, and their countries of nationality: |
ESU BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Paul Beresford-Hill, EdD, CBE KSt.J, Chairman, New York, NY; Mountbatten Institute, Director General (USA) E. Quinn Peeper, MD, President, New Orleans, LA; Crescent City Physicians Inc., Obstetrician (USA) Karen Karpowich, Interim Executive Director, The English-Speaking Union (ex officio) (USA) William R. Miller CBE KSt.J, Chairman Emeritus, New York, NY; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Retired (USA) DIRECTORS Cheryl Albuquerque, MD, Madera, CA; Physician (USA) Donald A. Best, Los Angeles, CA; Real Estate Investor (USA) Karen Blair-Brand, PhD, State College, PA; Pennsylvania State University, Faculty USA) Janet Haedicke, Ph.D., College or Arts, Education, and Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Professor (USA) Julia Hansen, Aspen, CO; Aspen Theatre Masters, Founder/Co-Artistic Director (USA) Duncan Karcher, New York, NY; Starr Insurance Holdings, Director of Warranty Operations (USA) Hon. James W. Kerr, Dallas, TX; City of University Park, TX, Associate Municipal Judge (USA) Lisa Kressbach, New York, NY; Rockefeller University, International Council Initiative Director (USA) William B. Maschmeier, Seattle, WA; ClearPoint LLC, Senior Underwriter Retired (USA) Darryl McCormick, Stamford, CT; Stamford Hospital System, SVP, Talent and Culture retired (USA) Bettie Miller, Chapman, AL; Phantom Cook Catering, Owner and Chef (USA) Donna M. Miller, Oviedo, FL; Orange County Public Schools, Retired Curriculum Supervisor (USA) Mary Alice Phelan, Jacksonville, FL; St. Vincent’s HealthCare, Retired (USA) John J. Raffaeli Jr., New York, NY; Mountbatten Institute, Trustee (USA) Charles D. Reaves, Memphis, TN; Apperson Crump PLC, Of Counsel (USA) Jeffrey L. Schnabel, Kansas City, MO; Canterbury Enterprises LLC, Owner and President (USA) Susan D. Sinclair, PhD, Nashville, TN; Sinclair Appraisals and Consulting, Antiques Appraiser (USA) Julia C. Van de Water, EdD, Lexington, VA; ESU Charlottesville Branch, President (USA) Mathew West Esq., New York, NY; Schnader Harrison Segal Lewis LLP, Partner (USA) |