Young Professionals Event: "Nations at Play: The Power of Sport in Diplomacy"

Description

Join the Los Angeles World Affairs Council Young Professionals on Wednesday, May 13th from 6:30–8:30 PM for an evening conversation exploring the growing role of sports diplomacy in shaping global engagement, advancing social impact, and strengthening international relationships. This timely discussion will examine how major sporting events, athletes, governments, and emerging technologies are increasingly used as tools of diplomacy—promoting inclusion, resilience, and cross‑cultural understanding on and off the field.

This event will bring together leaders working at the intersection of sport, government, technology, and global policy to discuss what sports diplomacy looks like today—and what it will mean for Los Angeles as it prepares to welcome the world.

Featured Panelists

Dr. Ashleigh Huffman

Sr. Director, Strategic Partnerships
Aspen Institute, Sport & Society

Dr. Ashleigh Huffman is an internationally recognized expert in sports diplomacy, gender equity, and research-driven social impact. As Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Aspen Institute, she forges alliances with governments, corporations, sports leagues, and academic institutions to drive system-level reform that promote sport for all.

Previously, Dr. Huffman served as the Chief of Sports Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State, where she played a key role in shaping international sports policy, advising on major global sporting events—including the Olympics, Paralympics, and World Cup—and leading strategic initiatives that leveraged sport to advance U.S. foreign policy priorities. Before that, she co-founded the Center for Sport, Peace, and Society at the University of Tennessee, leading research on sport’s role in gender and community development.

Dr. Huffman co-created the Global Sports Mentoring Program with the State Department and espnW, a pioneering initiative recognized with the ESPN Stuart Scott Humanitarian Award and Peace and Sport "Diplomatic Action of the Year” Award. Across 130+ countries, she has worked with athletes, coaches, corporations, and policymakers to implement research-based solutions that create lasting impact.

A former two-time basketball captain at Eastern Kentucky University, she earned her PhD in Sociocultural Studies from the University of Tennessee and remains committed to using sport as a platform for systemic change worldwide.

Erin Bromaghim

Former Deputy Mayor of International Affairs, City of Los Angeles

Erin Bromaghim is a seasoned public servant with deep expertise in international affairs, city diplomacy, and strategic planning. She currently serves as Chief of Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, where she oversees policy, operations, and strategic initiatives to improve the quality of life for the residents of Council District 5. 

Previously, Erin served as Deputy Mayor of International Affairs for Mayor Karen Bass, where she led a team focused on connecting global opportunities to Angelenos and building relationships with economic and cultural partners around the world. In this role, she led the City of Los Angeles’ preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as international trade and investment, international relations, educational and cultural exchange, and city diplomacy. 

Erin began her work at the City of Los Angeles in 2017 under former Mayor Eric Garcetti, where she led Olympic and Paralympic Development, as well as the City’s work to meet the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Prior to joining the City, Erin served at the Department of Defense for 13 years, managing complex budget, defense, intelligence, and security reform efforts. With a career spanning local and federal government, Erin brings a wealth of experience in global strategy, policy development, and civic innovation.

Joshua Shen

Visiting Senior Fellow and U.S. Public Diplomat-in-Residence, USC Center on Public Diplomacy

Born in Taiwan and raised in California, Joshua Shen is currently the Public Diplomat in Residence at USC’s Center for Public Diplomacy.  He joined the Foreign Service in 2008 after a brief career working and teaching in Asia.  At USC Joshua instructs courses on geopolitical trends and public diplomacy tools, while also working with students at the US-China Institute on tracking Chinese public sentiment.