Contributing to a More Peaceful World

Alumna Julie Reinganum’s fellowship encourages SAIS students to address global issues

A college study abroad trip to Southeast Asia sparked Julie Reinganum’s interest in peacekeeping after witnessing civil unrest in Indonesia and Malaysia. That desire to alleviate war and poverty led her to the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where she gained a broad view of world affairs.

“At SAIS I was exposed to ideas and concepts,” says Reinganum, SAIS ’79 (MA). “My belief is a greater understanding is the foundation of better relationships worldwide.”

That philosophy has guided Reinganum in an impactful international career in which she’s helped build stronger relations between the U.S. and other countries, even working at the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Today she coaches CEOs as a master chair for Vistage Worldwide, a CEO membership organization.

Her education and experience toward making positive contributions around the world is why Reinganum established the Julie Reinganum Fellowship for Peace and Diplomacy Fund. The fund supports the next generation of SAIS scholars inspired to advance international diplomacy.

“If I had not received financial assistance as a student, I would not have been able to attend SAIS,” Reinganum explains. “The fellowship is a small way for me to pay it forward.”

Reinganum is also a member of the Hopkins-Nanjing Council, serving as an ambassador for the Hopkins-Nanjing Center (HNC), a SAIS campus. She recently pledged a gift in support of the Teaching and Learning Together Fund at HNC.

We spoke with Reinganum about her giving, volunteer service, and the importance of diplomacy.

Since 2019, there have been five recipients of your fellowship. What do you hope the fellowship achieves?

I hope awardees develop an appreciation of the complexity of issues and a desire to help address issues globally. In today’s world, there is a tsunami of information available, and the ability to provide context is even more important than it was 45 years ago. I hope the students gain insight and knowledge that will help themselves and others make a positive contribution.

In addition to the fellowship, you sit on the Hopkins-Nanjing Council. Why is this volunteer work important to you?

I was honored to be asked to be a part of the council. Volunteering provides a window to better understand the current program opportunities and challenges.

You recently pledged a gift in support of the Teaching and Learning Together Fund at the HNC. Why did you want to contribute?

I have been involved with the HNC since the 1980s. I chose to start the Teaching and Learning Together Fund with the intention of supporting the expansion of the activities of the HNC. In order to deepen the relationships, my sense is the HNC faculty need to collaborate with each other: both Chinese and international faculty. My hope is the fund attracts others to contribute to provide the needed financial support to undertake meaningful collaboration on a long-term and sustainable basis.

How did your SAIS education and experience influence your career?

When I was at SAIS, the U.S. and China were opening diplomate relations. The career development office had a few listings for China-related work, including with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. I was offered that position, and off I went to China helping to implement the early agreements between President Carter and Premier Deng Xiaoping. When I began my career post-SAIS, I would have never guessed that I would move to coaching and advisory work. I’m privileged to be part of a network of more than 45,000 CEOs at Vistage Worldwide. I look at my work coaching CEOs as making a small contribution to a more peaceful world.

That sentiment applies to your support of HNC students. Why is it important for this generation to promote world peace?

World peace and prosperity go hand-in-hand. Much of my work and travel have been in areas of extreme poverty. Supporting those who want to actively address the issue of building a world where conflict is reduced is a good place to start. HNC’s foundation of bringing together Chinese and international students to study and learn from each other brings those individuals important skills for diplomacy.