ILTexas students recently took center stage—not just as attendees, but as hosts, moderators, and thought leaders—during a dynamic Leadership Speaker Series event featuring internationally recognized experts David J. Firestein and Jim Falk.

The event, entirely organized and hosted by students, showcased the strength of ILTexas’ mission to develop globally minded leaders. A panel of student moderators led a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion with the two distinguished guests, asking probing questions about diplomacy, U.S.–China relations, global leadership, and the role of communication in shaping international understanding.

A Conversation Rooted in Global Experience

Mr. Firestein, the inaugural president and CEO of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, brought decades of experience in diplomacy and public service to the stage. A decorated career U.S. diplomat specializing in U.S.–China relations from 1992 to 2010, Firestein has earned national recognition for his contributions to international affairs, including the Maurice R. Greenberg Global Leadership Award presented at Carnegie Hall in 2023.

Before leading the Bush China Foundation, Firestein served as founding executive director of the China Public Policy Center at The University of Texas at Austin and held senior leadership roles at the EastWest Institute. Known as one of the world’s most accomplished non-native Mandarin speakers, he has interpreted for top U.S. and Chinese leaders and has authored multiple books on China, including two Chinese-language best-sellers.

Students engaged Firestein in conversation about the complexities of U.S.–China relations, the importance of intellectual honesty in diplomacy, and how young leaders can approach global challenges with courage and curiosity.

Joining him was Jim Falk, a respected journalist and global affairs moderator whose career has centered on elevating thoughtful dialogue. As longtime President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, Falk transformed the organization into one of the nation’s premier forums for international discussion. Today, he continues to shape global conversations as host of The Forum and the podcast WorldNow with Jim Falk, and through his leadership roles with Global Santa Fe, the Asia Society Texas Center, and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.

Over the course of his career, Falk has interviewed global leaders including former secretaries of state, national security advisors, military commanders, historians, and authors. His expertise in guiding meaningful, substantive conversations was on full display as he engaged with ILTexas students—this time not as the primary moderator, but as a participant responding to student-led questions.

Students at the Helm

What made this Leadership Speaker Series especially remarkable was the students’ leadership. From planning logistics to crafting questions that explored nuanced geopolitical issues, students demonstrated poise, preparation, and intellectual depth well beyond their years.

They asked about diplomacy in an era of rising tensions, the role of cultural understanding in preventing conflict, and how communication shapes policy at the highest levels of government. The dialogue reflected ILTexas’ commitment to international education, language acquisition, and developing future leaders prepared to operate on a global stage.

The event was more than a lecture—it was a model of student-driven inquiry. By hosting and moderating such accomplished voices in foreign policy and international affairs, ILTexas students demonstrated that they are not only learning about global leadership—they are actively practicing it.

As the conversation concluded, one thing was clear: the future of international dialogue is bright, and ILTexas students are ready to lead it.