Our Mission »
The Council, founded in 2000, enables Montanans to appreciate the relationship of foreign policy and international issues to their lives in the Rockies. The Council offers opportunities to better understand world events through people-to-people diplomacy, distinguished speakers, overseas visits, and educational outreach programs. As globalization reaches into all corners of the Big Sky, the Council seeks to help educate citizens about their increased political, economic, and cultural integration into the world community. We invite you to join us, and we appreciate your support and interest.
Who We Are »
Ambassador Mark Johnson (Ret.) – Council Founder
Ambassador Mark Johnson (ret.) is the Vice Chair of the US Center for Citizen Diplomacy and the former national Vice Chair of the World Affairs Councils of America in Washington, D.C. He has served as a Mansfield Adjunct Professor at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center of the University of Montana and in 2000, founded the World Affairs Council of Montana, a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to connecting Montanans with the world around them. Ambassador Johnson retired from the U.S. State Department after serving 30 years in a variety of foreign policy positions. He was United States Ambassador to Senegal from 1993-1996. At the time of his retirement, he was Deputy Inspector General of the State Department.
Mr. Johnson began his diplomatic career in Kuwait as a Commercial Attaché. He returned to Kuwait in 1991 as Deputy Chief of Mission to reopen the Embassy during the Desert Storm military campaign. From 1989 – 1990, Mr. Johnson served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the American Embassy in Cairo, Egypt and was engaged in the Middle East peace process.From 1986 – 1989, Mr. Johnson held the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs. His service in Africa includes postings in Kenya and Burkina Faso. He served in the Office of Iranian Affairs and on the Iran Hostages Working Group from 1977 – 1980. In 1992, President George Bush awarded him the President’s Meritorious Service Award. Mr. Johnson received a BSFS from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and an MA in International Economics from George Washington University. He is a fourth generation Montanan and is married to Sally J. Cummins who is an Attorney-Adviser with the US State Department. They live in Lolo, Montana.
Aubrie Lyons – Executive Director
Aubrie Lyons first became involved with the World Affairs Council in 2003 and has served as the Executive Director since 2008. Over the years she has continued her work developing the Council’s infrastructure, expanding community outreach activities and further developing K-12 global education initiatives in efforts to reach out to rural schools and communities across the state. She strongly believes in the importance of fostering global awareness and cultural understanding and is dedicated to maximizing the Council’s vision of bringing the world to Montana and Montana to the world.
Originally from Cleveland, OH, she attended The University of Montana receiving a B.A. from the School of Education in Political Science/History with a Secondary Teaching Certificate and recently completed her MPA with a concentration in International Development. Aubrie currently serves on the Missoula County Public Schools Citizen Budget Advisory Board and was recently appointed to serve on the World Affairs Councils of America’s National Education Committee.
Contact: alyons@montanaworldaffairs.org
Robert Seidenschwarz – Board President
Mr. Seidenschwarz earned his B.A. at the University of Montana. Professionally, he began as a registered representative at I.D.S. Financial Services in 1982. In the spring of 1987, he left I.D.S. to become one of the original founders of the predecessor firm to S.G. Long & Co. He is a licensed financial advisor specializing in Retirement and Estate Planning for individuals and businesses.
He is currently serving as Chairman of the Board for the Montana World Affairs Council for which he has been associated with for the last three years. Mr. Seidenschwarz is an advocate for international education and is active in all aspects of program developments with the Council.
Board Members
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Doris Armstrong
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Mark Connell
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Maureen Fleming, Treasurer
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Linda Howard
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Kelly Hughes-Milodragovich
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Nancy Matthews
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John Marks
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Charlie Oliver
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Dr. Michael Schutte
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MJ Schutte, Vice-President
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Chris Squires
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Carol Stovall, Secretary
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Terry Weidner
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Michael Wangen
