About the IRC Ambassadors
Are you an international affairs enthusiast who wants to get involved with the IRC on a deeper level? Do you enjoy conversations about global politics, culture, and current events? Do you wish you had a community of fellow IR aficionados to bond with and grow your community? The IRC Ambassadors is the place for you.

Ambassadors are a group of young people with a strong interest in foreign affairs who are looking to engage deeper with the IRC. Ambassadors lead IRC initiatives such as organizing programming, networking and happy hours, blog posts and articles, and more – all with the idea of building a welcoming community.

FAQ

What is it?: Ambassadors are a group of young people with a strong interest in foreign affairs who are looking to engage deeper with the IRC.

What do they do? Ambassadors lead IRC initiatives such as organizing programming, networking and happy hours, blog posts and articles, and more.

How do I get involved? Apply! The application is available online, we’ll send it to you if you fill out this form.

How much of a commitment is it? Approximately one meeting a month, then involvement with the IRC at your leisure. Some folks attend every Roundtable, some don’t attend any of them. Either one’s fine.

What sorts of activities are there? Ambassador programs will be designed by the group! Alongside those, we’ll have opportunities like (site visits, museum tours, performance tickets) for the group to get involved with KC’s international community.

Who is eligible: The program is designed for ages 21-35.

Is Membership Required: All IRC Ambassadors are required to be active IRC members as well.

Is There A Program Fee: No!

What’s The Timeline: Applications open from September – October, the initial cohort begins in January.

What Benefits Come With It: Opportunities to design + lead programming, mentorship & leadership development, special opportunities to engage with KC’s international community (museum tours, site visits, performance tickets)


How to Get Involved
To get involved as an IRC Ambassador, fill out the form below! We will get in touch with you right away and let you know how to get involved and when the next official meet up is. All Ambassadors must be IRC members.

Ambassadors Leadership Team

Yara Elkoush
Yara ElkoushAmbassador
Yara Elkoush is an Electrical Engineering student and NCAA Division II student-athlete from Egypt with a passion for international relations, leadership, and science diplomacy. She is interested in using engineering and science to build connections across countries and communities. In 2026, she attended the United Nations three times, further strengthening her interest in international engagement and diplomacy. She is a recipient of Rockhurst University’s 2025 Rising Leader Award and 2026 International Leader of the Year Award. As an IRC Ambassador, she looks forward to highlighting Kansas City’s international community and connecting local and global perspectives.
Joseph Morrissey
Joseph MorrisseyAmbassador
Joseph Morrissey is an analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a graduate of Utah State University, where he earned degrees in Finance and Economics with a minor in Russian. Having lived in Lithuania, his work focuses on the economies, business environments, and geopolitical developments of Northern and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with a particular emphasis on the Baltic region. As an IRC Ambassador, Joseph is committed to strengthening Kansas City’s global engagement by fostering international dialogue, encouraging cross-cultural understanding, and building connections between Kansas City and partners around the world.

The views expressed are his own and do not reflect those of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City or the Federal Reserve System.

Biruk Alemu
Biruk AlemuAmbassador
Biruk Alemu immigrated to Olathe, Kansas, in 2017 and attended Olathe North High School. After Graduation, he joined Kansas State University, where he double-majored in Political Science and International Area Studies. In addition, he served in the Kansas Army National Guard from 2019 to 2025, deploying to the Middle East in 2024. He was part of the 42nd Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals cohort as well as USROK National Assembly exchange alumni.