The Cleveland Council on World Affairs Welcomes Three Honorary Directors

The Cleveland Council on World Affairs (CCWA) is honored to welcome three new Honorary Directors to the organization: Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Ambassador Jennifer L. Brush, and Ambassador Edward F. Crawford. Honorary Directors of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs are individuals that have demonstrated a significant commitment and substantial service to the field of international affairs. They join Ambassador Charles Dunbar, Ambassador John D. Ong and Ambassador W.R ”Tim” Timken, Jr. as CCWA Honorary Directors.

2023 marks the Centennial of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs and there will be a special recognition of the role of the U.S. diplomatic corps in representing the United States on the global stage at CCWA’s Centennial Gala on October 19.  ”This year, to celebrate its 100 years of history, CCWA wants to show its gratitude to the Cleveland community, and also to the individuals who serve our coutry overseas in a diplomatic capacity. These three individuals have all done so with distinction, and I am grateful that they are joining us this year,” says Paul Clark, Chair of the CCWA Board of Directors.

Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, a 30-year diplomat, served in several senior positions at the State Department that included Ambassador to the Republic of Malta, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commander of U.S. Cyber Forces, Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism, and, most recently, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer of the Department. Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley is the recipient of the Maltese Order of Merit, Department of State Meritorious and Superior Honor Awards, including “For acts of courage during an attack on the U.S. Consulate General, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on December 6, 2004, by al-Qa’ida terrorists.”

Jennifer Leigh Brush served as the Head of the Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Moldova from 2012 to 2014, after 25 years with the U.S. State Department. From 2014 to 2015, she was the Deputy Special Representative for the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. Her State Department postings included Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge at the U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat, and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. She is the recipient of several Superior and Meritorious Honor awards from the Department of State.

Ambassador Crawford, Chairman of Crawford United Corporation, CEO of The Crawford Group and Director of Park-Ohio, started his first manufacturing business in 1962 while attending night classes. He served in the Army National Guard of Ohio. Under his leadership, Park-Ohio became a publicly traded $1.6 billion company, employing more than 7,000 people in 125 locations worldwide. In 2007, President George W. Bush appointed him to the World Board of Governors of the United Service Organizations (USO). During his 3-year service, he worked with military leaders and traveled to Iraq to open USO operations. From 2019 to 2021, he served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland.

“We are honored that Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley, Ambassador Brush, and Ambassador Crawford are willing to lend their names to support the mission of our organization. Having such distinguished individuals as Honorary Directors elevates our work in promoting greater international understanding in Cleveland, and more global engagement,” says Carina Van Vliet, CCWA’s Chief Executive Officer.