The IIE is involved in many different aspects of international educational exchange, from administering the flagship Fulbright program for the U.S. Department of State, to rescuing scholars in danger, to working with corporations and foundations to support global leadership by investing in human capital.   

ExxonMobil was recognized for their outstanding commitment to education and corporate social responsibility; CEO Rex Tillerson accepted the award.  The event highlighted their international scholarship programs to help future leaders in engineering and the geosciences who can develop and cultivate global competency, innovative capacities and critical thinking skills to address the needs of countries and regions such as Russia, Indonesia, the Middle East and North Africa. Students from these regions  attended the gala dinner.

Maestro Lorin Maazel spoke about the impact of his Fulbright to Italy early in his career, and was recognized for his achievements as an artist, composer and educator.

Donny George, former director of the National Museum in Baghdad, and Prince Talal of Jordan talked about their experiences with the Scholar Rescue Fund efforts to assist persecuted scholars from Iraq.

Laya Khadjavi, Roya Khadjavi-Heidari and Nazgol Saati Shahbazi  received IIE's new Women’s Global Leadership Award for their seminal role in launching the Iran Opportunities Fund, an effort to involve the Iranian community in the U.S. in improving cultural and educational relations between Iran and the United States.