About Us

Connecting Columbus to the World

Greater Columbus Sister Cities

Since 1996 Greater Columbus Sister Cities International creates exchanges and connections that promote peace and strengthen communities. By celebrating and appreciating differences around the world, we can build long-lasting relationships, increase international trade and empower the future leaders of tomorrow.

Columbus is beginning to take its rightful place on the international stage. With our vision to be a catalyst for sustainable international economic, cultural, educational and environmental partnerships GCSCI plays a unique role in the vitality of the community. GCSCI does this by collaborating with the business community, diverse local communities, and thriving arts and education sectors. Through these strong collaborations GCSCI is helping central Ohio play a dynamic international role that is critical to growth in the 21st century.

These values are the foundation upon which GCSCI conducts business and promotes local, national, and international relationships.

– Collaboration across boundaries
– Cross cultural respect and understanding
– Fiscal responsibility
– Innovation and entrepreneurship
– Passion for measurable results
– Strategic partnership and
– Collaboration with other like-minded civic organizations to further our mission

Our Mission

Greater Columbus Sister Cities International builds community relationships around the world through education, economic development, and arts & culture.

Our Vision

Recognition of Greater Columbus as a vibrant international region through dynamic collaborations with its global network of Sister Cities.

Our Staff

Jayme Staley

Executive Director

Greater Columbus Sister Cities International

Staley serves as Executive Director of Greater Columbus Sister Cities International where she is responsible for developing and managing the Sister City relationships on behalf of the City of Columbus and Franklin County. At Greater Columbus Sister Cities she works to build community relationships around the world through education, economic development and arts and culture.

Prior to joining Greater Columbus Sister Cities International, Staley served as Vice President for Public Affairs of Triumph Communications where she worked with corporate, nonprofit, and political clients to develop strategic initiatives and public affairs campaigns on a wide-ranging local, state and national priorities. She also served as Executive Director for the Columbus and Central Ohio Children’s Chorus Foundation.

Staley remains active in her advocacy for children and the arts. She received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from The Ohio State University and speaks German.

Sameen Dadfar

Program Manager

Greater Columbus Sister Cities International

Sameen Dadfar has worked at Greater Columbus Sister Cities International since 2017. As Program Manager, she has led multiple programs including the Paganini Violin Exchange, the Thousand People of Genoa Exchange and the CIRCLE Program.

Before starting at GCSCI, Sameen Dadfar worked at the Ohio Development Services Agency where she managed the Ohio Export Internship Program. Dadfar also worked in Washington, D.C. at the International Center for Journalists, where she administered training programs for international journalists. Dadfar holds a dual bachelor’s degree in International Studies and French from Bowling Green State University. She has traveled to over 30 countries and speaks Farsi and French.

“Building relationships to do business is [so] natural – Greater Columbus Sister Cities provides the ability for us to do so as we travel abroad to get to know our “sisters” throughout the world and develop those relationships. Only then, can we talk about how to best help each other thrive in business development!”

Marilyn Brown
Franklin County Commissioner

Financials

Greater Columbus Sister Cities International is a 501 c-3 tax-exempt organization designated by the Internal Revenue Service. Our tax identification number is 31-1483891.