Prebys Foundation grant supports new global affairs effort by the mayor’s office

San Diego has entered into a partnership with the Prebys Foundation to fund the new position of Chief Global Affairs Officer in an effort to raise the city’s international profile, Mayor Todd Gloria announced Thursday.

Gloria appointed Ben Moore, an 18-year veteran of the State Department and former diplomat, to the new position. Moore has already been serving in San Diego through the State Department’s Lewis Local Diplomat Program.

Embedded in the mayor’s office, Moore will lead San Diego’s international strategy — helping to secure foreign investment, deepen global partnerships, and promote shared solutions to challenges like climate change, economic resilience, and defense innovation.

“As Washington retreats from the global stage, cities like San Diego continue to step up,” said Gloria. “When you consider the great value international partnerships have brought to our technology and tourism industries and our potential to grow them, we’ve underinvested in global engagement.

“This partnership with the Prebys Foundation signals that San Diego is leading in the global arena,” he added.

The foundation is funding the initiative for an initial period of 18 months.

“At the Prebys Foundation, we believe that a globally connected San Diego is a stronger San Diego,” said Grant Oliphant, CEO of the foundation. “It’s about giving San Diego the leadership and vision it needs to realize its global potential — and ensure every San Diegan benefits.”

In the past year, through support from the State Department’s local diplomat program, the city has:

• Led a trade mission to the Philippines, resulting in two inbound business delegations and paving the way for new investment opportunities.
• Strengthened global Sister City partnerships with Perth, Cavite City, Edinburgh, and Yokohama, boosting academic, cultural, and economic exchange.
• Collaborated with local institutions to position San Diego for global events like the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics, and 2029 Invictus Games.
• Elevated San Diego’s international brand as a center of innovation, cross-border cooperation, and as an emerging global hub for defense technology.

In the new position, Moore will work closely with key partners, including:

• World Trade Center San Diego
• San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
• UC San Diego, San Diego State University, and other leading institutions
• Regional economic, cultural, and cross-border organizations.

“This is San Diego’s global moment,” said Gloria. “We have the innovation, the location, the cross-border identity, and now, the leadership to seize it.”