FORT WORTH, TEXAS – 

Fort Worth Sister Cities International announces the upcoming retirement of Mae Ferguson, the organization’s dedicated President & CEO, who will be retiring at the end of this year after 25 years of outstanding service.

Mae Ferguson joined the organization in 2000 and has played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission of promoting global understanding and citizen diplomacy through the organization’s nine sister city partnerships. Under Mae’s visionary leadership, Fort Worth Sister Cities International has flourished; expanding its membership to over 500 dedicated supporters, increasing its budget fivefold, establishing the Connect Globally Endowment for future sustainability, and achieving the distinction of being awarded the Best Sister City Program in the nation more times than any other city in the United States.

“Mae Ferguson and Fort Worth Sister Cities International are synonymous,” said Greg Jackson, Chairman of the Board. “Mae is a pillar in our community: our entire city is grateful for her remarkable service that has positioned the organization as Fort Worth’s global leader in international relationships.”

Mae has served on the Sister Cities International Board of Directors, including as Chairman of the Board from 2006 to 2008. She has also represented Texas as the state’s representative for Sister Cities International since 2011 representing nearly 40 Texas cities helping them strengthen and expand new international partnerships. Mae’s contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Chairman’s Award from Sister Cities International in 2008 and 2018, and the prestigious Ruth Hashimoto Award in 2023. She was also recognized with the Great Women of Texas award by the Fort Worth Business Press in 2006 and 2018.

“Fort Worth Sister Cities International works to connect our world-class city to the world, and for the last 25 years, that important role has been led by the vision and hard work of Mae Ferguson,” said Fort Worth Mayor, Mattie Parker. “The world, and Fort Worth, has changed a lot in the last two and a half decades, and Mae has been a steadfast leader in Fort Worth’s role in international relationships and global civic engagement through all of it.”

The Board of Directors will begin a search for a new CEO to succeed Mae Ferguson and lead Fort Worth Sister Cities International into its next chapter.