Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk
President & CEO
(704) 687-7760
lstambuk@worldaffairscharlotte.org
As part of his long-term vision for innovative global issue programming in the Queen City, the Council regularly engages the greater Charlotte community through dialogue on world affairs by recruiting speakers of exceptional caliber to this region to discuss foreign policy, international business and politics and Charlotte’s role in an increasingly global world as part of Stambuk’s long-term vision for innovative global issue programming in the Queen City.
Stambuk has 30+ years of senior leadership and management experience in operations management, business development, marketing and human resources, and strategic planning in various multinational corporations around the world including Applied Semiconductor Inc. (Chief Operating Officer), Ahold USA (Senior Vice-President, Corporate) and Centrocoop (Executive Vice President & Division President).
As a local expert on international relations and economics, he has frequently been mentioned and appeared in panel discussions hosted by Charlotte Talks (WFAE), Charlotte Business Review (WTVI), The Charlotte Observer, The Charlotte Business Journal, and area trade and international organizations.
In May 2024, Ljubomir and the Council were again recognized with the 2024 Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award at the Mayor’s International Community Awards ceremony. This award recognized the Council’s contributions to the international community through its international education programs and initiatives. Ljubomir and the Council received this award in May 2017, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to advancing global understanding and fostering connections over the years. READ MORE
Charlotte Klopp
Vice President, Programs and Education
(704) 687-7759
cklopp@worldaffairscharlotte.org
Charlotte Klopp was born and raised in Malaysia before moving to the United States in 1999 to further her education. She graduated from Old Dominion University with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in English and continued on to complete her M.A. in International Studies with a focus on American foreign policy at ODU. In 2011, she completed Duke University’s Non-Profit Certificate program focusing on non-profit communication and management.
She joined the World Affairs Council of Charlotte in April 2008 as Director of Programs and Development bringing together a diverse background in public relations and marketing, media relations, business development, intercultural communication, higher education administration, and project management.
Charlotte was promoted in September 2011 to Vice President of Programs and Education where she oversees long-term communication and program management strategies focusing on the Council’s overall global issue programming, international education initiatives, and community outreach projects to continue building awareness and promote a broader understanding of world affairs and current events in the Queen City
Sam, Isaac, and Hannah call her “Mom” and they are her greatest achievements.
Madison NeeSmith
Associate Director, Programs & Development
(704) 687-7758
mneesmith@worldaffairscharlotte.org
Madison NeeSmith was born and raised in the surrounding area of Charlotte, North Carolina. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.A in Politics and International Affairs from Furman University in Greenville, SC. While at Furman, she interned for a member of Scottish Parliament during her semester abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, she served as the president of the Women’s Club Volleyball team, and served as the Vice President of the Furman Powerlifting team. Furthermore, she had the honor of being a Furman University Research Fellow, where she analyzed minority student government officials, their platforms, and their political ambitions, while she also investigated the relationship and impact of gender on leadership styles in student government associations.
After completing her degree, Madison served as a Communications VISTA for the non-profit STEM West as a part of the AmeriCorps VISTA Program. Her experience with AmeriCorps VISTA has deepened her belief in the power of community and the importance of creating positive systemic change through education. Here at WACC, she will combine that appreciation of community and educational programming with promoting international understanding and global thinking.
Madison loves movies, hiking with her dog Bowie, and powerlifting. A fun fact about Madison is that she holds two state records for powerlifting in South Carolina.
Shannon Bradley
Membership and Administrative Coordinator
(704) 687-7757
sbradley@worldaffairscharlotte.org
Shannon Bradley was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. Her mother is an Australian immigrant and Shannon is a dual citizen of Australia and the United States. She graduated with a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She also has minors in Women and Gender Studies and Family Sciences and Human Development. During her undergraduate programming, she focused on the community impacts of nonprofit organizations and the needs of underserved populations.
Shannon also grew up in the theatre. She began studying Shakespeare in elementary school and performed in numerous shows throughout her childhood. In 2017, she was a cast member in the Commonwealth Theatre Center (CTC)’s Henry VIII, the show that made CTC the first youth conservatory in the world to fully produce the entirety of Shakespeare’s canon. Shannon continues to read plays and attend performances regularly.
Since relocating to Charlotte, Shannon has been exploring all that the Queen City has to offer and learning more about the local nonprofit sector. Her international background and collegiate studies fuel her passion for the work being done at the WACC.