Jana Sehnálková: New Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission

As of August 1, 2025, the J. William Fulbright Commission embarks on the next chapter of its work under the leadership of its new Executive Director, Jana Sehnálková. The new Executive Director was selected through a competitive process and formally appointed by the Commission’s Board of Directors.

Jana Sehnálková succeeds Hana Ripková, who led the Commission for more than three decades. Hana Ripková’s exceptional achievements were recently recognized by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský, who awarded her the Medal for Merit in Diplomacy.

Jana Sehnálková is an outstanding successor. Her professional career as a university lecturer, respected American studies scholar, and expert in public diplomacy represents a necessary combination of academic expertise and diplomatic experience. At the same time, she possesses an innate understanding of all aspects of the binational governmental program. Upon assuming her new role, Jana stated: “My goal  is to continue to firmly uphold the values that have long defined the Fulbright Program: quality, equality, mutual understanding, and democratic principles, thus building on the values that Hana Ripková, together with the entire team, nurtured throughout her tenure at the Commission.”

You can read more about Jana Sehnálková zde.