Global Ties Kalamazoo is grateful to call Miruna Ranjan a partner and friend in this work of citizen diplomacy. Her story—rooted in Singapore and now woven into Kalamazoo—reminds us that when people connect across borders, it changes what young people believe is possible for themselves and their communities.

Miruna Ranjan (right), with Jodi Michaels, Executive Director, together in Singapore

How our paths came together

Our relationship with Miruna began when she was a Community Solutions Program (CSP) Fellow, in a virtual program during the pandemic, when our Executive Director had the honor of serving as her mentor. CSP, implemented by International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), then brought that full cohort to Washington DC when travel became possible again, and Jodi and Miruna met in real life. Then even more good fortune, following the convening, Miruna came to Kalamazoo, bringing her experience from SportCares, the philanthropic arm of Sport Singapore, into conversation with our local youth advocates and educators.

From the moment she arrived, it was clear she shared our belief that strong local relationships are at the heart of global understanding, and that youth work is a powerful platform for diplomacy.

“Working with Global Ties Kalamazoo has been such a meaningful and energising experience for me,” Miruna reflects. “What makes it especially powerful is the role the organisation plays in cultural and international diplomacy, creating intentional spaces where people from different parts of the world can come together, build trust, and deepen understanding in ways that feel both personal and lasting.”

She goes on to say, “Jodi is the orchestra conductor to this all, and it has been my greatest honour to have met and worked with her.”

In her first days in Kalamazoo, Miruna met an incredible group of women leaders from India on exchange—an early experience that helped her reconnect with her own cultural heritage while learning from the diverse perspectives of others.

“In the most unexpected and beautiful way,” she writes, “Kalamazoo, Michigan became a place where I reconnected with my cultural heritage, while learning from the diverse perspectives of others. Like in the way I met with an incredible group of women leaders from India on exchange, in my first days there.”

Building virtual bridges: KYDNet, RAWK, and youth exchanges

What started as a fellowship quickly grew into shared projects. Jodi was able to go on a reciprocal exchange to Singapore, also through IREX and CSP, and was there able to see Miruna in action at SportCares and with community partners. In the next phase, adding in local Kalamazoo partners KYDNet and Read and Write Kalamazoo (RAWK), Miruna helped us imagine and launch virtual youth exchanges connecting youth workers and young people in Singapore with their peers in Kalamazoo. These conversations opened space to talk honestly about mental health, leadership, community-building, and the role of creativity and sport in young people’s lives.

For our team, Miruna has been a thoughtful partner in shaping spaces where youth are not just “participants,” but co-creators and leaders.

The virtual communities of practice and teen-centered conversations she helped inspire reflect her core belief that, given the chance, young people will show up for one another—and that adults should build structures that trust and amplify that leadership. As she notes, “I continue to be inspired by the connections we’ve built, reminded that even though we may be miles apart, what truly connects us is something simple and profound: our shared humanity, and the experience of being alive.”

Left to Right: Nite, Miruna, Jordan, Beth, Jodi in the Edison neighborhood, Kalamazoo

A women-led vision of care and diplomacy

As an organization that regularly welcomes women leaders from around the world—educators, entrepreneurs, journalists, public servants—we see Miruna as part of a larger tapestry of women shaping diplomacy at the community level. During her days in Kalamazoo, meeting those women leaders from India became part of the way this city helped her reconnect with her own story and sense of purpose.

Her leadership in Singapore, particularly with programs that create safe, affirming spaces for girls and their mothers around sport, resonates deeply with our values. It reflects a vision of diplomacy that begins with care: making sure youth are fed, supported, listened to, and invited into leadership—whether on a football pitch, in a writing workshop, or in a Zoom room bridging time zones. Miruna’s words capture this spirit of connection and gratitude: “I’m so grateful for the relationships formed, and for all that I’ve learned from Jodi, and Kalamazoo friends like Beth, Jordan and Nite.”

Why we celebrate Miruna this Women’s History Month

This Women’s History Month, Global Ties Kalamazoo is proud to lift up Miruna’s story as one example of the kind of leadership that sustains this work:

Women who lead with care as strategy, understanding that logistics, relationships, and emotional safety are inseparable from impact.
Women who expand who diplomacy is for, centering girls, mothers, and youth whose voices are too often left at the margins.
Women who treat every exchange—virtual or in person—as an opportunity to practice curiosity, humility, and shared humanity.

Miruna’s own reflection sums up why her partnership means so much to us: “I continue to be inspired by the connections we’ve built, reminded that even though we may be miles apart, what truly connects us is something simple and profound: our shared humanity, and the experience of being alive.”

At Global Ties Kalamazoo, that belief is at the core of our mission, and we are grateful that her journey—and her words—continue to cross paths with ours.

To read more about the wonderful Miruna Ranjan, check out this recent in-depth profile of her in CNA Lifestyle out of Singapore, from January 2026:

“This mother-of-two became a 'sports mum' to hundreds of Singaporean children and youth over the past 13 years”

Join us in this work

If Miruna’s story resonates with you, there are many ways to get involved. You can:

Learn more about our programs and impact here.
Sign up to volunteer, host an international visitor, or support youth-focused exchanges: Get involved
Make a donation to help sustain virtual and in-person exchanges: Donate now

Together, we can keep building the kind of connections that make Kalamazoo—and communities around the world—feel just a little bit closer.