Connecting Cities and Careers: Derek Green’s Trip to Kathmandu, Nepal

Traveling is more than just an escape from daily routines—it is an opportunity for personal and professional transformation. For young professionals in Philadelphia, immersing oneself in different cultures provides invaluable perspectives, new networks, and fresh ideas that can be applied to careers back home. This interview is part of a travel series that aims to encourage young Philadelphians to explore the world beyond their city, highlighting the benefits of global experiences and cross-cultural understanding. (Banner photo credit: Philadelphia Business Journal) 

In this conversation, we speak with Derek S. Green, a lawyer, former City Council member, dedicated advocate for global engagement, and experienced public servant. In 2015, Green won the Democratic primary for City Council At-Large in Philadelphia with the highest number of votes cast and was later elected to City Council, where he was re-elected in 2019. As a member of Council, he chairs the Committees on Finance and Disabilities and serves as Vice Chair of the Committees on Aging and Law and Government. Additionally, he holds leadership roles in several organizations, including the Philadelphia Gas Commission and the Democratic Municipal Officials. His legal and public service career has spanned various roles, such as Special Counsel and Deputy City Solicitor for Philadelphia. Beyond his work in government, Green and his wife, Sheila, co-founded the first Autism Support Class at Houston Elementary School to support children like their son and have been active regional fundraisers for Autism Speaks.

Through his extensive experience in public service and legal affairs, Green has recognized the importance of travel in shaping policy perspectives and strengthening Philadelphia’s global presence. His experiences traveling to Nepal, engaging with international professionals, and supporting Philadelphia’s role as a World Heritage City have reinforced the significance of global connections. By learning from other cities and cultures, young professionals can gain insights that help drive meaningful change in their communities. As we delve into his journey, we hope to inspire more Philadelphians to embrace travel as a tool for growth and opportunity.

Jessica: First, where have you been? What sites have you visited, and what regions of the world? Why did you choose to go there? 

Derek Green: I've been very active in supporting Global Philadelphia, both during my time as a member of City Council and beyond. Philadelphia has a rich heritage as the first World Heritage City in the United States. It's important to get that information out. I believe global travel, tourism, and hospitality have been instrumental in the city's growth, especially over the past 20 years. 

With the 250th anniversary of the United States approaching in 2026, we need to do a better job of promoting Philadelphia globally. Too often, people find out about Philadelphia by chance rather than through deliberate marketing efforts. 

I've had opportunities to work with both Global Philadelphia and the World Affairs Council. When diplomats or other visitors come to the city, I've had the chance to speak with them about the inner workings of local, state, and federal government. Through these experiences, I worked with a group of fellows from an organization called Young America Political Action Committee, which organizes professional exchanges globally. In the spring, I interacted with fellows from Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh who were visiting Philadelphia and Columbus. 

During their time here, I invited them to City Hall to observe a council session and gave them a tour of the city. One fellow was appreciative and invited me to participate in a reciprocal tour to Kathmandu, Nepal's most populous city and the home of the federal government. This fall, I traveled to there with other professionals from Philadelphia and Columbus, spending about 10 days there. The experience allowed me to learn about their political system and cultural dynamics, and I found surprising similarities to Philadelphia. 

JB: That sounds incredible. Traveling through an established connection can really give you a deeper understanding of the destination. Nepal is such a wonderful destination. You visited Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. What was your experience like? 

DG: Nepal is fascinating. It's a landlocked country between India and China, situated in the Himalayan mountains, home to Mount Everest. Many travelers visit Nepal for trekking adventures. Kathmandu sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, offering a unique perspective, and is home to a World Heritage Site that was inscribed in 1979, the Kathmandu Valley. The valley is home to seven different groups of monuments and buildings that showcase the artistic, religious historical achievements of Nepal and that region. 

The country ratified a new constitution in 2015 and transitioned from a Hindu monarchy to a federal democratic republic in 2008. Despite its deep history, aspects of its government are still relatively new. 

JB: Earlier, you mentioned seeing similarities between Kathmandu and Philadelphia. Could you elaborate?

DG: One major similarity is the challenge of brain drain. Philadelphia has a large number of colleges and universities, but historically, many graduates have left for opportunities elsewhere. Efforts by organizations like Graduate Philadelphia have helped retain more talent in recent decades. 

In Nepal, I observed a similar pattern. Many students pursue higher education abroad, often in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, or the U.S., and then stay there for work, bringing their families later. Those who don’t attend college often work abroad and send money back home. Outside of Kathmandu, you'll mostly see younger children and older adults because many working-age individuals have left. 

JB: Did you see any strategies in Nepal that could be beneficial for Philadelphia? 

DG: Some initiatives in Nepal mirror efforts in Philadelphia. When I graduated from the University of Virginia, young people weren't very involved in politics. I joined the Young America Local Action Committee to engage more youth. Now, more young professionals are involved in government. 

In Nepal, there's a similar effort through the Nepal U.S. Alumni Network (NUSAN) and other youth organizations encouraging people to stay and contribute to their country's development. 

JB: Traveling often provides new perspectives. What skills have you gained from your trip to Nepal that are valuable for your career? 

DG: Traveling encourages introspection and learning from other countries' challenges. As a lawyer, I met Nepal's former Chief Justice at Nepal’s Supreme Court and learned about their judicial challenges, which gave me ideas for addressing issues in the U.S. I also engaged with an organization overseeing Nepal's elections, and their curiosity about our electoral college system was fascinating. 

One takeaway was the potential for Philadelphia to establish an alumni network like Nepal’s to connect individuals who've participated in cultural exchanges. We could explore trade opportunities or even a sister city relationship with Kathmandu. 

JB: That’s a great initiative. On a personal level, was there a specific moment during your trip that had a profound impact? 

DG: Absolutely. One moment that stood out was visiting a tailor in a popular market near our hotel. We struck up a conversation, and it turned out his daughter was considering studying fashion in the U.S., possibly in Philadelphia. It reinforced how travel can connect people unexpectedly and how small the world has become. These connections can create future opportunities. 

Of course I told him that Philadelphia was a wonderful choice! 

JB: What advice would you give to young professionals looking to incorporate travel into their careers? 

DG: Be bold and entrepreneurial. It's not just about starting a business; it's about creating opportunities and implementing ideas. I have a fraternity brother named Mike who grew tired of the corporate world and wanted to move to South Africa. He secured a role with the D.C. Chamber of Commerce which had a liaison with South Africa. He then started a nonprofit called Miles and Associates International, where he used basketball as a way to educate young South Africans about basketball and used the sport as a vehicle to help them get a better education. Some of the people that came to his program end up coming to the United States on college basketball scholarships. From there, after running that nonprofit for a period of time, he was hired by NBA Africa to be their lead in Johannesburg where they had opened an office. 

Just last year, he moved from Joburg to Nairobi, Kenya to open the NBA Africa office as the lead. All that came from him being entrepreneurial and saying, “Hey, I want to try being in Johannesburg.” He came at a pivotal time when a lot of changes were happening in the country. 

Another fraternity brother of mine left as well from the states to move to South Africa after he was able to get his MBA from Tulane. And because Mike was there, it made it easier for Steve to go there. And we've had a number of people who traveled to South Africa as a result. I highly recommend the book called The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson that talks about the migration patterns of African Americans coming out of reconstruction and throughout the Jim Crow period to the Civil Rights Movement into various cities around the United States that discusses similar themes and stories. 

For young people, I would say when you are less involved with various commitments such as raising children or being married, you have the opportunity to really be bold and think outside the box. You can be entrepreneurial and reach out to different organizations or entities to see what opportunities there may be available that can enable you to travel. If you're still in college, take advantage of study abroad programs. Reach out to people and organizations to explore travel opportunities. 

JB: Great advice. Do you have any upcoming travel plans? 

DG: A friend of mine is organizing a delegation from Zhengzhou, China, for the 2026 World Cup in Philadelphia. He’s invited me to join him in China to help with the initiative. I had also planned to visit Manchester for my birthday to watch the Manchester Derby, but scheduling conflicts arose. I hope to reschedule for spring. Additionally, I'm working on a family gathering in Barbados, where my mother's side of the family is from.