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My fellow stem cell researchers: It’s a great honor for me to assume the ISSCR presidency on this wonderful occasion: the 20th anniversary of the society’s founding. In the past 20 years, ISSCR embodied our shared passion for stem cell research. Thanks to all of you, ISSCR became the world’s preeminent society for stem cell research. The remarkable growth of ISSCR is driven by our members’ exciting research and discoveries, many of which are being translated into life-saving treatments and new approaches in drug development for the benefit of humanity. An important reason that stem cell research thrived all these years is because we enjoyed extensive global collaboration, which is also our society’s core mission. However, this is now facing unprecedented challenges by the persisting pandemic as well as by an increasingly divided world due to polarizing geopolitical forces and a devastating war. Nevertheless, challenges are opportunities in disguise. To turn these challenges into opportunities for advancing our core mission, I pledge to work closely with you, the board, and the staff to actively expend our global engagement in both academia and industry during my presidency. Currently, stem cell researchers in North America and Europe are well represented in our society. However, our colleagues in Asia, Latin America, and other parts of the world have not been fully integrated into our society, despite the fact that they are conducting exciting research and deserve more attention. We will make special effort to reach out to researchers in under-represented countries to ensure that ISSCR grows together and in sync with the global community, uniting stem cell researchers from different parts of the world while safeguarding the highest scientific and ethical standards. In addition, we will provide more opportunities for our current members to become more engaged with our society and provide platforms for members to initiate activities that promote communication, collaboration, and extension. These activities can be in the forms of committee service, editorial involvement, conferences, and workshops, for research, public education, and policy engagement, all branded and assisted by ISSCR. I firmly believe that these grass-roots activities initiated by our members will effectively complement the top-down approach that has been the mainstay of the society since its inception and will allow all of you to unleash your energy and talent to create synergy in stem cell research during this challenging time. Can we achieve these goals? My answer is a resounding yes. I’ve been involved with ISSCR since its inception 20 years ago. Over the years, I have had the privilege to witness countless examples of success by our members in promoting international collaboration. This is the spirit of our society. In this divided world, there is more need and more urgency for ISSCR to serve as a haven for stem cell researchers from all over the world to work together synergistically for the benefit of all mankind, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin. Thank you for the trust and confidence that you and this great society have placed in me. I am sure that by working side by side, we will achieve our goals! Thank you and see you in Boston next year!