March is Women’s History Month. Throughout the month, the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville is proud to highlight women who have shown outstanding leadership, created lasting legacies, and contributed to the Council’s success. Today, we feature Trina Medarev, a dedicated leader whose vision and tireless devotion has cultivated the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville into the vibrant organization it is today.
As President & CEO of the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, Trina has played a pivotal role in expanding the Council’s reach and impact. When she assumed leadership in 2005, the Council had just 400 members. Under her direction, membership has more than doubled to over 900, and the organization now engages thousands of individuals annually through thought-provoking speaker series, educational programs, and international initiatives. Her passion for fostering global awareness has made a lasting imprint on the First Coast and beyond.
Trina’s leadership also extends across borders. In Spring 2024, she led the Classical Mediterranean Cruise exploring Malta, Tunisia, and Sicily via the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia’s flagship Travel the World program, which was also joined by members and sponsors of the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville. Additionally, Trina is scheduled to led a 10-day tour of Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea in July 2025 and a 14-night tour of Cambodia and Vietnam in March 2026, offering extraordinary opportunities for Council members to experience the distinct cultures of these regions.
Beyond her work with the Council, Trina is a dedicated leader within the Jacksonville community. She was named one of Jacksonville Business Journal’s Women of Influence in 2021 and has served as a delegate for JAX Chamber, a board member for The River Club of Jacksonville, and a member of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville. She is also active in the Women’s Giving Alliance Advocacy Committee and the JAXUSA Elevate Northeast Florida Steering Committee, working to enhance the region’s economic and international engagement.
Further, Trina is recognized as a leader at the state level. In 2025, she was selected as a member of Leadership Florida’s Cornerstone 42 Class. As a member of this prestigious cohort, she joins other highly regarded leaders from across the state of Florida to recharge their leadership skills and to educate and inspire them to work for a better Florida. Her selection for this program reflects not only the recognition of her hard work but also the esteem in which her peers hold her.
Under Trina’s guidance, the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville has not only grown in size but also in influence. Her ability to envision and execute meaningful programming that brings international perspectives to the Jacksonville community has established the Council as a leading voice for global affairs in Northeast Florida. Trina’s leadership is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact one individual can have on an organization, a community, and the world.
