Aditi Kadakia is the Senior Director and Head of Global Operations at World Education Services (WES). Over the course of a decade, she has built expansive knowledge of the world’s education systems and holds deep expertise in the evaluation and authentication of international academic credentials. Aditi leads a global team who assess more than half a million academic credentials annually with the use of leading technologies. She is a returned education Peace Corps Volunteer (Mozambique, 2008-2010). That experience shaped her belief that we each have something unique and valuable to contribute to our local communities and the world.

Alain has more than 20 years of international experience, working with various organizations and funding agencies, providing policy analysis to executives in government and non-profit organizations and implementing skills training programs around the world. He provides leadership to CICan’s initiatives, assisting colleges and institutes in their international student recruitment efforts and engaging government officials and stakeholders on the role international students play in supporting Canada’s immigration and economic growth objectives. Alain is also responsible for the development of CICan’s international activities, such as the Education for Employment Programs, implemented in more than 15 countries, to strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems.

Alejandra created geNEOus with the aim of reshaping the future of education by giving support to educational institutions in the integration of marketing and admissions solutions in line with the expectations of the 21st century. Prior to that, she was a higher education intrapreneur in the USA and Europe with roles within the Marketing, International Relations and Admissions Departments. She has received certifications by Google and HubSpot in the fields of marketing, sales and education. Alejandra is also a speaker in subjects such as digital innovation, marketing automation, international education and student enrollments' enablement. She is now undergoing a 2 years mandate as an elected member of the Marketing & Recruitment Steering Group of the EAIE (European Association for International Education), after having been re-elected following a 2 years mandate as an Associate of the same expert community.

Alexandra is the Managing Partner of College Contact, an AIRC-certified student recruitment agency based in Frankfurt, serving students from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. With an academic background in international relations and nearly 20 years of experience in international student recruitment, she is a fierce advocate for international education who firmly believes in the value of creating intercultural learning opportunities for students. Alexandra currently serves on the AIRC Board of Directors and has been recently highlighted among the 50 voices from the European international education sector by The PIE.

Amy Baker was originally a journalist and editor before turning entrepreneur and setting up The PIE, which she co-founded with two professional associates in 2011. Reaching over 5 million people since launch, The PIE has become a well-known and trusted independent media brand offering news and analysis for professionals in international education all around the world, creating a community for those working in language learning, secondary and tertiary education. With a successful executive search division and now an annual event, The PIE Live & The PIEoneer Awards, The PIE has become a multi-faceted company which is uniquely positioned to understand challenges and opportunities globally in the industry. Amy travels widely attending and speaking at industry events, engaging with global agenda-setters and still finds time to sometimes write content for the site. She spent a year in France as part of her degree in Journalism from City University, London.

Mr. Ness has a career spanning over 30 years of experience in post-secondary education, with accomplishments and awards in student recruitment, admissions, marketing, student success and internationalization. He currently leads the International Education operation at Humber College, where he has presided over unprecedented international enrollment growth. His experience includes seven years providing consulting services to hundreds of colleges and universities in both Canada and the United States and a three-year post as a regional Campus Registrar at the UAE’s largest college.

Andrew H. Chen is Founder of F1Hire and Co-Founder/CEO of WholeRen Education. Andrew Chen came to the U.S. for graduate school in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1995. In 2010, he founded WholeRen Education, an "on-shore" education service provider for Chinese students. Chen has advised thousands of clients: in areas including long term education, school placement, university transfer, employability training, as well as international student school suspension recovery by second chance support. Chen serves as the Chair of NAFSA China Member Interest Group (MIG). He lives with his wife and 2 children in Pittsburgh, PA.

Andy worked at 3 UK universities in international student recruitment and partnership roles for 16 years before joining QS in 2021. His focus is on optimising the student journey on behalf of QS's partners and believes that every student deserves personalised and premium support during their daunting admissions journey. He often posts badly-lit videos on LinkedIn where he talks about “Admissues” (admissions issues) and other topical subjects facing international higher education. He’s a co-host of the light-hearted podcast “Tales from the Departure Lounge” which features international education experts talking about their travel (mis)adventures and experiences.

Anthony is an international education professional with over twenty years experience in the non-profit, higher education, and government sectors both in the United States and overseas. Experience with staff supervision, budgetary oversight, program development and management, as well as strategic planning and policy formulation. In depth knowledge of Russian and Eurasian affairs, along with broad global engagement including in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and beyond. Strong proponent of education at all levels, including K-12, teacher training, vocational and technical training, and higher education.

Ben Waxman is CEO of Intead LLC, a marketing firm for higher education. Ben is active in and a frequent presenter at AIEA, NAFSA, and AIRC addressing international student recruitment and the data that supports strategic enrollment decisions. Ben earned a BA from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Northeastern University. He studied Middle Eastern Politics at Hebrew University in Jerusalem during his undergraduate years and has continued his learning with executive education courses.

Ben holds a bachelor’s and MBA in marketing from Wilkes University where he started his higher education career in undergraduate admissions. Since then, Ben has worked his way across the industry at various levels at Wilkes University, Penn State University and Carnegie Mellon over the last 10 years before joining QS in 2020. He specialized in student recruitment and brand strategy. As Head of Client Partnerships, he helps launch and sustain graduate program enrollment across the world for universities of all sizes.

Blair McElroy is the Senior International Officer and Director of Study Abroad at the University of Mississippi.  She has presented in the United States and abroad on issues in international education and guest lectured on comparative legal systems.  She was selected as a grantee for the Fulbright International Education Administrator program in South Korea and is a member of various membership organizations: AIEA, NAFSA, International ACAC, and EAIE.  She also serves on the Publications and Resources Committee for AIEA, is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory, and is a licensed attorney.

Brian overseas the Marketing, Analytics, and Digital Strategy at Shorelight. He has been with Shorelight for 9 years in capacities such as Chief of Staff and the founder of the Shorelight Analytics and Data Science team. Prior to Shorelight, Brian worked on the international team at the College Board, and has also spent several years teaching English as a foreign language in Lima, Peru. Brian currently lives in Lima, Peru with his wife and two children.

Bryan McAllister-Grande is the founder of GlobalEd and the Director of Academic Integration and Planning at Northeastern University’s Global Experience Office. Bryan has authored over 25 publications in higher education history, internationalization, and intercultural education. He is the co-author of NAFSA’s International Higher Education Research: The State of the Field (2020) and a contributor to The Handbook of International Higher Education, Second Edition (2022), The Promise of Higher Education (2021), and The Future Agenda for Internationalization in Higher Education (2018).

Cat Young is the US Director of Partner Relations and Internal Communications at Kaplan International Pathways. She works closely with US partner universities to nurture existing relationships and seek out new collaborations. Cat is also responsible for coordinating and developing the Equity, Diversity, and Global Empowerment (EDGE) Alliance, an initiative aimed at creating a more inclusive and equitable environment within the international education community. Young previously worked at SUNY Plattsburgh in upstate New York and Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. Cat attended Ripon College in Wisconsin where she earned a BA in French and global studies. She earned her MA in French Civilization at Middlebury College in Vermont and Paris, France.

Charles Furey is a seasoned professional renowned for his strategic communication and leadership abilities. With a remarkable career spanning public service and the private sector, Charles served as a cabinet minister for 11 years in Newfoundland and Labrador, overseeing key portfolios and playing pivotal roles in Cabinet committees. In the private sector, Charles has served as a consultant to prestigious organizations. Currently, he is Executive Director of Business Development (Canada) for GUS Medical and Veterinary programs. Connect with Charles to explore opportunities for collaboration and strategic partnerships.

Chris Johnson is an award-winning collaborative leader with expertise in strategic visioning and execution to achieve global ambitions for universities. As Director of International Recruitment and International Partners at Arizona State, he uses his expertise to advance ASU’s global enrollment goals while facilitating deeper engagement with recruitment partners. As an experienced international leader, he utilizes his expertise to assess programs to identify service enhancements, forge partnerships with faculty and internal stakeholders, and leverage strategic relationships. Chris began working in International Education in 1999 and has held positions as a Dean and Director at private, regional, and urban public institutions.

Chris is an experienced senior executive in the higher education sector, having held roles at multiple vocational colleges and language schools around the world. Prior to starting his career in higher education, Chris assisted his clients preserve value and restructure successfully by advising on business plans and options, assisting with cash flow forecasts, and developing and implementing restructuring plans. Chris graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University in Ottawa. Chris is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CA), a Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional and a licensed insolvency trustee.

Cyndi McLeod is an award-winning executive with 30 years of leadership experience in international education. Her expertise lies in building strategic partnerships with businesses and organizations. Cyndi’s specialization is in the internationalization of education, and she has led numerous joint ventures between education entities in Canada, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Under Cyndi’s leadership as CEO, GUS Canada has grown to include six institutions and two public-private partnerships across Canada. She also co-founded GLOW Ed (Global Women in Education), a non-profit organization aimed at empowering and engaging women at all levels of international education through mentorship programs.

Daniel is President & CEO of AFS Intercultural Programs, a global not-for-profit, non-governmental organization with operations in more than 60 countries. In 2021, Daniel led the integration of the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation and its annual Youth Assembly into AFS. Before joining AFS in 2016, Daniel served as Deputy Vice President for International Partnerships at the Institute of International Education (IIE) where he provided strategic leadership for many groundbreaking IIE initiatives, including Generation Study Abroad. Prior to joining IIE, Daniel worked as Producer and Director of Product Development at the tech start-up iAgora.com, an online community for young internationals who live, work and study abroad. Daniel has a B.A. in International Relations from the George Washington University (USA) and holds a Master's degree in European Studies from the London School of Economics (UK).

After working in multi-national Chinese, Australian, and US education ventures, Dominic joined in 2013 to help establish Shorelight as the leading international student success provider in the US. With experience working with students and families from over 40 countries, he has extensive knowledge of the public policy landscape and factors driving international student and high-skilled workforce mobility. Dominic graduated with honors from the U. of Cincinnati where he founded a state-wide coalition of student leaders supporting policy advocacy and reform.

Dr. Karina J Baum is the Director of Global Education at Buckingham Browne & Nichols (BB&N) School in Cambridge, MA. Her research on Global Education focuses on using case studies, design-thinking, culturally-responsive anti-bias curriculum, and interdisciplinary learning. Dr. Baum’s work has been presented at numerous conferences and workshops, published in peer-reviewed journals in science and education, and in an edited book. She’s a former NAIS Global Ambassador and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Global Education Benchmark Group (GEBG) and Thompson Island Outward Bound.

Dr. Brittani Smit has extensive experience in developing and delivering high impact international education experiences in South Africa, having served as the Resident Director for South Africa programs for Arcadia University’s College of Global Studies, as well as Student Life Manager & Academic Coordinator for the CIEE Global Institute in Cape Town. In these roles, Dr. Smit was responsible for all aspects of the student experience including in-person and virtual programming, health and safety, co-curricular activities and student support, and led resource groups for underrepresented students. Dr. Smit completed a Bachelor of Arts degree (with honors) in English Literature at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. During her junior year, she studied abroad in Rome, Italy and Cape Town, South Africa. She returned to South Africa to complete Master’s and PhD degrees in English Literature at the University of Cape Town. While completing a doctorate on race, social class, and gender-based discrimination, Dr. Smit managed mentorship programs designed to increase equity, inclusion, and belonging for students from historically marginalized groups at the University of Cape Town. Dr. Smit has also led diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism programming and training for educational institutions and corporations throughout the U.S. and the EMEA region.

Dr. Eva M. Fernández is the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Mercy University, the largest private Hispanic-Serving Institution in New York State. Dr. Fernández’s expertise centers on how student learning is influenced by faculty development, course redesign, informal learning, experiential education, and peer-based learning. She also has expertise in bilingual and monolingual sentence processing. Dr. Fernández joined Mercy in 2022, after nearly 22 years at the City University of New York (CUNY), where she reached the rank of tenured full professor, served as Assistant and Associate Provost, and as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. She holds a PhD and an MA from the CUNY Graduate Center and a BA from New York University.

Dusty Amroliwala is an accomplished leader in education. As the former Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of East London, he spearheaded pivotal transformations and solidified his reputation as a trailblazer in higher education. Currently serving as COO at VFS Global, he moved to the company’s head office in Dubai in 2019, where Dusty founded its new global Education Division. He continues (now in a part time capacity) to advise the Company on this business area. In March 2021, he was appointed as Chairman of Vitacheck Health; in addition, he is Chair of Student Circus & Oxademy Education.  Dusty continues to be an influential figure, leading change in international education.

Eddie West serves as assistant dean, international strategy & programs at San Diego State University, where he provides leadership of international partnership development & overseas programs. From 2016 to 2019 Eddie served as assistant dean, international programs at Berkeley Extension, the continuing & professional education division of the University of California, Berkeley. Previously he led international initiatives at the National Association for College Admission Counseling, where he co-authored International Student Recruitment Agencies: A Guide for Schools, Colleges and Universities.

Enda Carroll is Associate Director at UCD Global, University College Dublin, and she leads on the strategic development and management of UCD’s key Learning Abroad partners globally . In 2011, she established UCD's first North America Global Centre in New York city. She has over twenty years of experience in international education and is an active contributor to study abroad strategy, initiatives, and committees in Ireland at the national sector level. She is the past chair of The Forum on Education Abroad board and the first to be based at a member institution outside the United States.

Dr. Kacenga has been a champion for the value of higher education for over twenty-years. He is currently the Vice President for Enrollment Management at William Paterson University. Kacenga has served as a Senior International Officer (SIO) in a career that includes positions with public, private, and highly ranked academic institutions. Also a Fulbright Administrator Award recipient, his expertise and reputation have been further honed through engagement as a community member, including professional roles and participation in AIRC (Past-President), NAFSA, TAICEP, NACAC, AACRAO, AIEA, and FEA.

George Chilton is originally from the UK, but has spent the past fifteen years living in Asia, Europe and Latin America. He’s a writer with bylines in Entrepreneur Magazine, The Next Web, CrunchBase, among others. After spending some time as the managing editor of a PR firm, he launched Hubbub Labs, a Content Marketing agency for startups and education companies, alongside his business partner Dan. George also teaches on master’s programmes on a variety of topics, including marketing, SEO, storytelling and pitching.

Gerald Wargo has more than 25 years of experience working in the higher education sector. Leading the marketing and enrollment teams for GUS Medical and Veterinary Schools, Gerald has honed his skills in strategic leadership and organizational development. He has a proven track record of driving growth and optimizing operations across the education sector. Connect with Gerald to explore opportunities for collaboration and strategic partnerships.

Girish Ballolla was born and raised in Bengaluru where he completed high school before moving to the U.S. in 1992 to pursue a college education. He received a B.S. in Genetics and Cell Biology and a M.S. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. Prior to founding Gen Next Education, he spent over 13 years in Human Resources, Sales and Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain Management in a variety of industries in the U.S. ranging from chemicals to home improvement, from educational institutions to non-profits, from start-ups to a Fortune 500 company. He’s a rabid Kansas Jayhawks fan, an avid reader, and a National Geographic junkie. A wanderlust at heart, when he’s not goofing around with his three daughters, Maya, Mala, and Shivaa in their Woodbury, MN home, you can find him eagerly awaiting the next boarding call.

Gregory Sukornyk is a Co-Founder of Global Study, a 3 year old EdTech startup harnessing the power of AI to make international student management more efficient and effective for agencies, schools and students with its pioneering AI-powered SaaS product, Student Advisor. Gregory has been working on innovations in education leveraging AI for several years. He is a 4x serial entrepreneur, having founded and built technology startups for the past 25 years across many verticals including Internet access, mobile gaming, video platforms and adtech. Gregory completed a law degree at LSE and lives in Miami.

Gulnaz is a dedicated educator and multilingual social entrepreneur. She is passionate about driving systematic change in education and digital equity. She founded two nonprofit organizations: Connect-Ed, which aims to bridge the digital divide and Teach for Kazakhstan (part of the Teach for All Global Network) fellowship program that aims to improve the quality of education in rural areas. She is a graduate of Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Cheng Fellow at the Social Innovation and Change Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Hadil leads The PIE Exec Search team, specialising in executive appointments for universities, commercial organisations, and service providers globally. She also works as a career coach providing candidate mentoring at The PIE Careers. The PIE Exec Search is the only recruitment division in the world committed entirely to international education with a truly global reach.  Hadil was born in London to Egyptian parents, and divided her childhood between the UK and Egypt. She graduated in Egypt with a BSc in Business Administration, before embarking upon her career in international higher education and economic development. Hadil joined The PIE in 2014 and has placed 100+ candidates into senior executive positions, around the world and across the sector. Bilingual in Arabic and English, Hadil  works on appointments to universities, commercial organisations and service providers, particularly in the UK and MENA. 

Hanks has been deeply fascinated with international education for over 15 years. For last 14 years, he has been working at Can-Achieve, a core company of NYSE listed Bright Scholar, where he has held various roles, including Marketing Manager of US Programs, Director of US Programs, Director of Business Development, Senior Director of North America Programs. Currently, he serves as the VP of North America Programs and Global Business Development, helping the company expand from China to the rest of the world. Hanks has visited more than 200 institutions in North America, providing them with professional promotion plans and advice. His greatest belief is that students should be satisfied with their education and achieve their goals.

Haviva has been working in international education for over 20 years, starting as a teacher in China and then academic administration in Indonesia, and currently the US Head of Operations at EC English Language Centers. She has been with EC since 2015, guiding them through two successful ACCET accreditations where EC recieved the maximun 5 year grant. Haviva is a P/DSO and has extensive experience recruiting, hiring and training. She is passionate about advocacy and collaboration and is currently serving as the EnglishUSA Immediate Past President and is a Commissioner for ACCET.

Isaac Garcia-Sitton is the Executive Director of International Student Enrolment, Education & Inclusion at Toronto Metropolitan University, leading policy and operations to create and sustain a learning ecosystem that understands and advocates for international student needs. Prior to joining Toronto Metropolitan University, he held senior leadership positions at York University and McGill University, and served as diplomat for Panama, working at the Consulates in New Orleans and Montreal.  A respected leader in the Higher Education sector with over 20 years of experience in international relations and business development, Isaac has been actively involved in promoting policy measures to enhance international student support, particularly as a Board Director for the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE). Since 2020, he has served the International Network of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) in a leadership capacity, working with public and private colleges and universities across North America.

James has been working in the EdTech industry since 2012. He created, launched and sold the first-ever paperless school. He has worked with Apple to develop the first Digital Camp for kids in New York City. He created the first-ever digital ESL textbook series for the iPad and iPhone. When the pandemic hit, James and his team set out to rapidly train healthcare workers for Canada. In 2021 and 2022, through the use of AR/VR, IBT College trained 2000 workers. Their training programs are now being used globally. Most recently, James launched the first-ever Virtual Film School.

Jennifer Engel, Ph.D. is the Associate Vice President for Education Abroad at Indiana University, providing strategic leadership for education abroad initiatives across the IU system. She has held progressively more complex roles within international education, including Vice President of Academic Affairs & Experiential Learning at CIS Abroad, SIO at Loyola University Chicago, and Executive Director of Global Learning at the University of South Carolina. Jennifer has been involved with The Forum, NAFSA, and AIEA, holding leadership positions and presenting nationally and internationally.

Jill Blondin, associate vice provost for global initiatives at VCU, received her B.A. in art history from Indiana University, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in art history from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has served as a Fulbright Specialist to Brazil (2018), as a speaker with the U.S. Department of State Study Abroad Engagement Grant Program and Fulbright Portugal (2019) and as an Expert Speaker on U.S. Study Abroad with the U.S. Embassy Guyana (2022). She serves on the Board of AIEA as Chair-Elect of the Member Outreach and Awards Committee.

Jonathan is the Dean of Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Services (ARIES) at Centennial College in Toronto. He is responsible for growing Centennial’s portfolio of applied research projects in aerospace, transportation, data analytics, energy and wearable interactive technologies and growing its entrepreneurship activity with students and the east Toronto area. Prior to joining Centennial College in 2019, Jonathan had an extensive career in the advanced manufacturing sector in both Canada and the US, where he was involved in product development, intellectual property & patent strategies, and strategic technology development portfolios in both the automotive and aerospace sectors.  A lifelong innovator, Jonathan is committed to training and providing experiential learning opportunities for the next generation of technical professionals in Canadian industry.

Kate Moore is an international educator energized by our changing world of work and how we connect campuses, communities, and companies. She built the Global Career Center to partner with universities throughout the world, employers from a wide range of industries, and learners of all ages to connect employability and education through collaborative program development, comprehensive services delivery, and curated experiential education. Kate is committed to international education and workforce development, sharing knowledge and dialogue through more than 75 presentations and publications.

Kim graduated with a degree in French, Journalism and Creative Writing from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. She spent her year abroad in Paris, France as part of the Erasmus Exchange Programme where she worked as an English Language Assistant for the British Council and has since championed student mobility and cultural exchanges. Kim tries to visit France as much as possible to practise her French and she loves all things to do with French culture, particularly literature and music. Her other roles include administration and charity fundraising for university scholarships. In February 2022, Kim relocated to London to join The PIE as an Editorial Assistant.

Kirsten, who has close to 20 years of experience in the international higher education space, is currently the SVP of Analytics and Consulting (North America) for Studyportals. Prior to joining Studyportals in early 2023, she worked in IEM leadership for Northeastern University and Southern New Hampshire University, and prior to that, SUNY System Administration. Kirsten has contributed to multiple professional associations in the international higher education field and most recently served her second term on the AIRC board. Kirsten is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences.

Lamar Shambley is a Brooklyn-based high school Spanish teacher and the Founder and Executive Director of Teens of Color Abroad (TOCA), a nonprofit organization that creates global language learning and cultural exchange programs for high school students of color. Since 2018, TOCA has sponsored new passports for more than 20 students, served over 1,000 youth across the U.S., and awarded nearly $200,000 in language learning and study abroad scholarships. He received his B.A. in Modern Languages and Literature from the College of William & Mary and M.A. in Teaching from the Relay Graduate School of Education.

Larissa Bezo presently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), the national association dedicated to advancing Canada's international engagement through education. Prior to joining CBIE, Larissa served as Deputy Secretary to Cabinet and Deputy Clerk of the Executive Council with the Saskatchewan government. Ms. Bezo has served in senior leadership positions in both the public and not-for-profit sectors in Canada and internationally, including 20 years in the international development and education sector.

Dr. Lily Lopez-McGee has dedicated more than a decade to capacity building, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within international education and exchange, and U.S. national security and foreign policy. Dr. Lopez-McGee currently serves as the Executive Director of Diversity Abroad and previously supported grant programs at Howard University and UNCF Special Programs. She is a practitioner, researcher, and speaker, and has published in industry and academic outlets. She also serves as a Co-Chair of the Global Access Pipeline and is an International Career Advancement Fellow.

Lucy How has been working in International Education in Canada, the UK, Europe and the US for over 25 years with extensive experience in Higher Ed focused program development, partnerships, strategic alliances & operations management. Since 2005 Lucy has spent 7 years in the US and 11 years in Canada primarily working on ESL and Higher Ed pathways and partnerships with North American post secondary institutions. Lucy’s current role as VP for Higher Ed in Canada focuses on the development & implementation of a strategic plan for the growth of OIEG's Higher Ed initiatives in Canada.

Marcus DeWitt is the Founder & CEO of Blue Ivy Coaching, the leading admissions advising platform in Latin America. They support 1,500+ students per year with career orientation, test preparation, and university guidance. In 2020 and 2021, Blue Ivy received prizes at the PIEoneer Awards.

Mark Overmann joined the Alliance as Executive Director in 2022, after having served as Assistant Director and Deputy Director from 2009-2015. He has nearly 20 years of experience in the NGO, association, federal, and university sectors. Mark has a bachelor’s in English from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s in International Communication from American University’s School of International Service. He is co-author with Sherry Mueller of Working World: Careers in International Education, Exchange, and Development (Georgetown University Press, 2008, 2014).

South Sudanese refugee Mary Maker is a refugee education activist, renowned speaker, and philanthropist, currently serving as a Goodwill Ambassador with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). Mary’s speaking accomplishments include two TED talks, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the UN High Political Forum, the Sustainable Development Goal on Education, as well as regular keynote addresses at the We Rise Together Award Ceremony organized by Duolingo. Mary Graduated from St Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater, International Relations, and Race and Ethnic Studies. She is an actor, fashion lover, and writer, and in 2021 co-founded Elimisha Kakuma, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing access to higher education opportunities for high school graduates living in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. After fleeing her war-torn country as a child, she found security and hope in attending school in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Mary has since become a teacher of young refugees in her community and sees education as an essential tool for rebuilding lives and empowering a generation of girls who are too often denied entrance into the classroom. Mary has said: “For the child of war, an education can turn their tears of loss into a passion for peace”.

Dr. Maureen Manning is the Vice President of Strategy and Insight for The PIE. An international consultant, presenter, and keynote speaker on the topics of global education and intercultural competence, she has worked with international educators across four continents, with a focus on culturally responsive practices. She is a doctoral chair for Organizational Leadership at Carolina University and serves as a peer reviewer for academic papers, articles, conference applications, and as a national professional development grant reviewer for the USDOE. She received her doctorate from Northeastern University and consults with organizations across the globe. Using a systems-thinking and marketing lens, she advises on strategy and develops evidence-based, data-driven plans to help launch organizations to heightened levels of success.

Meg, VP Education at HolonIQ, is an experienced education and strategic professional. Focusing on strengthening education systems globally, she provides insights to education leaders from impact organizations. At HolonIQ, Meg leverages her expertise to drive better decision-making: she was Dir. of Grant and Program Strategy at ISTE and Director of Research at EdSurge. Meg was a school leader, English teacher, and member of her district’s technology advisory. Prior to education, Meg worked in development at VCU's School of Nursing, and sales analysis and planning at Polo Ralph Lauren in NYC.

Michael Sangster is a passionate, creative, strategic leader with over 30 years of progressive experience managing global corporate and non-profit teams in telecom, aerospace, health, and now education sectors. He joined NACC in July 2021 to create opportunities for skilled workers to chase their dreams and enter the workforce immediately upon graduation. A results driven innovator, energized by challenging the status quo to design and deliver solutions in competitive environments, Michael is passionate about bringing together governments, colleges, and learners to find common ground and build outcomes that support communities and the Canadian economy. Prior to the NACC, Michael was the managing partner of the Waterloo Group and Chief Commercial Officer of Pal Aerospace. He was previously the Vice President of Strategic Relations and Federal Government Affairs at TELUS. Prior to TELUS he was Vice President of Sales at C-COM Satellite Systems, and Federal Government Relations and Sales Manager at Assure Health Inc. Michael was granted the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Award in 2013 in recognition of his service to his community and is an Ottawa Police 2015 Community Leadership Award recipient. He attended the University of Manitoba and completed the Governance Essentials Program for Directors from the University of Ottawa School of Management Centre for Executive Education.

Mihaela Metianu serves as the Assistant Provost for Global Engagement. She leads the Center for Global Engagement and provides oversight to the following areas: Education Abroad, International Student Services, International Enrollment Services, Global Academic Services, and the Intensive English Institute. She holds a doctoral degree in higher education administration from Florida State University and has served in the field of international education for 25 years.

Engineer, Education Advisor & Entrepreneur:  Naveen has 15 years of Student Recruitment/ Advising Experience. Naveen is director of Yathapu Consulting (Trading as i20fever) and typical Work Roles Include - Student Advising, University Selection, Business Development & Quality Management. Prior to starting Yathapu Consulting in 2006, Naveen worked as a City Planner/ Traffic Engineering at Overland Park Kansas.

Nick is a leading voice in international education and member of The PIE editorial team. He worked for 15 year in international development for Nottingham Trent University before pivoting to leadership roles within the private student recruitment sector. He now works as an NED and advisor for various stakeholders, exploring the digital transformation of the industry and connecting the dots between public and private sector partnerships. He is passionate about entrepreneurship, graduate talent and the power of peer recruitment. Nicholas recently published the Digital Student Recruitment Digest 2022 for The PIE Insider and is a guest host for the The PIE Live webinar series.

Phil S. Agbeko is the CEO of Hilltop Global Group. Born in Ghana and well-traveled, he aims to highlight Africa's endless experiential learning opportunities. Passionate about reshaping the African narrative, he co-founded Hilltop to revolutionize study abroad in Africa sustainably. With a diverse background in international development, engineering, sales, and IT, Phil's exceptional leadership drives success. Phil's commitment to inclusivity underscores his dedication to positive change in Africa. With his vision and strategic acumen, Hilltop is set for unrivaled success and global impact.

Rachael Lamson serves as Director of Membership and Sponsorships at the American International Recruitment Council (AIRC). She is responsible for managing the recruitment and retention strategy for new and prospective AIRC members and sponsors. Previously, Rachael served as Director of International Admissions at Western New England University, Program Officer at the Institute of International Education, and Senior University Relations Manager at CISabroad. Rachael holds a Bachelors degree from Western New England University and a Masters degree from Northeastern University.

Rajika Bhandari, Ph.D., is a scholar-practitioner in international higher education and the Principal of Rajika Bhandari Advisors, offering evidence-based strategic guidance to nonprofits, multilateral organizations, and universities around the world. She also serves as a Senior Advisor to the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and previously led IIE’s research, evaluation, and thought leadership portfolio. She is a widely published author and keynote speaker on international student issues and is also the Co-Founder of SouthAsia-IEN (the South Asia International Education Network). Her latest award-winning book is, America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility, and she hosts the World Wise podcast on education, culture, and migration. Learn more about her work at: www.rajikabhandari.com

Rodney Morrison is the Vice President of Enrollment Management at the University of Delaware.  He has over 25 years of strategic enrollment leadership experience and has a proven record of increasing quality metrics, retention and graduation rates to record levels and creating pipelines for college access opportunities.  His previous positions included Associate Provost for Enrollment Management at Stony Brook University; Associate Chancellor for Enrollment Management at Rutgers University, Camden Campus; Director of Admissions at Mount Saint Mary College, NY; Vice President of Global Diversity Recruitment at Lehman Brothers; Director of the MBA Preparation Program at Management Leadership for Tomorrow; Associate Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid for the Wharton School MBA Program; Senior Admissions Officer and Director of Minority Recruitment at the University of Pennsylvania; and Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Rochester, NY.  Morrison has served as president of the College Board Middle States Regional Council and been active in numerous professional organizations, including the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, National Association of College Admissions Counseling and the Association of Black Admissions and Financial Aid Officers in the Ivy League and Sister Schools. In addition, he has served as President and Vice President of the Board of KIPP Philadelphia Charter School.

Roger Brindley is Vice Provost for Global at The Pennsylvania State University. He oversees a staff of nearly 100 professionals who manage education abroad programs, advise international students and scholars, and facilitate Penn State’s international partnerships around the world while supporting faculty on the University’s 24 campuses across the Commonwealth who do globally engaged work. As Vice Provost, Brindley works with senior administrators to promote Penn State’s comprehensive plan to “enhance global engagement” and guides the University’s international agenda. He recently concluded a six-year term on the APLU Commission for International Initiatives and is currently a Senior Advisor for AIEA.

Sanam joined Oxford International Education Group in March 2023. For over a decade Sanam has worked with US universities to build and execute strategies to scale programs for non-traditional and adult learners. By expanding the university’s portfolio of online higher education programs, both degree and non-degree (upskilling and reskilling programs). She has worked with many universities, both public and private, on their strategic digital transformation and helped them deliver on their vision to serve online students at scale. She has built and delivered program portfolios that serve the greatest employability needs and are geared towards learners at a regional and national level. Prior to joining Oxford International Education Group, Sanam worked in an EdTech startup and a large multinational education company. She has led cross functional business unit through various stages of growth. Sanam's higher education and early career was in finance, and she worked in capital markets before pivoting into education. She was born in Pakistan, spent her adult life in Toronto, Canada and now resides in Phoenix, Arizona. She aspires to be a global citizen and is passionate about access to education that leads to employability and career outcomes.

Sara Davila, based in Chicago, serves as the ESL Research and Assessment Policy Analyst for IELTS USA. With over two decades of experience, she specializes in English-language teaching, curriculum development, 21st-century pedagogies, and the integration of future technologies. A licensed TESOL trainer with World Learning/SIT, Sara is a two-time ELTons finalist, recognized by the British Council for her contributions in teacher resources and digital innovation. She has been a valuable advisor in supporting national language curriculum reforms across various countries. Sara continues to share resources and insights on her website at saradavila.com.

As Executive Vice President of Global Education at Flywire, Sharon brings over 20 years of experience in sales and customer success and currently leads the global sales and account management teams across ten offices globally for Flywire’s Education vertical. Sharon has been a pioneer in the education payment space and helped to evangelize on a global scale the importance of the student payment experience and choice for education based payments. As Flywire’s first employee she has not only built and scaled Flywire’s Education sales and client success teams across the globe, but also championed educational cross-border payments to lead Flywire to a presence representing more than 2,000 education clients across 240 countries and territories.  Prior to joining Flywire, Sharon held roles as North East Regional Sales Director for Tuition Management Systems, and District Sales Director for SkyTel, a division of Verizon Business and leading wireless technology provider. Sharon has a degree in Communications with a minor in Business from Bridgewater State University.

Shawn Wolfe is a high-energy second language acquisition scholar and international education administrator specializing in ESOL program development, enrollment management operations, curriculum design, and technology integration for adult learning and higher education contexts. As Director of English Language Programs at Salem State University, Shawn oversees the American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI), where he has focused on raising academic standards while increasing student enrollment. In 2019, Pearson Education recognized his team's implementation of the Global Scale of English (GSE) to enhance personalized learning experiences that keep learners motivated and engaged toward their personal and academic language proficiency goals. In addition to managing the ALCI, Shawn serves as chairperson of the Study Massachusetts Consortium and teaches a graduate course on assessing English language learners as a Visiting Instructor in Salem State University's graduate TESOL program. Prior to working at Salem State, Shawn taught English in Japan and Mexico and was recognized in 2012 as West Virginia New Adult Educator of the Year for his leadership, advocacy, and support of culturally and linguistically diverse learners, and for improving learning outcomes of adult students in the community-based English program he oversaw.

As Senior Director of Government of Affairs, Shelley is responsible for developing and executing strategies to promote Shorelight's mission by working with U.S. elected officials, agencies, and trade associations, advocating for international education policies. Based in Washington, D.C., monitors legislative and agency policies identifying opportunities and addressing challenges that affect international students. She leads efforts raising awareness policymakers and their staff about the significant contributions of international students to the U.S..

Sherif Barsoum is the Senior Associate Vice President for Global Services at New York University. Previously, he served as the Director of International Student and Scholar Services at Vanderbilt University and as assistant director at the International Office at Ohio State University. He is Adjunct Faculty in the International Education Program at NYU Steinhardt. Originally from Cairo, Egypt, Barsoum received his BA in political science, master’s degree in higher education administration from the Ohio State University, and completed coursework in the Ed.D. program at the University of Alabama. Barsoum has served on the NAFSA, CEA, and AIEA boards.

Tara Rodoni, an accomplished marketer and strategist, boasts a remarkable career crafting market growth solutions for US and international education providers. Tara's unwavering dedication has catalyzed transformative changes within the educational landscape, empowering learners from diverse backgrounds. Her pioneering efforts extend beyond conventional boundaries, nurturing edTech innovation to revolutionize learning. Leveraging decades of expertise, Tara is a force for positive change, advocating for inclusive educational opportunities worldwide.

Thomas Opio is a veteran in international education for over 15 years, part of that experience has been working abroad. He is the Head of US Student Recruitment LATAM and Africa for Kaplan International Pathways. Within Kaplan, Thomas works to drive international student enrollment by utilizing recruiting approaches that not only develops deeper relationships with communities and stake holders but also looks into national agendas to identify intersections. Thomas is a keen athlete as well and has worked with the National Collegiate Athletic Association to support international student athletes before they arrive in the US and during their times competing in us colleges. He has taken part in think tanks that have produced inclusivity manuals to help universities support these students better.

Tonija Hope is the Director of the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University (HU) where she oversees the Center’s strategic vision, its wide-ranging international engagements including study abroad, international partnership development, global programming, and the management of the Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship for HU students. She also supports flagship fellowship programs for the Department of State & the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to cultivate diverse talent for foreign affairs careers. She received her BA in Latin American Studies/Spanish from Macalester College, a master’s from GW, and will graduate with her PhD in May from Howard University.

Wing-kai To is the Assistant Provost for Global Engagement and SIO at Bridgewater State University. He is currently a Board Member of the Association of International Education Administrators and a member of the NAFSA Resources and Networking Sub-Committee in International Education Leadership. He is active in discussing comprehensive internationalization, virtual exchange and DEI issues. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Hong Kong, a Mandela Washington Fellow in Uganda and Cape Verde, and a State Department speaker for building international education capacity in Africa and Southeast Asia.