NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group Cohorts

The following is a list of practitioners from NAIS member schools who have participated in the NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group since the inception of the program in 2015-16.

2022-23 School Year:

The following experts are participating in the 2022-23 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they are focusing on international student programs:
  1. Kate Blackburn: Director of International Enrollment, Mid-Pacific Institute, Honolulu, HI
  2. Katy Oh: Coordinator of International Student Education & Programs; Coordinator for Global Engagement & Education; Admissions Coordinator, Friends Central School, Wynnewood, PA

2021-22 School Year:

The following experts are participating in the 2021-22 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they focused on global education and international student programs:
  1. Karina Baum: Director of Global Education, Buckingham Browne & Nichols, Cambridge, MA
  2. John Hughes: Director of Experiential Education Programs | History Department | The Joshua L Miner Ropes Course Director | Executive Director of The Lawrenceville School Camp, The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ
  3. Christa Knudsen: Director of International Programs, Marshall School, Duluth, MN
  4. Jane Lacoste: Assistant Director of Admissions, International Admissions, Lake Ridge Academy, North Ridgeville, OH
  5. Kelly Neely: Humanities Department Co-chair | Director of Global Studies | Winterim Coordinator, Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, MA
  6. David Thompson: Director of International Programs, Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT

2020-21 School Year:

The following experts participated in the 2020-21 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they focused on international student retention strategies and the future of international student programs:
  1. Shane Foster: President, The Barstow School, Kansas City, MO
  2. Ted Hill: Head of School and President of the Roessler-Chadwick Foundation Group, Chadwick International School, Incheon, South Korea
  3. Christine Holloway: Chief of Staff, Director of International Programs, Hampton Roads Academy, Newport News, VA 
  4. Mark Siegel: Assistant Headmaster, Delphian School, Sheridan, OR

2019-20 School Year:

The following experts participated in the 2019-20 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they focused on international student recruitment and admissions; international student retention and support; and global education:
  1. Trish Anderson: Director of the Isdell Center for Global Leadership, Pace Academy, Atlanta, GA
  2. Tene Howard: Director of Global Programs and Community Engagement, Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn, NY
  3. Kristen Mariotti: Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, Stoneleigh-Burnham School, Greenfield, MA
  4. Quentin McDowell: Associate Head of School for External Relations, Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA
  5. Robert McGuiness: Assistant Head of School, Global Education, Appleby College, Oakville, Canada 
  6. Angela Yang-Handy: Dean of Global, Experiential and Community Engagement, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Gill, MA

2018-19 School Year:

The following experts participated in the 2018-19 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they focused on international student recruitment and admissions; international student retention and support; and global education:
  1. Nicole Biggie: Director of Admissions, St. Johnsbury Academy, St. Johnsbury, VT
  2. Melissa Brown: Director of Diversity and Global Education, Upper School Spanish, Holton Arms School, Bethesda, MD
  3. Michael House: Director of Enrollment Management, Maumee Valley Country Day School, Toledo, OH
  4. Lynda Ann Loring: Director of International Student Programs, Director of English Immersion, Humanities Teacher, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, Rabun Gap, GA
  5. Kila McCann: Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Fountain Valley School of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO (2021 update: Kila is currently Dean of Admission/Financial Aid at 
    The Bolles School, Jacksonville, FL.)
  6. Matt Nink: Executive Director of the Global Youth Leadership Institute and Executive Director of the Stuart Center for Global Leadership, Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest, IL (2021 update: Matt is currently National Partnerships Director at the International Association for Human Values, Washington, DC.)

2017-18 School Year:

The following experts participated in the 2017-18 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they focused on international student topics including F-1 visa regulations; homestay and residential life; recruitment, admissions, enrollment and retention; student support; current and emerging markets and trends:
  1. Metta Dael: Director of International Admission, Northfield Mount Hermon, Mount Hermon, MA
  2. Dean Fusto: Head of School and President, Brandon Hall School, Atlanta, GA
  3. Andrew Garlinski: Director of International Student Recruitment, Director of ESL, Shattuck-St. Mary's School, Farribault, MN
  4. Tara Inman: Dean of Students for Global Education, DSO, Darlington School, Rome, GA
  5. Amanda Miles: Associate Director of Admission, International Admission Coordinator, PDSO, Dana Hall School, Wellesley, MA
  6. Ann Vogel: International Student Coordinator, Global Summit Coordinator, Charles Wright Academy, Tacoma, WA (2021 update: Ann is currently the Director of International Student Programs at Charles Wright Academy, Tacoma, WA)

2016-17 School Year:

The following experts participated in the 2016-17 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they focused on international student topics including F-1 visa compliance; homestay and residential life; and recruitment, admissions, enrollment and retention:
  1. Joshua Clark: Director of Admissions and PDSO, Hawaii Preparatory School, Kamuela, HI (2021 update: Josh is currently the Director of Student Enrollment and Admissions at TASIS, London, UK)
  2. Randy Doss: Director of Admissions and PDSO, Greensboro Day School, Greensboro, NC
  3. Katharine McBride: DSO, Beaufort Academy, Beaufort, SC
  4. Kevin Merges, Executive Director of Global Education Programs, Director of the Innovation Center and PDSO, Rutgers Preparatory School, Somerset, NJ
  5. Jennifer O'Connor: Director, Office of Services for International Students and PDSO, Lawrence Academy, Groton, MA
  6. Jennifer Smith: International Student Coordinator and PDSO, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH

2015-16 School Year:

In 2015-16, NAIS piloted the program with the first cohort of NAIS Global Ambassadors, and they focused on topics and developed resources related to global education/international mindedness and international student programs:
  1. Melinda Bihn: Head of School, French-American International School, San Francisco, CA 
  2. Charlotte Blessing: Director of Global Education, Lakeside School, Seattle, WA (2021 update: Charlotte is currently the Deputy Head of College at United World College Mahindra, Pune, India)
  3. Chantal Duke: Executive Assistant, Visa Manager and PDSO, The Awty International School, Houston, TX (2021 update: Chantal is currently the SEVIS Compliance Manager and PDSO at The Village School, Houston, TX)
  4. Gerard Gonnella: Director of International Student Program, Associate Director of Admission and Financial Aid and PDSO, The Wardaw-Hartridge School, Edison, NJ
  5. Chai Reddy: Director of the Wo International Center, Punahou School, Honolulu, HI (2021 update: Chai is currently the Principal Consultant at Shanti Alliance/Stephen and Isabella Stevens World Peace Foundation, Honolulu, HI)