Christina Thomas is the Divisional Vice President for Youth Exchanges at World Learning, overseeing a multimillion-dollar portfolio that includes the flagship Experiment in International Living program. Under her leadership, the exchange programs annually engage over 2,000 participants, with 700 high school students in inbound and outbound travel-based programs and 1,300 in virtual exchanges. Christina is deeply committed to experiential learning, youth leadership, and addressing global challenges through transformative education.
With over 20 years of experience in educational nonprofit management, Christina has a proven track record of designing, leading, and managing impactful programs for youth and adults in the U.S. and internationally. Her expertise includes business development, training, capacity building, operational oversight, and financial management, with a focus on delivering results in fast-paced environments.
Before joining World Learning in 2003, Christina taught English to junior and senior high school students and designed teacher training programs for Japanese English teachers as part of the Japan Teaching and Exchange Program (JET) for three years. She holds a master’s degree in International Communications from the School of International Service at American University in Washington, DC, with an emphasis on international education and management.
Christina previously served as Board President of Federation EIL, the Worldwide Network of the Experiment in International Living. In this role, she provided strategic planning, capacity building, and quality assurance support to the network's 14 global member organizations, which offer programs in volunteerism, group travel, language training, and study abroad. Since 1954, the U.S. Experiment in International Living has been a founding member of this global federation.
Heather Beard is an international education professional with two decades of admissions and business development experience in higher education and the non-profit sector. Heather joined World Learning in 2010 as an admissions officer for the School for International Training. In 2013, Heather transitioned to associate director of admissions for The Experiment in International Living and was promoted to director of admissions in 2015. As director of enrollment management and partnerships for World Learning Youth Exchanges, Heather now manages enrollment for not only The Experiment and The Experiment Digital but also USG-funded youth programs including the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP), Youth Ambassadors, and Jóvenes en Acción. Before joining World Learning, Heather served in admissions and administrative roles for The Putney School and the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College. Heather earned a bachelor’s. in writing and literature from Emerson College and an master’s in fine arts. in studio art and critical theory from the Maine College of Art.
Heather has studied abroad throughout Europe and traveled to Costa Rica and Argentina. She enjoys spending time with her family and supporting her community in southern Vermont, as well as photography, running, and hiking.
Education
• MFA, Maine College of Art
• BA, Emerson College
Kirstin is a youth program professional who specializes in program logistics, staff training, and risk management. Kirstin has been managing international youth programs at World Learning since December 2011 and joined The Experiment in 2015. Prior to World Learning, Kirstin worked as a Program Manager for US-based youth programs focusing on service learning and social justice in the Central Appalachian Region. Kirstin earned a B.A. in Sociology and Africana Studies from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and an M.A. in Conflict Transformation & Youth Program Leadership from SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Jennifer Chen is the Director of Virtual Programming at World Learning. In this role, she oversees the organization’s virtual exchange strategy, drives program growth to new regions, and provides technical training to staff. Jennifer founded the organization’s flagship virtual exchange program, The Experiment Digital, in 2016, which has reached over 3,000 students in 16 countries.
A strong advocate for equitable learning opportunities, Jenn is passionate about leveraging technology to equip learners with essential skills for the future. Before joining World Learning, she worked at Meta, where she developed and implemented the vision and strategy for the company’s global education initiatives. She also designed mobile learning games at PBS KIDS and is a former high school history teacher.
Jenn holds a B.S. in International Politics from Georgetown University and an M.Ed. in Technology, Innovation, and Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Anna Gail has been working with youth and young adults since 2004. From her time as a volunteer manager at the American Red Cross to a residential life manager at a first-year residence hall at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, Anna Gail values learning in community. Most recently, her work is at the intersection of social justice education and international education, facilitating peacebuilding dialogues with high school students from Iraq and leadership development workshops with high school students from the UK. She traveled with U.S. undergraduate students to learn about human rights in Nepal, Jordan, and Chile. During her time at World Learning, she has collaborated with in-country and traveling teams to design and deliver high school- and university-level programs in various major U.S. cities, and in Central and South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and Asia.
Anna Gail holds a BS in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an MA in intercultural service, leadership, and management from SIT Graduate Institute. In 2024, she completed her EdD in Global Education at SIT Graduate Institute.
Christina Wagner is the Senior Program Officer for The Experiment Digital at World Learning and oversees both Experiment Digital programs in the United States and MENA region, as well as for Latin America and the United States. Christina started at World Learning in April 2023. Before her position at World Learning, she managed 21st Century grants by overseeing out-of-school-time programming that focused on improving high school students' math and reading skills, social-emotional learning, financial literacy, and community and guardian engagement, as well as several grants at the state and local levels. Christina also teaches college English and loves helping students become better writers.
At World Learning, Christina focuses on long-term program strategy, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring that the organization's digital programs are accessible and effective for participants worldwide. Her work combines strategic program design with a deep commitment to fostering meaningful connections among young people worldwide.
Christina holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in English from Cleveland State University. She has completed project management training through the Project Management Institute, inclusive teaching training at Ohio State University, and earned a Quality Matters (QM) certificate in Improving Your Online Course.
Kate Loughlin is the Partnerships Officer for Virtual Programming at World Learning. Since 2012, Kate has worked in education. From outdoor learning programs and grant management to college student success coaching, Kate enjoys opportunities to connect with students and develop reciprocal partnerships that expand equitable pathways to education.
Kate has experience developing learning communities for first-generation college students, teaching experiential learning courses that focused on global education and career readiness, and co-managing NIH grant-funded research training programs for high school and college students. Kate is thrilled to bring key learning & skills from all these experiences to her role at World Learning!
Kate holds a B.A. in gender studies from Saint Michael's College and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Student Affairs from Merrimack College.
Vanessa Wyns is the Program Officer for The Experiment Digital’s programs connecting high school students from Latin America and the United States. Vanessa’s love of Spanish language and intercultural exchange has led her to study abroad in Peru and Spain, teach art and science at a bilingual school in Granada, lead workshops at an eco-camp in Spain, and design and facilitate bilingual curriculum as the education director of an urban forestry nonprofit. Before transitioning to her current role, Vanessa has worked with World Learning as an Experiment group leader for multiple programs to Ecuador and Spain, a leader for inbound Youth Ambassadors: Brazil, and a reviewer for Latin American applicants.
Vanessa holds B.A.s in Spanish language and studio art from Baylor University, a DELE B2 advanced Spanish certificate, and an M.S. from the University of Kent in ethnobotany: an interdisciplinary study that focuses on the preservation and appreciation of biocultural diversity.
In her role as a Program Officer, Vanessa gets to braid together various interests and experiences, designing curriculum about youth-led project design and Spanish and English language, while also leading recruitment in Latin America, training digital facilitators, and overseeing grant awards.
With over seven years of experience in the education sector, Sarah has worked in a variety of roles, including teaching gifted learners and participating in the Peace Corps Jamaica program in March 2020. She later completed a year of service with AmeriCorps VISTA, where she focused on education programming for immigrant and refugee youth. This opportunity sparked Sarah's passion for creating transformative educational opportunities for students worldwide.
Originally from St. Louis, MO, Sarah relocated to the Washington, DC area three years ago with her husband. She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Missouri State University and a master's in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Southeast Missouri State University.
Sarah is passionate about global education and fostering cross-cultural experiences for youth worldwide. She is committed to ensuring that students around the world have opportunities to engage with new environments and broaden their perspectives. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, attending concerts, exploring farmers markets, visiting coffee shops, and spending time in parks and art museums.
Olivia Babcock is the Program Coordinator for both Experiment Digital programs, connecting high school students from the U.S. and MENA region, as well as Latin America and the U.S. She is responsible for online program support, participant recruitment, partnership support, and marketing. Through her work at World Learning she aims to implement digital programming that fosters meaningful connections and facilitates real world knowledge that will benefit students far beyond the program itself.
Olivia holds a B.A. in history from the University of Puget Sound where she focused on South Africa’s transition to democracy and restorative peace efforts. She was first introduced to World Learning when she studied social and political transformation with SIT in Durban, South Africa. Since then, she has served as a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Zambia, where she taught English, writing skills, and implemented training for future teachers. Olivia is an avid traveler, and between her time in Sub-Saharan Africa she has been a group leader for the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program for three summers.
Zufan Hagos holds a BS in Secondary Education and Spanish from the University of Vermont and an MA in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute. She brings over 15 years of professional experience in education and study abroad leadership. She joined World Learning in 2017, where her work has focused on program management, student affairs, and people operations. Prior to World Learning, Zufan worked with several education abroad organizations designing, managing, and facilitating middle, secondary, and college-level programs in Central and South America, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.
Julia Knecht has been involved with The Experiment since 2015 as a Group Leader to Thailand, Operations Associate, and Application Reviewer. Prior to joining The Experiment team, she spent several years living in Vanuatu working at a non-governmental organization, and an international school. Julia received her BA in Cultural Anthropology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies from Wells College. She first discovered her love of youth exchange during a year-long exchange program to India, and since then has lived in Belize, Thailand, Vanuatu, and the Netherlands.
Angie Afriyie serves as Partnership Coordinator for The Experiment and The Experiment Digital programs. Angie brings five years of work experience at St. Anne Institute in Albany, NY, serving roles from Street Outreach Program Coordinator and case manager to Teaching Assistant. Angie also has teaching experience at Albany High School and Bethlehem High School. Additionally, Angie worked as a Camp Counselor for Liberty Partnership Rising Stars Program and Program Assistant for the Boys & Girls Club of Albany. Angie received her MS in Secondary Education with a Concentration in Social Studies from the University at Albany – State University of New York, and her BA in History from University at Albany – State University of New York. Angie is originally from Ghana and immigrated with her family to the Bronx, New York City, when she was young.
Jackie holds a BA in Integrative Physiology and Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. A lifelong learner, whose love of learning spreads to those around her, Jackie has worked in experiential and hands-on education for nearly a decade. Most recently and for the past 3 years, Jackie has worked in the HR sector in a recruiting role and served as an Experiment Group Leader to Jordan as well as a current digital facilitator. From teaching music to teenagers, art to children, and early childhood special education, she is passionate about developing people and opening minds. Jackie's passion for travel-based learning started with a summer immersion program in Ghana. With a degree in physiology and psychology and years of counseling volunteer work, she is knowledgeable about youth development, providing emotional support, and encouraging being authentically human. Other work experiences include working for a Kenyan company focusing on humanitarian aid and international development research with clients such as USAID, UNICEF, Heifer, and the World Bank. Jackie is a juggler of interests and passions, but the thread that runs through it all is her love for connecting and building warm relationships with people of all backgrounds.
Group Leaders
Our group leaders and digital facilitators are Experimenters’ number one resource. We seek educators who represent our diverse student body and who are skilled in creating inclusive group environments for their participants.
Our group leaders are dedicated to youth development and are passionate about working directly with young people. The Experiment’s group leaders:
- Are professional, flexible, resilient, resourceful, pro-active, caring, warm, friendly, and love to laugh
- Genuinely enjoy spending time with high school students
- Have strong organizational and logistical skills, and are able to manage a budget
- Are willing to put their participants’ learning and development ahead of their own experience.
- Are ready for an intense, challenging, and rewarding summer.
- Demonstrate skills and experience in cross-cultural sensitivity and communication.
- Bring a wide variety of backgrounds and social identities.
- Are aware of and committed to addressing bias, systemic inequalities, power, privilege, and oppression.
- Are, above all, educators and facilitators.
Programs Abroad—Ongoing Support from Start to Finish
Experiment groups abroad are accompanied by two carefully selected and trained adult leaders who work collaboratively with in-country partners and The Experiment’s offices in the United States. Throughout the program, leaders work with Experimenters to increase their knowledge of the country and culture, develop communication skills, and cultivate new attitudes and awareness.
Group leaders keep in close contact with Experimenters and their homestay families, conduct group excursions, and guide Experimenters through the learning process via discussions, activities, and reflections. At the end of the program, leaders help Experimenters evaluate their experiences and consider how they can integrate what they learned about themselves, their identities, and the world into their lives at home.
Leaders have extensive experience with youth education, travel logistics and management know-how, health, safety, and risk management and are ready to spend a month living and learning with their participants. They are responsible professionals who have local expertise in the country or region of their program, language abilities, and knowledge of their program theme. Experiment co-leaders and staff complement one another and provide comprehensive support to all members of their groups.
Group leaders go through a rigorous selection process. In 2004, The Experiment offered positions to only 18% of applicants. The process includes a comprehensive application review, several stages of interviews with the People Operations Team, and thorough screening and background check. Many of our leaders are teachers and professionals with bachelor’s and often a master’s degree, former Peace Corps volunteers, and distinguished scholars (Fulbright, Rhodes, Truman, etc.).
Group Leader Training
At The Experiment, we value our group leaders as professionals in their fields. We utilize the skills they bring while making sure to provide development and support in the areas needed to be successful leaders of our programs.
Before our programs, group leaders attend intensive, in-person training on the School for International Training (SIT) campus in Vermont. Leaders get in-depth, interactive training on a range of topics relating to the broad areas of youth, education, logistics, and health and safety. Sessions cover issues including adolescent psychology, mental and physical health, youth development, behavior management, curriculum development and delivery, and experiential education techniques. Learn more about becoming a group leader.
“Not only do I come away feeling prepared, supported, and nourished as a facilitator, but I feel like I want to bring ANYONE in a leadership position (corporate, nonprofit, or even people planning to become parents) to this training. Too often, ‘leader’ is a title that reflects salary but not equity or ability. The Experiment training provides the tools to excel in every aspect of leadership.”
– Jen Fowler, Leader to the United Kingdom, Argentina, Japan, and Italy
Featured Group Leaders
A native of Northern New Jersey, Cassidy earned her Bachelors in Communications and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh, with a concentration in history and linguistics. During her time in undergrad, Cassidy spent a summer term in South Africa as a Vira I. Heinz scholar, participating in a program focused on community building in schools. She later went overseas to teach and coach in Shenzhen, China, where she became a certified TEFL instructor. In 2017, Cassidy earned her Masters in International Education with a focus in social justice education and youth development at SIT Graduate Institute before transitioning into a position working with students with special needs. Currently, she works as Social Studies instructor at a charter school focused on environmental sciences and preservation as well as coaching basketball and volleyball. Cassidy has worked with The Experiment, The Experiment Digital, and World Learning Youth Programs.
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the Bronx, NY, Ericka Pérez is a 2017 Experiment alum. They received their bachelor’s in Africana Studies with a concentration in Diaspora Studies from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022. As a freshman, Ericka traveled to Iceland for research in environmental studies and interned at a bilingual school in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, as a college admissions counselor. Throughout their undergraduate studies, Ericka continued to immerse themselves in the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture, writing for a podcast on Anti-Racism in Rio’s Favelas, composing their graduation capstone on the racial politics of Brazilian Funk, and going on to win a Fulbright ETA Award to Brazil. Since then, Ericka has returned to their hometown to teach high school and perform stand-up.
Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Luis Campos spent his childhood traveling across Mexico, the U.S., and Puerto Rico. Luis’ taste for adventure grew at Brown University. Here, he divided his time getting his degree in Classical Studies, playing rugby, traveling the world conducting research for his honors thesis, and volunteering as an ESOL teacher, a wrestling coach, and an editor. His investigation of combat sports earned him six fellowships and research awards and led him on an international journey to Greece, Italy, Argentina, and Mexico. Luis also traveled to Israel, Palestine, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay on volunteer projects and to Spain and Andorra, leading a Spanish learning program. After graduating in 2014, Luis joined the Peace Corps and served as an English teacher in Mongolia. Following his service, Luis received a Fulbright Fellowship in 2016, expanding his research on combat sports in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2017 and 2018, Luis returned to Mongolia as a leader for The Experiment. Since 2019, Luis has been living in China, working as a consultant and completing a Master’s in Public Administration at Shanghai Jiaotong University. In his free time, Luis likes to design clothes, write articles, and plan his future adventures.
As a Chinese Adoptee raised in Oregon, Bekah has always valued empathy and communicating our perspectives of lived experiences. Recently graduated, Bekah now holds a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies from Oregon State University where she hopes to encourage others to educate themselves and help advocate for others. During her undergraduate studies, Bekah worked at her university’s Asian & Pacific Cultural Center as a Leadership Liason focusing her work on Diversity & Cultural Engagement. Additionally, Bekah participated in an IE3 Global year-long study abroad program in Seoul, South Korea, at Yonsei University and was awarded a scholarship from the Freeman Asia Foundation to help pursue her studies in cross-cultural and global relationships. A strong advocate for community building, welcoming diversity, discovering identity, and promoting self-reflection, Bekah strives to create safe spaces for folks to be vulnerable in their learning and sharing. Outside of school and work, Bekah loves spending her free time with her loved ones, listening to music, journaling, hiking, and playing with her dog.
Salena Araya is first-generation Ethiopian-Eritrean American born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. With the influence of her East African upbringing, Salena naturally connected and leaned towards meeting people from different backgrounds and learning the history/practices of other cultures. What better way to understand and become a globally culturally humble individual than with experiential learning? Salena spent a semester abroad in Monteverde and San Jose, Costa Rica, studying Spanish and living on una finca de cafe (coffee farm). In addition to traveling as a student, Salena spent some time in Mexico City and Chiapas, Mexico, Sweden, and Eritrea. She holds her Bachelor’s degree in public health with a minor in Spanish. Her background consists of sexual health education, global health, and building capacity for youth-led and -centered work. As Salena took on many roles, from interning with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to working in program development advocating for youth leadership, she found her path in youth capacity building with global health organizations. This is what led her to work with the World Learning Program as a program leader for Jovenes en Acción, Youth Ambassadors Argentina and Chile, Youth Ambassadors Brazil, and most recently The Experiment in Ghana.
Nate’s life is guided by the following question: How will we evolve our norms, laws, and institutions such that all people define and achieve their own flourishing while living in balance with each other and the planet? This inquiry led them to design a Bachelor's degree in Education & Community Studies at Davidson College. After completing the degree, Nate traveled the globe as a high school study abroad program leader, where they designed, facilitated, and evaluated community-based experiential learning programs. Nate went on to serve as a consultant and coach at The Bridgespan Group, where they advised nonprofits and philanthropies to clarify their intended impact, improve operating models, strengthen executive teams, and lead organizational change. Nate currently serves as Senior Manager at Social Impact Exchange, where they support a multi-sector network of ~6,000 leaders to co-design, co-fund, and implement initiatives to transform society’s systems toward equity and justice. Nate also serves as a Board Member at Nourish International, fusing passions for youth leadership, organizational development, and systems thinking to support college students driving positive social change across the U.S. When not galivanting around the globe, you can find Nate enjoying the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area, California.
Vanessa Wyns is a returning leader who has twice led the Spanish Language and Culture program in 2022 and 2019. She studied abroad in Peru in high school and later spent a semester in Madrid while earning her dual B.A. in Spanish Language and Studio Art from Baylor’s University Scholars Program. After graduating, she spent two years teaching art and science at a bilingual primary school in Granada and later returned to Spain to be an instructor at a youth eco-camp in the northern Basque Country. Now an Education Director for an urban forestry nonprofit, Vanessa has spent the past decade trying to increase equitable access to, knowledge about, and respect for the world’s environmental gifts and cultural diversity. Her deep interest in how people relate to the environment led her to obtain an M.S. in Ethnobotany, an interdisciplinary study rooted in anthropology that focuses on the traditional knowledge of regional plants and their uses. Traveling is one of Vanessa’s great joys, and she’s had the great fortune to visit, work, or study in over 40 countries.
Adria’s journey into the world of international exchange began when she was a child, as her family hosted exchange students in their home, sparking her interest in global connections. Her passion for Japanese culture led her to study abroad in high school, a life-changing experience that motivated her to delve deeper into various cultures, resulting in pursuing a major in East Asian Studies and Japanese at Western Washington University. While studying in Tokyo, she found immense joy in connecting with Japanese and international students, appreciating their diverse backgrounds. Adria’s international experiences expanded when she led for The Experiment to Japan in 2008 and 2023 and later served as an international student and scholar advisor, introducing American culture to incoming international students. She continued her educational journey with a master’s degree in College Student Services Administration, specializing in international education, at Oregon State University. In her free time, she actively volunteers with a multicultural center, hosts exchange students, and explores the world through travel.
The Experiment Digital—Fostering Connection Across Borders
Throughout the virtual exchange, students will be directly supervised by professional facilitators, including some alumni and former peer mentors, who have experience with global exchange and undergo an intensive 3-week long training on online facilitation. Although The Experiment Digital boasts a huge number of participants, it fosters an intimate feel for learning, which allows small group conversation and meaningful engagement. Participants attend interactive webinars featuring guest speakers, with small breakout sessions led by facilitators or peer mentors. In dialogue groups, there is a smaller participant-to-facilitator ratio with a safe space to share their hopes and fears and discuss often challenging topics. Facilitators initiate icebreakers, jumpstart conversation, ask debrief questions, and mediate conflict. Facilitators also help guide participants through the process of developing a community service project.
Digital facilitators:
- Create and maintain a positive digital learning community.
- Coach participants on behavioral challenges within the program community and mediate disagreements and conflicts.
- Assist participants in troubleshooting technology issues to ensure program engagement.
- Provide encouragement and support to keep participants engaged in the program activities.
- Support participants with plans for their project implementation.
Our digital facilitators monitor all interactions on the online platform. If anything of concern arises, they follow a strict risk management protocol through the proper channels to inform full-time staff at The Experiment Digital, who are reachable 24/7. Learn more about becoming a digital facilitator.
“This whole summer has been an amazing opportunity to get to know teens from all over the world. I feel really inspired by their spirit, and I feel like my mind has been opened by their perspectives and worldviews. I really can’t think of a better way to have spent this summer than meeting and working with these fantastic participants.”
– Caroline, Digital Facilitator
Featured Digital Facilitators
Eduardo Guzman, originally from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, is passionate about fostering cross-cultural understanding and empowering young leaders. As a Program Facilitator for The Experiment Digital in 2023 and 2024, Eduardo has guided participants through transformative intercultural experiences, connecting teens from the MENA region and the USA. With a background in International Education and over a decade of teaching experience, Eduardo holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership along with Bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and English. He currently serves as the National Associate Director of Study Abroad at Universidad Privada Boliviana, where he leads internationalization efforts across three campuses. His commitment to education, leadership, and youth empowerment has been a defining feature of his career, driven by the belief that international exchange is a powerful tool for positive social change. In his free time, Eduardo loves traveling to new places and getting lost in a good book.
Hana has been a Digital Facilitator since 2022 and is passionate about using digital technologies to foster global connections. Her expertise includes leading change initiatives, process improvement efforts, and project management. She currently serves as a faculty member in Management Information Systems where she is dedicated to fostering collaboration and preparing students to solve global challenges in their field of studies.
Hana is a lifelong learner. She holds master’s degrees in engineering, training and development, and business administration. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, with research interests focused on Collaborative Online International Learning Virtual Exchange (COIL VE). Her goal is to expand access to international learning for more students, particularly those from underserved and underrepresented communities, and those with limited finances or physical mobility.
Growing up in Lebanon’s pluralistic society, Hana always believed in the power of cultural exchange to broaden global perspectives. Her internship in Switzerland, graduate studies in the USA, and extensive travels have reinforced her belief that international education can be a force for peace. Hana is determined to bring virtual exchange opportunities to students across the globe, helping them develop the global mindset and intercultural competencies needed to thrive in today’s interconnected world.
Dawn Harris Wooten is a Virtual Exchange Facilitator at World Learning. She has extensive experience in facilitating virtual exchange programs supported by the Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative and works with World Learning’s The Experiment Digital and STEAM Innovations. With over 15 years of experience in international education, she specializes in creating inclusive and participatory environments that emphasize global competency, intercultural communication, community engagement, and leadership.
Dawn's background in youth programs inspires her advocacy for the next generation of global citizens, change-makers, and innovators. Before joining World Learning, she held leadership and teaching positions at NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Florida Atlantic University, The George Washington University, and Northwestern University. Additionally, she led a service-learning youth group in India.
Thanks to scholarships, Dawn, a first-generation college student, studied abroad twice during college. She earned a bachelor's degree in history from Baldwin Wallace University, a master's degree in history from Cleveland State University, and a master's degree in nonprofit administration from Florida Atlantic University. She completed a diploma in social innovation through the Executive Education program at the University for Peace.
Dawn is the Chair of the Virtual Intercultural Communication Working Group at the World Council on Intercultural and Global Competence.
Lauren's passion for international exchange and travel began in high school when she traveled to Germany through the German-American Partnership Program. This transformative experience inspired her to pursue a degree in International Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she developed a vision for creating global change.
Lauren became the Program Director of a youth leadership and community engagement organization in Denver, where she empowered high school students to explore their sense of self and discover how they can impact their communities. She believes in the power of international exchange and community-driven action to help young people find their sense of purpose, just as she did during her own exchange experience. As a facilitator, coach, and mentor, Lauren has witnessed the incredible potential of young people when their voices are truly heard, and they are encouraged to be their authentic selves. Her leadership style is rooted in active listening, curiosity, and a deep commitment to building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Lauren has also contributed to The Experiment Digital and World Learning Youth Ambassadors programs, continuing her work in supporting youth as they learn more about their identity and their role in creating positive change in their communities and the world.
Maryam Waleed is a passionate digital facilitator and communications specialist with extensive experience in advocacy and youth mentorship. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Baghdad. As a Social Media Officer at the American University of Iraq, Baghdad (AUIB), she leads strategic communications and awareness campaigns, continuing her goal of working with youth, inspiring them, and being inspired by them—her true passion.
A dedicated advocate for rare diseases, Maryam has represented the Iraqi Hemophilia Society at the World Hemophilia Congress and shared her personal journey through platforms such as TEDx Youth Baghdad. Since 2020, she has been involved in virtual exchange programs, including The Experiment Digital for three cycles. In 2024, she served as an adult mentor for the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP), helping to empower the next generation of leaders across Iraq. As the mother of a son with hemophilia, Maryam is deeply committed to supporting and inspiring youth to reach their full potential.
Nuhu Abdulmalik, originally from Nigeria, is a passionate advocate for social change with extensive experience in using drama as a powerful tool for transformation. Currently pursuing a Master's in Peace and Conflict Studies in Canada, Nuhu excels in facilitating cross-cultural dialogue and utilizing technology to bridge cultural divides. Through the Virtual Exchange ecosystem, Nuhu has facilitated various forms of virtual cross-cultural exchanges, coached peers, and supported facilitator training. With a strong background in radio drama and a commitment to volunteering, Nuhu leverages the power of storytelling to drive community impact and education.
Growing up in the USA before moving to Indonesia as a teen, Wynonna learned at a young age the challenges of adapting to new environments and the benefits of cultural immersion. These early experiences fueled her interest in facilitating intercultural exchanges for others. Wynonna graduated with a B.A. in Geography from Macalester College before pursuing an M.A. in International Affairs at the Geneva Graduate Institute. She has since had the opportunity to live in Switzerland, Japan, Taiwan and Kazakhstan. She is currently teaching for a Japanese university while also studying programming as a hobby. During her free time, Wynonna enjoys learning languages (both world languages and programming ones!), jamming out with friends, writing postcards to loved ones and creating websites for her cats.
Zhigger Abozaid is a young professional, mentor, consultant, and activist with over 7 years of experience. He is a seasoned Digital Facilitator with extensive experience in cross-cultural education and leadership development. Zhigger served as a Digital Facilitator for The Experiment Digital program in 2023 and 2024 and has guided high school students from around the world in meaningful discussions on leadership, STEM careers, and community service. As the Founder and CEO of Open Space Academy, his work focuses on fostering intercultural dialogue, promoting collaboration, and empowering young leaders to thrive in a globalized world. With an extensive background in delivering training, facilitation, moderation, and experience leading community initiatives, Zhigger brings a unique blend of empathy, organization, and passion for education to every project he undertakes and is passionate about education innovation, especially regarding the digital divide. He has hosted and facilitated various programs for multiple years and continues to champion the power of virtual exchange as a tool for building connections and understanding across diverse cultures.
Zhigger holds bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from the University of Duhok and a Diploma in English Language Studies from the Headway International Educational Institute.
