Meet our team

It takes a global team to deliver the personalized, high-quality support that defines every WorldStrides program.

Our team is our greatest asset

From academic specialists and program designers to health and safety experts and on-site staff, our people are the foundation of everything we do. Each program is shaped and supported by a dedicated team committed to aligning with your institutional goals and providing exceptional care to your students—before, during, and after each program.

Here’s a look at just some of the people behind our mission to provide safe, high-quality, and life-changing education abroad experiences for travelers around the world.

Senior Leadership

Our higher education leadership team is passionate about expanding global learning opportunities. Explore the full WorldStrides leadership team here.

Jennifer AcostaExecutive Vice President

Ángel (Chicho) Eguiluz PachecoSenior Vice President, Global Operations

Elizabeth Erbeznik, Ph.D.Senior Associate Vice President, Curriculum and Academics

Susan FarleyVice President, Financial Affairs

Jennifer Fisher Senior Vice President

Mark GallovicVice President, Strategic Partnerships

Amber GarrettVice President, Marketing

Yolanda GoldenVice President, Corporate Social Responsibility

Smiling Woman in Black Blazer and Pink Top

Melissa HollandVice President, Graduate Strategy & Experiences

Zac MacinnesVice President, Campus Partnerships

Beth PriceSenior Vice President, Student Outreach

David PuenteAssociate Vice President, Academics

Robin Reliford, J.D.Head of Health & Safety

Health, Safety, & Risk Management

Dedicated to keeping you informed, supported, and safe—wherever you are in the world.

Patrick BarkerDirector, Health, Safety, & Security

Adam HarrisAnalyst, Global Risk Management

Kate McSurleyAssistant Director, Health, Safety, & Risk Management

Academic Affairs

Upholding academic excellence and ensuring your academic experience is recognized back home, one transcript at a time.

Alonso De La FuenteAssociate Vice President, Academic Records

Michelle DippoldAssistant Director, Academics

Israel MaySenior Coordinator, Academic Records

Campus Partnerships

Building partnerships that make these global experiences possible. View the entire team and find your dedicated, Campus Partner here.

Shelly AlfaroDirector, Alumni Relations

Eric AndersonSenior Associate Vice President, Campus Partnerships

Autumn Beechler StebingSenior Director, Campus Partnerships

Sarah WarrenDirector, Campus Partnerships

Snow WhiteDirector, Campus Partnerships

Program Management & Development

This is just a glimpse of the many experts working behind the scenes. Our program management and development teams run deep, with dedicated staff supporting students and faculty every step of the way. From application to airport, this team gets you ready to go with confidence (and all the right paperwork).

Kristine BarerDirector, Experiential Learning

Kristie BraunstonAssistant Director, Custom Program Account Management

Emily BusseSenior Director, Enrollment Management

Matt GuliziaDirector, Enrollment Management

Hannah HamiltonAssociate Director, Enrollment Management

Kate HilbyAssociate Director, Enrollment Management

LeeAnn HillDirector, Custom Program Account Management

Kristen Jackson Senior Director, Custom Global Experiences

Heather JaremaSenior Director, Custom Program Development

Rachel NotsonSenior Director, Custom Program Account Management

Kenzi StarrDirector, Veritas Christian Study Abroad

Joshua TschiggfrieDirector, Custom Program Account Management

Anthony ViltroProduct Manager

Laura Pierce WeldonSenior Director, Custom Program Account Management

Brandon Victoria YoungmanAssociate Vice President, Custom Program Development

Regional Operations

Managing the logistics, relationships, and day-to-day operations that keep our programs running smoothly around the world.

Dharma BenderskyRegional Director of Operations, Pacific

Mattea Di FabioRegional Director of Operations, Italy

Jeehye LeeRegional Director of Operations, Asia

Enrique LópezRegional Director of Operations, Spain

Pedro José Pérez PoloRegional Director of Operations, Europe

Antonio Santana BenitezRegional Director of Operations, United Kingdom & Ireland

Christian Vargas MarotoRegional Director of Operations, Latin America

International

Our international team members are the heartbeat of the student experience abroad. Based in-country, they provide daily support—from local tips and cultural recommendations to on-the-ground guidance during travel disruptions or emergencies. Their knowledge, presence, and care ensure students feel both safe, empowered, and supported every step of the way.

View our program pages to see the specific team members supporting each destination.

Africa

Morocco & South Africa

Abdallah Malki, Ph.D.Global Campus, Academics

Iman EssamatiResident Director

Ouma MpelaResident Director

Asia

China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, & Vietnam

Elisa BarrientosResident Director

Ram PrakashResident Director

Riki KomemotoResident Director

Yeseul ParkResident Director

Medusa FangResident Director

Natcha WaisuebkhaoResident Director

Euisoo ChangResident Director

Jaeseong LimStudent Services

Chowon KimSenior Student Services

Europe

Central & Western Europe: Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Switzerland, & the Netherlands

Gabriel AntonopoulosResident Director

Lucie JouetStudent Services

Lindsey TurneauResident Director

Sylvanie DelavictoireStudent Services

Tomáš UherAcademics & Housing

Annamaria AntonopoulosResident Director

Delphine LechevalierStudent Housing

Daniela ProcházkaResident Director

Northern Europe: England, Ireland, Scotland

Marina KozhuharovaAssistant Resident Director

Antonio Santana BenitezRegional Director of Operations

Kathryn GarrettResident Director

Laura de los LlanosStudent Services

Eduardo CompeanStudent Services

Eloise CaseyStudent Services

Joseph SullivanStudent Services

Karen Appel-StefoniResident Director

Southern Europe: Greece, Italy, Portugal, & Spain

Cristina Canales ContadorResident Director

Marcela FrançaResident Director

Lorena HerreraAcademics

Danielle RobergeStudent Services

Walter UribeStudent Services

Janelle ForsterStudent Services

Elvis Apaza VegaStudent Services

Sara PérezCustom Programs

Manolo Fernández MorenoStudent Housing

Vera ContuAssistant Resident Director

Tamara Roldán GutiérrezAcademics

Rossella De GregorioStudent Services

Anna BeltrameStudent Activities

Daniel OstadResident Director

Carmen Maria ParraDirector of Logistics

Juan Eguiluz PachecoDirector of Academics

Enrique LópezRegional Director of Operations

Pedro José Pérez PoloRegional Director of Operations

Perla SignoriAssistant Resident Director

Rachael EckersleyStudent Services

Raimondo BernardiStudent Services

Roberto de la Calzada CuestaStudent Services & Academics

Rodrigo de Francisco BenitoAssistant Resident Director

Sabrina LandiniStudent Activities

Sara RuffinoStudent Activities

Tess AsimakisResident Director

Youssef L'Ouafi GuennouniStudent Services

Zara CifuentesStudent Services

Ángel Garzón PenaStudent Services & Activities

Lorenzo PozzoliniStudent Housing

Luca GarottiResident Director

Manuel GutierrezResident Director

Marina LopezStudent Services

Marisa RevellesResident Director

Martin KorbsResident Director

María Jesús Rubio AmadorStudent Activities

María VilarStudent Services

Mattea Di FabioRegional Director of Operations

Matthew RizzoAcademics

Neftalí GonzálezResident Director

Francesco PomponioStudent Services

Genoveva Garcia GallardoResident Director

Helena SpyrakouStudent Services

Iker Villamarin RenteriaResident Director

Aleksandra SmolenAcademics

Alessia FoianesiResident Director

Beatriz de Miguel MartinStudent Services & Engagement

Benedetta OnoratiStudent Services

Carlos Marín MuñozAssistant Resident Director

Carmen Abanades CruzResident Director

Latin America

Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, & Peru

Hedvika TichaResident Director

Cecilia AramburuCustom Programs Manager

Katherine RuaResident Director

Kris Cárdenas, M.A.Global Campus, Academics

Michelle McRaneyResident Director

Lizette Arredondo CastilloResident Director

Lorna ArredondoStudent Services

Roxana ParedesStudent Services

Andy Osorio MollenedoResident Director

Adriana CaravacaResident Director

Nicole UrenaStudent Services

Christian Vargas MarotoRegional Director of Operations

Pacific

Australia, Fiji, & New Zealand

Julie SharpeResident Director

Fred PaczkowskiResident Director

Ketaki KhareResident Director

Dharma BenderskyRegional Director of Operations

Cole McLeanAssistant Regional Director

Melissa GriffisResident Director

Rachel BradleyResident Director

Emberson DivalResident Director

Gill LaingResident Director

Joanna DiradjiInternship Program Manager

Jasmine BarzinResident Director

Andrea CiottiResident Director

Carol DoeckeResident Director

Cate ChaseResident Director

Cynthia JungInternship Program Manager

Deanne SolomonResident Director