Joanna Regulska, Vice Provost and Dean, UC Davis Global Affairs

Joanna Regulska, vice provost and dean of Global Affairs and distinguished professor of gender, sexuality and women’s studies at the University of California, Davis, has led large-scale programs that transform institutions, establish partnerships, and substantially improve global services for over 30 years. In 2022, she was honored with the Charles Klasek Award for outstanding service to the field of international higher education from the Association of International Education Administrators. A respected scholar, Regulska’s research concentrates on women’s political activism, grassroots mobilization, decentralization, democracy and democratization, with a focus on Europe and the Caucasus.

Gary S. May, Chancellor, UC Davis

Chancellor Gary S. May is a highly engaged leader with a passion for helping others succeed. He believes success is best judged by how we enhance the lives of others. Throughout his career, he’s championed diversity, equity and inclusion in both higher education and the workplace. He developed nationally recognized programs that attract, mentor, and retain underrepresented groups in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. In 2015, President Obama honored him with the Presidential Award for Excellence in STEM Mentoring. May earned his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering and computer science at UC Berkeley.  

Maritza Davis, Vice President, Experiences and Social Responsibility, The Sacramento Kings

As Vice President of Experiences & Social Responsibility for the Sacramento Kings, Maritza Davis blends business strategy with community impact, leading initiatives in health, education, social justice, and sustainability. She advises executives, coaches, and players on leveraging the power of sports to drive meaningful change. With the NBA and Sacramento Kings as global brands, Davis leads initiatives that extend beyond the court, using sports as a catalyst for civic engagement, equity, and innovation. She has helped shape programs that influence communities worldwide, demonstrating how business and social responsibility can create lasting impact. An entrepreneur who launched her own company in her early 20s, Davis applies an entrepreneurial mindset to purpose-driven experiences that resonate on a global scale. Her expertise in experiential events and activations continues to fuel her passion for creating transformative connections. A Sacramento State alumna, Davis exemplifies how business innovation and social responsibility intersect—transforming industries and communities alike.

Ximena Ospina, Ed.D., International Educator

Ximena is an advocate of transformative, equitable and mindful global education, with a diverse background and experience within social change organizations and higher education institutions. She is a firm believer that through restorative justice, innovation, compassion, and collaboration, our world can take progressive steps to heal and strengthen our global community. In May 2024, Ximena completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership, centering her work on the notion of "generational dreaming", which vibrated throughout the co-creators' cuentos (stories). Her dissertation is titled: The Latinx/e Student Cuentos of Rupture to Nurture: Understanding the Study Abroad Reentry Experience through Generational Dreaming.  

Banicia Chatkara, International Student Advisor, Services for International Students and Scholars, UC Davis

Banicia earned her B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies from UC Berkeley in 2014, and completed her M.A. in International Policy and Development from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in 2018. Some of her global learning experiences include a semester abroad in Florence and a trip across the Balkans to study and assess post-conflict peace-building. She has worked in refugee resettlement and immigration services, and speaks (to varying degrees) Hindi, Arabic, Italian, Spanish. 

Dr. David Wick, Associate Professor and Chair International Education Management, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

Dr. David Wick worked for over 24 years at four U.S. universities and a youth exchange organization to support international education. Now, as Associate Professor and Chair of International Education Management and French at the Middlebury Institute, he teaches graduate courses on educational equity and social justice, student learning and development, program design and assessment, and other topics. He researches and publishes on equity and inclusion in international education. Wick has held elected and appointed leadership roles with NAFSA, Diversity Abroad, and the Forum on Education Abroad.

Ramina Murshudova, Program Coordinator, Global Learning Hub, UC Davis

Ramina is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with extensive experience in international education. Before joining the Global Learning Hub, she managed the U.S. Government’s exchange and educational programs for the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan. A recipient of the U.S. Government Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship, she holds a Master’s degree in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont, USA.  Murshudova has coordinated the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Youth Leadership Programs at American Councils in Azerbaijan and interned at San Francisco State University. Ramina has presented at TEDx and taught Public Speaking at ADA University.

Teagan Felknor-Edwards, Executive Analyst, California Conservation Corp

Sydney Low, MA Candidate, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

Madeline Brown, Substitute Teacher, Stockton Unified School District

Bill(y) Robertson-Geibel, Assistant Teaching Professor & Associate Director of Experiential Learning, Sixth College, UC San Diego

A global scholar and practitioner, Bill(y) Robertson Geibel is an Assistant Teaching Professor and the Associate Director of Experiential Learning at Sixth College. In this role he oversees and teaches within the college's experiential learning program and works to develop educational programming and partnerships that provide students with real-world learning opportunities including study abroad, internships, and community engagement. As an academic, Bill(y)'s teaching and scholarship lies at the intersection of globalization, diplomacy, and higher education. Prior to joining UC San Diego, Bill(y) worked at UCLA's International Institute, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, and the US State Department as a Fulbright scholar in Kirikkale, Turkey.

Andrew Parr, Director of Enrollment and Alumni Relations, AIFS Abroad

Andrew Parr (he/him) is dedicated to connecting students with transformative global experiences. Drawing on his roots in K–12 education and his experience co-founding a non-profit that facilitated exchanges between American and German secondary students, Andrew brings a unique blend of creativity, leadership, and cultural insight to his role. He joined AIFS Abroad (formerly Global Experiences) in 2018 and has since enhanced his impact as a certified CliftonStrengths Coach (since 2020) and Engagement Coach (since 2022), coaching students, faculty, advisors, and organizations both in the U.S. and internationally. As a passionate educator and coach, he thrives on helping others uncover their potential, chart new pathways, and discover their purpose. In his free time, he may be found picking up heavy things at the gym, plotting on how he can best use his travel points or giving his chinchillas a dust bath.

Claudio Castaneda, Manager of Partnerships, DA Global

Claudio Castaneda (he/him/el/lui), Manager of Partnerships at DA Global, possesses a unique blend of global experience and diverse skill sets. With nearly a decade in Italy, he gained a deep understanding of cross-cultural dynamics and transferable skills through art history and visual arts studies at CSUS and NABA, Milan. His career includes roles in the art sector, educational technology, and business, focusing on DEIB initiatives. Claudio is passionate about sharing insights on leveraging global experiences to enhance mentorship connections, understand transferable skills, and navigate various fields in our interconnected world.

Ken Barnes, Assistant Director, UC Davis Career Center

Ken Barnes is an assistant director at the UC Davis Career Center, and sees students interested in a variety of areas including international opportunities, student employment and Liberal Arts and Business. He graduated from UC Davis with a BA in Political Science, and is an active member of the Robla School District Board of Education. He is an also an accomplished sci-fi author.

Sarah Burckhardt, Academic Engagement Program Manager, Swissnex in San Francisco

As the Academic Engagement Program Manager at Swissnex in San Francisco, Sarah Burckhardt passionately advocates for innovation, diversity, and education by leading the academia vertical. She connects Swiss researchers, students, and public authorities with key players in the Bay Area, enhancing Switzerland’s impact in research, science and innovation. A dual citizen of Switzerland and Rwanda, Sarah holds a Master’s degree in Political Sciences and Philosophy from the University of Geneva, grounding her work in a strong academic foundation and global perspective. Her dedication to cultural exchange and community empowerment remains central to her career.

Claudio Castaneda, Manager of Partnerships, DA Global

Claudio Castaneda (he/him/el/lui), Manager of Partnerships at DA Global, possesses a unique blend of global experience and diverse skill sets. With nearly a decade in Italy, he gained a deep understanding of cross-cultural dynamics and transferable skills through art history and visual arts studies at CSUS and NABA, Milan. His career includes roles in the art sector, educational technology, and business, focusing on DEIB initiatives. Claudio is passionate about sharing insights on leveraging global experiences to enhance mentorship connections, understand transferable skills, and navigate various fields in our interconnected world.

Mike Hower, Founder & Principal Consultant, Hower Impact

Mike Hower is a sustainability communication expert with over 15 years of experience bridging journalism and communication strategy. As the founder of Hower Impact, a boutique consultancy, he specializes in helping large companies like Mars, Snapchat, The North Face, and others transform complex sustainability initiatives into resonant narratives that capture attention and drive meaningful engagement. A UC Davis 2009 alum, Mike graduated with a double major in political science and history. While at Davis, he wrote for The California Aggie newspaper, participated in the UC Washington program and worked at the ASUCD Coffee House.

Jaclyn A. Kirkwood, Program Director, Clutch

Jaclyn A. Kirkwood is a seasoned Director of Operations and a career Marine Corps veteran with over 25 years of experience across diverse sectors. Known for her strategic leadership and operational expertise, she excels in enhancing projects with efficiency, performance and profitability. Jaclyn's robust military background has honed her skills in team empowerment and navigating complex challenges, leading to significant organizational improvements. Her career is marked by critical roles in safeguarding contracts, reducing attrition and leading transformative healthcare, IT and leadership initiatives. Dedicated to creating environments where teams excel, she drives sustainable growth and operational excellence.

Thaleon Tremain, CEO and Co-Founder, Pachamama Coffee

Thaleon Tremain is the co-founder and CEO of Pachamama Coffee Cooperative, the first coffee roaster in North America wholly owned and governed by smallholder farmers in Latin America and Africa. Thaleon has been employed by coffee farmers since 2003 and is an advocate for an impact-first, ownership approach to development, where global farmers organize themselves downstream to directly serve consumer markets. Today Pachamama Coffee represents more than 400,000 smallholder farmers in Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico and Ethiopia. Thaleon’s interest in development and the cooperative ownership model began decades ago in Bolivia, where he worked for a cooperative owned by farmer.

Ana K. Celis, UC Davis Fellow, Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

For the last seven years, Ana has worked for nonprofits, government and the private sector in the fields of subterranean ecosystem conservation and cave archaeology. Ana currently serves as director and Founder of Karst Lab México, fostering capacity-building projects for ecosystems conservation in small-scale communities. Since 2022, she collaborates with Western Kentucky University and Mammoth Cave National Park to strengthen U.S.-México partnerships in Cave and Karst Science. Ana advocates to reduce the gender gaps in science, leading scientific diving training for female students willing to pursue careers in water sciences.

Chris Foxall, The Department of Community Response, City of Sacramento

Chris is originally from England and immigrated to the USA in 2019. Chris has over 15 years of experience in community development, dialogue, program design and facilitation. In his current position with the City of Sacramento's Department of Community Response, he provides resources and support for the unhoused community. Previously he worked within the peacebuilding sector in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Ray Green, Program Officer, The Center at Sierra Health Foundation

Ray Green serves as the Program Officer overseeing My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Sacramento for The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, a nonprofit in Sacramento, California, that believes every person in California should have the opportunity to live a healthy life and strives to eradicate health inequities across the state. Ray leads a nationally recognized collective impact model with MBK Alliance via the Obama Foundation to improve the educational, health, social and economic outcomes for local boys and young men of color. Ray is a graduate from the University of California, Davis, proud husband, father of three, dedicated to improving communities.  

Tairiq Marshall, Program Associate, The Center at Sierra Health Foundation

Tairiq Marshall recently eclipsed one year as the program associate supporting My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Sacramento and California Funders for Boys and Men of Color (CFBMoC) at the Center at Sierra Health Foundation. He is native of Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights community and a graduate of San Diego State University, where he majored in communications with an emphasis in media studies. Upon receiving his undergraduate degree, he got his start in community impact with Sacramento Kings, where he served on the Diversity, Inclusion and Social Impact team. Tairiq then moved to Cleveland to serve on the Social Impact and Equity Team for the Cleveland Cavaliers before joining the Center.

Ximena Ospina, Ed.D, International Educator

Ximena is an advocate of transformative, equitable and mindful global education, with a diverse background and experience within social change organizations and higher education institutions. She is a firm believer that through restorative justice, innovation, compassion, and collaboration, our world can take progressive steps to heal and strengthen our global community. In May 2024, Ximena completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership, centering her work on the notion of "generational dreaming", which vibrated throughout the co-creators' cuentos (stories). Her dissertation is titled: The Latinx/e Student Cuentos of Rupture to Nurture: Understanding the Study Abroad Reentry Experience through Generational Dreaming.  

Bill(y) Robertson-Geibel, Assistant Teaching Professor & Associate Director of Experiential Learning, Sixth College, UC San Diego

A global scholar and practitioner, Bill(y) Robertson Geibel is an Assistant Teaching Professor and the Associate Director of Experiential Learning at Sixth College. In this role he oversees and teaches within the college's experiential learning program and works to develop educational programming and partnerships that provide students with real-world learning opportunities including study abroad, internships, and community engagement. As an academic, Bill(y)'s teaching and scholarship lies at the intersection of globalization, diplomacy, and higher education. Prior to joining UC San Diego, Bill(y) worked at UCLA's International Institute, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, and the US State Department as a Fulbright scholar in Kirikkale, Turkey.

Shakira Bandolin, MD, Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor, Director of Global Health, UC Davis Global Health Office, Global Emergency Medicine Fellowship Director, UC Davis, Health

Dr Shakira Bandolin is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of California-Davis Health System. Within the Department of Emergency Medicine, she is the acting Global Health Division chief and is the creator and Director of the Global Emergency Medicine Fellowship. Dr Bandolin is also the acting Director of Global Health for the University of California-Davis Health system, within the Center for Global Health. Dr Bandolin completed her medical school training at the University of Washington and her Emergency Medicine Residency at University of California-Davis (UCD). She is actively involved with projects and has partnerships around the world focused on Emergency Medicine education in resource-limited settings, public health programming, and infrastructure building.

Colleen E. Bronner, Professor of Teaching & Vice-Chair, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Dr. Colleen E Bronner is a Professor of Teaching and Vice-chair of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Davis. Her degrees focus in environmental and water resources engineering: BS and PhD from University at Buffalo and MS from UC Berkeley. During her time as an undergraduate and graduate student, she was able to travel abroad three different times: one year in Tokyo, Japan (third year), four months in Queensland, Australia doing research, and a week in Florence at a technical workshop. At UC Davis, her teaching, scholarly, and service activities are focused in the area of equity, inclusion, and social justice. She is the faculty advisor of Engineers Without Borders at UC Davis (EWB) and oSTEM at UC Davis.

Christopher Pavia, Geospatial Information Systems Manager, EP Carbon

During college, Christopher studied abroad in Berlin, Germany for a year and a half. After graduating from Berkeley with Bachelors in Environmental Science, German, and a Geospatial Information Systems Minor, Christopher spent another year in Germany via the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX). Returning to the U.S. in 2014, Christopher started as a GIS Analyst at EP Carbon, building numerous international forest conservation projects to benefit local communities. Christopher is now a remote GIS Manager at EP Carbon, where he manages ongoing international afforestation and reforestation carbon projects, oversees GIS analyses using satellite imagery and public data, provides QA/QC oversight, and mentors analysts.

Sandra Perez, Former Director, UC CA Program Access to Care, CA Office Patient Advocate Member

Sandra Perez has a three-decade career spanning healthcare, policy, higher education, and government affairs. Culminating her career, she was Director of the UC California Program on Access to Care at UC Berkeley where she bridged academia with policy-making to improve healthcare for the underserved. Previously she had served six years as the governor-appointed Patient Advocate for California. At Sacramento State University, Sandra oversaw the renowned California Executive Fellowship Program, shaping future leaders. Beyond academia, she navigated politics, working in the California State Legislature as staff for elected officials and as a consultant in the California Senate Office of Research.

Koen Van Rompay, Founder, Sahaya International

Koen Van Rompay is a veterinary doctor from Belgium. For the past 35 years, he has been an infectious disease researcher at the UC-Davis California National Primate Research Center. His research has focused on diseases such as HIV, Zika virus, and COVID. During his free time, Koen is the founder and executive director of the Davis-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Sahaya International. Sahaya International, which is 100% volunteer-based, is a growing network of friends who dedicate their time to support grassroots organization in developing countries, including India, Kenya, Uganda and Vietnam, with programs of healthcare, education, socio-economic development and conservation.

Alfred Boll, Executive Director, UC Davis Global Learning Hub

Alfred (“Fred”) Boll is the newly arrived Executive Director of the UC Davis Global Learning Hub. In his previous position at the U.S. Department of State he oversaw units that support global education domestically and internationally, including “EducationUSA” and the American Spaces network of cultural centers. He also served as a lecturer and mentor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s experiential study away program, Wisconsin in Washington. His professional experience includes significant work in the INGO sector. Boll holds an MA in Latin American and Iberian Studies, a JD, and a doctorate in international law. He has specialized knowledge and experience in international humanitarian law and international human rights and a working knowledge of twelve languages.

Kathleen Fullerton, Associate Vice President and Director of State Government Relations, University of California Office of the President

Kathleen Fullerton is the Associate Vice President and Director of State Government Relations at the University of California Office of the President. UC’s State Government Relations office represents university positions on legislative, budgetary and policy matters. Kathleen has over 20 years of experience working in state government, starting with an Assembly internship during her senior year at UC Davis. Kathleen has bachelor’s degrees in political science and psychology from UC Davis and a master’s degree in public administration from USC. Kathleen played field hockey at UC Davis and continues to participate in endurance sports. She lives in Sacramento with her husband Andy (also an Aggie) and daughters Keira and Elise.

Lynette Hall, Community Engagement Manager, City of Sacramento

Lynette Hall is the Community Engagement Manager for the City of Sacramento, leading initiatives that engage, educate, and empower residents. She co-leads the Neighborhood Development Action Team and has led a national PolicyLink cohort on fines and fees reform. Lynette oversees the Volunteer Services Program, Language Access, and the Financial Empowerment Center, providing financial coaching to residents. A Clark Atlanta University graduate, she has received multiple awards for her advocacy and innovative community engagement efforts. She is actively involved in the UC Davis Community Advisory Board and is most proud of her role as a mother to Gabrielle.

Jolynn Shoemaker, Director, UC Davis Global Affairs

Jolynn Shoemaker is the Director of Global Engagements in Global Affairs at UC Davis. Shoemaker has a background in international law, human rights and peace and security. She is a recognized expert on Women, Peace and Security with extensive experience in non-governmental organizations in Washington DC. She also served in the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense and in the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. She holds a J.D. with a focus on international law, an M.A. in Security Studies from Georgetown University and a B.A. from UC San Diego.

Sierra Woodruff, Foreign Affairs Officer, U.S. Department of State

Sierra Woodruff, Ph.D., was a Foreign Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of State where she helped manage and implement international climate change policy. She represented the U.S. in international climate negotiations and managed foreign assistance grants to support climate adaptation internationally. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor of Urban Planning at Texas A&M University. In this role, she studied how cities in the U.S. are planning for the impacts of climate change. Sierra is passionate about climate change adaptation, urban planning, and building community resilience.