Presenter Bios

Marc Ross Manashil
Marc Ross Manashil, an Instructor for UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, has been teaching adaptive leadership for the past 15 years. After spending his early career working in international development and philanthropy, Marc attended the Harvard Kennedy School where he studied with adaptive leadership founder, Dr. Ronald Heifetz. He has since facilitated hundreds of adaptive leadership classes and programs throughout the nonprofit and public sectors, in the U.S. and internationally. In addition to his work at UC Davis, Marc is an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Co-Founder of the Adaptive Leadership in Human Services Institute at New York University’s Silver School of Social Work. He also serves on the Advisory Council of the Adaptive Leadership Network.

Sophia Mattingly
Sophia Mattingly is a faculty member at UC Davis in the School of Education and former K-12 English teacher. Her work focuses on identity, learning, intercultural education, and preparing future educators and leaders to engage across cultural differences with empathy, humility, and compassion. She supports students in global and community-based learning programs and has led student experiences in both the U.S. and Thailand. Across her teaching and mentorship, she is committed to fostering equitable, reflective, and globally minded learning environments. 

Bob Ritter
Since retiring from a 36-year career in Human Resources, I established a consulting practice as an outsourced organizational ombuds.  My company is Ritter Ombuds Resources and information about the services I provide can be found at ritterombuds.com.

Rasa Kent
Rasa is an international development professional with more than twenty years of experience working with communities around the world through NGOs, the Peace Corps, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). At USAID, she served as a Program and Project Development Officer, designing activities in Zambia, Armenia, Nepal, and Nigeria. She holds a master’s degree in applied anthropology and participatory development, which grounds her approach to engaging diverse communities and informing tailored, context-responsive interventions rooted in local knowledge. Rasa is excited to facilitate this UC Davis design event and support collaborative, actionable ideas.

Allyson Zeedrich
Allyson is a former USAID Foreign Service Officer specializing in public health. She served the Agency in the United States and West Africa and holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Illinois Chicago. Prior to joining USAID, she was a Community Health Educator with the Peace Corps in Nicaragua and a Program Specialist for Adolescent Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Since departing USAID following the Agency’s closure in 2025, she has joined California state government, where she works as a manager at the California Department of Public Health. Allyson manages the Adolescent Family Life Program to strengthen adolescent and maternal health across the State of California.

Randy Chester
Randy is a 21-year veteran of USAID and spent 17 years overseas serving in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Pakistan, and Madagascar. He joined USAID as an Agriculture Officer and led diverse technical teams working on food security, governance and trade, energy regulation, humanitarian assistance, natural resource management, and education. Prior to USAID, he worked for an environmental think tank researching the nexus between conflict over natural resources and the growth of extremist groups, as well as a nonprofit supporting small farmers in California’s Central Valley. He holds two master’s degrees from the University of California, Davis, in agricultural economics and international agricultural development.

Daniel Bailey
Daniel most recently served as an Agriculture Research Advisor for USAID. He managed the Horticulture Innovation Lab based at UC Davis, as well as other Feed the Future Innovation Labs. Combined with his work as an Agriculture Development Officer, he brings 13 years of experience designing and managing international agriculture programs.

Blaine Johnson
Blaine’s professional background spans roles as an independent management consultant, an Energy Advisor at USAID, a management consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and a China and Asia policy analyst on the National Security and International Policy team at the Center for American Progress. At USAID, she led the Energy Learning Strategy and managed energy sector development program design and implementation, including a $30 million initiative to unlock private-sector investment in renewable energy. As a management consultant, she has advised private- and public-sector clients, including the U.S. federal government, on energy and infrastructure strategy. Blaine holds a certificate from the Clean Energy Leadership Institute, a master’s degree in public administration from Fudan University’s School of International Relations and Public Affairs, and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and Mandarin from Dartmouth College. She serves on the leadership board of the Critical Language Scholarship Alumni Society and as an associate trustee of the Western New York Foundation, advising on charitable giving and social impact investments.

Mike Hower 
Mike Hower is a sustainability communication consultant, author, corporate trainer, speaker, and podcast host who helps companies tell sustainability stories that build trust and business value. 
As founder and principal consultant at Hower Impact, he works with Fortune 500 companies and leading organizations to translate sustainability strategy into compelling, credible, compliant, and contextual narratives that move stakeholders to act. His work spans strategic communication advisory, content development and delivery, sustainability reporting, and communication skills training.

Mike brings a rare dual perspective developed over nearly two decades—he’s been both the journalist questioning corporate sustainability claims and the strategist helping companies communicate them responsibly. He began his career covering sustainability strategy, social impact, and climate policy for GreenBiz (now Trellis) and other publications, then moved into advisory roles at Edelman and other consultancies before founding Hower Impact in 2023.

Ken Barnes
Ken Barnes is an assistant director at the UC Davis Career Center, and sees students interested in a variety of areas including international opportunities 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.

David Wick
Dr. David Wick studied in Mexico, France, Germany, Austria, and the UK, taught in Hungary and France, delivered workshops in Azerbaijan, France, Georgia, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey, and was a Fulbright Scholar on the 2011 International Education Administrators’ Program in India. Professionally David directed study abroad and exchange programming at 3 U.S. universities for over 20 years. In 2016 he began his current role as Associate Professor and Chair of the International Education Management program at the Middlebury Institute in Monterey, California. He teaches graduate courses on educational equity and social justice, student learning and development, and program design and assessment. He researches and publishes on equity and inclusion in international education. He serves in leadership roles for Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad and the Future Nobel Laureates Scholarship Program. He received the 2025 Forum on Education Abroad Peter A. Wollitzer Advocacy Award.

Madeline Brown
Madeline is a student in the Middlebury Institute’s International Education Management program and will graduate in December, 2026. She was introduced to global learning through her year-long study abroad trip to Madrid, Spain during her undergraduate program at the University of the Pacific. Madeline is an advocate for equitable, inclusive, and ethical practices that uplift cultural humility, intercultural communication, life-long learning. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, cooking, camping, crocheting, and spending time with her family and cat.

Sydney Low
Sydney Low is an international education practitioner dedicated to supporting learners seeking opportunities of inquiry and exchange, cross-border or otherwise. Sydney, who is a recent graduate of the International Education Management program at Middlebury Institute of International Studies, has taken on the role of Program Assistant for the International Student and Scholar Services Office at the University of San Francisco, where she facilitates programming, supports office operations, and oversees student assistants amongst other responsibilities.

Teagan Felknor-Edwards
Teagan Felknor-Edwards is the Executive Analyst with the California Conservation Corps. She manages the CCC’s Global Corps which provides Corpsmembers with no-cost, high-impact experiential conservation programs in partnership with local nonprofits abroad. As an educator, she has operated programs in Greece, Honduras, Chile, and Japan; as a student, she has studied in India, Sri Lanka, and Iceland. Teagan has a M.A. in International Education Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, a certificate in Applied Public Policy from CSU Sacramento, and a B.A. in Religion from Carleton College.

Justin Owens
Justin Owens is a global business transformation leader at IBM with over 20 years of experience working across cultures, industries, and technologies. He has led large-scale initiatives in healthcare, energy, retail, and education, and teaches Enterprise Design Thinking to professionals worldwide. A UC Davis alumnus, Justin holds an MBA and a B.S. in Molecular Biology. His work focuses on human-centered design, digital transformation, and compassionate leadership to drive meaningful, measurable impact in complex global organizations.

Dr. Jai Apate
Zai Cumini is a storyteller, writer, filmmaker, and educator whose work engages questions of identity, ecology, memory, and belonging across cultural and national contexts. She holds a PhD in French Studies from the University of California, Davis, with a specialization in French and Francophone literature and environmental humanities. Her academic work has been supported by multiple fellowships and awards, and she has published and presented research on literature, art, and environmental themes.

Zai has taught French, English, and Hindi in India, France, and the United States, and has extensive experience facilitating workshops that integrate storytelling, reflection, and dialogue. As a live storyteller, she performs in California and internationally, bringing stories rooted in everyday life in India, France and the US to diverse audiences. Her current creative work includes a poetic documentary film centered on her aging father, an ornithologist in India, examining sound, memory, and ecological change.

Renetta Garrison Tull
Renetta Garrison Tull is Vice Chancellor for Inclusive Excellence and adjunct professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, at UC Davis. She leads initiatives advancing inclusive excellence across the university and is a passionate mentor and advocate in STEM, committed to empowering students and professionals worldwide. Previously, Tull served as Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives at UMBC, Director of Graduate and Professional Pipeline Development, founding director of NSF’s PROMISE AGEP, and co-director of USM’s LSAMP, promoting STEM degrees for historically underrepresented students. She has delivered workshops and lectures nationally and internationally and earned national recognition for her work in diversity. Tull holds a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Howard University and a master’s and Ph.D. in speech science from Northwestern University.

Jessica Vollmer
Jessica Vollmer received her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from California State University, Chico where her initial passion for the environment grew to a career aspiration. She then received her International Masters of Environmental Science degree from the University of Cologne, Germany, specializing in Ecology and Geographic Information Systems. She currently works as a Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Nutria Eradication Program, where she coordinates landowner access agreements and creates maps and models for the program. She enjoys her free time dancing, or outdoors with her husband and 2 French Bulldogs.

Sandra Perez
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. In 2024-2025, she spent 12 weeks volunteering for a university-based program in Kenya. Sandra has a B.S. in Community Health and Nutrition from UC Davis, an M.S. in Health Services Administration from the University of Southern California, and a M.A. in Public Administration from Harvard University.

Shourav Yathindranath
Shourav is a data engineer with 5+ years of experience assembling large datasets critical to business and quality functions. His expertise spans assessing business needs to design and implement robust data pipelines, re-engineering processes for greater efficiency and scalability, and automating workflows to reduce manual overhead. He excels at building analytic tools that transform raw data into actionable insights. A versatile professional, he has successfully applied his skills across diverse domains — including manufacturing operations, healthcare, and education — bringing a cross-industry perspective that enables him to adapt quickly, solve complex data challenges, and deliver meaningful impact in any organizational environment.

Rosemarie Scharf
My name is Rosemarie Scharf and I'm currently serving as the Clinical Trials Manager for the first-in-human Rift Valley Fever vaccine study taking place at Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania, sponsored by the One Health Institute at UC Davis under Principal Investigator Brian H. Bird. Prior to working at UC Davis, I have led clinical research across multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology and endocrinology, honing expertise in trial coordination, regulatory compliance, and team leadership. I hold a Master of Public Health in Global Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, which enriches my understanding of cultural factors influencing public health intervention acceptance. At the start of my career, I served in the United States Air Force as an F-16 tactical aircraft maintainer. While stationed at Aviano Air Base and deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan, I developed skills in global collaboration, adaptability and strategic operations. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring new places, running ultramarathons, and summitting mountains.

Katie Ranney
Katie Ranney, MA serves as the Assistant Ombuds in the UC Davis Ombuds Office. Katie holds a Master’s Degree in Communication with a Graduate Certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She graduated summa cum laude from Santa Clara University for her undergraduate studies. Prior to joining UC Davis in 2024, she served as the Program Development Director and in other roles at The Mediation Center of the Pacific in Honolulu for 7 1/2 years. Previous to that, she was an independent facilitator assisting non-profit organizations and state agencies.

Sophia Mares de Juan
Sophia is an Assistant Program Manager for the SDG Action Program at UC Davis and global education specialist with extensive international experience across 23+ countries. She holds an M.A. in Global Studies from Universidad de Salamanca, Spain, and a B.A. in International Relations and Sociology from UC Davis. Sophia has coordinated youth programs across three continents with Up with People and previously served as University Recruiter at Keysight Technologies, where she developed an AI-powered recruitment assistant. Trilingual in English, Spanish, and French, Sophia is passionate about creating transformative global learning experiences that connect diverse communities and foster cross-cultural understanding.

Alyssa Richards
Alyssa works at the international NGO WildAid, where she helps build culturally-appropriate programs that shift human behavior to protect wildlife and vital habitats. These programs focus on: 1) creating communications campaigns that inspire millions globally to protect endangered wildlife and reduce climate impacts, and 2) strengthening effective ocean enforcement of priority marine areas. Alyssa’s first career was in veterinary medicine, working with various species from rabbits to whales. When she is not developing conservation stories, Alyssa spends her time marathon training, working with rescued farm animals, and supporting cancer patients through her volunteer work.

Aaron Forburger
Aaron has worked for the California State Assembly for six years as a Field Representative and a Legislative Assistant. His areas of policy focus include climate, energy, transportation, privacy, insurance, and natural resources. In a past life, he was an English Teaching Assistant for Peace Corps Nicaragua and in Cádiz, Spain. He once successfully taught juggling and chess for a summer in Bolivia, and unsuccessfully applied for a job with the Foreign Service. He graduated from Davidson College in 2016 with a degree in Hispanic Studies.

Allyson Zeedrich
Allyson is a former USAID Foreign Service Officer specializing in public health. She served the Agency in the United States and West Africa and holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Illinois Chicago. Prior to joining USAID, she was a Community Health Educator with the Peace Corps in Nicaragua and a Program Specialist for Adolescent Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Since departing USAID following the Agency’s closure in 2025, she has joined California state government, where she works as a manager at the California Department of Public Health. Allyson manages the Adolescent Family Life Program to strengthen adolescent and maternal health across the State of California.

Blaine Johnson
Blaine’s background includes roles as an independent management consultant, Energy Advisor at USAID, consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and China and Asia policy analyst at the Center for American Progress. At USAID, she led the Energy Learning Strategy and managed energy sector programs, including a $30 million initiative to catalyze private investment in renewable energy. She has advised public- and private-sector clients, including the U.S. federal government, on energy and infrastructure strategy. She holds a certificate from the Clean Energy Leadership Institute, a master’s degree in public administration from Fudan University, and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and Mandarin from Dartmouth College. Blaine serves on the leadership board of the Critical Language Scholarship Alumni Society and as an associate trustee of the Western New York Foundation, advising on charitable giving and social impact investments.

Justin Owens
Justin Owens is a global business transformation leader at IBM with over 20 years of experience working across cultures, industries, and technologies. He has led large-scale initiatives in healthcare, energy, retail, and education, and teaches Enterprise Design Thinking to professionals worldwide. A UC Davis alumnus, Justin holds an MBA and a B.S. in Molecular Biology. His work focuses on human-centered design, digital transformation, and compassionate leadership to drive meaningful, measurable impact in complex global organizations.

Jaclyn A. Kirkwood
Jaclyn A. Kirkwood is a retired Marine Corps combat veteran and Director of Learning & Development at Clutch. With over 20 years of executive leadership experience across healthcare, government, and professional services, she designs and leads large-scale leadership development initiatives that strengthen organizations and elevate performance. A PMP?, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, RBLP Trainer, and Certified Global LQ Coach, Jaclyn specializes in operational excellence, strategic facilitation, and building high-performing teams. She is passionate about advancing women in leadership and helping leaders align purpose, accountability, and results.

Farid Ismayilzada
Farid Ismayilzada is an entrepreneur, investor, and technology founder driving innovation across advanced materials and digital platforms. He is President of Technovate Investments, a venture studio focused on building and scaling globally competitive startups, including Elven Technologies and Uniic. As CEO of Elven Technologies, he leads the development of next-generation fire-resistant composite solutions for battery safety and industrial applications. He also founded Uniic, a psychology-driven global platform designed to create deeper human connections. With extensive experience launching and growing ventures internationally, Farid is passionate about innovation, ecosystem building, and helping founders transform ambitious ideas into scalable global companies.

Kadi Kenk
Kadi consult public and private sector managers on sustainability governance. She is a PhD candidate at Estonian University Life Sciences, in her research she is focusing on systems change for a circular economy and in particular, the role of technology in material valorisation. She holds an M.S. in Sociology with a concentration in Societal Change Management. As a part of her fellowship year 2025/2026, she is focused on the impact of SB54 to the efficacy of curbside recycling programs in California.

Lokesh Sikaria
Lokesh Sikaria is the Founder and Managing Director at Moneta Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Folsom, CA that invests in technology companies. Since 2014, Moneta Ventures has invested in over 45 companies. In 2018, Lokesh was named as one of the top national influencers in Finance from The Business Journals. Prior to starting Moneta Ventures, Lokesh was the Founder and CEO of Sparta Consulting, a global IT consulting firm. Sparta grew to over $125 million in revenue in just five years and was acquired by KPIT Cummins. Prior to this, Lokesh served as the Chief Operating Officer at Rapidigm, Inc. managing more than $250 million in annual revenue. Lokesh began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in San Francisco after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science.