Education
Master of Public Administration - Nonprofit Management and Leadership
Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication and Film
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Work Experience
Founder & Owner at Beyond Tourism
May 2024 – Present
Founder of Beyond Tourism, a business dedicated to transforming travel through cultural intelligence and meaningful engagement.
Develop strategic vision, brand messaging, and program offerings to guide travelers toward culturally aware and transformative experiences.
Advocate for the integration of cultural intelligence into the tourism industry to foster deeper cross-cultural understanding.
Oversee all aspects of business operations, including marketing, partnerships, and program development.
All other random visionary business owner duties as assigned.
Global Experiences Coordinator at University of Nebraska - Lincoln
August 2022 - Present
Perform regular duties for the coordinator position, such as managing program budgets, accurately participating in the contracting process, coordinating with international partners across time zones and cultures to successfully deliver faculty-led programs, continually reviewing and exploring affiliate programs, and advising between 10 and 25 students weekly on an individual basis to match programs with their academic goals, interests, and budgets.
Serve as the primary study abroad advisor for the university’s largest college, balancing a high advising load while maintaining personalized, high-quality guidance for each student. Attend and contribute to college meetings, recruitment activities, and strategic events to support college goals. Collaborate closely with faculty in the College of Arts & Sciences to design and deliver Global Courses, offering support from concept to completion.
In 2025, selected to participate in the Global Administrative Leadership Cohort (GALC), a leadership development program aligned with NAFSA’s International Education Professional Certificate, focused on decision-making, compliance management, inclusive program design, and agile leadership.
Since 2023, champion access and inclusion by leading outreach and advising for the U.S. Department of State’s Gilman Scholarship, increasing participation among low-income students. Served on a Gilman review panel in fall of 2024. Attended the Gilman Advisor Workshop in October of 2025.
In April 2025, strengthened international partnerships by visiting three European universities and producing comprehensive evaluation reports, resulting in positive feedback from students and partner institutions.
Developed video training and information-sharing spreadsheets and videos that empower students to independently manage their study abroad process, with the resources now adopted by colleagues across the department.
In June of 2023, participated in a faculty-led program in Greece, providing hands-on support to faculty and students while gaining practical experience in international program management and on-the-ground operations.
Developed and implemented student engagement programs including Study Abroad Speed Dating, Returnee Mingles, Crash Course in Study Abroad Affordability, Study Abroad Story Slam and more.
Additional leadership activities include; assisting in training new team members, joining the Edyth Weibers Scholarship committee, presenting cultural intelligence content to all pre-departure orientation meetings, presenting at the All-Staff Conference in July of 2025, and more.
Youth Leadership Programs Manager at Civic Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
June 2020 - October 2021
Supervised five before/after school Community Learning Centers (CLCs) in Lincoln Public Schools and the Raymond Central School District, including three elementary schools and two high schools.
Led full-cycle talent management, including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, and coaching staff to ensure high-quality program delivery.
Supervised, supported and coached five direct reports and 40+ part time staff.
Maintained compliance with State of Nebraska licensed sites requirements.
Created new onboarding and training schedules for both full- and part-time staff.
Created a new Memorandum of Understanding to use across the program in order to create consistent expectations for volunteers, partners, and contractors.
Spearheaded efforts to increase Civic Nebraska’s mission-aligned programming into the school-based programs.
Directed program operations during two unprecedented COVID-impacted school years, adapting strategies to maintain safe, effective programming.
Committed to ongoing professional growth through internal book clubs, independent study, and targeted leadership trainings.
Responsible for fiscal management of five CLC program budgets, including supervision of budgets, approving credit card reconciliation, continual process improvement, and training staff on appropriate financial procedures.
Worked together with direct reports and development staff to write proposals to increase funding of programs.
Collaborated with principals, administrators, Lincoln Public School staff and many more community members, organizations and nonprofits to build partnerships and enhance program outcomes.
Actively contributed to organizational culture and governance through participation on the Accountability Committee, Internal Communication Committee, and inaugural Truth In Media Task Force.
Participated in significant evaluation processes for all sites through the Nebraska Department of Education and other evaluation and planning documents through the CLC office.
Utilized and trained staff on G Suite, Canva, Zoom, and other digital tools to streamline operations and enhance communication.
Program and Outreach Coordinator at Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
August 2013-June 2020
From September 2016 to August 2019, spearheaded the creation of a new program providing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to refugee girls in 6th-12th grade. Created 11 groups that served over 150 refugee girls in Lincoln in a culturally and linguistically sensitive context at local middle and high schools, Karen Society of Nebraska, Yazidi Cultural Center, Asian Center, and Yazidi International. Coordinated with schools and cultural organizations to recruit girls. Recruited, trained, developed and appreciated 15 volunteers.
Mentored a Yazidi high school girl, Maysaa Khalaf, to complete the highest award in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award. Assisted her in her project to plant over 300 trees on the only Yezidi cemetery in the USA.
Launched and produced the “Be You, Be Heard” podcast in 2019, elevating girls’ voices across Nebraska with 10 episodes released in partnership with 89.3FM KZUM.
Secured a national STEM opportunity at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center during 2018, then established and managed four astronomy clubs still operating across Nebraska.
Directed international programming, including hosting the Helen Storrow Seminar, collaborating with Girl Guides in Libya, participated in the Global Action Volunteer (GAV) program with Girl Scouts of the USA, and provided leadership for their conference.
From August 2014-August 2016, oversaw afterschool outreach programs in seven schools and community centers, providing leadership experiences to underserved girls in K–8, recruiting and supporting 20–30 volunteers annually.
Managed program budgets, developed partnerships, and designed 150+ programs, serving thousands of girls and troop leaders while collaborating with dozens of community organizations and businesses.
Led a team of 4 high school Girl Scouts to represent Nebraska at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for one week in March 2013 and in March 2020.
Led Spirit of Nebraska travel experiences to Chicago in 2014 with over 40 attendees and to Washington DC in 2015 with over 20 attendees. Led Spirit of Nebraska programs to Japan in July of 2017 and to Europe in July of 2019. Facilitated the girls’ cultural preparation and training. Made itinerary and reservations. Coordinated with Girl Scout leaders in Japan and Europe for cultural exchange programs.
Directed program operations during COVID-19, transitioning to virtual programming, creating new patch programs, and innovating ways to engage girls remotely.
Senior Case Manager at Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Omaha NE
September 2011-September 2012
Supervised the provision of services to refugees to comply with the Cooperative Agreement with the Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.
Interpreted and communicated policies of the Cooperative Agreement and Core Services Checklist from PRM to staff members and clients.
Performed regular home visits to refugee families, performed intake and referred clients to appropriate Programs.
Monitored documentation and audited files per a schedule.
Led and managed an ethnically and racially diverse staff of case managers and case aides.
Managed budgets, administered funds and check requests for over 100 refugee cases per year.
Sponsorship Developer and Housing Coordinator at Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Omaha, NE
September 2010-September 2011
Recruited, trained, maintained contact and collaborated with individual volunteers and groups (churches, community groups, businesses, universities) for various positions to mentor refugees and provide other support to the agency.
Made presentations once or twice per week to the Omaha community about the refugee experience and the process of refugee resettlement.
Supervised all pre-arrival activities for refugees, including locating housing, setting up apartments, and starting utilities.
Worked closely with case workers and other program staff to ensure the families had their needs met.
Volunteer Experience
Board Member at Global Ties - Nebraska – Lincoln, NE
April 2022-Current
Provide support for international visitor programs with the International Visitor Leadership Program through the Department of State.
Dinner Diplomat, regularly hosting international guests for meals in my home.
Communication and Event Subcommittee member
Girl Scout Troop Leader at Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska – Lincoln, NE
December 2020-Current
Troop leader for daughter’s troop with 6 Girl Scouts.
Cookie mom for annual cookie sale, including managing orders and finances for a troop that sells over 3000 packages of cookies.
Volunteer Programmer at 89.3FM KZUM – Lincoln, NE
May 2013-Current
On-air announcing and music selection for a weekly two-hour show featuring world music.
Station event staffing.
On-air fund-raising
Board Member at 89.3FM KZUM – Lincoln, NE
January 2014 - December 2019
Programming Committee, Fund Drive Committee, Development Committee.
Served as board chair in 2019.