WASHINGTON, DC — The Washington, DC-based nonprofit Global Ties U.S. announces the addition of one new member to its Board of Directors as well as a new slate of officers. These updates took effect on January 1, 2023.
“I am thrilled to welcome Xiao Yin Zhao to the Global Ties U.S. Board of Directors and to work with our new officers in 2023,” said Katherine Brown, Ph.D., President and CEO of Global Ties U.S. She continued: “The combined expertise of this Board in public diplomacy and U.S. foreign policy strengthens our mission and bolsters the work of our Network to build trust through international exchange.”
Xiao Yin Zhao joined the World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana in October 2010 and has served as its Executive Director for more than 10 years. Under her leadership, WAC went through a brand refresh, created rigorous global education programming for high school students, and assumed the management of Sister Cities of Louisville relationships.
Prior to joining the WAC, Xiao Yin focused her work on corporate social responsibility, first as a doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School for Public and International Affairs, and later as a corporate compliance analyst and consultant at Jones Apparel Group. Her studies and work experience took her to China and Hong Kong numerous times, working with professionals engaged in managing and monitoring social compliance in factories along the supply chain, as well as exploring ways for companies to be responsible corporate citizens. Xiao Yin strongly believes in the soft power of international cultural exchange and its transformative effect on those engaged in it.
Patricia Harrison, Ph.D., is the new Board Chair of Global Ties U.S. Patricia is the divisional vice president of professional exchange programs at World Learning. She has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, intercultural programming, and adult education. She replaces Jacqueline Miller, the President and CEO of the World Affairs Council (Seattle), who stepped down as Chair but remains as an Ex Officio Officer on the Board.
The new Vice Chair of the Board is Patricia Preston. Patricia is Executive Director of the Vermont Council on World Affairs, a Global Ties U.S. Community-Based Member that promotes awareness and understanding of the world and its people, places, and cultures through education and engagement. She brings extensive international and nonprofit sector experience to her role at the VCWA, having worked on policy and gender issues in the U.S. and abroad.
The new Treasurer of the Board is Tara Panek-Bringle. Tara is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) / Vice President of Business Operations & Compliance and a Partner at the Development Innovations Group (DIG), and a Founding Partner of DIG Capital. Her particular focus is supporting municipalities and utilities in providing basic services in an environmentally sound and financially sustainable manner.
The new Secretary of the Board is Elizabeth Kumbhari. Elizabeth is a lawyer with more than 13 years of professional experience in higher education, immigration law, and business development. She is currently the Strategy Experience Lead for Global Immigration, Business Mobility Services, at Amazon. Prior to this role, she was General Counsel and Vice President of Professional Exchange Programs at Cultural Vistas, a Global Ties U.S. member organization.
Global Ties U.S. extends profound thanks to Christopher Washington and Diana Bucco, who concluded their terms on the Board of Directors at the end of last year.
The Global Ties U.S. Board of Directors is comprised of prominent leaders who provide thought leadership, strategic vision, and organizational direction for Global Ties U.S. Board members serve as advisors and ambassadors for Global Ties U.S., and help to drive strategy, assess effectiveness, and ensure adequate financial resources so that Global Ties U.S. can achieve its mission.
For a full list of the Global Ties U.S. Board of Directors as of January 1, 2023, see HERE.