Clare Overmann
Chief Executive Officer Clare Overmann is a longstanding international education leader who joins AIEA following two decades working across sectors and cultures. Most recently, as a senior leader at the Institute of International Education (IIE), Clare led the organization’s global strategic engagement with higher education institutions, governments, corporations, and foundations. Her extensive tenure at IIE included oversight of IIE’s membership associations, Centers of Excellence, major U.S. government-funded programs, and corporate external affairs. An expert on academic partnerships, Clare led the growth and transformation of IIE’s Center for International Partnerships and expanded its flagship International Academic Partnership Program to more than 15 countries. She served as the inaugural Executive Director of the National Academy for International Education and has collaborated with hundreds of colleagues around the world on publications, trainings, and convenings. A graduate of Georgetown University and New York University, Clare serves on boards at NYU and in her hometown in Montgomery County, Maryland. |
Katy Rosenbaum
Associate Director Katy Rosenbaum is Associate Director at AIEA, where she has worked in various capacities since 2013. Katy holds a Master in International Studies with a focus on international higher education from North Carolina State University and an undergraduate degree in history from Agnes Scott College. She spent over four years in Morocco, first as a rural health education Peace Corps volunteer and then creating and facilitating short-term study abroad programs as Project Manager at Morocco Exchange, in addition to holding previous positions in public health community outreach. She is passionate about social justice issues, the ethics of internationalization, and decolonizing higher education. |
Mel Simmons
Assistant Director, Programs Mel Simmons is the Assistant Director for Programs at AIEA. She has an extensive background working in international education both in the United States and abroad. She has worked in international higher education in China for eight years, where she coordinated international programs and taught Business English. Mel has conversational proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. For many years, she has served as a global volunteer traveling throughout Africa and Asia facilitating intercultural learning and promoting cross-cultural awareness. She devotes her expertise in literacy to non-profit youth organizations supporting children in the areas of reading and writing. Mel received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of South Carolina, Columbia. |
Leydi Lucas
Communications and Outreach Coordinator Leydi Lucas is the Communication and Outreach Coordinator at AIEA. She has worked in lower education for several years in different capacities, including administrative assistance and teaching. As an immigrant and native Spanish speaker, Leydi brings a valuable linguistic and cultural perspective to the organization. She holds a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arizona Global Campus and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Adult Education and Community College Teaching from North Carolina State University, Leydi is dedicated to expanding her knowledge and skills to better serve the educational community and promoting inclusive and accessible education. |
Laura Hortal
Program Associate Laura Hortal, Program Associate at AIEA, brings over 20 years of global education expertise, encompassing world languages, study abroad, and international student services. Her extensive background includes teaching Spanish and English in the community college system, as well as spearheading various global initiatives. Laura has advised international students and scholars at colleges and universities, and most recently served as an Operations Manager in the educational travel division of a prominent travel management company. She is deeply committed to international education, and especially to advancing these efforts in our community colleges. Fluent in Spanish, she travels often to Spain. Laura holds a BA in Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an MA in Spanish from Appalachian State University. |
Erin Dolan
Program Support Assistant
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