Board of Directors
Heather Heckel
Before becoming Engage Globally's Executive Director, Heather taught sustainability studies as an Assistant Professor, at American University for 14 years. Heather began her career in education working with families in public housing communities and as a middle school teacher. Heather has had the opportunity to visit and study sustainable development in Ghana, Niger, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, China, and Ecuador. Her PhD is in international studies with a focus on Africa and child rights. Kara Vanderkamp
Kara is the founder and Executive Director of Remember Niger, a non-profit organization that supports community led, education efforts in Niger. She started Remember Niger after working for the Presbyterian Church in Niger and Kenya for several years. Kara began her career as a primary school teacher in Chicago. |
Kaila Drayton
Kaila is Associate Vice President of Programs and Equity at the National Wildlife Federation. Previously she was a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama, where she worked on community development, sustainable agriculture, and helped establish a school garden program. Kaila has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. Kaila is a part-time professional photographer and provides photography training to Engage Globally and our partners. Lauren Kruglinski
Lauren is the Director of Operations with City Blossoms, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering healthy communities by developing creative, kid-driven, green spaces. Lauren graduated from American University with a B.A. in International Studies. She studied and volunteered in Ghana in 2011. Lauren has worked on many farms and enjoys bike touring and camping with her dog Lupo and husband, Alex.
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Aleah Myers
Aleah is an environmental educator. Her background includes community outreach, communications, and high school science teaching in Washington, DC. Aleah has spent time in Ghana, China, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic teaching and learning about education and sustainable development. Aleah has a Master's Degree in Education at Johns Hopkins University. Gilbert Ruiz
Gil Ruiz works for Kirsten Gillibrand, United States Senator for New York. He grew up in California and Las Vegas, and graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Medical Humanities. Gil founded an annual health fair in Waco, Texas, and has led trips to Costa Rica to work with rural schools. He loves (and blogs about) Arsenal Football Club and anything soccer-related. |
Emily Bissenger |
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Emily began her career in non profit fundraising and is currently the Program Manager for Digital Fundraising at Consumer Reports. She studied European Politics at DIS in Denmark and participated in American University's Washington Semester Program in sustainable development. She has a B.A. in International Studies from Manhattan College and has travelled to Ecuador and the Dominican Republic to learn more about sustainable development programs. Emily enjoys ceramics, spending time with her daughter, husband and two dogs, and working at her local farmers market.
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