HEATHER HECKEL, CHAIR

Before becoming Engage Globally's Executive Director, Heather taught sustainability studies as an Assistant Professor with American University for 14 years. She began her career in education working with families in public housing communities and as a middle school social studies teacher. Her PhD is in international studies with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and international child rights. Through her work, she has had the opportunity to travel widely to study global sustainability. Heather enjoys learning, teaching, traveling with friends and family, and attempting to garden. 

sam walsh, vice president

Sam is the Head of US Renewable Energy at AXIS Capital, overseeing the underwriting team that focuses on insuring wind, solar and battery energy storage projects across the United States. He took part in the study abroad programs Semester at Sea as well as American University’s Washington Semester program, focusing on Environment and Development in Ecuador. Sam graduated from the University of Miami majoring in Economics and International Studies. He lives in Chicago and enjoys spending time with his twin nephews, that is of course until things start getting intense and then he promptly hands them back to their parents.

emily bissenger

Emily began her career in nonprofit 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. 

joe coyle

Joe is a Director & Team Leader with Gartner's Human Resources Practice. In his role Joe assists private and public sector clients in transforming their human capital strategy, advising on topics such as pay equity, employee health & wellbeing, and communications. Prior to joining Gartner Joe worked with a youth development non-profit in Cameroon. Joe also has studied community-led development in Ghana with the American University Washington Semester/IED program, and in Cameroon with Drew University. Joe graduated from Drew University in 2010, majoring in Political Science. He currently resides in Philadelphia, PA with his wife, dog & cat.  

jessica mardo

Jessica coordinates the Washington DC Public Schools Persist program where she greatly enjoys working with high school and college students. She has previously worked as a college advisor and in analysis of educational data and policy. Jessica traveled to Ghana while in the American University Washington Semester Program (pictured here in Cape Coast) and had the opportunity to visit Engage Globally's partner village communities. Jessica studied English and Political Science at Stonehill College and earned her Master's degree in Public Policy Analysis from Carnegie Mellon.

adrienne marvin

Adrienne is a Program Officer for Foundations of Success where she supports project design and monitoring and evaluation of environmental conservation projects in the U.S. and globally. Adrienne was previously a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mozambique where she taught English. She has worked with several environmental nonprofits on conservation, advocacy, and research. Adrienne earned her B.A. from American University and a master degree in environmental conservation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She loves traveling and spending time with her family.

tafadzwa negonde

Tafadzwa (Taffy) is currently a Master of Science in College Student Personnel student at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. He earned his B.A. in Economics from St. Lawrence University in New York, and participated in the Washington Semester program at American University. Tafadzwa is a native of Zimbabwe and has a passion for international affairs that stems from his lived experiences in the U.S, China, and South Africa. He is also an advocate for international education having mentored many Zimbabwean students to successful admission to international high schools and colleges through a small nonprofit he founded in Zimbabwe. Tafadzwa has taught English in China, worked as a teacher in Zimbabwe, as an auditor at Deloitte, and with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation (EGPAF). In his free time, Tafadzwa likes to write, watch sports, meet people from different backgrounds, mentor youths, go to church, travel, and volunteer. He is excited to join Engage Globally because of its educational initiatives and he looks forward to contributing to the overall mission of the organization.