Our global staff, management team, board, and advisors are made up of passionate, talented individuals with a breadth of experience that ranges from multinational corporations to leading nonprofit organizations and academic institutions.
Originally from Pakistan, Sunila grew up in Houston and is a very proud Houstonian! Being an immigrant from an under-resourced community in one of the most diverse cities in the US, Sunila was drawn to service early on. She is deeply passionate about working towards closing the opportunity gap for underserved youth and has worked towards this mission throughout her career in nonprofits. Sunila has extensive experience in youth development, program and partnership management, and growth strategy. Her role as Director of Development at Global Glimpse provides an avenue for Sunila to do what she’s most passionate about: bringing community partners together to provide equitable global exposure and leadership opportunities for all youth. Sunila holds a BS along with a Nonprofit Management Certification from the University of Houston. When not at work, you can find Sunila reading, spending time with family and friends, binge-watching tv shows, and trying new restaurants in her city.
Marcela Berrios – VP of International Programs
Marcela was deeply influenced by the inequality she witnessed growing up between New Orleans and Nicaragua. She is passionate about creating opportunities for young people from all backgrounds to break through barriers and envision themselves as leaders. Since beginning her career with Global Glimpse in 2012, Marcela has held multiple leadership roles. She has extensive experience in program design, international operations, risk management, and health & safety. As VP of International Programs, Marcela oversees all international operations to support a safe and meaningful experience for students, educators, and staff. Marcela is bilingual and multicultural, and she holds a BA in Psychology and Behavioral Social Science from Ave Maria University in Nicaragua. When not at work, you can find her picnicking or building forts with her two daughters, learning how to cook new dishes, and connecting with new people wherever she can.
Ilda Castro – Finance & Operations Coordinator
Originally from Jinotega in northern Nicaragua, Ilda has been achievement-oriented from an early age, even winning 1st place in national spelling and writing competitions. Based on her experience as a student, Ilda believes that a shift in mindset can change everything: if young people can shift their mentality, they will be able to change their community, their country, and even the world. For this reason, she is deeply drawn to Global Glimpse’s mission and began her work on our team in 2018 when her family moved to Panama to support the opening of Global Glimpse’s Panama Program. In her current position as the Finance & Operations Coordinator, Ilda works on accounting, bookkeeping, and fundraising financial operations to build and manage the internal systems that will help our team grow and thrive. She brings her experience, passion for continuous improvement, and unique capacity to go beyond the obvious to ensure transparency and financial efficiency across the organization. Ilda holds a BS in Computer Engineering from the Evangelical University in Nicaragua. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to church, learning to cook new recipes, and making handicrafts.
Yader is a history buff from Leon Nicaragua where he lives with his wife, 3 children, and one grandchild. He is passionate about the relationship between social justice and economics, and he believes that exposing young people from the US to the realities of life in the Global South will create greater responsibility and understanding in the next generation. Since beginning his work with Global Glimpse in 2012, Yader has overseen both US and international finances and he has extensive experience in budgeting, accounting, financial planning, and systems management. As Senior Finance and Operations Manager, he leads all finance support and organization-wide accounting and bookkeeping. Yader holds a BA in Public Finance and Accounting, a BA in Economics from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, and he is currently studying to be a certified Senior Technician in Web Development. When not at work, you can find Yader cheering in the stands at baseball games across Nicaragua, reading poetry by Rubén Darío, or programming new online applications.
Paúl Cevallos – Ecuador Country Coordinator
Paúl was born and raised in Riobamba, a city located in the heart of Ecuador, before moving to Quito at the age of 17 to continue his studies. New opportunities like learning languages, helping on mission trips with people from other countries, and traveling to new places sparked Paúl’s curiosity to discover and help the world and its people. Paúl is now back again in Riobamba where has written two books, given lectures to students about leadership and values, promoted training programs on democracy, and built a nonprofit that teaches English, programming, and kindergarten classes to underprivileged children in his city. In his role as Ecuador Country Coordinator, Paúl supports program operations, curriculum, itinerary building, and program expansion. When taking a break from saving the world, you can find Paúl at home reading a book or in a new coffee shop having a dessert with his friends or family.
Miguel Cubas García – International Health & Safety Manager
Born and raised in Northern Nicaragua, Miguel found Global Glimpse through a local youth development organization. He is passionate about helping young people envision and create a more just and equitable world. Since joining Global Glimpse in 2016, Miguel has led Global Glimpse programs in Nicaragua and Panama and he has extensive experience in partnership development, program operations, risk management, and health and safety. As International Health and Safety Manager, Miguel works across the organization to ensure the health and safety of all Global Glimpse students, staff, and educators. Miguel is bilingual and holds a BS in Computer Engineering from the Evangelical University in Nicaragua. When not at work, Miguel loves spending time with his wife and twin daughters, going for long drives, learning about cars and new technology, and watching action movies.
Jonathan Kramer-Roach – Programs & Operations Manager
Jonathan has lived in each of Global Glimpse’s U.S. regions: he was born and raised in the Northeast, went to college in Chicago, and currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ever curious and hungry to learn, he is deeply committed to the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to experience other cultures and ways of life firsthand. Jonathan brings a passion for travel and experiential education to his work with Global Glimpse, and his cross-functional role allows him to work with team members across the organization. He is adept at managing everything from flight logistics to organizational partnerships, program communications, and staff engagement. Jonathan holds a BA from Northwestern University. When not at work, you can find him playing soccer, working to raise awareness about mental health, or co-hosting a weekly podcast on public policy news called Pocket Policy.
Richa was born in New Delhi, India, and immigrated with her family to the U.S. at the age of three. Growing up in a diverse metropolitan in Michigan, she had a multicultural upbringing as an Indian-American. Richa has always stayed connected to her cultural heritage by absorbing and reflecting both cultures by integrating them, not assimilating to one or the other. Traveling back to her motherland frequently while growing up and traveling across the globe through her acting career opened her eyes to different perspectives and the importance of immersing oneself in cultures different from your own. In high school, she co-founded and ran her own youth tutoring group for four years, which sparked her passion for youth empowerment through nontraditional education. Richa currently lives in Portland, Oregon with her partner, Joe, and son, Luca. Throughout her professional journey spanning corporate healthcare, tech, entertainment, nonprofit and early childhood education, Richa has always stayed true to her values and commitment to social justice and community building. As the Marketing & Communications Manager, Richa brings a fresh perspective with her atypical entrepreneurial background in brand management to help take Global Glimpse to new heights through creative strategy, design, and innovation. Richa is multilingual and holds a BS in Communications with a Theatre Arts minor and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. When not at work, you can find her exploring the Portland food scene, attending cultural events, hosting friends and family and binge-watching reality tv.
Lorena López – Ecuador Financial Administrator
Lorena grew up in Pallatanga, a small town in the Chimborazo region of Ecuador where she fell in love with the tranquility and peacefulness of being in nature. At a young age, her parents and grandparents taught her to value people and hard work. In high school, she had the opportunity to explore two different careers studying both in the mornings and evenings, which taught her the importance of education. In college, she studied at the Chimborazo Polytechnic School where she obtained her degree in Business Engineering and became passionate about finance. As the Ecuador Financial Administrator, she oversees all Ecuador book-keeping, administration, compliance, and office operations ensuring fiscal responsibility and infrastructure for all our programs in Ecuador. Lorena is passionate about sharing quality time with her family and her two children who are her inspiration for moving forward in life. When not at work, you can find her taking care of her plants, meditating in the middle of nature, or continuing to practice learning English.
Javier Moraga – Ecuador Country Director
Javier was born and raised in Matagalpa, a beautiful city in the central mountains of Nicaragua. He is passionate about working with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and he loves to contribute to creating transformative travel experiences for students and educators. Since joining Global Glimpse in 2013, Javier has led Global Glimpse programs in Nicaragua and Ecuador, and he has extensive experience in program management, partnership development, negotiations, and budgeting. As Ecuador Country Director, Javier oversees all aspects of the Global Glimpse program across five program sites in Ecuador. Javier is bilingual in Spanish and English, holds a BS in Industrial Engineering and Systems from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, and is pursuing postgraduate courses in financial management. When not at work, you can find Javier drinking coffee, playing music with friends – especially bass and electric guitar, spending time with family and friends, and watching movies.
Brent Nichols – VP of US Programs
Brent grew up in a family of educators in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in San Jose, California, which helped him develop an insatiable interest in different cultures and international issues. He is passionate about giving all students equal access to the kinds of transformative travel experiences that he has been fortunate to have in his life. Since joining Global Glimpse in 2013, Brent has managed everything from administration and bookkeeping to flight operations, teacher training, and alumni engagement. As VP of US Programs, Brent oversees the full student journey and all program operations across the US and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team. He holds a BA from the University of California, Davis, and a Masters in International Relations from San Francisco State University. When not at work, you can find Brent coming up with the most clever puns, playing, coaching, or watching sports, going on outdoor adventures, or attending community events.
Julia Orkin – Director of People Operations
Julia became passionate about educational equity through her experience growing up and attending public schools K-12 in Atlanta, GA. As a high school student, Julia learned how formative and impactful travel can be when she had the opportunity to live and learn for 2 months in Granada, Nicaragua. Her experiences overseas as well as what she saw in her school back home instilled a deep conviction in ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Since then, she has spent her career working to provide access and opportunity to all students, both as an 8th-grade teacher and by working in education non-profits. Throughout her career working in education, Julia has developed a love for people operations and a passion for fostering equity-centered workplaces. As the Director of People Operations, Julia works to live into Global Glimpse’s belief that “Our People Are Everything” by leading the strategies, systems, and customs that help make Global Glimpse an incredible place to work for people from all backgrounds. Julia holds a B.A. in English from Colby College and a Master of Education from Lipscomb University. When not at work, you can find Julia hosting dinner parties and game nights with friends, exploring the outdoors, hitting up community festivals with her family, and dreaming up her next adventure.
Molly Parr – Development Manager
Molly Parr is a first-generation American who was raised in Western Massachusetts. She learned early on from her late mother and stepfather that Tikkun Olam, the Jewish value of repairing the world, was a personal responsibility. Molly has spent the bulk of her career in development, including positions at Boston University, Perkins School for the Blind, and Smith College. Molly’s values and background in education and philanthropy drew her to Global Glimpse, where she raises funds to give students transformative educational experiences they would not otherwise have. An avid cook, in her spare time Molly writes a food blog, has a column on seasonal cooking in the local newspaper, and is a local television personality sharing original recipes on a morning talk show. She holds a joint-degree from Columbia University and The Jewish Theological Seminary, spent time studying in Jerusalem and has done graduate coursework in Gastronomy and Food Studies at Boston University. Molly lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband, two daughters, their cat Rooster, and Milo, their leopard gecko.
Eliza Pesuit – Executive Director
The daughter of a Serbian Orthodox father from rural Ohio and a Russian Jewish mother from Boston, Eliza became comfortable with differences early on. She is passionate about connecting people from different backgrounds through shared experience, and she believes deeply in the importance of supporting young people from all backgrounds to have access to educational opportunities that expand their perspective. Under her leadership, Global Glimpse has grown more than ten-fold and expanded to serve over 1,000 students annually across 100 US public high schools. Eliza is skilled in organizational strategy, cross-sector partnerships, financial planning, and board leadership, and she is deeply committed to the community of students, families, educators, and staff who make Global Glimpse’s work possible. Eliza is bilingual in Spanish and English and has lived and worked across Latin America. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and has received awards for her work from the Edwin Gould Foundation and the Jefferson Foundation. When not at work, you can find her painting, going on outdoor adventures with her partner, gardening, hosting dinner parties, and volunteering with community organizations.
Cassidy Phillips – Chicago Programs Manager
Cassidy grew up in Northwest Indiana with her supportive family. While in college, she was able to travel domestically and internationally for the first time, ultimately changing her perspective, worldview, and career focus. As one of the first people in her family to spend significant time abroad, Cassidy is deeply passionate about creating opportunities and making provisions for all to explore the world and experience the transformative joy of stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. As the Chicago Programs Manager, Cassidy oversees and collaborates with partner schools, teachers, and families across the city, manages alumni programming, and supports the Chicago Regional Leadership Council. She earned her BS in Public Health from Purdue University and her Master of Public Health from the University of South Carolina. In her free time, Cassidy enjoys playing tennis, bike riding, listening to podcasts, hosting game nights, and making memories with her family.
Ben Polansky – Chief Operations Officer
Ben is proud to be born and raised in the Bay Area, CA, and attributes his commitment to equity and justice to the vast diversity of life experiences he was exposed to growing up. His own experience of feeling that he was different from his peers during his formative years helped him to develop a passion for supporting young people to find their inner strength, expand their perspective, and realize their potential. Ben has over 15 years of leadership experience in training and facilitation, global program and curriculum design, risk management, people operations, and branding, marketing, and communications. As Chief Operating Officer, he oversees marketing and communications, people & culture, information technology, and program operations and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team. He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, and has been recognized for his work as an educator by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission and the San Francisco Giants. When not at work, you can find Ben in the ocean, having spontaneous dance parties with his young daughter, listening to live music with friends and family, and traveling vicariously through the amazing students in Global Glimpse programs.
Gabriela Quintana-García – Bay Area Programs Coordinator
Gabriela was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. She is bilingual in Spanish and English, having grown up visiting family in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Gabriela developed a deep love of travel at a young age and is committed to paying forward the privilege and opportunity to travel to the next generation. Through her career working in education, she has become passionate about building the confidence and agency of students and helping them expand their worldviews and develop into global leaders. As Bay Area Programs Coordinator, she maintains a diverse portfolio of strong partner schools, recruits new schools that align with our mission, helps lead sessions and trainings for our community, and cultivates strong relationships with community and education leaders across the Bay Area region. Gabriela graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a BA in Global Studies and a minor in Music. When not at work, you can find her spending time with loved ones, singing and playing music all around the Bay Area, gardening, watching documentaries, and bonding with her cat.
Carissa Villafaña – Bay Area Programs Manager
A Southern California native, Carissa grew up in a sunny beach town surrounded by family. After graduating from college, she packed her bags and began her service as a Peace Corps volunteer in the education sector in the Dominican Republic. Her time in the Peace Corps further ignited a passion for facilitating connections between students from different backgrounds and led her to begin her journey with Global Glimpse by leading our programs in the Dominican Republic in 2018. She wants to give students everywhere equal access to travel opportunities. Carissa is bilingual in Spanish and English, and she has strong experience in program design and management, training facilitation, student recruitment, and partnership management. As Bay Area Programs Manager, she oversees a diverse portfolio of school partnerships across the Bay Area, manages alumni programming, and supports our Bay Area Regional Leadership Council. Carissa holds a BA in Ethnic Studies from the University of California in Sacramento. When not at work, you can find Carissa connecting with friends for dinner, hiking in the Oakland hills, attending sporting events, and watching movies. She loves reading SciFi and journaling, and she’s always up for a travel adventure.
André Ware – Northeast Programs Manager
André was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. As a high school student, André had the opportunity to travel abroad to Chile and Kenya, which is where he first developed an interest in sociopolitical affairs and international issues. Through those experiences, André recognized the impact of traveling abroad on his education and has since traveled to over three dozen countries. André is also a former Peace Corps Volunteer, having served in Ukraine from 2016 – 2018. In Ukraine, André volunteered for a non-profit that assisted with the reintegration efforts of internally displaced peoples from Donbas and Crimea. André‘s global experience and dedication to youth education led him into the classroom, where he facilitated workshops on leadership development, globalization, socio-economic issues, and current events for high school students in the Bronx. André is passionate about education reform and believes that youth should have their education centered around more experiences outside of the classroom, such as travel abroad. As the Northeast Programs Manager, he oversees school partnerships across New York City and Western Massachusetts, manages alumni programming, and supports the New York City Leadership Council. André graduated from Niagara University with a BA in Political Science and International Studies and earned an MPA from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service specializing in Social and Political Advocacy. When not at work, you can find André traveling, researching random historical facts, and spending time with family and friends.
Jennifer Zhang – International Operations Manager
Jennifer is used to being on the go, having grown up in Italy, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Her later adventures include cycling through roles as a Fair Trade barista, an EFL/ESL teacher, and a program coordinator and facilitator for Global Glimpse. Each step opened her eyes to different facets of the world: the inequalities present across and within country borders, the boundless potential of inspired youth to effect change, and the capacity for travel-based, student-centered experiential learning to promote global citizenship and intercultural awareness. As the International Operations Manager, Jennifer focuses on curriculum development, program expansion, and management of health and safety systems. She holds an MA in Linguistics from the Ohio State University and is in the process of wrapping up a PhD in Linguistics at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. When not at work, you can find Jennifer trying new recipes, taking care of her plants, brushing up on languages, and exercising to BTS.
Board of Directors
Jennifer Ogden-Reese, Board Chair
Chief Marketing Officer at D2L
Jennifer has launched, developed, and led digital marketing strategy for new digital and print products in her role as Chief Marketing Officer at multiple startups and companies. She holds a B.A. in History and Government from Dartmouth College and brings extensive experience in consumer marketing to the team. Jennifer believes strongly in both the power of increasing global awareness of America’s youth and the value of learning through experience. Her passion for these two ideas stems from her international study in college and from her life now, raising three boys in a diverse multi-cultural community. She lends her content marketing expertise to help tell the Global Glimpse story to a growing audience of students, educators, and donors.
Aji Oliyide, Vice Chair
Senior Programs Manager II, Google
Aji is a PMO Mission Lead at Google. She oversees a team of program managers to launch features on Search and deliver on cross-org operational improvements. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business with an MBA, and Eaton Corporation’s General Management Development Program for engineers, Aji spent several years as a Management Consultant. During her four years with Accenture and three years with Deloitte in management positions, she traveled the country optimizing operating models and consulting for Fortune 500 companies. In 2015, Aji moved to California to join the Google team as an M&A Finance Integration Manager, overseeing finance integrations and divestitures, eventually leading to the role she now holds as a PMO Lead within Google’s Search organization. She is an avid traveler, having visited over 35 countries and lived in Argentina for a graduate study abroad program.
Bryce Gilleland, Treasurer
CEO, Asha Capital Partners
Bryce Gilleland oversees Asha Capital Partners, a premier cryptocurrency hedge fund. He has an MBA from Haas and a BS in economics from UCI. In a previous life, he managed corporate strategy, finance, and investor relations in fortune 500 companies, and served as an Executive Coach. He has a great appreciation for mindfulness and believes that taking care of oneself allows you to better help others. He thinks shared experiences can bring greater inclusivity and that through great conversations, meeting inspiring people, and supporting others we can work towards collectively creating a better future.
Kristine Matheson, Secretary
Country Manager for Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Mastercard
Kristine has been with Mastercard for 8 years and currently acts as Country Manager for Costa Rica and Nicaragua, responsible for leading the company to achieve significant growth within a very competitive and dynamic environment, driving financial inclusion and vision for a world beyond cash. Within Mastercard, Kristine has transitioned through different roles including Vice President for Products & Innovation for Mexico and Central America and Director of Marketing for Central America. Before joining Mastercard, Kristine held distinct marketing roles in companies such as Mondelez, The Coca-Cola Company and DHL Express. She left her native Nicaragua as a refugee during the Nicaraguan revolution and credits living in many countries and traveling extensively for shaping her into a resilient, open-minded, and inclusive leader. It is her background that made her immediately connect with Global Glimpse’s desire to provide transformative travel and leadership opportunities to our future leaders.
Michelle Patrick
Principal Program Manager, PG&E
Michelle works as a Principal Program Manager for Pacific Gas & Electric Company focused on mitigating the customer impacts of the company’s wildfire prevention efforts. Michelle was a founding member of Global Glimpse’s Bay Area Advisory Board, and joined the National Board of Directors in 2016 where she has served as Treasurer and Vice Chairperson. Michelle holds an MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and a B.A. in Economics and Math from UCSB. Like many of us, Michelle vividly remembers her first exposure to life in a developing economy as a teenager and the impact it had on her. She is passionate about Global Glimpse’s mission to bring that experience to today’s youth and develop a new generation of global thinkers. Since that first international trip, Michelle has remained an avid traveler; she has visited more than 35 countries and lived abroad four times.
Adriana Solís-Lopéz
Chief Development Officer at Latinos for Education
Adriana Solís-López is a nonprofit executive with extensive experience in development and external relations. Adriana has dedicated her career to social justice and has worked in various local and international nonprofits in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is currently the Chief Development Officer at Latinos for Education. Originally from Southeast Los Angeles, Adriana was raised by hardworking Mexican immigrant parents in a Spanish-speaking household. She is a first-generation college graduate and obtained her BA in History at the University of California, Berkeley, and her MPP at Mills College. Adriana is a proud mother of two young daughters and enjoys nothing more than spending time with her family, reading a great novel, and exploring the outdoors.
Francisca (Cisca) Brouwer
Former Senior Associate General Counsel,Global Commerce at Snap Inc.
Cisca is Senior Associate General Counsel, Global Commerce, at Snap Inc., the camera company that owns the Snapchat, Bitmoji, and Spectacles brands. She loves building things and has especially enjoyed getting to play a part in helping Snap grow since 2015. Cisca believes deeply in the power of travel and human connection to change lives and increase our collective belief in each person’s ability to effect positive change. Having gleaned a unique view of cultural differences as an immigrant to the U.S. when she was a child, and having seen the way travel raises awareness and empathy in her own kids, she is committed to helping find ways for more students to be able to travel outside their home cities. Cisca earned her BA degrees in Mass Communications and in Dutch Studies, as well as her JD degree, from the University of California, Berkeley.
Jocelyn Garcia
VP Controller at Honor Technology
Jocelyn is the VP Controller at Honor Technology, an industry-leading tech platform that is revolutionizing the way people age in place, while simultaneously making the world a better place for the care professional workforce. Before Honor, Jocelyn held roles at Fastly, Google (Nest), and Ernst & Young where she garnered her passion for team coaching, global expansion and coordination, exponential growth and related process efficiencies, and transactions such as IPOs, M&A, and financing. Jocelyn grew up in a Mexican-American immigrant family and credits her love of travel, cultures, and the “global village” to their travels to her grandparents’ and father’s hometown during her childhood. Jocelyn feels so fortunate for the childhood opportunity to experience the small Mexican towns and ranches her grandparents and father are from. Seemingly simple privileges like plumbing, electricity, and access to great public education were things she never took for granted and that perspective drove her to give as much to, take as much from, and strive for as many opportunities as possible. She is so excited to work with Global Glimpse to provide that kind of inspiration and perspective to young leaders.
Strategic Advisors
Sharon Grant
Executive Director, Community Programs Accelerator, OCE at University of Chicago
To Sharon, servant leadership is a way of life. Prior to her role at the University of Chicago, Sharon led the community affairs team at United Airlines where she served as vice president of customer contact centers for the airline. In this role, she was responsible for all aspects of the contact centers, customer care and refunds for United. She oversees 5,000 global team members comprising 15 centers in ten countries and remotely in over 35 states. Sharon has 20 years of accounting and auditing experience. Sharon received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Bradley University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA). Sharon was a 2016 Fellow of Leadership in Greater Chicago and recognized as a Chicago United 2015 Business Leader of Color. A native Chicagoan, born and raised in the South Shore community, Sharon leads the Community Programs Accelerator to support community-based organizations on the South Side. Sharon served on the Global Glimpse board for 4 years.
Usman Nabi
Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Browning West
Usman Nabi grew up between South Asia and the US and he is deeply passionate about inspiring international service in the next generation of leaders. Prior to founding Browning West, he was a Senior Partner at H Partners Management, a New York-based investment management firm. Currently, Usman serves on the Board of Directors of Domino’s Pizza Group plc as a Non-Executive Director and has previously served on the boards of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation and Tempur Sealy International Inc. Usman earned his B.A. from Harvard College and his M.B.A. from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. As a Strategic Advisor, Usman supports Global Glimpse’s strategic growth.
Wailun Chan
Chief Financial Officer, Grafana Labs
The opportunity travel presents to experience different cultures and ways of life has had a lasting influence on Wailun both personally and professionally. Wailun’s interest in travel began at age 15 when his family made the life-altering decision to relocate from Hong Kong to Michigan and continues now as he shares his passion for traveling with his own family. Currently, he is the Chief Financial Officer at Grafana Labs. Previously Wailun was at LinkedIn, where he led the Global FP&A, International Finance, and Financial Planning Systems team. Over the past ten years, Wailun has had the unique opportunity to build, scale, and manage teams across the finance org as well as partnering closely with the executive team on defining and executing LinkedIn’s strategic plans. Prior to LinkedIn, Wailun gained 12 years of finance experience across various industries (tech, financial services, and CPG) at start-ups and Fortune 100 companies. Wailun lends his expertise to reinforce Global Glimpse’s mission to teach the importance of travel and leadership development.
Melanie Newell
President, Rocket Social Impact
Melanie joins Global Glimpse as a Strategic Advisor, alongside her work as President of Rocket Social Impact, a social impact agency dedicated to strategy, communications, and partnership development for both nonprofits and corporations. Melanie’s work at Rocket is grounded by her 15 years of experience developing CSR strategies, social impact partnerships, fundraising campaigns and employee activation initiatives for national nonprofits and companies. Her diverse background includes developing and implementing strategies for organizations such as American Airlines, Shutterfly, Roark Capital, Finish Line, Rite Aid, the National Park Foundation, No Kid Hungry, Make-A-Wish America, March of Dimes, Covenant House, American Heart Association and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Jeff Miller
Senior Director, Creative & Marketing, Snap Inc.
Jeff is a proven marketing executive now leading the Global Arcadia team at Snap Inc. Jeff’s team partners with brands of all sizes to build best-in-mobile campaigns that drive measurable business results and cultural impact. Prior to Snapchat, Jeff spent time at at Ogilvy crafting award-winning campaigns for American Express and Motorola and as a Brand Marketer at PepsiCo — managing the iconic Tropicana brand and leading digital strategy for Gatorade. Outside of work, Jeff dedicates his time to organizations that share his passion for uplifting underrepresented communities and he loves to travel with his family!