Motivated by our mission to educate students to become global citizens, our staff leads by example. From a highly-experienced executive team to our Center Directors on site, we set the standard for what it means to be a global citizen. Meet some of our key leadership team from our Chicago headquarters and Centers abroad.
Executive Team




Department Leadership




Michael Green
Senior Associate Vice President of Global Enrollment Management, College Relations & Advising, and Diversity Recruiting & Advising
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Daniel Summers
Assistant Vice President & Chief Information Officer

Matt Simson
Director of Global Enrollment Management


Beth Westphal
Director of Human Resources
Program Oversight




Center Directors




Cèsar Alegre Alsina
IES Abroad Barcelona Center Director & AVP for Program Development
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Leona Harris
IES Abroad Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland & IES Abroad Ōtautahi Christchurch Center Director
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Merle Peitsmeyer
IES Abroad European Union Center Director & IES Abroad Freiburg Center Director
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Gianni Ponti
IES Abroad Rome Center Director (Currently on Leave for a Special Assignment)
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Board of Directors
Emeritus Board of Directors
Global Leadership Series
Learn more about our global leaders in the IES Abroad community—staff, faculty, students, and friends—and their areas of expertise through our Global Leadership SerIES and Fireside Chats with Fascinating Faculty!
“Our team amazes me every single day, and because they excel and care, it motivates me to do my best work. They’re rock stars, all of them.”Abby B. • Director of Communications & Outreach at IES Abroad
We Educate Students to Become Global Leaders
