We're rounding out Women's History Month with this installment of the Global Leadership SerIES: IES Abroad College Relations Manager Virginia Gabby hosts a virtual coffee chat with Gretchen Cook-Anderson, IES Abroad Assistant Vice President of Diversity Recruiting & Advising. Using photos from Gretchen's life to guide their conversation, Virginia and Gretchen go deep on the life and leadership lessons Gretchen learned from her time abroad in Japan and her college years in the South, and from the special people who have touched and shaped her life. Gretchen also shares some of her own life and career advice with viewers, like "take chances," which is demonstrated in one of Gretchen's photo stories (and is very bold!). Before giving too much away, we'll let the video—and Virginia and Gretchen—speak for themselves!
About Gretchen Cook-Anderson:
As the Assistant Vice President, Diversity Recruiting & Advising, Gretchen oversees efforts to increase enrollment and enhance the study abroad experience of diverse students. She serves as the main point of contact for the Take Off with IES Abroad initiative, which provides dedicated tools, information, and outreach to students attending Historically Black Colleges & Universities. An award-winning marketing and PR professional, Gretchen has more than 10 years of experience in international education. Gretchen studied abroad with IES Abroad Nagoya and holds a Bachelor's degree from Spelman College and a Master's degree in International Economics from Johns Hopkins University.
“I like to think that even in times that you may call failure, even failure has valuable lessons in it. I’m a big believer in that, if something doesn’t quite go the way that you want it to, then find a way to learn something from it and let that propel you forward.”Gretchen-Cook Anderson | IES Abroad Assistant Vice President, Diversity Recruiting & Advising
Leadership in Action
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! You can also view more of IES Abroad's organizational leaders.
