Presenters

Stephanie Sanders is an Academic Exchange Specialist in the Office of Academic Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, at the U.S. Department of State, where she works closely with cooperating partner World Learning on the planning and implementation of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD). 

Prior to joining ECA, Stephanie was Associate Director of Programs at the Mansfield Foundation, where she managed the ECA-funded Mansfield Fellowship Program and the Government of Japan-sponsored U.S.-Japan Network for the Future program. As a Research and Program Associate at CULCON, she oversaw monitoring and evaluation for the U.S. Embassy Tokyo-funded TeamUp Campaign. At the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC, she provided research support on U.S.-Japan trade issues. 

Stephanie spent four years teaching English at rural public schools in South Korea and Japan, is an alumna of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, and served on the board of the DC chapter of the JET Alumni Association (JETAADC). She holds an MA in International Education from George Washington University and a BA in East Asian Studies from Smith College.

Simon 'Si' Norton is a Global Educator, Facilitator, Trainer, Coach and Guide with 30+ years of experience facilitating empowering workshops, directing programs, and leading effective teams. He has successfully facilitated more than 1,000 experiential programs and workshops with adults and youth from over 175 countries and all 50 U.S. States. He has worked in more than 60 countries. He currently works on many freelance projects for NGO, educational, and corporate clients around the world. Si is an accomplished teacher, trainer, and facilitator with expertise in many areas including: leadership and teambuilding, project design and delivery, global issues and civics, mentoring and coaching, risk management, peacebuilding and dialogue, communication skills, emotional intelligence, positive psychology, wellness and resilience, and adventure and outdoor education.

Si has a master’s degree in global education from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in world issues from the School for International Training. His home base is in Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada border and his interests include kayaking, paddle-boarding, skiing, snowshoeing, curling, baking, landscaping and stonework, and designing and building Tiny Homes and Cabins.

Barbara joined the Office of Alumni Affairs at the State Department in August 2024 to serve as the Regional Alumni Coordinator for Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and Near Eastern Affairs (NEA). In this role she works with U.S. embassies in Africa and the Middle East to support strategic engagement for alumni of State Department programs. Prior to this role she worked as a Program Officer at World Learning on the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP) and Alumni Thematic International Exchange Seminars (TIES) teams where she coordinated professional and intercultural exchanges for more than 200 participants in Cairo, Egypt, Paris, France, and Washington, D.C. Barbara is a graduate of the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs, where she interned at community-oriented organizations such as United Way, Missouri Commission on Human Rights, and the International Institute of Saint Louis. Barbara has also worked as a Government Leadership and Management intern for the Partnership for Public Service where she assisted in leadership development training for federal employees.  

Barbara received a bachelor’s degree in peace and conflict studies from Swarthmore College and a master’s degree in international peace and conflict resolution from the American University’s School of International Service.