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Staff
The staff of the World Affairs Council is made up
of employees who manage a cadre of dedicated interns and volunteers.
All Council staff members have enjoyed a lifetime of contact with
people from around the globe and have either studied, traveled extensively,
or lived abroad.
Executive Management
Ian H. Moncaster
President & CEO
Autumn Lerner
Vice President
Elaine Chang
Strategic Advisor
Bipasana Joshee
Database and Office Manager
Julie Kageler
Finance Director
Jillian Foote
Programs Assistant
Community Programs
Autumn Lerner
Vice President
Alyse Cato
Community Events Coordinator
Global Classroom Program
Tese Neighbor
Senior Director of Professional Development
Laura Adriance
Director of Professional Development
International Visitor Program
Kristen Comer
Director, International Visitor Program
Lauren Opstad
Program Officer, International Visitor Program
Rachel Moshier
Program Officer, International Visitor Program

Ian H. Moncaster
President and CEO |
Ian
H. Moncaster
is currently the President and CEO of the World Affairs Council
of Puget Sound. Prior to joining the World Affairs Council,
Ian spent over 10 years living and working overseas in a variety
of sectors including international relief and development,
foreign policy, and diplomatic relations.
In
1982, he was involved with the post-independence primary education-for-all
initiative in Zimbabwe. From 1985-1991, Ian headed projects
for the international relief and development organization
CARE, first in Bangladesh as the Project Coordinator for the
Rural Maintenance Program and then in Haiti managing the Haiti
Food Program. After leaving CARE in 1991, Ian spent two years
in Sri Lanka as the Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance
Advisor to the Canadian Government and the Donor Secretary
to a consortium of international donors who funded Sri Lanka's
largest non-profit.
In
1993, Ian moved to the United States and rejoined CARE, spending
the next eight years in organizational and fiscal management.
While based in CARE's headquarters in Atlanta, he provided
management backstopping and oversaw strategic planning for
CARE's operations in South Asia and became part of a management
triumvirate overseeing CARE's major gifts operations. In 1997,
Ian moved to Seattle with CARE, with responsibilities in public
education, fundraising and social corporate responsibility.
Most recently, he joined the World Affairs Council in 2001
as President and CEO to promote international understanding
and discussion in the Puget Sound area.
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Autumn
Lerner
Vice President |
Autumn
Lerner joined the World Affairs Council in February 2006.
Autumn previously held the position of Director of the International
Visitor Program and Chief Operating Officer before becoming
Vice President in charge of public program development in
October 2009.
Originally
from rural northern California, Autumn is a graduate of the
University of California, Santa Cruz, where she earned a bachelor’s
degree in European History and spent a semester abroad in
Moscow, Russia. Autumn received a master’s degree in
Russian, East European, and Central Asian International Studies
from the Jackson School at the University of Washington.
Autumn
returned to Moscow in the summer of 2001 to study and volunteer
at a rehabilitation center for Russian orphans. Prior to joining
the Council, Autumn spent three years directing international
leadership programs and handcrafted tours to Russia and the
former Soviet States. She loves to travel and has traveled
extensively through Russia, Europe, the Trans Caucasus, and
Latin America. In June 2009 she spent a month on a professional
exchange across Europe as an American Memorial Marshall Fellow
with the German Marshall Fund of the U.S. Next on her travel
list? Indonesia, Italy, Turkey, and Brazil.
Autumn
is passionate about international education, women's leadership,
girl’s empowerment, youth leadership, mentoring, communication,
and connecting people around the globe. She is a board member
for both the Center for Women and Democracy and the City of
Seattle Sister Cities Council, and is a proud “Big Sister”
with Big Brothers Big Sisters of King County. In addition,
outside of the Council, Autumn loves to explore Seattle, hike
in urban settings, dance (almost any kind), read, eat good
food, and spend time with friends and family.
Autumn
brings to the Council a belief that leadership sets the tone
and that anything is possible with pure intention.
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Elaine Chang
Strategic Advisor
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Elaine
Chang is the Strategic Advisor at the World Affairs Council.
Prior to joining the Council, she spent eleven years in higher
education administration at the University of Washington’s
Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs. She was Assistant
Dean of the Evans School for eight years, and then launched
the Marc Lindenberg Center for Humanitarian Action, International
Development and Global Citizenship in 2002. In these roles,
she worked closely with the World Affairs Council to develop
university-wide educational programs and public education
events related to global issues affecting the developing world.
Before
joining UW, Elaine spent one academic year living and teaching
in Pecs, Hungary as a Soros Foundation-funded Civic Education
Project lecturer at Janus Pannonius University. From 1983
to 1985, she was a manager and curator of the “China:
7,000 Years of Discovery” traveling exhibition in Seattle,
Atlanta and Boston, one of the earliest and largest cultural
exchange activities between China and the U.S. after the normalization
of relations between the two nations. She has also worked
in the tourism industry in China and Alaska, as a translator
on board the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior, and as an environmental
program manager for King County.
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Julie Kageler
Finance Director |
Julie Kageler is the Finance Director at the World Affairs
Council. Since earning a Bachelor of Business Administration
from Pacific Lutheran University, an accounting concentration
from the University of Washington and passing the CPA exam,
Julie has worked primarily in the nonprofit sector. She started
her career in larger health care organizations--SeaMar Community
Health Center and Providence Hospice of Seattle. For the past
ten years Julie has worked and consulted in a finance capacity
for a number of small nonprofit organizations in Seattle and
New York. She joined the Council in July of 2007.
Julie feels strongly about applying her skills and experience
to organizations, like the Council, toward which she feels
a commitment to the mission. Along with her half-time work
as Finance Director at the Council, Julie works with organizations
involved in eliminating hunger, providing healthcare to children,
creating global issues curriculum, and mobilizing philanthropy
in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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Jillian Foote
Programs Assistant |
Jillian serves Program Assistant in the Global Classroom program as well as Executive Assistant to the President at the World Affairs Council. Jillian received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Western Washington University in June of 2008. In January of 2009 Jillian joined the World Affairs Council as a Global Classroom intern for six months. Her passion for both domestic and international educational development issues naturally drew her to the Global Classroom program, and she is very excited to be a part of the World Affairs Council team.
Jillian enjoys working with youth of all ages and has spent some of her free time tutoring elementary and middle school students, developing recreational programs at a family support center, and working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound. Jillian also enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities, music, exploring new cities and cultures, cooking (and of course eating!) good food, dancing, and spending time with friends and family.
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Bipasana Joshee
Database and Office Manager
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Bipasana
Sakya Joshee is the Database and Office Manager for the World
Affairs Council. Having grown up in New York, Kathmandu, Nepal
and spending almost a decade at an American boarding school
in India, her life experiences naturally draw her to the work
of the Council. She was raised with a deep connection to multiple
cultures, surrounded by other global citizens and is excited
about promoting a similar atmosphere through her role with
the Council.
She
has a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Anthropology from
Knox College in Illinois and a master's degree in Gender and
Cultural Studies from Simmons College in Boston. Her commitment
to human rights has led her to gain extensive administrative
experience at a number of organizations working with various
vulnerable populations, particularly with women.
Bipasana
has friends and family spread out over the globe and is eternally
grateful to Facebook, Skype and other internet technologies
for helping her stay connected with the intricacies of their
lives. She is new to Seattle and enjoys exploring the city.
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Alyse Cato
Community Events Coordinator
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Alyse Cato is the Community Events Coordinator for the World Affairs Council. She has a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Foreign Language and International Affairs (FLIA) from the University of Puget Sound (UPS). While in school, she spent a semester abroad in Dijon, France studying French. It was during her travels that she developed a deep love for learning about other cultures and lifestyles. She joined the Council in November of 2008 as a Community Programs intern. In May of 2009 she spent 3 months in a contract position as Special Assistant to the President before taking her current position.
Along with traveling, Alyse enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities, football (Seahawks!), trying new foods, dancing, singing, and spending time with her friends and family. She hopes to do more traveling in the future to further her knowledge of communities and cultures across the globe.
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Tese Neighbor
Senior Director of Professional Development
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Tese Wintz Neighbor has traveled extensively around the world, but her heart and soul remain in Asia. Tese lived in China from 1981-1983 working in Beijing as the English editor for China Pictorial magazine as well as teaching English at Beijing University. She then was based in Hong Kong from 1983-1985, setting up bicycle tours as well as traveling extensively throughout the PRC and other parts of Asia as a tour director/lecturer and free-lance writer for the Asian Wall Street Journal and the Far Eastern Economic Review.
Tese holds a Masters degree in China Regional Studies from the Henry Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. She has worked as an adjunct Asian history instructor at Seattle-area colleges and currently teaches an intensive East Asia Seminar class for the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia, based at the University of Washington. Since 1999 she has worked as the Director of Professional Development for the World Affairs Council's Global Classroom Program.
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Laura Adriance
Director of Professional Development
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Laura serves as Director of Professional Development for the World Affairs Council’s Global Classroom program. Laura has worked as an educator in a variety of settings. She has taught elementary school in both New York and Washington. She has worked with future teachers in the University of Washington’s teacher education program. And, as part of her Peace Corps service, she conducted professional development for teachers in rural Namibia.
Laura grew up in New Jersey and earned her bachelors degree at Drew University, with one semester spent studying abroad in Cannes, France. She holds a Masters degree in elementary education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a PhD in education from the University of Washington.
Given her own experiences as a classroom teacher, Laura is particularly passionate about supporting teachers in their efforts to help students learn about the world beyond our borders and truly become global citizens.
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Kristen Comer
Director, International Visitors Program
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Kristen Comer joined the World Affairs Council as Director of the International Visitors Program in December of 2009. Previously, she has served as Executive Director of Washington Ceasefire, a small state-wide non-profit focused on reducing gun violence. As Executive Director, she managed all parts of the organization, including public relations, communications, finance, policy work, board management, fundraising, etc. In addition to her work on gun control policy, she has worked with students on conflict resolution projects in New York public schools and worked with youth and teachers at the Metrocenter YMCA Seattle Rotary Education Center.
Kristen is passionate about international relations, issues related to environmental sustainability and resource management, youth leadership, global trade and energy policy. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mukdahan, Thailand and completed a human rights apprenticeship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She earned her B.A. in Education from Western Washington University and her M.A. in International Education and Development Policy from Columbia University.
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Lauren Opstad
Program Officer, International Visitors Program
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Lauren currently serves as a Program Officer for the International Visitor Program. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Gonzaga University in International Relations and religious studies, spending a year abroad in Florence, Italy where she studied, savored Italian cuisine and traveled throughout Europe. During this time abroad, Lauren developed a love for foreign cultures, people, and the exchange of ideas and experiences. Following graduation, she studied Spanish in Guatemala where she was again amazed by the local culture and warmth of the people. In addition to travel, Lauren enjoys running, reading (anything but science fiction), exploring Seattle and taming the beast some call ‘cooking’.
Lauren joined the Council in September 2009 and worked as an intern for three months before being hired as a Program Officer. She looks forward to her work with the IVP team and is especially excited for youth programming. Lauren also hopes to continue her travels whenever possible, and would eventually like to go to graduate school for International Development and Public Policy.
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Rachel Moshier
Program Officer, International Visitor Program
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Rachel Moshier began her experience with the World Affairs Council as a Community Programs intern. In addition to her experience here at the Council, Rachel brings experience in community service, program development, and outdoor education. She has also juggled logistics, marketing, and finances at the Tacoma Farmers Market.
Rachel earned a B.A. in International Political Economy from the University of Puget Sound. During her undergraduate work she participated in the Pacific Rim Program, traveling to nine Asian countries to study the economics, politics, religion, and philosophy of the region. She looks forward to the challenges and rewards of working to put together strong programming for our visitors.
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