The Global Leadership League upcoming events

LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group Meeting (05 Jun 2026)

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Every time you choose to be yourself, you give someone else permission to shine too. Join the LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group for a fun celebration of LGBTQIA identities and a chance to shine as bright as the summer sun! Come network with other queer and ally professionals, learn some LGBTQIA fun facts, and hear about ways to celebrate and support the community. Can’t wait to see you there!

LGBTQ+ Affinity Host:

Ramil Collier is an International Education professional who has worked in the field for over 5 years. Ramil’s journey began in the study abroad office of a small college in Michigan in 2016 and has served in various capacities on both the institution and provider side during the past 5 years. Ramil is an openly gay professional who uses he/they pronouns and has navigated working for religiously affiliated schools as well supporting students in different diverse scenarios. In their current role, Ramil serves as an Education Abroad Advisor for a College in North Carolina.

Early Career Professionals Summer Kick-Off: Projects, Hobbies, and Wellness (08 Jun 2026)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Join the Early Career Professionals affinity group for a casual end of semester event with a focus on maximizing the time between semesters. To quote, Olaf from Frozen, “Oh, I don't know why, but I've always loved the idea of summer.” Join us to put your own ideas into practice with a session focused on summer project prioritization and enjoying free time. Come network with other early career professionals to learn about shared interests, hobbies to try, and to connect with a dynamic group in our field. See you there!

If you have feedback, ideas, or questions for affinity group meetings, please email hayley.barriere@uvm.edu and kclaggett@ceacapa.com. See you there!

About Us:

Katie Claggett is a Partner Engagement Manager at CEA CAPA Education Abroad. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in International Education Management at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, where she also serves as a Mentor Fellow for the Conflict Transformation Fellowship Program. Katie calls Maryland home, and has worked, volunteered, and studied in various countries including Chile, Morocco, and Belize. Katie's professional experience centers in education abroad with a focus on marketing and alumni relations. Katie holds a Bachelor's Degree from Guilford College in Sociology and Anthropology, and is an avid Ultimate Frisbee player and aspiring gardener.

Hayley Barriere is the Education Abroad Programs Coordinator at the Office of International Education at the University of Vermont. She has held this position since 2022. Hayley primarily works with faculty-led study abroad programs and students participating in independent international travel opportunities. She is a UVM alum, graduating with an undergraduate degree in Global Studies in 2019 and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in 2025. In her free time, Hayley enjoys traveling, riding her bike, skiing, and searching for the best ice cream in the state of Vermont.

Affinity Group: Connect w/ Professionals Based in Europe (10 Jun 2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Please adjust your time zone, this program is held at 10AM CEST (Central European Timezone)

For GLL professionals across Europe, our Coffee Connect session offers a welcoming space to forge genuine connections and hear straight from you, our community, on the topics you'd love to dive into at upcoming events.

Whether you've just returned from a conference or haven't joined one yet, come share your perspectives, swap stories, and guide future conversations that resonate with our shared priorities and passions.

Hosts:

Deborah Knaust has served as Dean of Student Life and Engagement at Franklin University Switzerland for the past decade. Situation in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, Franklin welcomes a diverse student body, approximately half from North America and half from around the world. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, Deborah plays an integral role in institutional planning, decision-making, strategic development, and management of U.S. partnerships. Before relocating to Switzerland, she held positions at U.S. universities supporting international students, scholars, and study abroad programs. A dedicated advocate for intercultural learning, she consistently weaves global perspectives into her work and recently assumed leadership of Franklin’s Career Readiness initiatives. Having lived in Bulgaria, Japan, Switzerland, and the United States, Deborah brings a wealth of international experience and looks forward to engaging with GLL members to foster meaningful growth and collaboration

Metrice Harris-Weedman (PhD) is an international education consultant, mental health practitioner, social justice advocate, and researcher. She created MENSCH, an international advisement framework that bridges gaps for underrepresented students in education abroad through culturally sensitive, student-focused practices. Her work emphasizes inclusive approaches, student wellbeing, and collaborative support, drawing on experience in campus counseling, crisis intervention, and cross-cultural education. She recently collaborated with Rutgers University on an innovative initiative in international education and mentors study abroad alumni. Having lived abroad for over 25 years in Germany and France, Metrice brings lived intercultural insight to her work. As Co-Chair of the Global Leadership League’s European Affinity Group, she is committed to fostering support and advancing inclusive leadership.

Legacy Thinking - Designing Impact, Not Just Outcomes (23 Jun 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Legacy is often treated as something reserved for senior leaders, major accomplishments, or the end of a career. In reality, legacy is being shaped every day through our habits, behaviors, relationships, and the way people experience us. In this 60-minute interactive session, participants will explore the difference between outcomes and impact, reflect on how they are currently perceived, and identify the leadership patterns they want to intentionally strengthen moving forward. Through guided reflection and discussion, this session helps participants examine the gap between the legacy they want to create and the behaviors that may unintentionally work against it. Participants will leave with practical insights and small, actionable shifts that support more intentional leadership and long-term impact. This session reframes legacy as something built in ordinary moments through consistency, trust, and intentionality — not something that only exists at the end of a career.

Participants will walk away with:

· A clearer understanding of how legacy is shaped daily

· Insight into the difference between outcomes and lasting impact

· Greater awareness of the behaviors and patterns they are known for

· Reflection on the gap between intention and perception

· One actionable “one-degree shift” they can begin implementing immediately

Personal Leadership & Development Host:

Gina Mahfood

Gina Mahfood is a strategic growth and operations leader with more than 25 years of experience in education, including nearly two decades leading enrollment, student success, partnerships, and organizational transformation initiatives. Throughout her career, she has built and scaled high-performing teams, developed growth strategies, led complex organizational change, and designed student-centered experiences that drive measurable outcomes.

Currently serving in executive leadership within the education technology sector, Gina specializes in connecting strategy to execution. Her expertise spans business operations, enrollment management, customer experience, partnership development, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness. She is known for bringing structure to ambiguity, building systems that scale, and helping organizations translate ambitious visions into practical, sustainable results.

In addition to her leadership work, Gina serves as an On-Call Health & Safety Manager for Study Abroad Association, supporting institutions and students through risk management, incident response, and health and safety considerations across global education programs. This work reflects her commitment to student wellbeing and her ability to navigate complex situations with sound judgment and empathy.

A passionate advocate for leadership development, Gina serves as Thematic Director of Personal Development and Leadership for the Global Leadership League, where she develops and facilitates learning experiences focused on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and authentic leadership. She is also an experienced facilitator, speaker, and mentor who enjoys helping individuals and teams unlock their potential and achieve meaningful growth.

Gina holds a Master's degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and has served in leadership and advisory capacities across higher education, international education, education technology, and workforce development. Her professional approach combines data-driven decision making with a deep commitment to people, culture, and purpose.

Whether leading organizational change, building strategic partnerships, managing critical student support situations, coaching emerging leaders, or developing innovative solutions, Gina is driven by a simple belief: meaningful impact happens when people, strategy, and execution align.

Co-Host:

Amy Henry, Executive Director Office of Global Education, Georgia Tech

Amy Henry leads Georgia Tech’s Office of International Education (OIE), which collaborates with faculty and staff across the institution to broaden and deepen comprehensive internationalization. OIE spans education abroad, international student and scholar services, and on-campus internationalization. Amy is also involved in campus-wide work such as co-founding the Provost’s Employee Engagement Council, and serving as a certified Bold and Inclusive Conversation Facilitator. Amy serves international and higher education through volunteer leadership in professional organizations such as the Executive Committee of the Global Leadership League and the planning committee for the Annual Colloquium on International Engineering Education. Amy is an alumna of the College of William and Mary (B.A. Sociology) and Georgia Tech (M.S. International Affairs).