Plenary Panels & Speakers
Plenary Speakers
Speakers are subject to change.
Fanta Aw, PhD
NAFSA Executive Director and CEO
Fanta Aw, PhD, is the executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the world’s largest international education association, with over 10,000 members in 140+ countries. She previously served as NAFSA’s president from 2013 to 2016.
A thought leader in internationalization, educational exchange, DEI, student success, and global policy, Dr. Aw is a frequent keynote speaker and advocate for innovation in higher education. She emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership, empathy, and human-centered approaches in an AI-driven world.
Dr. Aw spent over 30 years at American University (AU) in Washington, D.C., where she earned her BS, MA, and PhD. She held key leadership roles, including vice president of undergraduate enrollment, campus life, and inclusive excellence, and was honored with the Neil Kerwin Alumni Achievement Award in 2023.
She currently serves on several international boards, including World Education Services (WES), Times Higher Ed’s International Advisory Board, and The Alliance for International Exchange. Born in Mali and raised across Africa and the U.S., Dr. Aw has visited over 70 countries and is a recognized voice in global media on international education.
Kat Duffy
Sr. Fellow for Digital & Cyberspace Policy, Council on Foreign Relations
Kat Duffy is a senior fellow for digital and cyberspace policy at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), with over two decades of experience at the intersection of emerging technology, democracy, corporate responsibility, and human rights.
Previously, she directed the Task Force for a Trustworthy Future Web at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab, leading the publication of Scaling Trust on the Web. As founder and CEO of RightsDuff Strategies, she advised governments, companies, and nonprofits on embedding social responsibility and human rights into technology practices.
Her earlier career includes leadership at the U.S. Department of State and in the nonprofit sector, managing over $100 million in global programs supporting democracy, digital rights, and cybersecurity partnerships in emerging markets. She began her international work in Colombia with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Duffy has served on the boards of the Global Network Initiative and Atlas Corps, and as an expert advisor to the World Economic Forum’s “Partnering with Civil Society in the Fourth Industrial Revolution” initiative. She has lectured at Yale, Stanford, and Georgetown on technology and policy innovation.
A graduate of Yale University (BA) and the University of Michigan Law School (JD), where she was a Darrow Scholar and Bates Fellow, Duffy has lived and worked in Colombia, Cuba, South Africa, and Tunisia, and is fluent in Spanish.
Khadija Ghazi
VP of Innovation and Development, Draper University
Khadija Ghazi builds technology ecosystems through strategic global partnerships. She focuses on emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and risk capital while advancing workforce development and bridging the digital divide. Her work centers on creating ecosystems that drive innovation, expand economic opportunity, and make access to transformative technologies more equitable.
Industry Insights Informing Student Programming
● Emerging Technologies: Artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other frontier technologies shaping the global economy.
● Entrepreneurial Mindset and Innovation Skills: Cultivating creative problem-solving, agility, and leadership.
● Risk Capital and Venture Creation Education: Understanding investment dynamics, startup growth, and venture strategy.
Basil Khalil
Vice President of Operations, LatAm & Caribbean
Basil Khalil is the Vice-president of Operations for FedEx Express Latin America and Caribbean Division. Based in Miami, Khalil manages a diverse team of more than 1,400 operations personnel that work in the CCA Region. The CCA Region consists of 39 countries and territories located in the Caribbean and Central America.
Khalil joined FedEx Express in 1997 as a financial analyst for the Financial Planning and Analysis department, where he was quickly promoted for leading a corporate-wide initiative to identify international growth strategies. As a manager, he was responsible for implementing the global cash handling and control system and rolling-out electronic invoicing in the Caribbean. As a managing director, Khalil had responsibility for all aspects of IT software development, telecommunications, and network engineering for the Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) Division. Prior to his most recent role, Khalil had responsibilities for Planning, Engineering, Quality & Supply Chain for the Division.
He has been honored five times with the FedEx Five Star Award, the highest recognition bestowed on employees who demonstrate leadership, creativity, superior performance, and distinguished efforts in support of FedEx customers. In addition, Khalil was named to South Florida Business Journal’s 2013 prestigious list of ’40 Under 40’.
Prior to joining FedEx, he served as an operations analyst and senior systems analyst at Ryder Systems Inc. and later Ryder TRS.
Khalil earned a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Miami and is a current member of the University of Miami President’s Council. He serves on the Miami-Dade Beacon Council’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, under the Private Sector Director/Treasurer Board category, and he is also a member of the Officers Cabinet.
Francesca de Quesada Covey
VP/Community Impact, Knight Foundation
Francesca de Quesada Covey, known as Cesi, is a nationally recognized leader in technology, economic development, and public innovation. With over 15 years of cross-sector experience, she has advanced inclusive growth and helped solve complex societal challenges.
Most recently, she served as Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer for Miami-Dade County, leading efforts that grew non-tax revenue, attracted investment, supported small businesses, and launched a countywide scholarship program for high school graduates.
Cesi co-founded and serves as Regional Innovation Officer for the ClimateReady Tech Hub, one of 12 national tech hubs designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce. She also co-founded the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority, a first-of-its-kind public-private platform investing in startups addressing civic challenges.
Previously, she served in the Obama White House and led business development for payments and connectivity at Meta. She was also a venture investor at TheVentureCity.
Francesca holds degrees from Columbia University and Sciences Po in Paris. A daughter of Cuban immigrants, she lives in Miami-Dade with her husband and two daughters.
Matthew Hughes
CEO of the World Affairs Councils of America
Matthew Hughes is the president and CEO of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA), where he leads a national network of 90 nonpartisan councils working to deepen global understanding across U.S. communities. He previously served as executive director of the International Relations Council in Kansas City, where he expanded programming, partnerships, and public engagement in international affairs.
With a background in education, nonprofit leadership, and association management, Matthew began his career as a K–12 educator before transitioning to global education initiatives at People to People International. He is a frequent moderator and contributor on topics including international engagement, civic learning, and nonprofit strategy.
Matthew holds master’s degrees from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Kansas, is a Certified Association Executive, and was named a Forty Under 40 honoree by Association Forum. He has lived abroad, traveled extensively, and is fluent in Spanish and conversational in Portuguese.
Angela Schaffer
Executive Director, Fund for Education Abroad
Angela (Angie) Schaffer is an international educator, grants professional, and entrepreneur. A first-generation college graduate from Baltimore City, she earned a B.A. in International Relations from Goucher College and an M.A. in International Education Policy. Her career includes leadership roles at Goucher, Cultural Vistas, and TPG Cultural Exchange, with a focus on global engagement and program development.
Angie’s work emphasizes access and inclusion for underrepresented students, particularly those from urban areas. She has championed scholarships for study abroad and authored articles on experiential learning. She has led programs and workshops in Japan, India, and South Africa, and co-led a 2019 Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad to Rwanda and Mauritius for Baltimore-area educators.
She is the founder of A2Z Ventures, an international education and consulting firm supporting nonprofits with grant writing, strategic planning, and intercultural training. Angie also co-founded Red Wagon Baltimore, a childcare collective, and served as Vice President of Communications and Outreach for BMore Abroad. She is a graduate of the Moms as Entrepreneurs Academy and lives in Baltimore with her family.
Jesús Rosario
Senior Partnerships Director, Coursera
Jesús Rosario is a Sr. Partnerships Manager at Coursera, where he applies integrated business development strategies to increase global access to world-class education. He plays a critical role in building Coursera’s Business to University offering and partnerships, working across the organization to ensure Coursera’s growth and long-term success. He’s been in the education industry for over 14 years.
Prior to Coursera, Jesús worked at QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a leading global higher education company, where he advised higher education leaders across North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia on institutional development, rankings, recruitment, branding, and marketing.
Adrienne Jacobs
Assistant Director and Head of Advocacy and Government Relations
Adrienne Jacobs joined the Alliance as Assistant Director and Head of Advocacy and Government Relations in 2024 after nearly seven years of work on the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders at IREX. Prior to the Fellowship, Adrienne worked for two years on the Senate Budget Committee for then Ranking Member Senator Bernard Sanders. She excels at program and government relations, partnership building, and strategic planning, and is eager to use her combined experience and expertise in her role at the Alliance.
Adrienne has a bachelor’s in International Relations and Diplomacy from Schiller International University and a master’s in Peace Research and Security Policy from the University of Hamburg, both in Germany where she studied abroad.
Dr. Hilary Landorf
Assistant Vice President for Global Learning Initiatives, FIU
Dr. Hilary Landorf is the Assistant Vice President of Global Learning Initiatives at Florida International University. The Office of Global Learning oversees FIU’s university-wide initiative, Global Learning, a national model that together with other internationalization efforts earned FIU the NAFSA 2021 Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization, the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ 2019 Gold Award for Global Learning, Research, and Engagement, and the Institute of International Education’s 2016 Heiskell Award for Internationalizing the Campus. She is an Associate Professor with the School of Education and Human Development in the department of Educational Policy Studies specializing in International Higher Education. In 2020, she was selected as a founding member of the National Academy of International Education. Hilary is a Fulbright Scholar Program alumna (France, 2021) and is currently on the Fulbright Specialist Program roster.
Hilary’s expertise centers on visioning, developing, implementing, and assessing the policies and practices of global learning efforts in higher education. She has written, consulted, and presented internationally on integrating global learning into higher education. Hilary’s latest book is Making Global Learning Universal, co-authored with Drs. Stephanie Doscher and Jaffus Hardrick, and co-published by Stylus Press and NAFSA. She holds a Ph.D. in International Education from New York University, an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Virginia, and a B.A. with Honors in English from Stanford University.
Rodrick Miller
President and CEO, Miami-Dade Beacon Council
Rodrick Miller is one of the nation’s leading economic development professionals, recognized for his ability to craft strategies that create lasting value for communities and investors. He has worked in more than 10 countries and helped attract over $6 billion in private investment, generating more than 50,000 jobs. His people-centered approach to economic growth focuses on leveraging local assets and driving strategic capital into communities.
Miller currently serves as President and CEO of Miami-Dade County’s official economic development organization. There, he leads efforts to attract and retain high-value employers, develop workforce solutions, and promote inclusive growth. He positions Miami as a competitive, global business hub by aligning public and private sector priorities.
He has led recovery and revitalization efforts in New Orleans, Detroit, and Puerto Rico during some of their most difficult periods, including natural disasters and financial crises. His work in these places centered on building inclusive economies, strengthening competitiveness, and driving transformative investment. His expertise spans real estate and infrastructure, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and foreign direct investment.
He holds a Master of Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, a B.S. in International Business from St. Augustine’s College, and a Graduate Diploma in Finance from ITESM in Mexico as a Fulbright Fellow. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at Harvard’s Taubman Center.
Miller has spoken at events hosted by Google, AIG, and the World Bank, and lectured at several top universities. He sits on multiple boards and has advised agencies including the Federal Reserve and the White House. His honors include the Harvard Kennedy School Distinguished Alumni Award and Young Economic Developer of the Year.
Johnny Taylor
CEO, Society for Human Resources Management
Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, is President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest HR association, representing nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries and impacting the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families.
A global authority on the future of work, culture, and leadership, Mr. Taylor is a sought-after voice on workplace issues, frequently testifying before Congress and writing the weekly USA Today column, Ask HR. He has been recognized as one of the “300 Most Influential Executives in Corporate America” (Savoy), named to the “Virginia 500: Power List” (Virginia Business), and listed among the “Most Influential People Shaping Public Policy” (Washingtonian).
With over 20 years of leadership experience, his career spans legal, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. He has held senior roles at IAC/InteractiveCorp, Paramount Pictures, Blockbuster, McGuireWoods, Compass Group USA, and served as President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Mr. Taylor is the author of the national bestseller RESET: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval, a Wall Street Journal top-three business book. He serves on the corporate boards of XPO Logistics, Flores HR, and Guild Education, and previously on the White House American Workforce Policy Advisory Board.
Named a 2023 WBC Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity, Mr. Taylor has also received the Academy of Management’s Distinguished Executive of the Year Award and CEO Update’s Professional Society CEO of the Year. A Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources, he is licensed to practice law in Florida, Illinois, and Washington, D.C.
Clinton white
Founder and CEO, Counselor Global Solutions
Founder & President with more than 25 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Foreign Service. Rose to the prestigious rank of Career Minister of the Senior Foreign Service and Agency Counselor for USAID. He is a trusted advisor to a wide network of government bodies, NGOs, venture capitalists, and business associations.
In this role, he worked in an organization that included a vast $38+ billion portfolio spanning over 90 countries demonstrating his ability to guide large-scale international development, trade, and security initiatives.
Clinton brings a unique combination of policy credentials, diplomatic insight, and private-sector savvy. His career spans leadership in economic and national security, global supply-chain resilience, and mission-driven trade. He draws on strong relationships with organizations like the National Business League and connections in the venture-capital space—creating powerful opportunities for companies seeking to scale globally.
Clinton founded Counselor Global Solutions to serve as a preeminent partner for American and international clients navigating complex global markets. He leads with a commitment to compliance, ethical diplomacy, and hands-on guidance—from structuring trade deals and investment pipelines to building the capacity of entrepreneurs and supporting trade missions.
Sarah Yager
Human Rights Watch
Sarah Yager is the Washington Director at Human Rights Watch, and leads the organization’s engagement with the United States government on global human rights issues. Prior to joining Human Rights Watch, she was the first senior advisor on human rights in the Chairman’s Office at The Joint Staff of the U.S. Department of Defense and, prior, served as deputy chief of staff for policy at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations under Ambassador Samantha Power. For nearly a decade Sarah was executive director of Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), leading efforts to advise warring parties on civilian protection and responsible use of force. She has worked extensively with the U.S. military and its allies in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, CAR, Burma, and elsewhere.
Sarah was a member of the Clinton Administration’s White House AIDS Policy team, a senior associate at West Wing Writers, and consulted for Human Rights Watch, Ford Foundation, the William J. Clinton Foundation, and International Committee of the Red Cross. She was a senior fellow on security issues at Open Society Foundations and the U.S. Institute of Peace. Sarah holds degrees from Georgetown and Columbia Universities, is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a board director at Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.
Sarah Spreitzer
Vice President and Chief of Staff, Government Relations
Sarah Spreitzer represents ACE and its members on matters related to research policy and funding, federal policy, international students, immigration, and legislative issues.
Before joining ACE, Spreitzer held senior positions in higher education advocacy at the University of Missouri System, Lewis-Burke Associates LLC, and the University of Washington’s Office of Federal Relations. At the University of Missouri System, she served as the director of federal relations, working to connect system and campus leadership, as well as faculty and staff, with congressional offices and key science and education agencies to influence federal policy, inform the university of federal opportunities, and position the university within emerging federal initiatives. At Lewis-Burke, she represented an array of public and private institutions of higher education before Congress and the federal agencies, including the University of Illinois System, the University of Southern California, the University of Virginia, and the University of Cincinnati. Before coming to Lewis-Burke, Spreitzer served as the assistant director of the University of Washington’s Office of Federal Relations, where she focused on federal student aid policy and funding, and advocacy efforts with federal science agencies.
Spreitzer has held leadership positions within the higher education community, including chairing working groups on higher education for the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU. In addition, she has served as the vice chair of the AAU Council on Federal Relations steering committee and the co-chair of the APLU Council of Government Affairs.
Spreitzer received a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Beloit College in Wisconsin and a master’s degree in medieval studies from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. She is a founding board member of the Creative Minds International Public Charter School, a growing charter school in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC.
Sam Vaghar
Millennium Campus Network
Sam Vaghar (he/him) is a social entrepreneur committed to helping young people own their voice and power to make a difference. With over 15 years of impact co-founding and leading Millennium Campus Network (MCN), Sam has helped launch the Millennium Fellowship: a student movement for the UN Sustainable Development Goals at 280 campuses worldwide. Sam has given talks at over 100 institutions worldwide, including at Harvard University, MIT, the White House, the United Nations, the Vatican, and on speaking tours across four nations for the U.S. Department of State. In addition, Sam has served on multiple Boards, including serving as an Advisor to the Executive Director of UN Women.
Sam earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2008 from Brandeis University and a Master in Public Administration (MPA) Degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 2021. During his studies at Harvard, Sam was selected as a Gleitsman Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership. Sam has received two Honorary Degrees and also served as Commencement Speaker at Monmouth College in 2020. His work, writing, and contributions have been spotlighted by The Boston Globe, CNN, Fast Company, and more publications.
Natalia Zea
Chief Public Policy & Engagement Officer, The Children's Trust
Natalia Zea serves as Chief Public Policy & Community Engagement Officer for The Children’s Trust, utilizing two decades of experience in government administration, community engagement, journalism, public affairs, and resource development. In this role she oversees two incredible teams of dedicated professionals in the areas of public policy, community engagement, and communications.
Previously, she has held various leadership roles in the public sector, serving as Chief of Staff to Miami-Dade County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, proudly serving the residents of District 8. She also served as District Director of Communications for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), the fourth largest school district in the nation and as M-DCPS Director of Community Engagement, where she worked to strategically implement and maintain long-standing and high-value partnerships between the school system and corporations, small businesses, government entities, funders, community-based organizations, and community leaders.
Before making the move to public service, Natalia worked as a television news reporter and anchor, focusing on both investigative stories and general assignments stories – covering everything from government to crime to positive community impact. She spent 10 years at CBS Miami, where she worked to give the viewer action steps they could take after seeing a powerful story. Natalia earned a bachelor’s degree (BS) in journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder and an executive Master of Public Administration from Florida International University.
She is a mother of two and strongly believes ensuring equitable access to safe environments, health resources, and education and workforce opportunities for all children and teens is the key to making Miami-Dade a better community.