Our Team

Executive Director

Jodi joined the organization in 2016 following nearly two decades in international community development work, with a focus on human rights and social justice. She previously worked as communications director for an international network of local community organizations, as a community organizer for a theatre redevelopment project, and also spent several years at a large foundation, among other roles. Jodi has expanded our team and programs, also taking on other community leadership roles. From Canada, Jodi has a degree from Stanford University, focused on health in the global south. She has visited some 20 countries, both through her work and general interest in cultural immersion and exchange.

Program Manager

Emma joined Global Ties Kalamazoo in June 2023 after serving as project coordinator on a university program designed to help people learn how to respectfully and productively communicate across political and social divides. She is a two time graduate of Western Michigan University and has conducted research on self-determination of states, immigration and citizenship policies and the impacts of decolonization, as well as global bilingualism and Spanish and Latin American literature. She is passionate about voter education, immigrant rights and language accessibility among other things, and finds ways to engage with the community around these topics whenever possible.

Social Media and Storytelling Specialist

Beth is an award-winning poet, non-fiction writer, and journalist who first came to Kalamazoo in 1992 to study journalism at WMU and remained thereafter working as a community journalist at the Kalamazoo Gazette and other local and regional publications. A lifelong volunteer, Beth co-founded Midland High School’s first chapter of Amnesty International and has continued to aggressively pursue human rights causes throughout her life. Beth volunteered as marketing consultant for Feed the Fight Kalamazoo, a 100 percent volunteer-run community effort that raised over $100,000 and provided more than 10,000 meals from local restaurants for frontline workers from 2020-21 (Global Ties Kalamazoo served as fiduciary sponsor for this project). Exploring both her backyard and the world and nurturing inclusivity and community mean everything to Beth.

Intern

Sofia is a Sophomore at Western Michigan University, currently majoring in Criminal Justice Studies and minoring in Spanish. She regularly volunteers for the Honors College in addition to other organizations. One of her most rewarding efforts was at the Michigan Voting Student Summit where she enabled and encouraged young people to vote. Her passion for social justice and her belief in the power of exchange has led her to Global Ties Kalamazoo. The skills gained through this internship will enable her to make a difference in society. She hopes to foster new connections and relationships through this exciting opportunity. Sofia is also moved by music and the arts.

CIP-IJAB TraX program fellow

Alberta is a German CIP-IJAB fellow with Global Ties Kalamazoo on the TraX program from Sept 2 through to Oct. 25 2024. In Germany, Alberta works for Experiment e.V., Germany’s oldest non-profit exchange organization. As assistant head of the “Schulbesuch in Deutschland” (High School Visit) inbound department, she works with her team to ensure that international host students and their host families have a memorable time in Germany.

During her time in Kalamazoo, Alberta will be immersed in the work of Global Ties Kalamazoo and the impact of international exchange on the community, while also sharing her knowledge and ideas from her experience on managing the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program for Experiment e.V. in Germany. 

In her free time, Alberta enjoys sports (soccer). She also enjoys time alone with an exciting book or movie.