探花楼

Staff Directory

Questions about whom to contact? Please see the Contact Directory.

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Tammy Aagard

Managing Consultant
探花楼 Consulting
Business Development Division


Tammy provides direct consulting services to client institutions, and solicits and follows-up on inquiries from prospective clients.

Business Development Division

aagardt@aacrao.org

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Quintina Barnett Gallion

Associate Executive Director
Strategy & Planning Division
202-355-1052


Quintina is the executive lead responsible for 探花楼's position in the field of higher education administrators. She synchronizes all association staff, activities, and offerings to fulfill 探花楼's five strategic goals.

Strategy & Planning Division

gallionq@aacrao.org

 


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Joseph Beam

Director, Marketing and Communications
Strategy & Planning Division
202-355-1043


Joseph works across association departments to develop and execute strategic communications and marketing plans that support the association’s mission, engagement, and revenue goals while maintaining brand and messaging consistency.

Strategy & Planning Division

beamj@aacrao.org


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Michael Bilfinger

Assistant Director Public Policy
Research & Policy Division
202-263-0297


Mike directs ongoing monitoring and analysis of federal legislative and regulatory developments, emerging issues, and trends to determine the potential impact on 探花楼 members. Additionally, Mike serves as editor of 探花楼 Transcript.

Research & Policy Division

bilfingerm@aacrao.org

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Brittany Brown

Associate Director
IT and Business Operations
Operations Division
202-263-0295


Brittany helps manage the Association's IT systems. She evaluates business processes, anticipating requirements, uncovering areas for improvement, and developing and implementing solutions for each department.

Operations Division

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Drew Carlisle

Assistant Director
EDGE Development
Research & Policy Division
202-355-1063


Drew provides customer service, refines and standardizes EDGE content, and manages projects that anchor 探花楼 EDGE's position as an authoritative guide on comparative international education from a US perspective.

Research & Policy Division

carlisled@aacrao.org

 


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Tina DeNeen, Ed.D.

Associate Executive Director
Education & Member Development Division
202-263-0288


Dr. DeNeen is the executive lead responsible for professional development and content delivery with a focus on strategic plan alignment, and maintains overall responsibility for the activities in the EMD Division.

Education & Member Development

deneent@aacrao.org


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Paulina Duque

Communications Coordinator
Strategy & Planning Division
202-355-1052


Paulina Duque is the communication coordinator. She helps coordinate, manage, and design 探花楼’s social media content. She is also responsible for editing and scheduling a variety of 探花楼 e-blasts and newsletters.

Strategy & Planning Division

duquep@aacrao.org


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Becky Fowkes

Director
Meetings & Events
Education & Member Development Division


Becky leads and manages logistics related to the execution of 探花楼 meetings and events, including contracting and sourcing meeting venues, registration process design, marketing, and materials procurement.

Education & Member Development Division

fowkesb@aacrao.org

 


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Julia Funaki

Director
International
Research & Policy Division
202-355-1054


Julia directs the international department, provides visibility of 探花楼 to the global higher education community, and oversees the Electronic Database for Global Education and the Law School Admissions Council service lines.

Research & Policy Division

funakij@aacrao.org

 


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William Gil

Senior Director
Government Relations
Research & Policy Division
202-355-1080


Bill manages and implements 探花楼’s public policy agenda and oversees federal government relations, legislative, policy and regulatory matters impacting the 探花楼 membership.

Research & Policy Division

gilw@aacrao.org


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Jody Gordon

Managing Consultant
探花楼 Consulting
Business Development Division


Jody provides direct consulting services to client institutions, develops and executes training programs, contributes research and knowledge to the profession, and  assists with partnerships with companies and agencies.

Business Development Division

gordonj@aacrao.org

 


Melanie Gottlieb

Melanie Gottlieb

Executive Director
Board & Governance Division
202-355-1055


Melanie is responsible for ensuring the association's operations (to include staff, infrastructure, products, and services) are in alignment to carry out the mission according to the strategic direction of the 探花楼 Board of Directors.

Board & Governance Division  

gottliebm@aacrao.org

 


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Charles Hahn

Director
Information Technology
Operations Division
202-263-0291


Charles manages the IT team to tackle all 探花楼's technical needs for the present and future, including AMS management, cybersecurity, systems integration, project management, and hardware.

Operations Division

hanc@aacrao.org


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Martha Henebry

Associate Executive Director
Operations Division
202-263-0285


Martha is the executive lead for operations and membership at 探花楼. She oversees member acquisition and systems management and implementation. She also coordinates the organization's IT, Accounting, and HR departments. 

Operations Division 

henebrym@aacrao.org

 


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Dr. Kelli Hickey

Associate Director, Data Visualization
Strategy & Planning Division
202-355-1041


Kelli prepares, analyzes, and documents reports for management and various stakeholders across the association.

Strategy & Planning Division 

hickeyk@aacrao.org

 


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Tiffany Hsu

Executive Assistant & Board Liaison
Board & Governance Division
202-263-0290


Tiffany facilitates the coordination of scheduling and the communication between the Executive Team and board members.

Board & Governance Division 

hsut@aacrao.org

 


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Malenah Hunter

Associate Director
Membership & Awards
Operations Division
202-355-1098


Malenah is responsible for managing the 探花楼 Jobs service in addition to the annual awards program. She also facilitates the planning for the annual membership renewal campaign and assists with general operations.

Operations Division

malenahh@aacrao.org 

 


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Natalia Jimenez

Associate Director
Exhibits & Events
Education & Member Development Division
202-263-0287

Natalia is the primary point of contact for companies and organizations purchasing exhibit space or paid presentations at 探花楼 meetings.

Education & Member Development Division

jimenezn@aacrao.org


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Chris Kalavsky

Director, Corporate Partnerships
Business Development Division
202-293-9161


Chris is responsible for the association's corporate memberships, sponsorship across 探花楼's event, research and product inventory, and manages yearly or longer term corporate partnerships/agreements across 探花楼's various departments.

Business Development Division

kalavskyc@aacrao.org

 


Dale King

Senior Fellow
Education & Member Development


Dale is a leading authority on student privacy law and has 13 years of experience administering the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).

Research & Policy Division

kingd@aacrao.org


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Alex Lojko

Director
Membership & Operations
Operations Division
202-355-1053


Alex oversees the Membership and Operations team and coordinates the retention of over 11,000 existing members, the recruitment of new members, as well as drafting membership policy to align with 探花楼's strategic plan.

Operations Division

lojkoa@aacrao.org


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Wendy Kilgore, Ph.D.

Senior Director, Research
Research & Policy Division
202-355-1066


Dr. Kilgore leads 探花楼's research agenda, providing valuable insights into issues that impact the professionals and learners that our members serve.

Research & Policy Division

wendyk@aacrao.org

 


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Matt MacIntire 

Associate Director
Information Technology
Operations Division
202-355-1074


Matt assists the IT team in strategizing, policy-making, standardization, and providing guidance in managing 探花楼's core systems.

Operations Division

mattm@aacrao.org

 


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Orlando Mayorga

Assistant Director
Membership & Operations
Operations Division
202-263-0284


Orlando serves as the primary customer service contact for 探花楼 members, assisting with renewal and member maintenance projects and general operations.

Operations Division

mayorgao@aacrao.org

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David Mihalyi

Associate Director, International
Research & Policy Division
202-293-9161


David manages 探花楼’s contracted partnership with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), provides training and guidance for remote evaluation staff, and contributes expertise to EDGE, while serving as an ex-officio member of 探花楼’s International Education Standards Council (IESC).

Research & Policy Division 

mihalyid@aacrao.org

 


Marisella Reyes

Coordinator
Education & Member
Development Division
(202) 355-1047


Marisella provides administrative support to the AED, EMD and cross-divisional assistance to the departments within EMD.

Education & Member Development Division

reyesm@aacrao.org

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LeRoy Rooker

Senior Fellow
Education & Member Development Division
202-355-1059


LeRoy is the nation’s leading authority on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). 

Research & Policy Division 

FERPA@aacrao.org

 


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Belma Sadikovic, EdD

Coordinator
Content and Curriculum
Education & Member Development Division
202-355-1069


Belma assists in the management, design, and production of 探花楼’s on-demand courses/micro-credentials and manages all webinar related activities.

Education & Member Development Division

sadikovicb@aacrao.org

 


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Paige Selman Boucher

Community & Volunteer Manager
Impact & Engagement
Strategy & Planning Division
202-355-1043


Paige manages member-driven networks. She encourages collaboration throughout the membership empowering 探花楼 professionals to leverage resources, professional functions, and personal identities.

Strategy & Planning Division

selmanboucherp@aacrao.org

 


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Mike Simmons, Ph.D.

Associate Executive Director
Business Development & Strategic Partnerships Division


Dr. Simmons is the executive lead responsible for leading the consulting, corporate partnerships and grants teams in creating and maintaining valuable strategic relationships and creating resource opportunities that allow 探花楼 to meet strategic goals and serve our members.

Business Development Division 

simmonsm@aacrao.org

 


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Michael Sisson

Associate Director
Content and Curriculum
Education & Member Development Division
202-355-1069


Mike supports the management, production, and delivery of all 探花楼 programming in the professional proficiencies, including faculty-led courses, on-demand courses, institutional FERPA training and SEM-EP, as well as virtual events like Tech Transfer.

Education & Member Development Division

sissonm@aacrao.org

 


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Nicole Spero Cunnick

Director
Consulting Operations
Business Development Division
202-355-1049


Nicole directs all operational aspects of 探花楼 Consulting's services as well as managing consultant activities, and contributing to the development of strategic department initiatives such as marketing, new business lines, and recruiting consultant expertise.

Business Development Division

speron@aacrao.org

 


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Annetta Stroud

Director
Content & Curriculum
Education & Member Development Division
202-355-1064


Annetta oversees the development and implementation of 探花楼's adult education strategy and offerings to include faculty recruitment and training, and leads the C&C department in the design of custom training modules.

Education & Member Development Division

strouda@aacrao.org

 


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Autumn Walden

Content Strategy Manager
Strategy & Planning
Communications & Marketing Division
202-355-1046


Autumn is the lead storyteller, transforming 探花楼’s industry-leading work into a consistent voice.

Strategy & Planning Division

waldena@aacrao.org

 


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Erika M. Watts

Assistant Director
Meetings & Events
Education & Member Development Division
202-263-0286


Erika provides operational support and is the primary contact for conference and event registration customer service inquiries.

Education & Member Development Division

wattse@aacrao.org

 


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Heather Zimar

Managing Editor, Journals and Publications


Heather is responsible for the management, design, and production through all levels of 探花楼 publications and journals. Heather also manages publication inventory, sales and distribution.

Education & Member Development Division

zimarh@aacrao.org

 


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External shot of the U.S. Capitol building.

Government Relations Update on 2024 U.S. Election Impact and Insights on Priorities

Nov 25, 2024

Learn what the 探花楼 Government Relations team is working on related to the U.S. Election, FVT/GE, and more.

Photograph of long-time 探花楼 staff member Michele Sandlin

Long-time 探花楼 Member, Board Member, and Consultant Retires

Jun 12, 2023

探花楼 Staff member, Michele Sandlin, discusses her upcoming retirement and what she'll be focusing on in the coming years.

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Introducing 探花楼鈥檚 Interim Executive Director, Melanie Gottlieb

Mar 9, 2021

Gottlieb to serve as Interim Executive Director beginning May 1

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探花楼 Executive Director search update

Feb 23, 2021

Candidate to be announced before the 2021 (106th) 探花楼 Annual Meeting.

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Meet Joseph Beam, 探花楼鈥檚 new Marketing Coordinator

Feb 23, 2021

Help us welcome him to our team.

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探花楼 approves new Strategic Plan

Jan 25, 2021

Next step: develop strategies and tactics.

zoomed in headshot of Anita Nuñez Cepollaro

Meet Anita Nuñez Cepollaro, 探花楼鈥檚 new Director of Corporate Partnerships

Jan 11, 2021

Help us welcome her to the team.

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3 goodbye lessons: On becoming a statistic, and embracing it

Dec 12, 2020

Connect editor Brooke Barnett says goodbye to 探花楼.

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Update on 探花楼鈥檚 Strategic Planning process

Sep 5, 2020

New 10-year plan to be released in the coming months.

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探花楼 staff to present on international credential evaluation at TAICEP

Sep 5, 2020

Conference to be held virtually in October.

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Meet Jonathan Cao-Nguyen, new International Educational News Content Curator for EDGE

Sep 5, 2020

Researching and documenting education news from around the world.

1987 photo of Ed Devlin

In memory of Edward Devlin

Jul 25, 2020

Ed鈥檚 groundbreaking work and advocacy enriched 探花楼 and higher education.

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8 tips for keeping your team connected from the home office

Mar 23, 2020

Remote work is the new normal, but physical distancing doesn鈥檛 have to mean social isolation.

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探花楼 welcomes Tina DeNeen as Associate Executive Director

Mar 17, 2019

The University Registrar, basketball aficionado, and long-time 探花楼 volunteer will become the new AED of Meetings and Partnerships on May 1.

female holds two sticks, one in either hand, while posing on a hill overlooking a body of water and trees

探花楼鈥檚 Janie Barnett to retire in 2019

Oct 29, 2018

After nearly 50 years in service to higher education, the Associate Executive Director and 鈥渉eart of 探花楼鈥 is ready for her next adventure.

Photo of William Gil smiling.

探花楼 welcomes William Gil as the Director of Government Relations

Feb 7, 2017

探花楼's seat at the table with the presidential administration and Congress.

Headshot of Melanie Gottlieb.

Meet the 探花楼 Staff: Melanie Gottlieb, Deputy Director

Aug 25, 2015

Melanie talks about the transition from institution to association and confesses to "a serious book habit."

Meet the 探花楼 Staff: Nicole Spero, Assoc. Dir. of Consulting

Mar 23, 2015

She oversees the task flow of consulting projects -- and has been known to frequent throwback 80s parties.

Meet the Staff: Heather Zimar, Managing Editor, C&U and SEM Quarterly

Mar 17, 2015

Meet 探花楼's resident polo fan, yogini and C&U wordsmith.

Meet the 探花楼 Staff: Dr. Tom Green, Associate Executive Director, Consulting and SEM

Jan 13, 2015

探花楼's art and theater enthusiast, classical musician and practicing SEM doctor.

Meet the Staff: Julia Funaki, Associate Director, International Education Services

Dec 2, 2014

This issue, promenade with avid reader, chef and practiced square dancer Julia Funaki.

Meet the Staff: Charles Han, Assistant Director of Information Technology

Oct 21, 2014

Meety 探花楼's resident IT guru, pool shark, and dance pro!

Meet the 探花楼 Staff: Michelle Cormier Mott

Oct 23, 2013

Meet the 探花楼 Staff: Natalia Jimenez -- Asst. Director, Marketing and Exhibits

Oct 22, 2013