Our team

At Legacy International, we believe in the values that inspire people to serve, lead, and improve the lives of others. We are committed to training, equipping, and guiding individuals to create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.   We foster an environment where every employee has the opportunity to thrive based on their talents and hard work.

Leadership Team

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Shanti Thompson

Executive Vice President
With over 40 years of experience, Ms. Thompson plays a pivotal role in strategic program design, funding development, and financial oversight at Legacy.

Shanti Thompson

Shanti Thompson, Executive Vice President of Legacy International, plays a pivotal role in strategic program design, funding development, and financial oversight. With over 40 years of experience, she brings innovation, fiscal responsibility, and accountability to every initiative. Her dedication to education, civic engagement, and uniting communities through shared problem-solving has led to the creation of three published curricula on leadership development, conflict resolution, cross-cultural communication, and civic education. These resources have empowered thousands of young leaders and community influencers, equipping them with the tools to bridge divides, strengthen communities, and drive meaningful change.

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Mary Helmig

Vice President
Ms. Helmig has 35 years of experience in international education, including directing U.S. Department of State Exchange programs, professional development initiatives and youth leadership programs.

Mary Helmig

Ms. Helmig has 35 years of experience in international education, including directing U.S. Department of State Exchange programs, professional development initiatives and youth leadership programs. Her work in Indonesia, Iraq, across the MENA region and with many US Embassies worldwide has addressed topics of workforce development, business innovation for community impact, leadership development, STEM training, and civic education and engagement. Ms. Helmig is involved in the design, funding strategies, and program administration of Legacy’s projects. Mary enjoys cooking for friends and family, walking in nature and gardening.

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Nicole “Nix” Bradly

Human Resources Manager
With a background in Non-Profit Human Resources and Cross-Cultural Psychology and Sociology, Nix aims to embody the Legacy's values of empowerment and peace within her role as a Human Resources Manager.

Nicole “Nix” Bradly

With a background in Non-Profit Human Resources and Cross-Cultural Psychology and Sociology, Nix aims to embody the Legacy's values of empowerment and peace within her role as a Human Resources Manager. Nix was born and raised in metro Atlanta, Georgia, and received her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology at Kennesaw State University. She previously worked in non-profit animal welfare, where she sought to address the industry's mental health crisis through creating an organizational culture of care and compassion. She has carried this philosophy of leading with kindness into her current role at Legacy. She specializes in recruitment, employee relations, and creating a workplace where all employees feel valued and supported. She approaches HR leadership with a servant heart.

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The Team

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Warda Belkass

Youth Leadership Program Associate
Following a high school exchange program in the USA and a university exchange program in Italy, Warda's passion for cultural exchange deepened.

Warda Belkass

Following a high school exchange program in the USA and a university exchange program in Italy, Warda's passion for cultural exchange deepened. After returning to Morocco, she earned her MA in Linguistics and honed her communication skills through diverse work experiences in tourism, education, and retail. Now residing in Florida, Warda continues her academic journey, focusing on human rights practices. Her unique background and passion for cross-cultural understanding position her to be a valuable asset in Legacy's youth leadership programs.

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Nana Bruce-Amanquah

Professional Fellows Program Coordinator
Nana grew up experiencing international education firsthand after attending schools in Ghana, Zimbabwe, Germany, and the US.

Nana Bruce-Amanquah

Nana Bruce-Amanquah grew up experiencing international education and cross-cultural exchange firsthand after attending schools in Ghana, Zimbabwe, Germany, and the US. She now has a BA in International Studies and French from Johns Hopkins University and recently finished an MA in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action from Sciences Po Paris. She has previously worked with the TechGirls team as a Virtual Trainer, application reviewer, and storytelling/social media intern. She also has experience from other organizations in roles focusing on project management, education, and communications.

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Maya Burke

Professional Fellows Program Manager
Maya is committed to expanding educational opportunity through transformative learning experiences.

Maya Burke

Maya is committed to expanding educational opportunity through transformative learning experiences. She holds a B.S. in Global Studies from the University of Minnesota, where she focused on economic advancement and leadership development in the MENA region, along with a minor in French. She also earned an M.A. in International and Comparative Education from George Washington University. Maya’s global experiences reflect her dedication to real-world solutions and community-driven impact. She has worked in sustainable farming in New Zealand, supported anti-human trafficking initiatives in India, and taught English as a second language in France. Prior to joining Legacy International, Maya served as a Program Manager in Washington, D.C., where she worked to expand access to quality education and ensure that schools were equipping students with the skills needed for future success. Beyond her professional work, Maya is an avid runner, having completed her first marathon, and enjoys baking, pottery, paddleboarding, and spending time outdoors with her dog.

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Sarah Cockey

Professional Fellows Program Director
Due to her own experiences as a participant in international exchange in both Panama and Egypt, Sarah is passionate about citizen diplomacy and international exchange.

Sarah Cockey

Due to her own experiences as a participant in international exchange in both Panama and Egypt, Sarah is passionate about citizen diplomacy and how international exchange can contribute to building bridges of peace and understanding across cultures. She is fluent in Spanish and Egyptian Arabic, and holds an M.A. in International Peace Conflict Studies from American University and a B.S. in International Affairs/Political Science from Florida State University. Sarah has previously worked with the Fund for Peace and the International Rescue Committee, and has also worked as a dialogue facilitator, interpreter, and language instructor. She is trained in Eastern Mennonite University's STAR (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience) program and is a trained mediator through the Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County. Sarah is from Spokane, Washington, and in her free time she enjoys dance, reading fiction, and playing the piano.

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Brittany Corn

TechGirls Program Director
Brittany recently returned stateside after teaching English in Spain for the last five years and obtaining a Master’s degree in International Education at the Universidad de Alcalá.

Brittany Corn

Brittany recently returned stateside after teaching English in Spain for the last five years and obtaining a Master’s degree in International Education at the Universidad de Alcalá. Brittany also has experience working in both the legal field and in higher education with international students and scholars. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies: Global Justice and Policy from James Madison University. She enjoys spending time at her parents’ farm, where her closest neighbors are llamas.

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Chelsea Dresen

Youth Leadership Program Director
Chelsea is passionate about fostering connections through education and cultural exchange.

Chelsea Dresen

Chelsea is passionate about fostering connections through education and cultural exchange. She directs the On-Demand Youth Leadership Program at Legacy International and is dedicated to expanding access to cross-cultural programs for young leaders. She has lived and studied in Tanzania and Ghana, gaining firsthand experience in global education. Chelsea holds a Doctor of Education and a Master of Natural Resources with a certificate in Environmental Education (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies (Winona State University). Her research explores ways to expand global learning opportunities in rural schools. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, spending time with her pets, and volunteering at Camp One Step, a nonprofit providing camp experiences for kids with cancer and their families.

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Elena Hoehn

Finance and Contracting Director
Elena brings over 15 years of leadership in financial operations, strategic planning, and nonprofit management.

Elena Hoehn

Elena Hoehn brings over 15 years of leadership in financial operations, strategic planning, and nonprofit management. Prior to joining Legacy International, she served as Executive Director of Financial Operations at New Leaders, where she oversaw a $30M budget, led audits and compliance efforts, and supported organization-wide financial planning. Her career includes senior roles at Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University, with deep expertise in grants management, fiscal policy development, and cross-sector collaboration. Elena holds an MBA from St. John’s University and a BS in Business Administration from Boston University. She is passionate about mission-driven work and brings a thoughtful, values-based approach to financial stewardship.

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Taylor Hudson

TechGirls Program Manager
Taylor is dedicated to educational equity and community engagement.

Taylor Hudson

Taylor is dedicated to educational equity and community engagement. She has previously been an elementary educator in both Las Vegas and Chicago. She has a passion for fostering student growth and development. Over the course of her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in education through various roles in and out of the classroom. She proudly served as an AmeriCorps Corps Member for both Teach For America and City Year. Taylor broadened her educational impact globally by serving as a Team Leader for Inspiring Teachers in Cambodia, Tanzania, and Belize. In this role, she led a team of fellows, conducted in-country teacher training, and ensured program operations ran smoothly. Taylor holds a Master of Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Bachelor of Science in Child, Adult, and Family Services from Iowa State University. Taylor loves weekend camping trips, going on walks, and catching up with friends.

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Maya Metzger

TechGirls Program Coordinator
Maya believes in the power of education to change lives.

Maya Metzger

Maya believes in the power of education to change lives. Her experience teaching English in France inspired a passion for languages, international exchange, and cultural enrichment. She believes that through education we can improve the long-term outcomes for communities around the world and create a future where women and girls can flourish in STEM fields. Maya previously worked with international communities in the Pittsburgh area to expand economic opportunities and pathways to prosperity. Maya has a Masters in Medieval History from the University of St. Andrews and a Bachelors in History from Allegheny College. In her free time, Maya enjoys tending to her sourdough starter, her kombucha scobys, and her many plants.

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Venera Gulshan Mingazova

Grants Manager
Venera first developed a strong sense of devotion for the nonprofit sector while assisting international exchange programs as an interpreter in Kyrgyzstan.

Venera Gulshan Mingazova

Venera first developed a strong sense of devotion for the nonprofit sector while assisting international exchange programs as an interpreter in Kyrgyzstan. She worked closely with Legacy staff on the implementation of the women's leadership development program and LivingSidebySide training in over 30 Kyrgyz schools. Venera plays the vital role of Grants Manager for all ECA programs. Originally from Osh in Kyrgyzstan, Venera received a BA in Teaching English as a foreign language from the Osh State University in Kyrgyzstan and a BA in financial administration from the International University of Entrepreneurship and Law in Russia. Venera now lives in the USA and enjoys the mountains of Virginia.

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Molly Pyle

TechGirls Program Coordinator
Molly is inspired and energized by the ingenuity of young people and believes that global youth education is an important community investment that creates long-term sustainability.

Molly Pyle

Molly is inspired and energized by the ingenuity of young people and believes that global youth education is an important community investment and creates long-term sustainability. She is committed to equipping young women to advance in the STEM fields. Studying abroad and working with international students sparked Molly's passion for cross-cultural education, which led to interning for the Friends of the American University of Afghanistan supporting students in Kabul. Her AmeriCorps service years with City Year allowed her to foster student growth in academic and social-emotional capacities and facilitate projects to benefit school communities amidst COVID-19. Molly holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from Kansas State University, where she was also inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Outside TechGirls responsibilities, she enjoys walking dogs, hiking, and frequenting thrift stores for bargains.

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Mattie Vandel

TechGirls Program Associate
Mattie views international exchange as a vehicle for peacebuilding between people and nations alike.

Mattie Vandel

Mattie views international exchange as a vehicle for peacebuilding between people and nations alike. She has been an international exchange student herself in Germany, South Africa, India, Thailand, and Peru. Outside of studies, her professional background includes working with refugee small business owners at the International Rescue Committee, supporting unhoused communities through AmeriCorps service, and aiding international humanitarian projects in Greece and Guatemala. She holds a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Kansas State University and an M.A. in Global Studies from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Her hobbies include film photography, reading poetry and fiction, learning bass, and spending time with her loved ones.

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Board of Directors

Board Members are alumni and parents, staff, and friends of the organization.

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Carole Armel

Carole Armelis a management consultant specializing in organization development, matrix management systems, and course design including

Carole Armel

Carole Armel is a management consultant specializing in organization development, matrix management systems, and course design including “Creative Thinking/Critical Thinking” developed with Philip Stein. Her clients have included the NASA Space Program, New Jersey Division on Aging, Merrill Lynch, Maryland and Connecticut Hospital Associations, Miami Dade Medical Center Campus, and American Society for Quality. She has been associated with Legacy projects since 1989. Her work has included management consultation, assisting in planning and delivering several projects, grant writing, and developing a task matrix for the Summer Program. She has six children and five grandchildren. A major interest and avocation is gardening and garden design. She is a New Jersey and Florida Master Gardener and has had a garden design and maintenance business.

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Mahavir (Robert) Homsy, Ph.D.

Mahavir (Robert) Homsy, Ph.D. is a retired applied mathematician and electrochemical computational fluid dynamicist.

Mahavir (Robert) Homsy, Ph.D.

Mahavir (Robert) Homsy, Ph.D. is a retired applied mathematician and electrochemical computational fluid dynamicist. The last half of his career was spent applying decision theory in support of US Government policy in the fields of RD portfolio management, arms control, and international security. He worked for various branches of the federal government in Washington, DC., including the Departments of Energy, Defense, and within the Intelligence Community. His spiritual practice is heavily based in Buddhism and various devotional practices. Mahavir has been a student of Ram Das and Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche. 

He and his wife, Maggie, and their two young children spent a year living in the World Community in Bedford following the 2015 loss of all of their possessions in a California wildfire that destroyed 1200 homes, including theirs. No doubt this has been one of the most tangible experiences of impermanence that he will live through in his lifetime. Mahavir and family are living now in St. Helena, CA in the Napa Valley wine country. Among his avocations is a long-standing love of sailing and performing East-Indian music.

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Marlene Ginsberg

Ms. Ginsberg has 35 years non-profit experience, including 20 years directing professional development programs for citizens of Azerbaijan, Belarus, the Republic of Georgia, Kazakhstan

Marlene Ginsberg

Ms. Ginsberg has 35 years non-profit experience, including 20 years directing professional development programs for citizens of Azerbaijan, Belarus, the Republic of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine. Topics included NGO development, religion and society, business development, women’s leadership development, and civic education and engagement. With activities both in the US and in the counterpart country, she has wide travel experience and is fluent in Spanish, conversant in Russian and French. In addition, she has produced two documentaries that have aired on the Discovery Channel.

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Judith Larson

Judith Larson has been a teacher for more than 20 years, teaching in both traditional classrooms and schools using the Montessori Method of

Judith Larson

Judith Larson has been a teacher for more than 20 years, teaching in both traditional classrooms and schools using the Montessori Method of education. She holds a Masters in Education and is certified in the Montessori Method. Judith also has extensive experience in administration. She was the Director of her own Montessori school and was the Human Resources Manager for a rehabilitation clinic where she developed many policies and procedures and served on the executive committee. She has also served as a member of the Blue Ridge Montessori School board.

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Ed Stern

Edward Stern served the U.S. Department of Labor for 40+ years as a senior policy and program analyst. He developed regulations, analyzed enforcement strategies,

Ed Stern

Edward Stern served the U.S. Department of Labor for 40+ years as a senior policy and program analyst. He developed regulations, analyzed enforcement strategies, and innovated methods of compliance assistance. For the last 27 years, in OSHA, he analyzed health and safety risks and regulatory feasibility. He also led teams of scientists, IHs, engineers, doctors, nurses, systems analysts and attorneys from the Department of Labor and the public sector to develop the interactive, diagnostic “OSHA Expert Advisors.” Stern presented a study on bullying at the Labor and Employment Relations Association annual conference in 2007.
He wrote the workplace bullying and psychological aggression chapter of “Halt the Violence” (e-book, Amazon). He studies and writes on workplace bullying, and advises management and labor on this in Federal and state agencies. He is an accepted, expert witness on bullying in arbitration cases. As a retired Fed, he served on the USDOL Workplace Violence Committee from 2014-15 and the USDOL Safety and Security Work Group from 2002-08.

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Shanti Thompson

Shanti Thompson is an executive staff member of Legacy International with more than 40 years experience.

Shanti Thompson

Shanti Thompson, Executive Vice President of Legacy International, plays a pivotal role in strategic program design, funding development, and financial oversight. With over 40 years of experience, she brings innovation, fiscal responsibility, and accountability to every initiative. Her dedication to education, civic engagement, and uniting communities through shared problem-solving has led to the creation of three published curricula on leadership development, conflict resolution, cross-cultural communication, and civic education. These resources have empowered thousands of young leaders and community influencers, equipping them with the tools to bridge divides, strengthen communities, and drive meaningful change. Since 2000, she has served in the positions of Treasurer and Secretary for Legacy.

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Key Advisors

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Leila Baz

As Program Director for various Legacy adult professional exchange programs, Ms. Baz has designed and delivered numerous projects for citizens from Azerbaijan, Morocco, Egypt, Belarus

Leila Baz

As Program Director for various Legacy adult professional exchange programs, Ms. Baz has designed and delivered numerous projects for citizens from Azerbaijan, Morocco, Egypt, Belarus, the Republic of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine. Focuses have included NGO development, education reform, youth advocacy, conflict resolution, public health, and civic education citizen engagement. As she also served as the hub for Human Resource functions at Legacy over many years, she continues to advise and support Legacy's current HR Manager. In addition, she advises on risk management policies and practice across all projects, as well as health mitigation strategies (infection control) for Legacy's varied exchange programs.

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Mitra Nafissian

Mitra holds an MA and ABD in International Relations from New York University. Having previously worked at the United Nations in New York, she serves as Legacy’s ECOSOC representative.

Mitra Nafissian

Mitra holds an MA and ABD in International Relations from New York University. Having previously worked at the United Nations in New York, she serves as Legacy’s ECOSOC representative. During her 30+ years at Legacy, she has directed professional development projects funded by the U.S. Department of State in the areas of of leadership development, public health, and NGO development. She speaks four languages fluently and directed the NSLI-Y Arabic Language Institute in Morocco. Mitra is a key designer of curriculum for in-person and virtual programs. She frequently serves as a professor of international relations and political science at the University of Lynchburg  and a French Professor at Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Virginia.

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Legacy International Programs: