Meet our Mentors
Tolkyn Martin
Monika A. Gorzelanska
Anont Koonkongsatian
Global Human Resources: Staffing America's Embassies
Position: Human Resources Officer
Organization: U.S. Department of State
Tolkyn Martin is a human resources professional with 15 years of experience, including overseas assignments in Tajikistan, Brazil, and Romania. She currently serves in Bucharest, Romania. Originally from Kazakhstan, she considers Louisville, Kentucky, home.
Anont Koonkongsatian
Monika A. Gorzelanska
Anont Koonkongsatian
From Fixing Air Force Bases to Running U.S. Embassies
Position: Facility Manager
Organization: U.S. Department of State
Anont Koonkongsatian served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 2003 to 2016 before transitioning to the Department of Defense as a civilian from 2016 to 2023. He joined the U.S. Department of State in 2023, where he currently serves as a Facility Manager.
Monika A. Gorzelanska
Monika A. Gorzelanska
Monika A. Gorzelanska
Running Aid Programs in the World's Hardest Places
Position: Director of Operations
Organization: Pompeo Foundation
Monika A. Gorzelanska is an international development and operations leader with more than 18 years of experience managing complex government programs.
She currently serves as Director of Operations at the Pompeo Foundation an
Running Aid Programs in the World's Hardest Places
Position: Director of Operations
Organization: Pompeo Foundation
Monika A. Gorzelanska is an international development and operations leader with more than 18 years of experience managing complex government programs.
She currently serves as Director of Operations at the Pompeo Foundation and previously held leadership roles with USAID, overseeing major portfolios in Somalia, Central Asia, Georgia, and Ghana.
Originally from Poland, she is fluent in Polish and Russian and is the author of Beneath the Flag: A Former Foreign Service Officer's Guide to Project and Team Management That Transformed Lives. She is passionate about empowering young people to pursue careers in international development and public service.
Andrew Segars
Jace Livingston
Andrew Segars
Diplomat, Tech Founder, Farmer: Finding Your Own Path
Position: Founder
Organization: Orpheus Social
Andrew Segars is a former U.S. diplomat and international development professional with more than 20 years of experience working across Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Washington, D.C. Throughout his career, he served in leadership and adv
Diplomat, Tech Founder, Farmer: Finding Your Own Path
Position: Founder
Organization: Orpheus Social
Andrew Segars is a former U.S. diplomat and international development professional with more than 20 years of experience working across Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Washington, D.C. Throughout his career, he served in leadership and advisory roles focused on international development, strategic communications, energy security, and democratic governance.
Today, he is the founder of Orpheus Social, an AI-powered platform that helps professionals better understand how they are perceived in digital environments and strengthen their professional presence.
Based in Portugal, Andrew continues to advise organizations, build technology, and mentor individuals interested in international affairs, public service, and careers that bridge technology and global engagement.
Chaz Martin
Jace Livingston
Andrew Segars
International Communications: Telling America's Story from Kentucky to Kazakhstan
Position: Director of International Communications
Organization: Spirit of America
Chaz Martin is a former U.S. diplomat with more than 20 years of experience in diplomacy, international development, and strategic communications.
He currently serves as Directo
International Communications: Telling America's Story from Kentucky to Kazakhstan
Position: Director of International Communications
Organization: Spirit of America
Chaz Martin is a former U.S. diplomat with more than 20 years of experience in diplomacy, international development, and strategic communications.
He currently serves as Director of International Communications at Spirit of America, supporting the work of U.S. diplomats and military personnel around the world. During his Foreign Service career, he served in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan and was recognized as the U.S. Department of State's Linguist of the Year.
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Chaz is passionate about helping students explore careers in international affairs and public service.
Jace Livingston
Jace Livingston
Jace Livingston
International Exchange Programs: Connecting People across Borders
Position: Former Director, Border Management Staff College
Organization: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
Jace Livingston has more than 15 years of experience working across Central Asia and over a decade leading international education and training
International Exchange Programs: Connecting People across Borders
Position: Former Director, Border Management Staff College
Organization: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
Jace Livingston has more than 15 years of experience working across Central Asia and over a decade leading international education and training programs funded by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Defense, and UK Ministry of Defence.
Most recently, he served as Director of the OSCE Border Management Staff College, where he led professional development programs for border security officials from 67 countries.
Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Jace is passionate about expanding international education opportunities and helping students explore global career pathways.
Allyson Gardner
Michael McClellan
Allyson Gardner
From Peace Corps to USAID: A Career in Global Service
Position: Former Director for Southern Africa
Organization: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Allyson Gardner is a former USAID Foreign Service Officer with more than 19 years of experience in international development. She most recently served as Director for Southern Af
From Peace Corps to USAID: A Career in Global Service
Position: Former Director for Southern Africa
Organization: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Allyson Gardner is a former USAID Foreign Service Officer with more than 19 years of experience in international development. She most recently served as Director for Southern Africa in USAID's Africa Bureau and completed overseas assignments in the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Before joining USAID, Allyson served as Africa Team Leader and Placement Officer at Peace Corps headquarters, where she helped place approximately 3,000 Peace Corps Volunteers in assignments around the world. Earlier in her career, she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer English teacher in Guinea and was a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in France.
Allyson holds master's degrees in International Education from George Washington University and French Literature from the University of Virginia, along with a bachelor's degree in Politics and Romance Languages from Washington and Lee University.
Originally from southern Indiana near Louisville, Kentucky, and now living in Arlington, Virginia, she is passionate about expanding opportunities and perspectives for young people while helping prepare the next generation of global leaders.
Glenn Rudolph
Michael McClellan
Allyson Gardner
From the Navy to the CIA
Position: Director of Policy
Organization: Destinations International
Glenn Rudolph is Director of Policy at Destinations International and has more than three decades of experience in national security, intelligence, and diplomacy.
He began his career as an Arabic linguist in the U.S. Navy before serving as an econ
From the Navy to the CIA
Position: Director of Policy
Organization: Destinations International
Glenn Rudolph is Director of Policy at Destinations International and has more than three decades of experience in national security, intelligence, and diplomacy.
He began his career as an Arabic linguist in the U.S. Navy before serving as an economic analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency. Glenn later spent more than a decade as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, serving in Bahrain and Qatar and as the Bahrain Desk Officer in Washington, D.C. Most recently, he served as Deputy National Intelligence Officer for the Near East at the National Intelligence Council.
Originally from Harrison County, Kentucky, Glenn is passionate about helping students discover careers in diplomacy and international affairs while inspiring the next generation of Kentuckians to represent the United States abroad.
Michael McClellan
Michael McClellan
Michael McClellan
From Embassies to Universities
Position: Counselor to the President
Organization: American University of Iraq - Baghdad
Michael McClellan is Counselor to the President at the American University of Iraq - Baghdad and a retired U.S. diplomat with a 30-year career in the Foreign Service.
He retired with the rank of Minister-Counselor after as
From Embassies to Universities
Position: Counselor to the President
Organization: American University of Iraq - Baghdad
Michael McClellan is Counselor to the President at the American University of Iraq - Baghdad and a retired U.S. diplomat with a 30-year career in the Foreign Service.
He retired with the rank of Minister-Counselor after assignments across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, including service in Yemen, Egypt, Russia, Germany, Serbia, Kosovo, Ireland, Iraq, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
Following his diplomatic career, Michael has held senior leadership positions in international higher education, including helping establish the American University of Kosovo and serving in leadership roles at the American University of Iraq. He also served as Diplomat-in-Residence at Western Kentucky University, mentoring students interested in diplomacy and public service careers.
Originally from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Michael is passionate about helping students discover opportunities in international affairs and higher education while preparing the next generation of global leaders.
Ambassador (ret.) Greta Holtz
Ambassador (ret.) Greta Holtz
Ambassador (ret.) Greta Holtz
Representing America Abroad
Position: President and CEO
Organization: Amideast
Ambassador (ret.) Greta C. Holtz is President and CEO of Amideast, a leading nonprofit organization that expands access to education and workforce opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa.
During a distinguished U.S. Foreign Service career, she serve
Representing America Abroad
Position: President and CEO
Organization: Amideast
Ambassador (ret.) Greta C. Holtz is President and CEO of Amideast, a leading nonprofit organization that expands access to education and workforce opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa.
During a distinguished U.S. Foreign Service career, she served as U.S. Ambassador to Oman, Chargé d'Affaires in Qatar, and held senior leadership positions at the U.S. Department of State, the National Defense University, and the U.S. Special Operations Command.
Over more than three decades of public service, Ambassador Holtz completed diplomatic assignments across the Middle East and helped shape U.S. foreign policy and strategic communications. She holds degrees from Vanderbilt University, the University of Kentucky, and the National War College and remains committed to mentoring the next generation of leaders in international affairs and diplomacy.
Dr. Joseph K. Young
Ambassador (ret.) Greta Holtz
Ambassador (ret.) Greta Holtz
Preparing Tomorrow's Global Leaders
Position: Director
Organization: Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, University of Kentucky
Dr. Joseph K. Young is Director of the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky and a professor of international affairs. An internationally recog
Preparing Tomorrow's Global Leaders
Position: Director
Organization: Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, University of Kentucky
Dr. Joseph K. Young is Director of the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky and a professor of international affairs. An internationally recognized scholar, his research focuses on political violence, terrorism, international security, and foreign policy, and he has authored numerous books and academic publications on these topics.
Before joining the University of Kentucky, he held faculty and leadership positions at American University in Washington, D.C.
At the Patterson School, Dr. Young is committed to preparing future leaders for careers in diplomacy, international development, intelligence, and global affairs.
Through his work with Global Appalachia, he is passionate about helping students discover opportunities to make an impact on the world while staying connected to their Appalachian roots.
Alex Gainer
Ambassador (ret.) Greta Holtz
Alex Gainer
National Interests and National Security: How Do Countries Decide What to Do?
Position: Former Foreign Service Officer
Organization: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Alex Gainer is a former USAID foreign service officer. In a USAID career that spanned more than 20 years, Alex helped define, design, and implement foreign ass
National Interests and National Security: How Do Countries Decide What to Do?
Position: Former Foreign Service Officer
Organization: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Alex Gainer is a former USAID foreign service officer. In a USAID career that spanned more than 20 years, Alex helped define, design, and implement foreign assistance programs in India, Pakistan, South Africa, Burma, Serbia, Jamaica, and Syria.
As a senior leader he oversaw programs in economic growth; democracy, governance, and the rule of law; countering violent extremism; maternal and child health; HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment; disaster risk reduction; and youth crime and violence prevention.
A native of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, former Peace Corps volunteer, and graduate of the United States Army War College, Alex is excited to help the next generation of diplomats, development practitioners, and public servants deepen their understanding of international relations and chart their careers.
Joshua Brandon
Joshua Brandon
Joshua Brandon
From the Battlefield to the Movie Set: A Career Beyond the Expected
Position: Founder / Owner
Organization: Chapter House Associates
Joshua Brandon is the founder of Chapter House Associates, a media firm combining film and television marketing with mission-driven work in the United States and in support of U.S. missions abroad.
A decorated
From the Battlefield to the Movie Set: A Career Beyond the Expected
Position: Founder / Owner
Organization: Chapter House Associates
Joshua Brandon is the founder of Chapter House Associates, a media firm combining film and television marketing with mission-driven work in the United States and in support of U.S. missions abroad.
A decorated U.S. Army infantry officer, Joshua served in Iraq with the 506th Infantry Regiment and 3-2 Stryker Brigade, earning the Silver Star and two Bronze Star Medals with Valor. He later spent seven years supporting U.S. national security initiatives with Spirit of America, serving as Middle East & Central Asia Program Manager and Asia-Pacific Regional Director and leading programs across more than 25 countries.
Joshua is a graduate of The Citadel and holds master's degrees in international affairs and business from the University of Washington. With family roots stretching across generations in Tennessee and Kentucky, he is passionate about helping students recognize how the experiences and perspectives they gain growing up in Appalachia can contribute to careers in national security, diplomacy, and international affairs.
Danny Santos
Joshua Brandon
Joshua Brandon
From Marine Raider to Global Strategist
Position: Growth Director
Organization: Smack Technologies
Master Sergeant Danny Santos served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman and Marine Raider, deploying around the world in support of U.S. military, embassy, and Special Operations missions. Throughout his career, he sup
From Marine Raider to Global Strategist
Position: Growth Director
Organization: Smack Technologies
Master Sergeant Danny Santos served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman and Marine Raider, deploying around the world in support of U.S. military, embassy, and Special Operations missions. Throughout his career, he supported counterterrorism, counter-narcotics, and national security operations across multiple regions.
Following his military service, Danny transitioned into international program management and national security. As Asia-Pacific Regional Program Manager for Spirit of America, he worked alongside U.S. military, diplomatic, and development leaders on initiatives supporting U.S. partners and allies across the region, including efforts to strengthen Taiwan’s civil and military preparedness.
He later served as Chief Operating Officer of the Critical Minerals Forum, working on global supply chains critical to U.S. economic and national security. Today, Danny serves as Growth Director at Smack Technologies and owns Sancti LLC, where he advises government, private-sector, and nonprofit clients on international business development, strategic partnerships, and program execution across the Asia-Pacific.
Danny holds a B.A. in International Relations and Foreign Diplomacy from New England College and a master’s degree in business from the University of Southern California.