2025 Au Pair USA Conference
April 25-27th, 2025
New York City, New York
Au Pair USA is pleased to meet in person again in 2025! Local Coordinators, International Cooperators and our headquarter team will meet April 25-27th in New York City. Learn the latest news and updates about Au Pair USA and InterExchange as we grow our program in 2025. The conference will include guest speakers, networking opportunities, workshops, and engaging activities and events.
Location
We are pleased to host the Conference at the beautiful New York Marriott Downtown, located in Lower Manhattan.
Location
85 West Street at Albany Street, New York,
New York, USA, 10006
Conference Attire
The attire for conference meetings is business casual. Our Saturday evening dinner attire is casual elegant.
Check-in Details
Check-in will begin at 4:00 PM on Friday and a credit card will be required for incidentals.
Check-out Details
Check-out is at 11:00 AM on Sunday. You can check your bag with the concierge at the hotel or bring your bags to the meeting room.
Schedule
Friday, April 25
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Welcome Reception, Westside Bar, 85 West Street, New York, NY 10006
Access from Hotel Lobby
Free evening after 7 pm
Saturday, April 26
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Breakfast, 2nd Floor
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
General Session, Financial 1 & 2, 2nd floor
9:00 am - 9:10 am
Conference Welcome - Christine La Monica-Lunn
9:10 am - 9:45 am
Michael McHugh - Program Review and Updates
9:45 am - 10:00 am
Break
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Ryan Jenkins, Be Connectable
11:15 am - 11:30 am
Field Services
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Mark Overmann, Advocacy Updates
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch, Financial 3, 2nd floor
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
International Relations
1:45 pm - 2:30 pm
Interactive Session
2:30 pm
Group Photo
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Break
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Workshops, Financial 1, 2 & 3
PLEASE CHECK NAME TAG FOR ASSIGNED WORKSHOP GROUP
3:00 pm - 3:25 pm
Michael McHugh, Ambassador Program, Financial 3 (Group B, C, A)
3:30 pm - 3:55 pm
Heidi Mispagel, Program Development, Financial 1 (Group A, B, C)
4:00 pm - 4:25 pm
Alex Cohen, Customer Centric Experience, Financial 2 (Group C, A, B)
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Celebration Dinner, Delmonico's, 56 Beaver Street, New York, NY
Sunday, April 27
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Breakfast, 2nd floor
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Breakout Workshops
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Southwest Regional Meeting, Cara Harper, Financial 1, 2nd Floor
International Cooperators Meeting, Amanda Levy, Financial 2, 2nd Floor
Northeast Regional Meeting, Dawn Middleton, Financial 3, 2nd Floor
Noon
Goodbyes & Departures
Safe Travels
InterExchange Staff Attending
Christine La Monica-Lunn
CEO + President
I’m honored to lead this amazing organization in a role that connects me to a lifelong passion for people to people exchanges. I began my career with InterExchange in 1992 working as a Program Coordinator for Au Pair USA and succeeded InterExchange’s co-Founder, Uta Christianson, as President and CEO in 2008. Coming from a small city in upstate New York I could never have imagined that my own experience as an exchange student to South Africa and France would one day lead me to overseeing the exchanges of many thousands of young people from around the world each year. For the past four years I’ve lived in southern Westchester County with my dachshund, Arto, and two black cats, Vigo and Siegfried. I enjoy walks in local preserves, kayaking, photography and growing orchids.
Michael McHugh
Senior Vice President Au Pair USA
I started working at InterExchange in 2002 after returning to the U.S. after living, working, and studying abroad in England, Japan, and France. I currently live in Princeton Junction, New Jersey with my wife, seven-year-old daughter, and six-year-old son. My job is to establish and communicate the priorities and goals for the program, while managing the day-to-day operations. I also represent InterExchange Au Pair USA at various industry conferences, advocacy events, and meetings with U.S. Department of State personnel. I also serve as a board member and Treasurer for the International Au Pair Association (IAPA).
Heidi Mispagel
Vice President of Program Development
I have been passionate about cultural exchange and international travel my entire career. I’ve been fortunate to work in the au pair industry for the past 25+ years. I love to travel whenever I can. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband and our six kids who range in age from 18 to 11. I enjoy being creative with cooking, decorating, entertaining and spending time with my family. At Au Pair USA, my job is to help grow the program by improving the systems we use and making process improvements that allow us to have more host families and au pairs experience this amazing program.
Theresa Edwards
Director of Field Services
I have been with InterExchange as the Director of Field Services since 2018. I have supported Host Families, Au pairs and Local Coordinators across the U.S.A. for many years and love seeing host families and au pairs find success in the program. My husband and I are blessed with two grown children, two wonderful in-laws, two granddaughters and we have a new grandchild on the way!
Maureen Goletz
Admin Manager
I have worked at Au Pair USA for the last 9 years in many different capacities. First, I started out as a Local Coordinator where I enjoyed supporting host families and au pairs in their cultural exchange journeys. I value the relationships I have created and enjoy seeing our au pairs thrive once they return home. Some of the roles I currently perform include processing Local Coordinator's payroll, host family withdrawals, refunds and referral bonuses, lead transition closures, monitor au pair overstays and assist in our annual conference planning. I enjoy the variety of tasks that come with my role, interacting with our field staff and helping to solve problems along the way. When not solving problems, I love to travel. My motto for travel is “the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page”. Each location I visit and culture I experience is just a chapter in the book. I have 4 beautiful grandchildren and got to spend quality time this summer in Italy helping to babysit one of them. I love to read, enjoy yoga, adore the beach and believe in simple acts of kindness.
Cara Harper
Regional Supervisor
I joined the Au Pair USA team in 2009. As the Regional Supervisor for the South and West Coast Region, my role is to support, encourage and mentor local coordinators in the field. Having been a local coordinator myself, I’ve loved seeing au pairs mature and grow during their program year and getting to know host families who are committed to raising globally-minded children. I am originally from New York and now live in a suburb of Atlanta with my husband of 22 years and our two amazing boys. I enjoy spending time with family, playing with our golden retriever Nala and volunteering at church. I have recently made the leap from swim mom to football mom. Every Friday night you can find me under the lights cheering for my son’s team. My oldest son now proudly attends the University of Georgia, Go DAWGS!
Dawn Middleton
Regional Supervisor
I have had the pleasure of working at Au Pair USA since 1995! I left my nursing career to pursue my love of cultural exchange and hoping to make a difference. My family has hosted several au pairs and have continued a long, caring relationship with them even now when they are adults with children of their own. As a Regional Supervisor, my role is mentoring, supporting, and encouraging the Local Coordinators in the field with the desired result of success! In my free time, my favorite place to be is with my husband, three adult children, my new baby grandson, family, and friends at our new home at the beach in New Jersey.
Amanda Levy
International Admissions Manager
For the past 7 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working for Au Pair USA from my home office in Raleigh, North Carolina. I worked as a Placement Specialist for 5 years before transitioning in 2023 to the au pair admissions process where I manage applications and international cooperator communications. Before joining the cultural exchange community, I worked as a middle school history teacher where I discovered a passion for cultural awareness through education. In my free time you’ll find me enjoying time with my 3 kids, exploring new restaurants with my husband, taking a hot yoga class, camping in our RV, or spending time with friends.
Bettyjane Hoover
International Admissions Coordinator
I recently joined the Au Pair USA team. My role focuses on reviewing au pair’s applications before they begin the matching process with host families. Before joining InterExchange I completed a master’s in International Affairs at American University in Washington, DC. During that time I interned at the East-West Center, helping to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Asia. I also have experience in copyediting and tutoring Japanese and English. Cultural exchange has been a big part of my journey and I’m excited to be a part of a program that helps bring together American families and young people from around the world. Besides travelling, I enjoy reading, hiking, baking, crocheting, drawing, painting, playing cozy games, and doing yoga.
Ginny Kraus
Placement Manager
I’ve been with Au Pair USA for nearly seven years and I currently manage our Placement Team. Originally from Minnesota, I've lived in St. Louis for the past 19 years. I began my career in Human Resources Management and I have worked in the Au Pair industry for over 28 years. I am a very proud mom of five amazing sons and my youngest is a freshman in college. We have two grandchildren and have another one arriving in June. I enjoy working out, hiking, and watching my sons play hockey and rugby! I love to read Psychological Thrillers and I really enjoy traveling, meeting interesting people and seeing new places.
Corrie Whitty
Placement Specialist
I have been working for InterExchange Au Pair USA for almost 13 years now, first as a Local Coordinator in NJ, then as your Program Advisor and now as a Placement Specialist. I have been exposed to the au pair world since my childhood when my family had au pairs through InterExchange. My job entails working directly with Host Families to educate them about our program, get them into the matching process and helping them find the right au pair for their family. I enjoy living at the beach most of my year, cooking and spending time with friends and family including my dog Harley.
Carina John
Placement Specialist
I started with InterExchange Au Pair USA as a Local Coordinator, then worked as a Program Advisor and I am now a Placement Specialist. I work with host families vetting and educating them about the au pair program, and then I help them with matching. I was an au pair myself, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I am originally from New Zealand, and I now reside in Atlanta, GA. I have two children in university; my son is at Georgia Tech and my daughter is at Wake Forest University in NC. In 2024 I traveled to both France and New Zealand internationally, and several states within the US.
Ewelina Banafsheha
Placement Specialist
I'm Ewelina, your Placement Specialist at Au Pair USA. My name is pronounced with a “v” sound, reflecting my Polish heritage where the letter “w” is pronounced as “v.” I came to the U.S. over 20 years ago as an international student. I formed a close bond with my American host family, watching their children grow during the day and getting my education from CUNY Queens College at night. I continue to live on Long Island, NY, with my husband and two children, Emma (11) and AJ (13). With nearly seven years of experience as a local coordinator, I've gained invaluable insights into the Au Pair program. My close work with Au Pairs and Host Families has given me a deep understanding of the program's essence. I've witnessed the good, the bad, and everything in between, learning that personal connections, common interests, and similar energy levels are key ingredients for a successful match.
Skoli Hidas
Placement Specialist
I joined the Au Pair USA team as a Placement Specialist in February 2025. I enjoy my role in guiding host families through the process of searching, interviewing and matching with a compatible au pair. I hope to enhance the customer experience while supporting business growth. I love connecting families and au pairs and making the matching process smooth and enjoyable. Before joining Au Pair USA, I had experience in interpreting at NY courthouses, hospitals and sports events, as well as in customer service and sales roles. I assisted immigrants in finding work, guided students in educational settings and helped daycare families find the best solutions for their needs. A fun fact about me is that I learned English as an au pair in New Jersey which was a life-changing experience that I will always be grateful for, especially to the host family who gave me the opportunity.
Crystal Madera
Post-Match Coordinator
I have been working with InterExchange for almost 5 years now and love helping people in any way I can. I started working as a Program Coordinator in the Career Training USA department for 2 and a half years and then I transferred to Au Pair USA. I have been cross-trained in a few different positions during my time with Au Pair USA. I started as a Placement Specialist and then I transitioned to a Program Advisor and now I am the Post-Match Coordinator - a role I very much enjoy. I have extensive hands-on work in the field of human services, with skills in advocacy, counseling, mentoring, and administration. I was born and raised in the largest borough of New York City, Queens. A few interesting facts about me are: I'm a mom of two wonderful children, traveling fills my soul, I love nature, I'm a bookworm, I enjoy writing poetry, and spreading positive energy, and plants make me incredibly happy!
Lindsay Sainz
International Logistics Manager
I have been working at InterExchange for about 7 years now. I transferred to Au Pair USA after working for a little over one year in the Work and Travel department. As the International Logistics Manager, I help au pairs with their pre-arrival and visa processes, travel arrangements, and visa/travel issues throughout their program. My deep love for travel has made me passionate about my job. I really enjoy working with au pairs and acting as their guide when they travel to and from the US. In my free time, I love to travel as much as possible, try new restaurants, read and enjoy outdoor activities.
Amber Guarente
Participant Services Specialist
I have been with InterExchange Au Pair USA for 6 years. During that time, my position has grown to cover the pre-arrival training for the participants, handling the insurance enrollment and assistance, assisting participants with the program’s education requirements, and submitting extension applications for approval. As someone who lived overseas in Japan for 6 years, cultural exchange is very close to my heart and I am so excited to be part of this wonderful team. I enjoy talking with the participants and assisting with questions about culture shock and life in the US. I now live in Jersey City, New Jersey, and greatly enjoy the cultural diversity I am experiencing there. In my free time, I am often either reading a book that is not from my extensive TBR list, crocheting while listening to podcasts or Broadway tunes, or going to the movies.
Nicole Santomasso
Chief Operating Officer
I started my career with InterExchange in 1999 when I became a member of the Work & Travel USA team. I studied abroad in India and connected with InterExchange soon after returning from 2 years of teaching English in rural Japan. I knew immediately that a career facilitating life changing exchange programs was for me. In 2012 I became Chief Operating Officer. I also serve as Vice President of the InterExchange Board of Directors. After many years living in Brooklyn, I now live in Ithaca, NY with my husband and our 3 year old son. In my free time I love to be outside - on a walk, bike ride or at the playground. While at home I'm always looking for the next great new book, exciting recipe, or absorbing show to relax with.
Alex Cohen
Customer Experience Manager
I have been working at InterExchange since 2011, starting in the Work & Travel USA department. Most recently I worked as a Product and Support Manager, assisting with the development of App and supporting the programs. As of October 2024, I have transitioned to the newly created role of Customer Experience Manager (CXM), where I work across all InterExchange programs as part of the leadership team to be a voice for Participants and Hosts as we aim to improve their overall experience. My interest in cultural exchange started when I studied abroad in Australia in college. I live in New York City with my dog Penny, and I enjoy live music and traveling.
Hsin Wang
Senior Art Director
I’ve been the Art Director for the InterExchange Marketing team since 2018 (time flies!). It’s been such a great experience working with the team, designing for all aspects of our marketing endeavors, and leading the creative experience across the InterExchange portfolio. In my personal time I keep busy exploring the Bay Area (new to California as of last year!) with my husband, 3 year old son, and our Shiba Inu. We love to travel, spend time outdoors, and figure out new ways to keep our preschooler entertained at home.
Local Coordinators
Rini Ader
New York
Elisa Bowens
New Jersey
Brittany Briggs
Illinois
Anderson Camargo
California
Ann Carr
Georgia
Tara Cavanagh
New Jersey
Alexis Cherry
New Jersey
Laura DeGiulio
Illinois
Jill DeMarco
New York
Mollie Downs
Missouri
Serena Edoh
New Jersey
Marisa Ferro
Oregon
Pamela Gaynor
Washington
Kim Greene
California
Tracy Hanover
Pennsylvania
Erin Harris
Tennessee
Nadia Ho
California
Jennifer Ivey
New York
Jenny Leveugle
California
Rima Marcel
New York
Megan McGinity
North Carolina
Margaret McNair
Michigan
Chanda Moore
Georgia
Kavita Morris
New Jersey
Lisa Moschetti
California
Erica Navarrette
Texas
Rachel Netski
Maryland
Laurie Nitroy
Pennsylvania
Christina O'Connor
Washington
Shana Pennington
California
Vandana Purohit
Maryland
Tiffany Quick
Washington
Emily Rosenfeld
New York
Muna Saba
Texas
Erin Stearns
Washington
Beth Sundberg
Colorado
Aimee Trissel
New York
Lori Veenema
Maryland
Chantal Wells
South Carolina
Sarah Walter
Virginia
Nancy Wilson
Connecticut
Tracie Wold
California
Laura Wynn
New York
Special Guests
Mark Overmann
Executive Director, Alliance for International Exchange
Mark Overmann joined the Alliance as Executive Director in 2022, after having served as Assistant Director and Deputy Director from 2009-2015. Mark has nearly 20 years of experience in the NGO, association, federal, and university sectors. He excels at association management, government relations, including extensive work with the U.S. Department of State and Congress, strategic communications, and organizational development.
Mark also served as a Senior Manager at Accenture Federal Services supporting global health and diplomacy programs; Vice President of External Affairs at InterExchange; Director of College Communications at Georgetown University; and Program Associate for Communications at Global Ties U.S.
Mark has a bachelor’s in English from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s in International Communication from American University’s School of International Service. He is co-author with Sherry Mueller of Working World: Careers in International Education, Exchange, and Development (Georgetown University Press, 2008, 2014). He studied abroad during college in Angers, France, and taught English in Yanji, China, along the North Korean border.
Mark is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Ryan Jenkins
Wall Street Journal Bestselling Leadership Author
Ryan Jenkins is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, the top worldwide thought leader on team connection, leadership futurist, and a globally-recognized generational expert.
