Annual Conference in Miami
April 23-25th, 2026
Au Pair USA is pleased to meet in person again in 2026! Local Coordinators, International Cooperators and our headquarter team will meet April 23-25 in Miami, Florida. Learn the latest news and updates about Au Pair USA and InterExchange as we grow our program in 2026. 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 Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay.
1633 N Bayshore Dr, Miami FL 33132 | +1 305-374-3900
Check-in Details
Check-in is at 4 pm and a credit card will be required for incidentals.
Check-out Details
Check-out is at 11:00 AM on Saturday. You can check your bag with the concierge at the hotel or bring your bags to the meeting room.
Conference Attire
The attire for conference meetings is business casual. Our Friday evening dinner attire is casual elegant.
InterExchange Staff Attending
Christine La Monica-Lunn
CEO + President
I’m honored to lead this incredible 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. I am also extremely proud to serve the exchange community on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for International Exchange. For the past six 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 historic gardens.
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, eight-year-old daughter, and seven-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 throughout my career and have been fortunate to work in the au pair program for more than 25 years. I love to travel whenever possible and live in the San Francisco Bay Area. In my free time, I enjoy being creative with cooking, decorating, entertaining, and spending time with my family. At Au Pair USA, my role focuses on growing the program by improving the systems we use and implementing process enhancements that allow more host families and au pairs to experience this incredible 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 one grandson!
Maureen Goletz
Admin Manager
For the last 10 years, I have worked at Au Pair USA in many different capacities. I first started 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 payroll, host family withdrawals, refunds and referral bonuses, and lead transition closures. I also 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 is, “the world is a book, and those who do not travel have only read the first page.” Each location I visit and culture I experience is just another chapter in that book. My recent travels took me west to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, as well as a solo trip to Amsterdam and looking forward to my next trip to Lisbon and Porto. I have four beautiful grandchildren, 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 8 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working for Au Pair USA. After spending many years in Raleigh, North Carolina, my family recently moved north to the Indianapolis area. I worked as a Placement Specialist for 5 years before transitioning in 2023 to the au pair admissions process, where I oversee applications and international cooperator relationships. 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 and venues with my husband, camping in our RV, dabbling in watercolor painting, 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.
Cana Whitted
Placement Specialist
I am the most recent addition to our Placement Team and have loved my time with InterExchange Au Pair USA so far. Prior to this role I spent three years working in international recruiting and also lived and worked in Madrid, Spain for a year. I have a Bachelors Degree in International Relations and have always wanted to work in a spot that brings people from different cultures together, so helping families find the right au pair and prepare to welcome them into their home is truly rewarding. Outside of work I am a travel and coffee enthusiast. I have been to 21 countries and have acquired different ways of brewing coffee from many of the places I have visited.
Corrie Whitty
Placement Specialist
I have been part of the InterExchange Au Pair USA community for nearly 15 years, beginning my journey as a Local Coordinator in New Jersey before moving into roles as a Program Advisor and now a Placement Specialist. My connection to the au pair world runs deep; I grew up with au pairs in my own family through InterExchange, which gave me an early appreciation for the cultural exchange and meaningful relationships the program creates.
In my current role, I work closely with Host Families to educate them about the program, guide them through the matching process, and support them in finding the au pair who is the right fit for their family’s unique needs. I’m passionate about helping families feel confident, informed, and supported every step of the way.
Outside of work, I love living at the Jersey Shore with my fiancé and spending quality time with friends and family.
Carina John
Placement Specialist
I started with InterExchange Au Pair USA as a Local Coordinator, then I was 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 helping them match with an au pair. 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 adult children. My son is a senior at Georgia Tech and my daughter works on a French team as she is bilingual. I have traveled to Fiji, Australia, France, Indonesia and Mexico. I look forward to my next trip home to New Zealand.
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.
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.
Hsin Wang
Senior Art Director
I have been an Art Director on the InterExchange Marketing team since 2018. It has been a great experience working with the team, designing across all aspects of our marketing efforts, and leading the creative experience across the InterExchange portfolio. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the Bay Area and greater California with my husband, our 6.5-year-old son, and our Shiba Inu. We love to travel, spend time outdoors, and enjoy museums.
