Au Pair USA Conference
April 23-25, 2023
Savannah, Georgia
Conference Video
Location
We are pleased to host the Conference at the beautiful Mansion on Forsyth Park.
Location
700 Drayton Street
Savannah, GA 31401
Conference Attire
The attire for conference meetings is business casual. Our Monday evening dinner attire is casual-elegant.
Check-in Details
Check-in will begin at 4:00 PM and a credit card will be required for incidentals.
Check-out Details
Check-out is at 11:00 AM. You can check your bag with the concierge at the hotel or bring your bags to the meeting room.
Schedule
Saturday, April 22nd
West Coast Local Coordinator arrivals
Sunday, April 23rd
Non-West Coast Local Coordinator arrivals
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Registration Table
All attendees should stop at the registration table located outside the Viennese Ballroom to check in for the conference.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Located on the north side of the hotel at 700 Drayton Street, Upper Level
7:00 PM
Walk to Trolley Tour Pick Up Location
Trolley will pick up on the north side of the hotel on East Hall Street
7:15 PM - 9:30 PM
Old Savannah Grave Encounters Trolley Tour
A planned group activity offered as an opportunity to spend time together during this lighthearted fun tour!
Monday, April 24th
Logistics
- Breakfast and lunch dining is located in Viennese Ballroom One
- Main Meetings are located in Viennese Ballroom Two
- Breakout sessions will be located as follows:
- International Cooperators in Viennese Ballroom Two
- Northeast Region in Atlantic Galerie Room located in the lower level (Dawn Middleton)
- Southwest Region in Pacific Galerie Room located in the lower level (Cara Harper)
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Breakfast
Registration Table - check-in for attendees who arrived after 4 pm on Sunday.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Au Pair USA Program Report
Michael McHugh - Senior Vice President
Heidi Mispagel - VP of Program Development
Michael Gates - International Relations Manager
Theresa Edwards - Director of Field Services
10:30 AM - 10:50 AM
Break
10:50 AM - 11:20 AM
Washington DC and Advocacy Updates
Mark Overmann - Executive Director, Alliance for International Exchange
Tanya Burovtseva - External Engagement Associate Director, InterExchange
11:20 AM - 11:50 AM
Marketing Au Pair USA for Growth
Jordan Payne - Director of Marketing & Creative
Hsin Wang - Art Director
11:50 AM - 12:00 PM
Message from our CEO
Christine La Monica-Lunn - CEO + Executive Director
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Meet our International Cooperators
2:00 PM - 2:20 PM
Special Guest Address from the U.S. Department of State
Karen Ward - Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
2:20 PM - 2:45 PM
The Importance of Changemaking in the Cultural Exchange World: A Story of Change and Growth
Mentor Dida - Keynote Speaker
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Break
3:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Break Out Sessions
5:30 PM
Meet in hotel lobby for shuttle to dinner venue
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Celebration Dinner - Vic’s on the River
26 East Bay Street, Stoddard Room
Tuesday, April 25th
Logistics
- Breakfast is located in Viennese Ballroom One
- Workshop is located in Viennese Ballroom Two
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Workshop: Changemakers
Mentor Dida - Keynote Speaker
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
Vice President
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, five-year-old daughter, four-year-old son, and 75-pound English bulldog. 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 17 to 10. 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 started my career in the Au Pair Program 29 years ago when my youngest of four was born and I needed to be closer to home. I live in the Kansas City, Missouri area and during my free time, I enjoy reading, biking, pickleball and taking in the local live music scene & professional sports in Kansas City. We live on a lake, so in good weather, you can find us on our boat, deck or in the water! We have a grown son who is married and blessed us with two granddaughters, and a grown daughter who is married with no children (yet!). They both ended up in Kentucky for their jobs so we see them as often as we are able.
Michael Gates
International Relations Manager
I have been working with InterExchange Au Pair USA since April 2008, after returning from a year in France as an English teaching assistant. In addition to Steirisch German and French, I love practicing my Spanish and am learning Portuguese! I currently manage our network of International Cooperators, providing training, collaborating on marketing initiatives and supporting their recruitment efforts. I also supervise the intake of new au pair applications. In addition to traveling to new scuba destinations, I enjoy baking, reading historical non-fiction, taking group fitness classes and camping with my family in Colorado.
Maureen Goletz
Field Services Coordinator
I have been the Field Services Coordinator for Au Pair USA for the past four years. Before that I was a Local Coordinator in New Jersey for three years. My role supports the Director of Field Services and my job encompasses the Transitions, Withdrawals/Host Family Accounts, Extensions and Local Coordinator Field Services worlds. I enjoy the variety of tasks that come with my role, interacting with the field staff and helping to solve problems that have been escalated. When not solving problems, I love spending time with my grandchildren, traveling, reading and spending time at the beach.
Corrie Whitty
Program Advisor
I have been working for InterExchange Au Pair USA for almost 12 years now, first as a Local Coordinator in NJ and then as your Program Advisor. 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 and get them into the matching process. I also have the pleasure of working directly with our awesome Local Coordinators. I enjoy living at the beach half of my year, cooking and spending time with friends and family including my dog Harley.
Mara Work
Program Advisor
I am new to Au Pair USA and live on a small military installation in Arlington, VA. I have worked within the Au Pair industry for 18 years in several roles, including Local Coordinator, Director of Sales and Family Advising, and currently Program Advisor. I am excited about working for Au Pair USA as I have the opportunity of working with strong, experienced, and driven team members. My passion for this program stems from hosting 16 years of Au Pairs who have become members of our family and made a true difference in our lives. My prior experience was in the pharmaceutical industry. I am married with 2 children. In my free time, you will find me volunteering on several United States Army boards, volunteering on boards that serve families of children with disabilities, playing golf, pickleball and watching football.
Amanda Levy
Placement Specialist
For the past 5 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working as a placement specialist for Au Pair USA from my home office in Raleigh, North Carolina. Before joining the cultural exchange community, I worked as a middle school history teacher where I discovered a passion for cultural awareness through education. When I am not busy helping our families and au pairs, you’ll find me carpooling my 3 kids all over town, exploring new restaurants with my husband, walking our golden-doodle, camping in our RV, running, or spending time with friends.
Ginny Kraus
Placement Specialist
I’ve been with Au Pair USA for three years. I am originally from Minnesota but I have been living in St. Louis for the past 16 years. I started my career in Human Resources Management, but I have been in the Au Pair industry for almost 25 years. When I am not matching host families and au pairs, I am spending time with my five boys and cheering for them in their various sports or musical endeavors. My baby is 16 and I welcomed my first daughter-in-law in 2021. Most weekends you can find me in an ice rink, baseball field, gym, pool or Rugby pitch. I love to travel and enjoy working out and outdoor activities, especially hiking and biking.
Crystal Madera
Post Match Coordinator
My name is Crystal Madera and I live in the city that never sleeps...New York City. I was born and raised in the largest borough of New York City - Queens. Both of my parents were born in the Dominican Republic and I am very proud of my background. I have two children Jordan and Sariah, and they are truly my greatest blessings. I have a Bachelor's degree in Human Services from the NYC College of Technology. I have extensive hands-on work in the human service field, with skills in advocacy, counseling, mentoring, and administration. I have been working with InterExchange for almost 4 years now and I love helping people in any way that I can. A few interesting facts about me are: traveling fills my soul, I love nature, I'm a bookworm, I enjoy writing poetry, spreading positive energy, and plants make me incredibly happy!
Lindsay Sainz
International Logistics Manager
I have been working at InterExchange for about 5 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
Orientation Manager
I have always had a love of film, which was my major in college, and is also what originally led me to Japan. I lived in several areas of Japan for 6 years, and during that time fell in love with teaching. My long-time future goal is to go back to school and become a film professor, but for now, I am loving my position that keeps me close to the international community I have grown to love so much. I deeply enjoy welcoming au pairs from all over the world and teaching them about my culture, learning about theirs, and passing on the wisdom I have learned over the years about culture shock and making a life overseas.
Savannah Wang
Admissions Coordinator
I’ve been the International Recruitment Coordinator since the start of 2022. Due to my passion for languages, and bridging the gaps between cultures, Au Pair USA has been a breath of fresh air. Before joining Au Pair USA, I spent 2.5 years in the event planning space, specializing in fashion, and one year as a kindergarten teacher. When I’m not reviewing au pair applications, I’m an avid storyteller through dance and theater and I love to run, cook, and craft.
Cara Harper
Regional Supervisor
An avid goal setter personally and professionally, I get great joy from encouraging others to do the same. 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 and our two amazing boys. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, volunteering at church or my boys' schools and cheering from the sidelines at their sporting events. These days you can typically find me spoiling the newest addition to our family, our golden retriever, Nala.
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 making a difference. My family has hosted several au pairs and has 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! My position gives me the opportunity to work with au pairs and host families to foster cultural awareness through the program. In my free time, my favorite place to be is with my husband, three adult children, family, and friends. Traveling is my passion and I am ready to go at a moment's notice.
Rachel Netski
Administrative Director
As Administrative Director of InterExchange I manage Human Resources functions such as payroll processing, hiring, onboarding, off-boarding, employee relations, benefits administration, and labor law compliance. I've been with InterExchange since December of 2015. Prior to that I was the Director of Administration and HR at Brooklyn Bowl. I studied abroad at the University of Surrey in England during college and have been on scuba diving trips to the Cayman Islands, Belize, and Hawaii. After over 20 years as a resident of NYC, I currently live in Frederick, Maryland with my spouse and two children. In my free time, I am a swimming instructor at our local YMCA.
Jordan Payne
Director of Marketing & Creative
Jordan joined the InterExchange Marketing team in July 2019. He has over 15 years in Marketing expertise and a passion for digital, automation and analytics. He has over a decade of expertise having worked in the highly competitive travel industry.
Jordan is also a keen bicyclist, runner, traveler, and photographer. He loves a good coffee.
Hsin Wang
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.
Tanya Burovtseva
External Engagement Associate Director
Originally from Ukraine, I first experienced the field of international exchange as a program participant and I’m a proud alumna of two Exchange Visitor Programs: Summer Work Travel and Trainee. I have been with InterExchange for 11 years.
In my current role as External Engagement Associate Director, I am leading InterExchange’s advocacy activities by collaborating with fellow sponsor organizations and representing InterExchange in advocacy projects on local and national levels. One of my favorite parts of my work is creating an online series of cultural advice for InterExchange participants called Tanya’s Tips, where I use my own exchange program experience to help incoming students navigate American culture and have fun doing it. I hold a Masters Degree in Political Science/International Relations from Suffolk University in Boston.
Special Guests
Karen Ward
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Private Sector Exchange, U.S. Department of State
Karen Ward has been with the Department of State and the Exchange Visitor Program for over thirty years. Karen recently was named the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange. She joined Private Sector Exchange as the Director of the Office of Private Sector Exchange Designation in December 2014. She previously had worked on all aspects of the Exchange Visitor Program, including program analyst for the secondary school student, teacher, post-secondary student, research scholar, trainee and intern categories and served as the Division Chief of the Private Sector Programs Division for three years. She spent three years as a Policy Analyst and a Senior Compliance Office within the Office of Exchange Coordination and Compliance. She has extensive knowledge on program management, the regulatory process, form development, and SEVIS administration.
Karen, a native of Maryland, is a career federal civil servant with more than 30 years of service, working mostly in the areas of international exchanges and operation management. She enjoys mentoring and volunteering in her community.
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.
Mentor Dida
Keynote Presenter
Mentor is a speaker, facilitator, experience design expert with a decade of experience as an entrepreneur, facilitator, and movement building architect who helps individuals, organizations, and businesses to achieve their potential.
Mentor came to the U.S. in 2008 as an international exchange student from Kosovo. Since then, he finished his studies at Arizona State University, and was the convocation speaker. Before starting his own business, Mentor spent 7 years in Washington D.C. working at Ashoka, world’s pioneers of social entrepreneurship, where he organized efforts to identify, highlight, and support world’s top social entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and young changemakers. Mentor is a very skilled facilitator and experience designer, where he has worked with clients such as Facebook, T-Mobile, Stanford University, Yale, and many more. He also has been consulting for the U.S. White House AI initiative, UNDP, the U.S. State Department, and more.
Mentor loves connecting with people and collaborating for impact, as well as holding space for individuals to grow as leaders of change.
