Who We Are

Staff

Patrick Terrien

President & CEO

Patrick Terrien

President & CEO

614-229-4599

    Patrick Terrien

    President & CEO

    614-229-4599

    Mr. Terrien leads all aspects of programming and strategy for the Columbus Council on World Affairs including revenue generation, community partnerships, staffing, and strategic planning. To widespread acclaim and under Terrien’s leadership, the Council pioneered the nation’s first Global Report, a research publication cataloguing the Central Ohio region’s global assets; the Global Scholars Diploma, a high school credential for global competence; and the Global Fluency Institute, a social enterprise that trains professionals in cross cultural communication. He is responsible for securing high profile national advisors and funders such as Harvard, Asia Society, ASCD, Procter and Gamble, Gallup, Cardinal Health and Honda. Mr. Terrien often speaks for organizations such as Harvard University’s “Think Tank on Global Education” and Ohio State University Fisher College of Business on topics ranging from social enterprise to globalization to educational access and equity.

    With a degree in International Politics from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Mr. Terrien worked in Washington D.C. for the U.S. Agency for International Development facilitating U.S. environmental exports to Asia. During his three years at USAID, Patrick traveled to Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. Prior to becoming President & CEO, Mr. Terrien was the Director for Corporate Relations at COSI Columbus where we directed the science museum’s corporate fundraising program. Terrien also led from start-up to execution a global sustainability initiative for Right Management, an international company with 300 locations worldwide.

    Mr. Terrien recently served on the Ohio Department of Education’s International Education Advisory Committee and as guest advisor to EF Education First’s Global Student Leader Summits in Costa Rica and Davos, Switzerland. He currently serves on the national board of the World Affairs Councils of America, chair for its Global Education Task Force, and was recently selected for a leadership delegation to China. Though rusty, Mr. Terrien is conversational in Bahasa Indonesian and French, and has studied Spanish and American Sign Language. He is a 2013 recipient of Columbus Business First’s Forty Under 40 Award.

    Jeffrey Jackson

    Director of Marketing & Communications

    Jeffrey Jackson

    Director of Marketing & Communications

    614-229-4599

      Jeffrey Jackson

      Director of Marketing & Communications

      614-229-4599

      Mr. Jackson is serving as the Director of Marketing & Communication for the Columbus Council on World Affairs. He works closely with the Development and Programs Departments to implement clear and inspiring messaging to promote the work of the Council and its various programs, and manages the Council’s portfolio of grant applications and proposals.  

      Mr. Jackson earned his B.S. in Landscape Architecture from The Ohio State University in 2012, and his M.P.S. in Community & Economic Development from Pennsylvania State University in 2017, with a focus on International Development & Planning. He brings to the Council a multi-disciplinary approach with a demonstrated history of coordinating the communications, programming, and development efforts of nongovernmental organizations. Mr. Jackson has extensive experience in print and digital design as well as strategic communications, analytics, and impact communications. As a self-described global citizen, he is mindful of the need to deliver concise and informed communications regarding global issues and is deeply rooted in evidence-based perspectives to reporting. Mr. Jackson has travelled to Europe, West Africa, East Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean, and has internalized those experiences to inform his approach to communicating sensitive issues in ways that promote dignity and understanding.  

      Kendra Polito

      Year 3 Global Scholars Advisor

      Kendra Polito

      Year 3 Global Scholars Advisor

      614-229-4599

        Kendra Polito

        Year 3 Global Scholars Advisor

        614-229-4599

        Kendra is the Advisor for Year 3 Global Scholars Students where she oversees student action plans.

        She earned her B.S. in Communications in Education from Bowling Green State University. She then earned her M.A. in Education from The Ohio State University.

        Prior to working for CCWA, she taught for 32 years in Westerville City Schools, where she developed and implemented a Multicultural Literature course for the district. She also was one of the teachers involved with Global Scholars prior to retiring and then joining the CCWA Team.

        Her continued passion and interest in Global Education are a driving force to work with students and make a positive and meaningful impact in the community.

        Hannah Meyer

        Vice President

        Hannah Meyer

        Vice President

        (614) 229-4599

          Hannah Meyer

          Vice President

          (614) 229-4599

          Ms. Meyer leads the development and delivery of all CCWA’s education programs, including the flagship program, the Global Scholars Diploma. In her role as Vice President, she supports the strategic growth of CCWA’s community impact and ensures high quality experiential learning across CCWA’s program portfolio.

          Ms. Meyer earned her B.A. in Political Science from Denison University in 2015. In addition to political science, she pursued a concentration in Middle Eastern culture and the Arabic language. She spent a semester studying Arabic and modernization and social change in Amman, Jordan through the School for International Training. After her time studying in Jordan, Ms. Meyer discovered her passion for international education and the global community. She spent several months as an educator in Izmir, Turkey teaching Middle School students from around the region. While her academic interests have steered her towards the Middle East, Ms. Meyer’s personal travels have taken her to South America, Europe, and Africa.

          Ms. Meyer is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration at the Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs.

          Afnan Salem

          Program Coordinator

          Afnan Salem

          Program Coordinator

          614-229-4599

            Afnan Salem

            Program Coordinator

            614-229-4599

            Ms. Salem is serving as a program coordinator for the Columbus Council on World Affairs. She assists the Programs Department by supporting the Global Scholars Program through logistical support and event coordination.

            Ms. Salem is a former Global Scholar from the 2017 cohort, and a graduate of Westerville Schools. She is currently a senior at The Ohio State University majoring in International Relations & Diplomacy, with a minor in Business. Ms. Salem was born in Saudi Arabia and has traveled to Southeast Asia and East Africa. She is fluent in Arabic and Somali and has basic knowledge of Turkish. Ms. Salem has extensive community experience involving tutoring, mentoring, and public speaking.

            Laura Stone

            Experiential Learning Coordinator

            Laura Stone

            Experiential Learning Coordinator

            614-229-4599

              Laura Stone

              Experiential Learning Coordinator

              614-229-4599

              Laura is the Experiential Learning Coordinator where she oversees Year 3 Global Scholars Students’ action plans.
               
              She earned her BA in English Literature and Writing with a minor in Studio Art from Denison University, a Master of Education from The Ohio State University, and an Early Childhood Credential from American Montessori Society.
               
              Prior to working for CCWA, she taught high school Language Arts for 8 years and Montessori preschool for 4 years.
               
              She loves working with young people and supporting them in their efforts to make the world a better place. 

              Jessica Flowers

              Director of Education

              Jessica Flowers

              Director of Education

              614-229-4599

                Jessica Flowers

                Director of Education

                614-229-4599

                Mrs. Flowers is the Director of Education for the Columbus Council on World Affairs. She manages and delivers the curriculum for Years 1 and 2 of the program.  Mrs. Flowers earned her M.A.T. In Global Field Studies and Inquiry Learning from Miami University in 2015.

                She has taught for over 10 years in Columbus, South Korea and Germany. Her international teaching experience included creating and directing new programs engaging students in experiential learning outside of the classroom. She has taken students on trips to The Bahamas, Croatia and Nepal, developing her passion for experiential learning and holistic education.

                Mrs. Flowers is personally interested in conservation and diversity issues. She is also a musician, performer, and artist. She enjoys using her hobbies to engage with communities and bring awareness to global issues. She also has a love for travel, scuba and camping.

                Fatuma Kadir

                Program Coordinator

                Fatuma Kadir

                Program Coordinator

                614-229-4599

                  Fatuma Kadir

                  Program Coordinator

                  614-229-4599

                  Ms. Kadir joins the Council as the Program Coordinator for the Global Scholars Diploma program. She provides support and assistance to students within the program and aids in the coordination of events. 

                  Ms. Kadir is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.S in International Relations & Diplomacy and a minor in Public Health. She is a former Global Scholar and graduated with her Diploma from Columbus North International. Ms. Kadir has a love for literature, poetry, and film. She enjoys the differing capacities in which they portray aspects of life as well as how they can be used as a tool to cultivate understanding between people regardless of background.

                  Andrew DeCarlo

                  Director of Development

                  Andrew DeCarlo

                  Director of Development

                  614-229-4599

                    Andrew DeCarlo

                    Director of Development

                    614-229-4599

                    Mr. DeCarlo is the Director of Development for the Columbus Council on World Affairs (CCWA), where he is responsible for all fundraising activities for the organization. His role also includes helping to develop innovative marketing and sales campaigns, aimed at enhancing the reach and impact of initiatives such as the Global Scholars Diploma and the Global Fluency Training. 
                     
                    Mr. DeCarlo holds a degree from Oberlin College and has amassed a wide range of experience in fundraising and campaign management. Prior to his role at CCWA, Andrew was the Principal and Founder of Shamrock Strategies Group LLC. He delivered comprehensive fundraising and campaign management consulting for a diverse range of clients, from Gubernatorial and Congressional candidates to Supreme Court, state parties, and national independent expenditure groups. His work spanned across various states and national groups, including Arizona, Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
                     
                    Mr. DeCarlo’s passion lies in fostering growth within CCWA, enhancing its capability to educate and serve more people throughout Central Ohio and beyond. His personal travels, extending across Europe, Russia, the Caribbean, and North America, inform his global perspective, further fueling his commitment to CCWA’s mission.

                    Emily Mowery

                    Administrative & Office Assistant

                    Emily Mowery

                    Administrative & Office Assistant

                    614-229-4599

                      Emily Mowery

                      Administrative & Office Assistant

                      614-229-4599

                      Emily (she/her) is the Administrative and Office Assistant for CCWA, with a background in nonprofit and educational environments since earning her M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Ithaca College in NY. She worked as an OT in Columbus Public Schools for five years before finding a niche in administrative tasks through service to her local school district. She is a former PTA President and current Theatre Booster Treasurer in Westerville City Schools. She loves to engage community support for programs that enrich the educational experience for kids in all kinds of schools.

                      Emily has volunteered with our region’s refugee communities, assisting with classes on English and citizenship. She is also invested in the work of CCWA as the parent of a current Global Scholars Diploma student in Westerville Schools.

                      Board

                      Sebastian Ibel

                      Chair

                      President

                      Ibel Agency

                      Alyson Helwagen

                      Vice-Chair

                      Associate Vice President

                      Fahlgren Mortine

                      Guadalupe Velasquez

                      Secretary

                      Managing Director

                      Welcoming City

                      Jay Patel

                      Treasurer

                      Honda of America, Mfg. Inc. (Retired)

                      Vinita Bahri-Mehra

                      Director, Global Business & Education

                      Kegler, Brown, Hill + Ritter

                      Pat Cornelius

                      Partner

                      Barnes & Thornburg LLP

                      Arjun Jayaraman

                      General Manager, East Liberty Auto Plant

                      Honda of America Mfg., Inc

                      Gil Latz

                      Vice Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs

                      The Ohio State University

                      Doug Matthews

                      Partner

                      Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease

                      Aneezal Mohamed

                      General Counsel, Compliance Officer, and Secretary

                      Commercial Vehicle Group

                      Yetunde Okonrende

                      AVP, Staff Administration, Nationwide Technology

                      Nationwide Insurance

                      Paresh Patel

                      Director, Business Technology

                      Abbott Nutrition

                      Bala Sathyanarayanan

                      Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

                      Greif

                      Deb Scherer

                      Managing Director, Global Trade and Investment

                      One Columbus

                      Luis Stauffer

                      President

                      Crimson Design Group

                      Shawn McBride

                      Vice-President & General Manager

                      Cardinal Health

                      John L. Comerford, Ph.D.

                      President

                      Otterbein University

                      Angela An

                      Morning News Anchor

                      10TV WBNS

                      Kristina Arcara

                      Chief Audit Executive

                      Battelle Memorial Institute