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.

    Afnan Salem

    Program Manager

    Afnan Salem

    Program Manager

    614-229-4599

      Afnan Salem

      Program Manager

      614-229-4599

      Ms. Salem is serving as a Program Manager 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 a graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in International Relations & Diplomacy, and 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.

      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.

        Emily Mowery

        Business & Finance Manager

        Emily Mowery

        Business & Finance Manager

        614-229-4599

          Emily Mowery

          Business & Finance Manager

          614-229-4599

          Emily (she/her) is the Business & Finance Manager 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.

          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.

            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.

              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.  

                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. 

                  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