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.
614-229-4599
Emily (she/her) has been with the CCWA since 2022 and currently serves as Director of Development. After 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 her niche in supporting nonprofit and educational environments. She loves to engage community support for programs that enrich the educational experience for kids in all kinds of schools. This passion was ignited in her roles as PTA President and Theatre Booster Treasurer in Westerville City 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 Global Scholars Diploma alumni and 3 other teenagers with potential to become global changemakers.
614-229-4599
Amanda is a Year 3 Global Scholars Diploma advisor, coaching students through the Take Action Projects. She brings 20 years of experience as an Experiential Educator, having developed and facilitated programs in traditional and non-traditional educational spaces, including Nature’s Classroom, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Columbus International High School. She co-founded the nonprofit Art Pals International, an international kids art exchange, with collaborators in Senegal and Japan.
Amanda has a B.A. in English (Cultural Studies) and Religious Studies (Eastern Religions) from McGill University, in Montreal, Quebec, and a Master’s of Science in Positive Organizational Development and Change (MPOD) from Case Western Reserve University. Amanda is also a Somatic Movement Educator (rSME), and has taught in Nagoya, Japan, as well as locally at OhioDance Festival and Denison University Department of Dance.
Amanda developed her passion for global education when living abroad as a Rotary Exchange Student in Chambery, France. She has traveled to Guatemala, Senegal, Slovakia, UK, and France to teach, study or collaborate.
Amanda is a multi-modal artist, loves travel, and has been writing poetry and non-fiction since she was 11 years old.
(614) 229-4599
As Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Meyer leads the day-to-day operations of the Council and all strategic planning initiatives. She defines and manages CCWA’s organizational budgets, financial operations, and strategies. Meyer directs CCWA’s leadership team and ensures that all departments are aligned and working harmoniously to achieve mission goals. She creates policies that optimize daily operations and ensures accountability both internally and to the public. Ms. Meyer is passionate about advocating for non-profit professionals and has led numerous policy changes to ensure that the Council offers its employees competitive benefits, as well as an equitable and supportive work environment. In collaboration with the President & CEO, Meyer supports the Development team and Board of Directors to grow CCWA’s programs and community engagement.
Ms. Meyer earned her B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Middle Eastern cultures and the Arabic language from Denison University. 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, 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. In 2023, Meyer received her M.A. in Public Administration from the Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs.
Meyer is an avid traveler with her personal trips taking her to South America, Europe, and Africa. When she is closer to home, she enjoys gardening, reading epic fantasy novels, walking her dog Freya, and playing tabletop games with her partner and friends.
614-229-4599
Lexi Barnett serves as the Program Manager for the Columbus Council on World Affairs. In this role, she supports the programs department in planning and facilitating events for Year 1 and Year 2 students in the Global Scholars Diploma Program. She also oversees the coordination of speakers for Global Scholars Diploma events. In addition to her programmatic responsibilities, Lexi brings hands‑on experience providing educational and recreation‑based services to young people, as well as a strong background in planning and executing large‑scale community events.
A lifelong resident of Central Ohio, Lexi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Management, Leadership, and Policy from the Ohio State University’s Glenn College of Public Affairs in 2025, followed by a Master’s degree in Public Administration in 2026. Throughout her studies, she developed a passion for community engagement and the advancement of civic education at the local level.
Outside of her professional work, Lexi is an avid reader—often finishing more than 150 books each year—and a dedicated writer who enjoys working on long‑form fiction projects. She also loves collaborative storytelling and world‑building with friends through Dungeons & Dragons. An enthusiastic traveler and nature explorer, she has recently visited Scotland, England, Italy, and Mexico, and she is steadily working toward her bucket‑list goal of visiting every U.S. National Park.
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Diana Michalek is a Year 3 Advisor for the Global Scholars Diploma program, where she mentors students in developing and implementing their action projects. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Kent State University.
Diana has lived and taught abroad in Uganda, an experience that deepened her commitment to global learning and cross-cultural understanding. Prior to joining the Columbus Council on World Affairs, she worked in education both in the classroom and with a local refugee and immigration organization. She is passionate about helping students grow into thoughtful, engaged global citizens.
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.
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.
614-229-4599
Heidi Weaver-Smith (she/her) serves as Grants Writer for the Columbus Council on World Affairs, where she prepares the Council’s grant applications, proposals, and reports. A mission-driven fundraising leader with over 12 years of experience, Heidi has solicited over $2.2 million in funding from private, corporate, government, and individual sources. Her grant writing expertise spans corporate, private foundation, and government funders, with a strong success rate built on her ability to craft compelling cases for support and align funder priorities with organizational mission. Since 2011, she has served in executive leadership, development, and fundraising roles across Ohio, guiding three nonprofits from founding to full operation. Heidi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Communications from Asbury University, and a Master of Arts from Fuller Seminary and is currently pursuing her CFRE designation.
614-229-4599
Mr. Jackson is serving as the Director of Marketing & Communications 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.
614-229-4599
President
Ibel Agency
Associate Vice President
Fahlgren Mortine
Managing Director
Welcoming City
AVP, Senior Economist
Nationwide Insurance
Director, Global Business & Education
Kegler, Brown, Hill + Ritter
Partner
Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease
Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
Greif
Managing Director, Global Trade and Investment
One Columbus
President
Crimson Design Group
President
Otterbein University
Morning News Anchor
10TV WBNS
Chief Audit Executive
Battelle Memorial Institute
Assistant Superintendent
Westerville City Schools
Director of US Communications
The Wendy's Company
CEO & Co-founder
Envisify Global Intelligence
Director of Refugee Social Services
Jewish Family Services
Vice President of Global Travel Retail
Victoria's Secret & Co.
Vice Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs
The Ohio State University
President & CEO
Soul Vision, LLC
Director, Global Labeling Operations
Abbott Nutrition
Assistant Director, Building and District Improvement
Ohio Department of Education
