Our Team
Meet Our Team
Our staff are committed to supporting youth to become the global thinkers and leaders our world needs for meaningful and lasting social change.
Brian Paintsil
Senior Full-Stack Engineer
Ghana
Brian builds and maintains Global Nomads Group's technology infrastructure and educational applications. A lifelong computer enthusiast and veteran of the hospitality and ecommerce industries, he now works to ensure reliable access to software solutions for educators and youth participants around the world.
Christine Goussous
Director of Global Partnerships
Jordan
Christine began her career with Global Nomads Group as a community associate. She spent time as a partnerships manager at Humanitas Technologies, where she worked on a youth-facing, community improvement mobile app. She then rejoined Global Nomads Group in 2019 and now leads the organization’s recruitment and partnerships initiatives.
Cindy Macedo
Program Manager
Mexico
Cindy brings a passion for language instruction and cultural exchange to Global Nomads Group, where she connects schools, educators, and learners in the United States and Mexico. Originally trained as a social studies teacher, she holds English teaching certificates from Hunter College and Cambridge English.
Courtney Welsh
Chief Executive Officer
United States
Courtney is a seasoned leader in the public and nonprofit sectors. She was a founding member and Chief Operating Officer of the NYC Leadership Academy, and has consulted for organizations such as the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative and the Aspen Institute. Courtney holds a M.Ed. from Harvard University and an executive level certificate from Columbia Graduate School of Business.
Elizabeth Knowles
Chief Operating Officer
United States
Elizabeth has been with Global Nomads Group since joining as a Programs Consultant in 2014, having previously worked in educational and nonprofit organizations in India, China, Thailand, and Colombia. She brings this international and multicultural experience to her work leading operations, finance, and HR initiatives.
Felisha Martin
Development Ops Coordinator
Croatia
With almost two decades of experience in education, Felisha has worn various hats, including teacher, counselor, academic director, school director, and customer success manager for two EdTech companies. Based in Croatia, she is an avid traveler with a love for nature and family time, holding Canadian and Maltese roots.
Kat McIntosh
CCL Program Coordinator
Trinidad and Tobago
Kat, a neurodivergent activist from Trinidad and Tobago, is a peer support specialist with expertise in trauma-informed care. Proudly Black-Caribbean, queer and invisibly disabled, Kat advocates for historically excluded communities and is excited to support youth designers in creating a world that embraces their unique narratives.
Katie Cox, Ph.D.
Program Manager, Content Creation Lab
United States
Katie joined Global Nomads Group’s Content Creation Lab with fifteen years of experience in research, teaching, and curriculum development in higher education, non-profit, and community settings. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of California, Irvine, where her work focused on the use of community-led science in environmental justice advocacy.
Mays Owaynat
Program Coordinator
Jordan
Mays oversees operations and implementation of Global Nomads Group’s online events and courses. Her varied experience has included teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, developing children’s educational and cultural programs, and working in public relations and as an interpreter. She now brings this interpersonal, intercultural approach to a global audience.
Mohab Elmandouh
Director of Marketing and Communications
Egypt
With a background in marketing and advertising across various sectors, Mohab transitioned to social impact in 2016, co-founding a startup to empower young photographers. Prior to joining the team, he led Marketing and Communications for a social enterprise, where he focused on creating opportunities for marginalized groups. Outside of work, Mohab enjoys travel, cultural exploration, and beach relaxation.
Nicole Goggin
Senior Director of Programs
United States
Nicole began her career as an intern with the Global Nomads Group curriculum development team and has been integral in building, operating, and implementing new programs for over a decade. Nicole works across departments on strategy, communication, and intercultural facilitation and is committed to bring varied perspectives to the discussion table.
Nieves Huerta
US-MX Program Coordinator
Mexico
Nieves brings over ten years of experience in language teaching, driven by her passion for education and her students' success. With Mayan and Spanish roots, she grew up in Cancun and later moved to Xalapa, where she deepened her connection to her heritage. She is committed to creating meaningful learning experiences and contributing to work that has a lasting impact.
Nour Shtayyeh
Partnerships and Outreach Coordinator
Jordan
Nour joined Global Nomads Group as a Partnerships Coordinator, where she reaches out to prospective program participants and conducts research on recruitment strategies and new market entries. She previously worked as a researcher and writer in the humanitarian field and currently tries to combine her training as a cultural anthropologist to ensure an inclusive and intercultural approach to recruitment processes.
Pedro Antonino Mora
US-MX Program Coordinator
Mexico
Pedro, a Chicago native now in Mexico, is a linguist and advocate. With a master's in French and Francophone Studies, he supports migrants, volunteers, and fosters educational interventions. Pedro is passionate about language learning, international exchanges, and advancing Mexico-U.S. relations.
Sandra Stein, Ph.D.
Chief of Programs & Learning
United States
Sandra is a passionate educator, writer, scholar, and justice advocate who leads staff and youth in the design, delivery, and assessment of Global Nomads Group’s unique programs. She is the author of two books on education policy and practice, and her writing has appeared in leading periodicals. She has a doctorate in Education from Stanford University.
Sarah Hasan
Student to World Program Coordinator
United Arab Emirates
Sarah, driven by a belief in the power of empathy, leverages her language expertise cultivated through four years of volunteering, including with Global Nomads Group. With a rich background in youth empowerment, a commitment to positive impact, and an eagerness for collaborative learning, Sarah is dedicated to fostering innovative and effective solutions.
Tenzing Sherpa
Operations Coordinator
United States
Tenzing moved from the Tibetan-Nepali region of India to New York when she was 11 years old. Overcoming the many cultural, linguistic, and academic challenges instilled her with a distinct sense of empathy and patience. She brings this to both her professional work in operations, and to her volunteer work assisting other members of the Sherpa community.
