“The program brings young people together and it’s created by young people–that set Global Nomads apart”.
For Sonya Dufner, the importance of cultural connection is personal. Growing up as a first-generation American, Sonya spent her Saturdays not playing with friends, but in a classroom, dutifully learning the Slovenian language and culture of her immigrant parents. As a child, it felt like an obligation, a forced separation from her peers. But in retrospect, that experience planted a seed. She realized that while the intent was right, the method was missing a crucial element: connection.
This realization is why Sonya is so deeply committed to Global Nomads Group. She sees it as the program she wishes she had: a space where cultural exchange isn’t a lesson to be memorized, but a dynamic, peer-to-peer relationship. It creates a community where youth can build bonds with counterparts worldwide, learning empathy and values through the lens of lived experience rather than textbooks.
This philosophy of “strength through difference” directly mirrors Sonya’s role as a Principal and Global Account Director at Gensler. In her work, she orchestrates complex teams across different sectors and specialties, operating on the conviction that projects are stronger when diverse points of view are brought to the table. Whether in a design studio or a Global Nomads exchange, Sonya believes that when distinct perspectives come together, the result is transformative.
Sonya champions the Global Nomads model because it mirrors the future of work: a constant state of learning where students evolve into mentors, much like professionals must constantly adapt to new ways of working. She is dedicated to ensuring that today’s youth develop the lifelong skills to find their voice, create impact, and understand that regardless of who they are or where they live, they have a seat at the table.
A longtime advocate for youth development, Sonya has served on advisory boards for Rutgers University, the New York School of Interior Design, and Design Ignites Change, and supports Girls Education and Mentoring Services (GEMS). She is a frequent international speaker on the future of work, with thought leadership featured in The Wall Street Journal, FastCo Design, Entrepreneur, and The Huffington Post.
Sonya holds a B.A. in Interior Design from Michigan State University.