SPEAKERS

Don't miss your chance to learn from the leading experts and innovators in international education at the TDU Global Conference 2025! We've assembled a powerful lineup of speakers who will inspire you with their insights, ideas and vision for the future of education abroad. With sessions covering the most pressing issues, emerging trends and best practices across the field, you'll gain actionable insights to elevate your international education programs.

Brigit is an Implementation Engineer at Terra Dotta, focusing on onboarding new clients to Terra Dotta’s ISSS products. After earning degrees in French and International Education (BA/MFS), Brigit spent approximately 12 years working in ISSS roles at several Midwest-based institutions. She uses that firsthand experience to help new clients configure and optimize their sites, tailoring solutions to best meet their needs. When she’s not working, you’ll find Brigit spending time with her family, DIYing around the house, or curling up with a good book.

Jane joined Terra Dotta in 2024 as an ISSS Customer Enablement Specialist, where she partners with clients to optimize the software for their institution’s needs. Her role at Terra Dotta marks a return to the field of International Education after spending time in the Corporate Sector working in Learning and Development. Jane previously served as a Designated School Official (DSO) for over five years at several institutions. She holds a Master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration and is passionate about supporting others and advancing globalization efforts. In her free time, she enjoys running along the Chicago Lakefront Trail, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new restaurants.

Cathi Berberich is a Manager of Technical Support at Terra Dotta where she leads a team of diverse technical professionals who serve as the advanced support. Previously, Cathi worked on ISSS Implementations at Terra Dotta as a Project Manager. As part of her previous international education background, Cathi advised international students and scholars at the University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Davis, and National Institutes of Health. Additionally, she studied abroad in Greece, Mexico and the U.K. and has lived in Malaysia. Cathi holds a M.A. from Lesley University in Intercultural Relations and a B.S. from the University of North Dakota in Psychology. .

Sara joined the Study Abroad Office at North Carolina State University in May of 2022. As Assistant Director of Group Programs, she is responsible for directing new group program development and administration, supervising a team of program coordinators, assessing group programs, and coordinating student health and safety support/conduct concerns as they relate to group programs. Sara holds a Master of Science in College Student Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in Spanish from Eastern Illinois University. Sara studied abroad in Ecuador, Spain, New Zealand, Australia and India. Before coming to NC State, Sara served as a volunteer with the US Peace Corps in Guatemala and worked as an Education Abroad Advisor at Kansas State University.

Bobby Brigman is a Product Manager at Terra Dotta, based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Bobby has studied abroad in Spain and France and later interned in China. His time abroad attracted him to Terra Dotta so that he could help empower others to study and travel abroad, forming lifelong memories. Previously Bobby led the Travel team launching AlertTraveler and Travel Registry. Today Bobby focuses on Analytics and Dashboards with the goal of helping customers unlock their data and turn insights into actions. While not at work, he can be found exploring new restaurants around the Triangle with his wife and friends, playing ice hockey, or chasing his two dogs around the yard.

Mark Bryant has served as Baylor’s Director of International Student and Scholar Services since January 2015.  Prior to Baylor, he served in various international education and student affairs positions at higher education institutions across the Southeastern United States as well as working for a year at a university in the Republic of Kosovo.  He has worked in higher education for over 30 years and truly believes he has the best job working with students and scholars from all over the world!  His experience with Terra Dotta started in 2017 when Baylor adopted the initial ISSS product.

Scott Carter is the Director of Integrations at Terra Dotta where he, along with the integrations team, oversee integrated services such as SIS, Authentications, Payment Gateways, TD Connect, and Export/Import processes for all Terra Dotta products. Scott has been with Terra Dotta for 10 years. Before coming to Terra Dotta, Scott worked in higher education for over 15 years. In his free time, Scott likes to spend time hunting for his favorite bourbons, woodworking, or walking in nature.

Kelsey is a Senior Enablement Specialist at Terra Dotta, where she spends most of her time coaching Terra Dotta customers in how to optimize their use of Terra Dotta's Outgoing and Travel/Risk products. Kelsey has been with Terra Dotta since 2015, and has a passion for helping offices gain proficiency in the functionality they use every day. She obtained her B.A. in English from Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she also extensively studied Theatre Arts. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, hiking, gaming, and spending time with her son and husband.

Laura Coker is a Senior Customer Support Specialist who loves using her passion for international education to help others. Prior to joining Terra Dotta in December of 2015, Laura served as a PDSO, DSO, and ARO for seven years, and supported students and staff with navigating the world of ISSS. She enjoys helping clients to build their proficiency and confidence using TDS, and considers TDU one of the highlights of the year! Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with friends, tending her indoor jungle of houseplants, and taking on DIY projects.  

Rianna has a bachelor's degree in geography, contemporary European studies and German from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her academic journey was enriched by her time studying abroad in both Berlin, Germany, and Brighton, United Kingdom, which significantly contributed to her passion for advocating for study abroad opportunities. During her time at Chapel Hill, she collaborated closely with the study abroad office, striving to ensure inclusive access to transformative travel experiences for all students. Rianna also holds a master's degree in applied science of spatial analysis for public health from Johns Hopkins University. Before coming to Mizzou, she conducted research on global health topics at Duke University. Her appreciation for travel and cross-cultural exchange traces back to her formative years when she participated in a high school study abroad program in Guanajuato, Mexico. This early exposure ignited her belief in the profound impact of international experiences serving as gateways to fresh perspectives and heightened global understanding across all corners of humanity.

Nate Daugherty is a Customer Enablement Specialist at Terra Dotta where he helps clients learn to use the software more effectively. When he was younger, Nate traveled the world before coming back to St. Louis, his hometown. He got into international education about fifteen years ago before becoming a study abroad coordinator at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and then a Terra Dotta specialist at the University of Missouri. Nate joined the Customer Enablement team at Terra Dotta just over a year ago and he loves seeing all the ways the clients use the software and is inspired by his energetic and amazing teammates. In his freetime, Nate designs and plays board games, gets outside, and hangs out with his spouse and kids.

Annie works at Syracuse University’s Center for International Services as an International Student Advisor, and since 2023 has taken on the additional role of Terra Dotta Coordinator for the center. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Inclusive Education, a Master’s of Education in College Student Personnel, and has over 10 years of experience working in International Education in various capacities. Prior to working at Syracuse, Annie worked at Ohio University working her way up from grad assistant to Advisor in the International Student and Faculty Services office.

Audrey Faulkner is a Customer Enablement Specialist at Terra Dotta, based in Colorado. Audrey has a diverse background in global education, including education abroad, institutional partnerships and exchanges, and campus internationalization programming. She has also served in ISSS advising and PDSO responsibilities. She holds a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration and a B.S. in Communication and Media Studies with a minor in Linguistics. Outside of the global education realm, Audrey enjoys hiking, karaoke, spending time with her crazy dogs, and being a committed lifelong learner.

Rosie Flowers is a Senior Implementation Engineer at Terra Dotta where she co-manages the implementation pipleine and facilitates onboarding for customers with Terra Dotta's Outgoing and Travel/Risk products. Rosie has over 10 years of experience working with Terra Dotta and its many platforms. Before joining Terra Dotta, Rosie worked in other sectors of education and software. In her free time, Rosie enjoys traveling, watching football, and spending quality time with her family.

Kendall Frye is the Director of Customer Support at Terra Dotta where she leads a team of professionals who serve as the front-lines of product support inquiries. With over 11 years of experience at Terra Dotta, Kendall has worn many hats and uses her myriad experiences to contribute to the ongoing growth of the Terra Dotta Support team. Outside of work, Kendall enjoys reading and staying busy with her three young children. 

Melissa established her career in international education, with a BA in French from the University of Iowa and an MS in higher education from Indiana University. As an OTR Implementation Engineer on the Terra Dotta team, she’s passionate about making life easier for clients by helping them streamline their workflows with top-notch software solutions. With 14 years in international admissions and 8 years in education abroad, she’s well-versed in opening doors to the world for students and educators alike. She’s left her mark at Indiana University Bloomington, IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), and the University of Southern Indiana before bringing her expertise to Terra Dotta one year ago. In her free time, Melissa enjoys getting outside with her spouse, two boys, and their dog, watching birds in the yard, and playing board games.

Tara Grischow joined the Terra Dotta team this year as an ISSS Customer Enablement Specialist. Prior to TD, Tara worked in ISSS for nearly 12 years. She has served as a DSO and ARO in advising roles and as a data specialist. Additionally, she spent many years planning events and workshops for the international student at those institutions. She holds a M.Ed. in Counseling with a focus in Higher Education and a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Social Work. Outside of her career, Tara enjoys time with her family, cooking, and crafting.

Chelsey Harwood is a Senior Integrations Engineer at Terra Dotta. She, along with the integrations team, oversee integrated services such as SIS, Authentications, Export/Import processes, Payment Gateways and TD Connect solutions. Chelsey has been with Terra Dotta since 2013 where she has filled a variety of roles from Support, Implementation, Admin Services, and Integrations. In her free time, she enjoys reading, embroidery, and cooking with her two kids.

Shoghi Hayes is a Technical Support Specialist at Terra Dotta as a member of the Tier 2 - Advanced Support Team, where he investigates and supports complex issues for clients. Shoghi joined Terra Dotta in June of 2024. Before that, he was a computer systems and data analyst for the University of Rochester, where he was responsible for maintaining Rochester's Terra Dotta site since 2015. Outside of work, he teaches local college film and video game music production classes and enjoys family DIY house projects with his wife and 2 year old son.

Madi is the Systems Analyst and User Experience Analyst for the Office of Education Abroad at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), where they are also pursuing a Masters in Compliance and Risk Management from the School of Law. Madi first began working with two Terra Dotta systems (ISSS and Study Abroad) in 2022 when they joined CWRU’s Center for International Affairs, before becoming the sole analyst for Education Abroad in 2023. Their love for data analysis began while they pursued a bachelor’s in neuroscience from The College of Wooster. A passionate advocate for cross-institutional connection and knowledge sharing, Madi presented a poster on independent power-user groups at TDU in 2024, and is happy to return to the conference this year.

Olivia Kilbride is the Product Owner for ISSS at Terra Dotta. Olivia has over a decade of International Student and Immigration advising experience, working at a law firm, a mid-sized public University, and a large research institution. She has received her Master’s in Public Administration from The University of Central Oklahoma. Additionally, Olivia has spent her childhood summers in Mexico, taught English in Spain, and later did a semester abroad in Paris. She resides in south Texas, where she enjoys her reading time with her two black cats, and outdoor activities in the amazing, year-round, warm weather.

Noah Kriger began his journey in international education as a college freshman, working in the Office of International Services at NC State University. Over the past two decades, he has held a variety of roles within international offices, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the field. Since joining Terra Dotta in 2015, he has taken on multiple roles, with a particular passion for engaging with clients, understanding their unique business processes, and helping them achieve their goals through the effective use of the software. Outside of work, he enjoys the constant adventure of life with his three children and the ever-evolving rhythm of family life.

Natalie Larsen is the Application & Systems Coordinator at the Virginia Tech Global Education Office, where she manages the Terra Dotta study abroad application system. In her role, she focuses on improving workflows and processes, monitoring enrollment for all study abroad programs, and providing user support to students, faculty, and administrators. She also facilitates data collection, reporting, and analytics for the office.

Natalie has a B.S. from William & Mary, where she majored in Biology and Data Science and participated in a summer faculty-led program to Mauritius. Prior to her current position, she lived in Denmark for six months at a folkehøjskole, a Danish folk high school. In her free time, Natalie enjoys “grandma” hobbies like baking, knitting, and crocheting, and she loves exploring new places to visit and eat.

Cassie Larson has lived up and down the East Coast and abroad, in Italy and Thailand. She is a double alum of George Mason University with a BA in Global Affairs and MA in Higher Education and Student Development. Prior to coming to Hofstra University, Cassie worked at INTO Mason as the Senior Coordinator of Orientation and Engagement where she supported international students as they transitioned to the US. In 2022, Cassie joined Hofstra was the Assistant Director of Orientation and New Student Programs. She became the Director of Study Abroad Programs in September 2024 where she currently oversees partnership programs, international exchanges, and faculty-led programs. Outside the office, Cassie enjoys exploring new areas, reading, gaming, and spending time with her partner and their dog, Bixby.

Matt is the Assistant Director for Academic Services in Education Abroad at Penn State, where he manages the Terra Dotta instance as well as data reporting and analysis. He started working with Terra Dotta at the University of Missouri St. Louis in 2016, where he fell in love with writing spreadsheets to do his work for him!

Emily Marlton is a Senior Implementation Engineer at Terra Dotta where her current focus is onboarding new customers to Terra Dotta's Outgoing and Travel/Risk products. Prior to joining Terra Dotta, Emily worked in the study abroad offices at UNC Chapel Hill and NC State. Building on her 15 years of experience in international education, Emily now helps clients optimize their use of Terra Dotta software by offering best practice-based solutions tailored to meet the institution-specific needs. Emily holds a B.S. in Business Administration, a B.A. in French, and a M.A. in International Education. When she’s not at work, she enjoys being active outdoors with her family!

Anna Marter is a Customer Enablement Specialist at Terra Dotta, dedicated to helping organizations optimize their use of Terra Dotta software. With a M.A. from the SIT Graduate Institute in International Education and a BFA from NYU in Video Production, Anna combines a unique blend of educational and creative expertise to deliver comprehensive training and support. Over her 9-year career in study abroad, Anna has streamlined application processes to make international programs more accessible for students. Bringing a global perspective to her role, Anna has lived in Australia and New Zealand and studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland.

Randy Mason joined Terra Dotta in early 2022 and is currently a Senior Implementation Engineer for ISSS. Before joining Terra Dotta, Randy spent several years working as an implementation engineer for a company that developed software for use by universites and local/federal government entities. Randy resides in Vermont and enjoys outdoor activities in his free time.

Christina Meredith is the Director of Product Training, where she leads a team dedicated to providing high quality training to fellow Dottans and product documentation for all. With over 20 years in international education, and over 10 at Terra Dotta, she uses her experience from her variety of roles (from Admin Services to Integrations to Product Owner) to provide universally-empowering trainings. Christina spends her free time as a baseball mom and wife, weightlifting, reading, and taking as many cruises as she can.

Tyler Morkin currently works as SEVIS Coordinator at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. At U-M, he serves as the functional expert for Terra Dotta ISSS, ultimately supporting compliance and advising efforts for over 10,000 international students and scholars. Tyler is also very involved in NAFSA, having served as a NAFSA Academy Coach and as the International Student Advising Network leader with the ISSS KC. Prior to working at U-M, Tyler worked in the Office of Global Engagement at Central Michigan University. He has also taught various classes in ESL, academic writing, introductory linguistics, and French.

With over a decade of experience in international higher education—as a study abroad office leader, private education abroad solution provider, data analyst, faculty-directed program coordinator, and process automation expert—David Nelson has deep expertise in technology-enabled decision-making and operational efficiency. Before joining Terra Dotta in early 2025 as the Director of Study Abroad Solutions, he was a director of faculty-led study abroad at the University of Kentucky and also an active member of Terra Dotta’s SuperUser and community groups, where he has developed custom-coded solutions that enhance the platform.

Madelyn Petrovich is the Technical Documentation Manager at Terra Dotta, where she works to strengthen Terra Dotta's expansive knowledgebase. Her journey with Terra Dotta began as a study abroad applicant and later as a Terra Dotta client, granting her powerful insights into enhancing the user experience. Madelyn joined the Terra Dotta team in early 2021. Prior to her current role, Madelyn served as a member of the Travel Risk product team, where she developed particular expertise in AlertTraveler and Travel Registry. Inspired by her own international education experiences, Madelyn holds deep respect and admiration for the higher education community. Sharing her knowledge with Terra Dotta's client community is the part of her role she loves most. Madelyn earned her M.L.A.S. in 2019, where her focus in international studies and creative writing fueled her passion for global education and storytelling.

Tiff R. Pierskalla: Lead Global Education Systems Analyst at The Ohio State University Office of International Affairs. I also work with faculty-led programming abroad and am the Terra Dotta "Power User" at The Ohio State University. With 16 years in the international education field, my responsibilities entail collaborating with faculty to build, promote, and implement programs. This includes writing competitive bid specifications, building program budgets, envisioning logistics, creating effective outreach, securing visas, and creating long-term plans for each program. I also enjoy co-leading group programs to ensure things run smoothly and maintain a positive group dynamic.

I also lead the Dottan Client Collective, which is a client-only group that meets on a monthly and has a listserv.

Raghu Rajah is a seasoned technology leader with more than 25 years of diverse experience in steering global companies towards success. With a proven track record, he excels in innovating and transforming SaaS organizations, steering them towards delivering exceptional products, seamless experiences, and sustainable growth. In his most recent role as CTO at BirchStreet Systems, Raghu led product development, engineering, and SRE/SaaS operations. He was previously the CTO at various SaaS and fintech companies such as First Performance, NCR, PrimeRevenue, and S1. Raghu holds a master’s degree in Computer Science from Pondicherry University, and an MBA in finance from The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania. His expertise lies in merging technological prowess with business acumen to drive innovation, efficiency, and profitability.

Jessica Romero is the Assistant Director for Program Development and Partnerships at San Diego State University (SDSU) and oversees the Terra Dotta systems used at SDSU. Jessica leads the Program Development & Partnerships team which is responsible for the vetting, creation and implementation of international programs. Her team works with faculty and leadership within the academic colleges, as well as with the Global Education Office, to create international opportunities that are thoughtfully developed and align with academic and international priorities. Jessica is also responsible for creating policies and protocols for implementing these international opportunities at SDSU.

Prior to joining SDSU, Jessica worked in the international education field serving in a variety of roles for Queens College, CUNY, NYU, and the Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York City. She holds a master’s degree in international education from NYU.

Jason works in Product Development for ISSS at Terra Dotta. He's been in International Education since 2005 and worked at an Intensive English School, a Private Music College, and a State System. He's been a P/DSO, ARO, and also worked in IT as a business analyst supporting users with international education products. In addition, he's worked as part of a private consulting firm that assists higher ed international offices with international applications and data.

Earning his Bachelor Political Science Degree in 2022, James has worked in International Student and Scholar Services at Missouri S&T for just under 3 years and experience in higher education for more than 5 years. He began as an international advisor to F-1 and J-1 Students and Scholar and has since then transitioned to managing both the Sponsored Student and J-1 Exchange Program. He led the Terra Dotta implementation at his campus and continues to be the main technical support on his campus for their Terra Dotta software.

Dominique Speer, Ph.D., is an Customer Insights Manager, working to improve understanding of customer needs at Terra Dotta. Previously, she spent 14 years as a study abroad professional, advising students and overseeing academic enhancement. Dominique's passion for international education stems from her own experiences studying abroad and teaching English in Japan, and later co-leading a winter break program in Tokyo to explore the intersection of self-identity and social context. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, photography, drawing, and writing fiction.

Steve Sweitzer is the Study Abroad Product Owner at Terra Dotta where he leads the development team and oversees the planning, development, and deployment of the Study Abroad solution. Steve has worked at Terra Dotta for twenty years in a variety of roles. Initially, Steve worked as a QA tester and technical writer for the study abroad product known in the early years as StudioAbroad. Later, Steve became the head of support and QA while also travelling to more than 50 offices across the country as a trainer and implementation specialist. As the study abroad product evolved, Steve moved to the development team and took on the role of Product Owner. He lives in Chapel Hill where he spends his time hiking, gaming, and taking care of a very fussy cat.

Jordan is a Senior Enablement Specialist at Terra Dotta, where he spends most of his time coaching people on Terra Dotta's Outgoing and Travel/Risk products. He is also involved with scoping and coordinating new Dottan Desk opportunities. Jordan has been with Terra Dotta since 2019, and has worked in international education for about 12 years — not only with Terra Dotta, but also for university international offices and with education abroad program providers. Jordan holds a M.S. in College Student Personnel Administration and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Central Missouri. Outside of work, Jordan enjoys spending time with his family, playing music, being a freelance graphic designer, and going to the beach.

Chris Tomlinson became the Product Owner for Agreements and Engage in early 2025. Before starting this role, he served as an Associate Product Owner and a Technical Support Engineer for our Travel & Risk product suite. Chris's background in software also includes six years at IBM and two years at IQVIA. Outside of work, Chris enjoys playing pickleball and is an avid traveler who has visited more than 40 countries.

Rohit Varanasi is the Product Owner for the Travel/Risk suite, comprised of the Travel Registry and AlertTraveler products. Prior to joining Terra Dotta in early 2024, he graduated with a Master of Engineering Management (MEM) degree from Duke University. He brings experience in product management across different sectors, such as health and media. Rohit hails from Hyderabad, India and is a passionate photographer, always looking for his next frame.

Abby Ward is the Senior Director of Customer Onboarding and Curriculum at Terra Dotta, where she leads a dynamic and highly professional team dedicated to delivering best-in-class customer onboarding and educational initiatives. With over two decades of experience in international education and EdTech, Abby approaches each customer interaction and project from a perspective of partnership and deep understanding. Additionally, she is passionate about mentoring her team and fostering a culture of authentic self-expression. Abby holds a M.Ed. in Educational Policy, Planning & Leadership, and a B.A. in Political Science and German Studies, underscoring her academic background in her areas of professional interest. Outside of work, Abby enjoys the Soccer Mom life, yoga, and watching historical documentaries.

Chelsea Weaver is the Technical Documentation Writer for the ISSS product at Terra Dotta. With over ten years experience working on the Support and Enablement teams, she's spent a lot of time helping users get the most out of the software by breaking down processes into clear, actionable steps. Now, she's using that experience to write documentation that helps international educators streamline their processes and tackle challenges with confidence. When she's not working on documentation, Chelsea enjoys live music, exploring new creative outlets, and studying history.

Sara Williams is a Customer Enablement Specialist, focusing on educating and empowering clients to optimize their use of Terra Dotta's Outgoing products. Prior to joining Terra Dotta in 2023 as a Customer Success Manager, Sara spent nearly 10 years working in Study Abroad as an Associate Director and Advisor at institutions in California and was a Terra Dotta Study Abroad client for 5 years. She is passionate about international education and loves collaborating with Terra Dotta clients around the world. Sara is based in Los Angeles and spends her free time going on beach walks, doing yoga, attending sports games, and visiting different MLB stadiums.

Kendra Zysk is an Implementation Engineer at Terra Dotta and holds a wealth of knowledge in the field of International Student & Scholar Services. After graduating from NYU with a Master's in International Education, she spent 12 years working for ISSS offices at several colleges/universities in the northeastern U.S., along the way gaining experience in each aspect of ISSS: initial student processing, continuing student advising, scholar advising, and SEVIS data management. She was also a member of the NAFSA Trainer Corps from 2017-2020 and has delivered several Core NAFSA Regulatory Trainings during NAFSA Region XI conferences and spring Immigration Workshops. At Terra Dotta, she uses her subject matter expertise to assist newly implementing clients in configuring and optimizing their Terra Dotta sites and data integrations with home student information systems. In her spare time, Kendra loves playing cards, watching and quoting The Simpsons, and going to the beach.