Staff & Board

Kristin was recently selected as an Ashoka Fellow, "as a leading social entrepreneur who we recognize to have innovative solutions and the potential to change patterns across society." Her passion for cross-cultural understanding began with her one-year study abroad experience as a Rotary exchange student in South Africa at age fifteen. That experience changed her life and set her on a committed path to explore the world, challenge injustices and pursue transformational learning opportunities for herself and others. Towards the end of the Cold War, Kristin began studying the Russian language in college and then lived in Moscow right before the break-up of the Soviet Union. She graduated with honors and a triple major in Soviet Area Studies, Russian Language and International Relations at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN.

Kristin then became the International Projects Director for Seattle-based, international events/consulting company called Bob Walsh Enterprsies, Inc., where she directed the operations of the Moscow and Tbilisi (Georgia, ex-USSR) offices. Kristin spent her twenties living and working abroad in Moscow, Paris, London and Tbilisi, where she developed a passion for global thinking, international project management experience and a keen appreciation for understanding other cultures. At the age of 30, Kristin moved back to the USA and Seattle and decided that after years of living abroad, it was time begin her life's work by combining her passion for international understanding and commitment to social justice and access to opportunities. In 2002, she founded OneWorld Now!, the global leadership program for underserved youth. After two years, OneWorld Now! was recognized as "one of the nation's most innovative after school programs" by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Kristin intends to create a national model for international education and promote the importance of study abroad for all! Kristin was recently appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire to serve on the Board of Trustees for The Evergreen State College.

Lisa’s love for learning through intercultural experiences began at age 15 when she spent a semester living in Seoul, Korea.  While there, she connected with her Korean roots and met family members she had previously only heard about through stories her mother shared.  She returned to her hometown in Wyoming with a newly discovered passion for cultural exchanges and joined a high school club that focused on enhancing diversity and social justice education.  Lisa went on to achieve a B.A. with honors in Anthropology and Chinese Language and Literature from the University of Iowa and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington.  As a student, Lisa was awarded several prestigious fellowships for international studies such a Fulbright Fellowship to research social issues and historical preservation in Xi'an, China, a U.S. State Department Critical Languages Fellowship to learn Arabic in Cairo, Egypt, and a U.S. Bureau of Education Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship to study intermediate Spanish in Madrid, Spain.  Lisa spent seven years studying, conducting research, and working in bi-lingual and multi-cultural settings in China.  From 2004 to 2007 Lisa served as part of the administrative team at the Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies.  In 2009 Lisa was the founding director of the C.V. Starr-Middlebury College School in China in Kunming, China.  She speaks Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and some Arabic, has traveled to over 20 different countries, and enjoys hiking, salsa dancing, biking, gardening, doing pottery, and working on almost any kind of arts and craft project.  Lisa is very excited to join the team at OneWorld Now!  

Kirsten has been a global citizen since age nine, when she traveled through the island nations of the eastern Caribbean via sailboat - from the Bahamas south to Trinidad and Venezuela. The travel bug had bitten, leading to wanderlust and more passport stamps: Japan, the Philippines, Greece, South Korea, Thailand, Mexico, Sweden, and Spain. Most recently, Kirsten served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco as a Small Business Development volunteer working with women's weaving and textile cooperatives. Kirsten's Peace Corps service was integrated with her graduate studies at the University of Washington Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs where she obtained a Masters in Public Administration in 2010. As a Peace Corps Masters International student, Kirsten had a year of graduate studies before her Peace Corps service, followed by two years in the field, and finally, a final year of studies to write her master's thesis - a policy analysis on options to increasing educational exchange opportunities for students from the Middle East and North Africa. Kirsten speaks Moroccan Arabic and is now studying Modern Standard Arabic. Based on her personal, professional, and academic interests and experiences, joining the OneWorld Now! family was a logical step. Kirsten managed the 2010 and 2011 OneWorld Now!-STARTALK Summer Language Program and then transitioned into the role of Development Manager.

Arielle Davis, raised in Los Angeles, California, and Bellingham, Washington, is a poet and hip hop enthusiast dedicated to youth work. As a recipient of and participant in some of Seattle's leading arts programs as a youth, Arielle knew from an early age that social justice and political activism were going to be large parts of her life. A short stint as a beauty queen taught Arielle the value of surrounding oneself with others dedicated to the ideas and ideals of service, which culminated with her joining the National Civilian Community Corps as a part of AmeriCorps in January 2007. As an AmeriCorps member, she encountered the large change that a small group could make, was interviewed by Anderson Cooper for CNN and spoke in front of hundreds of impacted families for Habitat For Humanity, all while brushing up on her (previously negligible) construction skills. Working with youth is her passion, joy and purpose, and she plans on spending her upcoming year at One World Now fostering strong and supportive connections with (and spreading her love of conscious hip-hop to) her mentees, pursuing her degree in Sociology/Anthropology, becoming more fluent in French and Spanish, and salsa dancing with the other OWN! staff.

Although born in southern California, Miriam was largely raised in the Seattle area, considering the Northwest her home. Returning to California for school, she graduated from the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies at the University of Redlands with a bachelor's degree in Religion, Conflict, and Middle Eastern Studies with a minor emphasis in Expressive Documentation. During and after her studies, Miriam spent time in Ireland, Jordan, Syria, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand, fueling her passion for travel and communication. Her experiences abroad and academic pursuits led Miriam to focus on the importance of global experience and intercultural dialogue. Returning to Seattle in 2007, Miriam joined the exciting staff of OneWorld Now! and now acts as the Language Program and Community Manager. When not absorbing herself in OneWorld Now!, Miriam greatly enjoys cycling, kayaking, roller derby, cooking, building community, crossword puzzles, photography, and improving her Arabic and French.

Nick is very proud to be born and raised in the hills of Eastern Kentucky. Nick holds a BA in Political Science from American University. While studying at American he interned at the NASA Headquarters History Office and spent his summers as a counselor at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. In addition to internships, Nick was artistic Director of AU's improv comedy troupe and a member of the Ultimate Frisbee team. In his senior year Nick studied abroad in South Africa and underwent a transformative experience. Soon after graduation Nick traveled and worked for over a year in New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Laos, Nepal, and Turkey. With a belief in working for the common good Nick returned to Kentucky and started a mission driven organization, Downtown Pineville. Downtown Pineville had many purposes, among them were to increase access to higher education for underprivileged youth in Appalachia, build community by providing an arts venue for youth and adults alike and to bring about social change through the arts and education. With deep passion and belief for creating a just and equitable world he enrolled at the School for International Training. Nick will receive his Masters in Social Justice in Intercultural Relations in fall of 08. Nick is more than excited to be joining OneWorld Now! as Curriculum Development Manger. Nick enjoys cycling, ultimate (Frisbee), hiking, reading, improv, traveling, and spending time growing organic vegetables in Tacoma.

Chinese Language Instructor

Born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, Art moved to Seattle, WA, in 1999, and is currently studying at University Of Washington. He moved to the United States when 15, and began his transformation. He had to adjust himself for a new life style. Art understands the importance of having a chance of going abroad. Not only does it widens one's view of life, but it will also mature someone in many different ways. Art is the first-year Chinese teacher for OneWorld Now! and has been with the organization for four years. He enjoys working with youth and has a great passion for teaching.

Arabic Language Instructor

Born and raised in the city of Rabat, Morocco, Abdessamad attended Mohammed V University, and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Economics. He then decided to come to the United States and pursue further higher education. Abdessamad moved to Seattle in 1997 after living in Tampa Bay for a year. In Seattle, Abdessamad has been with OneWorld Now! since 2007, teaching Arabic. He enjoys being outside, traveling, and learning new languages.

Arabic Language Instructor