Leadership

Board of Trustees

YFU USA’s Board of Trustees provide strategic and governance oversight for the organization. Comprised of leaders in business, education, international relations, non-profit management, marketing/communications, and law, and culled from the rich tapestry of volunteers that serve YFU programs, the Board’s work is conducted through regular meetings of the whole Board and through deep engagement on the Executive, Finance & Audit, Governance, and External Affairs Committees.

Bastian von Beschwitz

CHAIR

Leslie Olma

VICE CHAIR

Kristan McMahon

SECRETARY CHAIR, GOVERNANCE

Eric Biga

TREASURER

Misha Putnam

TRUSTEE

Amy Ballard

TRUSTEE

Chris Nielson

TRUSTEE

Tiffany Sanchez

TRUSTEE

Burt Wagner

TRUSTEE
Professional headshot of Scott J. Messing.

Scott Messing

PRESIDENT & CEO, EX OFFICIO

Executive and Senior Staff

Professional headshot of Scott J. Messing.

Scott Messing

PRESIDENT & CEO

Stephanie Gunther

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PARTICIPANT MANAGEMENT

Heidi Petras

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Gina Zoss | Director of Placement

Gina Zoss

DIRECTOR OF PLACEMENT

Jennifer Heusted-McKendree

DIRECTOR OF STUDY ABROAD

Alisha Whitelock

DIRECTOR OF SUPPORT SERVICES
Jenna Girardin

Jenna Girardin

DIRECTOR OF GRANT PROGRAMS

Heather Dorsey

DIRECTOR OF TRAVEL