about gng | global nomads group

About gng

Staff

Terry Culver

Executive Director

Dr. Tonya S. Muro, Ed.D.

Director of Programs

Tonya coordinates GNG's direct outreach towards helping educational institutions foster world citizenship. She is responsible for the design and implementation of a dynamic array of classroom programs that integrate popular culture and global education to make it an exciting experience while kindling a keen interest among students for pressing global issues.

Tonya's significant experience in the field of education has spanned roles ranging from direct teaching in elementary and middle schools to consulting for international NGOs across diverse educational domains that include the United States, Latin America and Africa. Her expertise is critical towards the monitoring and evaluation of existing curriculum and identifying key opportunities for integrating GNG's global education initiatives.

Tonya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Spanish from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), and Master of Arts and Doctor of Education degrees in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University (New York).

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Christopher Plutte

Co-founder, Director of Media Production

Chris leads GNG's vision to breathe life into global education by using the power of story. Chris is the creative force behind GNG's increasing documentary style, most recently producing 2, 30-minute documentaries for the PBS series, In the Mix. Prior to working for GNG, Chris worked in music production (Zoo Entertainment and Interscope records), then went on to work for video and multimedia companies Daisy Force Pictures and Peter Mathews Production. Finally, drawn to work in the non-profit sector, he also headed a chapter of City of Hope, organizing fundraisers for cancer research and awareness before joining GNG. Chris completed his BA in International Communications from the American University of Paris (AUP) in 1998.

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Joanna Cyprys
Production Coordinator
Joanna is the driving force behind GNG's online video initiatives and oversees the completion of all documentary video content. Joanna traveled the globe on the CURRENTS '07 project, successfully completing the Religions of the World series. She has also worked on the soon to be released documentary Darfur in Pieces and provides technical support for GNG's videoconferencing initiatives. Prior to GNG, Joanna assisted the Program and Events coordinator at the International Documentary Association in LA and earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in Film and Media Arts at Temple University.
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Lisa Inks
Program Manager
Lisa shapes the educational content for GNG's curriculum and brings together the programming elements of GNG's signature PULSE videoconferences: student projects, publicity, and development. Before joining GNG, Lisa worked at Archipelago Books, a nonprofit press dedicated to international literature. She has also taught English and reading for three years, coordinated a community development project in Lima, Peru, and worked in the press office of the NY Attorney General. She graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in English and Spanish and a Certificate of Journalism.
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Mariellen Brown
Website Designer
Mariellen is responsible for creating meaningful visuals to support GNG's mission and programs. She designs print and online pieces and maintains the website. Prior to working for GNG, Mariellen was the graphic/web designer for the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY. She currently works for Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) as a communications writer and is a freelance designer. Mariellen earned her BS in Organizational Communication, Learning and Design from Ithaca College and her MA in Corporate and Organizational Communication at FDU.
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Interns
Matt Maltese
Kira Rutherford-Boese