Dr. Tonya Muro Phillips, Ed.D.
Director of Programs
Tonya coordinates and directs GNG's direct outreach and planning towards helping educational institutions foster global citizenship. She is responsible for the design and implementation of a dynamic array of interactive and innovative 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 international education has spanned roles ranging from direct teaching in elementary and middle schools in both the U.S. and Latin America, to consulting for international NGOs across diverse educational domains that include the United States, Latin America and Africa. Tonya is also a trained health educator who specializes in HIV/AIDS education. Her diverse expertise is critical towards the monitoring and evaluation of existing curriculum and identifying key opportunities for integrating GNG's global education initiatives into the school setting.
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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Joanna Lauren Cyprys
Production Manager
Joanna is the driving force behind GNG's online video initiatives and
oversees the completion of all media content. Joanna traveled the globe
on the CURRENTS 07 project, successfully completing the Religions of the
World documentary series. In the Fall of 2008, Joanna led the GNG field team
in Antarctica and is currently in post production, working to release a
series of short stories about life on the ice. In addition, she provides
technical expertise for GNG's videoconferencing programs. 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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Grace Lau
Program Manager
As GNG's Program Manager, Grace supports the development, planning, logistics, and implementation of high-quality, interactive global education programs for students around the world. She is also the primary liaison between the vast network of students, teachers and guest speakers with whom GNG works. Before joining the GNG team, Grace honed her educational skills in the after-school arena, by directing programs in youth enrichment at both the Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation and SCORE! Educational Centers. Her passion and dedication to young people has also led her to volunteer and travel widely throughout Southeast Asia, where she worked as an English teacher, and as a volunteer at an orphanage. Grace received her BA in Sociology from the University of California, Irvine, and is currently completing a certificate in Global Affairs at New York University.
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Salvador Pantoja
Production Assistant
Salvador Pantoja is a video producer, activist and educator dedicated to
making the world a better place, one project at a time. Since 2001,
Salvador has worked as a media professional with a mission to educate,
inform, and inspire. He has focused his career on providing media services
to non-profit organizations that work in human rights, the environment and
the arts and has worked for organizations and groups like The Muscular
Dystrophy Organization, Rainforest Relief, The Kuna Indians of Panamá,
Earthjustice, Students Live, Friends of Oaxacan Folk Art and the Harlem
Children¹s Zone. He received an Associate of Science Degree in Film and
Video Production from Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts in 2001, and
is currently completing his Bachelors in Liberal Arts from the City
University of New York. Salvador is happy to bring his passion for
filmmaking, education and international issues to the Global Nomads Group.
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Christine Robinson
Partnership and Program Development Manager
Christine has over 10 years experience working in international education. She brings the GNG team her experience in educational programming and outreach working as Partnership and Program Development Manager. Christine overseas GNG’s grant development and management, cultivates and builds strategic partners, and assists the team in designing innovative programming for educators and students. Prior to GNG, Christine served as Director of Outreach for International Education and Resource Network [iEARN-USA], an online global education network. She conducted professional development workshops, managed marketing initiatives, and assisted in designing various education programs including materials for the classroom and online communities. Christine's commitment to globalizing curricula also extended directly to schools, working as a Diversity Consultant for the Green Vale School in Green Vale, New York. Here, she provided consultation in how to diversify school curricula and provided outreach to prospective feeder schools. Christine began her international education career in 1998 with the Council for International Education Exchange, working directly with exchange students. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Boston University in International Relations and a Master of Arts in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University.
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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, and a communications writer for Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU). 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
Elisabeth MacNeill
Mieke Valk
Alia Karim
Sasha Goodfriend
Leigh Johnson
Karrie Myers
