MEET THE BOARD

CAROLE SCHROEDER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Carole Schroeder is Executive Director of Global Ties Idaho, having founded the nonprofit organization in 2005.  She is an Emeritus of Boise State University, History Department, where she taught history as an adjunct from 2000 – 2019.  She has taught history in South Korea for six summer sessions and has taught English during the summers in China and Thailand.  She is Vice President of Idaho Society of Association Executives and is Secretary/Treasurer of River’s Place Homeowners Association and a Board member of Elkhorn Village Homeowners Association.  She has graded AP World History Exams since 2016 and has volunteered at the Flicks in Boise since 1990.

UWE REISCHL
BOARD PRESIDENT

Uwe Reischl is a Professor in the Department of Community and Environmental Health at Boise State University.  Dr. Reischl is a public health physician with research interests in occupational health, ergonomics, human factors, and telemedicine. He received his undergraduate and graduate training at the University of California at Berkeley obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Environmental Health Sciences from the School of Public Health. He received his medical training at the University of Ulm in Germany where he obtained the M.D – Ph.D. degrees in clinical medicine. Dr. Reischl has traveled to over 40 countries around the world and currently collaborates with colleagues in Peru, Hong Kong, Kenya and Croatia.

CHRISTINE HARRIS
BOARD MEMBER

Christine Harris has been a valued long-time Board member of Global Ties Idaho. Her background as the spouse of a diplomat in various parts of the world has been a good fit with the mission of Global Ties Idaho. Christine is a nurse by training and continues to be a dedicated volunteer in the city of Boise.

RON OBERLEITNER
BOARD MEMBER

Ron is a widely recognized thought leader in the health IT and autism communities, having successfully brought numerous innovations to market, including TalkAutism and AutismCares. He is a leading expert and widely published researcher on the use of health informatics and telemedicine for special needs, all of this work in recent years stemming from a successful career with market-leading medical device companies.

GARRY WENSKE
BOARD MEMBER

Garry Wenske is Executive Director of the Frank Church Institute and Adjunct Professor at Boise State University. He is also President of the Boise Committee on Foreign Relations and a board member of the Idaho Humanities Council and Global Ties Idaho. Wenske was previously a counsel to several U.S. Senators, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and two Presidential campaigns; and chief of staff to several Members of Congress. Wenske has been a Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Department of State. He is a graduate of the George Washington University Elliott School of International Relations, the Foreign Service Institute, and the University of Idaho Law School.

ROSS BURKHART
BOARD MEMBER

Ross Burkhart is a Professor of Political Science in the School of Public Service at Boise State University. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Iowa. He has taught courses on comparative politics, international relations, and statistics at Boise State since 1997. He has also served as department chair, master’s program coordinator, and doctoral program coordinator. He has published the book Turmoil in American Public Policy: Science, Democracy, and the Environment as well as numerous articles on economics and democracy, political culture, Canada-U.S. borderlands, and election forecasting.

MAYA DURATOVIC
BOARD MEMBER

Maya Duratovic holds a Master’s degree in Business and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from Boise State University. Currently, Maya works at Boise State University as the Department Manager for English. In her free time, she volunteers with non-profit organizations that promote cultural understanding and citizen diplomacy. Having lived through the civil war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and arriving to the United States as a refugee, she feels passionate about creating world peace and harmony amongst community members.

JEANIE LEVINSKI
BOARD MEMBER

Jeanie Levinski holds a Master’s degree in Adult/Organizational Learning and Leadership from the University of Idaho. Ms. Levinski has held positions with the University of Idaho, Family Medicine Health Center, the ACLU of Idaho and currently works as an Education Manager for One Refugee, a nonprofit that supports individuals from a refugee background by helping them, one-on-one, to obtain an education and prepare for a successful, meaningful, and professional future. Jeanie is originally from Idaho but has also had the privilege of traveling and living abroad. She values community building and connection and strives to create inclusive spaces.

MOWBRAY BROWN
BOARD MEMBER

Mowbray Brown worked to pay for his first international travel while attending Boise High School.  He is a member of Rotary International and a founding member of Global Ties Idaho. He has an abiding interest in local history and moonlights as a tour guide. Through his career in the meetings and hospitality industry, Mowbray has worked with dozens of diverse NGO’s and professional, social, religious and trade associations and service groups. He believes an awareness of these volunteer organizations and interest groups can help visitors’ understanding how American society works.

XOCHITL SIERRA
BOARD MEMBER

Xochitl Sierra holds a Master’s degree in International Development from the University of the Basque Country and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Aberystwyth. She started her career working for United Nations and held different positions with diverse public and private international entities around the world, primarily related to Women’s Rights, Human Rights, and Environmental affairs. She fell in love with Boise, ID several years ago and decided to establish in this vibrant city and works now as a consultant in international affairs and political campaigns. In her free time, you can find her strategizing on her next campaign or finding flights for her next traveling adventure.

Melissa Cleland
BOARD MEMBER

Melissa Cleland is the owner of Southwest Idaho Consulting, based in Boise, Idaho. She brings nearly two decades of destination marketing, event planning, social media implementation and creative promotion to her clients.

As an intern in 2003, Melissa started her career in the tourism industry at the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau, after graduating college she was offered a full-time position. Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Marketing from Boise State University and a Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University.

In September 2010, Melissa created Southwest Idaho Consulting (SWIC), a marketing and communications company. SWIC specializes in destination marketing strategy and management, volunteer recruitment, event management, and social media implementation and strategy.

Melissa currently lives in Garden City with her dog, Eddie and spends any free time with friends and family – hopefully with a glass of red wine in hand!

Nancy Richardson
BOARD MEMBER

Nancy Richardson has been the Senior International Tourism Specialist for the state of Idaho for over 15 years. She has been working in the tourism industry in Boise, ID since 1989 with previous positions with the Boise CVB, Boise Tours and Shuttle Service, and Hyatt hotels.
Nancy has served on a variety of boards in her community including Preservation Idaho, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and the Boise City Arts Commission – Events and Performing Arts Committee.
She has a BS degree from Northern Montana College in Secondary Education – History and Social Science. Her passion for Idaho history and tourism has led her to fulfill her career dreams.
Nancy’s family is involved in raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. She enjoys reading, music, theatre, movies and cooking in her spare time.