We are pleased to announce the elections of new and returning members to the national Board of Directors: Christian Bolden, Emmanuel Dorley, Cara Grayer, Sarah Happel, Catherine (Katie) Kodat, Michael Malinowski, and Roberto Rivera, all for a first 3-year term, and David Maxwell for a second and final 3-year term. We are grateful for their service, guidance, and generosity.
Christian Bolden is the Founder of The Bolden Group, LLC, and currently serves as a Project Manager at LeapFrog Solutions, based in Washington, DC. He holds an M.B.A. in Business Administration and Management from Syracuse University and a B.A. in Communications from the University of Mobile in Alabama. Christian was a Fulbright Specialist to Ireland, where he focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as well as information technology issues.
As the Founder of the African-American Irish Diaspora Network, Christian fosters cultural exchange and community building between African-American and Irish communities. He has extensive board experience and a strong network within donor communities, particularly in government affairs, business intelligence, and international program development.
In his professional career, Christian has managed strategic communications and marketing campaigns for high-profile clients, including the Department of Homeland Security, AT&T, and AARP. He has also held a significant role as a Professional Staff Member at the U.S. House of Representatives, where he contributed to legislative initiatives. Christian’s leadership in DEI and IT solutions is well recognized in the Washington DC-Baltimore Area, and his expertise in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement has driven impactful outcomes across various sectors.
Emmanuel Dorley is an Assistant Professor in the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department at the University of Florida and the CTO of scLean Labs Inc. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California and an M.Sc. in Robotics from the University of Birmingham. Emmanuel completed his undergraduate studies with a B.S. in Computer Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University, where he became the first student from the university to be awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in 2013 to the United Kingdom.
With a strong emphasis on AI innovation and program development, Emmanuel has made significant contributions to the field, including serving as a senior personnel member of the NSF-IES INVITE AI Institute, a five-year initiative to advance AI in K-12 education. His passion for technology is further demonstrated through his successful fundraising efforts for various initiatives and start-ups through scLean Labs.
As a Fulbright Ambassador and proud Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) alumnus, Emmanuel has enhanced connections with HBCUs through various presentations, workshops, and mentoring of HBCU applicants. He was also a speaker at Fulbright’s rebranding event in Washington, DC, in 2019. Emmanuel’s previous board service includes serving on the board of the New Brunswick Education Foundation and the Foundation for Women in Liberia. His access to numerous tech industry donors and his enthusiasm for advancing AI and educational initiatives have positioned him as a leader in his field.
Cara Grayer is an Attorney-Advisor in the International Bureau, Policy Division at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington, DC. She holds a J.D. and an M.A. in International Affairs from American University, and she earned her B.A. in English from Spelman College. A former Fulbright Scholar to Argentina, Cara brings nearly 25 years of experience as a telecommunications attorney, focusing on international communication policy issues at the FCC.
Cara is deeply involved in the international legal community, with extensive travel and lecturing experience across Mexico, the Caribbean, Argentina, and Uruguay. She has also contributed to academia as a Professor of Law in international studies, specializing in administrative law policy and strategic idea development. Her work is complemented by her involvement with the Council on Foreign Relations, where she continues to engage in global policy discussions.
An HBCU graduate with strong generational connections, Cara is passionate about cultural exchange and mentoring future leaders in international education. Her leadership skills and strategic thinking have made her a respected figure in the international legal and telecommunications fields.
Sarah Happel is the Founder and President of Spectrum Leadership Solutions, a boutique leadership consulting firm based in Virginia. She holds an M.S. in Journalism and Mass Communications from Kansas State University and is a former Fulbright recipient to the University of Helsinki. As a master certified coach (MCC), Sarah has supported global organizations in leadership development, drawing on her extensive international experience living and working in Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, and Belgium.
Sarah has held significant leadership roles, including serving on the IMF Family Association Board of Directors and the Washington Women’s Leadership Initiative, where she brought her business acumen and networking expertise to the forefront. She has also created global mobility departments for PwC in Frankfurt, Luxembourg City, Barcelona, and Brussels.
In addition to her consulting work, Sarah has made substantial contributions to the field of coaching, developing and presenting at the International Coach Federation’s conferences. She also led the diversity, inclusion, and well-being summit at George Mason University. Sarah’s experience in fundraising, membership, and fiduciary responsibilities further underscores her commitment to empowering leaders and organizations on a global scale.
Catherine (Katie) Kodat is the Provost and Dean of Faculty at Marist College in New York, where she also serves as a Professor of English. She holds both a Ph.D. and an M.A. in English from Boston University, and a B.A. in English from the University of Baltimore. In 2005, Katie was a Fulbright Lecturer in American Studies at Budapest’s Eötvös Loránd Tudományegytem (ELTE) and is currently a member of the Fulbright Scholar Advisory Board (CIES) for programs in Central and Eastern Europe.
As an accomplished academic administrator with experience across multiple campuses, Katie has been a strong advocate for study abroad programs and Fulbright initiatives. Her leadership is characterized by a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly in expanding student access to international education at Marist College.
Katie has served on various academic boards, including those of academic consortia, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, and the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences. She has successfully secured significant funding for academic initiatives through both philanthropic organizations and individual donors, further enhancing the educational landscape at Marist and beyond.
Michael Malinowski is a Professor of Vascular Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He holds an MEHP in Health Professions and a PMC in Evidence-Based Teaching from Johns Hopkins University, an M.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a B.A. in Biology from Illinois Wesleyan University. As a recipient of a Fulbright Specialist Grant in Uruguay, Michael has led significant global health projects in South America and Asia, enhancing public health and medical education on an international scale.
Michael has been a leader in curriculum development and evaluation, significantly impacting over 800 medical students across statewide campuses. He serves as the Director of the Society of Teaching Scholars (STS) and is an Associate Member of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. His work as Co-Principal Investigator on a DEI curriculum for core residency programs in Wisconsin is supported by a $200,000 two-year grant.
In addition to his academic and clinical roles, Michael is a reviewer for AHW grants focused on healthcare disparities, medical education, and public health projects. He has expanded medical education through philanthropic efforts in Nepal and has over a decade of experience practicing at Milwaukee’s only Level I trauma and quaternary vascular referral center. Throughout his career, Michael has been dedicated to building international organizations and fostering relationships that enhance public health, advocacy, and philanthropy globally.
Roberto Rivera is a retired police officer based in California with a distinguished career recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice for innovative community policing initiatives, and he was featured in Esquire’s “Lawyers as Changemakers.” He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology from the University of California, and a B.A. in Sociology from California State University, San Marcos, along with an A.A. in Sociology from Mount San Jacinto Community College.
As a Fulbright Scholar to Jamaica, Roberto has actively promoted inclusivity and cultural understanding, aligning with the mission and vision of the Fulbright Association. He is the Founder and President of the Inland Empire Chapter and has established the SoCal Alliance network with San Diego and Los Angeles chapters. A Lifetime Member of the Fulbright Association, Roberto is a 2023 and 2024 Prize Sponsor and Solicitor.
Roberto’s extensive nonprofit board experience includes work with the National Marrow Donor Program, where he has a strong track record in fundraising and advocacy. He is also an active volunteer with the American Red Cross, specializing in disaster management and diversity, equity, and inclusion policy development. Fluent in Spanish, Roberto has dedicated his career to supporting Latinx communities and advocating for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).
David Maxwell was president of Drake University from 1999 to 2015 and was named president emeritus upon his retirement. Throughout his 44-year academic career, Dr. Maxwell was extensively involved in leadership roles in international and global education. Since 2015, Dr. Maxwell has served as a Senior Fellow and Senior Consultant with the Association of Governing Boards, working with higher education boards and presidents on effective governance. He has been a member of Grinnell College’s Board of Trustees since 2016, including a term as chair. Dr. Maxwell was a Fulbright Scholar in Moscow, U.S.S.R 1970-71, conducting research for his doctoral dissertation on the prose of Anton Chekhov. David is serving his first first three-year term.