Matthew Conley is the Founder and President of Lattice. He’s spent years building a model that puts teacher well-being, regulatory compliance, and transparent communication at the center of the exchange. Matthew’s interest in international connections is personal—he grew up learning from a Romanian coach whose story of perseverance shaped his view of what cross-cultural exchange can do for communities. Before Lattice, he worked with founder-led companies through operational transitions, experience that now informs Lattice’s emphasis on data integrity, process discipline, and responsible growth. He holds a BS from Duke University and an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Diane Harr, PhD, is Teacher Success Manager at Lattice Global. She also serves as the Program Chair of Graduate Special Education at Concordia University, St. Paul. She is a veteran special educator and administrator with experience at all school levels, having worked at Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools and Eastern Carver County Schools in Minnesota. Diane is recognized for her leadership in advancing special education and supporting graduate training.

Jesse Ruhl serves as Lattice’s Responsible Officer. Jesse Ruhl is an expert in educational regulatory compliance, immigration law, and international student programs with over two decades of legal practice in Pennsylvania and Maryland. He founded SEVIS Education & Consulting, LLC in 2021 and currently serves as Primary and Alternate Designated School Official at several institutions, including Bank Street College of Education and Gwynedd Mercy University, as well as the Gravity International Program in New York. His experience includes previous roles at Westminster Theological Seminary and the development of training workshops for educational organizations.

Emmanuella Owens Abeck, PhD, oversees Lattice’s operations in Jamaica. She holds a doctorate in Hospitality Business Management from Auburn University with research in crisis leadership. Ella brings firsthand exchange experience and a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to recruiting and support. Before joining Lattice, she led sales and marketing at the five-star Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios. Ella is recognized for building high-quality systems and is dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition for educators participating in exchanges in the United States.

Simona Baciu is the founder of Transylvania College and the InIm Institute, where she leads nationally recognized teacher well-being programs endorsed by Romania’s Ministry of Education. Her work has trained thousands of educators and reached tens of thousands more through courses, research, and public initiatives, and she is co-author of The Teacher Within. Simona serves in leadership and advisory roles across Romanian and international organizations, advancing evidence-based approaches to teacher resilience, school culture, and student success. Her focus is practical and outcomes-driven: helping schools strengthen instructional climate by equipping teachers with the tools to sustain their work and their health.

Diana's career spans over 25 years in education, serving as an instructional assistant, a Kindergarten teacher, a special education teacher, and a principal. Her specialty lies in reading disabilities, particularly dyslexia. She holds an MA in Speech Pathology and Audiology and is currently a doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction: Special Education. She is a TPT author and loves creating social stories for kids with Autism. At Wonderlink, Diana uses her experience as a former J-1 visa teacher to mentor and guide new teachers through their initial professional journey in the United States.

Sabina Afman is a lead recruiter for Romanian teachers with a background in Psychology from Babes-Bolyai University. She brings experience as a Teach for Romania educator and current teacher trainer, supporting candidate development and international recruitment. Her work focuses on advancing Romanian education with strong candidate support and global outreach.

Otilia Calfa holds BA and MA degrees in Psychology, Education, and Counseling from Babes-Bolyai University. She specializes in teacher training for U.S. classrooms, leveraging her knowledge of psychological development. Otilia's expertise centers on designing impactful training programs for educational settings.

Nadia Crisan is an experienced business affairs professional specializing in Romanian-American relations, having served as the First Secretary of the Embassy of Romania to the United States. She is the Executive Director of the Liechtenstein Institute at Princeton and holds an MA in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts. Her expertise is grounded in decades of deep Embassy relationships and international leadership.

Elena Opriș is the Marketing and Outreach Lead for Romania and holds an MA in Marketing Strategy from Babes-Bolyai University. Her experience includes graphic design, communications strategy, and management of digital outreach and engagement campaigns. Elena supports Romanian teacher recruitment through creative campaigns and stakeholder engagement.

Susan Shapiro is an author, educator, and thought leader whose work centers on building healthy classroom cultures, by inspiring creativity, connection and most important, kindness.  The author of more than 25 books, including co-author with Simona Baciu of The Within Series, she believes it is through personal growth that collective change occurs. Her global outlook reaches different nationalities and disciplines as she models a healthy lifestyle which includes serving others and finding inspiration when she walks daily through the woods. 

Kara warren is Lattice’s Alernate Responsible Officer. She has more than ten years of experience supporting international students, and currently oversees immigration compliance for over 1,200 students as the Primary Designated School Official at Concordia University, St. Paul. She previously worked in similar roles at Northwestern Health Sciences University and Macalester College, and began her career as an Alternate Responsible Officer for J-1 visa holders at Kansas State University. Kara specializes in F-1 and J-1 visa regulations and the complexities of immigration compliance in higher education.