Andrea has been the Secretary General of Intercultura (Italian Partner of AFS Intercultural Programs) since 2017. Andrea served as the Volunteer Manager at Intercultura since 2009, and was a life-long volunteer for AFS since his study abroad program in 1996 to Germany. He is former Board member for Intercultura and former Board member and Vice Chair for EFIL, the European Federation for Intercultural learning. I served as a co-opted member of AFS Partner Director Representatives in 2018-2019. Before joining AFS as a staff member, Andrea worked in journalism and public relations. He holds a master’s degree in Political Science at the University of Bologna and an executive master in Management of International Organizations at SDA Bocconi in Milan.

Marcel Krause has been the Executive Board of AFS Germany since April 2019. Born in Germany, he moved to Spain in 2001 for his own intercultural experience, starting shortly after to work for AFS. As a former New Business Development Manager in a Marketing & Communications Company he decided to combine personal and mission driven goals in order to pursue a deeper impact in society. AFS was the perfect fit. He served the AFS Mission ever since in different positions on an operational and strategical level – formerly as General Manager to the AFS branch office in Madrid until he got in charge of AFS Germany. Intercultural learning was important in his career not only for personal development but also for becoming a global citizen.

Gatot Sam has been the Partner Director AFS Indonesia / ED Yayasan Bina Antarbudaya since 2022. Before joining AFS, Gatot worked for Schlumberger, a multinational oil field service company, with more than 100,000 employees and operation in more than 100 countries, in various positions and in many countries. After retiring from the position of HR Director Schlumberger Geomarket Indonesia, Gatot became an active AFS volunteer in 2016, and became a Member of the Board AFS Indonesia in 2019. Gatot is active in Indonesia Traditional Javanese Theater Association, promoting traditional art and performance, he serves as Vice Chair of Association Alumni Salatiga, and is active in the Alumni of ITB Association (Institute of Technology Bandung). Gatot graduated from the Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB) Indonesia as an Electrical Engineer.

Watcharapoj has been the Partner Director for AFS Thailand since 2022. He has been serving as a board member of AFS Thailand since 2017 and was a volunteer for AFS Thailand since his study abroad program in 1996 in Italy. He has experience in logistics and supply chain management with several multinational companies, including Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Toys “R” Us, and Callaway Golf. Additionally, he has been a lecturer at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), currently holding the positions of Assistant Professor in Business Administration and Director of the Center for Strategy and Enterprise Competitiveness (STECO). He received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Mahidol University International College (MUIC) where he earned his bachelor’s degree in International Business Management. He holds a Ph.D. in Management with specialization in Supply Chain Management from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand.

Diana has been the Partner Director of AFS Ghana since March 2019. She has 20+ years of experience working with government agencies, private sector, corporate and nonprofit organizations within Ghana and in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Diana has managed regional and global programmes across a variety of sectors, including media, education, youth development, and arts. Diana spent 16 years at the British Council, Ghana serving in multiple roles, including Acting Country Director, Communications Manager, Head of Corporate Affairs, as well as leading a scholarship program (funded by a private corporation) in seven countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and three countries in South America. She holds an MBA from University of Northampton (UK).

Ceci has been the Executive Director of Fundación AFS Guatemala since 2014. Ceci served as a Board Member of AFS Guatemala since 2009, and was a life-long volunteer for AFS since her study abroad program in 1991 to Switzerland. She is also a former Board member of Sentio (AFS subsidiary for programs for young adults), and of the Latin American Alliance for Intercultural Education (ALEI). Before joining AFS as a staff member, Ceci worked in education, teaching English and later as a Professor of Teachers of English. She holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the University San Pablo de Guatemala.