March 6, 2026
Chicago, IL — Greenheart International announced that Daniel Ebert stepped down from his role as President effective February 27, 2026, concluding nearly 27 years of leadership with the organization. Concurrently, the Board of Directors has appointed Matt Smith as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 1, 2026.
Ebert served Greenheart for more than three decades in executive leadership, helping guide the organization through significant growth, global expansion, and industry evolution. During his tenure, Greenheart strengthened its exchange and travel programs, expanded its leadership development and volunteer initiatives, deepened strategic partnerships, and reinforced its role as a respected voice in international cultural exchange.
Under his leadership, Greenheart navigated complex regulatory environments, economic cycles, and the global pandemic, while maintaining its long-standing commitment to fostering global understanding through people-to-people exchange. Ebert has served for more than three years on the Executive Committee of the Alliance for International Exchange, including in the role of Treasurer, and will conclude his committee service as part of this leadership transition.
“It has been the honor of my professional life to serve Greenheart and contribute to advancing international exchange as a force for connection and global leadership,” said Ebert. “I am proud of what our team has built over the past four decades and confident in the organization’s continued impact.”
As Greenheart looks to its next chapter, the Board enthusiastically welcomes Matt Smith as CEO. Smith currently serves as Greenheart’s Board Chair and brings 30 years of BridgeUSA industry experience, along with a deep understanding of the organization’s mission, programs, and people. His 3.5 years of service on the Board and close collaboration with staff and leadership position him to step seamlessly into the role and build on the organization’s strong foundation from day one.
Smith’s career includes executive leadership roles at two of the world’s largest international exchange organizations. At EF Education, he led teams domestically and internationally across Cultural Exchange, Language Learning, and Educational Tours. As Executive Vice President at CIEE, the largest U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor of the BridgeUSA program, he led the team responsible for bringing more than 30,000 J-1 visa exchange visitors annually to the United States.
A graduate with honors from Connecticut College, Smith has served on the Greenheart Board of Directors and on several leading industry associations, including the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) and the Alliance for International Exchange.
“Matt’s experience, energy, and deep commitment to international exchange make him exceptionally well-suited to lead Greenheart into its next phase of growth and impact,” said the Board in a joint statement. “His familiarity with our organization and dedication to our mission ensure strong continuity and exciting momentum for the future.”
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Since 1985, Greenheart International has been a catalyst for global transformation through the facilitation of cultural exchange programs. Greenheart International connects people and planet to create global leaders through personal development, volunteer service, environmentalism, and of course, cultural exchange.
For more information about Greenheart International and its programs, please visit www.greenheart.org.
Media Contact:
Carol Fletcher
Marketing Director
Greenheart International
cfletcher@greenheart.org
+1-312-944-2544