icon open
Meet the Team

Meet the Team

The Greenheart team is dynamic, mission-driven, and dedicated to expanding worldviews. Get to know our founders and co-leadership team.

Since 1985, Greenheart, as a non-profit organization, has been on a mission to connect people and planet through cultural exchange. We, as an organization, believe that travel has a way of opening your mind to new ideas, while building deep understanding and empathy. The Greenheart team rallies around the credence that immersive travel through cultural exchange programs is at the very heart of diplomacy and peace building. We are proud to say that we’ve facilitated life-changing exchange experiences for more than 175,000 participants from 100+ countries.

When you consider the ripple effect of all the lives touched from those exchange encounters here in the USA and abroad, we can say –without a doubt– that cultural exchange has the power and potential to change the world. And that is why we do what we do.

We would not be able to accomplish this without our dedicated Greenheart community—our hosts, our partners, our travelers, and our staff. Thank you to everyone who is open to learning more about the world outside their border and to changing the world—one friendship at a time.

With Gratitude,

Daniel Ebert
President, Greenheart International

Leadership

Matt Smith Profile Image

Matt Smith

Board Chair

Matt Smith developed a passion for cultural exchange by living, studying, and working abroad at a young age. An interest in facilitating immersive, international academic and professional programs, akin to what he experienced, led him to this industry more than 25 years ago.

Prior to his current role, Matt held key executive leadership positions at two of the world’s largest international exchange organizations. At EF Education (1996-2018), he held a variety of senior executive roles, domestically and internationally, with a focus on international high school exchange programs and J1/BridgeUSA programs. More recently, as Executive Vice President at CIEE (2018-2022), the largest U.S. Department of State designated sponsor of the Bridge USA / J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program, he led the team that brings more than 30,000 participants annually into the USA. He currently serves as president of Educatius USA and joined the board of Greenheart in 2023.

A graduate with honors from Connecticut College, Matt has served as a Board Member on several of the leading industry associations including the Council on Standards in International Education Travel (CSIET), the Alliance for International Exchange, and the Coalition for American Public Diplomacy and Leadership.
Matt Smith
Matt Smith
Board Chair
Matt Smith developed a passion for cultural exchange by living, studying, and working abroad at a young age. An interest in facilitating immersive, international academic and professional programs, akin to what he experienced, led him to this industry more than 25 years ago.

Prior to his current role, Matt held key executive leadership positions at two of the world’s largest international exchange organizations. At EF Education (1996-2018), he held a variety of senior executive roles, domestically and internationally, with a focus on international high school exchange programs and J1/BridgeUSA programs. More recently, as Executive Vice President at CIEE (2018-2022), the largest U.S. Department of State designated sponsor of the Bridge USA / J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program, he led the team that brings more than 30,000 participants annually into the USA. He currently serves as president of Educatius USA and joined the board of Greenheart in 2023.

A graduate with honors from Connecticut College, Matt has served as a Board Member on several of the leading industry associations including the Council on Standards in International Education Travel (CSIET), the Alliance for International Exchange, and the Coalition for American Public Diplomacy and Leadership.
Daniel Ebert
Daniel Ebert
President, Greenheart International
Daniel Ebert is a mission-focused, visionary leader with deep interest in advancing public policy through the expansion of exchange programs, coalition-building, and partnership development.

Daniel started his journey in cultural exchange when he studied abroad first in Brazil and then in Spain, making him nearly trilingual. Daniel joined Greenheart in 1999 and worked his way up filling many roles along the way. He is passionate about developing youth to achieve their highest potential and about diversifying Greenheart’s offerings.

Under Daniel’s leadership, Greenheart launched J1 Teacher, J1 Intern, J1 Trainee, as well as many of Greenheart Travel’s outbound programs. He was pivotal in the creation of Greenheart’s Odyssey programming, a series of opportunities that gives back to local communities and prepares alumni to become global leaders.
Daniel’s strengths include streamlining all functions of the organization to ensure collaboration and efficiency, while fostering mutual respect and empowerment.

He is an eternal optimist; an active communicator and he embraces a mindset of progress and growth. He is passionate about government relations and has served as one of the organization’s key diplomats for many years. Daniel also plays a key role in building and maintaining partner relationships for Greenheart, both within the USA and abroad. Daniel is highly involved with different industry associations, including serving on the Board of Directors, as well as various committees within the Alliance of International Exchange.
Marcelle Benedicta
Marcelle Benedicta
Vice President, Marketing and External Relations
Marcelle Benedicta advances the educational value of international exchanges through her experience as a former exchange student, combined with her 20 years of professional and non-profit experience. Some of her strengths include marketing & communications, event planning, strategic development, program management, training and onboarding, and industry collaboration.

Marcelle started at Greenheart International as a host organization recruiter in 2010 and became Program Director for the Work & Travel Department and the Responsible Officer for the Department of State’s BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel designation. In 2018, she was promoted to Vice President, overseeing the Summer Work Travel, Intern, Trainee, and Teacher programs. Marcelle rotated through the organization, including leading Greenheart’s High School Programs, the Department of State’s FLEX, YES, and Ambassador Scholarship Fund grant programs, and non-DOS Short-Term Programs. In addition, she works with the Marketing and Outreach team focusing on marketing initiatives, public relations, and events.

She is active in the sponsor community and has been involved in the Alliance for International Exchange and Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET).

Originally from Indonesia, Marcelle is passionate about travel and cultural exchange, having done two back-to-back homestay programs in Australia and New Zealand. She has a master’s in business administration from Loyola University Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations from Marquette University.
Maria Kiosses
Maria Kiosses
Vice President, Compliance and Youth Programs
Maria Kiosses oversees the Compliance and Youth Programs, which includes the YES and FLEX grants. She started her career with Greenheart in 2011 and has worked on all of Greenheart’s BridgeUSA designations before taking on Youth Programs.

She is passionate about creating big picture strategies and finding efficiencies through diligent resource allocation. As a result, Maria has played an integral role in developing and revising internal processes, designing new policies, and contributing to the overall strategies for responsible growth.

Maria’s educational background includes the Conscious Leadership and Team Management course at The University of Chicago Graham School, Master of Arts in Political Science: International Relations and Comparative Politics at Northern Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages: Russian & English Translation and Communication at Northern Illinois University.
Jason Nusser
Jason Nusser
Jason Nusser – Vice President, International Business Development & Operations
In his capacity as Vice President of International Business Development & Operations, Jason and his team are responsible for implementing business development strategies to maintain and grow Greenheart’s cultural exchange business in countries around the world. His main duties include identifying suitable business partners, strengthening relationships with existing customers, executing operating agreements, and providing overarching support on a variety of matters to ensure successful program implementation.

Prior to joining Greenheart in 2010, Jason served for two years as a United States Peace Corps Youth Development Volunteer in Ukraine. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, Jason wrote and administered a PEPFAR grant for an Ukrainian organization providing education on HIV/AIDS.

Additionally, he taught English and computer literacy courses at a college where he wrote and administered grant-funded projects. Jason co-organized several youth camps with other Peace Corps volunteers on topics of environmentalism, leadership, and democracy.

Jason completed his undergraduate studies in Developmental Psychology and Anthropology at the University of Minnesota and his graduate studies in Intercultural Service, Leadership and Management at the School for International Training in Vermont. During his undergraduate coursework, Jason studied for one semester at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia.

Since his first international travel experience as a college student, Jason has been fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to many countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America for both business and pleasure.
Jess Kissell
Jess Kissell
Vice President, Professional Exchange Programs
Jess Kissell leads the BridgeUSA J-1 Intern/Trainee, Teacher, and Summer Work Travel programs at Greenheart. Her mission-driven approach combines strategic non-profit management with a focus on program and people management, relationship building with diverse stakeholders, and expertise in compliance, risk mitigation, and budgetary planning. With extensive experience in cultural exchange and a background that includes living abroad and volunteering in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, she views facilitating these programs as a privilege that fosters global understanding and peace.

Jess holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is also an artist who leverages creativity to support local non-profits in Maine as well as international organizations. Deeply committed to girls’ education, she dedicates time to volunteering in Tanzania, where she supports education and health initiatives aimed at empowering youth.

Throughout her career, Jess has worked on initiatives to support youth in underserved regions, mentored emerging professionals, and witnessed the growth and development of her team. Her dedication to cultural exchange and volunteerism is driven by a deep belief in their transformative power to address global inequalities and enrich lives. She is profoundly honored to engage in work that aligns with her passions and values, contributes to meaningful change, and fosters a more connected and equitable world.

Executive Support

Laura K. Rose Profile Image

Laura K. Rose

Co-Founder and Chief Advisor

Laura K. Rose is a passionate youth empowerment specialist who has dedicated her life to supporting budding global leaders through her work in cultural exchange, purpose work, mentoring, public speaking, and philanthropy. She is Co-founder and former CEO of Greenheart International and is Co-Founder of Purpose Earth, an organization dedicated to launching, funding and mentoring grassroots projects around the globe that provide creative solutions to their communities’ greatest challenges. In 1995 she co-founded Fundacion por el Futuro in Spain devoted to the creation of environmental and educational programs for American and Spanish youth, and has been a key supporter of the growth and mission of Casita Verde, an educational eco-center in Ibiza which showcases sustainable living and alternative energies and has been visited by thousands of students and adults from dozens of countries worldwide. She is a member of Evolutionary Leaders, a group of thought leaders from diverse disciplines who come together to support a global shift in consciousness, and a strong supporter and former board member of Empowerment Collective dedicated to the eradication of modern-day slavery by giving marginalized women in Nepal & India the skills they deserve to ensure self-sufficiency and dignity. Laura serves on the boards of She is the Universe, a girls empowerment platform, of Choose Love Movement promoting hope, healing and connection, and of Unity Earth, a global network whose mission is to accelerate the realization of unity and peace.

Laura mentors several women in Brazil, Ghana, Lebanon, the Dominican Republic, the U.S., and Afghanistan and believes they are her greatest teachers. As an experienced public speaker, she has facilitated public speaking workshops for youth, appeared on numerous podcasts, and been a panelist and keynote speaker in numerous forums. She served as Vice Chair and on the Executive Committee to the Alliance for International Exchange in Washington, DC. and the Council on Standards for International Education.

Laura received the Visioneers Heroine of Humanity Award in 2023 and is co-recipient of the Unity Earth Keepers of the Flame Award and the Barbara Marx Hubbard Award for Innovation with her husband, Emanuel Kuntzelman.
Laura K. Rose
Laura K. Rose
Co-Founder and Chief Advisor
Laura K. Rose is a passionate youth empowerment specialist who has dedicated her life to supporting budding global leaders through her work in cultural exchange, purpose work, mentoring, public speaking, and philanthropy. She is Co-founder and former CEO of Greenheart International and is Co-Founder of Purpose Earth, an organization dedicated to launching, funding and mentoring grassroots projects around the globe that provide creative solutions to their communities’ greatest challenges. In 1995 she co-founded Fundacion por el Futuro in Spain devoted to the creation of environmental and educational programs for American and Spanish youth, and has been a key supporter of the growth and mission of Casita Verde, an educational eco-center in Ibiza which showcases sustainable living and alternative energies and has been visited by thousands of students and adults from dozens of countries worldwide. She is a member of Evolutionary Leaders, a group of thought leaders from diverse disciplines who come together to support a global shift in consciousness, and a strong supporter and former board member of Empowerment Collective dedicated to the eradication of modern-day slavery by giving marginalized women in Nepal & India the skills they deserve to ensure self-sufficiency and dignity. Laura serves on the boards of She is the Universe, a girls empowerment platform, of Choose Love Movement promoting hope, healing and connection, and of Unity Earth, a global network whose mission is to accelerate the realization of unity and peace.

Laura mentors several women in Brazil, Ghana, Lebanon, the Dominican Republic, the U.S., and Afghanistan and believes they are her greatest teachers. As an experienced public speaker, she has facilitated public speaking workshops for youth, appeared on numerous podcasts, and been a panelist and keynote speaker in numerous forums. She served as Vice Chair and on the Executive Committee to the Alliance for International Exchange in Washington, DC. and the Council on Standards for International Education.

Laura received the Visioneers Heroine of Humanity Award in 2023 and is co-recipient of the Unity Earth Keepers of the Flame Award and the Barbara Marx Hubbard Award for Innovation with her husband, Emanuel Kuntzelman.
Emanuel Kuntzelman
Emanuel Kuntzelman
Founder and Senior Advisor
Emanuel Kuntzelman is an entrepreneur, writer, philosopher, philanthropist and activist for social transformation. He began his adult life by traveling the world on a decade-long quest for his spiritual purpose before beginning his professional career as an editor/writer for Readers’ Digest, where he authored dozens of articles for international editions.

Upon discovering his right livelihood in the realm of cultural exchange, he founded and managed numerous exchange organizations in Spain, the U.S. and the U.K. Having created Greenheart International in 1985, he still serves as Senior Advisor to the organization. He is also the co-founder of Fundación por el Futuro in Madrid, Spain, and has been its President since 1995. His work in consciousness movements includes being a founding co-creator of the Global Purpose Movement and Purpose Earth, as well as his collaboration as a member of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle.

Emanuel is a board member and/or advisor to numerous organizations in the conscious community. He is co-editor of the anthology Purpose Rising (2017) and has contributed articles to a wide variety of publications. He is also co-editor of the The Holomovement: Embracing Our Collective Purpose to Unite Humanity (2023). His vision of the Holomovement is a project he has been working on for over fifty years and is now the primary initiative of his work. More information can be found at www.emanuelkuntzelman.com and www.holomovement.net