Advice from Greenheart Staff
These Greenhearts have been working hard to make us what we are today. Read their advice as they reflect upon their years of service and global leadership:
Emanuel Kuntzelman
President, Greenheart International—1985
My advice to new staff is… Enjoy the ride and go with the flow. Don’t overthink it. It’s like surfing. It might be trouble paddling out from shore and getting started, but once you catch the wave it has an energy of its own.
laura Rose
CEO, Greenheart International—1994
My advice to new staff is… Focus on the positives of our work and our lives and then consider how to make those aspects even better. It is an incredibly empowering and uplifting and perspective.
Claudia Curran
Director, General Projects & Personnel, Greenheart International—1995
One unexpected thing I’ve learned at Greenheart is… On many occasions throughout the years I have volunteered for projects at Greenheart that I knew very little about in the beginning. As I would utter the words, “sure, I’ll take a stab at that” my heart would be beating so fast and a little voice in my head was saying “you are in trouble now.” Nonetheless, I would lay out a game plan and chip away at the “to do” list methodically and persistently. Eventually, projects would get completed and implemented. Over time my comfort zone has widened and I have gained a lot of confidence. The unexpected reward for me through all of the projects has to be to impart “can do” spirit on new hires and other staff members based on what experience has taught me.
Connie Dean
Executive Regional Director of the South, Field Network, High School Programs, CCI Greenheart, Greenheart International—1998
My advice to new staff is… Always have an open mind, and remember this organization is family. That is the one thing that sticks out more than anything. When I came on, it was small, and I’ve grown with the family. If you keep your heart and mind open, you’ll grow with the family too. We are there for you, and are supportive. It is love. I look at every Greenheart person as a part of my family. When we get together it is a reunion!
Daniel Ebert
Vice President of International Exchange, CCI Greenheart & Greenheart Travel, Greenheart International—2000
My advice to new staff is… Tap into your skills, follow your passions and to (diplomatically) speak your mind. Greenheart is a diverse organization, so have that work in your favor. Offer suggestions for betterment and where you see yourself fitting into the big picture, going forward. We all have vulnerabilities – don’t be afraid to share those with your colleagues… it may end up bringing you closer! You never know where the future will take you!”
Gwen Vitzthum
Director, J1 Operations, High School Programs, CCI Greenheart, Greenheart International—2004
My advice to new staff is… Greenheart is a great place to work, very generous with vacation, holidays, etc., and definitely transformative for those who are open to thinking outside of the box.
Juliet Jones
Director F-1, High School Programs, CCI Greenheart, Greenheart International—2001
My advice to new staff is… Try to keep an open mind as much as possible. This is one of the most important things I’ve learned – and continue to learn – at Greenheart. When working with young people on cultural exchange programs, there are inevitably conflicts that arise – among participants and host families, host families and Local Coordinators, etc. I’ve learned that it’s important to reserve judgment in every situation, regardless of the circumstances, because there are always multiple sides to the story. Often, just when the situation seems clear and we think there’s nothing more to know, a new detail surfaces that changes everything.
This comes into play when working with colleagues to come up with new ideas or ways of doing things, too. It’s human nature to resist change, but some of the best ideas we’ve had at Greenheart were rejected at first. Even the idea to incorporate Greenheart into the organization was met with some skepticism way back when it was first proposed. Some people thought that environmental service didn’t really “fit” with cultural exchange, and there was initially a lot of uncertainty about how to unite the two. Yet today Greenheart is the foundation of who we are! So I think it’s worth making the effort to cultivate a fresh perspective.
Jessica Wedge
High School Abroad Programs Assistant, Greenheart Travel, Greenheart International— 2002
One person that has become like family to me at Greenheart is… My first position with Greenheart was as a program assistant in the AYP department, in the St. Charles office. I quickly became good friends with Megan McGaughey – she is still one of my closest friends and our kids are now friends. J Thanks to Greenheart for introducing me to Megan!
Megan McGaughey
Director J-1, High School Programs, CCI Greenheart, Greenheart International—2001
One unexpected thing I’ve learned at Greenheart is… I am grateful to have the privilege to do something I love and believe in, what a privilege it is to work with people I care about and admire, and how incredibly fortunate I am to be one individual of a committed group of people who create and support life-changing experiences for others. That is what I focus on when the administrative doldrums get me down and that is what re-energizes me to push on. The act of my family hosting an exchange student when I was in high school altered my path immeasurably. It has shaped the course of my life and has engendered other opportunities of joy and connection. If I can play a part in making that happen for others, it has been a good day.
Nicole Cook
Director, HSP STP, High School Programs, CCI Greenheart, Greenheart International—2004
One person that has become like family to me at Greenheart is… Andrea Dennis and I first got to know each other well when she and I and just a couple other people worked on Wells 4 back in 2009. Over the years we’ve done yoga together, traveled together (including an 18 hour train ride between Prague and Florence prior to attending a CCI conference in Rome), and have spent many an evening talking about life, love, good books and good movies. Andrea acted as the MC for my wedding and has inspired me through the volunteer work she has done over the years with Big Brother/Big Sister and work with elderly groups. She’s like a sister to me!
Lori Tibbett
Executive Regional Director of the West, Field Network, High School Programs, CCI Greenheart, Greenheart International—2004
One person that has become like family to me at Greenheart is… When I moved to Chicago from Rome, I didn’t know anyone in the state of Illinois except for my husband Rich. After getting the job at CCI, all of these people became my dear friends and feel like family. For the past twelve years I have had some of my best vacations (conferences, training trips, etc.) with these people, as well as enjoying the comradery we share at the workplace. I’ve worked both in the St. Charles office, the LaSalle office, the Wells office and now in my remote home office and loved all of it!
