The Institute for Training and Development (ITD) is a nonprofit organization based in Amherst, Massachusetts dedicated to education and inter-cultural exchange. ITD has supported civic engagement, academic exchange, youth leadership, sustainable development and other priority areas worldwide by immersing community leaders, scholars, professionals, governmental and non-governmental administrators in engaging programs from over 100 countries.
The ITD ChangemakerWith Deep Gratitude, We Wish Mark a Wonderful Retirement
In July, a multi-phase application process came to an end when ITD’s Board of Directors offered me the extraordinary opportunity to follow in Mark’s footsteps as ITD’s Executive Director. It is a tremendous privilege to carry the torch forward alongside my colleagues, our Board, and the remarkable network that makes ITD what it is. It is a responsibility I do not take lightly. At a time when ITD’s values are often contested or compromised, I am more committed than ever to ensuring that ITD’s mission continues to shine. And I know that I do not carry that torch alone. I am fueled by the strength of a global network of more than 5,000 alumni; by the expertise, partnership, and dedication of colleagues and friends around the world; and by the generosity and commitment of the community here at home. These relationships are the source of ITD’s strength; they keep the light burning.
Mark has carried that light for more than 25 years. I am deeply honored to help carry it forward. Mark, thank you for lighting the way. To the ITD family, I look forward to writing this next chapter with you. Sigue la luz!
-Katie Lazdowski 
Profound Partnerships: ITD and Tech Fest LiveITD is thrilled to partner with Khalil Vinson, founder of Tech Fest Live, on his important mission to expand internationally. Khalil recently traveled with us to Honduras and El Salvador-gaining cultural insights, building lasting partnerships with tech advocates and others, and taking time to “learn to unlearn.” We loved seeing our missions align and look forward to future collaborations in the U.S. and abroad. We know none of this would be possible without the strong partnerships of ITD alumni and in-country partners. We are grateful to our alumni Juliette Martínez (Honduras) and Marcela Guinea (El Salvador), as well as partner organizations, Honduras Social and Voces Vitales El Salvador. Congratulations, Tech Fest Live! 
Community Outreach: ITD at the UMASS Internship Fair
Alumni AcknowledgmentsITD alumni play a critical role in making ITD what it is. Without our 5,000+ alumni in more than 100 countries, there would be no ripple effect. The impact of a single ITD program-a few weeks in the United States-becomes a global phenomenon when alumni bring their experiences, new perspectives, and understanding back to their own communities. We’d love to hear from our alumni and feature you in our Alumni Acknowledgements section in future issues of The ITD Changemaker . Do you have an impact story of how your time at ITD has influenced a project or an approach in your setting or community? Do you have a memory of your time at ITD that resonates and informs your professional endeavors or personal initiatives? Do you have an idea for collaboration with ITD? Please email Stephen Sadlier at stephen@itdamherst.org to express interest and begin the conversation. You may one day find your story here. Alumni Opportunity!Show us your world. Share your story. Be part of the inaugural ITD calendar!To our world-wide community: We are seeking your photos! Help us create a 12-month ITD calendar —one that celebrates people, places, experiences, and connections that make the ITD community so unique. We are looking for photos from your countries, not those from your U.S.-based program. Submit a single photo that captures something meaningful to you and that fits one of the three categories below:
Email your submission to:
jesse@itdamherst.org
In Celebration of InterpretersOn September 30, International Interpretation and Translation Day, ITD wants to take a moment to celebrate our interpreters. Interpretation often goes unnoticed in a lecture or a meeting, yet it is a skill that transcends knowing more than one language. First, to have interpretation at all is to recognize that something meaningful reaches us through another language and worldview. Our programs recognize that understanding comes to each participant from many directions, and it is often the interpreter, standing off to the side, who makes that possible. Second, interpretation comes to life when the interpreter embodies the meaning expressed in the first language and then conveys that deeper meaning in clear, accurate words in the second. Each summer, ITD conducts the SUSI program for student leaders from the Western Hemisphere entirely in Spanish. Most of our featured speakers present in Spanish, but our English-medium sessions depend on the conscientious work of our corps of interpreters. We offer our deep gratitude to these culture workers, who bring to life information and ideas that would otherwise be far less accessible to our participants. Upcoming Local OpportunitiesPlease join us at Appreciation Nights, scheduled for October 5, 6 and 7 at the ITD House, 8 Sunset Ave in Amherst. To find out more and RSVP, please click here: https://forms.gle/H2EZbyRp9jKsyskm8 Would you like to host participants for an upcoming hospitality visit? Our English-speaking participants from Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay will be paired with local individuals, couples and/or families for a day of exchange on January 23, 2027. Please express interest by emailing Yanara Barriga at yanara@itdamherst.org Thanks for reading!
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