At ITD our staff members are our most critical resource, ensuring that our programs are expertly promoted, organized, and implemented; and enhancing participants’ program experience through direct support during stateside and overseas programs. Our years of combined experience in education, training, community development and cross-cultural exchange gives us the ability to create meaningful and often transformative learning environments. Because of the rich and diverse backgrounds of our staff we are able to offer high quality programming in Spanish and French. In addition, we are able to tap into an extensive network of academics and professionals that join us for specific projects and contribute their expertise.
Staff
Mark Protti
Executive Director
Mark brings more than two decades of international education and training experience to his position as Executive Director at ITD. He has served in this role since 2003 and has overseen the development and implementation of grants and programs totaling millions of dollars and reaching thousands of participants. Prior to joining ITD, Mark served as director of training at Heifer International, where he oversaw training in more than 30 countries around the world. In addition, he has worked in the capacity of project director, trainer, education advisor, facilitator or evaluator for several international development organizations, including USAID, the Organization of American States and the United Nations. Mark is fluent in Spanish and has worked in several Latin American countries including serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica. Mark holds a doctorate in International Education from the University of Massachusetts and a master’s degree in Natural Resources Management from SUNY Syracuse.
Edgardo Rothkegel
Financial Director
Edgardo serves as ITD’s financial director. He is responsible for organizational financial management and accounting. He handles a wide range of matters of organizational importance, including financial planning, budget management, reporting and procurement. He has been at ITD since 1988 and in his capacity has provided thousands of ITD participants a range of both administrative and programmatic support. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts. Edgardo grew up in Guatemala and the US, and is a native Spanish speaker.
Kaye Sherwood
Operations and Facilities Manager
Kaye serves as ITD’s Operations and Facilities Manager. She has been with ITD since 1991 and over the years has provided the organization with essential administrative and logistical support. She is responsible for overseeing ITD’s general office operations, proposal submissions, hotel and travel planning, visa SEVIS ARO functions among many other duties. Kaye manages the ITD house, ITD’s gorgeous Victorian where groups reside – she coordinates occupancy, rentals, maintenance and restoration projects. She thoroughly enjoys being Program Homestay Coordinator, matching participants to area families so that they are able to experience a full cross-cultural exchange. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in Political Science and Bilingual Education. Kaye is fluent in Spanish.
Alejandro Martínez Alfaro
Communications and Media Manager
Alejandro manages ITD’s media and communications. He uses his design skills to create media content for ITD’s social media and web presence. In addition to his media duties, Alejandro supports ITD programs in many ways including organizing the community service and peer mentor components. Alejandro conducts global outreach and helps ITD develop independent programs with universities, colleges and non-profit organizations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications, and specializes in Business Planning. Alejandro is from El Salvador and ITD is proud to count him as an alumnus of its 2013 Study of the U.S. Institute program.
Katie Lazdowski
Program Director
Katie began her work with ITD as a consultant before beginning full time in 2019. She oversees programming for all of ITD’s work, from civic engagement with Moroccan professionals, to pedagogy with global educators, to leadership with youth programs. Katie designs and implements curricula, training, logistical management, and program evaluation. She draws on over two decades of international education, training, and consultancy experience. After teaching French to middle and high school students for multiple years, she and her husband moved to Mali where they served in the Peace Corps. Katie holds a PhD in Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies from the University of Massachusetts, and a master’s degree in teaching foreign languages from Simmons College. Katie enjoys running, time with her family, and baking.
Yanara Barriga
Office Manager
Yanara has been working for ITD since the beginning of 2017. She studies Public Health and Biostatistics at the University of Massachusetts with a focus on community development projects in relation to health. She is from Ecuador and lived in Honduras for a few years. Yanara has previously assisted ITD as a program assistant and helped with all aspects of program implementation from transportation and logistics to inquiring about the well-being of the participants. Currently, Yanara serves as ITD’s Office Manager, and is responsible for managing ITD’s financial records, overseeing the organization and scheduling of events, and ensuring overall smooth office operations.