Jodi Hope Michaels

Executive Director

Jodi is the Executive Director at Colleagues, having joined the organization in 2016 following nearly two decades in international community development work, with a focus on human rights and social justice. She previously worked as a director of communications for an international network of local community organizations, as a community organizer for a theatre redevelopment project, and also spent several years working at a large foundation in Jerusalem, among other roles. Hailing from Canada, Jodi has a degree in Human Biology, with a focus on health in the developing world, from Stanford University.She has visited some 20 countries, both through her work and general interest in cultural immersion and exchange.

Ian Magnuson

Communications and Program Associate

Ian joined us in January 2021. He has a passion for international education and has been active in promoting citizen diplomacy for a decade. While studying at Western Michigan University, Ian co-founded the German Club and Western Model United Nations student organizations. He also holds an MPP degree from Michigan State University where he co-resurrected the Public Policy Student Association and interned for the State of Michigan. Ian is from Battle Creek and has since lived in Kalamazoo, Detroit, and Lansing. He also studied in Bonn and later completed a life-changing Fulbright assistantship in Leipzig, Germany. In his free time, he enjoys writing, video games, paddle boarding, advocating for climate and racial justice, and making pizza from scratch.

Our Board

Thomas Kostrzewa, President

Anna Popkova, Vice President

Michael Mortlock, Treasurer

Nicholas Baxter, Secretary

Michel Baradosa

Shabaka Gibson

Sarah Mansberger

Louise Potratz

Barry Reeser

Daniela Schroeter

Kevin Wordelman

Eric Zahrai

Our Committees

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Communications and Branding

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Workforce Development, Social Work and Outbound Exchange Planning

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50th Anniversary (2021) Planning

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Office and administration

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