We acknowledge that Boston is situated on the traditional homelands of the Massachusett People. We also acknowledge their relatives and neighbors, the Nipmuc and Wampanoag Peoples.
WorldBoston is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).
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Eleanor is a third-year student at Northeastern University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She is passionate about global engagement and cross-cultural understanding and is excited to be working with, and learning from, the WorldBoston team.
Eleanor began her academic journey studying abroad in London, where she took the opportunity to solo travel across Europe in between her classes. She has also taken part in several work exchange programs around the world, allowing her to immerse in new cultures, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to local community.
Elena is a recent double Northeastern graduate, holding a Dual BA in Political Science & International Affairs, and a MA in Political Science.
During her Master's degree, she did her Co-op at WorldBoston on the Citizen Diplomacy team and particularly enjoyed connecting with many international visitors, as an international citizen from Monaco herself. She returned to WorldBoston in July 2024 after graduating, as the Citizen Diplomacy Associate.
Outside of work, Elena enjoys teaching yoga and boxing classes, reading books from all genres, and biking around Boston all year-long.
Heather joined the WorldBoston team in January 2025 as the Finance and Operations Manager.
Recently, Heather has worked as a Finance Manager at a local women-owned technology firm. She has over 20 years of experience in financial services at companies such as Putnam Investments, BNY Mellon, and MFS Investment Management in roles that spanned from International Client Service to Information Systems. Heather previously worked as a Program Coordinator for a non-profit that installed solar powered computer labs in primary schools in Tanzania and Kenya.
Heather has volunteered for her local public school and youth soccer. In her spare time, she likes to knit, read, and play board games with her family.
Heather holds a B.A. from Boston University in Political Science and an M.B.A. from Boston University. She speaks French and is learning Portuguese and Spanish.
Justin has been the Manager of Citizen Diplomacy Programs since January 2025, managing WorldBoston’s Custom Visitor Programs portfolio. Justin has been associated with WorldBoston since May 2024, working on implementing the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and the Fulbright Visiting Scholars Cultural Enrichment Program.
Justin possesses years of experience in political communications, nonprofit management, and community engagement. His graduate studies focused on improving the State Department’s humanitarian response to migration with Mexico, which included meetings with American and Mexican government officials in December 2023. He served as an Advocacy Associate for Boston Climate Action Network, promoting climate justice policies and co-hosting sustainability events. Additionally, he served as the Communications Director for Massachusetts State Representative Kevin G. Honan, focusing on political communications and legislative research.
Justin holds a B.A. from Boston University in Political Science and Spanish and an M.A. from the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies - Boston University in Latin American Studies. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.
Harrison joined the WorldBoston team in February 2024 as the Community Engagement Manager. He was promoted to the role of Manager of Global Engagement Programs and Operations in May 2024, and became Director of Global Engagement Programs and Operations in June of 2025
Gene comes to WorldBoston (WB) through Empower Success Corps (ESC), a Boston based nonprofit, where he is a Fellow within ESC's Fellowship program. As a Fellow, Gene works closely with mission-driven organizations to achieve strategic financial, operational and fundraising outcomes.
Sarah joined the WorldBoston team in January 2016, overseeing WorldBoston Citizen Diplomacy programs, including the International Visitors Leadership Program, and became President & COO in November of 2025.
Sarah worked and studied in the United Kingdom and Morocco for five years. In London, Sarah spent three years running child protection projects for vulnerable children and their families in Morocco with the Moroccan Children’s Trust (MCT), and also working in management and operations with its sister organization, Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers. Sarah then joined the MCT team in southern Morocco as its sole delegate responsible for in-country coordination and development of its child protection and international volunteering projects.
Sarah holds a B.A. from the College of William and Mary in International Relations, and an M.A. from Queen Mary, University of London in International Development. She speaks French and intermediate Standard and Moroccan Arabic.
She also completed a nine-month course in executive nonprofit management and received certification from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice.
Joe Haynes combines institutional knowledge, fiscal discipline, and global acumen ideally suited to lead WorldBoston. A nine-year WB director and long-time partner to its IVLP and Global Engagement programs, he understands the organization’s people, systems, and stakeholders—enabling a smooth transition and immediate continuity with staff, funders, and program partners.
Joe previously founded and served as CEO of a Boston-based government-relations and strategic advisory firm with an international focus. He led business development, executed municipal, state, federal and international-facing work, and built enduring client relationships—experience directly relevant to WorldBoston’s growth and revenue diversification agenda.
Substantively, Joe is deeply versed in geopolitics, U.S. foreign policy, and international economic affairs. He has served clients from six continents, designing market-entry and growth strategies for multinationals seeking to access or expand in the United States and advising U.S. companies on overseas expansion, partnerships, and public-affairs execution. His international work includes organizing inbound and outbound delegations and facilitating exchanges in Brazil, Poland, Cuba, and the United Kingdom, among others—experience that maps directly to WorldBoston’s mission.
Embedded in Boston’s corporate, civic, and higher-education ecosystem, Joe is a well- networked convener who converts relationships into sponsorships, partnerships, and visibility. As CEO, he will strengthen and expand partnerships with business, civic, and academic communities, build a broader regional membership base across eastern Massachusetts, increase visibility of WorldBoston’s international visitor programs and global engagement initiatives, elevate Boston’s role as a hub of global dialogue and diplomacy, and grow and diversify revenue streams.
Joe’s proven track record and experience in strategic leadership, partnership development, civic engagement as well as his global mindset position him to lead WorldBoston into its next chapter.
