Mike Lehnert is the co-chair of the International Affairs Forum. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Major General after 37 years of service in 2010. From 2010-2012, he was the senior adviser to the Commissioner for Customs and Border Protection. Until 2017, he served as the National Vice Chairman of Student Veterans of America. He serves as the National Chair of the Advisory Board for the Endangered Species Coalition indulging his passion for the environment. In 2010 he was honored with the Peacemaker award by the National Conflict Resolution Center for his work defending human rights at the Guantanamo Detention Facility where his experience was documented in Karen Greenberg’s book, “The Least Worst Place.” He and his wife Denise are delighted to be part of this vibrant community.

Stan Otto is the co-chair of the International Affairs Forum. He was a senior diplomat in the State Department with 40 years expertise in promoting international cooperation and understanding, including policy planning, negotiating and management in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. He has intimate knowledge of the government, economy, culture and languages in Germany, France and Japan. Prior to the Foreign Service, he was a Fulbright lecturer in Taiwan and taught at universities in Iran and Egypt. He also served in the Peace Corps in Morocco and Cameroon. His avocations include music and the arts, and he sings baritone in the local Shoreliners Quartet.

Christa Abdul-Karim, Ph.D. a former NMC student, received a BA in cultural anthropology from Grand Valley State University and a MA and PhD in cultural anthropology from Washington State University with a focus on Public Health and International Development. She taught anthropology for Washington State University and University of Idaho. Now a program manager at NMC Extended Education & Training, she manages the global certificate program and leads international educational trips for adult learners. Her international experiences are quite varied having traveled abroad for the first time when she was 13 to what was then the USSR. Since then she has had the opportunity to live in multiple locations outside the U.S., including Cape Town, with a group of hunter/gatherers in a rainforest in Cameroon, and in a tent in rural Zambia for a year. In total, she has been to 78 countries, many on solo trips and now with her daughter.

Steven Baumgartner retired from a 30-year career in international business and his family moved to Traverse City in 2014. During his pre-retirement career, Steve worked as CEO, president, or executive vice president in four multinational corporations: printing/publishing (RR Donnely & Sons), Health Care (Baxter and New Practices), pharmaceuticals (Rhone-Poulenc Rorer), and telecommunications (Telegroup). Upon retirement, Steve served as the executive director of Pendle Hill, an international Quaker study center in Pennsylvania. During his career, Steve traveled to approximately thirty countries to direct and develop businesses. He and his family lived in Paris when he was CAO of the French/American company Rhone-Poulenc Rorer. Following his retirement from corporate life, Steve became particularly interested in non-pharmaceutical prevention and treatment of chronic diseases (heart disease, Type II diabetes, and Alzheimer’s). This led to his co-founding of New Practices and then Apollo Health (now based in Silicon Valley). He also does strategy consulting with for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in social networking, global affairs, and health care. Steve and his wife Danielle (a clinical psychologist) are now happy to live and work in beautiful Traverse City.

Jim Bensley served as the interim director of the International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) from Feb. 2021 to June 2023. He is currently director of International Services and Service Learning at NMC, responsible for international connections between the college and organizations around the world including study abroad and the NMC Global Endorsement program, one of the first in the nation. Jim serves on the Senior International Officer Board for Community Colleges for International Development and on the executive board for the Midwest Institute for International/Intercultural Education. Jim also chairs the Michigan Community College Association Community of Practice for Internationalization. He is a faculty member in the NMC Department of Humanities.

Marguerite Cotto Raised and educated in Puerto Rico, Marguerite recently retired from a 40-year career at Northwestern Michigan College. Her tenure has allowed engagement in a broad range of interests including the support and growth of several generations of the College’s global and internationally significant programs in Latin America and in China. She has been a supporter of the International Affairs Forum for many years and joined the Board in 2022. She holds degrees in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, and Michigan State University.

Alexander Evans, Ph.D. is a Professor in Practice at the London School of Economics. He is a former advisor to the British Prime Minister, Strategy Director at the Cabinet Office and Cyber Director in the Foreign Office. A career diplomat, he has been Deputy and Acting High Commissioner to India and (briefly) Pakistan, led a U.N. Security Council expert group, and was a senior advisor in the U.S. Department of State.

Steve Fisher is Executive Director of Monterey Investment Management in San Francisco. Earlier in his career Steve was President of a Division of A.T. Kearney with responsibility for a global business with offices in 23 countries. He lived in Asia for 15 years and moved back to Leelanau County in 2012. Steve was a Trustee of the Institute of International Education, the administrator of the Fulbright Fellowship program for six years. He served as President of the American Club of Hong Kong in 1997, the year of Hong Kong’s return to China. Steve was a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

T. Lindsey Haskin is a passionate explorer and student of life. His love for learning, research, nature, flying, photography, music, people, cultures and adventure are essential elements to his work. He received his undergraduate education at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and University of California at Berkeley. His production career began in Los Angeles with the Steve Allen organization. Then he worked as the director of business and development and as a writer/producer with Venture Films, Inc. in Denver, Colorado. He returned to California and formed CineGroup, an independent production company. Since then he has written, produced and directed over 400 productions that include documentary films, educational films, television commercials and industrial films. Lindsey’s camera work has appeared on ABC Primetime Live, CBS 48 Hours, ABC World News and other venues. He wrote, produced and directed the 2-hour documentary history of the Great Lakes Region, Freshwater Seas, which aired on public television stations in the United States and Canada. In 2020, Lindsey formed SkyhoundMedia, Inc. In our increasingly tech driven world, it’s easy to overlook how our prosperity, health and happiness depend upon nature and the diverse cultures of the world. SkyhoundMedia, Inc. was formed to explore those links through engaging, entertaining, thought-provoking and visually stunning non-fiction television programs, documentary films, and other digital media.

Ed Ketterer, a man wearing glasses and a plaid shirt smiles for the camera

Ed Ketterer completed a 43 year career as an Intellectual Property Attorney in 2011. Leading IP departments for both Whirlpool and Steelcase Corporations, he was responsible for development of strategies to protect and utilize patents, trademarks, copyrights and licensing of IP for domestic and international divisions of the respective companies. Ed has served as a Mentor for SCORE in Traverse City since 2011, serving as the chair of the chapter for 2 years. He has been involved with environmental organizations for the past 50 years including leading the Grand Mere Association in SW MI (preserving lands that became Grand Mere State Park) and served on the Board for the Leelanau Conservancy for 9 years. Ed is an avid traveler and amateur radio operator.

Linda Ketterer, a woman wearing glasses and earrings smiles for the camera

Linda Ketterer retired in 2015 from a 26 year career teaching communication, leadership & management, and human relations skills for companies and to individuals. She served as a volunteer for SCORE (mentoring small businesses) as a Mentor and Chapter Administrator for the Traverse City Chapter of SCORE for 12 years. She also served on the Campaign Board for the United Way in Grand Rapids for 15 years as the Training Director and volunteered her time annually to train Loaned Executives, United Way Staff, and Speakers Bureau participants. Prior to 1989, Linda worked for the Whirlpool Corporation for 13 years leading various departments tasked with insuring quality of both domestic and internationally produced products. Linda’s non-work passions include travel, cooking, and outdoor activities.

Katharine Marvin has been a member of the Traverse City community since 2016. She is the Director of Development for the Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) Foundation and a former adjunct professor of Sociology for NMC. She holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Women's Studies, and a master's degree in Social Work, from the University of Michigan. Prior to her roles at NMC, Katharine worked at nonprofits in the Detroit area working to end gender-based violence.

Emily Modrall grew up in Suttons Bay and graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy. She holds degrees in Classics and Mediterranean archaeology from the University of Michigan (BA), Cambridge University (MPhil), and the University of Pennsylvania (PhD) and was awarded Fulbright and Kolb Fellowships in support of her doctoral research in Rome and Sicily. As an archaeologist, she spent fifteen years working on fieldwork and research projects in Italy led by Spanish, Italian, British, Canadian, Dutch, and US universities. The focus of her fieldwork and research was the study of colonization and rural land use in Italy prior to the formation of the Roman Empire.

Emily currently works as Chief of Staff for Boomerang Catapult and Community Director for Boundless Futures Foundation, both Traverse City-based entities. Additionally, she coordinates a public history project focused on regional indigenous history through the Traverse Area Historical Society where she is a board member. She also provides administrative support to the Nurturing the Eighth Fire (Cultural Services Support) team which holds a 2023-24 contract with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Emily lives in Traverse City with her husband and daughter. She serves on the Community Advisory Board for Interlochen Public Radio and finds time to put on her cross country skis whenever there is enough snow.

Verne Powell is President of Great Lakes International Trading based in Traverse City which he and his brother George started together in 1983 after working in the produce industry for several years. Verne is passionate for the industry, and has especially enjoyed his travels abroad to become closely acquainted with growers, farms, and overseas facilities. Verne’s closest ties are in Turkey, where GLIT grows its sun dried Turkish fruits and pine nuts. He also specializes in finding new and unique produce items. Before entering produce, Verne graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Business. He is an avid fly-fisherman and particularly loves to tie his own flies to tempt the fish. He also enjoys tennis, sailing on Torch Lake, and a glass of red wine. He is a recent former President of The Economic Club of Traverse City.

Lisa vonReichbauer is a seasoned professional with a distinguished career in international education and higher education enrollment services. Currently serving as the Director of Admissions at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field. Her extensive background spans over two decades, during which she served as a faculty member in the English Language Institute at Central Michigan University, coordinated the West Michigan English Language Institute at Ferris State University, and served as both the Assistant Director and Acting Executive Director of the Office of International Education at Ferris State. In her administrative roles, Lisa closely collaborated with members of the International Affairs Forum in Traverse City and the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan in Grand Rapids. Throughout her career, Lisa has demonstrated a passion for fostering global perspectives and cultural understanding. Her dedication to advancing international education has been a driving force behind her accomplishments. With a keen understanding of the complexities of international and higher education, Lisa has exhibited leadership, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. With her extensive experience, she is poised to make valuable contributions to the growth and success of the International Affairs Forum. Lisa lives with her husband in Suttons Bay. They enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren and boating on the Great Lakes.

Kenneth E. Warner is an economist who served on the faculty of the University of Michigan School of Public Health for 45 years before retiring in 2017 as the Avedis Donabedian Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Public Health and Dean Emeritus. For over four decades his research has focused on tobacco policy. Dr. Warner was the World Bank’s representative to negotiations on the Framework

Convention on Tobacco Control, the world’s first global health treaty. He served as the Senior Scientific

Editor of the 25th anniversary Surgeon General’s report. From 2019-2023 he was a member of the

Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee of the US Food and Drug Administration. In addition to

serving on the IAF board, he is a member of the Board of Trustees of Northwestern Michigan College

and a member of the Traverse City Economic Club.

Mark Wilson, MPA, is an audiovisual producer and owner of New Leonard Media in Traverse City. He's a devoted husband and father. As an enrolled citizen of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, Mark’s contributions include roles as Vice-Chair of the Tribal Council (2014-2022), board member for GTB EDC, Chairman of the Natural Resources & Environmental Committee, and trustee for the Great Lakes Fishery Trust. Mark engages in international research and water protection, collaborating with indigenous nations from Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. His involvement in local governance continues as a City Commissioner in Traverse City, and he serves on the board of directors for Grand Traverse Economic Development. A proud member of IAF, Mark’s diverse roles and academic background exemplify his lifelong dedication to community and indigenous causes.