All members of the IGSS team are experts in their fields who have years of experience helping students and professionals achieve global success.
Alan Kerzner, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Faculty
During his 30 years in business, Alan has been a successful marketer and general manager. He worked at global companies including Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson, directing brands such as Olay skincare and Johnson’s Baby. He has also worked with private equity firms and managed and consulted with numerous successful startups.
Over the past seven years, Alan has pursued his true passion – helping others develop to their fullest potential – by dedicating himself to teaching.
Dr. Laura Sicola, Director of Learning and Faculty
Dr. Sicola is a former member of the faculty at the Graduate School of Education at The University of Pennsylvania. There, she trained graduate students to be teachers of English as a second or foreign language (ESL/EFL). Previously, she was an ESL/EFL teacher and curriculum designer for The University of Pennsylvania’s English Language Programs.
Dr. Sicola is also founder of Vocal Impact Productions. She leads training programs on how professionals can enhance their presence through enhanced oral communications. Dr. Sicolala’s popular TedX talk can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02EJ1IdC6tE.
Barbara Schroeder Jensen, Communications Instructor
Barbara was a Language Educator at Princeton University the last 10 years, and previously served as ITA Program Coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to this, Barbara served as a Rater and Rater Trainer for Educational Testing Service’s language assessments. Today, Barbara is an independent consultant and counselor, and also reviews books for the University of Michigan Press.
Tom Quarton, Professional Faculty
Tom is a global marketing and business development executive and consultant who creates and nurtures brands worldwide. He has run a billion dollar information services corporation and works with international companies including Frito Lay, Mars, Heinz, Clorox, Del Monte, Kraft, Dial, Gillette, Coors, Microsoft, FedEx, Lincoln Mercury and Marriott.
Tom is founder of Philos Consulting, LLC, a privately held consultancy that helps companies achieve profitable growth through brand wisdom.
Linh Duong
Linh is employed in the Strategic Direction Advisory practice of EY in the New York office. He is one of the top-rated young professionals there and has gained tremendous visibility at the highest levels of management.
Prior to Ernst & Young, Linh worked at BlackRock Investment and KPMG. Linh comes from Vietnam and was the recent focus of a major article in a large Vietnamese newspaper focused on outstanding professionals who have gained success in the United States and has been featured on Vietnam’s Financial Business News Channel: (www.tinyurl.com/lpkmonf)
Eleanor Mak and Peter McKenna, Regional Advisors and Faculty, Southeast Asia and Australia
Eleanor and Peter are founders and directors of Venturenauts, an Australian consultancy company focused on international business development, specializing in Southeast Asia (ASEAN) and Australia.
In ASEAN and Australia, Venturenauts helps businesses enter and grow in local and regional markets, and governments develop policies and business environments that encourage private sector, economic and social development.
Eleanor (commercial lawyer) and Peter (chartered accountant) have over 30 years experience working at senior levels in business and government across ASEAN and Australia. They negotiate commercial contracts, lead major business reform programs, provide training to executives, officials and diplomats in ASEAN and Australia, and deliver specialist guest lectures in the University of Queensland MBA program (#1 in Asia Pacific).
Clients include the ASEAN Secretariat, Asian Development Bank, and businesses and governments in ASEAN and Australia.
