About icwa
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1955,
ICWA is an Indiana based nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational organization.
We've been an active part of the Indiana community for over 70 years.
Our members come from a rich background of industries including education, corporate, nonprofit, law, military and the public sector.
OUR FOCUS
ICWA programs and activities are administered by a volunteer group in cooperation with local, state, national and global institutions.
We welcome anyone with an interest in learning about topics that affect our world.
OUR PURPOSE
The purpose of the ICWA is to foster public understanding of world conditions and US foreign policy through forums, lectures, conferences, publications, and now Zooms!
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Indiana Council on World Affairs is to promote international awareness and understanding in order to prepare Indiana citizens to thrive in the increasingly complex, interdependent world and to further enhance Indiana’s global stature.
Our Story
Our Objectives
In carrying out its mission the Indiana Council on world Affairs strives to:
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Take responsibility for the climate of public opinion on US foreign policy
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Cooperate with national, state, regional, and local organizations
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Present a non-partisan exchange of ideas
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Disseminate information regarding world affairs and US foreign policy
Meet Our Board
Janet I. Harris
President
Janet I. Harris serves as President of the Indiana Council on World Affairs. She initiates alliances with allied organizations to take ICWA's educational programs to expanded participants. To this end, she manages Indiana's World Affairs Councils of America's Academic WorldQuest competition for high school students, and the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions Briefing Book sales for groups around the State, as well as selected outreach events and endeavors.
Janet holds a Master of Community Planning and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Cincinnati, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in urban studies from Miami University of Ohio. She qualified for the AICP designation in New York City.
Janet I. Harris is President of Harris Marketing, Inc., an Indiana incorporated company, 1992.
Board Member since 2016.
Betty Tonsing
VP Programs
Dr. Betty Tonsing served as Fulbright Scholar (South Africa, Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon) and Indiana Humanities Scholar. She is Founder and President of Global Visits Inc and Patient Advocates Speak Out.
She taught for both the Indiana and Purdue University systems as well as universities in South Africa, Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan.
For close to 15 years Betty worked overseas in Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East on contract with the United Nations, State Department, USAID, Catholic Relief Services and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. Her initiative – Internationalizing the Classroom Without Leaving the Room – received special recognition for ‘excellence in teaching’ from the Institute for International Education.
Member since 2017.
Ray Montagno
Past President
Term: 2022-2025
Dr. Ray Montagno received his PhD at Purdue University.
He is now Professor Emeritus of Management at Ball State University. For over the 25 years Ray was associated with Ball State’s international programs, traveling to 30 countries building relationships with global programs.
Ray spent a semester in Oxford, England and received a Fulbright teaching and research grant to Jena, Germany.
Deeply connected with the Muncie IN community, Ray served as Community Development Director for the Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity and later as a member of the Board of Directors for the Indianapolis Habitat for Humanity.
Member since 2018.
Board Member
Pierre Atlas
Board Member - Advisor
Dr. Pierre M. Atlas is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Indianapolis. Prior to joining IU in 2021, he spent two decades at Marian University as a Political Science professor, and served as the Founding Director of the Richard G. Lugar Franciscan Center for Global Studies. Pierre earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from Rutgers University and holds Master’s and Bachelor's degrees in Political Science from the University of Arizona and the University of Toronto, respectively. A native of Texas, he grew up in California, is a US Army veteran, and writes a monthly opinion column for the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Member since 2020.
Kenneth Holland
Board Member
Dr. Kenneth Holland's recent international assignment was in Uzbekistan at the Institute for Advanced International Studies for diplomats to have a better understanding of the U.S.
Previously, in Pakistan, he served as Chief of Party for USAID's higher education project. He is President Emeritus of the American University of Afghanistan. His Ph.D. in Political Science is from the University of Chicago, and his M.A. in Government is from the University of Virginia.
He is a Past President of the Association for Canadian Studies in the United States, and of the World Affairs Council of Memphis. For the past 14 years, he has been implementing higher education development and partnership projects for the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and United States Agency for International Development.
Member since 2018.
Andrea Richter-Garry
Board Member
Andrea Richter-Garry, Interim President and CEO, Indy Economic Development,
is recently promoted from EVP Business Development & International Business. Indy Economic Development, an organization for the City of Indianapolis and Marion County focusing on business attraction, retention, and expansion to support Indy's people, communities, and companies.
In her former appointment at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, as SVP of Global Strategy & Engagement, she implemented trade missions and launched Indiana's Global Economic Summit. In Washington, D.C., Richter-Garry has held roles at the U.S. Department of State and the White House.
Her professional interests include international trade and investment, foreign policy, and sub-national diplomacy. Her bachelor's degree in political science and government is from Hamline University and her master's degree in European studies is from Georgetown University.
Member since 2021.
Gerry Danquist
Board Member
Dr. Gerry Danquist (RPh) trained as a pharmacist with also an MBA from Harvard School of Business, worked with Eli Lilly and Company, serving extensively in Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. Gerry has been an advisory board member to the Washington State University College of Pharmacy, providing counsel on issues impacting the college and the future of pharmacy. Gerry also established an endowed scholarship with the College of Pharmacy in 2014, and in 2015 donated to name the Danquist Innovation Conference Room in the Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences Building. This led to his being selected as the 2015 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.
Member since 2015.
María Rosana Mestre
Board Member
María Rosana Mestre, Founder and Director of Spanish for Entities, a professional language institute, advances Spanish and English as strategic workplace development tools. She leads CEFR-aligned programs, study abroad in Spain, and interpretation and translation services for corporate and nonprofit clients.
An author of children's and multilingual educational publications, including Carlota Shares Her Secret (Lil' Libros, distributed by Simon & Schuster) and The Rights of Multilingual Children (Underline Publishing, 2024), focus on preserving heritage language from the child's perspective. Her Libros Para Indy Inc. promotes bilingual literacy across diverse communities. She holds a Master's in Literature Studies, a postgraduate degree in Creative Communication, and a Bachelor's in Print Journalism, bringing a multicultural perspective to global education and language access. She is a graduate of the Executive Enclave Program at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business
Member since 2022
Shaun Sheffield
Board Member
Shaun Sheffield is founder and CEO of Austral Education Group specializing in academic travel, international immersion trips, and experiential and virtual programs that foster engagement in business, culture, and the economy.
He has served on the executive leadership team at Business News Americas in Santiago, Chile, and previously worked at Medical Foods, Inc., Cambridge, MA.
Shaun is a Young President's Organization (YPO) member and has served on the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC Chile) executive committee for the U.S. State Department.
His Executive MBA is from Tulane University School of Business / Universidad de Chili, and his Bachelor of Arts is from Boston University. He has studied at Harvard Business School.
Member since 2025.
Trevor Williams
Board Member
Trevor Williams is a retired U.S. Army veteran who served as a chaplain assistant. As a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP), he helps develop D&I initiatives that create community integration and cultural competence. Beyond his military service, Trevor has also contributed to education as a former elementary substitute teacher, where he applied his skills in creating inclusive and supportive learning environments.
An active volunteer in the Indianapolis community, Trevor is committed to using his skills to enhance various local initiatives and programs by continuing his lifelong dedication to service and community engagement.
Member since 2022
Jane Gehlhausen
Board Member
Jane Gehlhausen, is the owner of JAG Global Solutions where she helps business and organizations in the areas of strategic planning, relocation services and travel consulting. Her travel expertise includes leading groups to historic, scenic, and culturally significant locations around the world. Over time, through her career, personal, and humanitarian travel, her destinations include 49 USA states and more than 85 countries. As the City of Indianapolis' Director of International & Cultural Affairs for former Mayor Greg Ballard, she was responsible for the directing international initiatives to enhance Indianapolis as a Global City. She expanded the Indianapolis Sister Cities program to a nationally award winning program. Currently, she serves as a Trustee for the Sister Cities International Foundation. She has been very involved with the local refugee organizations. Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc. and Catholic Charities, Indianapolis have recognized her with an Outstanding Service Award for creating and co-leading the Indianapolis Refugee Leadership Council. As International Vice President for Walker Information, she led the strategic direction of the Global Network division. Her MBA is from Anderson University, with an international concentration; and her B.S. is from Purdue University's Daniels School of Business (formerly Krannert School of Management).
Member since 2025
Cynthia Miller
Board Member
Cynthia Miller's career as a Foreign Service Officer for over thirty years in Europe and Africa, locations included Yaounde, Cameroon; Tunis; Paris; Vienna; East Berlin; Bonn; and Rome. As a U.S. Information Agency officer in East Berlin, she specialized in press, cultural programs, and established a Fulbright Exchange program in Germany. After the Cold War, in the newly united Germany, she extended U.S. activities and programs into new eastern states. In Rome, she oversaw the shift in focus from Europe to the Middle East and other areas.
Cynthia Miller retired with the rank of Career Minister, having received a number of professional awards, including the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in public diplomacy. She worked with cultural exchange programs, including as Chairman of the Fulbright Commissions in Austria, Germany and Italy.
In retirement, Cynthia is active in the Marion County Master Gardeners Association, the Newfields Museum and Garden, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Cynthia Miller is a graduate of Rice University, in Houston, Texas, and did graduate work at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Member since 2022.
Charlie Wiles
Board Member
Charlie Wiles is most widely known for his leadership in the areas of interfaith cooperation, peace education, and veterans' support. He is recently retired and is Director Emeritus of the Center for Interfaith Cooperation. He is a former Co-Director of the International Interfaith Initiative (2006 - 2012), and is founding director of Peace Learning Center.
Currently he is Treasurer for Indiana Multifaith Network, Secretary for Veterans for Peace Indianapolis Ch. 49, and serves on the Ecumenical and Interreligious Outreach Committee for the Catholic Archdiocese and the Indianapolis International Airport Chaplaincy Board.
Charlie has spent several years working in construction and managing not-for-profit organizations focused on peace education. He holds a degree in political science from Indiana University. In the US Army Reserves, he served as a combat medic from 1991-99.
Member since 2025.
Thank You!
The Indiana Council on World Affairs would like to thank the following individuals for contributing to our mission.
Donors
Margaret Ahearn
Keira Amstutz
Melissa Beuc & Erik Young
Charles & Cary Boswell
Victor Childers
Larry & Joan Cimino*
Claire Collins*
Thomas A. Egold
Matt Fox
Brendan Fox
Bruce Frank
Henry Fu
Carl & Donna Gahwiler
Jane Gehlhausen
Elenanor Hall
Elizabeth Hamilton
Marta Hamilton
Janet I. Harris*
Cenk Kandemir
Melisa & Todd Keiser
David & Susan Luedtke
Salim Najjar
Jason C. Reinhardt
Paul Roland
Carol A. Schmitz
Randy & Linda Shields
Sharon Sullivan*
Betty Tonsing
Zeno & Amanda Tutino
Patrice & John Waidner
David Woll
Douglas & Barbara Vawter*
*Donors to Educational Outreach