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A World of Expertise

Our team offers a world of knowledge ready to be tapped for your next international endeavor. With combined expertise spanning areas of international business, finance, HR, security and crisis management, we’re uniquely qualified to help our clients accomplish their international goals.

Since 2011, we’ve registered and managed 12 entities, hired more than 800 individuals abroad, managed a $52 million+ portfolio of gifts and research grants, tracked over 72,000 registered trips, and triaged more than 2,000 medical and security incidents.

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Global Support Services

114 Mount Auburn Street, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138
+1-617-495-1111
Leadership
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Joe O'Regan

Managing Director
+1-617-496-1631

Joe has spent the majority of his career supporting international operations in both for-profit and nonprofit settings. In this time, Joe has led finance and HR teams, international tax reporting, audit liaison teams, accreditation renewals for educational institutions, the implementation of emergency management response plans, and the establishment of an overseas presence in numerous countries.

He also serves as both the Vice President for Operations and the Clerk for Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc., as well as having various board appointments with Harvard Global and its overseas affiliates.

Joe is a longstanding fellow member of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA), the global body for professional accountants. He serves as a Global Council member for ACCA and has been awarded the ACCA advocate of the year for Europe and the Americas.

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Belynda Bady

Director of International Consulting & Operations
+1-617-495-9084

Belynda brings more than a decade of experience in program development, strategic leadership, financial management, and partner collaboration within international settings to her dual role as Director of International Consulting & Operations for GSS and Associate Director of Harvard Global, our affiliated nonprofit legal entity.

Belynda supports GSS' strategic direction and oversees global operations, consulting services, and the international consultants and operations staff. Belynda also leads the development of innovative results to address complex challenges for Harvard Global and manages the framework, business solutions, and infrastructure that support small, diverse country operations.

Previously, Belynda lived and worked overseas where she provided organizational development, financial advice, auditing services, and capacity-building to countries in the Eastern Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, Belynda collaborated to establish an NGO in Ethiopia and was Chief of Party for a USAID mission dedicated to supporting NGOs in their fight against HIV/AIDS.

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Matt Etre

Director of International Safety & Security
+1-617-496-7224

Matt is an experienced law enforcement professional with more than thirty years of service in the federal government, where he was a member of the Senior Executive Service and specialized in national security, cross-border crime, and public safety. In GSS, Matt oversees the international safety and security program, which helps prepare Harvard students, faculty, staff, and researchers to pursue their activities abroad safely and provides resources and support when incidents occur. He leads the University’s International Emergency Management Team (IEMT), co-chairs the University's Global Travel Advisory Committee, and is a board member of the CJP Communal Security Advisory Committee in Boston.

Prior to joining Harvard, Matt was the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) for U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Boston, where he managed law enforcement and support personnel in 11 offices across New England. In 2016 and 2017, the Secretary of Homeland Security designated Matt as the Federal Security Coordinator for the July 3rd and 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

During his tenure in the federal government, Matt completed two international assignments over nine years in London and Rome. He served as the Attaché for HSI in London, providing investigative and programmatic oversight in support of HSI’s international mission in the U.K., Ireland, and Iceland. He was instrumental in forging bi-lateral initiatives involving national security, human trafficking, cyber crime, and financial fraud. In Rome, he held the position of Assistant Customs Attaché, where he served as the agency representative to Israel and was responsible for money laundering, customs fraud, and cyber-related investigations in Italy and the Middle East. Matt also served stints in Washington D.C. and Miami, where he led the counter terrorism program and conducted financial crime investigations, respectively.

Matt is a graduate of Northeastern University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Administration
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Matt Bouvier

Administrative Coordinator
+1-617-998-5116

Matt is excited to be a part of the GSS team. An organized and detail-oriented self-starter, Matt has nearly 5 years’ experience in executive assisting work. In GSS, Matt provides administrative support for the leadership team and staff, manages office operations, and assists with special projects. He enjoys being the first line of customer service for our clients, inviting people in and helping them pursue their international travel, research, and programming endeavors.

Prior to joining GSS, Matt served as executive assistant for the president of the Boston Teachers Union, where he worked with numerous city, state, and national political entities and media outlets.

Matt earned a bachelor's degree in theatre arts, concentrating in music theatre performance, from Plymouth State University. Outside of work, Matt is a resident of an improv group in Roslindale, and he enjoys spending time with friends and family.

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Liz Marr

Assistant Director of Communications and Strategic Projects
+1-617-495-2363

As a trusted communications professional, Liz has more than 15 years' experience in brand management, web strategy, writing and content marketing, project management, and organizational development.

In GSS, Liz helps to develop and execute the department’s communication strategies, brand guidelines, strategic priorities, and campaigns that support GSS' business objectives, elevate GSS’ profile among the Harvard community, and educate Harvard affiliates on a range of global topics. Liz also manages the globalsupport.harvard.edu and harvardglobal.org websites. Through a dual-appointment with Harvard Public Affairs & Communications, Liz helps to advance University-wide initiatives, especially as they relate to international travel and activities.

Previously, Liz worked in the Office of Communications & Marketing for Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education, where she conducted research that drove financial, marketing, and programmatic changes, established the Division's social media strategy, managed its advertising budget and annual information sessions, and contributed content for its web properties.

Liz earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Providence College and a master's degree in international higher education and intercultural relations from Lesley University. Outside of work, Liz enjoys traveling, baking, sports, and spending time with friends and family.

Katherine Swanson

Business Operations Analyst
+1-617-496-0065

Katherine leads technology-driven solutions and business process improvements for GSS. She brings a high level of organization, project management, and steadfast commitment to customer service. In her role, she works with program and department administrators, faculty, and students to provide guidance and resources, research options to resolve inquiries, communicate with GSS vendors on particular cases, and connect them with other Harvard departments. Specifically, Katherine is responsible for the GSS customer relationship management database (Salesforce) and the International SOS MyTrips platform, providing traveler and case reports to GSS partners and managing the vendor relationships on behalf of GSS. She also coordinates the PEO (Professional Employment Organization) hiring process for employees abroad and processes inter-departmental journals to ensure accurate and timely payment of those employees’ salaries. In support of travelers, Katherine reviews applications for travel to Cuba under the general license and coordinates with various Harvard offices to issue license letters for travelers.

Previously, Katherine worked with business owners and point-of-sale software developers in the credit card processing industry, where she calculated developer profit payments, maintained merchant accounts, solved escalated customer service issues, and facilitated communications between developers and merchants.

Katherine is fluent in Spanish.

International Consulting & Operations
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Krister Anderson

Associate Director of International Consulting and Projects; Senior Consultant for CADM, FAS, SEAS, and HKS
+1-617-496-1072

As the Associate Director of International Consulting and Projects, Krister leads GSS’ international consulting practice, which partners with Harvard Schools, departments, and centers to enable academic entrepreneurship while mitigating the risks inherent in international operations. He supports GSS’ strategic priorities and the International Consulting and Operations team’s service delivery, outreach, and resource development initiatives.

Krister serves as a senior consultant for several Harvard Schools, working with Harvard faculty, staff, researchers, and students in a variety of capacities to facilitate international research and educational programs. Since joining GSS in 2016, he has consulted on nearly 2,000 employment, visa, finance, and other cases in more than 80 countries where Harvard has activities. He works closely with Harvard offices and staff in India, Tunisia, and South Africa, coordinating their in-country needs with Harvard and governmental requirements. Krister has more than a decade of international experience working with large, mission-driven organizations to advance goals across borders and cultures in government, medicine, and education.

Previously, Krister worked with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, where he helped manage a multi-million dollar joint venture with Saudi Aramco to oversee and improve its health care system. He was also a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. State Department, serving as an Economic Officer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and as a Consular Officer in Mexico City, Mexico.

Krister holds a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Harvard College, where he focused his studies on the Middle East and was a member of the Harvard International Relations Council and the student chair of the Harvard Youth Poll at the Institute of Politics. Krister also holds a master's degree in foreign service from Georgetown University, where he was a Huffington Junior Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy.

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Kate Apollo

Associate Director of International Finance and Budgets
+1-617-496-3651

Kate is an experienced accounting professional with more than a decade of work in finance and accounting across a variety of industries. In GSS, she oversees the accounting and financial aspects of Harvard Global US and its international subsidiaries. Kate is responsible for all in-country financial compliance and audits.

Before joining GSS in 2013, Kate was a financial associate in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences' Education Innovation Laboratory. 

Kate holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics and a master of business administration from the University of Nairobi. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family.

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Kaelan Kennedy

Senior International Program Consultant for HBS, HMS, HSDM, and HSPH
+1-617-495-4559

Kaelan has more than 12 years of experience in higher education with a focus on internationalization. In GSS, Kaelan partners closely with University clients to facilitate and maintain a variety of activities overseas, including employment, gift and grant management, short- and long-term research projects and managing operations at Harvard Global entities in India and Israel. She brings a comprehensive understanding of global regulatory affairs, site assessment, and strategic operations to GSS. In her work, Kaelan aims to complement and enhance institutional best practices, achieve efficiencies, mitigate risks, and enable and contribute to the success of Harvard’s global initiatives.

Before joining GSS, Kaelan spent six years as the Director of Global Regulatory Affairs and Planning at Northeastern University, where she developed the institution's global regulatory affairs strategy and new site assessment and implementation guidelines. In her role, she managed internal and external relationships to promote regulatory compliance and successful launches of campus operations across diverse jurisdictions. This included obtaining and maintaining university consent and degree-granting authority in five North American markets. Prior to Northeastern, Kaelan was a Director of Admissions at Hult International Business School.

Kaelan holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from The George Washington University, as well as a graduate certificate in higher education administration and a master's degree in global studies and international relations with a concentration in global student mobility from Northeastern University.

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Roger Nelson

Financial Associate
+1-617-998-5118

As a financial associate, Roger oversees accounts payable (vendor setup and invoicing), assists with monthly payroll management and service contract billings for Harvard Global, and works closely with the finance staff and Managing Director on budget forecasting.

Before joining GSS, Roger had worked in management, media, customs and excise, training, logistical management, and warehouse management and safety. In Trinidad and Tobago, he worked for Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Limited (PLIPDECO), Process Plant Services Limited, and the Caribbean Communications Network.

Roger holds a bachelor's degree in environmental science from the University of Massachusetts, Boston and a graduate certificate in natural resource management and sustainable ecosystems from Harvard University Extension School. Outside of work, Roger is a volunteer citizen scientist with the Charles River Watershed Authority and was a Gallery Guide for Harvard Museum of Natural History and Science. He also enjoys swimming, basketball, visiting museums, gardening, and spending time with his family.

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Annie Ngige-Thuo

Assistant Director of Finance
+1-617-998-5115

Annie is an accounting and finance professional with deep experience in several areas of accounting. In GSS, Annie oversees complex general ledger close outs for Harvard Global, which includes the consolidation of Harvard Global entities, inter-company eliminations, and foreign currency conversions. Annie also oversees the accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, working closely with our vendors and third parties.

Previously, Annie provided clients and companies with payroll services, tax preparation, and procedures to improve their financial reporting and internal controls. She also managed clients' general ledger, monthly closing, and reconciliations.

Annie holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Salem State University, as well as certificate in finance and a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in global studies from Southern New Hampshire University. Outside of work, Annie enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends.

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Blaga Ovcharova

Associate Director of International HR
+1-617-496-8617

Blaga is an international human resources professional with more than 15 years of experience in providing full life-cycle HR services in nonprofit settings.

In GSS, Blaga oversees employment services for clients' international assignments hired through our affiliated nonprofit legal entity, Harvard Global. Blaga advises clients on hiring strategies and employee relations, and her work includes global mobility, compliance, contracting, compensation, benefits, and payroll management. She also contributes to several University working groups to facilitate information sharing and identify process improvements in support of Harvard’s international operations.

Prior to joining GSS, Blaga worked at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), where she provided human resources support to local and international employees in 30 countries around the world. Her work also included management of talent acquisitions and key partnerships with external organizations.

Blaga holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Burgas University, Bulgaria, and master’s degree in liberal arts with a concentration in human resources management from Harvard University Extension School. Outside of work, Blaga enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.

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Lia Tjahjana

Senior International Program and Operations Consultant for GSD, HDS, HGSE, HLS, and Radcliffe
+1-617-495-3610

As a senior international program and operations consultant, Lia is the primary contact in GSS for international activities for the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), Harvard Divinity School (HDS), Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), Harvard Law School (HLS), and the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, where she works with faculty and staff to facilitate international research and educational programs. Additionally, Lia manages the U.K. entity operations administered via Harvard Global, our affiliated nonprofit legal entity. She is also responsible for managing the HR processes for Harvard Global's operations in India.

Prior to joining GSS, Lia managed an international program at Harvard Kennedy School. She also has experience in business consulting and investment banking. Lia holds a master's degree in engineering science from the University of New South Wales and a master's degree in liberal arts with a concentration in management from Harvard University Extension School.

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Sydney Wise

International Project Administrator
+1-617-384-0021

As International Project Administrator, Sydney drives compliance efforts for eleven international Harvard Global entities. Sydney is responsible for keeping the entities running by liaising with local counsel, convening various Boards of Directors, and completing regulatory filings. In addition, Sydney supports Harvard Global payroll and hiring across the globe.

Previously, Sydney worked as Client and Compliance Associate on GSS’ International Consulting & Operations team and Security Assistant on our International Safety & Security team. While living in Cairo, Sydney worked as Assistant Editor for the Cairo Review of Global Affairs and continues to work freelance as a Contributing Editor. She has bylines in the journal as well as for the BRICS Post, News@Northeastern, the Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research, and the Boston Consortium for Arab Region Studies, where she worked as Research Associate.

Sydney holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international affairs from Northeastern University, with a minor in Arabic and a concentration in security studies. In her free time, she enjoys practicing and teaching yoga.

International Safety & Security
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Mary Raines Alexander

Assistant Security Specialist
+1-617-495-3732

As Assistant Security Specialist, Mary Raines supports the intelligence operations, outreach initiatives, and pre-departure services for the International Safety & Security team. She conducts research and analysis of international trends and fluctuations in global stability and assists in writing monthly global situation reports to inform international programming and travel. Additionally, Mary Raines helps track Harvard activities abroad through the International SOS travel registry and supports the team’s critical pre-departure services, including orientations and consultations for Harvard travelers.

Before joining GSS, Mary Raines was a Visiting Researcher at the United Nations Office at Geneva, analyzing the gradual influence of China’s Belt and Road Initiative on voting in the Human Rights Council, specifically resolutions on Uighur Muslims and the internal Syrian crises. Subsequently, she joined Northeastern University’s School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs as a Research Assistant for the Global Environmental Governance Project. Previously, she has been involved with Girl Security as a program research fellow and with the US Department of State’s youth language programs, diving deeper into the ways in which international security manifests today.

Originally from Alabama, Mary Raines is a second-year student at Northeastern University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in international affairs with minors in Mandarin Chinese and French. Outside of academics, she is a staff writer for the Northeastern Political Review, peer mentor in Northeastern’s College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and a Flemister Fellow for the Center for International Affairs and World Cultures. Mary Raines has had the opportunity to spend time abroad in Switzerland and Costa Rica and hopes to study in either Taiwan or China this summer.

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Tim Brokmeier

Senior Program Manager, Security Operations
+1-617-496-0744

An experienced security professional, Tim monitors global events and their effect or potential effect on Harvard's international activities and travelers. His vast network of international security professionals enables him to gather, analyze, and inform key University responders and travelers to mitigate potential risks and to respond quickly when critical situations arise. In addition to being a core member of the University’s International Emergency Management Team (IEMT), Tim provides pre-travel trainings and security assessments, liaises with security consultants, and maintains the International SOS MyTrips and TravelTracker platforms to ensure data accuracy and reliability.

Tim's more than 25-year experience as a security professional includes executive protection, corporate investigations, physical security, and event security management. Prior to joining Harvard, Tim managed the travel security requirements for State Street Corporation. He traveled extensively throughout South America to conduct security assessments and evaluate the threat level imposed to business travelers. In doing so, Tim developed an understanding of the needs of the travelers and learned the business and social culture of the countries visited. As a travel security manager, Tim developed a training program for professional and personal travelers that was replicated by several corporations throughout New England as a resource for other business travelers.

Tim has also traveled throughout South and Southeast Asia as a tourist and a security professional. He studied electrical engineering in the U.S. Navy while stationed at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and deployed twice to the Middle East.

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Gary Collins

Senior Program Manager, Strategic Initiatives
+1-617-496-1609

Gary is an intelligence and international security professional with over 15 years’ experience in high-pressure industry and conflict environments. In GSS, Gary is responsible for the operational management of international safety and security programs, with a particular emphasis on sex- and gender-based threats and challenging environments. In his work, Gary supports Harvard students, faculty, staff, and researchers in identifying, mitigating, and managing international risk so that they can safely pursue their activities abroad. He is also a core member of the University’s International Emergency Management Team (IEMT).

Before joining Harvard in 2021, Gary worked as the Associate Director of Global Risk Management at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). He was also a military operations officer with the Irish Defense Forces, where he conducted overseas deployments with the United Nations and NATO and completed two secondments with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).

Gary holds a master’s degree in international human rights and humanitarian law from the National University of Ireland Galway and a professional master’s in education from Maynooth University in Ireland.

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Jen Seeley

International Safety and Security Specialist
+1-617-495-5247

As an analyst with seven years of experience in the field, Jen collaborates with colleagues, clients, and University partners to support international travel. She advises on risk mitigation strategies for University affiliates traveling to 160+ locations annually and conducts global risk assessments to inform staff, students, and faculty traveling overseas.

Before joining Harvard, Jen worked in the public and private sectors, providing open-source analysis, assessments, and briefings to leadership and clients and supporting international travelers.

Jen earned a bachelor's degree from Saint Anselm College and a master's degree from Northeastern University.