Meet the Staff

Jessica Oldford

Managing Director, Global Initiatives

Jessica has served as the Managing Director of Global Initiatives at the Ross School of Business since 2020.  In this role and as the inaugural Director of Global Student Experience, she oversees and manages the Global Initiatives team which serves 1000+ students. Jessica also managed the Undergraduate and MBA Global Semester Exchange Programs, growing capacity within the partner schools to include 20+ partnerships. Prior to working at Ross, Jessica served as the Associate Director of International Programs at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business for nearly five years. She also spent two years in the Career Services office at ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. Jessica spent five years living and working abroad in Spain, Japan, and the Czech Republic. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in Intercultural Policy Studies from Loyola University Chicago. Jessica enjoys trying new foods, watching documentaries, and hiking. 

Laura haas

Director of Student Experiences, Global Initiatives

Laura Haas is thrilled to be re-joining the Ross Global Initiatives team! She loves working in Higher Education, providing support to undergraduate & graduate students pursuing global experiences. Laura completed her masters degree in Higher Education Administration at St Cloud State University, and has spent the last 12+ years working with students in study abroad, leadership programs, and student organizations. Laura started at Ross with the (then name) Ross Leadership Initiative followed by her time as a Global Education Advisor supporting the launch of the undergraduate semester exchange program. Most recently she has been working at the Carlson School managing the Global Executive MBA programs. Laura is a part-time PhD student, mom to two kids (5 & 2), and for fun loves going for walks, playing at the park, finding new restaurants, listening to podcasts and traveling (when possible!)

Jen Chizek

Associate Director, Global Initiatives 

With a BA in creative writing and an MA in African studies, Jen Chizek brings extensive experience studying, living, and working overseas. She has lived in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, working in the fields of leadership development, education abroad, and international development. She has led multiple student groups abroad and is passionate about helping students cultivate a global mindset, develop cultural humility, and communicate across cultures. Jen has worked at UM for 5 years, first on the Global Engagement Team in the Office of the Provost and most recently as the Design and Innovation Program Manager at the School of Information. For fun, Jen loves hanging out with her dog (Izzy), trying new restaurants, doing Jazzercise, reading, and knitting or crocheting. 

Partner School Portfolio

Jen manages partnerships in: 

Kiali Curtis

Associate Director, Global Initiatives 

Kiali Curtis loves working in international education and is passionate about organizational development and learning in diverse, multicultural environments. Kiali has been with the Ross Global Initiatives team since 2019. Prior to Ross, she worked at IES Abroad in Chicago gaining valuable insight into the non-profit sector of international education. Kiali earned her BA in International Relations and Spanish Language & Literature from Oakland University and has extensive experience living, working, and studying in Spain. She looks forward to continuing her education in the field of organizational learning.

Partner School Portfolio

Kiali manages partnerships in: 

annie weaver

Associate Director, Global Initiatives

Dr. Annie Weaver joined the Ross Global Initiatives team in November 2022. Previously she worked as the Assistant Director, Co-Curricular Programs in the Center for Civic Engagement at Illinois State University. Her work there included working with the Alternative Breaks program and on several service-learning initiatives. Before arriving at Illinois State, Weaver was the Coordinator of Student Involvement for Greek Life and Civic Engagement at Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL, working with fraternities and sororities, service programming, and student activities. Her research interests include understanding how immersive experiences, such as education abroad and service-learning, can impact a student's future community engagement. Weaver received a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts and Theatre, a master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in Counseling—Student Affairs, and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Illinois State University. She loves to bake, tap dance, ride horses, and play board games.

Partner School Portfolio

Annie manages partnerships in: 

Emily Keeler

Associate Director, Global Initiatives


Emily joined the Global Initiatives team in 2023 and is thrilled to support international student experiences. Most recently, she served as the Associate Director of the Erb Institute, a partnership between the Ross School of Business and the School for Environment and Sustainability. Emily also teaches an MBA course centered in the intersection of sustainability and justice. During her time at the Erb Institute she served as a program lead on several international experiences. Emily joined the Erb Institute from U-M’s International Programs in Engineering office where she previously worked as an International Programs Advisor, advising outgoing Engineering students and working closely with the University’s international partners in Asia, Australia and the UK. She holds her BA in from Grand Valley State University and an MA from the University of Michigan. She studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain and conducted her graduate research in Shanghai, China. She has led student programs across the globe. In her spare time, Emily enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, trying out new hobbies and eating!

Partner School Portfolio

Emily manages partnerships in: