WASHINGTON, D.C. – Cultural Vistas is pleased to announce the appointment of new Board members who will each help support the nonprofit’s mission of leveraging the power of international exchange to connect lives, enhance global skills, and drive positive change.
The Cultural Vistas Board members serve as advocates to push forth the organizational mission and vision, ensuring that the organization and its participants are able to create positive change in communities across the globe. These new additions to our illustrious board will add new perspectives and diversify the ways in which Cultural Vistas continues to innovate in the international exchange sector.
We are thrilled to welcome these distinguished individuals to our Board. Their diverse experiences and unique perspectives will be invaluable as we continue to expand our impact and innovate in the international exchange sector. Each of them brings a deep commitment to our mission of connecting lives and fostering global understanding. We look forward to the positive change they will help drive in our organization and the communities we serve.
Cultural Vistas’ President and CEO, Jennifer Clinton, Ph.D.
The new board members will join the rest of our dedicated board members and began their three-year terms with Cultural Vistas effective August 1, 2024. To learn more about our Board members, visit the link below.
Meet the Newest Board Members
Charles J. Alaimo
Charles is a seasoned human resources executive with extensive experience in managing HR functions across various industries. He holds a Master of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management from Baruch College. His career began in the hospitality sector with roles at The Plaza Hotel and The New York Hilton & Towers, where he honed his skills in employment management. He has worked in a variety of industries including luxury goods and advertising. Currently he oversees the human resources functions for a derivatives trading firm. Prior to his current role, he spent over eight years with Aceto Corporation where he led the global HR function for this publicly traded firm with locations in Asia, Europe, and the United States. During this time, he managed three acquisitions and assisted in the company’s sale to a private equity firm in 2019. Alaimo also holds multiple HR certifications and has authored a book on HR leadership during organizational change. In April 2024 he was awarded a Fulbright Specialist grant where he assisted an NGO based in Slovakia. Charles has hosted BridgeUSA participants in partnership with Cultural Vistas.
Diara Andrews Giles
Diara is a Director at Bank of America with over 17 years of experience in various leadership roles. Currently, she serves as Director, Data Governance for Data Strategy and Management, where she develops strategies and provides operational support to meet the bank’s data risk management goals. Additionally, Diara led strategic initiatives for both Climate Risk and the IBOR Transition Program, as well as provided operational resources to Third Party Management to sustain regulatory compliance. Diara holds a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Miami and a Juris Doctorate from Howard University. She also serves as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserves and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA). Diara has served on Cultural Vistas Alumni Council and is a CBYX Alum.
Charissa Kosova
Charisse is a demonstrated leader in talent development with over 20 years of experience spanning Fortune 500+ companies and non-profit. Most recently at Branch Financial, she built the L&D function from the ground up. Previous roles include Director of DEI L&D at McDonald’s, where she developed a global DEI learning strategy, and Global Head of Training & Development at Shure, where she led L&D initiatives across 32 countries. At IOR Global Services she was Director of Global Talent Development, building intercultural learning initiatives for international corporate clients. Earlier in her career, Charisse led J-1 work exchange programs for CIEE’s London office. She holds a Master of Adult Education from National Louis University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, along with numerous certifications in leadership development and intercultural communication. She lived in Ethiopia as a child, and has lived and worked in Morocco, Japan, and the UK.