Board of Directors
Lynn Hanson
Ouedraogo
President
Board Member since 2025
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Lynn Hanson Ouedraogo recently returned to Iowa City after 29 years in Burkina Faso, West
Africa. With a background in the biological sciences, she moved overseas after graduate studies and working at Texas A&M University. This move prompted a professional pivot to public diplomacy work at the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou. Through teaching, student advising, and managing cultural and exchange programs, she connected people to resources, opportunities, and each other. Her passion for intercultural communication, education, and people-to-people diplomacy align perfectly with her role at Global Ties Iowa. A proud graduate of Iowa City West High and the University of Iowa, Lynn is thrilled to help link Eastern Iowa to the world. After all, what the world needs now is a little more “Iowa nice.”
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Melissa
Meisterheim
Secretary
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Board Member since 2023
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Melissa Meisterheim is the Director of ESL Programs and an Associate Professor of
Instruction in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Iowa. She has served on the board of Mid-America Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (MIDTESOL) as well as on the Sustainability Presidential Charter Committee at the University of Iowa, and she volunteers at her local library. She values being a part of Global Ties Iowa since it provides opportunities to connect with others locally and around the world.
Liz
Bergeron
Board Member since 2018
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Liz is a graduate of Carleton College (BA Philosophy) and the University of Colorado (MA Linguistics). Although
Although now retired, her career included a wide range of positions. She taught ESL in Slovakia, Finland, and colleges in the U.S., and managed a global network for a local translation services group. Most recently, she directed a large-scale exchange program for non-elite students to attend U.S. community colleges.
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Global Ties Iowa has provided Liz a wonderful opportunity to continue her passion for sharing Iowa culture and learning more about the world from our visitors.​
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Eddy
Djagou
Board Member since 2023
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Eddy Djagou is the owner, CEO, and founding board member of DJAAGOU-A Export LLC in Muscatine, Iowa, specializing in the retail, trade, and
wholesale of food and beverage commodities in the U.S. and internationally. With a marketing management degree from the Université de Lomé in Togo, West Africa, Mr. Djagou has also completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, holds certifications in project management and international trade, and is a licensed tax preparer with the Internal Revenue Service. ​
Adria
Johnson
Board Member since 2025
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Adria Johnson served as a Contracting Officer for the Department of Army for 30 years. She excelled at acquisition planning, complex negotiations,
and developing relationships with customers and contractors. Her actions ensured the requirements for all branches of the armed services were fulfilled, contributing to national defense. She values connecting with international professionals and students while fostering the mission of Global Ties Iowa. Adria earned a Bachelor of Business from Western Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration from St. Ambrose University. She is an avid Hawkeye fan with two University of Iowa graduates, and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and traveling.
Ashley
Laux
Vice President
Board Member since 2026
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With a background in global education and community engagement,
Ashley Laux is passionate about building relationships to creative positive change locally and around the world. Ashley is currently the Assistant Director of the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities at the University of Iowa. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree from Middlebury College and a master's degree from Indiana University Bloomington. Ashley is a US Department of State Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship alumni. Ashley lives with her family in Iowa City and welcomes visitors to her home for Iowa Table Dinners every chance she can.
Daniel
Brown
Treasurer
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Board Member since 2023
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Daniel Brown, a CPA with degrees from the University of Iowa, is the Chief Financial Officer at
Acterra Group.​ He brings a passion for international business, demonstrated through his global travels and collaboration on international teams. Beyond work, he's devoted to his growing family, community volunteering, and endurance sports. Daniel is also an enthusiast of fermentation, including home brewing ales and lagers and perfecting sourdough bread.
Bala
Subramaniam​
Board Member since 2023
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Bala is a seasoned financial services risk professional with extensive experience in senior executive roles, specializing in audit and
risk management. He currently serves as a Senior Vice President and Director in Corporate Audit covering Enterprise Risk and Climate Risk at US Bankcorp: He excels in developing risk-based audit and governance functions, leveraging data analytics for control enhancement. His career has spanned renowned financial institutions in the US, UK, and India. Bala actively engages with board-level committees, and collaborates with banking regulators. He holds an MBA and a Masters in Finance from the University of Iowa.​
Mary
Gregg
Board Member since 2025
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​Mary Gregg brings with her a deep passion for travel, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. With a master’s degree in education, she dedicated
her career to teaching second grade and serving as a reading specialist for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
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Now happily retired, Mary enjoys the freedom to travel more, volunteer more, and stay active—including playing pickleball! She sees Global Ties Iowa as the perfect opportunity to blend her love of global experiences with her commitment to personal growth, all while meeting individuals from around the world.
Interested in getting involved with any of Global Ties Iowa's committees? Let us know at connect@globaltiesiowa.org. We are hoping to expand and diversify our leadership to include new talents and insights. Committees meet once every month on Zoom.