Meet our National Leadership Team

STS Foundation is comprised of a team of professionals committed to providing students, host families, and schools with a program that fosters global understanding and building relationships. Personalized service is our mission and we strive to build a cultural bridge for all to walk across together.

Gwen McNallan

President

Gwen McNallan has passionately dedicated the last 13 years of her life to cultural exchange programs in which she has been able to directly help young people grow and develop leadership skills within our diverse global community. Prior to joining the STS Family, she served as the Executive Director for a large student exchange program overseeing the United States and Canada.

Gwen was born in Minnesota, number six of ten siblings. She is a mother of four, and three of her children have studied abroad in Germany, France, Italy, and Australia. She also has the great honor of having one exchange daughter and two exchange sons who are a part of her global family. Gwen lives with her husband, Glenn, and their beloved dog in Southern California.

She strongly believes in the impact intercultural programs have on students, schools, and host communities to foster peace, understanding, and compassion in our global world.

Theresa Nelson

ARO, VP, Finance & Administration

Theresa has been involved with J-1 Exchange Programs for the past 16 years, including Au Pair, High School and Work & Travel programs, where she served as an Alternate Responsible Officer for all programs. She has extensive experience and knowledge of SEVIS and Department of State Regulations.

Theresa lives in Petaluma, California, a small community north of San Francisco near California wine country, with her family. She is a proud mother of two boys and a die-hard San Francisco Giants fan!

Carol Cain

National Director of Program Operations

A career that began 15 years ago as she joined the staff at her local high school, Carol has dedicated herself to building confidence and cultural curiosity in all of her students. Experience in the management of both short term and long term programming has culminated in her current position to provide a caring, high quality experience for all STS Foundation students.