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WorldDenver Staff

The WorldDenver Staff is dedicated to building a more globally-connected city. 

JOHN M. KRIEGER

Chief Executive Officer

LAUREN OSGA

Director, Development & Communications

SARAH WILKINSON

Director, International Exchange Programs

SHANNON PAYNE

Director, Global Engagement

TARA BARDEEN

Director, Finance & Operations

LIZ SHAW

Senior Manager, International Exchanges & Youth Engagement

KEIRA CHANDLER

Manager,
International Exchanges

MORGAN SWAN

Manager,
Events & Community Outreach

John M. Krieger

Executive Director

John@WorldDenver.org
720.330.9278

John M. Krieger, J.D., LL.M. is CEO of WorldDenver. Krieger holds a Master’s of Law in International Law from American University and a law degree from University of Richmond. Over the last 12 years, he has held multiple leadership positions focused on communications, outreach, staff development, and membership growth at national and Colorado-based non-profits. Most recently, he was Director of Campaigns at ACLU of Colorado, where he led communications strategy, volunteer recruitment, outreach, education, and community events during a period of more than 500% growth in membership for the organization.

Previously, Krieger was a staff attorney, lobbyist, and Communications Director for the United States Public Interest Research Group in Washington D.C., where he led successful media and grassroots organizing campaigns on issues ranging from public health and product safety to eliminating waste and fraud in federal contracting. He directed a national field campaign to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which The Hill recognized as one of the top 10 lobbying victories of 2010.

Krieger has served on the Alumni Board of Directors for Flagler College, from which he earned an undergraduate degree in journalism and public relations in 2002 and was recently named one of the institution’s 50 Alumni of Distinction.

Lauren Osga

Director of Development & Communications

Lauren@WorldDenver.org
720.330.9287

Lauren has over a decade’s experience in nonprofit programming and fundraising, including major annual fundraisers, like WorldDenver’s International Women’s Day celebration. 

Lauren attended a French immersion school, which planted the seeds for her passion in diversity and cross-cultural experiences. She earned her B.A. in International Studies and French, with a minor in Religion from California Lutheran University and masters degrees in Social Work (MSW) and Theological Studies (MTS) from Boston University, with a focus on nonprofit development and program administration. She had the privilege of traveling to several countries for her coursework, including studying abroad in Senegal. 

Lauren brings a passion for building a more peaceful world to her work connecting donors and community sponsors with WorldDenver’s mission and appreciates any opportunity to practice French!

Sarah Wilkinson

Director of International Exchange Programs

Sarah@WorldDenver.org
720.330.9293

Before joining WorldDenver, Sarah Wilkinson founded what was initially called Project PeacePal in 2006 to connect students directly with peers in countries across the globe through hand-written pen pal letters. By 2016 she had expanded the network to over 18,000 participants in 31 countries, and grown the organization to include in-person international exchanges, rebranding as Global One to One.

She earned her B.A. in cultural anthropology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and completed her Masters in Public Administration from the University of New Mexico, with the thesis topic “Developing Intercultural Understanding and Communication with Adolescents through Virtual Exchange.” Sarah is passionate about building global connections that celebrate our common humanity, and is excited to continue developing relationships with existing and new partners in her position with WorldDenver.

In her free time she enjoys hiking, snorkeling in the ocean, and laughing with friends and family.

Shannon Payne

Director, Global Engagement

Shannon@WorldDenver.org
720.330.9285

Shannon joined WorldDenver in January 2020, shortly after graduating from the University of Denver with her M.A. in International Studies. She leads WorldDenver’s international exchange programs team and spearheads special initiatives to localize our global engagement.
 
She received her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Central Florida. Previously, Shannon was part of WorldOrlando, where she helped to host international visitors through the International Visitor Leadership Program. Shannon also served as an intern in the Cultural Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow as an undergraduate. She has studied French, Russian, and Latin–and, through WorldDenver’s exchange programs, has learned to say “hello,” “thank you,” and “cheers” in a dozen or so other languages.
 
Shannon’s favorite thing about working at WorldDenver is the incredible variety of people she is able to meet through our exchange programs and local events. She loves exploring Denver and keeping a very busy social calendar.

Tara Bardeen

Director, Finance and Operations

Tara@WorldDenver.org
720.330.9279

Tara joined WorldDenver in December 2024, bringing with her a deep-rooted passion for cross-cultural engagement and years of experience in business operations. A lifelong Denver resident, she grew up near Wash Park and graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A. in Chinese Language and Literature. Tara’s career reflects her commitment to building global awareness within her community. As co-founder of the French American School of Denver, a DPS charter school dedicated to French immersion, Tara championed bilingual education, blending strategic leadership with her passion for language education. She served as Board Vice Chair, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Interim Executive Director, contributing to the school’s successful launch in August 2021. Tara is also the founder of Go Play Denver, a media platform dedicated to connecting Denverites with arts and culture across the city, with a focus on growing the audiences of smaller nonprofit organizations. She was recognized as an EY Next Wave Leadership Award finalist by the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts for her work with Go Play Denver.

Tara’s background in community leadership, business operations, and cross-cultural initiatives is complemented by decades of experience as an educator, curriculum writer, and trainer, where she has worked to foster global perspectives in students and communities alike. She has visited 49 countries, lived with host families in eight, and speaks Mandarin Chinese, French, and Spanish (though she is always studying the language of her next travel destination). In her free time, Tara enjoys curling with her team at the Denver Curling Club, exploring Denver’s arts scene, playing the kokle, and going on adventures.

Liz Shaw

Senior Manager, International Exchanges & Youth Engagement

Liz@WorldDenver.org
720.330.9275

Liz grew up in Virginia and earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia before moving out to Colorado. Her passion for international travel was ignited by a trip to Costa Rica during college, and now, like most, her list of want-to-visit destinations is longer than her already-visited list! She finished graduate school at DU in 2018 with a master’s in international development and a specialization in Human Rights and held a variety of different positions before finding her way to WorldDenver as the Education and Exchange Fellow. In her free time, Liz is outside experiencing the variety of activities that Colorado has to offer, reading a good book, and coaching swimming for a local club team.

Keira Chandler

Manager, International Exchange Programs

Keira@WorldDenver.org
720.330.9289

Keira joined the WorldDenver team in September 2020 as an intern before transitioning into the role of Mission Support Coordinator in August 2021. She graduated from the University of Denver with a dual B.A. in International Studies and Gender & Women’s Studies. After her first trip abroad to England in 2006, she became passionate about international travel, going to places like Scandinavia, Nepal, Germany, and even studying abroad in Thailand. Growing up in Philadelphia all her life, she was excited to move out west (and get away from the humidity!). When not planning her next trip, she likes to sing, dance, read, and explore the beautiful landscape of Colorado. A fun fact about her is that she has dual-citizenship with Germany.

Morgan Swan

Manager, Events & Community Outreach

Morgan@WorldDenver.org
720.330.9284

Morgan Swan joined the team in October 2024, taking on the role of Senior Coordinator of Events & Community Outreach. Morgan was raised in Los Angeles, and received her undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Film with a minor in Business Economics. After graduating in 2020, Morgan made her way out to Denver and expanded upon her professional experiences, working in social media management, client relations and services, digital advertising, and community outreach at startups, advertising agencies, and nonprofit organizations in Colorado. Morgan is passionate about building and engaging communities, and she is excited to get involved with WorldDenver to create events and new access points for members and newcomers alike. Some of Morgan’s favorite international experiences have been traveling to England and stopping at Bath, the birthplace of her favorite author, Jane Austen, as well as her travels in Italy, specifically seeing Pompeii and enjoying the delicious Italian food. In her free time, Morgan enjoys reading, playing tennis and pickleball, hiking, and dog-sitting.

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