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Executive Director
John M. Krieger, J.D., LL.M. is Executive Director 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.
720.330.9278
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Director of Programs
Prior to joining WorldDenver in 2017, Matt Britton served as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. He also worked as a Health Education Volunteer with the US Peace Corps and as a volunteer with the Rio 2016 Olympics. His 12+ years of living abroad (United Kingdom, Mauritania, Papua New Guinea, El Salvador, Burundi, & Brazil) make him feel right at home with WorldDenver members and fellow "citizen diplomats" working to build bridges that span cultural, linguistic, and geographic divides in our increasingly globalized world. His diplomatic career included assignments in embassy administration and management, immigration services, communications and media relations, and management of international exchange programs. Matt holds a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Tulsa and speaks French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Swedish (as well as a smattering of Tok Pisin and Hassaniya, but you would be hard-pressed to find individuals who understand either of those languages!). Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, snowboarding, being out in nature, and collecting coins from around the world.
720.330.9279
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Director of Development & Communications
Lauren joined WorldDenver from the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, where she served as the Senior Director of Programs & Development. She brings experience in planning and executing over 40 programs per year, including two major annual fundraisers, and young professional engagement and development. Lauren grew up in San Diego, CA and attended a French immersion school for K-8 grade, 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 where she had the privilege of participating in travel seminars to Jamaica, Italy, and a semester abroad in Dakar, Senegal focusing on issues affecting vulnerable children. She completed a dual masters degree program in Social Work (MSW) and Theological Studies (MTS) at Boston University, with a focus on nonprofit development and program administration. During her time at BU, she participated in a travel seminar to Israel and Palestine to explore complexities of peace building, and one to Turkey to learn about the intersection of ancient archeology and modern Europe. In Boston, she worked in community organizing with Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and at DOVE, Inc., a domestic violence resource agency, where she contributed to planning and development for two record-breaking fundraiser events.
Lauren moved to Denver with her husband and enjoys the performing arts, live music, backpacking, snowboarding, and all that the CO Rockies have to offer.
720.330.9287
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Finance & Office Manager
Laurie Freedle joined WorldDenver in 2020 as the Finance/Office Manager. Her previous career with the state of Colorado provides an abundance of accounting and management experience. Laurie graduated cum laude from Metropolitan State College of Denver while raising her children and working as an accounting technician. She used her B.S. in Accounting to ascend in Colorado government, her 20-year career culminating as the budget director of the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Laurie’s eclectic background shows her curiosity for all things—she has been a Licensed Massage Therapist (sorry, she gave up her license in 2020), a Certified Neurosculpting Facilitator, holds a certificate as a Master Gardener from Colorado State University, authored and published a memoir, and is a decades-long practitioner of yoga and meditation.
Having fallen in love with Mexico long ago, she is working on becoming fluent in Spanish. Laurie looks forward to indulging her curiosity by learning about many cultures of the world while managing the finances of WorldDenver.
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Program Coordinator, International Visitor Leadership Program
Shannon joined WorldDenver in January 2020, shortly after graduating from the University of Denver with her M.A. in International Studies. She was born and raised in England, where her family lived until they moved to Hampton, Virginia when she was 13. (Unfortunately, she no longer has a British accent.) Before moving to Denver in 2017, Shannon spent six years in Orlando, Florida. She received her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Central Florida in 2015 and worked at UCF’s Global Perspectives Office for two years. Previously, Shannon was an intern and then a member of World Orlando, where she helped to host international visitors. As a child, Shannon visited the United States most summers and traveled with her family throughout Europe and to Mexico and Belize. She completed a summer internship in the Cultural Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow as an undergraduate and, during grad school, she spent two weeks in Israel and Palestine to learn firsthand about conflict and peacebuilding in the region. She has also been to 33/50 U.S. states. Shannon has studied French, Russian, and Latin. In her free time, Shannon enjoys exploring Denver, hiking in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, playing video and board games, and planning her next vacation.
720.330.9285
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Program Coordinator, International Exchanges
Megan Palffy has managed WorldDenver's Custom Exchange Programs (fee-for-service programming) since 2019 and loves that her job encourages hands-on learning for both youth and professional programs. Megan is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor’s in Communications and a certificate in Public Management. When Megan is not at work, one can find her hiking with her two dogs or in the kitchen working on a new baking creation. Megan has previously traveled to Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, and Swaziland, and hopes to visit Scandinavia soon!
720.330.9293
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Membership & Events Coordinator
Talia joined WorldDenver in June 2018 as the Development & Communications Intern before officially joining the staff in January 2019. She is a graduate of the University of Denver with a B.A. in International Studies and Spanish. She is a Colorado native, born and raised in Crested Butte before she moved to Denver to begin school. She lived in Argentina for a year through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program and studied abroad in Spain for a semester through her university. In addition to traveling as much as she can, Talia likes to spend her time exploring the mountains of Colorado and the culinary delights of Denver.
720.330.9284
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Program Manager, World Affairs Challenge
Hope joined WorldDenver in April, 2021 to work on the World Affairs Challenge Virtual Exchange Program. Since 2016, Hope has been the Program Director for the World Affairs Challenge Event, hosted by the Center for Teaching International Relations in Denver, CO. Hope holds a BA in Spanish and Biology from the University of Vermont and a M.Ed. in Integrated Teaching Through the Arts from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She has taught students from preschool through college since entering the field of education in 2002. Hope has traveled extensively in Europe, as well as Central and South America, learning the languages and cultures of those regions. She is passionate about international travel and service, and deepening her connections with people around the world.
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Mission Support Coordinator
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.
720.330.9289
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Homestay Coordinator
Mary Lou has worked with WorldDenver since 2012 as a consultant on the International Visitor Leadership Program. Prior to that, Mary Lou worked with various programs at the Institute of International Education's Rocky Mountain Regional Center including the speaker series and both youth and professional exchange programs. Mary Lou served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Moldova where she taught English and organized camps and programming focusing on girls' leadership. She holds a B.A. from Colorado State University in Sociology and an M.A. in International Administration from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. In her free time she enjoys chasing her two children, leading her daughter's Brownie Girl Scout troop, gardening and hiking.
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