Who We Are

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.

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Director of Programs

Matt oversees all of WorldDenver's international exchange and education programs, including the International Visitor Leadership Program, World Affairs Challenge (Classic, Intramural & Virtual Exchange iterations of the program), Citizen Diplomat Excursions, and other youth, professional, corporate, and fee-for-service/custom exchange programs.

Prior to joining WorldDenver in 2017, Matt 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.

Matt graduated 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, whitewater rafting, gardening, beekeeping, and playing board games.

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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.

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Program Manager, International Exchanges and Advocacy

Shannon joined WorldDenver in January 2020, shortly after graduating from the University of Denver with her M.A. in International Studies. On the WorldDenver team, Shannon oversees the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and advocacy efforts. 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, Shannon spent six years in Orlando, Florida. She received her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Central Florida and worked at UCF’s Global Perspectives Office for two years. Previously, Shannon was an intern and then a member of WorldOrlando, where she helped to host international visitors through the IVLP. 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 road tripped to and across most of the continental United 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.

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Program Manager, International Exchanges

Emma joined the WorldDenver team as the International Exchange Programs Manager in February 2022. She manages WorldDenver's fee-for-service programs including international exchanges for youth, entrepreneurs, professionals, and other custom exchange programs. Prior to moving to Denver, she worked as the Director of Outreach for the North Carolina Consortium for Middle East Studies, where she designed professional development programs for K-12 educators across the US to deepen understanding of the Middle East and North Africa. Previously, she worked with LEAF Global Arts, a small non-profit in Asheville, NC, coordinating arts education programs locally and in 10 countries. From a young age, world music sparked Emma’s appreciation of and respect for global cultures, as well as her desire to understand the connections between places and peoples around the world. She has loved every moment spent abroad, from interning at a French NGO to assisting with an academic conference in Senegal. Harver holds a M.A. in International Education, a B.A. in Global Studies and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has studied Arabic and French. Outside of her global interests, Emma enjoys doing anything outdoors with her dog and partner and is a violinist in the Arapahoe Philharmonic.

Program Manager, World Affairs Challenge

Hope joined WorldDenver in 2021 as the Program Manager for the World Affairs Challenge, transitioning from the same role that she held with the Center for Teaching International Relations since 2016 after their merger with WorldDenver. 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.

Education & Exchange Fellow

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.

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.

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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.

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