Our Team

Ray Vernon was the founder of Accent. Ray completed a degree in education at the University of Exeter before pursuing his own studies abroad at the Università di Perugia and the Université de Paris, Sorbonne. These experiences led him into the field of international education. After creating an association in the mid-seventies to assist U.S. college students abroad, he went on to form a European network of study abroad centers. These centers were consolidated and emerged as Accent. To read a tribute to Ray’s life please click here.

As CEO Linda works closely with the Executive Director and Senior Management team on strategic development of Accent’s academic offering. She holds a PhD in cognitive psychology from the University of Paris – René Descartes and completed postdoctoral training in psychology and education at Yale University. She has held academic positions in the United States and France and continues to publish in the area of talent identification and talent development through innovative pedagogy. Linda is based in France.

As Executive Director, Stephen oversees strategy and development of the Accent Study Centers. He works with university leadership and administrators, alongside the Accent teams, to develop and enrich high-quality international opportunities. He holds degrees in fine arts, environmental design and an MA in architecture. His varied international experience allows him to identify and utilize unique cultural and academic resources that are so important to global learning. Stephen is based in Italy.

Allison is responsible for the management of the U.S. office and institutional partnerships with over 70 colleges and universities. Her first international experience was a gap year in the U.K. before attending Stanford University. As an undergraduate studying international relations, Allison spent two quarters in Tours and after graduation completed an internship in the Slovak Republic. Allison is the founding director of the U.S. office in San Francisco. She is based in California.

William oversees the development of new program models and strategic projects for Accent and its partners. He has worked in education abroad for over twenty years in diverse roles and contexts, helping to found several organizations including an education abroad provider, a school for Mediterranean studies in Sicily, and a student housing company. William graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in liberal arts and lived in Italy for many years. William splits his time between Texas and Italy.

Jim leads new program development and provides oversight for Accent partnerships with U.S. colleges and universities. Prior to this role, he managed programs on-site with Accent in Madrid and Rome. Jim holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from La Sapienza University of Rome, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Boston University. He is a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). Jim is based in Italy.

Alexa oversees partnerships with U.S. institutions and assists in the development of customized programs from initial idea to final contract. Originally from New York, Alexa earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Rochester, studying abroad twice in Rome. After graduating, she taught English in Turin before earning an MA in international education from New York University. At NYU, Alexa studied abroad in Germany, Ghana, and China. Alexa is based in California.

Francesco works closely with Accent’s partners and the Study Centers to design promotional strategies to better reach prospective students. Francesco worked for ten years coordinating programs in the Rome Study Center. He holds a BA in cultural and linguistic mediation from La Sapienza University of Rome and completed the Global Executive Master’s program in marketing and sales with Bocconi and ESADE universities. Francesco is based in Italy.

In her role, Erika collaborates closely with the Accent study centers and U.S. institutions to develop customized programs and contract proposals. Prior to joining Accent, Erika held both administrative and student-facing positions with the University of Wyoming Education Abroad Office as well as the Middlebury School in France. A Wyoming native, Erika holds an MA in International Education from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a BA in Italian International Studies with French from Middlebury College. Erika is based in Colorado.

Simone collaborates with Accent partners, Study Centers, and local faculty to develop new programming that is topical, experiential, and reflects the depth and breadth of Accent’s local networks. Prior to joining Accent, he was Assistant Director at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. Originally from Italy, Simone moved to the U.S. for graduate school and holds a PhD in classics from the University of Cincinnati. Simone is based in Italy.

Sarah collaborates closely with colleagues at Paris College of Art to develop experiential, customized programs for students of art and design. She also assists the team in coordinating all aspects of other Accent Paris programs. Prior to joining Accent, Sarah held teaching and administrative positions at UC Berkeley, l’Université Paris Diderot, and EDC Paris Business School. A Philadelphia native, Sarah holds a PhD in French Cultural Studies from UC Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the George Washington University.

Lilia leads program development and on-site support for art and design programs in Florence. She is Mexican-American and grew up in California, first visiting Florence as an undergraduate at CSU Long Beach. After completing her degree in art, Lilia completed an MFA in exhibition design and museum studies at CSU Fullerton. She has a passion for cultural and artistic promotion and has worked in the nonprofit sector in addition to being a curator of contemporary art. Lilia is based in Italy.

Managing the U.S. Office team, Megan oversees student enrollment, pre-departure preparation and program accounting, as well as company branding and IT. As an undergraduate at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Megan spent a semester in Paris studying French and art history. She later joined the Peace Corps, teaching English in Eritrea. Upon returning home to San Francisco, Megan completed a master’s degree in industrial and graphic design.

Alexa oversees partnerships with U.S. institutions and assists in the development of customized programs from initial idea to final contract. Originally from New York, Alexa earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Rochester, studying abroad twice in Rome. After graduating, she taught English in Turin before earning an MA in international education from New York University. At NYU, Alexa studied abroad in Germany, Ghana, and China. 

As Senior Programs Coordinator, Jani liaisons with US universities, the Accent Global Study Centers in Europe, and individual students to prepare for their time abroad. Jani serves as mentor to the Programs Coordinators at the Accent US office and support for the pre-departure process of Accent programs. Some of her duties include managing the Accent student enrollment process, maintaining administrative documents, advising visa applicants, and coordinating information for her colleagues overseas. An East Bay native, Jani finished her time at UC Berkeley studying on an Accent Global-organized program in London. This experience abroad instilled a deep appreciation of travel and a yearning to see the world, and Jani is elated to be a part of the Accent team, where she can assist others as they now begin their global education.

In her role, Erika collaborates closely with the Accent study centers and U.S. institutions to develop customized programs and contract proposals. Prior to joining Accent, Erika held both administrative and student-facing positions with the University of Wyoming Education Abroad Office as well as the Middlebury School in France. A Wyoming native, Erika holds an MA in International Education from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a BA in Italian International Studies with French from Middlebury College. Erika is based in Colorado.

Audrey supports the contract and partnership development process, including writing and proofing contract proposals, and also works closely with colleagues in Europe to curate the Accent blog. She earned her BA in English at UC Berkeley with a minor in art history, participating in two education abroad programs: first, in Florence, Italy and then in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

In addition to her role as director in Rome, Erin manages policies and projects related to program operations across Europe. With an undergraduate degree in foreign languages and literature, Erin began her career in education serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Georgia. She later completed a master’s degree in international training and education from American University. Working with both nonprofits and universities, Erin has extensive experience developing  international study programs in both the U.S. and Europe.

In addition to her director role in Madrid, Vanessa oversees the development and implementation of procedures across Accent. Originally from Valencia, she completed a BA in English at Universitat de Valéncia. She later moved to the U.S., where she completed an MA in English at Northwestern State University of Louisiana and PhD in Spanish at Texas Tech University with research focused on postfeminism in Latinx literature. Back in Spain, she completed an MBA at EAE Business School.

A native of Tuscany, Jennifer joined Accent after having worked for several years as an accountant. With professional training in bookkeeping and accounting, she manages Study Center payments, accounting, and statistical reporting. She works closely with each Study Center and the U.S. office to develop and revise program budgets.

Melissa is responsible for the management and administration of programs in Paris. Originally from New York, Melissa first visited Paris as an undergraduate at State University of New York. After completing her degree, she began working with Ray Vernon in Paris and has been with Accent from the very beginning. She is an active member of the Association for American University Programs in France (APUAF), she served on the organization’s board of directors for seven years.

Adrien supports the Paris Center Director with the daily management of the Study Center and the front office team, as well as the many and varied Paris programs. Adrien manages classrooms, liaises with local French universities for direct enroll and hybrid programs, and coordinates MBA seminars and other specialized programs. He graduated in English and German from the Sorbonne.

Mirek oversees all aspects of course visits and program excursions in and outside of Paris. As a licensed guide conférencier, he also guides Paris groups through places such as the Château de Versailles, various museums in Paris, the Palais Garnier, or in French towns such as St. Malo, Avignon, or Dijon. Mirek is very familiar with education abroad as he has studied in many cities including Warsaw, Lille, Paris, New York City, and Edinburgh.

Carole holds an administrative position for University of California academic programs and is also an instructor. She received her PhD in comparative literature in 2008 from UCLA. She has taught language and comparative literature courses at UCLA, CSU Long Beach, and Tulane University. She is a polyglot who speaks fluent French and Italian and spends her spare time on literary translations and working with seeing-eye dogs in training. 

Sarah collaborates closely with colleagues at Paris College of Art to develop experiential, customized programs for students of art and design. She also assists the team in coordinating all aspects of other Accent Paris programs. Prior to joining Accent, Sarah held teaching and administrative positions at UC Berkeley, l’Université Paris Diderot, and EDC Paris Business School. A Philadelphia native, Sarah holds a PhD in French Cultural Studies from UC Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the George Washington University.

Michelangelo is responsible for the management of the Florence Study Center. Born in southern Italy, he completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Bologna’s Rimini campus, during which he completed a year studying in Sweden at the University of Uppsala. Further international experience includes an exchange at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, work in administration at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, and internships in Florida and Dublin. 

Francesca is the Associate Florence Center Director, she manages Center responsibilities and facilitates successful Accent programs in Florence. Francesca is the main contact for U.S. partner institutions while planning for faculty–directed programs in Florence and oversees daily operations at Accent Florence. Born in southern Tuscany, she moved to Florence for her university studies, completing a BA in political science and MA in international relations and European studies. As a student, Francesca studied for one year in Brussels and later completed an internship in Plymouth (U.K.).

Daniela coordinates student housing for all programs. In her role, she sources various types of long- and short-term housing in Florence, manages relationships with housing partners, and coordinates all aspects of student housing including placement, maintenance and pastoral care. A Florence native, she has over twenty years of experience working with students from all over the world. 

Mariarosa oversees academics for the University of California EAP and University of Minnesota programs. She coordinates faculty and advises students while serving as liaison with home institutions for program design and development. Her extensive experience in the field of international education includes a Fulbright scholarship, an MA in English and PhD in comparative literature from UC Davis, and teaching appointments at UCEAP and Boston University in Padua. For the University of Minnesota program, she teaches a course on Florence in literature.

Lilia coordinates internship and volunteer placements for Accent students with organizations across Florence. She is Mexican-American and grew up in California, first visiting Florence as an undergraduate at CSU Long Beach. After completing her degree in art, Lilia completed an MFA in exhibition design and museum studies at CSU Fullerton. She has a passion for cultural and artistic promotion and has worked in the nonprofit sector in addition to being a curator of contemporary art. 

As Programs Coordinator, Lisa supports student life through a variety of tasks including organizing excursions, planning extracurricular activities, managing the Accent Florence social media accounts, and assisting with day-to-day life in Italy. She has a passion for helping students immerse themselves in the culture and the language of Florence and make the most out of their time here – whether they’re here for a week or a semester. Originally from Massachusetts, Lisa earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of New Hampshire, and studied abroad in Ascoli Piceno, Italy through the UNH Italian program. Lisa has always had a passion for writing and continues to publish her work with various tourism as well as international education publications.

In her role, Eleonora supports the implementation of Florence programs and is a point of reference for students at the front desk. She also assists with the coordination of academic and extracurricular activities. Born and raised in a small town just outside Florence, Eleonora earned a master’s degree in communication strategies from the University of Florence. 

Riccardo assists with the coordination of academic and extracurricular activities and provides support for Florence programs and accounting. Born and raised in a small town in Florence’s southern countryside, he has a BA in Political Science and currently working on a MA in International Relations and European Studies from the University of Florence.

Matt is responsible for the management of the London Study Center. Prior to joining Accent, Matt worked in administration of postgraduate programs at Royal College of Art, and held similar roles at Birkbeck, University of London and within the government Department for Culture, Media & Sport. Originally from south London, he has an undergraduate degree in business information technology from Coventry University and a master’s degree in London studies from Birkbeck.

In her part-time role, Sara works closely with the rest of the London Study Center team to ensure all programs run smoothly. Sara studied Art History and English at the University of Nottingham. She has worked in the international education field in London for over thirty years, at the Institute for European Studies and at the University of Delaware before joining Accent. Among other responsibilities, Sara is the in-house expert on local theater.

As a Senior Programs Coordinator, Erin works with the London team to ensure all day-to-day operations and programs run effectively to give our students the best possible experience abroad. Originally from Connecticut, Erin studied Anthropology and Art History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has lived in London and worked in the study abroad sector for the past decade and enjoys sharing recommendations for things to do in and out of the UK!

In her role, Poppy works with students and faculty on all aspects of London programs. Originally from Lincolnshire, Poppy moved to London four years ago to attend Queen Mary, University of London, where she graduated with a First-Class BA in English in 2020. She worked in the Study Abroad sector in Bloomsbury for over 2 years before joining the Accent Team.

Lewis’ responsibilities include housing, cultural activities, and student support services from the front office. Originally from St Albans, Lewis completed an undergraduate degree in geography at the University of Birmingham which included a year studying abroad at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prior to working for Accent, Lewis has been involved with start-ups and non-profit organizations.

Nathalie, together with her fellow Programs Coordinators, organizes various aspects of the study abroad programs, including extra-curricular activities and educational trips to the different sights in the UK. She’s lived in London for 10 years now, first moving here to study History and History of Ideas at Goldsmiths, University of London and has since fallen in love with the city. She has a background in travel organization and previously worked for an educational tour operator.

Robert’s role at the London study centre is managing varied sections of our programs, especially cultural events, logistics and student support. Before joining Accent, Robert built up experience in international education, working on Erasmus+ projects in Greece and teaching English as a foreign language in Colombia. He studied Human Geography at Cardiff University, which included a summer study abroad program at la Universidad de Guadalajara.

Vanessa is responsible for the management of the Madrid Study Center as well as managing European procedures. Originally from Valencia, she completed a BA in English at Universitat de Valéncia, spending a year at the University of Sheffield (U.K.). Later, she moved to the U.S. and completed an MA in English at Northwestern State University of Louisiana and PhD in Spanish at Texas Tech University with research focused on postfeminism in Latinx literature. Back in Spain, she completed an MBA at EAE Business School.

Tania coordinates student services, front office management, housing, and cultural activities. She was born in Madrid and raised in Javea. Tania completed a bachelor’s degree in education at Universitat de València, spending her last semester at CSU Dominguez Hills. Later, she lived and worked in Denmark while completing a MSc Intercultural Education from UNED. She speaks Spanish, English, and Danish.

James’s responsibilities include front office management, housing, cultural activities, and student support services. Originally from Colorado, James moved to Madrid to complete an MA in teaching Spanish as a foreign language at Universidad de Alcalá de Henares. He studied for a year in Valencia while completing a BA in Spanish philology at Colorado State University and has participated in other educational programs in Peru and Panama. 

As Programs Coordinator, Alexandra’s responsibilities include managing student housing, planning and executing cultural activities, as well as providing student support services at the front office. Alex earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky and later completed a Master’s degree in Bilingual Education at Universidad de Alcalá de Henares. She first studied abroad in Granada, Spain, at the age of 20, which sparked a love for the country, and now lives in Madrid permanently.

Javier was born and raised in Algeciras, a city in the southern end of Spain, near the Strait of Gibraltar. He earned a B.A. in Education at Universidad de Cádiz with a focus on foreign languages and came in contact with the study abroad field when a very special person offered him an internship with Central College of Iowa in Granada. After this experience, he studied and worked in Austria, Poland, and the US where he completed a lectureship at Central College of Iowa. In his role as Programs Coordinator, Javier is responsible for front office management, faculty and student support services, housing, cultural activities, and social media management.

Erin is responsible for the management of the Rome Study Center, as well as operations across Europe. With an undergraduate degree in foreign languages and literature, Erin began her career in education serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Georgia. She later completed a master’s degree in international training and education from American University. Working with both nonprofits and universities, Erin has extensive experience developing  international study programs in both the U.S. and Europe.

Marco is an International Education professional with over 15 years of experience managing international and foreign language programs and working with students from all over the world.  As Assistant Director, Marco works closely with the director on the everyday management of the Study Center,  students health and wellbeing and academic and cultural programming.  He overseas the Italian language programs in the Rome Center and provides Academic advising and coordination for various Rome programs.  He has a degree in Asian languages from La Sapienza University in Rome, speaks five languages, and has lived and worked in the U.K., North Korea, and South Korea.

Nicole coordinates various aspects of programs and has been particularly involved in building a network of internship and volunteer placements in Rome, managing relationships with local companies and advising students throughout the intern experience. Originally from Miami, Nicole completed a degree in mass communication and broadcasting at Florida International University and worked in news media before moving to Rome. An avid writer, she contributes to various English-language publications in Italy. 

Chiara coordinates a portfolio of Study Center and faculty-directed programs, and has various responsibilities related to facilities management and program accounting. She has a degree in literary, linguistic and translation studies related to modern languages with a special focus on Anglo-American culture and American Jewish literature. She spent eight months in London studying translation at the University of Westminster and completed a postgraduate course in communication and international relations in Rome. 

Alice oversees student activities and coordinates a portfolio of short-term programs, working closely with U.S. faculty program directors. A native of Rome, Alice completed her bachelor’s degree in Intercultural and Linguistic Mediation from La Sapienza University of Rome, participating in the Erasmus program for an academic year in Bath. She later completed a postgraduate course in communication and international relations in Rome, and is currently finishing her master’s degree in English and Anglo-American Studies at La Sapienza University of Rome.

Luca focuses on the student living experience, ensuring the quality and suitability of apartments, residences and homestays. He manages relationships with housing providers, coordinates all aspects of student housing and serves as a point of contact for students navigating Roman culture. Luca was born in Marino, a small town near Rome. He earned a master’s degree in Sociology at the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. He has lived in London as well as on the Greek Island of Crete where he spent nine months as a research intern at the MaiCH Research Centre.

Salem has worked in the field of international education for over 10 years. In her most recent role, she focused on communications & outreach. She also has experience working in the field of social entrepreneurship and social innovation in the US. She holds a degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Anita coordinates short and long-term programs at the Sicily Center for Field Studies. Born in Syracuse, she has a MA degree in International Relations from the University of Bologna, and, as an undergraduate, spent six months in Bonn studying Foreign Policy at the Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität. Passionate for foreign languages, she returned home after extensive work experience as Cultural Officer at the Italian Embassy in Colombia and recently completed a postgraduate course in Cultural Diplomacy and Cooperation at ISPI in Milan.