IACET Board of Directors

Laura Foxx Treasurer/Finance Committee Chair
October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2026

Advocate Health
Charlotte, NC

Laura is Innovation Manager at Atrium Health (formerly Carolinas Healthcare System), headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Laura served as the IACET primary contact for Atrium Health from 2016 - 2020 and is currently an individual member of IACET (2020 – Present). 

Laura was recently named a 2021 Fellow of the University of Oxford (UK) Saïd School of Business Social Impact Investment Measurement Programme. She earned the Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership from University of Phoenix, Master of Arts degree in Higher Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  Laura holds a Six Sigma Green Belt, is research certified by the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI), and is certified as an executive and organization leadership coach from Columbia University/Teachers College.

Committed to life-long learning, Laura initiated and led the processes to gain workplace education and training

Paula Horwitz Secretary/Governance Chair
October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2026

Individual
Centennial, CO

Paula Horwitz oversees the extensive FCCS events program, including meetings, workshops and conferences. In this role, she manages logistics, program development, sponsorships and exhibits, registration and event execution, and negotiating and working with hotels, speakers and vendors to deliver high-caliber events to Farm Credit and agricultural cooperative audiences. She also provides these services as a consultant to client organizations, assisting them to plan, market and execute custom-developed programs and conferences.

Paula brings decades of event planning, leadership development programming and adult education expertise to her FCCS role. She most recently served as the executive director for the Climbing Wall Association, providing strategic and operational leadership to this professional association. Prior to that, she was executive director of education and events for the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, where she oversaw event planning and management, content development and budgeting, as well as providing strategic leadership. She also previously served as manager of curriculum and instructional design for Colorado State University and as the director of curriculum and innovation for The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

Paula earned a bachelor's degree in English and critical theory from Penn State Erie, a master's degree in liberal studies from the University of Denver and a master's degree in curriculum and instructional design from the University of Colorado. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in organizational psychology in Leadership from Northcentral University.

Maria Diaz Member
October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2026

Site Safety, LLC
New York, NY

MARIA DIAZ

Vice President of Training and Marketing with over 15 years of experience in the Construction Safety Industry.

Ms. Diaz manages our Training Institute and has over 15 years of experience in the Construction Safety Industry. Maria served as our Training Coordinator and Director of Training prior to being promoted to Vice President of Training and Marketing. She transformed our entire training department into a state-of-the-art facility and is responsible for the professional development of the organization's workforce and general public.

Maria attended the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) where she majored in Business Administration and Marketing. She also obtained a Human Resources Certification from PACE University. Maria is an active member of the NYC Chapter of The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and a Board member of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Currently overseeing Training and Marketing operations for the company. Responsible for ensuring all training Operations are in compliance with Local, Federal, and State regulations and Company branding. Develop Marketing Campaigns to increase brand awareness. Day to Day operations includes, but not limited to: • Developing and implement a consistent marketing plan to increase brand awareness. (Electronic, social media, and SEO). • Finance and Business development. • Database Management • Design and develop all regular and special training events. • Develop marketing campaigns • Research, design, and develop training curriculums. • Ensure compliance with the ANSI/IACET Standard, Local, State, and Federal Agency. • Continue an ongoing partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to maximize training opportunities for TISS.

Teresa Hardee Boone Member
January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027

I5O Consulting Services
Orangeburg, SC

Dr. Teresa Hardee is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Administration and Finance. She specializes in strategic planning, business process reengineering, financial sustainability, performance indicators, risk assessment, and many other components in public administration, higher education, and non-profit management. Teresa has been in higher education, the public sector and business for over 25 years. She has been an auditor, budget director, Associate VC for Budget and Finance, CFO and VP for Finance and Administration, and Chief Operating Office and Senior Vice President at three universities. She has also worked in the private sector in several accounting/finance related capacities. She received her undergraduate degree majoring in accounting from Fayetteville State University, a masters (MPA) from NC Central University and her doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a CPA, and Six Sigma Black Belt.

Daryl Lim Member
October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2026

DesignThinkers Academy Singapore
SG

Daryl is responsible for the implementation and advocacy of design thinking training and consultancy services for Asia. Daryl Lim brings over 15 years of experience in designing and creating a wide range of people related solutions. He has designed and co-created business and people management strategies working around employee career journeys.

His design solutions include skills maps, evidence-based goal management, personalised skills profiles, career progression pathways, training and assessment systems and courseware. He also helps individuals to design and build their own personal branding while enhancing their own career progression.

His advocacy of design thinking extends across  organisations in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Uganda, Myanmar, Azerbaijan, etc; with multi-national companies including Daimler, S-Three, Coca-Cola Company, Myanmar Breweries, Hewlett Packard, Great Eastern Life, Manila City Government, Bloomberg Philanthropies, AIG, BECA, etc. 

He represents the DesignThinkers Academy in strategising and implementing design thinking initiatives, trainings and projects in Asia. 

Bridgitt Mitchell Member
January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Peyton, CO

Dr. Bridgitt Mitchell is the Director of Professional Development for NAEYC, with over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Her expertise includes teacher training, social-emotional development, strategy and innovation, and multicultural education.

Dr. Mitchell has held diverse leadership roles, including Department Chair for Early Childhood Education, Director of Early Education for Denver Public Schools, and Sr. Director of Training at Zero to Three. A published author on topics like bullying and early childhood education, she is also a dedicated advocate for underserved populations.

She serves on the NAEYC Council for Accreditation of Early Learning Programs and the boards of Reach Out and Read Colorado and Playworks Denver. Dr. Mitchell holds a BA, MA, and MBA from the University of Kansas, a Doctorate in Higher Education from Walden University, and a graduate certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University.

Greg Richmond Member
October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2026

AVO Training Institute
Dallas, Texas, United States, TX

Greg is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran with extensive experience in electrical systems and training. He has deployed seven times and received 12 commendations for his work. After retiring, he joined AVO Training Institute, quickly rising from Instructor to Director of Training Operations. His military background and passion for training make him a strong leader with hands-on expertise. With 26 years of marriage and a love for the outdoors, Greg brings a balanced perspective to the board.

Sandra Schwarz Member
January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027

Self

Sandra (Sandy) Schwarz has 25 plus years of experience in all aspects of training and development, with an emphasis on quality assurance and control and use of technology. She has experience managing design and development teams as well as independently producing instructionally sound learning solutions that satisfy customers' needs for prompt, technically correct, and cost-effective training that works.

Ms. Schwarz holds an M.Ed. in Education & Technology from Iowa State University (ISU) and a B.S. in Business Administration from Upper Iowa University. She has served on various Boards including Noah's Ark Pre-school as Secretary, and Newton Soccer Association as Director of Coaches and President. Ms. Schwarz is active in her community, with most recently serving in creating the Jasper County 20 Year Economic Plan. Ms. Schwarz has served as a member of the IACET Standards Council, as well as Chair of the Standards Council throughout 2024. She has also served on the Engineering Committee and helped to author the Digital Badges White Paper. She is currently a member of the IACET Finance Committee.

In her free time Ms. Schwarz enjoys writing, painting, gardening, repurposing furniture and exercising by walking and bicycle riding.

Maja Hukic Council Chair (ex-officio)
November 7, 2024 – November 6, 2026

Rotary International
Chicago, IL

Performing as a facilitator, and curriculum designer has been the hallmark of Maja’s international 19-year career in the education field. She has considerable skills and experience to transition any content area into practical, hands-on training and facilitation. Maja has a background in training services and leadership, specifically training of adult learners.

At Rotary International, Maja works as a Manager of Global Talent & Organization Development. In this role, she oversees several programs in the organization including the mentoring program, management development certificate program, new hire orientation, and professional development. Rotary International has been accredited by IACET since 2008. She is responsible for ensuring that the robust curriculum offered to staff complies with the standard and the organization gets re-accredited.

At IACET, Maja has volunteered her time on the Council for Standards Development as a member, and Vice-Chair throughout 2023 and 2024. She also serves on the Nominations & Elections Committee as a member.

Before transitioning to adult education, Maja worked as a high school English teacher for several years. Internationally, she worked as a teacher trainer for the Abu Dhabi Education Council. While in Abu Dhabi, Maja was selected to work with a group of licensed teachers and training professionals to create a curriculum and standards for all secondary schools in the city.

At Northeastern Illinois University, she designed, implemented, and evaluated software training for the faculty and students.

Maja holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education & English as well as a Master of Arts in Human Resource Development from Northeastern Illinois University.