Executive Office
Shaun R. Carver, Ed.D., MBA, I-House Executive Director
The Board of Directors appointed Shaun R. Carver as Executive Director of International House at the University of California, Berkeley in early August 2020.
Shaun brings a wealth of experience to this position, with over twenty years of leadership in international education and a lifetime of living and working in cross-cultural environments. He served as Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs in the Rady School of Management, UC San Diego (2017-2020) and as Executive Director of the Hult International Business School (Boston, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai; 2013-2017), where he oversaw 750 students representing 82 countries. Before that he served in leadership positions in institutions of international higher education in China (2002-2013) at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, Tsinghua University, and the Sino-British College of the University of Shanghai Science and Technology (USST).
Shaun’s father is American and his mother British, thereby allowing Shaun to hold citizenship in both the United States and the United Kingdom. As a child, the family moved around often, within the US and lived for two years in Ireland. Shaun traveled widely during his years in Asia, through China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Japan, and many other countries throughout the continent. He feels at home in cross-cultural situations.
Shaun became International House’s sixth Executive Director at a pivotal time in I-House’s history. While the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent temporary closure of the building for the Fall of 2020, and likely the full 20/21 academic year, has created unprecedented challenges, Shaun believes this has also created a unique opportunity to ensure that I-House is well prepared to continue advancing its mission well into the future.
Chory Bañez, Director of Board Relations & Engagement
Chory joined the International House Team in July 2021. He is the Director of Board Relations & Engagement. Located in the Executive Office, Chory serves as the ED’s principal aide in building collaborative relationships across the I-House community to advance the organization’s mission, vision, and goals; supporting the development of the Board policies, processes, practices; and advancing a changing portfolio of high-priority Board projects from idea to execution. He is also the Executive Representative to UCB Chancellor’s Office and Vice Chancellor’s Office. Chory manages and executes all administrative and logistical functions for the Board of Directors of the International House corporation and serves with the official title of Secretary of the International House Corporation as an officer of the Board.
Chory has a background in catholic education, spanning 17 years, which has given him the concrete foundation to cross into the corporate world and higher education. He entered corporate, supporting the Director of Corporate Marketing for a financial institution, armed with years of experience in communicating effectively with multiple personalities, a great skill set in conflict resolution, as well as superb organizational and time management skills. Chory’s experience as an Office Manager and Administrator in the financial corporate world, Executive Assistant, President’s House Manager, and assistant Board Secretary in the Office of the President at the former Mills College, has enabled him to excel as an Executive / C-Suite professional.
In his service to the community, Chory is President - Emeritus of the Board of Directors for Oakland Elizabeth House, a residential transitional program for women and children who have experienced homelessness, violence, addiction, or poverty. He continues his service for OEH on the Advisory Council. Chory sits on the Board of Directors for The Golden State Road Warriors, the Golden State Warriors affiliated wheelchair basketball team. His link to many organizations, individuals, and communities is a testament to his well-established connections. Chory has a passion for doing good and doing the right thing when it comes to helping others. Chory is bilingual in Tagalog and English and is a first-generation-born Filipino-American. He is a lifetime Berkeley resident.
Leadership Team
Financial Services
Ernie Costello, Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Ernie oversees all financial operations and provides strategic financial leadership to support the organization's mission. The CFO works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to develop and implement financial strategies that support the organization’s mission and goals, as well as foster the organization's growth and impact in the global community. The CFO is responsible for ensuring the organization’s financial health and sustainability and will play a pivotal role in maintaining compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Ernie most recently served as the Senior Assistant Dean and CFO for the School of Natural Sciences at UC Merced, responsible for Finance, Instructional Lab Operations, Personnel, Faculty Support, and Research Operations. His other roles in higher education have included serving as Assistant Dean, Executive Director of Extension Ventures, and instructor at UC Berkeley Extension. His professional career prior to UC Berkeley was in Strategic Planning, Corporate Development, and Finance in the semiconductor industry with Globalfoundries, eSilicon, and Xilinx. In these roles, he led strategy processes, conducted M&A activities, facilitated internal venturing, placed corporate venture investments, and managed multi-billion-dollar capital budgeting processes.
Before his stint in the semiconductor industry, Ernie worked as a consultant creating and executing growth strategies for high technology companies such as Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, Hexcel, Loral, Etec, Macromedia, BestBuy, Intermedia, and PrimeCo. He began his career as an R&D engineer and engineering manager with Loral Space and Range Systems and Eaton/AIL Systems.
Ernie grew up in Andover, Massachusetts. He received undergraduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Duke University and received his MBA at Santa Clara University.
When he’s outside the office, Ernie enjoys the outdoors through running, cycling, and hiking. He also loves to cook and brew beer, earning gold medals in some state and national brewing competitions.
Alumni Relations & Philanthropy
Margie Ryan, Director of Alumni Relations and Philanthropy
Margie Ryan (IH 1992-93) joined I-House in January 2022 as our Alumni Engagement Manager, a fitting role as she is a proud alumna of UC Berkeley, Cal’s Education Abroad Program (EAP), and I-House. She currently serves as Director of Alumni Relations and Philanthropy.
Margie has more than two decades of fundraising experience with local nonprofits, including the Trust for Public Land, California College of the Arts, Bay Nature Magazine, and Save Mount Diablo. She has also worked on projects for the Library of Congress Folklife Center, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the North Carolina Arts Council, and
the Marin Arts Council. She received an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley in Cultural Anthropology and completed master level coursework in folklore with a focus on oral history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
When asked about being back at I-House, Margie says, “It’s truly wonderful being back here. The building is as beautiful as I remember and it’s so exciting to hear the many languages and accents that fill the house each day. Most importantly, the spirit of the I-House community remains strong. I love helping current residents, alumni, and the public connect (or reconnect!) with each other and with wonderful I-House.”
Administrative Services
Luis Escamilla, Vice President, Administrative Services
Reporting to the Executive Director and CEO of International House, this new role is responsible for managing, planning, and performing the administrative services and general business operations of International House at UC Berkeley. Administrative services include activities and systems in finance, budgeting, staff support and training, goal setting and monitoring, information technology and systems, admissions, financial aid, and facilities. General management includes long and short-range strategic planning in support of our mission and supporting all business activities through peers on the Senior Leadership Team, as well as other management staff. This position is also expected to lead, guide, and mentor administrative staff in their tasks and functions.
Luis Escamilla has 20 years of experience working in technology, consumer goods, and education. For ten years, Luis ran the Dubai campus operations of Hult International Business School. In 2018, he moved to the U.S. to become the Dean of Hult’s San Francisco Campus where he was responsible for the academic and non-academic operations, including housing, of 1,300 international students. Luis has also lived and worked in Shanghai and Mexico City.
Melinda Jeger, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Melinda Jeger joined I-House as the Housing Operations Manager in June, 2022 and became the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid in June, 2023. With over 15 years of experience in real estate and property management, she brings a deep understanding of housing and admissions operations to her role. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Melinda has always had a passion for exploring new places and learning from people of diverse backgrounds. This love for travel and cultural exchange aligns perfectly with the mission of International House, where we foster a global community and provide opportunities for individuals from all over the world to connect and grow together.
Melinda is dedicated to facilitating access to quality housing and financial aid for our residents and students and is excited about the positive impact we can all create together at International House.
Comunications
Melanie Finke, Director of Marketing and Communications
With expertise in brand development, digital marketing, and strategic communications, Melanie has helped create strong marketing programs that drive engagement and growth. She has held Bay Area and national marketing roles with the American Red Cross and oversaw marketing efforts for a nonprofi t investing in social enterprises in Eastern Europe and South America. She also has experience creating online marketing for small businesses and leading corporate PR programs in the technology industry.
Cross-cultural learning and travel have always been personal passions. Melanie holds a master’s degree in international & multicultural education from the University of San Francisco. She worked in Japan as an ESL teacher and has volunteered to tutor newcomer youth and support literacy programs in Oakland schools.
Melanie enjoys expressing her creativity through sewing and experimenting with vegetarian recipes from different cultures. She and her husband spend many hours walking their still-active senior dog around Berkeley each week.
Hospitality Services
Henry Park, Vice President, Hospitality Services
Henry Park joined I-House in July 2023 as Vice President of Hospitality Services. He has lived in the SF Bay Area and has worked in the hospitality business for over 25 years. He has had the opportunity to help open 33 new locations all over the U.S. for well-known brands such as The Cheesecake Factory, Earthbar, and Chipotle Mexican Grill. Henry has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UC Berkeley and a master's certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell. When not at work, Henry enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, and golf and tennis with friends.
Sharing meals is an integral part of the International House experience. While serving an average of 1,100 meals daily to some 600 I-House residents, external customers, and guests, the primary focus of the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Dining Commons is to provide a healthy and convivial dining environment and encourage a strong sense of community among a highly diverse resident body through the sharing of meals together. The VP of Hospitality Services is also responsible for Catering & Events and the edmonds' Café.
Henry remembers walking by International House every day to and from class while a student at Cal. He often took refuge in the café at I-House for a coffee and pastry, while getting some studying in away from the “ruckus of his dorm room.”
Robertson Resident Life and Intercultural Development Office (RIO)
Nayeli Vivanco, VP, Robertson Resident Life and Intercultural Development Office
Nayeli Vivanco joined our team in August 2022 as Vice President to lead the Robertson Center for
Intercultural Leadership and Programs (CILP), a center of excellence for training to advance leadership,
understanding, and collaboration across cultures.
Nayeli is a multi-lingual, cross-cultural, social justice practitioner with more than a decade of
international education experience. She has a deep passion for cultural diversity and understanding,
having lived, worked, and studied around the world in six countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North
America. As a first-generation Latina who grew up on the U.S. – Mexico border, Nayeli has become a
true citizen of the world.
Prior to joining International House, Berkeley, Nayeli worked for EF Education First, among the largest
international education companies in the world. During her tenure at EF, Nayeli advocated for,
established, and led the company’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team. Before that, she served as
the head of student services and operations for Hult International Business School’s campuses in
Shanghai, Boston, and New York.
Nayeli is guided by the philosophy of Ubuntu, Zulu for “humanity towards others.”
Physical Operations
Mark Cassettari, Director of Physical Operations
Mark Cassettari started his career at International House in November 1990 as part of the International House Maintenance staff. He is a second-generation Cal Berkeley staff member. Mark was promoted to Assistant Director of Facilities in 2012, and is currently the Director of Physical Operations. Mark enjoys playing the ukulele and riding his motorcycle.