Executive Office
Shaun R. Carver, 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, Executive Office Manager, Secretary, Board of Directors
Chory joined the International House Team in July 2021. He is the Executive Office Manager and Secretary to the Board of Directors. Located in the Executive Office, Chory directly supports the Executive Director as well as the Board of Directors. He manages the day-to-day operations of the Executive Office along with coordinating and managing special projects and tasks.
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 most recent role was as the Office Manager / Administrator for the Oakland Office of J.S. Held, LLC for the Forensic Accounting Service Line. He was the Executive Assistant and President’s House Manager at Mills College in Oakland prior to his position at J.S. Held.
In his service to the community, Chory is President 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. His expertise in events planning also extends to his very large family, for whom he coordinates and executes a number of events and gatherings, including reunions and destination vacations. 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.
Bill Gong, Director Business and Finance
Bill joined I-House in September 2017 as Director of Finance and Business. Bill has over 30 years of not-for-profit financial management experience. He has worked for a variety of not-for-profit organizations, from small to large, from social services to educational and technology-focused organizations.
His responsibilities at I-House is primarily to ensure the financial health of I-House. He oversees the accounting, financial management, and IT functions and services at 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.
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 Center for Intercultural Leadership and Programs
Nayeli Vivanco, VP, Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership and Programs
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.
Alumni Relations, Communications, and Philanthropy
Bill Howley, Director of Philanthropy
Bill Howley joined I-House in January 2019 as Director of Philanthropy, leading a professional team responsible for Development, Communications, and Alumni Relations. I-House relies on philanthropic support from Alumni, Foundations, Corporate Sponsors and Friends to provide room and board scholarships for students with financial need, to preserve our historic home, to expand and strengthen program offerings, and to position for the future.
Bill’s career experiences have been closely aligned with International House’s mission to foster intercultural respect, understanding, lifelong friendships, and leadership skills to promote a more tolerant and peaceful world. He has over thirty years of experience working to improve livelihoods, restore natural resources, and promote social equity.
Bill led the creation of the John D. Rockefeller 3rd Scholars Program, and served as a senior team member of Winrock International. There, he was responsible for the mentorship and leadership of a 300+ person global team applying sound science, philanthropic values, and market principles to society’s most pressing issues. Bill was Chief Development Officer for the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, and other previous positions include international leadership for Siemens Solar, ARCO Solar, and technical advisory services for World Bank and International Finance Corporation among others.
Bill received his undergraduate degree in Human Biology with Honors from Stanford University and his MBA from the University of California at Los Angeles. Bill participates in and supports creative pursuits in art, music, literature, and drama, and is especially fond of the lively dining, artistic, and cultural life of I-House.
Human Resources
Regina Parker, MHR, Director of Human Resources
Regina Parker is a seasoned Human Resources Director with over 24 years of professional experience. Notable assignments include Human Resources Manager for the University of California-Berkeley and E-commerce at Albertsons Companies. She previously held strategic roles as HR Business Partner with California Bank & Trust and ACT 1 Personnel Services.
Ms. Parker is adept at recruiting, talent development, and project management. Career achievement highlights include the development and implementation of employee engagement events and the development and implementation of innovative performance review programs. She has put into operation significant programs and policies in the areas of training, compensation, benefits, employee incentives, and employee on-boarding. She also has a passion for developing long-lasting collegial relationships with all levels of workforce teams and staff.
Ms. Parker holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration - Management from California State University - Bakersfield and a Masters degree in Human Resources Management from California National University.