I-House at UC Berkeley Welcomes Nayeli Vivanco

I-House at UC Berkeley Welcomes Nayeli Vivanco as Vice President, Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership and Programs

International House at UC Berkeley is pleased to announce the appointment of Nayeli Vivanco 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.  CILP, since its inception, has focused on preparing the next generations of leaders in the context of I-House’s mission - fostering intercultural respect and understanding, lifelong friendships, and leadership skills for a more just and peaceful world.  In addition to resident-focused training and workshops, CILP has served I-House alumni, non-profits, businesses, educational institutions, and governmental agencies.  

On behalf of the Board, Staff, and Residents of I-House, I’d like to recognize Roxanne Pifer, Director of Housing Operations, for her dedicated efforts to keep our signature program activities underway during the extensive search process.

Nayeli Vivanco 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. Upon her appointment, Nayeli shares, “I am excited to join the I-House community and to be part of fostering intercultural respect and understanding.  I’m eager to get to know our residents and facilitate a safe space for everyone to engage in thoughtful and meaningful conversations. I look forward to continuing I-House’s long-standing tradition of convening thought leaders to address society’s most pressing challenges and to find pathways to a more just and peaceful world.”

Prior to joining International House at UC 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.

On a personal note, I have known Nayeli for almost a decade and I am excited that she has decided to join the I-House team. Her personal and professional journey is the embodiment of the I-House mission, and I am confident that Nayeli will bring fresh ideas and a unique perspective to this important role.

Nayeli is guided by the philosophy of Ubuntu, Zulu for “humanity towards others.”

Please join me in welcoming Nayeli to I-House!

Sincerely,

Shaun R. Carver
Executive Director
International House, UC Berkeley