Job title:
Strategic Initiatives Lead
Department:
Leadership Team
Bio/CV:
Shawna Knauff joined International House, Berkeley in July 2025 as Strategic Initiatives Lead, a new role charged with advancing I-House’s multi-year strategic plan. Reporting to the Executive Director, she partners across departments to align organizational priorities, coordinate complex initiatives, and build systems that track progress and drive impact.
Shawna is an international educator with more than 15 years of experience in program management, global operations, study abroad/away, and international student and scholar services. Her career spans Stanford University, the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, and Hult International Business School, where she led student services and operations across Hult’s campuses in San Francisco, Dubai, and New York. Most recently, she served as Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of Stanford’s Bing Overseas Studies Program (BOSP), overseeing global learning opportunities for undergraduates. BOSP operated nine international centers, partnered with three global universities, and offered quarter-length programs, faculty-led seminars, internships, and community-engaged learning. Nearly half of all Stanford undergraduates studied away through BOSP.
Shawna holds a B.A. in Spanish and a B.S. in Recreation Administration from California State University, Chico, and completed graduate work in International and Multicultural Education (M.A., thesis pending) at the University of San Francisco. Her passion for international education was sparked by a yearlong study abroad experience in Granada, Spain, and deepened through living and working in multiple countries. These experiences continue to ground her commitment to cross-cultural understanding, inclusive access, and supporting students as they navigate unfamiliar environments.
A proud East Bay native, Shawna lives in Martinez with her husband, Matt, and daughter, Mia. When not at work, she’s likely cheering on Mia at the softball field or hiking with her dogs along East Bay regional trails.
Role:
