Dr. Lopez McGee brings an impressive decade and a half of experience in DE&I, higher education, and international affairs and has the industry knowledge, organizational understanding and essential relationships to champion Diversity Abroad’s work of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in and through the work of global education and cultural exchange. In many ways this is a homecoming. Dr. Lopez-McGee first collaborated with Diversity Abroad in 2009 and later joined the team in 2015 as the Manager of Diversity Abroad's member consortium. In that role, Lily played a significant role in developing the first version of the Global Equity & Inclusion Guidelines and helped launch the Diversity Abroad inaugural conference.
“We're thrilled to welcome Dr. Lopez-McGee to the Diversity Abroad team in this exciting new role." says Andrew Gordon, Founder of Diversity Abroad. "She's a true champion of global education and cultural exchange. Our global member community and the field will benefit immensely from her thoughtful leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in all facets of our work."
Dr. Lopez-McGee comes to Diversity Abroad from Howard University where she served as the Director of the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship and previously as the Deputy Director for the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program. She has also worked with UNCF Special Programs Corporation and serves as the Co-Chair of the Global Access Pipeline.
“For more than a decade, Diversity Abroad has been the leading voice for more accessibility, equity, and inclusivity in international education and exchange; and I am thrilled to join this forward thinking team in advancing initiatives that achieve these goals,” Lopez-McGee says. “I look forward to engaging with our existing partners, building new alliances, and nurturing connections that advance DA’s
mission and further distinguish DA as a thought leader across international education and equity, inclusion, and diversity work.”
When Dr. Lopez-McGee assumes the Executive Director role on January 10, 2022, she will manage all day-to-day operations for Diversity Abroad. She will work closely with staff and Diversity Abroad's Advisory Council to ensure the organization continues to adapt to meet the needs of its member community and the higher education field as it works to imbed diversity, equity and inclusive principles, practices, and policies in its global operations.