Our Mission
Global Ties Akron strengthens academic, corporate, organizational, and personal links between Northeast Ohio, Greater Akron, and the world.
Our Vision
- Global Ties Akron will be recognized community-wide for developing international connections that benefit the Greater Akron community.
- The Greater Akron community will understand and recognize the importance of Citizen Diplomacy.
Our Values
- Representative – Global Awareness, Appreciation of Cultural Perspectives, and Diplomacy
- Collaborative – Skill and Knowledge Sharing, Communications, Defining Mutual Goals
- Professional – Result-oriented, Dependability, Integrity, Initiates New Ideas
Our 2013-2023 Impact

Our Staff
Evelyn Williams PhD MEd
Executive Director
ewilliams@globaltiesakron.org
LinkedIn
330- 573-0923
Leading Global Ties Akron as we build global bridges that benefit the Greater Akron and Summit County communities. Moving forward with purpose, mission, and intentionality as we offer professional, cultural, and educational programs that foster cross-cultural understanding.
Adriane Clayton
Program Director & Bookkeeper
aclayton@globaltiesakron.org
LinkedIn
Through my work with Global Ties Akron, my focus is on developing impactful programs for international visitors that allow best practices to be shared by the visitors and by their counterparts in Northeast Ohio further building bridges between Akron, OH, and the world.
Our Board of Directors
Under revision, please be patient as we update our page.
Holly Harris Bane
President
Director of Economic & Entrepreneurial Development
City of Aurora, Ohio
Dr Doug Hausknecht
Vice President, Interim
Retired Associate Professor of Marketing and International Business
The University of Akron
Cynthia Robinson
Treasurer
Human Resources, Benefits Specialist
Akron Public Schools
Juan Eduardo Contreras Barberena
Immediate Past President
Professor of Practice & General Manager of ZTV
The University of Akron
Nassim Mir
International Peace and Conflict Resolution. International Communities. Math Tutor. Yoga Teacher
Nassim is well-traveled, which provides her with a diverse, experienced background working with people of different ethnic backgrounds. She is a dependable team player with a firm background in quality service to accomplish a united goal. Nassim is a degreed and determined individual with a strong work ethic. Her life experience has allowed her to see other perspectives and generate innovative solutions.
Darlyn A. McDermott, CLF
Market Leader and Southern Region DirectorMAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network
Successful MBA leader and practitioner of Insurance, Risk Management, and Consulting for Leaders and Companies. Passionate focus on a first-class client experience. Helping Domestic and Foreign Corporations think differently about their people, processes, and their business; better identify, plan for, and manage risk; and manage and price implementation of required changes across their critical business units.
M. Amanda Johnson, PhD
Director
The Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education
Kent State University
An accomplished leader and program/relationship manager with over 15 years of experience in international higher education capacity-building and international student/scholar programming. Interculturally competent and adept at building rapport with diverse audiences and populations. A thought leader committed to advancing best practices in global education.