Staff
OUR STAFF
The World Affairs Forum's staff is dedicated to bringing events that are relevant to our lives and go beyond the media sound bites.
In addition to our office staff, we have a wonderful group of volunteers that make sure our events run smoothly.
JESSICA F. ANDERSON
Executive Director
Jessica brings to the Forum experience gained in over 15 years working with international companies in their crossborder capital markets endeavors.
While at global banks such as Deutsche Bank and BNY Mellon, she has worked hand-in-hand with management and investor relations teams hailing from over 40 countries in developed, emerging, and frontier markets, helping them to navigate and access the international capital markets in support of their stock exchange listing programs outside their home markets.
Her work at institutions has been centered on high-level client relationships, business and market development, forging internal alliances and external partnerships, and project-managing multi-country teams to drive key programs and initiatives. Her work with clients has focused on investor relations and communications strategy, tactics, execution, professional development, and training in best practices.
These efforts have both supported and maximized the efforts of international companies, as well as brought increased disclosure, transparency, communications, and direct and sustained access to management teams to audiences such as investors, analysts, press, and other stakeholder groups.
Jessica has also led partnerships with government ministries, investment banks, and local stock exchanges to design and execute forums focused on best-practice investor relations, in cities such as New York, London, Moscow, Johannesburg, Dubai, Kiev, and Istanbul.
Her work has additionally connected clients and other audiences with access to some of the world’s leading subject matter experts in areas such as economics, capital markets developments, reporting frameworks, corporate governance, sustainability, ethics, and communications standards and strategies.
She is a graduate of The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.
JO-ANN (JO) MAUDE
Administrator
Jo-Ann Maude is President of Association & Corporate Event Management Services (ACEM), a group she founded to support the specific needs of Association and Corporate clients. She has over 25 years’ experience in all aspects of event and project management.
Jo-Ann has supported a range of associations and non-profits, including NACD NJ, NY and CT, VIANY, Connecticut Hedge Fund Association, Connecticut Venture Group, CVG Angel Initiative, and the Association for Corporate Growth, NY, NJ and CT Chapters.
In Jo-Ann’s work as a seasoned senior events executive, she has planned, executed, and managed global conferences like the 2009 Green Travel Summit, the Asia Pacific Chemical Industry Meeting, and the first Chemical Industry CFO Conference in New York City, and she has run industry trade shows in locations such as Beijing, Berlin, Shanghai, and Rio de Janeiro.
KERRY FAUGHNAN
Bookkeeper
Kerry Faughnan received her BSBA from St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine and has served as the bookkeeper on a part-time basis for the Forum since September of 2006. Her other customers include non-profit organizations, contractors and sole proprietor service companies.
She also served as Treasurer and President of the Newfield PFO from 1998 – 2002 and has worked in AARP Tax Assistance Program.
DIANE McLEVY
Administrator
Diane has more than 25 years of experience in event operations and conference programming, including corporate sales meetings, large national and international multi-city consumer and trade industry shows, and high-level conferences for Forbes, and in industries such as emergency medical services, wine/vintners, recycling, infrastructure, and travel.
Prior to joining ACEM in 2012, Diane has managed the conference programming for the Travel and Adventure Shows, booking speakers, performers, and culinary experts for the multiple stages at these national events. She has also helped with the launch of a new association, The Family Travel Association.
At ACEM, Diane works with associations including Association for Corporate Growth, International Association of Claims Professionals, and World Affairs Forum.