Sondie Frus, Executive Director
Sondie Frus has been the Executive Director for GlobalJax since September 2001. Under her leadership, over 1700 international guests from more than 150 countries have discovered the vibrancy of the greater Jacksonville community as well as the hospitality of Northeast Florida through cultural exchanges between local and international leaders.
Sondie Frus received her Master's degree in education administration from Northern Illinois University. She started her international career after more than 20 years volunteering while raising her family, for which she was recognized as an Eve Award finalist for outstanding volunteerism in education in 1999. In 2002, the State Department and national programming agencies recognized her work with international visitors.
Madeline Belvin, Program Director
Madeline Belvin has been with GlobalJax since July 2010, beginning as an intern before transitioning into the Program Director. She is originally from Orlando, Florida and spent two years in Jacksonville as a member of the UNF Women's Volleyball team. Madeline discovered her interest in the international community when she had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in Valencia, Spain. Her travels in Spain and her love of other languages ignited a passion to promote citizen diplomacy and further international understanding. She also had the opportunity to visit Great Britain, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Morocco during her time abroad.
Madeline graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Florida with minor specializations in Spanish and Mass Communication.
Andrea Hartley, Assistant Director
Andrea Hartley has been with GlobalJax since September 2007. As a child Andrea had many neighbors and friends from around the world that sparked her interest in international cultures and friendships. While studying at the University of North Florida she participated in a service learning course working with Burmese refugees relocating to Jacksonville. Later she was able to study abroad in Spain and spent a Spring Break Session in Argentina. Through these experiences and the vibrant international community on campus, the international interest that began early in life grew into a passion for multi-cultural understanding and education.
After graduating in 2007 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics with a Minor in English, Andrea went to work for GlobalJax helping with the programming for visitors, planning for many special events, and managing the day-to-day office activities.
Sergio Kelsor is a recent graduate from the University of North Florida, having earned a Bachelors of Arts in International Studies with a specialization in Asian studies and a minor in political science. Sergio has a strong passion for language study and currently dedicates much of his time to studying the Chinese language as well learning how to teach English as a foreign language. He has involved himself with various local organizations and programs that focus on cultural understanding, tolerance, cooperation and intercommunication.
Volunteering with these organizations helped to guide to his decision to study abroad in both Japan and China. The opportunity to live, study, and travel throughout these countries has allowed him the chance to personally participate in the process of citizenship diplomacy. These experiences are now the driving force behind his desire to promote and provide opportunities for people from all walks of life to travel and learn about the world around them.
Chris Briggs is a senior double-majoring in International Studies and Economics at the University of North Florida. Chris believes the most important challenges humanity will face in the future will be issues related to economics. He has always had an interest in international relations and politics which led him to study abroad in Chile and Argentina. He hopes further enhance his understanding of other peoples and cultures by interning at GlobalJax.
Chris is expected to graduate in December of 2011.
"IVCJax is a great way to meet people who are interested in the international community in Jacksonville. As someone who is interested in foreign languages and culture, this organization is right up my alley." - Lynn Brown, IVCJax Member, Retired French Teacher