Who We Are

WHAT WE’RE ABOUT

OUR MISSION

Global Ties Arizona builds and strengthens relationships between its members, businesses and nations through international exchange and educational programs.

OUR VISION

A peaceful, prosperous world where individuals build enduring relationships through international exchange.

OUR VALUES

Practice diplomacy
Value people and relationships
Foster life-long learning
Bring cultures together
Reflect the world we want to see

CONTACT US/CONNECT WITH US

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Global Ties Arizona
7525 E. Camelback Road, Suite 102
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
United States of America
(480)945-7750

STAFF AND INTERNS

Wendy Anderton

President and CEO

After eight years serving in volunteer and Board member capacities at Global Ties Arizona, Wendy was selected to lead Global Ties Arizona as its President and CEO. Wendy is focused on scaling Global Ties Arizona to prominence in the citizen diplomacy landscape through implementation of the mission and a values/culture based working environment.

Wendy considers herself an example of success based on perseverance. Having faced self-infliced hardship that left her homeless and addicted, Wendy has rebuilt her life on the foundations formed at the bottom-most points.

Wendy has traveled outside of the U.S. extensively, organizing spiritual tours for groups of up to 200 in both the U.S. and abroad. Her experiences in Africa, Europe and the Middle East changed her world view, and it is that passion that drives her to servant-leadership, including serving in capacities that advance causes she cares about.

Wendy was recently named the 2017/18 National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Phoenix Unsung Hero Awardee, Presidents Choice Awardee, and Member of the year finalist. She serves on the NAWBO Phoenix Board as Advocacy Chair. She also serves as Secretary of the Board of the Arizona Society for Association Executives, is a member of the Arizona Association of Non-Profits, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, the Global Chamber, and the National Small Business Association, where she serves on the Technology Council. She also serves as an Ambassador for Project C.U.R.E.

Wendy and her spouse, Heather, operate a guinea pig animal rescue and live in Phoenix with their three dogs, two cats, one bird, three rats, one hamster, and up to 40 guinea pigs. Wendy pursues her hobbies of fiber arts and is learning to spin yarn.

Bethany Bennick

Program Officer

While a native Arizonan, Bethany has also called California, France, and Switzerland home. Her desire to foster global understanding led her to pursue concurrent degrees in International Relations and French Studies from Pepperdine University and obtain an undergraduate certificate in Conflict Management from the Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution. Bethany recently completed her Masters in Global Affairs and Management from ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Her passion for world affairs was fueled through several opportunities overseas, including an internship with Pax Romana, a UNHRC affiliated NGO, in Geneva, Switzerland, an extended study abroad in Lausanne, Switzerland, and a reciprocal homestay in Bordeaux, France. While at Pepperdine, Bethany was heavily involved with the Nootbaar Institute’s Global Justice Program and the Palmer Center’s Micro-Enterprise Program.

After a teaching assistantship with the French Ministry of Education in Northern France, Bethany returned home to work as a Program Manager at Phoenix Sister Cities from 2014-2018. During her time at PSC, Bethany coordinated the international exchange of 236 citizen diplomats to ten countries and received national recognition from Sister Cities International for Innovation in Youth & Education in 2016.

Bethany is an active board member of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Valley Young Professionals, a former senior fellow and current member for the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, and alumna of both the FBI and the Scottsdale Police Citizens Academies. She is a contributing member of the Global Chamber and the Arizona Infragard. She has been fortunate to visit 24 countries across three continents and explore 10 U.S. states. Bethany has near-native fluency in French and is pursuing Arabic as her next language.

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Alexandria Maese

Lead Research Assistant

Alexandria’s interest in global affairs grew from volunteering with transitional housing, advocating worker’s rights, and actively participating in Circle K International. She is currently studying Political Science, with minors in Italian and Military Leadership and a certificate in Entrepreneurship at Arizona State University where she had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy.

As the daughter of an immigrant and veteran, Alexandria has pursued her passions for tolerance and security through internships in both Washington D.C. and Arizona. She hopes to pursue a Master’s in International Relations upon graduation. In her spare time, Alexandria enjoys hip hop class, group hikes, podcasts, and planning vacations and has recently joined a family book club.

Marlon Tanner

Program Associate

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Marlon attended Temple University in Philadelphia. He recently graduated with a BA in Communication Studies with a focus on global civil society. He minored in Business and French, which he speaks conversationally.

During college, Marlon volunteered with the Workaway Program through different European cities like Annecy, France Brugge, Belgium and Rome, Italy teaching English and assisting with Bed and Breakfasts. He also interned at Citizen Diplomacy International of Philadelphia as a Communications intern where he planned delegations, monthly networking events, and the company’s annual gala. New to Phoenix, Marlon plans to continue working with International Diplomacy so he can travel to new parts of the world!

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