Director of Programs

Svetlana Toun-Sambell came to the United States in 1989 from the Ukraine. She has more than 20 years experience in international business, marketing and investment banking. Her strength is in facilitating academic and cultural collaborations within organizations to help them develop strong business strategies.

She was active in the development of numerous international projects financed by the European Community, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. She served as the Director of Business Development with Alansis Media, a marketing and communications firm based in Tempe, Ariz. From 2007 to 2009, she served as Senior Vice President of International Business Alliances with PerfSpot, (www.PerfSpot.com), one of the largest social networking platforms in the world.

Svetlana currently oversees domestic and international marketing operations and research as Chief Marketing Officer with Education Research Group, (www.EduRG.com). She leads the company’s marketing team and has ultimate control over Education Research Group’s brand strategy as well as its unique products and services. Svetlana organizes the company’s annual international trade shows and supports the market research needs of dozens of Fortune 500 clients.

Svetlana is instrumental in working with senior level executives to help maximize market share and profitability. She has done this by increasing sales force effectiveness and introducing/refining ‘cost per’ marketing strategies. She leverages her network of peers and counterparts to introduce unique global marketing opportunities to her clients. Svetlana embraces social media as it allows her to take business, communication, and community beyond the droll and into a human experience, crossing all geographic and cultural lines. She is very excited about the challenges ahead, and is always developing her leadership style.

Svetlana serves as the Phoenix Chair of the Business Marketing Association, (www.BMAPhoenix.org). She is also an Allied Plus member of the Career College Association (www.career.org), and she takes pride in her involvement with their Grassroots Committee. As a member of the Internet Advertising Bureau (www.iab.net), she is involved in the Digital Games Committee, Lead Generation Committee, User-Generated Content Committee, Ad Ops Committee, Digital Video Committee, and Widget Working Group.

Svetlana enjoys sports, the arts, and is a gourmet cook. She feels that green initiatives, healthcare and education are very important to our future. Her favorite quote is: “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson