Arizona Office
Kirsten was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona although she spent her summers in a tiny town called Outing, Minnesota. After graduating high school, she moved to Tempe where she attended ASU and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. She has lived in San Francisco and Napa Valley, California and now resides in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband and their three sons, Charlie, Tommy & Oliver. Kirsten has a passion for travel, education and cross-cultural awareness. She has been part of ETC since 2012 and loves her job because of the impact exchange has on both the students and our American communities global awareness.
In her free time, she loves to travel. She has had the privilege of spending time in Thailand, Spain, France, Italy, Belize, Mexico, Costa Rica and all around the U.S.. After traveling, you can find her spending quality time with her three sons, cooking, hiking, doing yoga, gardening, poolside or just spending time with friends and family.
Arizona Office
Chelsea was born in Hermiston, Oregon and moved to Portland when she was five years old. A year later, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Growing up, she spent the school year in Phoenix and summers back in Hermiston. She still has a lot of family there, including her dad, siblings, eight nieces and nephews, and a great-niece and greatnephew.
She currently lives in Glendale, Arizona with her husband, Mike. In July 2020, they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Willa James. They spend most of their free time with family, which includes her mom, several aunts, her husband's parents, her brothers-in-law & their wives, and two nephews.
When traveling is an option, they prefer to go back to Hermiston and spend time with her family on the Columbia River. They also like to visit her husband's friends in the Virginia/DC area, where he gr. up.
Jill recently moved to Arizona in June of 2022. Prior to relocating, she grew up and raised a large family in Missouri. Jill loves learning about new cultures as well as meeting and helping people.
Jill has a wide range of experience as a Recruiting Assistant for a Software Engineering Internship Program, Project Manager, Legal Secretary for a Family Law Attorney, Real Estate Broker and Sales Office Manager, to owning and managing a childcare program.
Within each of these careers, the fostering of new relationships has always been the most rewarding part! In her free time, Jill loves making memories and sharing new experiences with her children, grandchildren, family, and friends. She enjoys all types of travel, exploring new places and spending time outdoors. Jill is also a member of the Ballet Arizona Volunteer Corps and her church outreach program.
Since 2023 Tempe, AZ
JILL KAESTNER Recruitment SpecialistMallory moved to Arizona in 2008 from Michigan to attend Arizona State University, where she majored in Business Marketing. Since graduating she has worked in a variety of marketing positions ranging from large corporations to boutique agencies to eventually opening her own marketing business in 2015. She enjoys every aspect of marketing, but mostly loves serving customers and helping them to succeed by utilizing her knowledge and creativity. She brings this same energy and philosophy to ETC and loves the mission behind the company.
In her free time, Mallory is a wife and mom of two very active kids. As a family they are always on the go, whether it be with kids sports activiites, traveling, or just spending time together. Mallory is also a Woman of Influence for MASK, Mothers Awareness of School aged Kids, and is active in raising awareness for this organization. If not on the go, Mallory enjoys baking, working out, being
Glenna lives in Boise, Idaho and has been with ETC since late2012. She is a graduate of Boise State University with a degree in entrepreneurial management. She works part-time for the Idaho Small Business Development Center where she manages a business website for Idaho state and Federal agencies. She also owns her own small business.
Glenna has three adult children and six grandchildren. She is a child advocate with Compassion International, advocating for the needs of children growing up in extreme poverty in developing nations. Through her business, she sponsors children in Honduras and Guatemala and has visited them three times. In her leisure time she enjoys traveling (particularly to see her son, daughter-in-law and grandsons who live in Scotland), Bible study and reading.
Carole was born in Michigan and has lived there her whole life. Before becoming an LC she was a Manager in a local grocery store. She got involved with PSE in July 2016 and found out she loved it right away and branched into ETC. In 2017 Carole joined NISE and had her first group of French students in Grand Haven who were able to experience the wonderful beaches and summer activities. She enjoys working with the students and learning from them as they learn from us.
She has 4 kids and 5 grandchildren. She loves how this "job" gives her the flexibility to spend more time with her family. Her favorite thing to do on the side is Photography. Carole loves lighthouse photos and she plans to go on a Lighthouse Trip sometime soon.(there are 116 lighthouses in Michigan)
Carole is very excited about growing Michigan for ETC and working with Team Awesome!
Marissa was born in California but has lived from coast to coast of the United States. She has been a resident of Arizona since her husband was stationed at Luke Air Force Base 4 years ago. Marissa currently lives in Buckeye with her husband, Ethan, and their six children. In her spare time, she enjoys attending church activities, sporting events and hosting game nights. She is passionate about serving others and volunteers in her community in several roles.
MARISSA REISNER
Field Manager
Jessica was born in Maryland, but spent most of her childhood in Michigan. Her family moved about every 5 years or so, which planted the spirit of travel and adventure. Whilestudying Elementary Education and Children's Ministry in college, she took amission trip to Brazilto teach English and almost didn't get back on the plane because it was such an amazing experience! She decided to return, switch her degree to Elementary Education and TESOL with the hopes of returning to Brazil soon after graduation. That's when she learned a little something about visa requirements, so taught in the UAE for 2 years beforespending 3 years in Brazil. She learned some Arabic at a summer intensive program in Oman and became fluent in Portuguese. Jessica loved learning about the culturesand enjoyed traveling during school vacations to places like Cyprus, Israel, theAmazon and Thailand.
Jessica returned to the USin 2018 and missed living in another culture, so
Chriss grew up moving around the US and Guam with her military family. While living inCalifornia her family hosted 6 short-term students from Japan and that is where her love for the exchange program began. Her family finally settled down in Seattle, WA, whereChriss spent 25 years, where she developed her love for children and the Seattle Seahawks. Chriss has spent over 10 years being a foster mom, running an in-homedaycare, and regularly housing 1 or more children. She enjoysspending time with her children and grandchildren, traveling, cooking, party planning, going to the lake (or ocean, whichever is closest), and reading.Chriss, with her husband Jo, her parents, and several of her children, decided to move to Texas in 2019. They have been able toenjoy warmer weather and more time as a family. She now has a small farm with cats, dogs, chickens, peacocks, and goats. Her family home is lovingly called "CrazyTown" because you never know how many kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, or "framily" will be visiting at any given time.
She joined ETC in June of 2019 when she responded to an ad to work with Exchange students part-time from home. Since becoming cal Coordinator shehas worked with several students and osts students of her own while exploring Texas
Chelsea Green was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and attended Texas A&M University. After graduating from college, she moved to New York City for 5 years and worked inpublishing, before returning to Dallas with her husband to be closer to family.
She got to experience her first exchange program at the age of eight when her family hosted an exchange student from Brazil. Thanks to the advancement of technology, her family is still in close contact with her "Brazilian Sister".
In her spare time Chelsea likes to start new businesses, including a mobile bookstore, foster dogs for a local rescue organization, and travel with her husband having visited, the UAE, Iceland, Great Britain, France, Italy, Belize, and Belgium.
She lives in Dallas, TX with her husband Colin, their dog Bucky, and new exchange students every year.
CHELSEA
Assistant Field Manager
GREEN
Jessica Houghton is a wife and mother of two. She grew up in a big city with a diverse culture and has always dreamed of traveling the world.
Her first encounter with an exchange student was in high school when she befriended a boy from Iceland, which made her want to travel even more.
She loves learning about new cultures and customs and is so glad she is afforded that opportunity with exchange students.
Field Manager
Since 2023 Weatherford, TX
JESSICA HOUGHTON AssistantMichelle was born in Ewa Beach, Hawaii and raised in various places until her family finally settled on the Island of Guam. Michelle holds an Associates degree in Business and runs a small scale catering company that specializes in themed meals and delicious sweets. As mother of two boys, Michelle has spent the last 15 years homeschooling not only her own children, but others within the homeschooling community. During that time, she has developed a passion for mentoring and guiding her students as they grow into young adults.
The daughter of Navy veterans and the wife of an Air Force veteran, Michelle has lived in various places around the world and within the United States, giving her a unique perspective on the challenges of starting a new adventure in a foreign land. Michelle hopes these experiences will help her connect to her future students. Michelle currently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband and their son. In her spare time Michelle enjoys traveling, baking and hiking with her family.
Originally from Georgia, Suzanne and her family have lived in Japan, South Korea and several states across the USA. She has also traveled across Asia between 13 moves in 21 years as a military spouse.
Suzanne studied Economics and was a Finance Marketing Manager before marrying into the military. No stranger to Exchange Students, growing up, Suzanne's family sponsored a student from Brazil and they are still friends 36 years later! Last year, her family hosted a student from Italy and it was one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences. Suzanne loves her students and families, and is excited to continue this passion within ETC.
SUZANNE SIDARI
Assistant Field Manager
Since 2021
Colorado Springs, CO
