IACET Board of Directors

Kristopher Newbauer Chair
October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2023

Rotary International
Evanston, IL

Kristopher Newbauer, EdM, MHRM, SPHR, CPLP, CPT is Chief Human Resources Officer/Head of Global People & Talent at Rotary International, the world's oldest—and one of the largest—humanitarian service club organization in the world. Mr. Newbauer holds a Masters of Education (EdM) in Global Human Resource Development from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Masters of Human Resource Management (MHRM). He holds certificates in human resources from Cornell University, DePaul University, and the American Management Association. Newbauer serves on the adjunct faculty in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership in the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Mr. Newbauer has a long history of service with IACET.  He was first elected as an IACET Board Member in 2009 and served as IACET President in 2013-2014.  He has served on the ByLaws Committee, the Personnel Committee, and currently chairs the Nominations and Elections Committee and sits on the Executive Committee. In 2018 IACET recognized his valuable contributions, exceptional service, and major leadership to the association by awarding him the Distinguished Service Award.

Maria Diaz Member
October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2023

Site Safety, LLC
New York, NY

Maria is currently the Director of Training and Development for Site Safety, LLC , one of the top safety consultants in the United States, which offers site safety management, safety plans, safety programs, training, and fire safety. Their firm specializes in high-rise construction and major construction projects such as hotels/resorts, airports, commercial complexes, and stadiums.

With over 10 years of experience in the construction safety industry, Maria transformed their entire training department into a state-of-the-art facility and is responsible for the professional development of the organization's workforce and general public. She is responsible for the research, design, and development of the training courses to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal agencies. Maria and Site Safety's passion for adult learning in the construction safety industry extends across the nation, where they work with local community groups and non-profit organizations to offer free training for their members.

Maria attended the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) where she majored in Business Administration and Marketing, and obtained a Human Resources Certification from PACE University. She is an active member of the NYC Chapter of The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), and serves on IACET's Finance Committee. In addition to serving on the Finance Committee, she collaborates with other Board, Committee, and Council members, contributing her input to the growth of IACET.

Leigha Jansen Member
October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2023

Continued
Houston, TX

Leigha Jansen, EdD, CPACC, is the director of educational technology for continued, a national provider of continuing education in the fields of early childhood education, audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology. Her 20+ year career has spanned from clinical care to education. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the Fischler School of Education at Nova Southeastern University. Her research interests focus on the use of emerging technologies and effective continuing education methodologies for adult learners. She recently earned the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) credential and is passionate about website accessibility relative to learning.

Dr. Jansen serves on the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) Board of Directors and is an adjunct faculty member at Concordia University School of Business and Technology in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Dr. Jansen resides in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul with her husband and the family dog, Wilson. 

Daryl Lim Member
October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2023

DesignThinkers Academy Singapore
SG

Daryl is responsible for the implementation and advocacy of design thinking training and consultancy services for Asia. Daryl Lim brings over 15 years of experience in designing and creating a wide range of people related solutions. He has designed and co-created business and people management strategies working around employee career journeys.

His design solutions include skills maps, evidence-based goal management, personalised skills profiles, career progression pathways, training and assessment systems and courseware. He also helps individuals to design and build their own personal branding while enhancing their own career progression.

His advocacy of design thinking extends across  organisations in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Uganda, Myanmar, Azerbaijan, etc; with multi-national companies including Daimler, S-Three, Coca-Cola Company, Myanmar Breweries, Hewlett Packard, Great Eastern Life, Manila City Government, Bloomberg Philanthropies, AIG, BECA, etc. 

He represents the DesignThinkers Academy in strategising and implementing design thinking initiatives, trainings and projects in Asia. 

Casandra Blassingame CEO
October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2023

International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training
Herndon, VA

Casandra Blassingame, MEd is the Chief Executive Officer for the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training. Casandra is responsible for organizational oversight. She operationalizes the strategic plan by engaging the Board of Directors, Staff, Standards Development Council, Commission, and Committee members. Casandra’s goals are to maintain the ANSI Standard, create strategies to better communicate who we are, engage our stakeholders, identify and increase business opportunities, create meaningful partnerships, and make a positive, growth-oriented impact on the continuing education and training industry.

Casandra has served IACET in other capacities. She joined the organization as a Commissioner where she evaluated training organizations who sought IACET accreditation. She served on the organizations finance committee, other adhoc committees, and the Board of Directors. She then became CEO of IACET bringing several vantage points and experiences within the organization which contributes to the organizations continued success.

Before joining IACET, Casandra had a 21-year long career in higher education as adjunct and associate faculty, coordinator, director, vice-president, and chief academic officer in the community college and both public and private colleges and universities. In 2016, she began her career in the non-profit trade association space as the vice-president of education services at the American Gear Manufacturers Association.

Casandra is a graduate of Talladega College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science. She earned her Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she is a doctoral candidate. She has three sons and four grandchildren and currently resides in Northern Virginia.

Laura Foxx Member
October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2024

Atrium Health
Charlotte, NC

DAVID KAMEN Member
October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2024

The Culinary Institute of America
HYDE PARK, NY

Sandheep Menon Member
October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2024

IBIS Educational Services
IN

Kelly Morin Member
October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2024

FDA - Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Gulf Breeze, FL