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The Team 


Gateway is led by educators, international program specialists, and DC professionals who have spent decades designing experiential learning opportunities in Washington.

Our backgrounds include university program leadership, public policy organizations, cultural exchange management, and international education.



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Gateway opens doors to the institutions that matter.



We leverage a broad network of partners across multiple continents – including universities, government agencies, private-sector institutions, and NGOs – to build programs with real-world relevance.

Our internationally focused offerings have addressed themes such as trade, democratization, human rights, climate change, disaster response, and nonprofit leadership. Many of these programs have been delivered in Washington, DC, a global hub for diplomacy, policy innovation, and multilateral initiatives addressing urgent global challenges. 

The Gateway Team

Experienced professionals committed to your career growth


Dan Hester

Executive Director

Dan is a seasoned international program architect with extensive experience developing global education initiatives across the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. A Michigan State University (MSU) graduate, he has led major domestic and international programs at the University of Southern California and MSU, and co-founded Key to Europe, a Brussels-based non-profit supporting training and cooperation in Europe. His early professional formation in Washington, DC set the foundation for a career dedicated to advancing experiential learning and international engagement. He also serves as a Senior Expert in Training for GeoRisk Solutions.

Fernando Lopez-Alves, PhD

International Outreach & Strategic Partnerships Director

Dr. Lopez-Alves is a political sociologist and Director of Global and International Studies at the University of Salamanca. Formerly a professor at the University of California, he has led academic programs in Washington, DC and designed graduate initiatives for institutions in Europe and Latin America. With a PhD from UCLA, he has authored multiple books with leading academic presses, published extensively in scholarly journals, and received major research awards including Fulbright and NEH grants. He continues to advise international organizations and academic networks focused on global affairs and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for GeoRisk Solutions. ​ 

Steve Selby

Professional Development Director

 Based in Washington, DC, Steve is an educator and consultant with more than two decades of experience in strategic communication and professional development. He has coordinated policy immersion programs and training workshops for the University of Southern California, the University of California’s DC program, and Michigan State University. His career includes work with AmeriCorps, USAID initiatives, and national issue campaigns, giving him deep insight into public affairs and advocacy. A graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz, he now mentors emerging professionals as they define career directions and develop leadership skills.

Je-Hoon Lee, PhD

International Project Consultant

Dr. Lee is an Endowed Professor at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul and founding Executive Director of the Network of Korean American Leaders (NetKAL), where he created a premier leadership fellowship for emerging 2nd-generation Korean American leaders. He has directed programs at the University of Southern California, led strategic initiatives at Michigan State University, and designs cross-cultural development projects that strengthen civic leadership across Asia and the United States. He holds degrees from the University of Seoul, Seoul National University, Ohio State University, and Michigan State University.

Javier Sierra, PhD

International Project Consultant

Dr. Sierra is a researcher and educator at the University of Salamanca with expertise in microfinance evaluation, development policy, sustainability, and innovation in education. He has conducted research across Latin America and the Caribbean, served as a visiting fellow at CERMi in Belgium, and consulted for the Inter-American Development Bank as well as private sector organizations in Spain. He teaches internationally and holds advanced degrees in Economics and in the evaluation of legal and public policy frameworks.


Joel Clark, PhD

Experiential Programs Consultant

Joel is a higher education specialist with over 25 years of experience in teaching, research, and program design. A U.S. Army veteran with a PhD in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara, he has developed academic internship programs for multiple universities in the United States and Spain and has personally supported more than 1,000 students in securing Washington, DC placements. He is the author of two career development books and continues to advance innovative strategies in experiential education and early-career preparation. He currently serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Policial Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is affiliated with the university’s Department of Sociology and International Studies.


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