Staff

Rachel is currently in her senior year at Thunderbird School of Global Management, completing a Bachelor’s of Global Management with a Certificate in International Studies. She was raised in Hickory, North Carolina, but upon moving to the Phoenix metro area to continue her education, realized how much she loved the valley. Rachel previously worked with Phoenix Sister Cities as an intern, where she cultivated a strong passion for community building and international relations. Additionally, her previous internship at a government affairs firm provided her with a comprehensive understanding of local, state, and federal government operations and their impact on business decisions. Rachel has an interest in cross-cultural communication, international historical perspectives, land conservation, and public policy.

Cindy Braun was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived in Los Angeles before recently relocating to the metro area. Cindy’s primary emphasis has been in the Arts, Entertainment and Non-Profit sector, specializing in development, events, operations, community relations and strategic partnerships. She recently joined Phoenix Sister Cities as Events and Membership Coordinator, where she will focus on increasing membership as well as organizing events specifically geared towards our sister cities.

Before moving to Arizona, Cindy was Administrative Director for Everybody Dance LA! Prior to that, Cindy was Director, Membership, Operations and External Relations for the Paley Center for Media, where she launched a variety of membership initiatives and strategic community partnerships resulting in a 62% increase in revenue; drove rental sales which resulted in a 32% rise in new clients and 44% in profits.

Prior to joining the Paley Center, Cindy was AVP, Membership Group where she was responsible for creating appropriate strategies, incentives and programs for recruiting and retaining members. She organized and executed programs and special events for the Board of Directors and top-earning members. She supervised a department of six, as well as overseeing the Group staff of 45. Additionally, Cindy recruited student interns for five national Membership offices, acting as mentor to aide and foster career development. Cindy began her career in advertising and promotions working for the largest promoter in Southern California.

Cindy received her Associate of Arts degree from SD Mesa College. Her passions include music, travel, reading and gardening.

Maya is a senior pursuing an undergraduate degree at the Thunderbird School of Global Managment, with minors in French, Communications, and Media Analysis. Born and raised in New York City, Maya has studied abroad in Hiroshima, Japan, and La Plata, Argentina, experiences that have fueled her passion for cross-cultural relations and the innovative fusion of business and media.

Prior to joining Phoenix Sister Cities, Maya volunteered at Robinson Ranch, where she assisted in the equestrian therapy programs for individuals with special needs, blending her love of horseback riding with her commitment to service. Her professional journey began in the fashion industry but has since expanded to include international media and brand management. Her passion for international business and affairs now plays a significant role in her academic and career pursuits.

What motivated you to come to Phoenix Sister Cities?

“From the moment I learned about this opportunity, I new it would be the perfect environment to immerse myself in Phoenix Sister Cities’ mission of fostering international prosperity. As a graduate of an international high school, I’ve always been driven to learn about and connect with people from diverse cultures. Globalization is transforming industries worldwide, and I am excited to be a part of this dynamic global initiative.”

What are you excited to accomplish during this internship?

“With my experience in social media and marketing, I am eager to help expand Phoenix Sister Cities’ mission and promote its incredible work in fostering global growth. This organization’s initiatives are unlike anything I have encountered before. Through this internship, I aim to refine my storytelling skills and develop creative strategies to resonate with diverse audiences, ensuring that every project I contribute has a meaningful impact.”

Lydia is currently in her first year of pursuing a master’s degree with a concentration in Global Affairs at the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Lydia earned her undergraduate degree at Ohio University majoring in Global Studies and Danc. During her undergraduate career, she studied abroad in Prague, Czech Republic. She was also an active member of the largest wellness club on campus, CHAARG, where she continues to contribute by supporting leadership development initiatives.

After graduation, Lydia joined the Peace Corps and was placed in a rural village outside of Monze, Zambia, where she worked as an English teacher for grades 5, 6, and 8. During this time she collaborated with local educators to develop equitable teaching practices. This transformation experience sparked her passion for cultural collaboration and community unification, and it has inspired her to pursue a career in public diplomacy.

What motivated you to come to Phoenix Sister Cities?

“When I first learned about Phoenix Sister Cities, I recognized it as an incredible opportunity to grow my understanding of public diplomacy and international relations. Thunderbird is currently helping develop the skills needed to connect global studies with effective management, and this organization felt like the perfect environment to apply those skills.”

What are you excited to accomplish with this internship?

“I’m excited to gain hands-on experience working on impactful projects. This truly feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate with an organization that bridges diverse entities while working closely with city government. I look forward to making meaningful contributions that foster global connections.”

Rick Gerrard is Vice President of Phoenix Sister Cities Inc. and Deputy Director of the City of Phoenix International Relations Office. Phoenix Sister Cities is a non-profit corporation that manages ten sister city relationships on behalf of the city. He has served in this capacity since 1999. His work includes the design and coordination of international exchange projects and events around the world.

Among the major projects that he has managed was the fundraising initiative to finance the construction of a new kindergarten school in Chengdu, China, built after the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan Province. The kindergarten, named for the City of Phoenix, replaced a school that was destroyed during the earthquake. Rick also took the lead in the development of a training program for doctors and nurses in partnership with the Maricopa County Burn Center to address a critical need for the care of burn victims in Hermosillo, Mexico after the tragic day care fire of 2009 which took the lives of over 50 infants and toddlers. In addition to his sister city related duties, Rick works with international delegations visiting Phoenix on official business, briefing the mayor and city council, and managing matters of protocol for international visitors on official business with the city.

Prior to his arrival in Phoenix, Rick served as Deputy Director at Sister Cities International (SCI) in Washington, DC. He spent ten years with SCI in various capacities. Among his major achievements, Rick organized political, educational, and trade delegations to more than a dozen industrialized and developing countries including some sponsored by the US Department of State. These included the first visit of US mayors to South Africa after the collapse of apartheid (1995); the first visit of US mayors to Vietnam after the normalization of diplomatic ties (1996); and the first visit of US mayors to Northern Ireland, just prior to the Good Friday Agreement (1997). Rick also worked closely with the SCI Board to organize and conduct four Western Hemispheric Fora for municipalities held in the US and Latin America.

Rick has been involved in international affairs for over thirty years. He served for two years as SCI’s State Representative in Arizona and served one year as President of the Arizona State Sister Cities Association. Rick received his Master of Arts in Latin American History from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences and Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He speaks Spanish and Portuguese and served for two years as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay.

Carlin is a first-year graduate stiudent at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, focusing on sustainable solutions. During his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University, he majored in Chinese Language and literature. Carlin also spent time living in Taichung City, Taiwan, where he worked as an English Language Arts teacher for elementary students. His experiences have fueled his passion for sustainability and cross-cultural education.

What motivated you to come to Phoenix Sister Cities?

“One thing I have actively worked on throughout my career is assisting in the education of younger generations. Currently studying global management and aligning my passion for global education, I knew this would be the perfect place to grow both personally and professionally.”

What are you excited to accomplish with this internship?

“Sustainable solutions are at the core of my studies. For quite some time, I have aspired to contribute to the United Nations’ agenda for sustainable development. Phoenix Sister Cities’ initiatives to promote sustainability through education align perfectly with my goals. I’m excited to support these efforts and see Phoenix as a city where I can grow long-term, making this opportunity even more meaningful.”

Rita Marko has been with the City of Phoenix for more than 20 years.  Initially hired as the Library’s Development Officer, Rita staffed the Phoenix Public Library Foundation and raised funds for critical library services.  She was promoted to the position of Library Community Relations Manager, where she was responsible for media relations, marketing and the development of the Library’s website – the City’s first responsively-designed site.

Rita transferred to the City Manager’s Office, where she supported two Deputy City Managers, and staffed three City Council Subcommittees and two task forces.  Most recently, Rita served as the Management Assistant II in the Public Works Director’s Office.

Prior to coming to the City, Rita worked for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, raising $1.5 million in about 18 months.  She also worked for the Skokomish Indian Nation in Washington state, serving as the community’s Health Planner, Economic Development Planner and Director of Economic Development.  Rita has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Anthropology from the University of Arizona, where the focus of her studies was culture change and economic development.  Her Masters thesis focused on the Cuban Women’s Federation as an agent of change for women in Cuba.