About the Founder

Mark S. Lazar is a senior international education and non-profit leader, with experience in organizational direction, strategic planning, program design and management, relationship management, business development, financial/budget management and global operations. He worked at the Institute of International Education (IIE) for over 20 years, rising to the level of Vice President and Chief of Client Engagement. During his time at IIE, he implemented successful new education and scholarship programs with the U.S. State Department,  NYU, GE, Alcoa, Rockefeller Foundation, Schwarzman Scholars Program and many others. Mark is also experienced at leading large international teams and managing operations in locations across the globe. 

Prior to IIE, Mark served as a Program Coordinator for the Soros Foundations and the Central European University, working to develop educational programs in Central and Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union. He holds Master's degrees from NYU and Columbia University and a Bachelor's from University of Wisconsin, Madison.