About Me

Hi! I'm Nikki Lebenson Angulo. 

Work life

I am currently the Deputy Chief of Organization Development at AFS Intercultural Programs. In this role, I oversee our internal and external communications. On the internal side, my job is to ensure a healthy flow of transparent, robust communications between AFS International in NYC and the 1,000 AFS staff and 600+ AFS board members at Partner offices in 58 countries around the world. On the external side, I oversee our corporate branding, public relations, fundraising and global alumni relations. I also oversee key strategic initiatives like the AFS Youth Assembly and annual AFS Network Meeting.

Previously, I worked at the Institute of International Education, a global non-profit that promotes the exchange of people and ideas, where I served as Senior Communications Manager.

During my eight years at IIE, I collaborated with colleagues across the Institute’s 19 offices on both internal and external communications. I worked with senior leadership and internal stakeholders on strategic communications for multi-year change management initiatives including the design and launch of a new global brand; an organizational restructuring; the implementation of new global financial systems; the construction of an interactive company intranet; and a complete redesign of IIE’s corporate website. 

Volunteer Life

My work is international, but I am Brooklyn-born and raised. Most of my volunteering helps me stay connected with my neighborhood and borough. I volunteer at a local community garden in south Brooklyn, and often volunteer as a photographer (here's a look at an event I covered for the Museum of Food and Drink). 

I am a proud member of my local community board and sit on the Community Environment Committee. I also work with the Youth Services Committee, which is in charge of an annual jobs and opportunities fair attended by hundreds of young people in the Flatbush, Ditmas and Kensington neighborhoods of Brooklyn. 

School Life

I hold a a Master's degree in Branding and Integrated Communications (BIC) from The City College, a campus of the City University of New York (CUNY). 

I completed my undergraduate at Brooklyn College (also part of the City University of New York - hooray for public education!) and was a J.K. Watson Fellow. Through the Watson Fellowship, I interned at the 92nd Street Y, Sesame Workshop and finally with IIE in Mexico City, often working on communications projects that eventually led to my current role. 

Real life

I grew up and continue to live in Brooklyn, New York. I speak Spanish and am passionate about books, stories, travel and food (preferably books, stories and travel that center on food).