Meet our new Executive Director of Xperitas, Leslie Gale
We are excited to announce that Leslie Gale became the new Executive Director of Xperitas on November 6. Leslie is a graduate of Carleton College and has worked in the education sector, both in nonprofit and for profit, for more than 20 years. She taught English as a second language for eight years to students of various ages in Morelia, Mexico, where she was able to achieve native-level fluency in Spanish. She later served as World Language Department Chair at the International School in Cincinnati, Ohio and most recently held a leadership position with SABIS, a global education network with schools in seven states in the US, including the International School in Eden Prairie, and 20 countries around the world.
What attracted you to Xperitas an organization?
I am a very mission-driven individual, so I need to believe that my professional life is making an important contribution to society. The Executive Director position at Xperitas allows me to use my extensive background in education and my experience in managing and developing successful teams in growing the reach and impact of an organization towards a mission that has had significant personal and professional impact in my life.
Could you tell us about your own personal or professional experience as it relates to our mission of transforming lives through shared global experience and intercultural learning?
When I was an undergrad at Carleton College, I participated in a 10-week family-stay program to Morelia, Mexico. Participating in that program completely changed the trajectory of my personal and professional life. I returned to Mexico after graduating and taught English at the elementary and university levels for eight years, before returning to the U.S. to teach Spanish and eventually become the Director of Academic Operations for an international education management company. On the personal side, I married a wonderful Mexican man, and we are celebrating our 20th anniversary this year. Our son, Adam, has had the opportunity to grow up in a bilingual, bicultural home that I hope will give him even more personal and professional opportunities in his life.
What has surprised you the most about working for Xperitas so far?
Xperitas has been through a lot of leadership change over the past five years. Given how difficult so much change can be, I was surprised at the resiliency demonstrated by all staff members, and their unwavering commitment to Xperitas’ mission of transforming lives through shared global experience and intercultural learning. They are really an amazing group of people.
What do you think will change about Xperitas, and our industry, over the next five years?
I still have a lot to learn about Xperitas and the intercultural travel experience space, but what I do know is that the need for Americans to understand the variety of culturally-based perspectives, values and practices is now greater than ever. This type of deep understanding of “the other” is vital to operating successfully in our own country and in the global economy and it is an indispensable requirement of co-existing peacefully and productively in our world.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I play tennis and compete in a number of different leagues throughout the year. I am also studying for my master’s degree in public affairs at the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota. But I am also kind of a “homebody” and I love to spend what precious free time I have with my husband Carlos, my 13-year-old son Adam and my close friends and family both here in Minnesota and in Mexico.
Anything else you would like our community to know?
I would just like to thank our travelers and partners for their loyalty and commitment to Xperitas. I would love to hear from you, and I welcome any feedback our stakeholders are willing to provide to help us improve the way we carry out this mission.
Let us assist in planning your next immersion experience and help make it accessible to all of your students! We have many destination options for Language Immersion programs worldwide. Necessary traveler protections for teachers and students are already integrated into our programs too! Contact us today!